By Barbara Zaragoza
With Independence Day just around the corner, I know what you want to hear, South Bay. Where is all the fun this weekend? So first up, here’s what you really need to know:
Where To See The Fireworks In The South Bay
National City: National City will host a carnival for five full days — from June 30 to July 4, running from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. each night. A fireworks show will be held at 9 p.m. on July 4.
San Ysidro: San Ysidro will host a family-friendly event from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 2. A fireworks show will be held at 8:45 p.m.
Chula Vista: The Chula Vista Firefighter’s Foundation (CVFF) will hold their eighth annual Pancake Breakfast on Monday, July 4, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Fire Station 7, located at 1640 Santa Venetia Street. They’ll serve pancakes, sausages, hash browns, coffee and juice for a suggested donation of $5 and all proceeds go to the CVFF to support fire safety, community programs and encourage fire suppression careers. Parking is available at Otay Ranch High School, 1250 Olympic Parkway, a few short blocks from Station 7. The event includes fire engine and truck displays and games for the kids.
Then, on the evening of the July 4 the U.S. Olympic Traning Center will host a firework display at 9 p.m. The cost is $10 per car. Attendees can listen to synchronized music on Magic 92.5 FM.
Imperial Beach: Fireworks will be shot from the IB Pier at 9 a.m. You can view the fireworks on the beach from Imperial Beach Boulevard to Palm Avenue, facing the end of Portwood Pier. Also tune into KyXy Radio 96.5 FM for a synced music playlist set to the fireworks show.
Judge Decides On Eastlake III Homeowners Court Case
Both sides claimed victory in the on-going contentious court case of Eastlake III homeowners. The issue was regarding elections of new Board Members.
According to the Eastlake Concerned Home Owners (ECHO) HOA board member Barney Reed sued ECHO, which then put together a GoFundMe page to ask for attorney fees. The group used the Facebook page to communicate to HOA members, writing that the “HOA BOARD MAJORITY HAS SPENT MORE THAN $100,000 ON LAWYERS” and explaining that they wanted HOA elections to take place.
The rival Eastlake Action Group, however, said ECHO was misleading Homeowners. They pointed to The Chula Vista Star News report, which explained that the HOA’s former management company as well as previous board members stated to the membership that there were no election rules leading into the elections.
ECHO, nevertheless, wanted elections to be held in the same manner that was practiced in the past, even though the community rules were not being followed.
On June 13, 2016 Judge Schall decided the matter, saying she wanted the next HOA’s election to follow the rules set in the HOA governing documents. Schall also wrote that elections would need to take place on August 15, 2016.
Reed claimed victory, saying future elections would now be conducted by court-approved election rules. ECHO also claimed victory, saying they were glad elections would occur on August 15th.
Other News:
Imperial Beach
- Imperial Beach residents are upset that “Private Property/No Trespassing/No Climbing/No Sitting on Rocks” signs were put up on the beach between the ocean and the Boca Rio condominiums along Seacoast Drive. (San Diego Reader)
- Renown chef Steve Brown wants to open a 4,000 square foot restaurant in Imperial Beach along Seacoast Drive. (San Diego Eater)
Chula Vista
- A controversial five-story residential project was approved by the Planning Commission. Located on Third Avenue and K Street, many community members opposed the project, saying the project was too tall and bulky for the single-family residential neighborhood next to it and those tenants would love privacy and street parking. (San Diego Union Tribune)
- The Chula Vista Public Library Civic Center Branch turns forty. Friday, July 8, they’ll be celebrating a “Back to the Seventies” party from 3pm-9pm, which includes music, a piñata for kids and a birthday cake. Wear your 70s garb and enjoy a specialty food truck that will sell refreshments. The Civic Center Branch averages more than 1,000 visitors each day. (Office of Communications, Chula Vista City Government)
- Council member John McCann of Chula Vista met with community members at the San Miguel Ranch Community Clubhouse on June 27, 2016.
- Residents addressed the impact of Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) redistricting. Now, many students will have to go to Bonita High School even as, when their parents bought the house, it was understood that these children would attend the newer facility of Eastlake High School. McCann urged residents put pressure on SUHSD to have the issue on their agenda and reopen discussion.
- Residents also asked why there are only 204 police patrols for a population of 150,000 residents East of the I-805. McCann explained that patrols are based on “calls for service.” The more calls to the police for assistance, the more patrols the area will get. His recommendation was that Chula Vistans make sure to report all crime and suspicious activity to CVPD. (Information courtesy of community member, Edgar Guerrero, meeting minutes)
- The South Bay Youth 4 Change recognized the efforts of the Chula Vista Police Department for conducting enforcement sweeps that targeted underage drinking during last year’s concert season at Sleep Train Amphitheater. (Times of San Diego)
National City
- Two people were killed on the I-5 in National City while on a motorcycle. (Times of San Diego)
- The National City Police Department, firefighters and others participated in St. Baldrick’s Shave-A-Thon event to support a cure for childhood cancers. (San Diego Union Tribune)
- Superintendent Chris Oram retired from the National School District. Board members then chose former Superintendent George Cameron as interim Superintendent. Cameron steered the district for 16 years before retaining in 2007. (San Diego Union Tribune)
The Border
- It was Joe Serrano Day on June 27. If you don’t know who the musician is, you should listen to his 1980 song Mi Pueblo San Ysidro with his band Su Combo Latino.
- Officials are cutting down willow trees in the Tijuana River Valley due to the invasive shot hole borer beetle. (San Diego Union Tribune)
- A 6-year-old boy was crushed to death by a falling refrigerator in Otay Mesa West. (San Diego Union Tribune)
- San Diego Mayor Kevin Falconer and Tijuana Mayor Dr. Jorge Astiazaran held a panel discussion at the University of California, San Diego’s Institute of the Americas. They said progress had been made on making it easier for companies to do business on both sides of the border and developing a human-trafficking awareness program. (Times of San Diego)
- The Los Angeles Times reported that Donald Trump planned to build condo towers in Baja, just south of Tijuana, but the project failed and resort buyers felt betrayed.
