BINGO! Every Thursday at the U.P.S.E.S. Hall Bingo Early Birds start at 6:30pm ad sponsored by San Diego Community Newspaper Group Thursday, February 5, 2015 www.SDNEWS.com Volume 27, Number 13 SDPD briefs Preserve Point Ocean Beach Loma group Town Council opposes Jessop on crime spree estate project A grass-roots group announced BY ANTHONY S. de GARATE | THE BEACON Feb. 2 it is organizing the Point Loma community to convince the San Diego David Surwilo, community rela- City Council on Feb. 9 to deny a pro- tions officer for the San Diego Police posed four-lot subdivision on the old Department’s Western Division, is Jessop estate at La Crescentia Drive. scratching his head a bit over this Preserve Point Loma, which claims one. to have 700 members including a There’s been a rash of burglaries wide range of civic leaders, will be lob- in Ocean Beach. During a roughly bying against the Point Loma Sum- three-week period between Christ- mit project at the City Council hearing mas and mid-January, eight resi- on Monday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. in Coun- dences or cars were broken into, cil Chambers, 12th floor, 202 C. St. with victims reporting their belong- in downtown San Diego. The Council ings riffled through or stolen. is expected to make a final decision on But when they’ve taken reports, whether to approve the project. it turns out the crimes were proba- “The site contains environmental- bly preventable. Police have been ly sensitive steep lands and unstable quite baffled at the seemingly lax hillsides and sets a bad precedent for attitude from victims that has future deviations and variances to the allowed the thief to be successful. San Diego City land use policies. At issue also is a steep, narrow and wind- SEE OBTC, Page 10 SEE JESSOP, Page 5 Ducks bringing 'Revenge porn' pucks to Valley site operator View Center The unfinished structure at 1676 Plum St. in Point Loma has been in a state of perpetual remodel for more than seven years. found guilty, Fan Fest for new AHL PHOTO BY DAVE SCHWAB faces 20 years team will be Feb. 22 Following 14 hours of deliberations BY SCOTT HOPKINS | THE BEACON Decision looms for Plum Street ‘eyesore’ over three days, a jury convicted a Pacific Beach After a nine-year absence, pro- man Feb. 2 of six fessional ice hockey is returning Owner given 30 days to demolish, develop or sell property extortion charges to San Diego and the Valley View and 21 identity Casino Center this fall. BY DAVE SCHWAB | THE BEACON of-way and built a perimeter construction thefts in connec- The local team will be the top ‘This is a pivotal fence that enclosed city sidewalks and a tion with his minor league affiliate of the Ana- The owner of a huge abandoned home moment for a stop sign, the City Attorney's office said. operation of a heim Mighty Ducks of the on Plum Street in Point Loma has been The Code Enforcement Unit of the City “revenge porn” National Hockey League (NHL), ordered by a judge to fix, sell or demolish neighborhood effort to Attorney’s Office filed a lawsuit against website, which KEVIN BOLLAERT who play their home games at it. remove an eyesore ...’ Mendiola in August 2014. displayed photos the Honda Center, about 90 Francisco Mendiola owns an unfin- Point Lomans hailed the judicial deci- of nude women and required fees miles north of San Diego. ished mansion at 1676 Plum St. that has sion as a major step forward. ranging from $299 to $350 for their Moving to San Diego will be been in a state of “perpetual remodel” for JON LINNEY Two Peninsula Community Planning deletion. PENINSULA COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP the current Norfolk Admirals of more than seven years. He’s pled guilty to Group members, Don Sevrens and Jon The eight-woman, four-man jury the American Hockey League obstructing a public right-of-way by build- Linney, respectively, weighed in on the deadlocked on a conspiracy charge (AHL), whose home games are ing a perimeter construction fence that mitted in 2007 — he must adhere to a decision. and another identity theft count 2,702 miles east of the Honda enclosed city sidewalks and a stop sign. strict timetable or be in violation of the "The legal documents set a specific against Kevin Bollaert, 28, but he Center. Mendiola now has 30 days to tell the terms of his three-year probation,” said course,” said Sevrens, cautioning, “But faces 20 years in prison at his April 3 The much closer distance will court whether he plans to demolish, Braun in a released statement. given seven years of ignoring the law, sentencing for the 27 guilty verdicts allow the Ducks to move players develop or sell the structure at the corner The saga of 1676 Plum St. has long compliance will always be a concern to he received. quickly between Anaheim and of Plum and Lowell streets, said Gerry infuriated neighbors in the Point Loma the neighbors until it is all over. The solu- Testimony began Jan. 16. San Diego, something that could- Braun, City Attorney spokesman. community, both because the stalled tion is stronger Municipal Code provisions San Diego Superior Court Judge n't be done from Norfolk. “If he elects to develop it — meaning he remodel created an eyesore and because to prevent such abuses.” David Gill initially said he had leaned SEE HOCKEY, Page 8 would complete the job that was first per- Mendiola placed stairs on a public right- SEE EYESORE, Page 9 toward letting Bollaert remain free on SEE GUILTY, Page 9 BUSINESS FEATURE SPORTS Harbor Town Pub is Point Loma’s Why are winter sunsets so Lily Lutz (14) helps lead the friendly neighborhood hub spectacular in San Diego? Pointers over the Vikings Page 16 Page 22 Page 8 THURSDAY · FEBRUARY 5, 2015 2 THE PENINSULA BEACON NEWS New editor named for Peninsula Beacon and Beach & Bay Press San Diego Community Newspaper Group recently announced Thomas Melville as the new editor for the Penin- sula Beacon and Beach & Bay Press. He will also edit and update the papers' web- sites and social media platforms. “I'm really excited to be a part of the San Diego Community Newspaper Group,” Melville said. “I look forward to working with [publisher] Julie Main and everyone at the group.” Melville has more than 15 years of experience in the publishing industry. Until recently, he was editor of Energy Digital magazine in Carlsbad, Calif., a global publication focusing on the renewable energy sector. THOMAS MELVILLE Prior to moving to San Diego, Melville was the editor and part owner of the writing, photography, and page design. Bayside Gazette newspaper, based in His landscape and conceptual photogra- Ocean City, Md. Throughout his career, phy has been honored at juried exhibi- he has been the editor of several weekly tions at galleries in Salisbury, Berlin, and newspapers in New York, North Caroli- Ocean City, all in Maryland. na, and Maryland. Also, he was an asso- Melville currently lives in North Park ciate editor at Success magazine, a but plans on moving back to the beach national business publication. and bay area. “I lived in Pacific Beach for He was won several press association two years when I first moved here and OPEN SUN 2-4PM awards from three different states for his want to get back to the beach,” he said. IN ESCROW OPEN SAT 1-4PM Annual Pointers Spring Arts & Craft Faire fundraiser at PLHS Local crafters and artists are being from Eleanor Snyder at protectourpoint- sought for the third annual Pointers [email protected]. The cost of $50 gives Spring Arts & Craft Faire next month. vendors a 10-by-10-foot space to display 3605 Quimby • 3BR/1BA • $620,000 3655 Fenelon • 4BR++/3.5BA • $1,795,000 The event takes place on the campus of their wares. This charming home in Loma Portal offers Gorgeous single level view home in Point Loma High School March 28 from All items sold will be handcrafted and 3 Bedrooms, 1 Bath, corner lot, 2 car detached Point Loma. Large 25,700sf lot. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. include such items as soaps, wooden garage in a great neighborhood! Cristine Gee & Summer Crabtree, (619) 980-4433 Beth Zedaker, (619) 602-9610 The festival raises much-needed funds items, jewelry, art objects, ceramics and for Protect Our Pointers (POP), a crucial accessories for women and children. program that provides certified athletic Also, a handful of vendors will be offer- trainers at all Pointer athletic events. ing PLHS-related items. Trainers are necessary both in the pre- -Scott Hopkins vention and treatment of injuries. POP is operated under the auspices of the PLHS IN ESCROW Pointer Association. Applications for vendors are available New Listing! • 4523 Orchard Ave • 2BR/1BA Just Listed! • 2 units OCEAN BEACH • $649,000 $775,000 2 houses each with own assigned parking Seniors Real Estate 1952 home in original condition with stunning off alley. ocean views from the living & dining rooms and Cecil Shuffler, CRB, (619) 980-3441 decks! Update this charming one story home or Carter Shuffler, (619) 884-9275 go up for panoramic views. Won't last! Specialist Kimberly Platt, (619) 248-7039 • Experienced in the complex issues of trust, estate and probate transactions. • Guiding seniors and their families through the relocation or downsizing options with compassion and understanding. OPEN SUN 2-4PM • Supporter of the local Peninsula Shepherd Center for seniors with a donation of 5% of my commission for every transaction closed.