The hits just keep on coming. In a blistering letter released Tuesday (no, not the blistering one released Monday, that’s different), the Chargers’ special counsel Mark Fabiani went after Jason Roe, the mayor’s political strategist, and Tony Manolatos, the spokesman for the mayor’s task force.
In short, Fabiani asked a series of questions implying they were both conflicted in the matter. He also wrote that it didn’t make sense for the task force to pay them and not stadium or finance experts.
Roe returned fire: “Ryan Leaf is no longer the worst personnel decision in Charger’s history. In 14 years of failure, Mark Fabiani has done nothing but make excuses, lay blame, and pick fights.”
Then the mayor responded too. Here’s KPBS’s rundown of the row. Faulconer didn’t answer Chargers’ questions but he did blast Fabiani.
The mayor also, though, distanced himself from Roe. Actual spokesman Matt Awbrey told the U-T that Roe did not speak for the mayor in the matter.
So this can only end well, right?
Fact Check: Lower Energy Rates?
“It’s been incredible to watch the outcome of the programs in Sonoma and Marin because they’ve been extremely successful and they’ve been able to provide lower rates to all residences and all businesses in Marin and Sonoma with a higher renewable energy content,” a local environmental activist declared a few weeks ago.
Is she right about a program known as Community Choice Aggregation? San Diego Fact Check finds it true.
• In a VOSD commentary, attorney Ty Tosdal explains how a concept called “Community Choice Aggregation” can keep energy costs down. (He’s representing a client involved in “alternative energy.”) This was the counterpoint to SDG&E’s take that high rates are the state’s fault and “we’ll be proposing a series of reforms to improve our state’s energy rate structure so it’s both fair and sustainable.”
Water Use Up Despite Drought?
A new report finds that the county used more water in 2014 than in any other year this decade despite the drought. Several parts of North County use the highest amounts of water on average per resident, but they’re not just farming communities like Rainbow: the ritzy Rancho Santa Fe area is a water guzzler too. (It’s gotten national attention for being a hog.)
The city of San Diego, by contrast, uses among the lowest levels of water per person in the county.
Crime Roundup: Death in Prison
• The painter accused of shooting local sportscaster Kyle Kraska has pleaded not guilty. Kraska apparently was shot 6 times instead of the reported 10. He’s still hospitalized but is reportedly getting better. (LA Times)
• An AP investigation finds that “California state prisoners are killed at a rate that is double the national average — and sex offenders… account for a disproportionate number of victims.”
• The online media outlet Slate looks at cases of cops shooting people, especially kids, who are carrying toy guns. California has required manufacturers to make toy guns in bright colors, and our Sen. Barbara Boxer is pushing for a similar rule nationally. But, a writer argues, “the ’shoot first, ask questions later’ mentality is a problem, too. ‘Cops have no choice but to shoot’ is an inadequate defense, one that discourages actual examination of these sorts of incidents and why they happen. If there’s anybody who should be able to exercise discretion in the moment, it’s a police officer.”
• A newspaper war in the South Bay could end up in court: “Ed Kravitz, owner of the I.B. Local News, said he has filed a criminal complaint about copies of his paper being taken or covered up by the distributor of the competitor paper, the Coronado Eagle & Times.” There’s bad blood from the Eagle & Times toward the I.B. Local News too, apparently.
• A man “accused of murdering a man and running over a police officer” is suing because he says a hospital didn’t properly treat wounds from the gunshots that hit him as he tried to escape law enforcement. He says doctors refused to treat him. (Reader)
Culture Report: Banking on Seeds
The weekly VOSD Culture Report checks in on the Barrio Seed Bank project, which aims to help Barrio Logan residents grow their own produce instead of having to search for it in “an area in which it’s easier to find bags of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos than it is to find fresh tomatoes.”
The project, which is connected to the arts community, wants to develop a kind of Farmers Market where locals will be able to trade their crops.
Also in the Culture Report: Retro robotics, the history that could have been and a new coffeehouse in Mission Hills.
DeMaio Wants Pension on State Ballot
Former Councilman Carl DeMaio, who lost his bids for mayor and Congress, wants to put a pension reform measure on the state ballot in 2016. (KPBS)
• Moderate GOP legislator Rocky Chávez, who represents North County, is officially exploring a bid for U.S. Senate. Yes, U.S. Senate, not the state Senate. We checked in with him last week.
Quick News Hits: Say Cheese, Streets!
• The city will spend more than half a million dollars to hire a company to film and analyze its roads, KPBS reports. The idea is to monitor the shape they’re in over time.
• Local gas prices have been rising every day for almost 3 weeks. (City News Service)
• SDSU’s women’s golf team made a video of some trick shots that is taking off.
• The John Waters movie “Polyester” screens locally tonight, KPBS says, and the sight of legendary drag performer Divine on screen won’t be the only highlight. The cult film will include “original scratch ‘n’ sniff Odorama cards.”
Among the scents: Roses, skunk, pizza, dirty shoes and air freshener. That’s great. For me, it’ll be just like watching the movie at home!
Randy Dotinga is a freelance contributor to Voice of San Diego and president of the American Society of Journalists and Authors. Please contact him directly at randydotinga@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter: twitter.com/rdotinga.