ELECTRONIC CLIPPINGS

(Through 9.20.07)

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 The San Diego Union-Tribune

Aguirre, worried about water, wants halt on large projects
By Jennifer Vigil
September 18, 2007
SAN DIEGO – City Attorney Michael Aguirre called yesterday for a temporary moratorium on massive developments in San Diego, as he sought new ground in his struggle with Mayor Jerry Sanders over the city's access to water.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20070918-9999-1m18water.html

Aguirre calls for moratorium on developments pending water crisis
September 17, 2007
SAN DIEGO – City Attorney Michael Aguirre called Monday for a temporary moratorium on all large developments in San Diego until the city implements programs that would ensure a reliable source of water.
“We have taken our water system to the breaking point,” Aguirre said.
http://cfx.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20070917-1422-aguirre-water.html

Thirsty state could lose key supply of water
Ruling may complicate north-south transfers
By Michael Gardner
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE
September 17, 2007
For years, environmentalists have promoted water transfers as a cost-effective, fish-friendly alternative to new dams.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20070917-9999-1n17water.html

Governor's call to special session no guarantee of action
By Laura Kurtzman and Samantha Young

September 16, 2007
SACRAMENTO – After a year of gridlock, lawmakers say they want to reach deals with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to reform health care and improve the state's water supply.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20070916-0856-ca-specialsession.html

Sanders, Aguirre spar over water woes
By Jennifer Vigil
September 14, 2007
SAN DIEGO – Mayor Jerry Sanders and City Attorney Michael Aguirre continued their clash yesterday, this time over how to maintain San Diego's water supply as the region confronts a drought and the consequences of a landmark legal decision.
http://cfx.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070914/news_1m14tap.html

City plans to raise developer fees
No warning given, home builders say
By Lola Sherman
September 14, 2007
Oceanside officials are proposing nearly tripling the fee developers pay in lieu of building affordable housing in the city.
http://cfx.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070914/news_1mi14fees.html

Long Beach warns water shortage is imminent, urges conservation
September 13, 2007
LONG BEACH – The city water department declared Thursday that a water shortage is imminent and urged a half-million residents to conserve

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20070913-1719-ca-watershortage.html
State system established to keep waters pollution-free 'is broken'
By Mike Lee
September 13, 2007
Political tussles, tight budgets, work slowdowns and a lack of prestige are hobbling the network of agencies responsible for controlling water pollution in California.
http://cfx.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20070913-9999-1n13board.html

Housing decline continues
Home sales and prices fall, mortgages tighter; but other counties have it worse
By Roger Showley 
September 13, 2007
San Diego County housing prices continued their slide in August as home sales dropped to a 15-year low, DataQuick Information Systems reported yesterday.
http://cfx.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070913/news_1b13housing.html

City may hike developer fee
Home builders say they weren't given a warning
By Lola Sherman
September 12, 2007
 Oceanside officials are proposing nearly tripling the fee developers pay in lieu of building affordable housing in the city.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20070912-9999-1mc12fees.html

Multiyear shortage of water discussed
Agencies concerned with recent ruling
By Mike Lee
September 5, 2007
Water managers warned yesterday that San Diego County is on the verge of multiyear shortages comparable to those caused by the early 1990s drought.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070905/news_1m5short.html

200 gather to discuss redeveloping City Hall
Meeting is first for 'ambitious' project
By Jeanette Steele
September 7, 2007
DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO – Calling it an “ambitious” and “difficult” project, about 200 people from the building industry attended the first meeting on a public-private partnership to redevelop San Diego's City Hall yesterday.
http://cfx.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070907/news_7m7civic.html

Don't wallop California for delta smelt
September 5, 2007
Never mind the drought. The biggest threat to San Diego's water supply is now the delta smelt.
On behalf of this endangered three-inch fish inhabiting waters of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, a federal judge has restricted for at least a year as much as a third of the water distributed from the delta to 25 million Californians. Three million of them are San Diegans.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/op-ed/editorial1/20070905-9999-lz1ed5top.html

Schwarzenegger administration promotes new dams as delta fix
By Samantha Young
ASSOCIATED PRESS
September 5, 2007
SACRAMENTO – The Schwarzenegger administration on Wednesday dusted off a failed dam proposal as a way to shore up California water supplies in light of a federal judge's ruling limiting shipments from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20070905-1829-ca-troubleddelta.html

Water and our region's economy
By Robert B. Horsman
September 4, 2007
San Diego County faces a challenge that could have far-reaching impacts on its $150 billion economy and the quality of life for its 3 million residents. Weather-related, legal and regulatory factors are combining to threaten our water supply like never before.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070904/news_mz1e4horsman.html

Ruling to cut into water flow to region
Judge's order will protect fish, but cause shortages
By Michael Gardner
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE
September 1, 2007
SACRAMENTO – A federal judge yesterday ordered a dramatic slowdown in pumping water to Southern California – an unprecedented decision aimed at protecting a tiny fish in the Sacramento delta, but one that will have widespread economic and political repercussions across the state.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070901/news_1n1water.html

Suit over endangered delta smelt should be resolved Friday By Juliana Barbassa
ASSOCIATED PRESS
August 31, 2007
FRESNO – Attorneys for California's Department of Water Resources and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation told a judge Friday that pumps should continue extracting water from the San Joaquin-Sacramento River delta until scientists can fully evaluate their effect on threatened fish.
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ttp://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20070831-1415-ca-troubleddelta.html

Out of sites
Few city-owned properties are suitable for affordable housing
By Lori Weisberg
August 26, 2007
After combing through hundreds of city-owned properties, with high hopes of finding some suitable acreage for building housing affordable to low-and middle-income households, San Diego officials have pretty much come up empty-handed.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070826/news_lz1h26sites.html

Schwarzenegger, Feinstein describe delta in crisis, urge fixes
ASSOCIATED PRESS
August 21, 2007
LOS ANGELES – State and federal officials must collaborate to restore the delta's ecosystem and preserve water deliveries to farmers and cities, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Tuesday in calling the crisis one of the state's most pressing challenges.
The two leaders appeared together at a summit in Los Angeles, underscoring the growing attention being paid to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the heart of the state's water-delivery system.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20070821-1842-ca-troubleddelta.html

A bungled probe
Sanders lacking leadership on Sunroad scandal
August 14, 2007
Just when we thought it could get no worse, Mayor Jerry Sanders' bungling of the Sunroad scandal is now marked by an internal probe that was full of holes and glaring inconsistencies, according to documents obtained by the Union-Tribune. Fresh doubts about the credibility of the investigation come as Sanders appears to be overcome by inaction in the face of overwhelming incompetence by officials of his own administration.
http://cfx.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070814/news_lz1ed14top.html

A warning the Southland cannot ignore
By Jeff Kightlinger
August 12, 2007
San Diego County residents depend on a place that many have never seen, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in Northern California, for roughly a third of their water supply. The county's future is directly tied to the delta and its ability to continue providing safe, high-quality water. But the delta is becoming an increasingly uncertain place. And so, in turn, is a centerpiece of San Diego County's future water supply.
http://cfx.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070812/news_mz1e12kightl.html

City flings red tape at fire-wary Del Cerro
July 18, 2007
An especially treacherous fire season lies ahead, and Dr. Charles Jacobson is more nervous than he has been in years.
By now, brush should have been cleared from 100 feet of slope below his property line, and below 20 neighboring properties overlooking Lake Murray in Del Cerro Heights.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/braun/20070718-9999-1m18braun.html

 

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 San Diego Daily Transcript

Sanders and Aguirre disagree on water shortage
By ELIZABETH MALLOY
September 21, 2007
There’s no dispute that San Diego has had a lot of dry weather over the past year, but Mayor Jerry Sanders and City Attorney Michael Aguirre are at odds over the effect this drought has had on the local water supply and what course of action the city should take.
http://www.biasandiego.org/Newsclips/sddt_augsept07.html
For governor and construction, its bills, bills, bills in Sacramento
By ERIK PISOR
September 21, 2007
With the 2007 California legislative session officially ending on September 12, a number of bills that apply to the construction industry have been enrolled and currently await Governor Schwarzenegger's signature or veto.
http://www.biasandiego.org/Newsclips/sddt_augsept07.html
Governor's call to special session no guarantee of action
By LAURA KURTZMAN and SAMANTHA YOUNG
September 17, 2007
After a year of gridlock, lawmakers say they want to reach deals with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to reform health care and improve the state's water supply.
http://www.biasandiego.org/Newsclips/sddt_augsept07.html
Schwarzenegger administration promotes new dams as delta fix
By SAMANTHA YOUNG
September 6, 2007
The Schwarzenegger administration on Wednesday dusted off a failed dam proposal as a way to shore up California water supplies in light of a federal judge's ruling limiting shipments from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
http://www.biasandiego.org/Newsclips/sddt_augsept07.html
Commercial integration sparks regeneration
By SCOTT BRUSSEAU, Building Industry Association of San Diego
August 30, 2007
"Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody." -- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
While homebuilding has not enjoyed a year to post new sales records, the commercial sector of the industry is still expanding and providing jobs for San Diego's expanding economy.
http://www.biasandiego.org/Newsclips/sddt_augsept07.html
BIA sponsors green building program
By Source: Building Industry Association, Desert Chap
August 30, 2007
The Building Industry Association, Desert Chapter is proud to announce its sponsorship of California Building Industry Association's (CBIA) California Green Builder Program.
http://www.biasandiego.org/Newsclips/sddt_augsept07.html
Imperial County housing outlook won't improve until job growth does, experts say
By DOUG SHERWIN
August 30, 2007
Once fertile ground for the housing industry, Imperial County's home sales have slipped considerably during recent times.
http://www.biasandiego.org/Newsclips/sddt_augsept07.html

 

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North County Times

Local new homes sales plunge in July
September 19, 2007
By: North County Times
Sales of new homes in San Diego County plummeted by almost 50 percent in July from the same month a year ago, the second sharpest decline among California metropolitan areas, according to a study released Wednesday.
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/09/20/business/news/20_41_529_19_07.txt

State wants new homes off grid
September 18, 2007
By: DAVE DOWNEY

State regulators Monday proposed an aggressive statewide energy strategy that would push developers to build homes and shopping centers so efficient they would require no electricity or natural gas from California's major utilities.
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/09/18/news/top_stories/1_1_359_18_07.txt

Water crisis subject of television ads
September 18, 2007
By: GIG CONAUGHTON
Saying the public seems unaware that California is teetering on the edge of a water crisis, a water-lobbying group started a rare television-advertising blitz Monday talking "massive water shortages" statewide.
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/09/18/news/top_stories/1_4_409_18_07.txt\

Governor's call to special session no guarantee of action
September 16, 2007
By: Associated Press
After a year of gridlock, lawmakers say they want to reach deals with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to reform health care and improve the state's water supply.
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/09/17/news/state/18_11_229_16_07.txt

A session of special importance
September 15, 2007
By: North County Times Opinion staff
Our view: Governor gives Legislature detention to focus efforts on health care, water crises
Some wary and weary Californians may be breathing a sigh of relief now that the state's lawmakers have ended their regular yearly session. But any celebration would be premature. The special session Gov. Schwarzenegger called on Tuesday will extend the Legislature's ability to make matters worse, and their sights are set on topics of surpassing importance. What they do could determine where we get our health care and water for decades to come.
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/09/17/opinion/editorials/151507190729.txt

Water panel adopts guidelines for delta fixes
September 11, 2007
By: GIG CONAUGHTON - Staff writer
A committee of regional water leaders Monday said the state needs to build some sort of canal to separate endangered fish and environmental concerns from Southern California's now-threatened water supplies.
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/09/11/news/sandiego/0_41_199_11_07.txt

Contingency plans drawn up for possible SoCal water rationing
September 7, 2007
By: Associated Press -
Contingency plans currently being drawn up could force Southern California water officials to order rationing next year.
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/09/07/news/state/19_46_009_6_07.txt

A watery wake-up call
September 5, 2007
By: North County Times Opinion staff -
Our view: Drying up of delta supply must prompt conservation and market-pricing
If you think your water rates are too high, just wait. If you think you've been asked to make do with less water before, well, there too you're in for an unpleasant surprise. Late Friday evening in a Sacramento court, a federal judge decided a tiny fish needs the water we depend on even more than we do.
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/09/05/opinion/editorials/0_24_529_5_07.txt

Water issue no mirage
September 5, 2007
By: JIM TRAGESER  
Last week's ruling by a federal judge severely limiting the transfer of water from Northern California to local taps is causing another in a periodic wave of calls for more conservation of water in order to ... well, to accomplish what isn't exactly clear. Use less water, of course, but to what end?
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/09/06/opinion/trageser/19_27_309_5_07.txt

Southern California works on emergency plan
September 5, 2007
By: GIG CONAUGHTON
Days after a judge issued a ruling that could create Southern California's worst water shortages since the last great drought in 1991, the region's main water supplier said it was racing to create an emergency plan to divvy up water if rationing is necessary in 2008.
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/09/05/news/sandiego/5_01_179_4_07.txt

Judge's ruling could cut water supplies by 30 percent
August 31, 2007
By: GIG CONAUGHTON
An "unprecedented" environmental ruling issued late Friday by a federal court judge could create Southern California's worst water shortages since the state's last widespread drought more than 15 years ago, water officials said.
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/09/01/news/top_stories/22_09_448_31_07.txt

Endangered fish threaten water supply
August 19, 2007
By: GIG CONAUGHTON
A federal judge is scheduled to weigh arguments Tuesday in a case pitting an endangered fish against Southern California's main water supply, and the region may be lucky to lose only a third of its water.
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/08/20/news/top_stories/1_01_498_19_07.txt

Building fee begins to build roads
August 17, 2007
By: DAVE DOWNEY  
Transportation money isn't exactly pouring in from new development these days, thanks to Riverside County's slumping housing market.
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/08/18/news/californian/23_08_568_17_07.txt

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California Real Estate Journal

On Two Coasts, Renters Squeezed By Lack of Affordable Housing
SEPTEMBER 24, 2007
By DAVID CRARY AND RACHEL KONRAD
This isn't how Simon and Jennifer Morris envisioned married life - sharing a charity-subsidized suite with four other hard-up families, abiding by a curfew and other rules that make them feel they are back in high school.
http://carealestatejournal.com/newswire/index.cfm?sid=&tkn=&eid=888866&evid=1

Officials, Experts Push Governor's Water Fixes
SEPTEMBER 17, 2007
By Linda Rapattoni and Dennis Pfaff
State officials and water experts predict big impacts from a federal judge's ruling that could cut pumping sharply to protect fish populations in the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta.
http://carealestatejournal.com/common/images/crejbreakingnews.gif

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San Diego Business Journal

Public Housing Develops Program to Stabilize Budget
CEO Elizabeth Morris to Retire Jan. 15
September 24, 2007
By MICHELLE MOWAD
The head of the San Diego Housing Commission, which helps provide affordable housing to 80,000 residents, announced her retirement earlier this month. Elizabeth “Betsy” C. Morris, president and chief executive officer, said she will retire Jan. 15, but not before transforming the agency to lessen its dependence on federal funds.
http://sdbj.com/industry_article.asp?aID=89004059.3285486.1530438.8675457.9677785.952&aID2=117717

Commercial Construction Projects Faced With Rising Cost of Materials
Aggregate, Aluminum, Concrete, Drywall and Steel Prices Are Up
 September 17, 2007
By MICHELLE MOWAD
Though residential construction is slowing in San Diego County, the cost of nonresidential construction is increasing due to the rising cost of materials.
http://sdbj.com/industry_article.asp?aID=95440943.4289774.1527929.7217768.1885324.190&aID2=117524

Anderson Forecast: ‘Near-Recession Experience’
September 12, 2007
Economists putting together the UCLA Anderson Forecast said Sept. 12 that the U.S. economy is near recession.
http://sdbj.com/industry_article.asp?aID=33562317.9766962.1526083.876228.23567502.187&aID2=117382

Road Construction Exploding in North County, Sets Foundation For Future Growth
September 10, 2007
Ted Owen — Business in the North County
One of the advantages of living in North County is that every day when you head to work something new has happened overnight.
The construction crews along with California Department of Transportation teams have been wearing night-vision goggles for a long time now.
http://sdbj.com/industry_article.asp?aID=19754384.2843594.1525121.7073888.5764232.992&aID2=117308
California Still Golden in Would-Be Residents’ Eyes
September 10, 2007
Rochester, N.Y.-based Harris Interactive reported Sept. 10 that California is the No. 1 state to live in, for the fifth consecutive year, followed by Florida and Hawaii, which flipped spots for the third year in a row.
http://sdbj.com/industry_article.asp?aID=66929016.7166864.1525706.4062573.2422689.457&aID2=117353

Dip in Construction Employment an Exception to the Regional Rule
State’s Population Growth Rate Slows Below National Level
August 20, 2007
The non-farm payroll employment in the San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos metro area was “essentially stagnant” during the past year, according to Kenneth Simonson, chief economist of the Associated General Contractors of America, in Arlington, Va.
http://www.sdbj.com/industry_article_pay.asp?aID=68749237.8112451.1515956.2007061.6245473.013&aID2=116603

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 Voice of San Diego

Without A Cause, Fund Tied to Mayor Keeps Growing
By Evan McLaughlin
Aug. 17, 2007
A campaign committee that guided Mayor Jerry Sanders' ballot initiatives to victory in November has continued to raise thousands of dollars after the election from donors who have business in front of City Hall for a cause that is currently unknown.
http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2007/08/17/news/01sandiegans081707.txt

In Downtown, Affordable Condos Could Come with a Hitch
By KELLY BENNETT
Aug. 1, 2007
For residents in affordable housing units, the kind mandated by redevelopment law in areas such as San Diego's downtown, the balance of housing costs is especially tricky to strike.
That's why participants in homebuyer assistance programs downtown aren't allowed to finance their homes with adjustable-rate mortgages. The goal is to establish a predictable housing cost per month that won't suddenly skyrocket in a matter of years.
http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2007/08/17/housing/921hoadues080107.txt

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