AN OPEN LETTER TO THE CHARGERS DEAN SPANOS

Dear Dean:
It’s been a while since we “crossed paths.” I have been retired, now, almost 7 years. I miss the “action” and the people and guys like you. You always impressed me because you “stayed out of the Fray,” so to speak. You hired people to do the work for you. Unfortunately some of those you hired were “NOODNICKS!!!” I’m not writing today to complain about coach or G.M. hirings. As a matter of fact, I think you might have a pretty good team with your current G.M. and head coach. The media types don’t like the coach because he doesn’t talk to them like they were “pals” or “roomies..” The media has always been like that. IF you don’t throw them the best quotes or occasional favors, you end up on their sh_T list…
I’m writing today to tell you that I have no problem with you looking to move your “business” to another location if this one doesn’t “pan out!” What the fans don’t realize is “their” football team is “Your livelihood.” The only team in the league that “owes it’s soul” to the fans is Green Bay. The Packers have been a “publicly owned” team since their inception. For over a dozen years you have been trying to get the city to erect a new stadium. For over a dozen years you have been turned back. You “stayed the course,” kept your “fight in the ring,” pushed, lobbied and begged for something to be done to keep your team in San Diego. You hired Mark Fabiani to be your Special Counsel, your “lead horse,” the muscle. Your “point man.” He has done his job. If the Lakers had Fabiani as their point guard they’d be headed for the playoffs.
Now, you wait for the Mayors task force to try and find the financial solution. I don’t agree with the Mission Valley location. I, too, think the stadium belongs downtown. What you decide to do is, and should be, your call. You are the proprietor. I don’t want to see the people of San Diego strapped with a huge payoff or taxes. After the Petco Park “heist” by John Moores, we’ll be paying “long into the century and beyond.”
As much as I love the Chargers and the people of San Diego, I also am a realist. I understand the business aspect of all of this. It’s like my friend Alfonso. His family has had a superb Mexican restaurant in La Jolla for 32 years. The landlord has “upped” the rent again…through the roof…so Alfonso is looking for a new location out of La Jolla. His “fans” don’t want him to go, but it’s all about business. Loyalty is not the key word here..It’s DINERO, my friend, and YOU have the same concerns.
Good LUCK in your endeavors, Dean. I know you will be the most hated man in San Diego modern history if you move the team. But, you gotta do what you gotta do. Your loyalty is to you, your family and your team’s fate.
Love & Kisses,
Rod

IS THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL BECOMING THE “BEST COUNCIL MONEY CAN BUY?”

I LOVE San Diego!!!  It’s just not the weather, but the people and the atmosphere.  I lived on the east coast a long time and the fast pace was okay, but I have become accustomed to the slower pace (well, life’s pace, not the I-5).  I am, though, bothered by the way our City Council does most of it’s business.  I have always been a fan of the Council, since they honored me twice with Rod Luck Day in San Diego when I was working full time at KUSI.  I appreciated their recognition, and paid them back by promoting “America’s Finest City.”  I am, though, worried about some of the decisions made by THIS Council.  The most recent “debacle” was the approval of the “ONE PASEO” mixed-use project in Carmel Valley.  The project includes the construction of stores and eateries, theatre, office space, over 600 apartment units, shops and parking, plus much more.  The developer, Kilroy Realty, has spent hundreds of thousands, if not, millions of dollars spewing propaganda why this project is good for Carmel Valley and San Diego, in general.  The City Council voted 7-2 to approve the deal, which “smells” of some “backroom dealing!”  The only two descending votes came from Sherri Lightner  and Council President Pro Tem Marti Emerald.  Both Lightner and Emerald are probably sleeping much better than their 7 cohorts.  They voted with their conscience.  Anybody in their right, civic mind would have sent this “raw deal” back to the Kilroy people in a shredded pile of “no thank you’s!!!”  I’m not saying the other council members, let’s call them the “unleaven seven,” are or were “on the take,” financially, but hoodwinked by some sharp rhetoric and future promises to be delivered “down the road.”  It happens all the time.  John Moores and his sidekick, Larry Lucchino, used every tactic possible to sell the media, council and eventually the voters, on the Petco deal.  Petco Park is a great asset, but the voters will be paying for a long while on that promise.  So, where are we on the ONE-PASEO fiasco?  The opponents have handed over boxes of signatures that need to be verified in order to override the Council vote and get this project before the voters. In return, the ONE-PASEO posse has done the same with collections of signatures from those who voted and asked to have their signature removed from the recall petitions.  We’ll all know the signature verification outcome sometime in April.  IF the “good guys” win PLEASE vote against this abomination.  IF it passes, and becomes reality, I will promise you your neighborhood’s are next.  If you don’t want to become another L.A., then be prepared to keep Kilroy from being San Diego’s Killjoy!