Sound familiar wrote on Aug 19, 2008 5:40 PM:"The shortsighted people who sued us delayed the project and almost derailed it," Abed said
Sam, your statement sounds like it could relate to the hospital project.

Misappropriated funds wrote on Aug 19, 2008 6:07 PM:The project is costing the taxpayer more then the 18.9 million the city gives the developer. Air conditioning consulting and design work that was to be paid by the hotel project but was paid out of the cities Building Maintenance Available Appropriations is approximately $137,000. Also the land preparation, consulting, City Hall and Arts Center renovations to accommodate the new hotel cost the taxpayer (I believe $900,000). That's an extra $1,000,000 plus, give or take a couple hundred thousand dollars.

Citizens of chamber wrote on Aug 19, 2008 6:12 PM:Here come the Olga Diaz negative campaign bloggers.

Im just curious wrote on Aug 19, 2008 7:03 PM:how this hotel is going to attract more tourists to come to Escondido. Are there tourists here in Escondido? I'd love to know what they are here to see and do, as there is nothing.

To paraphrase Judy Collins wrote on Aug 19, 2008 8:00 PM:They paved paradise
Put up a Mar-i-ott

Escondeeter wrote on Aug 19, 2008 8:05 PM:The lawsuit was the direct result of the Council treating with contempt those who expressed misgivings about the condo that was originally proposed as part of the project. Giving up on any hope of getting a fair hearing on the condo produced the first suit, and the mistrust the Council had created in that process resulted in the second one. So they really have only themselves to blame.

This project started out to be a five story boutique hotel, then promptly grew out of all proportion, both physically and financially. I'm in favor of Pfeiler's option two: bag it. The land's not going anywhere, its value will continue to increase, and eventually we'll run across a developer who'll build the project without continually reaching into our pockets. In the meantime, the Art Center will continue to get the revenue from its only profitable activity, the conference center.

To Citizens of chamber wrote on Aug 19, 2008 8:20 PM:Why do you people always revert back to a campaign ploy? Don't you see a pattern here? It's bout da state of ta city stupd!

Christine wrote on Aug 19, 2008 8:25 PM:I don't know how you would justify the hotel at this time, but I agree with the previous person, hold it for a while longer.

OOPS . . . wrote on Aug 19, 2008 8:53 PM:. . . I meant Joni Mitchell (always got those two mixed up)

To Funds wrote on Aug 19, 2008 9:18 PM:The city is giving this developer 20 million taxpayer dollars? And they just forgave a couple million to a housing project on Felicita! Where's all this extra money coming from?

Floyd wrote on Aug 19, 2008 9:20 PM:Ah, there is a grand master strategy! (-- Sarcasm starts here --) There are few tourists here in Escondido because the streets haven't been blocked off to make them pedestrian friendly! Do you honestly think the streets were put there to meet a variety of transportation needs? Once it becomes well known that there is no easy access or enough parking and that we can't afford adequate police protection for big events, out-of-town visitors will absolutely FLOCK to the soon-to-be-revitalized downtown! (-- Sarcasm ends --)

Unrelated wrote on Aug 19, 2008 9:25 PM:How many bloggers do you think will try to connect Olga in one way or another to this article? You're giving her free press. Thank you

perplexed wrote on Aug 19, 2008 10:26 PM:The logic behind this project escapes me. Escondido is not, I repeat, not a destination point for tourists. With a downtown in decline, a DBA that is concerned with event planning versus strategic planning, an Arts Center that can not hold its own, a council divided and the reality that Escondido is a pocket community, what good is a 196 room hotel? As it is the current hotels in the area barely fill their current rooms. More rooms? For what people? I agree with the Mayor, let's call it a day and revisit the project at a later time. Downtown needs a valid revitalization plan, as more businesses fail or move the only thing that is certain is blight.

EscoWatchDog wrote on Aug 19, 2008 10:30 PM:Waste of money..I still can't believe that city council approved this hotel. Arrgh!

Saved by the bell wrote on Aug 19, 2008 10:31 PM:The "initial financial backers" should thank Jim Crone and friends for the delay. Otherwise they may have seats on this Titanic (I mean Marriot).

NSShirlock wrote on Aug 20, 2008 3:29 AM:This whole project was born during the the 'anything goes' subprime environment. Now that we've come back down to earth, we might be wise to reevaluate the whole concept. Let's see if we can get the CCAE up and running in the maroon (what you get when you mix black and red) before we take another leap of faith.

To Saved by the bell wrote on Aug 20, 2008 3:49 AM:Exactly. It is karma that the economic downturn happened in this timeframe. There are no shortcuts. If Escondido wants to be a destination, we need to put a lot more time and effort into the groundwork. The Cliffnotes version of the Gaslamp District paradigm is nothing more than a cheatsheet. Reality bites.

Al wrote on Aug 20, 2008 5:46 AM:Stop this ridiculus development now! It is a waste of time and money.
Folks who book rooms at Marriotts's at, say, $150 a night are not the type of folks interested in Escondido! Let's be real here folks! Just a block away are a 1/2 dozen taco shops, an entire Mexican shopping center at Washingtion and Escondido Blvd, a deserted condo development eye-sore at Center City and Washington, a downtown that turns into a ghost town after 5PM, a zilion-billion Hispanics crossing the itersections pushing strollers ... and dozens of homeless and other low-life laying around during the day at Grape Day Park. This Marriott project has always been a bad investment idea!

Ridgerunner wrote on Aug 20, 2008 6:26 AM:Trouble getting financing?
A bad idea is a bad idea.
Perhaps someone from Dubai would like to invest. If they don't do their homework to check the demographics, you might get a taker!!! Quite frankly, I'm surprised that Marriot would even consider this project, let alone stay plugged in this long. Must be under new management.

Innocent Bystander wrote on Aug 20, 2008 6:43 AM:So, standing on Valley Parkway looking North, once the 7-story thing is built. Art Center (aka Money Pit) on the left, City Hall (aka Puzzle Palace) on the right, Marriott in the middle; does it not look like someone is 'flipping the bird' at Esco taxpayers?

86 it, sez I. They'll only fill the rooms IF the Conv & Vis Ctr can book big enough conventions to the Art Center; if not, the place will echo, and Marriott will look for city subsidies to keep operating. 10 years from now, it'll be a pigeon-roost.

Bill wrote on Aug 20, 2008 7:47 AM:City money is being spent on this before the funding has been secured?

Build it and they will come wrote on Aug 20, 2008 7:51 AM:I say build it! If it doesn't work out, make it into low income housing. Better yet, make it into a homeless shelter. They won't have far to walk and Father Joe can run the place.

To Bill wrote on Aug 20, 2008 7:58 AM:More then we know!

unbelievable wrote on Aug 20, 2008 8:17 AM:My God. The negativity and lack of vision by some of you is scary. Thank God most of you live in your parent's basement, because if you were in charge, we'd just cave in to "reality" and just accept your perceived reality and sit by and watch everything decline. What do you people propose other than snide comments? Anything intelligent? Some of you need to do some serious soul-searching........

CR wrote on Aug 20, 2008 8:35 AM:Since the council already KNOWS the Center for the Arts does not attract enough people to make money, how is the hotel going to attract people to aren't coming to the Center anyway? A hotel for non-guests? Invisible tourists? Did any INDEPENDENT consultant ever do a study to see if a hotel was even needed in the first place? And what about the value of the land that is being given (public land) to build the hotel on in the first place?
Too many questions--time to bail out while we can!

To Al wrote on Aug 20, 2008 8:54 AM:Finally someone making sense. Don't we all look at the area before booking a hotel room to make sure there is a nice area to visit? downtown is not it unless of course it is a Friday (from april to october) and we have cruisin grand.i got it, maybe there will be enough salons for quinceaneras and wedding receptions.

Herb wrote on Aug 20, 2008 9:15 AM:The City council has, through their throwing good money after bad, buddying up with developers, and disrespect for the publics money, shown this project to be "A loser."

Long memory wrote on Aug 20, 2008 9:18 AM:Sam, since you got elected Escondido has only gone downhill. Who else do you want to blame? 12.4 million dollars of the original 16.4 was allocated to CW Clark for PARKING. The following is an excerpt from the NC Times

"As an incentive to the developer, the city had agreed to contribute a total of $18.4 million toward the project ---- $6 million to develop the hotel and $12.4 million to cover the costs of building public and hotel parking. The developer would finance the remainder of what was estimated to be a $105.2 million endeavor."

Inland wrote on Aug 20, 2008 9:54 AM:I think we are all aware of our problems in Escondido, but lets encourage some change here that would attract tourists. Maybe the hotel would work if it were connected to a one of a kind eatery or unique shopping... something that would bring the people here. But I agree, the Marriott by itself doesn't arouse much more excitement than the Motel 6....

tvisioner wrote on Aug 20, 2008 9:57 AM:distraction anyone? the council obviously need to focus on other things around downtown before they set their eyes on marriot; finding a ways to enhance grand avenue is one thing,having five or six anchor stores on that street may help revive things; other than antique stores, there not really a hook to go on grand.i would love to see a steve and barrys or h & m there, or heck, a family entertainment center equipped with a nice sophistacted bowling alley, i bet that would attract some night life there. as unbelievable says, there needs to be "a vision", anything is possible with the right attitude.

retooling center of the arts needs is kind of a must at this point, they should do some research in what people want to see these days; with the right input, they may actually find audience to come in... advertising is another problem, i'm amazed with the lack of publicity this arts center has, their website is so outdated as well.

GO AL wrote on Aug 20, 2008 10:11 AM:You should run for Mayor of Escondido. We will NEVER be a destination for anything but MORE ILLEGAL ALIENS!

Storyteller wrote on Aug 20, 2008 10:31 AM:Once upon a time I was going to rent a room in the Marriott to go visit the farmers' market, buy some produce, and drive back home....or I was going to rent a room after a concert at the art center, a big night out...I was going to rent a room to go lobby the city council for my big development project...I was going to rent a room and go eat at one of the fabulous Grand restaurants...I was going to save my money and go home.

Escoresident wrote on Aug 20, 2008 10:34 AM:I hope the city can get their 18 million back when the funding doesn't go through. What a waste!! That money could be used for so many other valuable projects. Esco will never be Poway or Encinitas or La Jolla....if you put lipstick on a pig it's still an ugly pig!

Al has it right wrote on Aug 20, 2008 10:36 AM:Exactly Al! You could not have said it more perfect!

Reality Check wrote on Aug 20, 2008 10:38 AM:Maybe the Marriott is using the 2 million dollar stumbling block technique to back out of the deal. They probably read our blogs and realized that Escondido just isn't a vacation destination, doesn't have an arts center that is viable or that can attract top notch venues like the Indian casinos can and that they would be stuck selling discount rooms on hotels ... Everyone who lives here knows that crusin grand just isn't drawing the attendance numbers any more and in this economy, $150 a night hotel rooms are vacant. Wake up mayor, smell the coffee council, this is the reality of the situation...

A Cheap Call wrote on Aug 20, 2008 10:43 AM:Five bucks spent on a phone call to Yuma sure would have avoided a lot of surprises.

Escondido wrote on Aug 20, 2008 11:56 AM:But we need something. All the hotels we have right now I would be dare sending my family or friends too. Right know all of them use the Hotel in Poway.

Deanna wrote on Aug 20, 2008 12:13 PM:I like Floyd and Unbelievables comments!

My old boss use to say to us, if you have a complaint then you had better have a better solution or idea.

It doesn't appear at the present time that there is a big 'need' for a new hotel such as the Marriott but, I think the city elects are really trying to bring this city up to another level and have a vision for what is to come, at least, I hope that is the case.

We can all sit back and complain that this city attracts illegals and then you have to ask yourself, why is that? For whatever reason, Escondido hasn't kept up with the surrounding cities such as San Marcos, Carlsbad etc. If you don't want this city to end up as another Tijuana, cars parked on front lawns, washing hung on fences, corn planted on the front lawns etc etc etc..(Like a 3rd world country) then, people that have lived here a long time better stop complaining and put forth some intelligent suggestions to get this city facing the future.

pj to Al wrote on Aug 20, 2008 12:27 PM:Al, I'd love to shake your hand! My sentiments EXACTLY and I've said the same thing on various blogs a hundred times.

Longtime observer wrote on Aug 20, 2008 12:31 PM:Critics should pay a little more attention to the history of how downtowns are redeveloped. Downtown San Diego, while larger and more diverse, offers an excellent comparison. Back in the early 80s, much of downtown San Diego, especially Horton Plaza, East Village and Gaslamp Quarter, were slums -- much worse than Escondido could become. The mayor, Pete Wilson, almost had to bribe two housing developers to erect the first housing projects in the middle of homeless alley off Kettner. Ernie Hahn had to beg his good personal friends, Jim and Bruce Nordstrom, to agree to become the first anchor tenant in the Horton Plaza shopping center which then encouraged others to follow suit. The early downtown housing and Horton Plaza were total financial risks that paid off. Same goes for Petco Park which transformed a neighborhood of produce warehouses into a lively urban village. The same holds true in your community which has already experienced some renewal in your downtown district. The fact of the matter is nothing happens on a piecemeal basis -- there needs to be something that is a catalyst to start something in motion. Your auto park encouraged many other dealers to your city, both inside and outside the park itself. Your regional mall has had similar impacts on the community. You are a city of nearly 150,000 people without a full-service hotel, a condition that stifles your ability to grow rationally and to the benefit of all. At this point, you need a hotel to attract other kinds of commercial services for your residents. But, like any pioneer, it's damn risky and, frankly, it needs a little priming to make it at least minimally feasible. "No pain, no gain."

Al wrote on Aug 20, 2008 12:38 PM:Personally, I would love to run for mayor of Escondido and be a REAL mayor. Be vocal, have charisma, be visible, be doing the right things for this city. The exact opposite of Mayor Do-Nothing Pheiler. But, I'm afraid I'd have little of the patience required to deal with the ACLU, La Razza and the Olga Diaz types. I suspect they would be camped-out on my doorsteps after I remove the welcome mat for ILLEGAL's in Escondido. They have done nothing but degrade the quality of life in this town and give it a negative perception. Sometimes the truth hurts but it is the TRUTH! I'd have this town shining like the inland north county gemstone it should be after a few years in office. Attracting funding for a Marriott would not be a problem if this city were run properly.

Al to pj wrote on Aug 20, 2008 12:39 PM:Thanks

Its a real world after all wrote on Aug 20, 2008 12:59 PM:To Al: It's easy to talk the talk, but fella, ya gotta walk the walk, whether it be as mayor, a council member or business man like Craig Clark. And, if you're going to polish up the city, you should polish up your spelling, especially the things or persons you don't like. It's Pfeiler and it's Raza (one z). The Marriott hotel couldn't care less about your little political grievances; in the end, it's whether a hotel works financially. At least the city isn't sitting on its hands and waiting for a financial messiah -- they're stepping up and doing what they can to help bring something to our city that we don't now have. So, stay in your basement, Al, and let the big people oversee our economic and social future.

To Al wrote on Aug 20, 2008 2:07 PM:Amen to you running for Mayor!! You got my vote! Why is it that so few people living in this city can't see exactly what you wrote about. Maybe it's time to do like China and limit families to one child! But then many of them would say they are following what their religion teaches. Yeah right! Watch TV or start playing Scrabble...anything to keep them out of bed making more babies.

Escondido resident for years wrote on Aug 20, 2008 2:40 PM:I agree that it's a silly thing to put in a new hotel there (or anywhere in Escondido). I can think of a few other things that $18M would be good for... Like fixing some pot holes and roads? Give a much needed face lift to some of the central area's of Escondido? How about remodeling/revitalizing some of the current hotel's we already have that are an eye sore in Escondido?

To longtime observer wrote on Aug 20, 2008 4:44 PM:To Longtime Observer:
I couldn’t get past your first two sentences without feeling compelled to respond to your comments. You wrote: “downtown San Diego, while larger and more diverse, offers an excellent comparison”. Hog wash! Tell me, where is the waterfront in Escondido????

You write of Horton Plaza, East Village, Gaslamp Quarter and Petco Park and the fact these areas were “slums”. Through redevelopment and some risks, these areas turned around and we all know that these places are all destination points for visitors and residents. You offer that the “same holds true in YOUR community”. Oh Really. Again, Where did you say the Waterfront is? And where is the pride in the diversity? It ain’t here in Escondido – just read some of the blogs – like from “Al” who writes of a million zillion Hispanics – I’d rather the company of a Hispanic than that of “Al” (a “man” living in fear – he values the glory days and all that is not “Hispanic” – it’s sad, such animosity).

Anyway, back to our “longtime observer” regarding the “your community” comment – HOW WOULD YOU KNOW? By using the pronoun “your” reveals that YOU DO NOT LIVE HERE – OBVIOUSLY – you must be a developer!!! But, more than likely you are one of our so-called “city leaders”. Do you think we are so gullible?

You write of “piecemeal basis”, “catalysts”, “our” Auto Park…and then you blab about stifling the ability to grow RATIONALLY and to benefit all. OMG – you sound like you are running for office! You write that “our” city needs a “full-service hotel” – What kind of tobacco are you smoking??? Who do you really think is buying your lines??? Your points do not hold water with the residents of Escondido!!! Go sell your story to someone who is buying!! We’ve heard all this before…you can rent the DVD at the local library. P.S. Who are “all” these people that will benefit from the City GIVING AWAY $18.9 million … again…that Eighteen Million Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars that our city leaders are GIVING to an OUT-OF-TOWN developer!!! Is that what YOU call good business – financial responsibility?? Sure, because you are probably on the receiving end of “benefits” such as this.

Now, here’s a bit of HISTORY for you to take in: Councilman Sam Abed sat on the committee that worked with C.W.Clark; it was Abed’s role to ensure the city got a “fair deal” – TOTAL FAILURE. WHO in the world calls $18.9 a “FAIR DEAL”?? But, it paid off for Abed, because the Craig Clark threw Abed a little bone with a campaign contribution…remind you of anyone? Developers and Politicians…a marriage made in H-E-Double L. The story tells us that Abed met with Clark to “discuss progress”…oh sure…probably begging Clark to secure financing perhaps offering some “direction” and of course of the taxpayer’s dime!

More History: Abed is always blaming someone else for the city’s aches and pains – this time it is Crone – well, if the city hadn’t been trying to pull the rug out from under the residents and current business owners with their mondo sized condo project, parking structure and gynormous hotel, they wouldn’t have been spanked like a disruptive child! Time for you to brush up on your HISTORY!!

And in closing, you write “But, like any pioneer, it’s damn risky and frankly, it needs a LITTLE PRIMING to make it at least minimally feasible”. Wow, that’s some kind of fancy sales-pitch. I feel sorry for the people out there “buying” your BS. A “little priming” – Hardly. The city leaders are actually not savvy enough to just have to engage in a “little priming”…No, “our” city leaders they are just putting out the red light and the city is FOR SALE! With a “little priming” the city will give the milk away for free – no need to Buy the Cow.

Longtime observer…my hiney!

Its comments like wrote on Aug 20, 2008 4:53 PM:It's comments like Al and his fan club that continue to tarnish the reputation of our city!!

You people are r-i-d-i-c-u-l-o-u-s! Al running for Mayor - ha ha ha ha ha. People voting for him - ha ha ha ha ha.

I wonder if you people speak so loudly when you are actually out of your caves and amongst the living breathing population. When you drive down the roads, do you shout out your windows to the ladies pushing their babies "go back home"? Probably so. And that proves your ignorance...because you are judging a book by its cover...you are not gettting the F-A-C-T-S.

Are any of you familiar with the term "karma"? Are any of you familiar with the "Golden Rule"? Are any of you religious? Do any of you actually have beating hearts?

Too bad, you people live in fear, with hateful words and prejudices and just a BAD ATTITUDE. Glad I'm not YOU!!!

Honesty in politics wrote on Aug 20, 2008 5:25 PM:We need someone like Mike Aguirre as our City Attorney to keep our council honest. Yes, he ruffles feathers but look at what he's brought to light.

My cents wrote on Aug 20, 2008 5:35 PM:Al is right. Perhaps he misspelled our 2-bit mayors name because one seldom sees, or hears, her name in the media. She seems to hide from the media. Actually, she reminds me of a mouse- hides in a cave most of the time, then comes out on occasion to make noise with her squeaky/nasally voice whenever Sam makes a motion to clean-up this town. We need a respected and strong mayor leading Escondido, not the one we have in office now, whatever her name is(?)

Mexicat wrote on Aug 20, 2008 5:51 PM:Build it already. This is why the city doesn't move forward because of all the red tape. Do you think somebody like Olga Diaz would support a project like this?
Anyway, belive it or not, Escondido is a city of industry, alot of people around the world, yes world, do business here. Why do you think they are doing all these projects. I know some of you like to bash Escondido but it's not a bad city to live in. Like all big cities, this city has growing pains. We even had president and vice president Bush jr and sr. stop by.

Mac wrote on Aug 20, 2008 5:51 PM:Use the 18.9 million to redevelop and add on to Grape Day Park. Expand it, add a large lake, more trees. Make it the centerpiece of Escondido.

Innocent Bystander wrote on Aug 20, 2008 6:46 PM:Easy folks. 'Longtime Observer' is absolutely correct when he wrote:
"At this point, you need a hotel to attract other kinds of commercial services for your residents. But, like any pioneer, it's damn risky and, frankly, it needs a little priming to make it at least minimally feasible. "No pain, no gain."

It's the "damn risky" and "a little priming" bits that deserves attention. Risking taxpayer money that should go to police, fire and infrastructure development is a no-go. We've already witnessed here the phenomena of replacing baseball fields with an Arts Center and parking lot that has produced how much city revenue? We should have built a football stadium in anticipation of the demise of the Murph/Q. In my humble opinion. But we went hi-brow instead. And what's done is done.

In the process, we've run off the "hayseed" population Mr. Councilman Daniels decried (that would be the lower middle class population of workers; craftsmen, skilled tradesmen, middle-management types; taxpayers all) so that what we have remaining are seniors (who came here in droves in the 70's because of city advertising of Esco as a retirement 'Mecca'), hi-society types, with their homes on the hills surrounding the city-core, and low-wage, likely undocumented workers who care for their lawns, children, meals, trash removal, and cheap home improvement/renovations (who previously came here to pick the avocado, citrus, and grape crops for generations).

In my opinion, we, Escondido, need to figure out first who we REALLY are. And then move forward to achieve prosperity. Pretending we are La Jolla, or Tijuana are both equally disingenuous. We are something else.

Let's find out. Then 'move out', as the Marines say. A fancy-dancy Hotel that will end up a homeless shelter that we'll have to pay to demolish in 20 years doesn't sound right.

Got My Vote wrote on Aug 20, 2008 7:41 PM:Hey Al,
Run for Mayor,you say it like it is. Lunch on me.

stevcondido wrote on Aug 20, 2008 8:06 PM:I've been amazed at how people have been suckered in on this project. First if this project were viable there would be people lining up to invest in it and no city money would be needed. Second what happens to the city's invesment when the bank forecloses (probably in the first year)? Can you imangine some tourist trying to find the place without a gazillion signs having to be put up around town. Wise up city council get out now don't waste our money

Jaque wrote on Aug 20, 2008 8:10 PM:Yup, a boutique hotel would be better than a ubiquitous Marriot.

Jaque wrote on Aug 20, 2008 8:14 PM:Interesting idea MAC. But don't water the lawn as a previously mentioned story about the state water enforcement would shut that (and should) down.

Jaque wrote on Aug 20, 2008 8:15 PM:Indeed AL, do it!

Question for Council wrote on Aug 20, 2008 8:25 PM:A question for the Council.

WHERE IS THE $18.9 MILLION COMING FROM? From Capital Improvements? Where?

Also, do you really think it is financially prudent to give $18.9 million dollars to a developer, when the city has a $9.8 MILLION dollar DEFICIT?

How do you justify this?

Hopeful wrote on Aug 20, 2008 8:28 PM:Hopeful that the "short-sighted" people out there (according to Abed) get some glasses and make sure they don't vote for Abed in November.

ANYBODY BUT ABED IN NOVEMBER!!! Our city's reputation can no longer endure his narcissistic-style of governing!!

Mexicat wrote on Aug 20, 2008 10:03 PM:As usual my comments are ignored, why? Because they make sense.

soaring eagle wrote on Aug 20, 2008 10:27 PM:I like Sam and will definitely vote for him.

januaryM wrote on Aug 20, 2008 10:57 PM:HHHHHhhhhoooorrrraaayyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!
Im applauding all the $18 MILLION + "gift" hotel project haters!!!!!!!
Im sooooooooooooo happy to see there are others in this town that know when we are being played and want to shout it out. $9.8 MILLION dollar deficit is disgusting.We could get rid of his inEPPness too.City attorney was appointed not elected.
Aug.20 post at 4:44pm YOU ROCK!

Get out of this hotel deal NOW!

VOTE NOV.2008 to clean house....

Lame Duck wrote on Aug 20, 2008 11:11 PM:I don't like Sam and I definately won't be voting for him.

I urge everyone to give this city a chance by not voting for Sam!

Vote for Sam wrote on Aug 21, 2008 5:28 AM:He has my vote!

Theres a pattern wrote on Aug 21, 2008 7:48 AM:Developers in Escondido get free money.

To soaring eagle wrote on Aug 21, 2008 8:35 AM:That's not an eagle, it's a crow!

Sandra wrote on Aug 21, 2008 10:08 AM:Downtown San Diego has a waterfront, the Navy, cruise ships, sailboaters, and CCDC. They don't have a disfunctional DBA or city council running the show on Grand Ave. If we build a hotel, will they come? Nope. We don't have the tourist attractions, like Balboa Park, the museums, the zoo, the waterfront, Coronado, Sea World. We don't have a convention center, that was built before the Gaslamp Quarter took off. So yeah, we need a hotel, but another black hole sucking dollars isn't going to solve any problems. Isn't the Art Center enough drain?

Little Andy wrote on Aug 21, 2008 10:36 AM:It all PPH fault. Blame PPH and Covert Wasted Taxpayer money Where's LT??