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Dear %%TO_EMAIL%%:
Happy
Independence Day!
Happy Independence Day! The 4th
of July is a special day as we celebrate our
independence as a nation. For me, I reflect on the
many blessings we have as a nation. Happy 229th
Birthday to the USA!
And may God Bless our troops
around the world protecting the freedoms we enjoy
everyday.
And with the fast pace of
everything going on is one reason why I like to
update you in my eNewsletter. It is a chance for me
to tell you about issues and events and more
importantly, for you to send me your thoughts and
comments.
You can write me by clicking on this link.
This issue is packed with tons of
information from problems with SDSU to details about
the new Trolley opening to CERT to recognizing some
special people to a list of many upcoming events and
things to do.
Conquer and
Seize
Something strange is happening on Montezuma Mesa at
SDSU. Let me explain.
There are two issues that
residents both north and south of the University are
up in arms about. They are The Paseo project and
the University Master Plan Expansion that includes
impacts to Adobe Falls and Alvarado Road. And in
both cases it appears the University has been making
some rather myopic decisions that completely ignore
their neighbors – all under the color of being a
part of state government – as though “we the people”
don’t matter. In fact, sadly, there are some rather
influential supporters of SDSU who simply dismiss
community concerns as NIMBY (Not In My BackYard)
excuses. I have to wonder how they’d feel any
different if they lived in the area and things
affected their neighborhoods.
Sure, there are always “town and
gown” conflicts that occur between any large
University and their surrounding neighbors, but for
the most part, relations have been fairly good until
recently between the community and SDSU, especially
since the resolution of the decade-long Cox Arena
battle. Once again however, it appears the
University is moving head-strong into battle – and
this time not with just the residents south of
Interstate 8, but north of I-8 as well.
My how times have changed. Or
maybe not. You be the judge. I’ll give you some
background and perspective why more and more people
have become furious at SDSU. They feel as if the
University has declared war on them and it certainly
looks that way. Let me begin by saying I have been
respectful and supportive of the University. In
fact, during my tenure as City Councilmember and
previously as Chief of Staff to my predecessor Judy
McCarty, I have long enjoyed my role as a liaison
between the City of San Diego and SDSU. I agree
that they are an important part of the San Diego
community at large and should flourish, prosper and
grow. However, I also believe they need to act
responsibly. They should be good neighbors
respectful of the people who live and work in the
surrounding areas.
Sadly, the very institution that
professes to teach social responsibility to its
students is failing miserably in practicing what it
preaches.
The Paseo
Folks in the College Area and
Rolando have been working on the Paseo project for
nearly 18 years and now, in the 11th
hour, the University is making a major change that
threatens it. The Paseo is a spectacular mixed-use
project that will provide relief for traffic and
housing issues affecting the community. With
planned and desperately needed housing for over
1,300 students, 1,900 parking spaces, retail space,
movie theaters, religious space, services and office
space for the University, this is a project designed
by the SDSU Foundation with the community’s
interests taken into consideration.
With the Paseo project, students won’t need to leave
campus. And residents will have new amenities
conveniently nearby.
The dispute is really an internal
one – between the SDSU Foundation and the President
of the University – and for some rather bizarre
reasons. While who is in charge would not normally
seem to affect the community, now that we are at the
cusp of voting at City Council on a DDA to commence
the Paseo project, worked out between the community
and the San Diego State University Foundation, the
University now wants to seize control of this
project and build it as theirs instead. Based on
their less than sterling reputation, this has me and
many others extremely concerned.
I am further concerned that a
state agency, even one representing an institution
of higher learning would have blatant disregard for
their neighbors and nearly two decades of planning.
All one has to do is look at their pronouncements
over their Master Plan Expansion efforts where
mitigation is a foreign word and community input
matters not, and you can quickly see why we are
heading toward a major train wreck.
What is the last minute change
that threatens to stop the project? The University
intends to change the project from being run by the
SDSU Foundation (which has a wonderful relationship
with the community for fulfilling its promises,
addressing mitigation and answering community
concerns) and instead replace it with the University
itself. That means a project that instead of being
next door to the University as a private,
entrepreneurial and commercial based project that is
nimble, flexible, and responsive to community needs
to start all over again with a project mired in a
state bureaucracy that has the legal authority to
ignore community concerns. Community leaders are
concerned and say it is typical of the University to
break their promises and not fulfill their
commitments.
All
one has to do is
see the June
28, 2005 letter from the City of San Diego that
details a horrible track record of the University
working with the community - click here to see it.
You
should click this
link and see the letter from the President where he
pledged to honor promises made. Those promises
are now threatened.
There are two other letters worth reading -
one includes a
letter from the Redevelopment Agency dated May 10,
2005 expressing concerns over the SDSU takeover of
the Paseo and the
June 7, 2005
response from the President of the University -
click the links. All are very interesting
reading and provide an outstanding perspective.
The
University is content to give community folks what I
call “happy spin” – basically telling people the
Foundation will still “run” the project in the hopes
residents might feel good and just go away. If they
are so intent on running things, at minimum there
needs to be an oversight committee between the
Community, University and the Foundation to assure
the project is as promised: a non-SDSU branded
project adjacent to the University that provides
student services, housing, and retail shopping and
parking. Unless these issues are addressed, there
is no way the community, the City and the
Redevelopment Agency will deliver land and $26.5
million in subsidies only to watch the University
once again breach its commitments.
There are several other items
worth reading to give you even greater background in
this topic.
The University Master Expansion Plan – to Seize and
Conquer
The SDSU Master Plan among other
things proposes to build 540 units of housing for
graduate students and faculty
built with only one point of access on 32 acres of
open space the University owns north of I-8 adjacent
to Adobe Falls Road in the Del Cerro area.
The project proposes building mixed-use housing
below Del Cerro in a single-family residential area
that has been well established for nearly 50 years.
The University has stated they have no plans to
mitigate for additional traffic. Excuses from them
like “why wasn’t the road built wider back 50 years
ago” just don’t cut it. Already the neighborhood
has severe traffic problems.
With no proposal to access I-8 or
the University except by driving through the
neighborhoods on narrow residential street and two
elementary schools, this plan would never be allowed
without proper mitigation. And that’s where the rub
is: they claim as the State-run University, they can
do as they please despite impacts, safety and other
issues. With cars parked on each side on the
street, there is only room for one car at a time.
Can you imagine what would happen if there was an
emergency!
You can check out more information on the expansion
plans by visiting the SDSU website by clicking on
this link.
In addition, the same situation
is true for their expansion plans on Alvarado Road
at College where traffic is already horrendous and
will only get worse without proper mitigation. Can
you imagine Ambulances not being able to get to
Alvarado hospital? This is truly a possibility
under their plan. This is not a case of NIMBYism.
It is a case of lunacy to force a project that is
not time critical without working with the community
to solve major inevitable problems first.
There are Solutions
The University is seeking final
approval of their Environmental Impact Report at the
CSU (California State University) Board of Trustees
meeting in Long Beach on July 18 and 19, 2005.
I am calling for a time out. Pull it from
the agenda. Return this half-baked
plan to the community. Form an ad-hoc Citizen-based
group to work through mitigation issues with the
University. Think outside the box – make sure
that any and all possibilities have been
considered.
I am very disappointed and disturbed by the
aggressive nature exhibited by the University on
these proposed development projects. While I can
generally support the goals and reasons for the
University’s expansion efforts, their plan was
sprung upon their neighbors without any input or
offer of compromise. That is simply not right.
Again, isn’t ironic that the
institution that claims to teach social
responsibility is so socially irresponsible with
their plans?
What
You Can Do to Help:
Regarding the SDSU
Expansion Plans being heard at the July 18-20
meeting of the CSU Board of Trustees:
To help out, you can contact each
member of the CSU Board of Trustees by letter or
email asking that this issue be removed from the
agenda until the University and the Community can
arrive on a sensible solution that allows the
University to use their land or satisfy their goals
without causing severe impacts to the
neighborhoods.
Click this link for CSU Board
addresses and contact information.
Contact our area state
legislators – they are very interested in hearing
how you feel. Ask them to support our request that
the SDSU Expansion plan be removed from the July CSU
agenda until such time that the University and
residents can resolve issues.
Click
this link for area Legislator contact information.
Write President Stephen Weber by
postal or email and let him know how you feel.
Click this link
for President Weber contact information.
Write each member of the
Campanile Foundation – these folks are the backers
of SDSU and President Weber – many of them support
the expansion and many of them need to hear from you
asking they call a time-out so we can work out
differences. Click
on this link for Campanile Foundation contact
information.
You can also visit
SaveDelCerro.com
and signup for more news and information from this
citizens-based organization. They have an excellent
website that is regularly updated.
Regarding the Paseo
Project Takeover:
Contact each member of the CSU
Board of Trustees by letter or email asking that the
University honor the commitment made by the SDSU
Foundation to build a non-SDSU branded project
adjacent to the University that provides student
services, housing, and retail shopping and parking.
With a less than sterling track-record, there have
been too many breaches of faith between the
University and the Community to allow this take over
to happen. At minimum, there should be an oversight
committee between the Community, University and the
Foundation to assure the project is as promised.
Click this link for CSU Board
addresses and contact information.
Write President Stephen Weber by
postal or email and let him know how you feel about
his takeover of the Paseo.
Click this link
for President Weber contact information.
Write each member of the
Campanile Foundation – share with them your concerns
and ask that commitments made to the community be
honored.
Click this link for Campanile
Foundation contact info.
New Trolley Link to Debut on July 9th
Open for Business on July 10th
A critical 5.9-mile gap in the
region’s public transit system disappears on July 10
with the official opening of the Mission Valley East
trolley extension, also called the Green Line. First
envisioned by the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS)
more than 25 years ago and planned in conjunction
with the cities of San Diego and La Mesa, and SANDAG,
the $506 million project will provide San Diegans
with a competitive alternative to driving in the
busy Interstate 8 corridor.
Community Leaders get to
check out the new Trolley
Several weeks ago, I invited
community leaders from both sides of Interstate 8 to
join me for a VIP tour of the new line. Many were
part of the original Citizens Committee that worked
with MTDB in planning the new line. Riders were
treated to a special ride that included the
Grantville, SDSU, Alvarado and 70th Street stations.
Saturday, July 9th,
Try out the Green Line Free!
On July 9th, the public will get
a chance to test ride the new trolleys and check out
the four new Green Line stops between 10:00 a.m. and
3:00 p.m. To participate, just board at any Trolley
Station between Qualcomm Stadium and Santee Town
Center. There’s plenty of free parking at Qualcomm,
Grantville, Grossmont Center, El Cajon Transit
Center, and Gillespie Field stations. Each of the
four new stations will offer themed activities and
special commemorative souvenirs and a special
dedication ceremony at the following times:
-
70th Street Station –
10:30 am. (Environmental Theme)
-
Alvarado Medical Center
Station – 11:30 a.m. (Health and Fitness
Theme)
-
San Diego State
University Station – 12:30 p.m. (Art and
Culture Theme)
-
Grantville Station – 1:30
p.m. (Youth and Safety Theme)
For a more detailed schedule of
activities go to
www.sdcommute.com.
On the
Ballot July 26
 In
the beginning of my first term in office I pledged
that I would never vote against the Mt. Soledad
cross and have stayed true to that commitment. I’ve
been criticized for taking that position and I’ve
also received support for taking this stand. For me
the decision was easy because my view is consistent
with that of my constituents. I’ve written about
the cross issue in previous eNewsletters and wanted
to give you an update.
As you know voters will decide the future of the
cross during the July 26th special
election. I was in the minority when the Council
voted in March against transferring the Mt. Soledad
cross and land around it to the federal government
to maintain. The decision was unpopular to say the
least and that launched a successful petition to put
the issue on the ballot. Organizers collected more
than double the 33,610 signatures required for the
petition.
On May 17th the City Council revisited
this issue. I was happy to make the motion and the
Council did rescind its earlier vote and agreed to
let the voters decide. On the Special Election Day
later this month voters will decide the fate of the
cross as well as who will be our next mayor.
This cross issue has been ongoing
since 1991 and was on the ballot this past
November. Some say enough already. To that I would
say this issue is too important not to see it all
the way through and that it is paramount for the
people to decide. In the November 2004 election,
many were unsure if their vote was to keep the cross
or move it. Now the people will have an opportunity
to resolve this issue.
Parking B
Permits
At the June 7th City Council meeting the fee for
residents to pay for Parking B Permits was raised to
$22 annually. This was less than the proposed $44
increase, and one I voted against. Despite our
City’s dire finances and the need to find additional
funding to balance the budget, I could not justify
it. I don’t think residents should have to pay a
dime to park in front of their homes. This fee
increase was one of many that the City Manager
proposed in order to balance an $863 million budget
for fiscal year 2006 that begins on July 1st.
There are five residents-only parking districts in
the City including the College Area in District 7.
Earlier this month I asked the
City Manager’s office to provide more information
and I want to share that with you.
Click here to view
the memo.
CERT Day in San Diego
June 20th was CERT Day in San Diego.
CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team
and they are the vital component in keeping our
communities safe in a time of emergency. We learned
valuable lessons in the past few years responding to
wildfires and mudslides: namely that there are not
enough emergency resources to cover every community
in the first few hours following an emergency and
also that citizens want to help. So the City of San
Diego’s answer to emergency preparedness was to form
the CERT program.
 The
CERT program teaches citizen life-saving actions by
San Diego Fire-Rescue personnel that can help
families, neighbors, businesses and communities get
through the first few hours following a major
disaster. I heartily endorsed the program, provided
funding and encouraged volunteers in the communities
of Tierrasanta and San Carlos to sign up.
A member of my staff, Jay Wilson, completed the
rigorous program last year and I graduated last
month from the 5th academy. It was a
unique experience where firefighters taught us some
important skills. We actually put out fires, raised
a 1,800 pound concrete slab off a victim, and
conducted mock rescues, administered first aid and
many other tasks that are crucial for triage, search
and rescue immediately following a major incident.
So far there have been five CERT
academies with a total of 181 volunteers who have
successfully completed the program and are certified
to national Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
standards. It’s a great comfort knowing that CERT
volunteers are there if we need them. If you are
interested in getting involved with CERT or to learn
more, please contact the City of San Diego Fire
Department at 619-533-3075 for more information.
Welcome to the Community
There are brand new community
entrance signs installed to welcome people to the
College Area and to San Carlos.
The College Area sign is located on Montezuma Avenue
near 54th Street and the San Carlos sign
is located on Navajo Road near Park Ridge Boulevard.
They have a natural look as if made of stone but are
actually made of a durable material that is
resistant to wear and tear. Community leaders Rosary
Nepi, Jim Boggus and Christina Kish of the College
Area and, Matt Adams, Jan Nanning and Keith and
Ginny Turnham of San Carlos joined me to commemorate
their installation as you can see in the photos.
Tip of the
Hat
When space permits, I like to spotlight people and
organizations in the district that deserve special
mention. Their outstanding record and service to
others singles them out for recognition. First, I
want to highlight the Crusader Soccer members who
recently put together a work force of volunteers to
trim the hedges and trees at Pershing Middle School.
The team plays on our high-tech turf field at
Pershing Middle School for practices and games. Jon
Lauer, president of Crusader Soccer, said this was a
great opportunity for them to help. The green
overgrowth made it difficult for people to safely
use the sidewalks along Boulder Lake Avenue and San
Carlos Drive and so 35 parents and soccer players
worked side by side to fix the problem. They were
joined by Crusader Soccer board member Don Bogotay
who owns TLC Tree & Landscape Company and his crew
for some of the real heavy work. That is what I call
being good sports.
Congratulations are also due to Erin McPeek. She was
selected as Teacher of the Year at the high school
level by the San Diego Unified School District for
the 2004/2005 school year. Erin McPeek teaches
English and Advancement Via Individualized
Determination (AVID) at Patrick Henry High School.
Students describe her as a resourceful, creative,
and tough but fair. Erin is a firm believer that
collaboration helps teachers overcome obstacles and
uses what she describes as synergy to exponentially
enhance the learning outcomes of students.
According to a former
student, this exceptional teacher never gives up on
her students and she understands their needs and
problems both inside and outside of the classroom.
I’m
very pleased that she’s part of a trend that I hope
continues uninterrupted, namely, being the third
consecutive teacher from my City Council district
chosen for this honor. Last year Sheila Weiner, a
teacher at De Portola Middle School in Tierrasanta,
received the Middle School Level award. The year
before, Rae Riner, a
teacher at Gage Elementary received the Elementary
School Level award for the 2002/2003 school year.
Reporting Street Related Problems
Potholes, streetlights out, Street sweeping concerns
– anything street related - many residents will use
the phone to report a street related problem.
However, there is also the option of reporting the
matter via the Internet and I invite you to use it –
just visit:
http://apps.sandiego.gov/streetdiv/sreq_t1.jsp
One of the nice features in using the web-based
system is you will receive an automated response to
verify it has been noted and a tracking number so it
can be tracked at anytime via the Internet. Once you
complete the form with the general information -
name, address, email address – your user information
remains so that the next time you use the Internet,
you will have to fill in only the data relating to
problem. You will also receive a follow-up email
once the task is completed. Since it has so many
advantages, I wanted to bring this method to your
attention. Or if you prefer to call, you may report
a street related matter by calling (619) 527-7500
between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Of course, my office
is always available to assist you at any time with
this or any other City-related issue.
Happenings In the District
From time to time I include a few community events
taking place throughout the District. Here are a few
you may be interested in:
July 4 – The
Navajo community is holding their annual MusicFest
celebration on July 4th at Lake Murray.
It is an all day event and for
more information visit their web site at
www.lakemurraymusicfest.com.
Fireworks will begin at dusk.
July 9 – The
public is invited to ride the new Mission Valley
East extension of the trolley free of charge between
Qualcomm and Santee Towne Center. There will be free
parking at Qualcomm and at the new Grantville
station. For more information about all the fun
activities planned for each station visit
www.sdcommute.com
July 21 – The
City of San Diego is holding a community outreach
meeting about efforts to underground overhead
utility lines. The public is invited to attend the
meeting which takes place from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00
p.m. in the auditorium of the War Memorial Building
in Balboa Park. For more information call (619)
533-3872.
July 24 – The
free Summer Pops concert takes place from 7:00 until
9:00 p.m. at the Allied Gardens Recreation Center
located at 5155 Greenbrier Avenue. The 70 piece
Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra (TICO) will
perform popular music from movies. The Patrick
Henry High School Jazz Band will perform before the
concert at 5:00 p.m. Bring a blanket and picnic and
enjoy the evening. For more information call the
Rec Center at (619) 235-1129.
I wish I could include every
single community event but unfortunately I have to
limit it to a few each issue. We welcome
submissions. For upcoming events you would like to
see in the next eNewsletter, please email
information to
lwebb@sandiego.gov.
Thanks for reading the eNewsletter.
Regards,
Jim
I am always interested in getting
your perspectives and questions. Please email me at
jmadaffer@sandiego.gov
Neighborhood E-Watch Keeps You Informed
The City of San Diego's Neighborhood eWatch
provides information about crime incidents in the
City of San Diego to the public for free via the
Internet and is updated every 24 hours. I introduced
this popular service last year and encourage you to
use it. The web site address is:
http://ewatch.sandiego.gov.
Thanks for reading
the eNewsletter.
In the meantime, please don’t
hesitate to send me your thoughts on issues by
sending email to
jmadaffer@sandiego.gov
and please
forward
this email to your friends who might enjoy reading
it. They can always visit
JimMadaffer.com/email
to sign up themselves.
I welcome hearing from you at any time and rely
on your opinion.
Regards,
Jim
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