Scott Appleby & Kerry ApplebyPayne A Family Tradition of Real Estate Success LA JOLLA TODAY 858-775-2014 LA JOLLA’S LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER DRE#01197544 DRE#01071814 SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER GROUP FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2013 LJTODAY.COM | VOLUME 18, NUMBER 36 ELECTIONWRAPUP >> MIKE AGUIRRE DAVID ALVAREZ KEVIN FAULCONER NATHAN FLETCHER 4 percent ✓26 percent ✓44 percent 24 percent The 2013 political showdown for mayor of San Diego reached a crescendo Nov. 19, setting up a runoff elec- tion sometime in February between District 2 City Coun- cilman Kevin Faulconer (R) and District 8 City Council- man David Alvarez (D). According to semi-official results from the San Diego County Registrar of Voters Office — with 100 percent of the precincts counted — Faulconer was the runaway leader, collecting 44 percent of the ballots (89,043 votes), followed by Alvarez with 26 percent (52,283 votes). Democrat Nathan Fletcher, however, was barely trail- Our ing Alvarez with 24 percent (49,645 votes). However, on Nov. 20, Fletcher conceded and lent his endorse- ment to Alvarez in the runoff election, even though there are still 34,500 mail-in and provisional ballots wild La Jolla yet to be counted, according to city spokesman Juan Alvarez. Photos by Don Balch Former City Attorney Mike Aguirre did not fare well in his bid for mayor, collecting a little more than 4 per- cent of the vote (9,801 votes) The mail-in and provisional ballots are expected to be counted next week and could be certified as early as the end of next week, according to Alvarez. Voter turnout for the election was estimated between 30-35 percent. Thanking his major opponents Fletcher, Aguirre and Alvarez for “sacrificing their time to make San Diego bet- ter,” Faulconer said he began his campaign with a sim- ple promise, “That together, we will restore trust and integrity to City Hall.”Now more than ever, San Die- gans need a leader with a vision for this city — and the experience to make it happen; a leader San Diegans can trust — trust to lead with principles not partisanship; trust to put your city first,” Faulconer said on election night. “We took that message to the voters and guess what? You all agree.” Meanwhile, coming from single-digit support when the race kicked off to ending up with more than 25 per- hat so many scientific, oceanographic and environ- While it’s not common to come across sea turtles, Balch cent of the vote on Nov. 19, Alvarez gained traction mental organizations are situated in La Jolla is no said, “You can be lucky enough to see one surface — and I every day with a positive, grassroots campaign that Taccident. The area is teeming with flora and fauna know where to look!” focused on describing his vision for a San Diego for and enjoys greater environmental protections due to its Above left, kayakers get a clear water view of leopard everyone and every neighborhood. incredibly rich biological diversity. sharks off the Shores during the first week of November, “We started this campaign as an underdog, but we Photographer Don Balch, who spends much of his time while, above right, a leopard shark shows its spots in La Jolla in and around the water in La Jolla, recently caught some Cove. prime examples of just how wild the waters off the coast Have you caught some rare or unusual photos of La SEE ELECTION >> PG. 22 are. Top, a sea turtle gets eye-to-eye off La Jolla Shores. Jolla’s wildlife? Send them in to [email protected]. Enter to Win Holiday Cash! Scan to win cash! Win $100 in cash for the holidays! Get NEWS ALERTS and COOL DEALS texted directly to your phone! Scan code or text: ljt to 1.858.736.9922 Risk free. No obligation. No purchase necessary. Easy opt out. Join today and be entered into our cash drawing! LA JOLLA TO DAY Must be 18 years + to enter. No purchase necessary. Enter by Dec. 20, 2013. FRIDAY · NOVEMBER 22 , 2013 2 LA JOLLA TODAY News Operation Santa calls on holiday heroes Could removal of fence be solution to Cove smell? By DAVE SCHWAB Many La Jollans believe opening — or even removing — the fence at the Cove and allowing public access to the bluffs displacing wildlife there is the solution to quenching the stench which has become a serious health problem and community irritant. Now they’re just waiting to hear if the city is going to give them the chance to test their theory. A decision is imminent by the BRINGING GOOD CHEER Members of UCSD’s Alpha Phi Omega communi- city attorney as a result of a ty service organization work to bring happy holidays to families in need request by assistant chief operat- through Operation Santa. COURTESY PHOTO ing officer Stacey LoMedico to open a gate, or remove a section, of Operation Santa, started by the monetary and non-monetary the Cove fence to allow public Rho Pi chapter of Alpha Phi forms all year round. Many of the access there while city liability for STUBBORN SMELL Some in La Jolla contend that the fence cordoning off the Omega at UCSD, is an annual families are asking for basic doing so is explored. bluffs at La Jolla Cove has paved the way for birds and sea lions to take up resi- relief project aimed at giving necessities like food, clothing and The idea behind fence removal is dence on the rocks, thus covering them with their waste. The sea lions are of par- back to the San Diego communi- bedding. Every donation goes the conviction by some that the ticular concern, said LJVMA executive director Sheila Fortune, since their diet, of ty by helping out as many fami- right back to helping the families. cause of the pervasive smell ema- which sardines make up a large part, makes for an especially malodorous greet- lies in need during the Christmas This year, Operation Santa has nating from the bluffs stems from ing to visitors and business owners. MARIKO LAMB holiday. received more than 150 nomina- the invasion of birds and marine Many of the families Operation tions and is still looking for mammals — and their inevitable posted on the fence that clearly noted the Cove stench is literally Santa assists are single parents, adopters and donors. Adopters feces — that has intensified since a indicates these conditions. If a making people sick. military or those facing extraordi- can fill out the online form at fence was installed to keep people member of the public chooses to “It’s become a major health nary medical expenses. Since www.operationsantaSD.org. off the rocks. Remove the fence take such an individual risk, it is problem with a lot of businesses 2007, the group’s numbers have Donations can be made through and allow people back out onto the also important to note that an along Coast Boulevard complain- grown from helping two families an online PayPal link and mail- cliffs and many of the animals will individual should do so without ing about people getting sick, my in its first year to 127 families last ing address, also found on the gradually be displaced and move disturbing the wildlife, birds and staff and myself included in our year. website. away — as will the smell, the the- sea lions.” office,” Fortune told trustees. Through Operation Santa, the In addition, Operation Santa is ory goes. LoMedico added that, should the Noting the Cove’s rocks were community can be directly inviting the community to its Will that happen? It’s now up to Cove fence be reopened, city life- treated twice to counteract bird involved with the families by third annual gift-wrapping work- the City Attorney’s Office to decide. guards have the right to warn droppings, Fortune said there’s a nominating, adopting or donat- shop on Dec. 3 from 8 to 10 p.m. In a recent letter to the La Jolla those choosing to be on the rocks growing awareness that waste ing to a family in need. at UCSD’s Price Center Ballroom Village Merchants Association if they’re in personal danger, and from sea lions may be an even big- Participants can nominate East. At this event, fraternity (LJVMA), which has been lobby- also have the ability to cite them if ger part of the stench problem. families for help through the brothers and volunteers will help ing government officials to get the they feel they’ve harassed or mis- “Sea lions like to dine on sar- online nomination form. As wrap presents and prepare them Cove stench taken care of once treated federally protected marine dines and sardines create an adopters of a family, participants for delivery. and for all, LoMedico wrote, mammals. incredibly noxious odor,” she said. buy gifts for a nominated family If you would like to adopt a “There are no restrictions to pub- Addressing La Jolla Town Coun- “We’re working to figure out a from the family’s wish list. family, donate or have any ques- lic access if a member of the pub- cil recently, Sheila Fortune, LJVMA solution for everyone.” Adopters are also given the tions or comments, visit www.- lic chooses to access the rocks/ executive director, discussed Alex Roth, spokesman for inter- choice of personally delivering operationsantaSD.org or www.- cliffs. However, access is discour- LoMedico’s letter and the possibil- im mayor Todd Gloria, told LJVMA the presents to the family. The facebook.com/opsanta, or email aged as the area can be unstable ity of unlocking the gate or remov- last week, “We absolutely under- final option for participation, [email protected].