Last week, the County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to negotiate the purchase of a 110-acre ranch in Vista. But they aren’t the only ones working to purchase the property.
Why the supes want it: Supervisors hope to develop a mental health and a substance abuse treatment center at the Green Oak Ranch, adding badly needed beds to the county’s miniscule capacity. Supervisor Jim Desmond said the ranch’s simultaneous feeling of isolation and proximity to infrastructure would make it an ideal location for such a facility. Supervisors agreed to put down $300,000 on an estimated $12 million purchase of the range.
The other suitor: Nonprofit service provider Solutions for Change has been in negotiations to purchase the ranch for about 10 months, according to its CEO. The nonprofit provides behavioral health and other services to underserved residents and homeless people in Vista. It also offers temporary and permanent housing, workforce training and a variety of counseling services.
Solutions for Change CEO Chris Megison said the Board of Supervisors vote took him by surprise, as the nonprofit has already signed a letter of intent and is close to inking a final contract.
The Latest in the Nathan Fletcher Suit
Last Monday, former county supervisor Nathan Fletcher’s lawyers asked a judge to force the release of text messages about him between Grecia Figueroa, who last year accused Fletcher of sexual assault and harassment, and a friend.
Though some of the texts have been released, Fletcher’s attorneys claim the full exchanges will show that their relationship was consensual. Danielle Radin, Figueroa’s friend and a Los Angeles-based journalist, has refused to release all of the exchanges despite a February subpoena. Radin, who claims to be a licensed domestic violence counselor, has claimed patient-counselor privileges mean the texts are not subject to disclosure.
Meanwhile: Back in March, Figueroa parted ways with a second lawyer. She’s since retained new representation, but they haven’t been able to get entirely up to speed.
Even so, the judge in her case against Fletcher has advised them that he believes there is sufficient grounds to strike mention of Fletcher’s wife, former state representative and current California labor leader Lorena Gonzalez, from the suit. Fletcher has long sought to remove reference to Gonzalez from Figueroa’s suit.
“Inclusion of these allegations appears intended to harass and inflame, rather than to support plaintiff’s particular causes of action,” the judge wrote in a tentative ruling published Friday.
The judge also advised Figueroa’s new representation that mention of efforts to negotiate a settlement prior to the suit ought to be struck as well, writing that he is “unpersuaded that prelitigation settlement discussions have any relevance to plaintiff’s claims.”
Labor Council Responds
We told you yesterday that a labor leader’s comments at a recent rally didn’t sit well with Latino community members and a handful of organizations.
San Diego Imperial Counties Labor Council leader Brigette Browning’s remarks about County Chair Nora Vargas were meant to belittle, and discriminate against, the Latina politician, they argued in a letter, and demanded an apology.
Now, the Labor Council has responded with a letter of support.
“We support the right of union members and all community members to advocate passionately for the cases they believe in,” reads the letter signed by at least 10 elected officials and organization leaders.
Browning “acknowledges the hurt:” She released her own statement not exactly apologizing for her Spanish but saying she never meant to hurt anyone.
What’s really at stake: Who will lead the county? Labor wants Cindy Chavez in that role, but as we reported, she wasn’t interviewed for the job.
RIP Joan Jacobs
The beloved San Diego philanthropist, Joan Jacobs, whose vision for, and contributions to, the arts, education and sciences touched dozens of institutions and thousands of lives, died Monday at age 91. She was the grandmother of U.S. Rep. Sara Jacobs and the wife of Irwin Jacobs, co-founder of Qualcomm. Almost all local institutions that celebrate and foster the arts and sciences and UC San Diego have benefited significantly from the Jacobs’ generosity. They have been major supporters of Voice of San Diego as well.
Rep. Jacobs released a statement: “I am who I am because I am Joan Jacobs’ granddaughter. She showed me I could be feminine and win an argument, be a wife and mother and a leader, and I could chart my own path while giving back to my community.”
UC San Diego put together a long obituary about all Jacobs’ contributions to that institution.
Song of the Week
Twin Ritual, “Allie,”: The 2023 single, “Allie,” is a perfect example of Twin Ritual’s knack for seamless, slickly produced and hooky songs. It’s awash in sparkling synths, pumping bass and delicate guitar flourishes. But Levenhagen’s soaring vocals are the real standout. She has the kind of voice that would shine in any era but is an especially perfect fit for Twin Ritual’s brazen 80s pop vibes.
Like what you hear? Check out Twin Ritual at Soda Bar on Friday, May 17.
Do you have a “Song of the Week” suggestion? Shoot us an email and a sentence or two about why you’ve been bumping this song lately. Friendly reminder: all songs should be by local artists.
In Other News
- San Diego Council President Sean Elo-Rivera makes the case in a new op-ed for Voice of San Diego for why San Diegans should support a sales tax and stormwater tax. “We have the power to change the course of our city,” he writes. Read the op-ed here.
- National City may remove Sandy Naranjo, its Port Representative and a longtime environmental environmental justice advocate, at a Tuesday night meeting. The potential removal comes less than a week after Naranjo, who has been in and out of controversy at the Port, claimed Mayor Ron Morrison asked her to resign. (inewsource)
- A total of 270 property owners who were victims of the Jan. 22 flood have joined together to file a lawsuit against San Diego, claiming the city did not properly maintain storm drains and channels, which led to the damage to their properties. Attorneys for the property owners are looking for an estimated $100 million payout. (CBS 8)
- One day after police cleared a pro-Palestinian encampment from UC San Diego’s campus and arrested 64 protestors, university officials say they’ve resumed normal operations. (Fox 5)
- Lawyers representing people formerly incarcerated in San Diego County jails have asked a federal judge to require Sheriff Kelly Martinez to sit for a deposition about conditions in the region’s jails. The lawsuit seeks to ensure proper treatment in the County’s jails, which have long seen sky-high numbers of prisoner deaths. (Union-Tribune)
The Morning Report was written by Jakob McWhinney, Andrea Lopez-Villafaña and Scott Lewis. It was edited by Andrea Lopez-Villafaña.