All Things University City: Election Central

Unless you don’t watch television, don’t drive around in the neighborhood, and don’t get any mail because you are not a registered voter (shame on you, if you are not registered), then it’s pretty obvious that Tuesday is Election Day. What you may not realize is that for this election, UC is considered the political hotbed for the county.

Voice of San Diego (VOSD) had an interesting article last month, written by Keegan Kyle, which explained why our community has a lot of say in this year’s election. Basically UC is the only area that can vote on all of the four biggest local elections: City Council District 1, 52nd Congressional District, County Supervisor District 3, and the San Diego Unified School Board District A.

Kyle recaps by outlining each race as follows:

“City Council District 1: Republican Ray Ellis is campaigning to unseat Democratic Councilwoman Sherri Lightner. The outcome will determine partisan control of the City Council.

52nd Congressional District: Democrat Scott Peters is campaigning to unseat Republican Congressman Brian Bilbray. The election is widely viewed as one of the Democratic Party’s best chances in the country to pick up a seat in the House of Representatives. Polls have shown a close race.

County Supervisor District 3: The same five Republicans have controlled county government since 1996, but that will change next year. Either Republican Steve Danon or Democrat Dave Roberts will succeed Pam Slater-Price, who decided not to seek another term.

San Diego Unified School Board District A: Businessman Mark Powell is campaigning to unseat school board President John Lee Evans, who has steered the district through a tumultuous year of near-layoffs, teacher concessions and worries about insolvency.” Personally, what I think is interesting about this race for UC, is that both candidates are residents of UC. It would be interesting to ask their neighbors if the candidates ever threw fallen leaves over into their neighbors yards.

If you are a visual person, here’s a link to the VOSD graphic, which illustrates how UC is the central spot: voiceofsandiego.org/government/article_d155676a-0ce4-11e2-b78a-001a4bcf887a.html

The UC community tends to be an active group, but if you have an attitude that your vote doesn’t matter much, realize that UC residents have a big say in this election. Plus, it’s a presidential election year and no matter what your political affiliation - get out and vote! And do wear your “I Voted” sticker, they’re so cute.

********************
The excitement of Friday Night Lights continue at UCHS, since the Centurions won the League Championship this past Friday night when they beat Clairemont High School 24-16. They head into the playoff season for the first time since 1988! The first game will be Friday, November 9, 7:00pm, when UCHS plays at home against Pt. Loma High School. Looks like the funds spent on the new stadium is already playing off.

And if you weren’t there for the Homecoming Game on October 26, that was another very exciting game, as the Centurions won in overtime against Christian High School 32-31, with a pass from juniors Kyle LeBlanc to Mitchell Provencher. The play made the KUSI PPR Play of the Week, and students were so adrenaline filled afterwards, they just had to storm the field.

Exciting stuff folks, so come out to support the team Friday night, as they start the playoff season. I think it’s time to start a tailgating tradition, with gas only BBQs and non-alcoholic beverages of course.

********************
We were able to collect over $150 in loose change at the football game for the Red Cross’ Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. And although we will never have the same type of disaster such as the hurricanes that affect the east coast; once we actually start our “winter” season, be prepared for what may happen in our area. We’ve seen the awnings fall from the Von’s shopping center on Governor Drive, and various falling trees in the neighborhood from just our version of storms. And we’ve experienced branches suddenly falling in our back yard - Eucalyptus trees are nicknamed “widow maker” for a reason. So be careful in UC too, and get your emergency kits in order!

Here’s a link to the county’s Family Disaster Plan Checklist: sdcounty.ca.gov/oes/docs/FamilyDisasterPlan_List.pdf

********************
And I will end by saying, try to stay healthy this winter season: get your flu shots, stay home if you’re sick, drink lots of fluids, etc., etc. If you were wondering why I hadn’t posted a blog in a while, it's because I was pretty much sick the whole month of October, and barely recovering now. Yes, thanks for your well wishes, but it’s been a drag on my social life, so don’t let that happen to you. Good thing I have Facebook.

Hope you enjoyed the All Things UC Blog for LaJolla Patch. Feel free to send me anything UC related at jemmasamala@gmail.com.