San Diego Being Bulldozed

Saturday, Aug. 5, 2006 | Last Tuesday the City Council voted on and approved the construction of the Regents Road bridge even though the environmental impact report explicitly stated that the bridge would have “significant and unmitigable” impacts to the canyon and the neighborhood. It would also be the most expensive alternative, approximately $36 million.

Once again, Donna Frye had the conviction to stand up for the community even though the community isn’t in her district. And, yes, Toni Atkins sided with saving Rose Canyon, but made an obvious apology to Council President Scott Peters for having to vote against his motion since she is now the champion for the new “Canyonlands” initiative.

The rest of the City Council members folded like a house of cards behind their leader who made the “deal” with the developers and “big bucks” that got him re-elected and also backed our new mayor and the “Strong Mayor” form of government.

Let’s face it. This wasn’t about saving a neighborhood or a canyon, or creating an alternate route for emergency vehicles. This was a payback.

The frightening thing is that this was supported by the Overriding Conditions Statement prepared by the City Staff who now work for the new mayor, who came out in favor of the bridge before he was elected.

Is the city staff being “held hostage” with their jobs on the line as well as their lucrative pensions to do as the mayor says?

I think San Diego is being bulldozed!