Friday, September 21, 2012 - Evening Edition

>> >>DWANE: TONIGHT ON KPBS EVENING EDITION SOME ENCOURAGING NEWS ABOUT JOBS IN SAN DIEGO.
AND THE CRUISE INDUSTRY GETS A BOOST WITH THE ARRIVAL OF THE DISNEY WONDER.
WE'LL ALSO SHOW YOU THE FINAL FLIGHT OF THE SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOR.
>> >>PEGGY: PLUS SDG&E'S LATEST MOVE TO GET CUSTOMERS TO PAY FOR 2007 WILD FIRE EXPENSES,
EVEN AFTER THE STATE INQUIRY FOUND THE UTILITY'S POWER LINES IGNITED THE FIRE.
AND WE'LL SHOW YOU WHAT CITY HALL IS DOING TO CLEAN UP ABANDONED AND BLIGHTED BUILDINGS
IN SAN DIEGO. >> >>DWANE: ALSO TONIGHT, SAN DIEGO GETS ITS
FIRST PUBLIC MARKET. KPBS EVENING EDITION STARTS NOW.
CAPTIONS PROVIDED BY ECAPTIONS. >> >>DWANE: SOME ENCOURAGING NEWS ON THE JOB
FRONT AND OTHER SLIGHT JOB IN SAN DIEGO'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.
IT WAS 9% LAST MONTH DOWN 3 TENTHS OF A POINT FROM LAST YEAR.
THE STATE WOULD UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 3Ê THE DISNEY WONDER DOCKED IN SAN DIEGO TODAY.
IT WAS THE FIRST VISIT HERE BY A DISNEY CRUISE SHIP AND STARTS THE START OF CRUISE SEASON.
SAN DIEGO HAS A LONG WAYS TO GO FROM A STEEP DECLINE IN CRUISE SHIP BUSINESS.
TOM FUDGE IS IN THE NEWS CENTER TO EXPLAIN. THE WONDER JUST ARRIVED BUT IT'S SOUNDING
LIKE IT WON'T BE COMING BACK NEXT YEAR. >> >>TOM: THAT'S RIGHT, BECAUSE DISNEY CRUISE
SHIPS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR OPERATION IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ARE KNOWING TO BE MOVING TO TEXAS.
THAT MAY SOUND A LITTLE BIT MICKEY MOUSE, BUT THE REASON THEY'RE DOING IT IS SO THEY
CAN CRUISE TO THE MANY CARIBBEAN PORTS AND THIS IS ALSO PART OF A MAJOR DECLINE IN CRUISE
SHIP BUSINESS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. KEEP IN MIND THAT IN 2008 THERE WERE 200 CRUISE
SHIP PORT CALLS AT THE PORT OF SAN DIEGO. THIS YEAR THERE ARE ONLY GOING TO BE 85.
>> >>DWANE: AND TOM,S WHY HAS THERE BEEN A 70% DECLINE OF CRUISE SHIP BUSINESS IN SAN
DIEGO? >> >>TOM: THE PRIMARY REASON IS MEXICO.
YOU TYPICALLY GO TO THE MEXICAN RIVIERA, AND THOSE PORTS ALONG THE PACIFIC COAST.
A LOT OF THOSE COASTS LIKE ACUPULCO HAVE HAD A LOT OF VIOLENCE AND CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS
DON'T WANT IT GO THERE. >> >>DWANE: PORT OFFICIALS ANTICIPATING OR
AT LEAST HOPING FOR REBOUND IN 2015 WHY? >> >>TOM: THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION AND NOBODY
CAN PREDICT THE FUTURE. WE DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN,
BUT THERE'S A LOT OF TALK OF CRUISE SHIP COMPANIES WORKING WITH THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT TO TRY
TO MAKE SOME OF THOSE PORTS MORE SAFE ALONG THE MEXICAN COAST.
ALSO, THERE'S WORK TO TRY TO CHANGE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW THESE CRUISE SHIPS WHICH
TEND TO BE FOREIGN FLAGGED TO ACTUALLY CRUISE DIRECTLY FROM SAN DIEGO TO OTHER AMERICAN
PORTS. IF THEY'RE ABLE TO DO THAT, TO CRUISE FROM
SAN FRANCISCO OR SEATTLE, THAT WOULD MAKE IT A LOT EASIER TO DO BUSINESS.
>> >>DWANE: KPBS REPORTER, TOM FUDGE. ENDEAVOR'S FINAL FLIGHT, THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN
WAS ONE OF THE LAND MARKS ON THE SHUTTLE'S TOUR OVER CALIFORNIA A.MODIFIED 747 TOOK HER
OVER FLY BIEZ IN THE BAY AREA FIRST, THEN OVER LOS ANGELES AND ORANGE COUNTY.
IT WAS A PERFECT LANDING AT LOS ANGELES AIRPORT. THE SHUTTLE WILL STAY IN A A HANGAR THERE
FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. ON OCTOBERÊ12 SHE WILL BE HAULED TO THE CALIFORNIA
SCIENCE CENTER. GOVERNMENT JERRY BROWN HAS SIGN AD BILL TO
HELP CALIFORNIA'S PRIVATE SPACE TRAVEL INDUSTRY. IT SAYS COMPANIES CANNOT BE HELD LIABLE IF
A PASSENGER IS INJURED OR KILLED BECAUSE OF THE OBVIOUS RISK OF SPACE TRAVEL.
BROWN SAYS IT LETS COMPANIES LIKE SPACE AXE AND VIRGIN GLACTIC INNOVATE WITHOUT THE WORRY
OF EXCESSIVE LIABILITY. MORE CALIFORNIA VOTERS ARE REGISTERING WITHOUT
PICKING UP A POLITICAL PARTY. THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAYS ONE IN FIVE VOTERS ARE CHOOSING
NO PARTY PREFERENCE. JUST OVER 43% OF CALIFORNIA VOTERS ARE REGISTERED
DEMOCRAT WHILE MORE THAN 30% ARE REPUBLICANS. A NEW POLL SAYS CALIFORNIANS ARE SKEPTICAL
ABOUT A BALLOT MEASURE DEALING WITH PAY ROLE ROLL DEDUCTIONS.
PROPOSITION 32 WOULD LIMIT UNIONS AND CORPORATIONS FROM USING PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS TO COLLECT MONEY
FOR POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS. BUT CORPORATIONS AND WEALTHY INDIVIDUALS WOULD
BE ABLE TO SPEND UNLIMITED AMOUNTS THROUGH INDEPENDENT COMMITTEES. THE FIELD POLL SAYS
44% OF LIKELY VOTERS ARE PLANNING TO VOTE NOW.
EIGHTEEN% ARE STILL UNDECIDED. CALIFORNIA REJECTED SIMILAR MEASURES IN 1998
AND 2005. SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL WILL WEIGH IN ON MONDAY
ON WHETHER TO PUT A POWER PLANT NEAR MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK.
KATIE ORR HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE STORY, AND JOINS US FROM THE NEWS CENTER.
HASN'T THIS ISSUE COME UP BEFORE? >> >>KATIE: YES T HAS LAST JULY THE CITY'S
PLANNING COMMISSION VOTED AGAINST MOVING FORWARD WITH THE PROPOSED 100 MEGAWATT NATURAL GAS
PLANT. NOW THE COMPANY THAT WANTS TO BUILD IT COGENTRIX
IS APPEALING TO THE CITY COUNCIL. THE QUAIL BRUSH POWER PLANT WOULD BE LOCATED
OFF STATE ROUTE 52, NEAR THE BOARD FER O SANITY, JUST EAST OF MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK.
THE CITY COUNCIL WILL DECIDE WHETHER TO INITIATE A STUDY ON CHANGING THE COMMUNITY PLAN TO
ACCOMMODATE THE PLANT WHICH IS AN INITIAL STEP IN THE PROCESS.
>> >>DWANE: AND IF CITY COUNCIL DECIDES AGAINST MOVING FORWARD IS THE PROJECT DEAD?
>> >>KATIE: NO, IT'S NOT. OF COURSE THE POSSIBILITY OF THE POWER PLANT
HAS RAISED INTENSE OPPOSITION FROM THE COMMUNITY, BUT IN THE END IT MAY NOT BE UP TO SAN DIEGO
TO MAKE THE FINAL CALL. THE CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION CAN OVERRIDE
ANY LOCAL DECISION IF IT DEEMS THE PROJECT IS IN THE PUBLIC'S INTEREST.
AND THEY ARE BEGINNING TO EVALUATE THE PROJECT. >> >>DWANE: A FEW DOZEN MILITARY VETERANS
FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE LAST KAY OF SUMMER IN SAN DIEGO.
THEY WENT KAYAKING ON MISSION BAY USING SPECIALLY ADAPTED VESSELS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
MOST OF THESE VETERANS ARE ARE FROM THE RECENT WARS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN.
>> >>: I DON'T KNOW HOW SUCCESSFUL I'M GOING TO TO BE AT THIS.
>> >>DWANE: THEY'VE COME TO THE SAN DIEGO FOR THE ONE WEEK SUMMER SPORTS PROJECT PUT
ON BY THE VETERANS AFFAIRS. THEIR INJURIES ARE SEEN AND UNSEEN FROM SPINAL
CORD AND LOSS OF LIMBS, TO TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND PTSD.
>> >>: THIS IS GREAT, GREAT WEATHER, HERE WITH THE VETERANS, CAN'T ASK FOR ANYTHING
MORE. >> >>DWANE: TWENTY FOUR YEAR OLD CORY C.LOVES
THE WATER AND SERVED TWO YEARS IN THE NAVY BEFORE HIS INJURY.
>> >>: I HAVE KAYAKED BEFORE, BUT IT WAS A LONG TIME AGO, SO THIS IS ALL NEW, ESPECIALLY
WITH THE FOOTBALL, ALL THESE SPORTS THEY GOT GOING ON.
>> >>DWANE: ADAPTING TO LIFE AS AN AMPUTEE IS ALSO NEW FOR C.
HE LOST PART OF HIS LEFT LEG WHEN HE WAS HIT BY A DRUNK DRIVER WHILE RIDING HIS MOTORCYCLE.
>> >>: THIS IS THE GREATEST STUFF EVER. >> >>DWANE: THAT'S WHAT THE VA HOPES TO DO.
>> >>: THEY GOT US OUT HERE PLAYING FOOTBALL IN THESE KAYAKS.
YOU FORGET YOU HAVE A DISABILITY. MISSING A LEG, YOU JUST COME ONE WITH EVERYTHING
ELSE THROWING THAT FOOTBALL AROUND, IT'S AWESOME. I DON'T KNOW WHY I CAN'T CATCH THIS THING.
>> >>DWANE: FROM PLAYING FOOTBALL ON THE WATER TO SAILING, SURFING, EVEN TRACK AND FIELD,
THIS IS REHAB FOR THE MIND, BODY, AND SOUL. STUDIES SHOW DISABLED VETERANS WHO PARTICIPATE
IN ADAPTIVE SPORTS HAVE LESS STRESS, REDUCED DEPENDENCY ON PAIN AND DEPRESSION MEDICATION,
AND HIGHER ACHIEVEMENT IN EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT. >> >>: IT'S WHAT YOU DO TO GET BACK UP, MISSION
REDEFINED PROBABLY BEEN THE BEST THING THAT'S HAPPENED IN MY LIFE.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE I'D BE TODAY. ALL THESE OTHER VETERANS WHEN THEY SMILE,
JUST GIVES ME CHILLS, GIVES ME GOOSE BUMPS, MAKES ME FEEL G.IT'S GOOD STUFF, THERE'S A
LOT OF HEALING POWER OUT HERE. >> >>DWANE: CORY C.NOW HAS A NEW GOAL, TO
COMPETE IN THE BETWEEN 16 PARAOLYMPICS IN BRAZIL.
>> >>: ARE YOU BEAT NOW? YOUR LEGS TIRED? IT'S A BLAST OUT THERE, MAN.
>> >>DWANE: THE V. A. ALSO HOLDS A WINTER SPORTS CLINIC AND CREATIVE ARTS FESTIVAL AMONG
OTHER THINGS THE GOAL IS TO HELP INJURED VETS DISCOVER NEW INTERESTS AND IMPROVE THEIR OVERALL
WELL BEING. SAN DIEGO PAST A NEW ABANDONED PROPERTY LAW
THIS WEEK. PEGGY PICO EXPLAINS HOW IT MAKES IT EASIER
TO PUNISH VACANT PROPERTY OWNERS. >> >>PEGGY: PERNICANO'S REST AUNT O SIXTH
AND UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN BOARDED UP FOR DECADES. IT'S THE BLIGHTED BUILDING THE NEW CITY ORDINANCE
AIMS TO CLEAN UP WITH FINES TO OWNERS. HERE WITH DETAILS ABOUT WHO IS AND IS NATE
NOT AFFECTED IS ANDREW KEETS AT THE SAN DIEGO DAILY TRANS VIPT SCRIPT.
HOW DID THE CITY CHANGE ITS DEFINITION OF THEÊ AS FAR AS CAN IT COMES TO ABANDONED
PROPERTY AND WHY NOW? >> >>MATT HALL: THEY DID THIS NEW SPECIFICALLY
BECAUSE THEY. >> >>ANDREW KEATTS: U CROSS DISTRICTS OVERWHELMED
WITH CONSTITUENT CALLS COMPLAINING ABOUT PROPERTIES THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT.
THEY EXPANDED THE DEFINITION OF AN ABANDONED PROPERTY TO GIVE THEM MORE LEEWAY TO HANDLE
THOSE CALLS. PREVIOUSLY SOMETHING WAS ONLY CONSIDERED AN
ABANDONED PROPERTY IF IT WAS UNSECURE, IF IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD.
NOW THEY SAY ANYTHING THAT'S VACANT WHETHER IT'S A STRUCTURE OR A LOT IS CONSIDERED ABANDONED
IF IT HAS CODE COMPLIANCE OR PUBLIC NUISANCE ISSUES.
THEY ALSO ADDED VACANT STRUCTURES THAT HAVE A NOTICE OF DEFAULT FILED UP FOR THEM, THE
FIRST LEVEL OF A FORECLOSURE PROCESS. >> >>PEGGY: THE FIRST STEP.
WHAT ABOUT EXCEPTIONS, ARE THERE EXCEPTIONS FOR HISTORIC PLACES LIKE THOSE BEACH COTTAGES
IN LA JOLLA? >> >>ANDREW KEATTS: THERE ISN'T A SPECIFIC
EXCEPTION FOR HISTORIC PROPERTIES, BUT WHAT THERE IS, IS ONCE A PROPERTY BECOMES PART
OF THE PROGRAM, THE OWNER'S GOING TO HAVE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO SAY WHAT NAY
WANT TO DO WITH IT. THE NOTE OS OF INTENT THAT WOULD BE WHEN IT
COMES IN, THE NOTE OW OF INTENT SAID MY AIM IS TO PRESERVE IT THAT WOULD BE ONE THING.
IF THEY WANTED TO DEMOLISH IT OR REHABILITATE IT, THEY WOULD HAVE TO STILL GO THROUGH THE
HISTORIC REVIEW PROCESS. >> >>PEGGY: AND IT STILL HAS TO BE CODE COMPLIANT
EVEN IF IT IS GOING UNDER HISTORIC REVIEW. >> >>ANDREW KEATTS: WHICH WOULD MEAN IT WOULD
HAVE TO NOT HAVE AN OVER GROWN LAWN, NOT BE SUBJECT TO VANDALISM OR GRAFFITI OR HOUSE
VAGRANTS OWE OR ANYTHING. IF YOUR INTENTION WAS TO KEEP IT IN ITS PRESENT
STATE YOU COULD DO THAT AS LONG AS YOU FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT.
>> >>PEGGY: THE SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS OPPOSED THIS ORDINANCE AND ONE OTHER, HOW
COME? >> >>ANDREW KEATTS: THE SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION
OF REALTORS OPPOSED THIS ORDINANCE ONE MIGHT SAY BECAUSE THEY HAD IT CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER,
WHICH WAS THE PROPERTY VALUE PROTECTION ORDINANCE. WHERE THIS ONE ABANDONED PROPERTY ORDINANCE
IS VERY REACT F. THE CITY CAN'T DO ANYTHING UNLESS THE NEIGHBORS
COMPLAIN. THE PROPERTY VALUE PROTECTION ORDINANCE WHICH
COMES UP FOR VOTE IN OCTOBER IS PROACTIVE. THE MOMENT A FORECLOSURE PROCESS GOES UNDER
WAY, THE OWNER IS GOING TO NEED TO FILE A REGISTRY WITH THE CITY TO SAY HERE IS THIS
FORECLOSURE PROCESS THAT'S UNDERWAY SO IF IT GOES VACANT, BECOMES AN ISSUE, THE CITY
WILL HAVE A HEAD START ON KNOWING WHO THEY NEED TO HOLD RESPONSIBLE.
>> >>PEGGY: AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER THE OLD PERNICANO'S RESTAURANT IN PRIME REAL ESTATE
PROPERTY IN HILL CREST HAS BEEN BOARDED UP, IT'S BEEN VACANT.
HOW WILL THIS LOT, LET'S SAY, IMPACT THE OWNER? >> >>ANDREW KEATTS: PERNICANO'S WASN'T SUBJECT
TO THE PREEXISTING ABANDONED PROPERTY ORDINANCE BECAUSE IT WAS SECURE.
SO IT WASN'T SOMETHING THAT NEEDED TO BE DEALT WITH.
THE FACT THAT NOW IT'S EXPANDED THIS DEFINITION T WILL FALL UNDER THAT.
THE THE OWNER WILL HAVE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT WITH THE CITY EXPLAINING WHAT HE WANTS
TO DO WITH THE PROPERTY. IF HIS INTENTION IS TO SIT ON IT BUT HE DOESN'T
KNOW WHAT HE WANTS TO DO WITH IT AND DOESN'T HAVE THE MONEYÊ THAT'S NOT AN ISSUE FOR MR.ÊPERNICANOÊ
THEY COULD DO THAT, THEY COULD JUST KEEP IT CODE COMPLIANT IN THE MEANTIME AND THE NOTE
OS OF INTENT WOULD GO TO CODE ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT.
>> >>PEGGY: THERE'S A FINE INVOLVED, THOUGH. YOU DON'T GET TO JUST IGNORE THE ORDINANCE.
>> >>ANDREW KEATTS: IF YOU ARE PART OF THE PROGRAM, AND YOU COME OUT OF CODE COMPLIANCE,
IF YOU'RE A PUBLIC NUISANCE YOU'RE SUB SUBJECT TO FINES EVERY 90 DAYS, FIRST MONTH 500, THEN
1,000, THEN 1500. >> >>PEGGY: SOME PEOPLE LIKE MR.ÊPERNICANO
PROBABLY $5,000 MIGHT STING AS MUCH. >> >>ANDREW KEATTS: YEAH, BUT THE PERNICANO'S
RESTAURANT ISN'T CONSIDERED A PUBLIC NUISANCE. HE WOULD HAVE TO FILE A NOTE NOTICE OF INTENT.
THAT PROPERTY ISN'T SUBJECT GRAFFITI. HE WOULD HAVE TO FOR THE FIRST TIME FILE A NOTICE OF
INTENT WITH THE CITY. >> >>PEGGY: HOW WILL THIS BE ENFORCED? I IMAGINE
THERE'S GOING TO BE CODE PEOPLE DRIVING AROUND THE CITY.
>> >>ANDREW KEATTS: THAT'S NOT THE CASE. IT'S ENTIRELY REACTIVE.
SO ONLY WHEN THERE ARE CONSTITUENT COMPLAINTS THAT THERE'S AN ABANDONED COMMERCIAL BUILDING,
ABANDONED HOME, AN ABANDONED LOT, CAUSING SOME SORT OF CONCERN WITH THE CITY, THE CITY
WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT CODE ENFORCEMENT ON THAT ISSUE.
THEY NEED TO HAVE ONE MORE CODE COMPLIANCE OFFICER, COSTING THE CITY UPWARDS OF ABOUT
A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARSÊ >> >>PEGGY: NOT JUST FOR SALARY.
>> >>ANDREW KEATTS: FOR EVERYTHING AND THE RESOURCES ASSOCIATE WOULD EVERYTHING THAT
HE HAS TO DO, AND HE OR SHE IS EXPECTED TO HANDLE ABOUT 130 NEW COMPLAINTS PER YEAR,
GIVEN THE EXPANSION OF THE ORDINANCE. >> >>PEGGY: OKAY, WE'LL BE FOLLOWING THIS,
ANDREW KEATTS WITH SAN DIEGO DAILY TRANSCRIPT. >> >>DWANE: SAN DIEGO HAS JOINED THE RANKS
OF CITY'S WITH A PUBLIC MARKET AND SAN DIEGO'S FERRY BUILDING, KPBS ARTS REPORTER ANGELA
CARONE GIVES US A LOOK AT THE SAN DIEGO PUBLIC MARKET.
>> >>ANGELA: JUST THREE WEEKS AGO, THIS FORMER BOILER WEAR HOUSE IN BARRIO LOGAN WAS EMPTY
AND DIRTY. WITH A FRESH COATED COAT OF PAINT THIS 92,000
SQUARE FOOT PROPERTY IS THE HOME OF SAN DIEGO'S FIRST PUBLIC MARKET.
IT'S CRAZY THAT SAN DIEGO DIDN'T HAVE ONE. WE HAVE A YEAR ROUND GROWING SEASON AREALLY
VIBRANT FOOD SCENE AND THIS IS THE PERFECT PLACE IF FOR IT.
>> >>ANGELA: A PUBLIC MARKET MEANS THERE WILL EVENTUALLY BE PERMANENT STALLS FOR FOOD SELLERS.
THAT WILL OPEN IN THE SPRING OF NEXT YEAR. UNTIL THEN, A FARMER'S MARKET WILL BE HELD
HERE EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY. THE WEAR HOUSE CAN HOLD UP TO 88 VENDORS,
SELLING EVERYTHING FROM FRESH PRODUCE TO GLUTEN FREE COOKIES DAVID FOSTER GROWS OLIVES HE
USES TO TURN INTO OLIVE OIL. HE SAYS SAN DIEGO'S MEDITERRANEAN LIKE CLIMATE
IS PERFECT. >> >>: WE START HARVESTING THE OLIVE TREES
IN THE FALL, AND DEPENDING ON WEATHER CONDITIONS THAT COULD HAPPEN ANYWHERE FROM THE END OF
OCTOBER ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, WE WANT TO CATCH THE TREES WHEN
THEY'RE AT THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF RIPENESS. >> >>ANGELA: SHOPPERS AND FOODIES STROLL THE
AISLES LISTENING TO LIVE MUSIC AND TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ALL OF THE TASTING OPTIONS.
>> >>: I'M GOING TO GET MUSSELS, BREAD,. >> >>ANGELA: LINDA FIRE STEEN DROVE DOWN FROM
DEL MAR FOR THE OPENING. >> >>: IT'S SO OVER DUE.
A GO TO A LOT OF THE OTHER FARMER'S MARKETS AROUND, SOME OF THEM ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS,
SOME TIMES THE VENDORS CHANGE, THEY COME AND GO, YOU NEVER REALLY KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO
BE THERE. IT'S ENCOURAGING, AND IT'S BIGGER.
>> >>ANGELA: THE FOUNDERS OF THE PUBLIC MARKET SET UP A KICK STARTER CAMPAIGN IN AUGUST TO
FUND THE BUILDING'S RENOVATION. THEY RAISED 146,000 DOLLARS, WELL ABOVE THEIR
92,000 DOLLAR GOAL. >> >>: THIS IS SUCH A BIG COMMUNITY THING
AND EVERYBODY THAT SAW THE KICK STARTER OR PLEDGED PUT IT OUT ON THEIR FACEBOOK.
>> >>ANGELA: NOW THAT THE FIRST PHASE IS UNDER WAY, WHITE AND HER PARTNER DALE STEAL HAVE
TO DECIDE WHO GETS PERMANENT STALL IN THE MARKET.
A LOT OF SAN DIEGANS HAVE SHOWN INTEREST. >> >>: WE'VE TAKEN A LOT OF FOLKS ON TOUR
FROM MICROBREWERIES TO THE GUYS FROM TENDER GREENS, AND THE WOMAN THAT OWNS BENICCIO CHEESE.
>> >>ANGELA: BARRIO LOGAN IS LOCATED IN WHAT IS SOMETIMES CALLED A FOOD DESERT.
>> >>: THERE NEEDS TO BE AFFORDABLE HEALTHY FOOD OPTIONS HERE.
THE SMALL BUSINESSES HERE NEW SOME WOOING, AND WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.
>> >>ANGELA: IT'S CERTAINLY AN IDEAL TIME TO LAUNCH A PUBLIC MARKED.
>> >>: DOLLAR ARE TWICE AS MANY FARMER'S MARKETS IN THE AREA THAN WHEN I STARTED THIS CONCEPT,
AND PEOPLE REALLY SEE FOOD AS RECREATION. ITS RUR ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SORT OF GOES
ALONG WITH EVERY OTHER THING YOU DO ON A DATE OR A NIGHT OUT WITH YOUR FAMILY.
>> >>ANGELA: THE MARKET'S NEW MASCOT WAS ALSO A HIT.
THERE ARE PLANS TO HOLD A CONTEST TO NAME THE COW, AND GIVE IT A FRESH COAT OF PAINT
BEFORE THE GRAND OPENING OF THE SAN DIEGO PUBLIC MARKET NEXT SPRING.
>> >>DWANE: THE SAN DIEGO PUBLIC MARKET IS OPEN WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY FROM 9 UNTIL 2 IN
THE AFTERNOON. IT'S IN BARRIO LOGAN AT 1735, NATIONAL AVENUE.
A STATE INVESTIGATION FOUND SDG&E POWER LINES WERE IMPROPERLY BUILT AND SPARKED THE DEVASTATING
2007 WILD FIRES. THE UTILITY COMPANY WANTS ITS CUSTOMERS TO PAY FOR RELATED COSTS.
PEGGY PICO EXPLAINS WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. >> >>PEGGY: SAN DIEGO'S 2007 WILD FIRES KILLED
TWO PEOPLE AND DESTROYED MORE THAN 1300 HOMES. IT'S FIVE YEARS LATER AND SDG&E WANTS THE
STATE'S PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO APPROVE A WILD FIRE EXPENSE BALANCING ACCOUNT.
IT WOULD ALLOW THE UTILITY TO PASS OFF MILLIONS IN RELATED COSTS TO CUSTOMERS.
MATT HALL, A COLUMN NS WITH UT SAN DIEGO WROTE ABOUT THIS ISSUE EARLIER THIS WEEK.
WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE COSTS THEY WANT TO PASS ALONG, THIS IS FOR THE UNINSURED PART
THAT WASN'T COVERED. HOW MUCH ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?
>> >>MATT HALL: IT'S A BIG TICKET ITEM. SDG&E HAD $1.1ÊBILLIONS IN LIABILITY INSURANCE
COVERAGE AND THE DAMAGEÊ THE COST TO COVER CLAIMS AND LEGAL FEES IS 2.3ÊBILLION.
THAT'S $1.2ÊBILLIONS RIGHT THERE. SOME MONEY THEY'RE GETTING TO OFF SET THAT
FROM COUNTER CLAIMS, SO HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
>> >>PEGGY: COMPARED TO THE TOTAL DAMAGE CLAIMED? IS IT A SIGNIFICANT PART OF IT?
>> >>MATT HALL: I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO IS.
WHAT'S INTERESTING IS THAT THEY HAD A BILLION DOLLARS OF INSURANCE WHICH THEY SAID THAT'S
ALL THEY COULD GET, SOME OF THE PEOPLE I TALKED TO THIS WEEK FROM MY COLUMN SAID YOU SHOULD
HAVE HAD TWO BILLION, SHOULD HAVE HAD MORE, WHY STOP AT ONE.
SO THAT IS ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT'S BEING DEBATED HERE AS SDG&E GRAPPLES WITH THE BROADER
PROBLEM OF DO WE BILL OUR RATE PAYERS OR INVESTORS? >> >>PEGGY: WE'LL COME BACK TO THAT.
EARLIER THIS WEEK I WANT TO SAY THAT I SPOKE WITH SDG&E PRESIDENT AND COO MIKE NIGGLIA
ABOUT PASSING ALONG THE 2007 FIRE COSTS TO CUSTOMERS AND HERE'S WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.
>> >>: WE HAVE SETTLED ABOUT ONE AND A HALF TO TWO BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF SETTLEMENTS.
WE HAVE INSURANCE FOR ABOUT A BILLION AND A HALF RIGHT NOW.
ANYTHING ABOVE THE BILLION AND A HALF WE'LL BE ASKING RATE PAYERS TO ALSO PARTICIPATE
IN THOSE COSTS. >> >>PEGGY: SO HE'S GOING TO PASS IT ALONG.
BUT AGAIN, COMING BACK TO THE QUESTION, WHY DIDN'T THEY HAVE ENOUGH INSURANCE?
>> >>MATT HALL: WHEN I SPOKE TO AN SDG&E SPOKES WOMAN THIS WEEK, THE BILLION WAS ALL THEY
COULD GET. THEY NEVER HAD AN ISSUE LIKE THIS BEFORE,
IT WAS UNPRECEDENTED, THE FIRST TIME SDG&E HAS EVER HAD TO GO BEYOND TO PAY OUTÊ FOR
PAY OUTS FOR ANYTHING THAT WASN'T INSURED. SO THIS IS AN UNPRECEDENTED ISSUE.
YOU KNOW, THE PEOPLE I TALKED WHO ARE COMPLAINING SAY THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS UNPRECEDENTED
ABOUT THIS STARTING WITH THE FACT YOU DIDN'T DESIGN, BUILD AND MAINTAIN YOUR SYSTEM SO
THAT IT WOULDN'T CAUSE THESE FIRES THAT THEY CAUSED.
>> >>PEGGY: WHICH IS WHAT THE STATE INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT AND BASICALLY SAID THAT WAS WHAT
IGNITED THE FIRE. WHAT ABOUT NOW? HOW DO WE STAND WITH INSURANCE
NOW WITH SDG&E? >> >>MATT HALL: THEY HAVE $1.1ÊBILLIONS OR
SO, SAY IT'S COST A LOT MORE AND MOST RATE PAYERS PROBABLY REALIZE BY NOW THEY'VE GONE
TO THE PUC AND ASKED TWICE FOR RATE HIKES. WE ARE ALREADY PAYING MORE TO COVER THOSE
COSTS. >> >>PEGGY: A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THIS,
BUT SDG&E IS A FOR PROFIT BUSINESS. THEY HAVE INVESTORS.
WHAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO THE INVESTORS WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS, VERSUS CUSTER
MRS? >> >>MATT HALL: THAT'S WHY IT'S A FASCINATING
ISSUE. IN VERY REAL WAYS, IT'S NOT AN EITHER/OR WAY.
SDG&E IS A VERY SAFE INVESTMENT, AND AN SDG&E SPOKES WOMAN TOLD ME IT'S SO SAFE THAT WIDOWS
AND ORPHANS INVEST IN IT. IT'S A STED SEA STREAM OF INCOME.
THEY ARE TURNING TO RATE PAYERS BECAUSE THEY SAY THAT THEY HAVE THIS SYSTEM IN PLACE WHERE
THEY CAN REACH OUT, PUT A HANDOUT TO 1.4ÊMILLION ELECTRIC CUSTOMERS, AND ASK THEM TO PAY TWO
OR THREE BUCKS OR WHATEVER IT TURNS OUT TO BE, NOMINAL, THEY SAY.
IT ADDS UP IN A BAD ECONOMY. >> >>PEGGY: DISBURSE THE COSTS, I GET THE
PLANNING BEHIND IT. THE WILD FIRE EXPENSE BALANCING ACCOUNT.
THEY APPLIED FOR THIS, WHERE DOES IT STAND NOW AND EXPLAIN WHAT THAT ACCOUNT DOES?
>> >>MATT HALL: IT GETS JARGONY AND WONKY, BUT WHAT THEY DID THREE YEARS AGO, THEY APPLIED
TO THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO CREATES THIS SEPARATE ACCOUNT WHICH ALLOWS
THEM TO TRACK THEIR COSTS AND FUNNEL AND ASK RATE PAYERS TO THEN GIVE A REVENUE STREAM
THEY COULD FUNNEL INTO THE ACCOUNT AND THEY COULD KIND OF BREAK EVEN ON IT THAT WAY.
>> >>PEGGY: SOME PEOPLE SAY THAT IF SDG&E DOESN'T END UP PAYING THIS AND FEELING THE
STING, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO DO BETTER FIRE PREVENTION IN THE FEUCH FER, HOW WOULD YOU
RESPOND TO THAT? >> >>MATT HALL: I WROTE A COLUMN THAT SAYS
I FEEL I'M STARING DOWN THE BARREL OF A GUN, BECAUSE I FEEL SDG&E IS GOING TO GET THIS.
THEY HAVE BEEN TELLING INVESTORS THIS IS OKAY, RATE PAYERS ARE GOING TO COVER THIS COST FOR
MONTHS AND THERE'S NO OTHER PLACE TO TURN BUT CUSTOMERS.
>> >>PEGGY: YOU WROTE, WHICH WAS REALLY QUITE POIGNANTÊ I SHOULDN'T SAY POIGNANT, BUT CERTAINLY
EMOTIONAL. YOU SAID IT'S AS IF A BANK TELLERÊ YOU KNOW,
A ROBBER WAS EXPECTING TO GET THE MONEYÊ TELL US WHAT YOU WROTE.
>> >>MATT HALL: I SAID I FEEL LIKE A BANK TELLER WHO'SÊ A ROBBER WHO'SÊ I FEEL LIKE
A BANK TELLERÊ IT WAS A GREAT ONE, BELIEVE ME.
>> >>PEGGY: IT WAS REALLY GOOD. >> >>MATT HALL: I FEEL LIKE A BANK TELLER
WHO HAS SOMEBODY STANDING IN FRONT OF THEM WITH A GUN SAYING GIVE US YOUR MONEY.
IT FEELS LIKE THEY'RE GO EXPECT TO GET IT AND THEY'RE GOING TO GET IT.
THE SAD THING IS BECAUSE IT'S A FOR PROFIT COMPANY THEY DON'T SHARE THEIR PROFITS IN
GOOD TIMES RK BUT IN BAD TIMES THEY'RE PULLING MONEY OUT OF OUR POCKETS DOESN'T SEEM FAIR
TO A LOT OF PEOPLE. >> >>PEGGY: WE ARE OUT OF TIME.
THERE IS MORE ON OUR WEBSITE ABOUT THIS AND WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN NEXT.
I APPRECIATE YOU SHARING YOUR INCITE. >> >>MATT HALL: HAPPY TO BE HERE.
>> >>PEGGY: TONIGHT IN OUR PUBLIC SQUARE WE'VE BEEN ASKING YOU TO TELL US IN SIX WORDS WHAT
MAKE AS GREAT NATION. HERE ARE SOME OF YOUR RESPONSES: WORK OPPORTUNITY,
FAMILY, BALANCE, DIG NEAT, FUTURE WRITES SARAH KENT.
CITIZEN SAID VOTING WITHOUT HARASSMENT OR FEAR.
RIGHT TO PURSUE A DIG ENOUGH IED LIFE, AND A PRESIDENT THAT REPRESENTS ALL AMERICANS.
WHAT ARE YOUR SIX WORDS FOR A GREAT NATION? YOU CAN TELL US BY GOING TO KPBS.ORG/ELECTION,
THEN CLICK ON THE LOGO THAT SAYS SAY IT IN SIX.
>> >>DWANE: TONIGHT'S STORIES ARE ON OUR WEBSITE KPBS.ORG/EVENINGEDITION.
THANKS FOR JOINING US, YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND. CAPTIONS PROVIDED BY ECAPTIONS.