For almost two years now, something called Project 25 has been trying to help the region’s costliest homeless people get off the street. These are the transients whose repeated medical problems are a major burden on local hospitals.
How’s it working out? Our Kelly Bennett finds that “it’s clearer than ever the effort is not as simple as opening a door and showing someone her new home.”
Our story profiles a 52-year-old woman to show the challenges facing Project 25. She got space in an apartment through the program, but ended up in jail. Now she’s in another one and trying to remain sober.
Legislature’s Lawyers: Mayor Can’t Veto Port Appointments
Our Scott Lewis last night obtained a memo from the state’s Legislative Counsel Sunday that says the mayor should not have been allowed to veto two port commission appointments. San Diego has three spots on the port commission and only one is filled. Here’s Lewis’ explanation of why it matters to you.
• Today, there is a discussion set for the City Council about the process for appointing port commissioners. Recall that the mayor had several conditions: he wanted a new process and he wanted the City Council’s District 4 seat to be filled.
Why You Should Care about Auditor Investigations
We’ve been covering every twist and turn in the investigations into the conduct of the city auditor’s office. So far, one probe (into allegations of harassment and retaliation) has cleared the two accused men.
We pushed the city to stop delaying the release of investigative reports because we believe this matter is very important. The reports are supposed to become public today.
Now, Liam Dillon explains why this story matters. He writes that it raises questions of oversight, oversight of those who engage in oversight, and spending.
U-T Faces Probe over GOP-Friendly Ad Rates
10News reports that the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission is investigating whether U-T San Diego improperly gave discounts in ad rates to its preferred political candidates, after a KPBS/inewsource analysis. Mayor Bob Filner tells the station that he wants to see the newspaper face a prosecution for violating campaign law: “We have to put them on notice, so that next time, they’ll think twice. Next time, it could influence an election and that [would] be disastrous for democracy.”
• U-T publisher Doug Manchester has a history of bypassing the rules. Last year, we chronicled how he blew off city zoning laws while building an antique car museum. CityBeat uncovered how he “played a two-month cat-and-mouse game” with regulators and AT&T over unlicensed cell-phone-signal boosters on his property. The boosters reportedly interfered with local cell phones.
And the Reader found that Manchester’s Grand Del Mar Hotel failed to get a required permit for a helicopter pad.
Quick News Hits
• The embattled superintendent of the small school district in San Ysidro has quit, although he’ll be paid through the end of June, NBC 7 San Diego reports. He’s facing charges as part of the big South Bay corruption scandal. He’d been on paid leave since January.
• The Associated Press takes its turn profiling the stench driving restaurants and other businesses bonkers near the La Jolla Cove. With the AP on it, that means the story’s playing on many sites today. If you’d like a refresher, check out our San Diego Explained on the matter.
• A 150-bed shelter for homeless vets will remain open instead of closing today, the U-T reports, thanks to a decision by the mayor. It’s not clear how the mayor will pay for the extension, which could last into the summer.
• A hunger strike of hotel workers continued in Mission Valley.
• The U-T explores how six elected officials in the city continue to “receive a big financial break at the expense of taxpayers” despite big changes to how other city employees contribute to their pensions, if they have them.
The City Council could change things so the elected officials are treated like other city employees, but that would mean four of them would have to cough up almost $7,000 a year each, the U-T says.
• The San Diego school board will consider a program to provide $300,000 in bus passes to inner-city kids who face risky commutes to school. (U-T)
• Local Headline of the Month, Nominee (from the U-T): “Local restaurateur insists he is not dead.”
He should have called us! Can we get a Fact Check up in here?
Randy Dotinga is a freelance contributor to Voice of San Diego. Please contact him directly at randydotinga@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter: twitter.com/rdotinga.
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