Morning Report: The Real Row in OB

You’ve heard a lot about density fights around the city as residents worry about the quality of their neighborhoods and developers respond to demand for housing and smart growth.

And you’ve probably heard about a battle brewing in Ocean Beach.

Here’s the thing. That battle is not about density. It’s about how big single-family homes there can be. Andrew Keatts explains.

All Things DeMaio

Liam Dillon clarified some revisionist history about Carl DeMaio. In a major profile of DeMaio, the National Journal quoted him as saying he would have easily won the special election for mayor following Bob Filner’s resignation but he had decided to stick to Congress.

That leaves out some important context. Republican leaders gathered and decided to ask him not to run.

• DeMaio got a boost from the Orange County Register editorial page, Friday. It was a kind of endorsement for the candidate in his race to unseat U.S. Rep. Scott Peters. And it did DeMaio the favor of furthering his message of confronting the GOP to reform.

“If the Republican Party is willing to trust people with their money, why won’t they also trust individuals to decide how to live their private lives?” he’s quoted as saying.

• DeMaio later in the day took a swipe at Nathan Fletcher on Twitter. He touted his own decision to stay and try to change the Republican Party “rather than change to fit a party.” It was fueled by this op-ed in the U-T that used Fletcher as evidence leaving the GOP is a bad idea for rising stars. Fletcher hit DeMaio back.

What CEOs Say When San Diego Drives ‘Em Nuts

As Lisa Halverstadt continues her quest to find out what really threatens businesses in San Diego and keeps them from moving here and what doesn’t, she’s collected the statements CEOs make when they leave or hint they’re might.

Halverstadt is still wading through the hundreds of emails and comments she’s gotten on separating fact from fiction in this debate. Here’s the introductory post about what she’s up to and how you can help.

What We Learned This Week

• MTS says you can’t protest near transit stops.

• Grantville will be the site of the city’s next density debate.

• Two convicted Sweetwater schools trustees can run for office again.

• When San Diego Unified did the supposedly painless cost-saving shift to replace teachers it begged to retire, it moved teachers into the classroom that had supported the district’s many English language learners. That decision has its own cost.

• What “wet reckless” is. San Diego City Attorney Jan Goldsmith claimed a 99 percent conviction rate on DUI cases. But at least 20 percent of those suspects were not convicted of, you know, DUI.

Quick News Hits

• The Port Commission did end up firing CEO Wayne Darbeau and appointed Chief of Harbor Police John Bolduc to replace him in the interim.

• Mayor Kevin Faulconer plans to veto the minimum wage increase the San Diego City Council passed recently. It won’t stick, as the Council can override him but it will be a statement nonetheless.

• One reporter in town this week isn’t so impressed with San Diego’s walkability.

• A bicycle group is planning a rolling protest in Barrio Logan today.

• Stone Brewery got kicked around a bit for announcing a $1 million crowdfunding campaign to help its European expansion. Co-Founder Greg Koch walked it back a bit.

• The USA Today surveyed the influence of Super PAC spending in mayoral races across the country, including here in San Diego.

• Faulconer appointed Reese Jarrett to lead Civic San Diego, the organization that emerged after the redevelopment ended and the city combined the Centre City Development Corp. and the Southeastern Economic Development Corp.

Quote of the Week

“We should all be able to enjoy the same things without men just feeling like the women are there for their enjoyment.”

-Erin Filson of Geeks for CONsent, speaking about the lack of a push against sexual harassment at Comic-Con.