A little over a month ago, we ran a story about how two local homeless guys were responsible for all the rock art along the bushy median between the lanes of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard up to the intersection with Nimitz near the freeway.
It was a short story about how two Local homeless guys, Corey and Greg, had what they considered “Rock Art,” with rows of stones piled on each other forming small pillars of rock. This type of rock art has been gaining popularity – and one can see piles such as what Corey and Greg have done at the shore, along the San Diego River.
Then, just days after our story appeared – there was that horrible period beginning on July 3rd of the serial killer preying on homeless men – including one killed in Ocean Beach. In a way, it was a relief seeing those rocks – almost a monument to the homeless.
Now, the rock art has been dismantled – all of it – and the rocks and stones currently line the thick bushes within the median. Who would have done that? The police? Other homeless? The 2 artists themselves to begin again?
We reported then:
There’s these two guys – Corey and Greg – both homeless – who are making Ocean Beach rock with their rock art.
You can see it all along the Sunset Cliffs Boulevard entryway into and out of OB. And Corey and Greg have been doing this for the past eight months – they told me. They work everyday, they say, 7 days a week, on their art.
Greg – the self-admitted artist of the two – figures they have completed up to a quarter of a mile of their installations. Corey agreed that it takes a lot of time just to assemble one pile.
I also added:
What about the cops, what do they say? I asked them.
The police see it all as art – and because it is art, the officers won’t disturb it nor allow anyone else to disturb the art.
I had asked them this, as I had recalled a similar compilation of rockart over along the San Diego River next to OB that was reported in the San Diego Reader. The day after the Reader came out with the story, down went the rocks – as one officer was ordered to dismantle them by his superior – who had read the article.
Why do they do it? I asked Corey and Greg. Without hesitation, Corey said, “It’s for release.”
So, who dismantled the rock art?
It wasn’t the cops; not other homeless, not the guys themselves.
It was the good ol’ City of San Diego itself. City crews (or contractor?) were witnessed dismantling the rock art roughly a week ago by well-known Ocean Beach writer/ reporter Mercy Baron.
Mercy told me in an email that she saw city crews out there taking down the piles and presumably rearranging them.
Now, to be honest, our original article about Corey and Greg was not met with universal acclamation. Some readers made comments that they’re thieves and criminals, or if they had spent as much time looking for work as they did on the rocks, maybe they wouldn’t be homeless.
Many commenters, however, appreciated the rock art. Here are some of them:
- Nice. Hope they’re encouraged to continue their community art.
- I love seeing the stone art; it sets us OBecians apart again from the rest of SD, and in a very good way. Thanks for the artistic idea, Corey and Greg.
- Great story! I admire the rock sculptures every day on my way to and from work, and the rare occasions I leave OB on the weekends. I imagined that the individual(s) building the sculptures were likely homeless locals. I am happy to hear that local law enforcement is appreciative of their contribution to the community and protecting their work. Here is a great example of co-existence within our community in true OB style.
- Whatever happened to appreciating the creativity that ocean beach has always nurtured…..come on folks…..if these guys weren’t homeless, would anyone make a connection between their art and “petty theft, alcohol and drug abuse, tagging, and criminality”…..let’s respect the lives of our fellow obeceans whether they have a home or not….
Well, not to worry now, the gracious City has taken over and reclaimed the rocks and the space.
In one community, the City placed jagged rocks down under an overpass so the homeless couldn’t sleep there. And in Ocean Beach, the City took away the rocks used as art. The City giveth and the City taketh.
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But the City does nada substantial to sole the problem of homelessness. If they can contemplate doing a $1.8 billion bond issue to build a stadium for the Chargers, they better contemplate instead a $1.8 billion bond issue to build housing and provide services for the homeless funded by a 4% increase in TOT tax. After all it’s the hoteliers who would profit from having the streets cleaned up.
And a Council subcommittee has just recommended to Council a $1,000,000 appropriation for the Plaza de Panama project and is contemplating committing $45,000,000 toward the full project.
That is more than the project was estimated to be when first approved in 2012($40,000,000) and at least $30,000,000 in additional public funds than approved in 2012 when the taxpayer participation would be limited to a bond of $17,000,000 for the Organ Pavilion parking structure. (City docs keep stating $14,000,000 but the approved bond was for $17,000,000.
So, not only does the city not appropriate funds for effectively address homelessness, it will appropriate funds for a huge new capital project in Balboa Park when the Park has multi-million dollar maintenance deficits.
The Transylvania offramp at the Cabrillo Bridge is just a monument to another latter day San Diego saint. Jacobs would do so much more good by expanding on Sol Price’s contributions, and his own, in City Heights and Rolando and Encanto, where there’s space for affordable housing. But more than this mistake-in-the-making at Cabrillo Bridge, the city’s willingness to let the weeds take over Starlight Bowl and black mold to leak from the plaster cornices, and sewers to close the museums is an insult and will make for a bigger bill once the rotting becomes dangerous. Repair the park. Or the overwrought 20th Century gateway will look even more like a bad Hollywood set.
I think using the TOT to build affordable house for homeless has an even smaller chance of being approved than getting the stadium built. Why not build the stadium then maybe the homeless can apply for jobs there? I don’t want my tax money to build homes when I can barely afford to buy a house myself. Many of them already get disability and unemployment benefits. Where are my benefits?I don’t mind hoteliers profiting. They are providing jobs and paying taxes too.
If they get benefits, then you too will get benefits, Anthony, when you find yourself in the unfortunate state they find themselves in.
If we are paying taxes to support the needy (which I am not against), why do we need to pay even more? Do we need to hand them everything?
I, and I’m sure you are as well, am working hard everyday and saving every “extra” dollar I have. The stadium wouldn’t just be for the Chargers. It would be for everyone, just like Petco park has been. The revitalization that Petco park spurred has encouraged a much busier and lively downtown than in past decades. Out of towners would be paying for the stadium. They would also be enjoying it for the numerous events it would undoubtedly draw.
Additionally, I wouldn’t assume that you would become homeless, please don’t assume that I will be.
I look forward to a positive and possibly enlightening response.
Anthony, Anthony how you do go on. You say, the Charger stadium “would be for everyone, just like Petco park has been.” The Padres are away at Tampa, the Mets and the Pirates stadiums, at ticket prices starting from $9, $13and $6, respectively. When the Padres return home to Petco Park it will cost a median price of about $18 to attend their games. This from stubhub.com.
The jobs you mention the stadium will bring to the homeless wouldn’t provide you a down payment, nor allow you a mortgage on a home here for decades. Maybe a Big Mac or two, but not a home.
And, don’t assume you won’t be homeless one day, Anthony. Russian and Chinese and British investors might just raise your rent; even if you do perceive yourself to be more responsible than others, you could be thrown out on the street by the system you praise.
“If the
First of all, Bob, don’t buy your tickets from StubHub. I buy mine from the Padres website. They are a buck or two cheaper than the Stub if you buy in advance. Also, we don’t choose to live in those other cities you mentioned. We reside in America’s Finest. Your whole first paragraph doesn’t connect to anything I said.
Second of all, who would assume an entry level job at the stadium would buy you a house? Obviously that’s not realistic. But you know what? My very first job was at Jack Murphy selling peanuts and frozen lemonades. Then I wised up and went to school on a federal loan. Additionally, if you were living on a financial edge, don’t both the city and county have first time home buyer programs? Sure, I understand those programs wouldn’t apply to all homeless people or even those with homes.
Thirdly, don’t buy Big Mac meals. They aren’t healthy and cost like 4 bucks more than a nutritional veggie bowl with mushroom chicken at Panda Express.
Am I going on? Maybe, but your response doesn’t add to the conversation at all.
Finally, I have cousins who have come to this country from the Philippines with barely a dime in their pocket. I don’t see them defecating on our beautiful streets downtown (which I’ve stepped in). They might not have the best homes, but they pull themselves up and make life happen.
P.S.: Stop worrying about phantom threats from overseas. Go to work, educate yourself, further yourself. It’s never been cheap to live in this city.
Stop groveling, man.
Way to contribute, Bob. I guess you guys only care about your opinion.
As we reflect on the challenges and contributions of homeless men and women, please consider attending this event Sunday: a Memorial Service for men who were killed in San Diego in recent weeks.
The first victim of a recent string of fatal attacks on homeless men in San Diego is Angelo De Nardo, who attended MCC San Diego for many years. Another named victim is Shawn Longley and there are multiple whose names are either unknown or unreleased by officials.
As a community, we will come together to pay our respects and honor the lives of these fallen Beloved of God and members of the community.
We welcome family, friends and loved ones of Angelo, Shawn Longley and the victims who are known on the streets but remain unnamed at large.
Into God’s hands we commend these spirits.
Contact:
Rev. Caedmon Grace
Minister of Congregational Life
The Metropolitan Community Church San Diego
619.521.2222
caedmon@themetchurch.org
Parking is available in the following locations:
MCC San Diego
The Dentist’s Office to the North of the church
The strip mall on Denver @ Ingulf
Accessibility:
The building is accessible
Hearing assistance devices are available
ASL Interpretation
Forgot to add event location for memorial service:
Metropolitan Community Church – San Diego, CA
2633 Denver St, San Diego, California 92110