There have been more hit and run fatalities in San Diego this year than the average of the last five years and it’s still only June. Mario Koran pulled together a map of all the accidents involving a car and a bicyclist or pedestrian over the last five years. And with each incident, he told the victim’s story. Some of the stories, like of the well-known UC San Diego professor, got the media’s attention. Others became just statistics.
Most happened on or near freeways, a possible reflection of the high speeds of drivers in those areas. The most fatal hit-and-run accidents, four each, happened in the ZIP codes that cover National City and parts of Golden Hill and South Park.
Fixing the Firefighting
Back when the wildfires hit last month, politicians busied themselves by praising everyone in sight. Now that there’s more time for reflection, the county has a bunch of new ideas about how to resolve the glitches that plagued fire response.
As for the idea of a third firefighting helicopter, most county supervisors are unsure if it’s worth the cost.
Mayor’s Housing Plan: Fight the Red Tape!
Mayor Kevin Faulconer wants more homes to be built here so the cost of living will drop thanks to more supply.
We took a look at how he wants to do it. “Mostly, the policies come in two flavors: adding funding to existing efforts to make them more effective, and the ever-popular streamlining of regulations, restrictions and processes to reduce costs. (The word “streamline” appears 20 times in the mayor’s policy blueprint.),” writes VOSD reporter Andrew Keatts.
More Memories of Mr. Padre
• The sports blog Deadspin remembers when Gwynn “could run and jump with anyone” in his prime, a time that some people don’t recall: “you could see it in his game — not just in the quick, strong wrists he always said he’d built by dribbling, but in the first step that could set him off across the outfield or careening toward second in a way no one built the way he was should have been able to do.”
• It’s both awesome and a bit sad that Gwynn’s humor and kindness were so unique and so memorable. A former Padres bat boy reminisces about Gwynn, the miracle season of 1984 and more: “Have you noticed that the tributes to Gwynn all seem to mention his laugh? The man’s laughter illuminated the room… If the payoff is hearing Tony Gwynn laugh for five minutes, I’ll sit through anything.”
• Here’s an audio clip of a conversation between San Diego native Ted Williams (yes, he grew up in North Park) and Gwynn about hitting. “The highlight of this clip is definitely Williams reeling of a string of incredulous expletives upon finding out how much Gwynn weighs,” Deadspin says.
And here’s another Gwynn chat, this time with baseball star Stan Musial.
SeaWorld Forum Panelist Offers Her Take on the Talk
Naomi Rose was the scientist and top critic of SeaWorld who debated two representatives of the company at our forum recently. She has now elaborated on several points that came up during the discussion in a minute-by-minute breakdown. We’d love to see SeaWorld’s version.
Culture Report: Drama Queens (and Kings) Unite
VOSD’s weekly Culture Report has details about a huge drama confab in our fair city. Plus: “Yarns & Noble,” a “Saturday Night Live” alum in town, improv 411 and excitement in the “seemingly sleepy city of Vista.”
Sleepy? How could a place with a name that means “view” and both a Walmart and two Targets be sleepy? Wait, don’t answer that.
Quick News Hits: Election Law Goes Bust
• A federal appeal court has ruled in a Chula Vista case that an association can’t serve as an official proponent of a local ballot initiative. That’s because an association is a “non-natural person.” (I think I’ve dated a few of those.)
However, the court invalidated state election law that requires ballot initiative supporters to identify themselves on initiative petitions. The San Francisco Chronicle has more details: “The court said anonymity protects speakers from harassment and focuses voters on the issues rather than personalities. The appeals court also noted that ballot measure supporters’ names can be found in elections offices and must be published in general circulation newspapers.”
• District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis got some rare good news regarding a political case in Chula Vista . (U-T)
• The annual La Jolla fireworks show isn’t done-ski, the U-T reports. Meanwhile, a law firm that sued over environmental risks will get $250,000 from the city.
• “California’s public schools would benefit financially if last week’s Superior Court ruling striking down teacher tenure laws is upheld, credit rating agency Moody’s said in a note published Monday,” the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
• I went to my doctor in Hillcrest for a physical the other day and discovered I’m unique. “I’ve only seen this twice before in my career,” my doctor declared. (Don’t worry. I’m fine. And also special.)
We also talked about whether I work out. Me: “I used to actually get a fair amount of exercise, and lately I’ve been on the cusp of getting back into it.” Doctor: “That’s a creative way of putting it. I’m still listing you as sedentary.”
Funny guy.
Randy Dotinga is a freelance contributor to Voice of San Diego and president-elect of the American Society of Journalists & Authors. Please contact him directly at randydotinga@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter: twitter.com/rdotinga.
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