The Big Story… There was a ton of political news coverage in San Diego last week. I’ll get to some of that in a minute.
Because, politics or not, there was certainly no bigger story in San Diego than at week’s end, last night on 
a change-up induced strike-out, placing the Padres’ Trevor Hoffman in a first place tie with Lee Smith for all-time Major League Baseball saves at a whopping 478. The fact that Trevor reached the mark while leading the NL in ’06 saves at nearly 39 years of age, all during a home-stretch pennant race with the hated Dodgers, is simply icing on the cake.
Next Sunday I’ll be gushing that Hoffman holds the new MLB saves record.
As for politics, anyone running for office in San Diego this year should have a query added to the questionnaires they have been dutifully filling out in recent weeks: "In addition to being an AC/DC song, how is Hell’s Bells relevant to San Diego?" If they can’t answer the question, they don’t deserve to hold office…and I could care less whether they are Republicans or Democrats.
A Potpourri of Election News… Ok, for those who couldn’t care any less about the beautiful subtlety of a change-up versus a fastball, and are thus on this blog only for the politics, here we go…and thanks for bearing with my digression.
Election year is heating up, as evidenced by the Union-Tribune’s hodge-podge of stories and editorials on every local office and issue known to mankind. In SD, unless you pour over the online version, you will miss most of the local stories in the varying sub-regional, geographic home-delivered editions of the paper. Here’s last week’s sampling:
Logan Jenkins on Bilbray’s "chances" – Busby needs big thunderbolt to pull off win
Prop B, SD Pension System – Public ‘safety net,’ or ‘a charade’?
Prop C, SD Outsourcing – Outsourcing measure’s details in flux
Props F, G, H – Chula Vista – Yes on appointment changes, low-income housing in Chula Vista
Prop J, Coronado Density – Judge lets Prop. J remain on ballot
Prop T, Tri-City Healthcare Bond, Fellow FR Correspondent Duane Dichiara leading the charge – Tri-City bond backers hire new consultants
Bonsall Elementary – Bonsall district candidates cite concerns
Helix Water District Board Candidates
Rancho Santa Fe Schools – Candidates say second campus is still a priority
Dehesa School Board – 5 candidates seek seats on Dehesa School Board
Encinitas – Five vie for two Encinitas council seats
National City Schools – Shake up? – 6 seek 3 seats on board of education
Mountain Empire Unified – Oh my! Ex-teacher, now contender! – Candidate was sued over girl’s charges
Grossmont Healthcare District Candidates
Carlsbad Mayor – For 2 challengers, major goal is ending Lewis’ long tenure
Oceanside City Council – Incumbent Abused Credit Card – Candidates’ name recognition may be factor
More on National City’s "Sanctuary"… Outgoing Mayor Nick Inzunza probably didn’t see his crazy proposal as an election issue, but he sure is unintentially giving a lot of free press to Councilman and mayoral contender Ron Morrison over the issue – Police rip mayor for proposed sanctuary
SDUT Editorial – Some news for the mayor: The real issues in National City
September 24th, 2006 at 12:00 am
The Padres suck. GO DODGERS!!
September 24th, 2006 at 12:00 am
SAN DIEGO (AP) -Trevor Hoffman became baseball’s career saves leader on Sunday, earning No. 479 to pass Lee Smith and help the NL West-leading San Diego Padres beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1.
With the sellout crowd of 41,932 on its feet and cheering, the 38-year-old Hoffman jogged in from the bullpen, staring at the ground the whole way, with AC/DC’s “Hells Bells” blaring, as it has for each of his home save opportunities since July 25, 1998.