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THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2013
www.SDNEWS.com Volume 27, Number 14
Oversize-vehicle law rolls toward reality citywide
Annual marshmallow war stirs up controversy
BY DAVE SCHWAB | THE BEACON After first deadlocking 4-4 on a new oversize-vehicle ordinance pilot program targeting just coastal areas, the City Council then voted 6-2 on July 8 to implement a more costly citywide plan. Councilmembers Sherri Lightner of District 1 and David Alvarez of District 8 opposed the final measure. Councilwoman Marti Emerald of District 9 was absent. Some councilmembers said they were concerned that a citywide oversize-vehicle pilot program might be too costly and unwieldy to manage. But council president Todd Gloria, speaking
for the majority, expressed fear that implementing a coastal-only pilot program would be unfair and push the problem of illegally parked oversize vehicles elsewhere. Several RV owners argued that a punitive ordinance would be excessive, warning it could force low-income people, with no other alternative but to live in their vehicles, into homelessness. As originally proposed, the oversize-vehicle ordinance pilot program would only have been introduced in the coastal areas of Lightner in District 1 and that of District 2 City Councilman Kevin SEE RVs, Page 8
Residents and lifeguards survey the sidewalks near the Ocean Beach Pier following the long-running marshmallow war that occurs after every Fourth Photo by Jim Grant I The Beacon of July fireworks display. Some locals, saddled with sticky shoes and the cost of cleanup, said they have had enough.
Residents, merchants tiring of the costly, sticky tradition BY DAVE SCHWAB | THE BEACON Tempers are flaring over Ocean Beach’s escalating marshmallow war and the costly cleanup associated with it. The annual Ocean Beach Marshmallow Fight — a beach tradition that follows the Fourth of July community fireworks show from the OB Pier — has seemingly turned from frivolous fun to tasteless controversy in the eyes of some. What began in 1985 as a small, interfamily affair between the Grosch and Zounes families, who hosted rival Fourth of
July holiday parties, has morphed over time into a large-scale, frenzied event leaving the community to clean up the gooey mess. Fun is fun, but some merchants and residents are beginning to wonder whether it’s time for the party to be over. “What started out as a friendly thing with OB kids has just gotten out of hand,” said longtime Ocean Beach resident Bill Joyce, chef/owner of Surfside Cuisine Catering. “I really was upset about it this year. It was so much more than expected. Just massive amounts of marshmallows
and the boardwalk literally caked.” The time — and expense — of cleaning marshmallows from the Fourth of July mess are mushrooming, said critics. “We’re attempting to deal with it as best we can,” said Denny Knox, executive director of the OB MainStreet Association, which has nothing to do with organizing the event. “We’ve spent $3,000 [so far this year]. Once it (mess) was small, on the sand and could be raked up pretty easily. Now it’s really gotten too big.” SEE MESS, Page 7
Robb Field visitors take osprey family under their wings with vigilant watch BY JORGE VALCARCEL SPECIAL TO THE BEACON
There are a lot of proud parents at Robb Field these days, and they are not just soccer moms. The ospreys that nest there have raised a beautiful brood of three fledglings and a small group of regular admirers has gradually begun to consider themselves part of the family. Ospreys, also known as seahawks, are very large raptors that feed almost entirely on fish. Their wingspan can grow to over 70 inches. They are unique among hawks and eagles in that they have an outer toe that they use for grabbing on to fish. The osprey loves to hunt in the shallow waters of the San Diego River. You’ve probably seen them SEE OSPREYS, Page 6
An adult osprey touches down to tend to its offspring at a nest at Robb Field. Courtesy photo by Jorge Valcarcel
An ordinance governing parking of oversize vehicles has cleared the City Council once and will return for a second reading and final adoption in a matPhoto by Ronan Gray I The Beacon ter of weeks.
Got issues with your utility bill? Help is a phone call away BY TONY DE GARATE | THE BEACON If you open your water and sewer bill and it looks too high, David Akin is the one to call. He’s served more than 12 years in customer support for the city’s Public Utilities Department, including the last two years in his capacity as consumer advocate. It’s a job he takes very seriously, Akin told members of the Ocean Beach Town Council during the group’s regular monthly meeting June 26. Anyone with a billing dispute or problem with service should expect to be treated the same as a lawyer’s client, said Akin, whose resume also includes eight years as an attorney and stints in customer service for Southern California Edison and Houston Lighting and Power. “I will do everything I can to get a ‘yes’ for you,” Akin said. He said there are four reasons
for an expected spike in local utility bills: misreading a meter, leaks, theft of service and higher consumption. Most of time, people with suddenly higher bills just use too much water, Akin said. Kids home for the summer, refilling a swimming pool, new landscaping or overwatering are likely causes, he said. A running toilet is the most common leak problem. “Put some dye tablets in the tank and check in a half-hour or so. If the dye makes it to the bowl, you have a leak,” Akin said. Customers who discover and fix a leaky pipe can ask for an adjustment on their bill, he said. The other reasons are less common but worth checking. You can verify the meter reading stated on your bill by checking it yourself. The meter is usually located SEE BILLS, Page 8