Today’s newsletter is presented by Kaiser Permanente.
Good morning, San Diego ☀️
Here’s what we have for you today:
- A fire at Camp Pendleton Thursday shut down a big slice of Interstate 5, while quickly consuming more than 1,100 acres.
- She doesn’t create music, but it’s a huge part of Claudia Russell’s life. That’s why the former Jazz 88.3 DJ will be one of Friday’s new inductees to the San Diego Music Hall of Fame.
- Julian and apples – it’s a match made in heaven. But how far back does it go? You might be surprised.
Jennifer Vigil
News editor
Top story
Encinitas approves sending its homeless to South Bay after heated exchange with National City councilmember
The city of San Diego has thousands of homeless people. Its suburbs have far fewer, but the communities are smaller and less accustomed to what has long been regarded as an urban core issue.
So most of the social services for homeless people are located in the big city. But some are in the South Bay and that’s at the heart of a disagreement between Encinitas and a National City councilmember.
Population-wise the cities are pretty similar, hovering around 60,000 residents. But, on income, not at all. A coastal enclave, Encinitas has a median household income that is well more than double National City’s, a working-class port city.
Councilman Jose Rodriguez appeared before the Encinitas City Council this week to urge its members to reconsider sending their (very small) homeless population to a National City San Diego Rescue Mission shelter rather than accommodating them close to home.
The council did not take kindly to Rodriguez’s appearance. Its members not only rejected his appeal, they also accused him of politicking during their meeting – he’s running for mayor in National City. Then Encinitas’ mayor had him thrown out.
The fuss at the council meeting is an example of a failure of local diplomacy, yes. Rodriguez acknowledged his breach, as an elected official appearing at another agency’s meeting. But he accused Encinitas of another, failing to notify National City about the homeless contract, which the council approved.
The debate over homelessness clearly can inspire some less than gracious behavior. Optics can be unforgiving though, and on the income gap alone, the vote was not necessarily a good look for Encinitas. Whether the appearance in Encinitas helps – or harms – Rodriguez on Nov. 3 remains to be seen.
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Stories you should know about
🗑️ Mayor names COO less than a month after trash billing debacle exposed holes in city operations: The appointment of Bethany Bezak, which is set to go before the council on Monday, is a reversal of Gloria’s decision last year to appoint himself chief operating officer, while cutting 30 other positions to try and close a budget gap and save taxpayers $5.3 million.
🍂 There’s no shortage of things to do this weekend – from Borrego Days in the desert to Golden Hill, here’s all you need to get in the fall spirit: There’s Edgar Allen Poe readings until Halloween and crafting Papel Picado at the Front Gallery. Indulge your inner Italian too.
What else we’re reading
⚡️ A data center in Point Loma? It doesn’t seem like a very intuitive place for such a thing but the Manchester Group thinks it could be a possibility. The development firm asked San Diego Community Power how much it would cost to locate what would be one of the largest data centers in California at the NAVWAR site. (Voice of San Diego)
✈️ Military families whose homes were damaged in the plane crash in Murphy Canyon last year are suing San Diego, alleging that the city failed to maintain critical safety equipment. The three companies connected to the pilot are also named in the suit. (CBS 8)
Times of San Diego thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.
Locals Only
🍳 We asked you: What’s the best brunch spot in Uptown San Diego? Here’s what San Diegans had to say:
🥓 Parc Bistro on Fifth Ave. from Laurie B.
🥞 Kensington Cafe on Adams Ave. from Tessa B.
🙅♀️ “Brunch is SO over.” says Winnie A.