It is redevelopment week, apparently, for the news team. Interesting stuff. Let's do a drive by:
This story about City Councilman Ben Hueso. Sure, I understand the guy has a huge and powerful family in San Diego centered mostly in the Southern neighborhoods of the city. I get that. And yes, of course, they are going to have properties in his district.
What's interesting about the story is that because of his financial interest in the area, Hueso can't participate in discussions about what is probably one of the biggest deals for his district in coming years: Whether this vast section of Logan Heights should become a redevelopment area.
So regardless of any conflict or perception of a conflict, Hueso is out of discussions about this vital decision. And that's too bad for a contentious issue that needs leadership and for a guy, Hueso, looking to become a big-shot leader.
An informal poll of insiders would undoubtedly reveal that Hueso is the leading contender for president of the City Council. And the struggle for that post, as I pointed out earlier, is going to be something to watch over coming months.
And that, to wrap things up, is also why Hueso's endorsement of city attorney candidate Jan Goldsmith, coming when it did, was more interesting than, say, where Angelina's babies will be born.
Hueso's got some wind in his sails. The next six months will be pretty big for him.
This story about CCDC head Nancy Graham was equally interesting. I have to disagree with the letter that popped up today. This is a big deal. It is debatable whether Graham has a conflict of interest with the company that is putting together an iconic downtown project. And it is debatable whether she should have had to recuse herself.
But she did recuse herself and said she'd have nothing to do with the project. So that could have been the end of the discussion. But when you say you are not going to have anything to do with a project, you kind of have to not have anything to do with the project.
And that's why the story is interesting. She didn't just sign a document that needed her signature, it didn't even have a place for her to put a signature. She was relaying directions on it.
From the story (emphasis mine):
It is unclear why Graham signed off on the memo. The agreement to extend negotiations had already been approved by Janice Weinrick, the city Redevelopment Agency's deputy executive director. She said she was told to sign it by Murray Kane, a CCDC attorney. "I'm a document signer," she said. "I only did what I was told, to sign off."
If she was told to sign it or it was important to be a part of the discussions, then her note had some kind of effect. Yet Fred Maas, CCDC's chairman, said there's been an "absolute Chinese Wall" between Graham and the project.
Either it's a wall or it's not. That's the issue.
Andrew Donohuemade note today of Nick Canepa's column. Canepa's point is to get people to understand the very basic facts that the logic appears to be pointing to the Chargers leaving town. The cost of the stadium they dream of is now well above $1 billion. And nobody seems to be talking about big numbers like that.
And finally, there's only one site being discussed: The Chula Vista bay front, which has a big power plant in the way.
The U-T columnist was most moved by the Chargers' contention that the team can't be competitive without a new stadium. But Canepa should be careful lumping his alarm about this with mentions of the Padres. After all, the Padres used the same argument in the past.
Look how competitive their new stadium has made them.
And finally, if you somehow missed Ashley's latest, take a look. It was classic, in my opinion. Yeah, I'm hopelessly biased.
There is only one person who should be council president and she wants and deserves the job! Remember...she did get the most votes for Mayor. Attend the City Council meetings and you can see it's Mrs. Frye who takes the most time to read the material, ask the hard questions and hold people accountable. The rest of the council lets her take this role of leader and she should continue on this path. Mr. Peters should endorse her for president if he truly wants the best for the people of San Diego. As for Hueso, he can take the lead AFTER Frye leaves council. I wonder why the Voice doesn't hold Mrs. Frye in higher esteem? Be part of the solution, not the problem! Frye for president!
Voice readers would like to know: Why you imagine that Ben Hueso is qualified to be the next president of the City Council or that the next few months will be "pretty big" for him? These bald assumptions are based on exactly what? Furthermore, it is NOT a given that City Councilmembers are always big landlords in their own jurisdictions. Concerning the many properties owned by Hueso and his relatives (and by Ralph Inzunza who preceded Hueso on City Council) in what will surely become a "redevelopment area" in that Council district, maybe you could do some real digging to let us know when these properties were acquired (especially in relation to redevelopment talk), for how much money, and in what condition they are maintained.
Rob Davis' story on Graham and Related was quite restrained. I think the problem is that " the downtown crowd" had their feathers ruffled by a commonsense analytical report on the current CCDC by the County Grand Jury. You were right to point out Nancy scribbled the instruction on the side of the memo, she didn't just sign off. I agree with Fran Zimmerman that more probing of the Hueso family real estate in the potential redevelopment area is justified along the lines she suggested. I would add that also it would be significant if there were silent partners involved.
Here we go again with the "guilty until proven innocent" nonsense. Ian and FO'NZ and Voice editors: Unless there are some facts out there you know about regarding shady real estate deals, you should practice discretion and avoid the insinuations or presumptions that something is wrong. I will grant that Hueso's longtime, beneficial ties to the Inzunza's might provide a really thin and tenuous suspicion that something might be amiss in the Hueso family's real estate dealings, but until something breaks, I think you all should cool your jets. Seriously!
No, she did not get the most votes, Norman. You may have forgotten, but a considerable number of those voting for Surfer Chic were not bright enough to fill in the bubble (the Bubbleheads) or were incapable of spelling her very complicated last name correctly (the Vacuumheads). Ergo, not the most votes and not the mayor, legally or in spirit. Next time, try to follow the rules. We are still a country of laws. For how much longer might be a valid question to ask. Carl DeMaio for Council President (and April Boling for Pres Pro Tem)!!
Stopped clocks are still correct twice a day. Sometimes I agree with FONZie, sometimes with Gen. Robt. E. Lee. This time I agree wholeheartedly with FONZie. Enquiring minds want, nay demand, to know! Sorry, but on this issue, I will not be waitin' on the levee for the Robt. E. Lee. That ship has sailed in regard to Ben Hueso.
Edgar: What do you know that Ben Hueso did wrong? Let's hear your facts. If it turns out that he's done anything wrong, or had/has knowledge that someone in his family did something wrong, my criticism of Hueso will be scathing. As you know from my previous comments in re Hueso, I think you and I both have the same views about him as a "leader" and his seeming lack of intellect on occasion. But I hate tar and feathers, especially when they are used in moments of groundless frenzy...
Um, the Padres are MUCH more competitive now than they were at the Q. Two straight division crowns and one almost crown last year are proof of that. The Chargers already have built a brief history of being competitive in the last few years - they should stay put.
Gen. Lee, did I say, ipso facto, that Hueso did anything "wrong"? I just re-read my posts and don't see that I did. Maybe you know more about what I said than I do? Anyhow, my objection to him is that he is a vacuuous figurehead, keeping a seat from the Fiefdom #8 warm because he comes from a large family in a political subdivision that carries on the traditions of the "old country": corruption, insider politics, disregard for democratic institutions and procedures, and disdain for American social standards. The only thing he has contributed to the proceedings of the City Clowncil has been to engage in sixth-grade banter with the other clowncil Einstein while concomitantly insulting members of the citizenry (you know, the taxpayers who provide his salary) who have taken the time and effort to address the clowncil on important (or unimportant) matters. Wake up, Ben!
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Scott Lewis on Politics
The Scott Lewis on Politics blog, abbreviated cleverly as SLOP, is a collection of observations, insights and the occasional scoop on public affairs in San Diego. Please feel free to e-mail Scott at scott.lewis@voiceofsandiego.org.
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