Morning Report: County Belongs to Dems Again
With Paloma Aguirre’s win Tuesday, Democrats regained control of the five-member county Board of Supervisors. South County Reporter Jim Hinch wrote, in wonderful prose, about the importance for the entire […] The post Morning Report: County Belongs to Dems Again appeared first on Voice of San Diego.
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With Paloma Aguirre’s win Tuesday, Democrats regained control of the five-member county Board of Supervisors.
South County Reporter Jim Hinch wrote, in wonderful prose, about the importance for the entire region of her victory. The energy at Aguirre’s victory party gave way to “six months of pent-up Democratic frustration” over the surprise resignation of Democratic Supervisor Nora Vargas.
“Her resignation left supervisors stalemated on a range of pressing issues – immigration, a projected budget deficit, looming federal budget cuts – even as economic and political headwinds threatened to exacerbate the county’s already significant challenges,” Hinch wrote.
Now the stalemate is over. But many questions that do not split easily along party lines remain.
“Should the county stiffen its homeless camping ban?” Hinch writes. “What is the best way to help people with drug or mental health problems who refuse treatment? Should environmental laws be weakened to speed up home development? Should the county dip into reserves to blunt the effects of federal budget cuts?”
Hinch captures the varying forces at play that will shape Aguirre as she begins the difficult work of governing.
North County Report: the Blain Investigation
Poway City Council has been dealing with serious drama for months.
And now a report has confirmed that City Councilmember Tony Blain engaged in abusive and offensive conduct toward at least two other city officials, reports our Tigist Layne.
Even before Blain was elected in 2024, he sent excessive and threatening emails to city staff. “Once he was elected, it only got worse,” Layne writes.
Much of Blain’s bile was directed at City Attorney Alan Fenstermacher.
“[The report] essentially confirms in every count that I’ve been bullied and abused in the year 2025 by an elected official,” Fenstermacher said. “I’ve never experienced treatment like this in my entire life, and as a 15-year career lawyer, I’ve seen a lot.”
In Other News
- Sharp HealthCare office workers voted to unionize Tuesday, just a day after the healthcare provider announced it will be laying off 315 of its employees. (KPBS)
- Start stocking up on quarters because parking meters prices are going to be a bit higher if you opt for card over change. The Union-Tribune reports that San Diego plans to pass along credit card fees to drivers rather than covering that cost with what the meter makes.
- The Union-Tribune also has a guide to this weekend’s festivities.
The Morning Report was written by Will Huntsberry and Tessa Balc. It was edited by Andrea Sanchez-Villafaña.
The post Morning Report: County Belongs to Dems Again appeared first on Voice of San Diego.
