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www.PeninsulaBeacon.com San Diego Community Newspaper Group
THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2010
www.SDNEWS.com Volume 25, Number 15
4 charged in fatal Coast Guard crash BY ANTHONY GENTILE | THE BEACON
Protesters on both sides of the homelessness issue in Ocean Beach engage in heated debate along Newport Avenue recently over a bumper sticker being PHOTO BY JIM GRANT I THE BEACON sold by The Black reading: “Welcome to Ocean Beach. Please Don’t Feed Our Bums.”
Homeless debate reignites passions in OB BY ANTHONY GENTILE | THE BEACON Homelessness, a contentious issue in Ocean Beach that has triggered recent shouting matches, arguments and protests, was a topic discussed in earnest by a cross-section of the community July 6 at Sacred Heart Church. More than 200 people packed the church’s parish hall for a local faith-based community forum to discuss the ripple effects of the local homelessness population and a slate of possible solutions. “It just seemed like we were going the wrong direction, that we weren’t going toward any solutions,” said Thomas Ziegert, pastor at Point Loma United Methodist Church. “Nobody was seemingly on the same page. We’re looking for a page.” Long a tense topic in Ocean Beach, the A community forum led by faith-based organizations drew roughly 200 participants in Ocean Beach
USS Bennington’s fiery fate to be remembered BY ANTHONY GENTILE | THE BEACON
A selection committee comprised of representatives from the city of San Diego, Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC) and the commission, as well as community members from several community organizations, chose that proposal over another option, which was submitted by Father Joe’s Villages, a non-profit entity that has provided homeless services through St. Vincent de Paul Village for more than 60 years. Originally, the selection committee rejected both proposals because each called for new construction of facilities. The committee then asked both teams to revise their submissions with a strategy for utilizing an existing buildSEE CENTER, Page 5
SEE CEMETERY, Page 7
on July 6 to field concerns and diffuse tensions over the issue of homelessness and wayward tranPHOTO BY JIM GRANT I THE BEACON
City committee poised to mull downtown homeless service center ter’s proposed location in the heart of the city’s financial district. The city’s Land Use and Housing CommitThe plan endorsed by the commission tee (LU&H) was expected to make a decision at would create a “one-stop” homeless service its July 14 meeting on whether to support the center at the WTC that would house up to San Diego Housing Commission’s recommen- 225 homeless people and provide assistance dation to establish a new permanent homeless such as medical and mental health care, case service center in downtown’s World Trade management and job hunting resources, all Center building, 1250 Sixth Ave. under one roof. Results of the meeting were unavailable at The plan was submitted by People Assisting press time. the Homeless (PATH) in response to a request The commission first presented the recom- for proposals issued in April 2009. Under its mendation to LU&H in April, but committee proposal, PATH would work with Affirmed members decided to table the issue for 90 days Housing Group to create 150 interim beds to provide more time for public outreach, and 75 permanent supportive housing units amid protests from community members and in the WTC, then partner with Family Health local business representatives about the cen- Centers of San Diego for ongoing services.
SEE CRASH, Page 5
Locals are set to solemnly remember one of San Diego’s oldest and most fiery naval tragedies. The annual commemoration of the USS Bennington explosions 105 years ago will be held at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery on Saturday, July 17. “It’s really a very moving service,” said volunteer and historian Karen Scanlon. On July 21, 1905, two boilers exploded aboard the USS Bennington in San Diego Harbor. The explosion killed 65 sailors and one officer aboard the Navy gun boat. “It was one of the deadliest This granite obelisk stands at Fort peacetime disasters for the Rosecrans National Cemetery in U.S. Navy,” Scanlon said. “It tribute to the 65 sailors killed aboard the USS Bennington in was a critical incident.” 1905 in San Diego Harbor — one of Since the centennial com- the deadliest peacetime disasters memoration of the USS Ben- for the U.S. Navy. COURTESY PHOTO nington in 2005, the local chapter of Sons of the American Revolution has coordinated the ceremony. Philip Hinshaw is the organizer of the event.
SEE HOMELESS, Page 5 sient youths who aggressively panhandle residents and visitors.
BY HILLARY SCHULER-JONES | THE BEACON
The four U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) petty officers involved in a boat crash that killed an 8-year-old bystander late last year on San Diego Bay have been charged with a total of 12 criminal counts. Rear Adm. Joseph Castillo, commander of the 11th Coast Guard District — A U.S. Coast Guard boat like this was involved in a fatal crash with a civilian which includes San Diego — vessel Dec. 20 on San Diego Bay, formally charged the four killing an 8-year-old boy. Four Coast crewmembers July 1. Guard crewmembers face criminal “These are charges and charges. U.S. COAST GUARD COURTESY PHOTO accusations, and they are innocent until proven guilty in the proceedings,” said Dan Dewell, an 11th District spokesman. The collision between a 33-foot USCG boat and a 26-foot Sea Ray runabout occurred during the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights on Dec. 20, killing Anthony DeWeese of Rancho Peñasquitos and injuring five others. Charges were brought against the Coast Guard crewmembers under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). “When you have an investigation after any accident, investigators go in and as they go along, if they run across information and evidence that looks like it might be a violation of the UCMJ, they bring it up to the authority. That’s the step we’re at,” Dewell said. Petty Officer Paul A. Ramos, coxswain of the boat, faces
Will Floatopias dry up?
Summer music concerts return
The floating drinking parties created as a way to skirt the city’s beach alcohol ban could be targeted next. 2
Families can explore plenty of musical options with the return of the Point Loma Summer Concerts and the annual Music at Dusk series. 6, 9
Peninsula’s track phenoms A brother-sister duo from Point Loma has been busy shattering records and making their marks at La Jolla Country Day. 17