Of all the things former Mayor Jerry Sanders did, perhaps the most memorable was the tearful speech he gave when he announced he had changed his mind and would not veto a resolution the City Council had adopted supporting same-sex marriage.
Video of the speech went viral across the country. Times were different then. This was a Republican and the stand was remarkable and compelling. A controversial case was in front of courts and the city was going to officially send a letter.
Kevin Faulconer, a city councilman, was one of three votes against the resolution.
Now he’s a supporter of marriage equality. Liam Dillon asked him what changed.
• What do you want investigated and analyzed in the mayor’s race. Now’s your chance to weigh in. We’ve created this survey to collect ideas and priorities.
• We’ve focused a lot on Faulconer this week. Earlier we explored how he switched his views on whether booze should be banned at the beach. I would argue that no policy in the last six years has had as big of an impact on San Diego lifestyle as the beach booze ban, which Faulconer made happen.
• In this week’s San Diego Explained, I tried to explain to normal folks to whom Bob Filner and Carl DeMaio might have been referring when they talked about the special interests that kept them out of the mayor’s office.
Nonprofit Under Fire
One of those who agitated for Filner to leave office and even supported a recall was Tara Jones, the leader of the National Women Veterans Association of America. The group wanted Filner to headline their big gala, then didn’t, then did. Jones is in hot water again.
Barrio Logan Day Approaches
Tuesday is a very big day for Barrio Logan. The City Council is set to vote on the neighborhood’s community plan. Nothing will immediately change for the area. People with homes or those industrial folks building things will not have to move.
But over the years, as people move on or leave properties vacant, the plan will dictate how the look and feel will change.
Basically it’s homes vs. the maritime industry. And this process has been going forward for years, leaving only one seemingly small dispute remaining. So why have the representatives of business and industry gotten so fired up lately about it?
Andrew Keatts tried to answer that question. Basically, they’re afraid that this is all going to lead to the downfall of shipbuilders and other employers along the waterfront.
Open Data Looking Good
The City Council’s Rules Committee may approve an open data policy in late October or early November. Then the City Council as a whole would have a chance to solidify it. Open data policies ensure that residents can have access to information in so-called machine-readable ways. In other words, you should be able to get into the city’s website and find all kinds of information about everything from building permits to code violations and potholes.
Not only does open data help us hold the government accountable, but it also opens up the chance for entrepreneurs and others to make use of the data for new applications.
Sports Blues
This week’s Sports Report is up. Tough week for San Diego sports fans. Someday that descriptor won’t work. But most weeks it does fine.
And don’t miss this cool pie chart of how the Chargers spend their player payroll by position.
News Bits
• U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan visited Chula Vista Friday.
• Chip Franklin is out at Newsradio 600 KOGO. The new schedule has Chris Merrill in the morning, LaDona Harvey at noon and Bob “Sully” Sullivan at 3 p.m.
• Former City Attorney Mike Aguirre says he’s a changed man and wants to be a mayor known for consensus building.
• U-T says the Democratic Party may endorse a mayoral candidate Sept. 24.
Quote of the Week
“We haven’t had a damn good thing done in this city in the last 10 years.”
— U-T San Diego publisher Doug Manchester at a closed-door meeting of elite Republicans who wanted consensus on a mayoral candidate.
Quote of the Week II
“Wait a second. That’s bullshit. That’s fucking bullshit.”
— Former Mayor Jerry Sanders, in response to Manchester.