voiceofsandiego.org: Slop... Let Them Ship!
an independent nonprofit |
Support This Service

Let Them Ship!

Published: Monday, October 6, 2008 4:19 PM PDT



As I said below, we're hosting a week's worth of debate and commentary about the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal. As part of that effort, the people most interested in the issue will be writing some pieces for us.

But in addition, I invited you, readers, to send me your own thoughts on what should happen with San Diego's harbor. It's an old discussion: Do we work with the waterfront (shipping things in and out) or do we gaze at it and cavort on its shores?

Responding to my request, reader Eloise Duff sent in this sober take:

A port, is by definition, a place for water-going vessels to come to land ... for servicing, loading, unloading, and for safe harbor respite from the world of water -- all kinds of vessels if we are lucky, including commercial freighters, which use this terminal. There is precious little of that kind of business here due to our proximity to the largest port complex in the country. Tourist hotels and football teams are not primary to this function and ought not be allowed to alter operations of the terminal in any way.

Just one opinion, but I can say it was a much more interesting port before we turned half this city over to tourism!


What do you think? Send me your short takes at scott.lewis@voiceofsandiego.org.

-- SCOTT LEWIS




1 Comments so far on this story...

This is more than a fight over maritime use vs tourism dominating our downtown bayfront. It is also about who gets to control and manage our publically owned tidelands. Under California law the San Diego Unified Port District only holds this property in trust for its real owners, the people of San Diego county. Yet for decades the Port has treated our public tidelands as its own private property, leasing it off to big bucks hotel developers like Doug Manchester, then using public tidelands revenues to build huge tourism facilities like the convention center to support those hotels. Its time for the public to take back control of our own tidelands from the Port and other narrow special interests like those sponsoring Prop B.

Posted by Watcher | reply to this comment
October 7, 2008 7:56 am


Reader feedback
  • Users may post more than one comment, but should not pose as multiple users. Multiple posts from the same IP address but with a different user name on each will be reviewed to determine whether abuse has occurred.
  • Posts with overly personal attacks or unsubstantiated allegations may be edited or deleted.
  • Please be patient with the posts -- there may be a delay before they appear on the site -- and make sure to enter the code in the "image verification" box.
Post a comment
Name:
Email:
Comments:
Current Word Count: Verification Code
3499bd7

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.


Listen to voiceofsandiego.org's radio program on AM 600 KOGO: Latest Episode (November 8): Scott Lewis and Michael Zucchet talk about the city's budget

Subscribe to the Podcast Feed



MOST POPULAR STORIES:



MOST POPULAR STORIES:


Copyright © 2009 voiceofsandiego.org. All Rights Reserved.