Top Stories: Nov. 12-Nov. 18

These were the most popular Voice of San Diego stories for the week of Nov. 12-Nov. 18.

1. Across the County, Taxpayer-Funded Turf Fields Are Falling Apart After Just a Few Years
At least 20 artificial turf fields at schools across San Diego County have deteriorated while still under warranty. Yet instead of getting a free replacement, some schools shelled out even more money for another new field. Without much pushback from public school officials, taxpayers have been left holding the bag for a private company’s admittedly defective product. (Ashly McGlone)

2. Opinion: San Diego Said No to C; Now It’s Time to Say Yes to the Q
The Q is a perfect framework for a refurbished state-of -the-art stadium. Plus, rehabbing an old building rather than building a new one is better for the environment. (Jack Carpenter)

3. The Consummate Salesman
FieldTurf USA turned failure into opportunity when dozens of its artificial turf fields quickly fell apart at public schools across San Diego County. No one held the turf company line and wrung more money from local customers than regional FieldTurf salesman Tim Coury. (Ashly McGlone)

4. How a Turf Company With High Prices and a Defective Product Cornered the SD Market
FieldTurf USA managed to convince several public school districts to give all their turf jobs to the company, claiming it offered a superior product and warranty – all while grappling with a defective product installed at as many as 3,000 schools. (Ashly McGlone)

5. Despite Failures, San Diego Unified Just Can’t Quit FieldTurf
San Diego Unified had at least six FieldTurf fields fall apart before the warranty was up, and two were replaced with the same defective product. Still, district officials have such confidence in the company, no other turf manufacturer has been allowed to compete for jobs within the district. (Ashly McGlone)

6. Plaza de Panama Project Banks on Paid Parking
The City Council will vote Monday on a plan that counts on the success of its first foray into paid parking at Balboa Park. (Lisa Halverstadt)

7. In Southeastern San Diego, Charters Are the New Neighborhood Schools
While other nearby district schools are figuring out how to attract students from the neighborhood, students are clamoring to get into Gompers Preparatory Academy and The O’Farrell Charter School. If traditional schools want to compete, they’ll have to look to charters to see what they’re doing right. (Mario Koran)

8. New City Hall Will Face Big Fights But They Won’t Be as Partisan
San Diego has some big political fights coming up, but the fault lines of those fights may not line up with the partisan divide. (Andrew Keatts)

9. Opinion: Don’t Let the Plaza de Panama Revamp Bypass Good Design
The Cabrillo Bridge is a nationally significant structure and any bypass bridge that connects to it should be held to the same standard of design excellence set a century ago. (Howard Blackson)

10. No Public Money! And Everything Else in the Way of a New Chargers Stadium
Now that Measure C has been decided, those hoping to keep the Chargers in San Diego will have to craft a new proposal. Here are the four things that anyone hoping to put a deal together will have to grapple with. (Scott Lewis)