Roundtable: Downtown Chargers, Measure A Results, MTS Security Cops, Joel Anderson Out

On today's roundtable, Tina Spano says no to mission Valley. The shoreline development is rejected in Carlsbad. MTS officers accused of excessive force and a Republican incumbent prevails. Then some of the top feature reports heard this week on KPBS including white many young Latinos fail to show up and vote. I'm Mark Sauer. KPBS midday edition Friday is next. But first this news. Life from NPR news in Washington I'm like to meet Schlink plagued. And yet another twist in a presidential campaign season filled with unexpected turns, New Jersey Governor. Chris Christie is throwing his support behind Donald Trump. The former candidates decision reportedly has stunned of the Republican Party leaders some of who has taken to social media to criticize 50. But the New Jersey governor says he can think of no one better to go head to head with the candidate the GOP is betting will win the presidential -- without the party's presidential nomination. He's the best person to defeat Hillary Clinton and restore American jobs and restore American prestige around the world and restore the faith and confidence of the American people again to the fact that we are exceptional and great nation. Christie has increased his attack on Republican Marco Rubio. They in less like debate in Houston. Rubio continues his verbal assault today calling Trump a con artist. The sheriff and a self central Kansas town of Hachette has released the information on the investigation into a mass shooting that happened last night. Four people are dead including the shooter. From the station KM UW Abigail was reports the government has been a benefit. The official named the sugar as 38-year-old Cedric four. He was an employee at Excel industry's were most of the industry best employees were industry Harvey County Sheriff T Walton says Ford was shot and killed by a police officer responding to the scene. Understand this wobbly two or 300 more people in that building while this is going on. This man was not going to stop shooting. The only reason he stopped shooting is because that's officer stopped the shooter. Water set for was served a protection from abuse order at Excel industries shortly before the shooting. And suggested the order as a possible motive. For was armed with an assault rifle and a pistol. For NPR news, I'm Abigail Wilson in Heston Kansas. Southern California's are bracing for pain at the gas pumps industry experts expect prices to spike at least $.30 a gallon starting today. Here's more from Daniel Carson. Gas prices in California usually go up this time of year. The state refineries switched to a cleaner and pricier mix that cuts down on polluting emissions in warmer weather. Wholesale gas prices shot up more than $.50 per gallon this week. But consumers -- consumer watchdogs Jamie Court says the summer blend should cost refiners less than 10 sent to process. Their changing the price of fuel far in excess of what it costs. The cost of decent war to make summer blend. The oil refineries can do what they want and they have us over a barrel. According to the California energy could commission gasoline inventory often fluctuate which affects prices. And that makes them too volatile to interest foreign exporters to ship gas to desktop for you. For NPR news, I'm Daniel Carson in Los Angeles. In the Dow is down 40 point -- 45 points. This is NPR news. Downtown is where the Chargers want to be but San Diego officials say that chance of getting voters to agree. Looks like opponents of the development along the shore of a Carlsbad lagoon will be celebrating. The Charlie janitor's shoes -- sues after getting roughed up a MTS officers of accused of excessive force in fact that's past and a battle between fellow covered -- I'm Mark Sauer cut the KPBS roundtable starts now. Welcome to our discussion of the week's top stories. I'm Mark Sauer. Joining me at the KPBS roundtable today are sports writer J Pierce, Kennedy sports radio. High J. Hello Mark . Good to have you might get a. Allison St. John, Allison. Ledger here. We Porter and you keep it was a San Diego, high 80. The to have you back. And reporter Joshua steward of the San Diego Union Tribune. Good afternoon to you. Great to have you here. If the Chargers are going to stay downtown as where they'll play that the announcement this week from team owner Tina Spano's and the response from Mayor Kevin Faulconer, County supervisor Ron Roberts good luck with that downtown idea. J Custer with the Spano's vision, to this facility is what we talk about. They want to expand the convention center but they want to do it on the other side of the harbor and they want to do it next to Deco Park and put a convention center and football stadium in there. The city has other plans. The mayor has his own visions and ideas that he wants to extend to extend the convention center on the bayfront to make it continuous. The big word they want to do where pics It onto satellite ideas. Beta-1 someone walking from exhibit hall a across the bridge and over to pick apart They're going to meet a lot of opposition because those hotel people don't like people crossing harbor. They like to keep him over there and keep them drinking and eating. You wondered about the prejudice. They want to stay in the big convention link. The mayor has his own plans. It looks like there's very few things people can agree on. But they do agree that everybody has to be pulling the rope in the same structure. Right now the Chargers and the proposal, the city is in for an account -- the count best County is in for an comic con and fans are for. Because they can't tailgate. Other than that -- that they can't -- full speed -- steam ahead. See map peoples that have been worked up by the mayor and Ron Roberts in the task force, give a full fair consideration but they favored downtown. What do they want downtown Christmas. I hate to use the word sex year but when we're talking about -- the vision and the blimp shots and seeing the gas lamp and seeing text: see this convention center and a football field. It would look great. But I think something else has to be considered is that the optics of a Stadium, a standalone Stadium for a billionaire in a $50 billion industry contest going to be a tough sell. If you can sell that as part of the convention center, keeping, content and that all the property of mission Valley, San Diego State can use that Maybe USD. Maybe bigger picture. But just the stadium ISL in a parking lot may be a tough sell. A lot of analysts have looked at downtown versus mission Valley. What do they say?'s back will be more expensive. Especially because that want the convention center where it is that they don't own a lot of that went down there. It'll take longer. It'll be more costly. Just more compensated, I think. County supervisor Ron Roberts as they may be able to build something down there. Check back in 2024. They have to move the bus yard. There are many moving parts of their and is why hasn't been done before. Chargers are saying a year ago, you're looking at a two thirds vote of a voters to approve anything in terms of a tax. Andy, were going to get a vote for that? That's one of the most interesting things to watch is the Chargers are getting on board with this Cory Briggs pan -- plan that does these various things. That's all we're does well and good if you can get this in with a 50% voter approval. The mayor's office and the hotel industry have been adamant that's not going to happen. It'll end up reaching that 66% voter threshold. The difference is if you are raising taxes to put it in the city's general fund and which point the city Council campus was that money to their own discretion, is a 50% voter threshold. But if you're just doing one thing with it than you need 66%. The Chargers are making the case and Cory Briggs and Donna Frye that this does a lot of things and because the money will initially start with a TLT, trans occupancy tracts -- tax increase that goes into the general fund that this is a 50% issue. The question is whether they really just found a clever legal workaround the 66% issue. And if it is, and this is a novel use of the law to get to lower the threshold, someone will want to to challenge that incorporate spirit normal that would be Cory Briggs who as you say are -- their marrying up with. That may be part of the Cutlass. Former City Councilman and radio Jackie Carlton mile has said he will probably trying -- try to challenge it. The chances of that going forward even if it's successful without being challenged in court are pretty no. And Cory Briggs and the Chargers are exactly on the same page? I thought there were some differences in their vision. The Chargers this week came out and said we like the Cory explained. They are in discussions about whether they'll have to do something above and beyond that which would potentially mean to ballot measures on the November ballot. That would be the Cory Briggs plan plus Chargers plan that deals with. What is it that the charges one beyond the Cory Briggs plan? The plan doesn't necessarily spell out -- the Briggs plan doesn't necessarily spell spell out each and every detail that will be required of some of these company things. Where does -- to the operations fall? Is it on the city, the Chargers? Where does that parse out. Either cost overruns, who is responsible for that? It's a very complicated thing and there might need to be some additional clarity that could be brought by a charger specific ballot. Short time of. Just go ahead. Keep in mind there could be additional ballot measures for the sales tax increase pick that would be a lot of different taxes that voters would have to consider all at once. And approve them all. 22 from the state come potential he. 22 state measures. This brings us all to what we were talking about that this is a now political campaign but the Chargers have been looking down there knew -- nose at the fence of San Diego thinking they will get the Carson deal which fell through. How do you sell it now? It wasn't a deep well to begin with and that while was poisoned a little -- a lot last year. They have -- they went to bed with the Raiders. Their arch enemies. Every detail needs an enemy or a bad guy pick --. Maybe began -- back I will be plucker in the city with competing plan. You mentioned Cory Briggs and Donna Frye and these panels, those three people joining forces. It's like Donald Trump's comment Rob me, and job Bush going out on a campout. Those three people coming together is just amazing. Will see how the campout all works out and who want up as his -- strange bedfellows. We'll move on. It appears an upscale retail and dining develop and planned along a Carlsbad Likud has been rejected by voters. Allison, this is a real expensive nailbiter here. Give us the standing now. Like it's going down. Began between the us and the -- yes and no votes increase as they count the last 7000 ballots. That number is striking that the gas -- gap between the yes and no is growing. So it doesn't look good for this project. This was really a precedent setting project. It spent more money than any other special election in San Diego County history. $10.5 million. It's a fairytale that the voters -- the money didn't matter. The voters just didn't want it so it's going down. In despite of that investment on the part of the developer. Rami -- remind us what the project was. So the developer, Caruso wanted to build this high and Nordstrom anchored shopping dining retail center. It was a destination place where you would go and perhaps spend the day and eat and shop and walk on the open space. There were 3 miles of open space trails and that's a beautiful location. Anyone who's driven up five and look to the right you see the lagoon, a beautiful location. We you see white heat wanted to build the project there. Up on the lagoon there, and Carlsbad Esko Endo, -- Andy, give 85% of open space, if you put the best of all worlds. Why were people oppose? Two-edged in question. One is the opposition would make the argument -- is that it was always -- already secured as open space. The claim that this would once and for all and sure that this additional open space would stay open space is a little questionable. It was already secured as open space. The interesting thing about the opposition -- they were outspent 10 to 1 and there was a strong grassroots opposition to this. Worth noting that 10 to 1, the one came from rival mall developer nearby, Westfield. He didn't want to a competitor. -- Didn't want a competitor. The community will come back and I'm sure my inbox is already filling up with reminders that they were very much on the sound of all tourism and they just didn't like this project. And why should they be expected to turn down Westfield money. But to be clear-cut there was a competing interest here that decided to spend some money on this race. It probably help. Allison? You say it helps but I have to say that -- that this issue about money it magnifies the message pick and obviously you think that if the message was a good one cut $10 million would win. In this case, the message wasn't good enough for people to vote for it in spite of $10 million magnifying it. There's a steady political science emphasis on the fact that depreciating returns pick you get a lot of money early on and as you spend more and more cut you get less and less. Especially in a small market pick By the time they spent their 10th million I imagine not very many people were hearing. J? The kind of way this came about, it seemed like a backdoor think that they went through the city Council. I do want to say backroom deal, but seemed like it to the local community by surprise. Even though the development -- developer said we spent three years talking to the people who matter in Carlsbad. Many people hadn't heard about it at all until signatures darted together last summer. Yes this is the first time in San Diego County that a developer has decided to avoid the SQL process which is rigorous and expensive and difficult to get there. And decide to take it vantage of the Supreme Court ruling and go straight for the voters and say okay, if you vote for it, we can go ahead with this. But the problem was and I think he got off on the wrong foot here, because rather than putting it on the ballot copy city Council decided to go ahead and approve it. And that let -- left people feeling like wait a minute. We side these positions thinking we would find out more about this and make up our own minds. Instead the city Council just goes ahead and approves it. That's what really created the indignation and fire the second round of signature gathering at the second referendum. Now there's indication that he's going to end up going back to the SQL process and do it the old-fashioned way. Have you heard from him that he's thinking? Smith despicably should pick When I asked him about that, he said by law I can't do this. And you get the sense that he's pretty exhausted by having spent this much money. I don't know if he's going to come back. That remains to be seen. Smack if he doesn't do it, someone else? Yes. That site is a prime location. Part of it is sown for -- zone for commercial pick Some of it will the zone for commercial anyway. That particular project some people argued was more dense and would attract more people. Almost as many as did the electric 12 million people per year. So Carlsbad residents were worried that this was more than they wanted in their village. We're going to see more of this. This is a relatively new Supreme Court ruling that's just opened the opportunity for developers to pursue the strategy. This was the first one here. The Chargers opposition up in LA in Englewood is the same thing. A very controversial developer that we talked about on the shore that show before in Valley Center, like those registered to do the same thing as well. What about the loss? What is that they to some of these folks, only the question up before we leave the topic. This essay that this is a warning shot across the bow Esko I don't know what you think, and become but let like pills seems to be a different situation because it's a housing development. And this was a shopping center. And we can live with out a housing center. But the housing center in San Diego is dire. We need more affordable housing. And if they collect enough signatures, many people might say we need more housing. Let's build it in them there hills. It's different than doing it in the local area. I think that's the crucial difference. Because it's in an unincorporated portion of the county and let like hills, when he goes to a vote you'll have people by the border and South County voting on this issue. Are they going to feel as angry about the potential project? Many miles away? In Carlsbad you were dealing with all people who had some reason to feel interest. Spec before to seeing what happens as we move ahead with that story. Next we have a story truly reported by voice of San Diego and NBC7 San Diego of escape. Newly hired trolley cleaner Allen Koka was asked for his ID by an MTS security officer. He didn't have it. Here's of that incident went down. You're in an area where only employs to come. , On brother. Here's what going to happen. Here's what's going to happen. After I get running you, I'm going to issue you a citation pick A citation for trespassing. The new shows MTS officers's running Koka who begins to get agitated. You got a horrible attitude. Next Koka called his brother who also was at the MTS yard. Then his janitorial supervisor arrives. Where I just did injure us. But this is the basis of a lawsuit Koka filed against the and TS to the transit officers and the janitorial company. I'm -- he's being cited for trespassing.[ Indiscernible -- multiple speakers ] Before signing Koka says his brother cautioned him in Arabic not to sign a citation he doesn't understand. What does it saying here? Without admitting guilt you are being cited for entering transit property not open to the public. So tell us what happened from there? For our radio. That's a long video from the police officers came and what happened? How did the us click? Is an interest in video to watch and one thing I think is interesting is often when we have police came body camera footage or surveillance or ruptured footage C you're only watching right at the moment that things turned violent pick you taking it out of the -- Contex. This is most infuriating if you watch the entire 30 minute video and see that it began with a miss committee case that was probably very reasonable. They have every right to ask why this person was here, that's their job to figure out why this person is on the facility. When he doesn't have his ID, he said look I just started the job. They told me they weren't going to give it to me right away. They said were going to need to talk to your supervisor. With the supervisor get there, they say we don't care but you supervisor, just don't care by your attitude. They continue writing him a citation for trespassing. He refuses to sign it and eventually they say we're arresting you and turn around and let because you,. He says I'm not doing it. They grabbed him by the throat and throws him to the ground. He get -- it gets violent but you can't see what's happening. A lot of people moving. Long story short, he gets taken to the hospital. They're one of the MTS reported officers -- offices reported to the doctor in the ER that he had been knocked unconscious during the fight that he got had done he hit on the head and actually a call for a while pick It was a very violent incident. Smack who is Allen Koka and why didn't he have an idea? He was on the job that he agrees. He was hired by the janitorial company. Certainly the janitorial company bears some of the response ability. He was Baghdad he and immigrant, been here for a while. His brother was here before him. Earlier, he had been visiting in Turkey and got stabbed in the stomach. He was recovering from that surgery and in the video he screamed my stomach. I just had surgery. He got the job, he lives in El Cajon. He reported to his first day at a supervisor said listen, this is a crummy job. We have a lot of turnover. Why don't you do it for a while before we bother running your paperwork and give you an ID. If you like the job, then will do your thing. Interestingly, he was actually there with his Social Security card on him that day to finalize the process. It actually opens the question of how do you get the security clearance if when you report to the place with your information to get the security clearance you end up eating written up for trespassing. Tell us about these officers. Do they have the power to arrest? They're not police officer's pick No. Basically there certified as security guards. They have the power to write citations for the specific violations that are written out in MTS's policy. And they have the power to 18 people temporarily to bring people until actually police officers from the whatever jurisdiction. Then those people can actually do an arrest or otherwise they can write misdemeanor tickets. Did they arrest sky discuss. They told him he is going to be arrested. When he woke up in the morning, he had been issued citations and he never went to jail. They gave him citations for trespassing and for basically striking an officer. He hires a criminal attorney thinking he's been charged with a crime. The criminal attorney says I can't find any evidence that you've ever been charged with anything. So somewhere between those two things those charges were dropped. EMac he's turned around and see. What is the status of this case? It's still open right now. It's been heard in closed session by the MTS more. Just a couple of days before this exact incident, the two officers who were involved were the subject of a previous settlement from another incident. One of those officers has been involved in three other settlements for you excessive use of force -- use of force. Last question before we leave this, when will this be resolved? Do we have any idea what's going on with the logic? We all love the legal system. That's not some thing I can forecast. If they decide to settle, then there's an opportunity to do that. Alan Koka and his lawyer think they have a good case pick Very good will follow up and see what happens as this case moves forward. Is almost unheard of for an incumbent on a supervisor to face a serious political threat in San Diego County. Even more rare when the opponent upstart is a fellow Republican. But that was a case for longtime supervisor Dianne Jacob. Joshua went after Jacob and why did he think he had a shot? Smack Joel Anderson went after Dianne Jacob Cobb he incumbent of 24 years prick he thought he had a shot largely from what I'm hearing this on one of her votes on land use. That was a small crack in her armor and he went for it. He quickly received the support both and -- in endorsement and a $200,000 contribution from the County Republicans which made him a quick contender and competitive candidate against the incumbent. That's a lot of money. Harbor is that? -- How we're is that. That is the second largest single contribution that the County Republicans have made sense 2000 cents -- and the largest since 2012. The thing is he is a Republican. Usually be more public and party does not know after an incumbent unless they really get [ Indiscernible ]. What was there before Dianne Jacob? Is largely that she was not read enough. They wanted someone that was much more hardline Republican. She's too reasonable for him she too far to the center. This is where the Republican Party seems to be getting into trouble is when moderates come up copy don't support them like Rocky Chavez and -- in the Senate race. It seems like the reported party is determined to back people who are possibly unelectable. That's an interesting point Allison. I they more in step with the national party on that matter of ideology and out of step with San Diego voters? I think they certainly are. Humbly a step a little to the right to most -- of most voters. But typically party headquarters usually are. Most people are moderates or part the hardliners within their own party's pick A lot our independence particularly in San Diego. The mayor of San Diego is considered a moderate Republican One of the top moderate public and in the country. Only one of the only argument in the top 10 cities in America. He was elected to run over called a mile. He was a far right can it that would've pushed them the other way. They tend from the center at -- from time to time. Certainly Joel Anderson challenging the Dianne Jacobs from the right is a different story. But I think they are not quite, if not quite the same store the EC nationally as you see people regularly being primary from the right pick That's unusual. Do you think this land use issues really becoming a central issue in the election coming up? I'm not hearing much at all. I'm hearing more about protection. In East County, that they risk. And Dianne Jacob has a strong record on fire protection. What is the specific land use issue or issues we're talking about? In our county, we have supervisor Phil -- Bellport who represent the unincorporated areas and they don't and Dianne Jacobs who represent the unincorporated areas in the southern part of our Eastern County. Ill horn is much more prodevelopment and Dianne Jacobs is representing her constituents to prevent the large developments in her area. --. Which in fact is it in tune with the general plan. Look like she is the shoe into the election. Now she'll have a Democratic opponent. That the person have a chance? Spirit Rudy Ray has run against her once before and got trounced. That's a diplomatic way of putting it. He's running again. He thinks he could get double what he got last year which could still put him under 50%. Sorry not Lester, the election. It's an uphill battle for him. He trails in the voter registry should pick Will watch that as we move for in the election year. Will shift now to come back to you J, less than a minute left. Update on the team already downtown. We talked about the charter dischargers wanting to go downtown. Padres, will they contended take the Western division? That's what you say. It's a difference of five unless you if that's -- that's for sure. They brought in the names last year the guys you represent -- and recognize from bubblegum cards. This is a homegrown effort. There hoping to underpromise and overwhelm and over deliver. Will see what happens. The news is the new manager Andy Greene the young guy earning his starts. So far he's won over the clubhouse but let's see if that Catholics to the ball field. A lot of young players getting a shot. Were hoping to do with pigeon defense. Will see what happens as the baseball season plays out as well. That wraps up another week of stories with the KPBS Roundtable. At the to think my just J pairs of 1090 sports radio, and you keep of voice of San Diego, Allison St. John of KPBS news and Joshua Stewart of the San Diego Union Tribune. If reminder all stories we discussed today are available on our website. KPBS.org. I'm marks our copies for joining us today on the Roundtable.