Daily Business Report-Feb. 9, 2016
California State University San Marcos. (Photo by Chris Stone)
Cal State University Faculty to Strike
For 5 Days If Labor Deal Not Reached
City News Service
Stepping up its push for a new labor contract, the union representing California State University faculty announced plans Monday to carry out a five-day strike in April at all 23 campuses — including San Diego State and Cal State San Marcos — if a deal isn’t reached before then.
“We’ve said all along that we don’t want to strike, but we will if we have to,” said Jennifer Eagan, president of the California Faculty Association. “We must take a stand so that we can support our families, protect our profession and provide high quality education for our students.
“A strike is our last resort and we still hope that the chancellor will invest in the faculty who are the major determinant of our students’ success.”
According to the union, a walkout will be held April 13, 14, 15, 18 and 19 at all 23 campuses if a deal isn’t struck before then. Members of the CFA have already voted to authorize a strike.
There was no immediate response from CSU officials.
The CFA is pushing for a 5 percent salary increase for faculty members, but the CSU is offering 2 percent. CSU officials have said a 5 percent increase for CFA faculty would cost $68.9 million over the 2 percent the university is offering. The cost to the university could balloon to $107.2 million when other labor unions ask for the same increase, according to the CSU.
About half of the CSU’s 25,000 faculty are members of the CFA, according to the university.
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Raising San Diego’s Minimum
Wage Officially on the June Ballot
City News Service
A proposal to raise the minimum wage in San Diego above what’s required by the state, and offer workers up to 40 hours of annual paid sick leave, was unanimously placed on the June primary election ballot by the City Council Monday.
The wage hike and sick leave plan was approved by the City Council nearly two years ago, but opponents collected enough petition signatures to force a public vote, making Monday’s action a formality. The June election is the first one scheduled since the opponents’ referendum qualified for the ballot.
The measure would raise the minimum wage for employees within city limits to $10.50 an hour immediately, and to $11.50 hourly on Jan. 1 next year. Employees would also be able to accumulate the sick leave, if they don’t get any already.
Estimates are that at least 172,000 city residents will receive raises if the measure is passed, while 279,000 will earn sick leave, according to Councilman Todd Gloria.
Dept. of Interior Announces $3 Million
For Rehabilitation of the Salton Sea
The U.S. Department of the Interior announced a $3 million expenditure for the rehabilitation of the Salton Sea, according to Rep. Juan Vargas (D-San Diego).
The funds announced will be used to build a 31-acre wetland along the Alamo River in order to improve water quality, provide habitat and bolster state efforts to reach a comprehensive management plan for the Salton Sea.
“Funding the Salton Sea Research Project is the first step in investing in our constituent’s health and in the future of the Salton Sea,” Vargas said in a statement.
The Salton Sea is the largest inland body of water in California and one of the few remaining large-scale wetland habitats in the state. Its rapid decline in water level and surrounding wetlands poses significant health risks to people living in the area. Miles of dangerous lakebed sediments become airborne, contributing to serious medical issues in one of the already most medically underserved communities in the country, according to Vargas.
“Today, I’m thrilled the work Rep. Raul Ruiz and I have put into this project has been rewarded,” said Vargas. “I look forward to continue to work with Governor Brown, state and local partners to tackle this environmental and health crisis.”
Chargers Hire Former Redevelopment
Chair for Stadium Ballot Measure
Mark Fabiani relegated to background role
City News Service
The Chargers announced on Monday the hiring of longtime San Diego civic leader Fred Maas as a special adviser for a prospective ballot measure for a stadium project.
Maas used to be chairman and CEO of the Centre City Development Corp. — the city’s former downtown redevelopment arm, and his appointment could be seen as a preference by team officials for a downtown stadium.
In an interview that aired Sunday, Chargers Chairman Dean Spanos told CBS 8 that he will consider both downtown and Mission Valley.
After the team’s bid to move to Carson, in Los Angeles County, was rejected by fellow National Football League owners, Spanos said he would try one more time to build a stadium in San Diego.
A statement from the Chargers said Maas will advise Spanos and the Chargers on “the citizen’s initiative process, including the exploration of possible stadium financing plans that would be publicly acceptable, the drafting of the initiative document, and the creation of the campaign infrastructure necessary to give the citizens’ initiative the best possible chance of success. Mr. Maas will be working closely with an established team of legal, financial and land use advisers.”
Special counsel Mark Fabiani, a lightning rod for public criticism of the Chargers, confirmed that he will remain involved in the stadium effort, but in more of a background role.
Maas is currently president and managing director of MRV Systems LLC, a manufacturer of marine robotic vehicles for the oceanographic, intelligence and defense industries. He is also the founder and CEO of Pacific EcoCompanies LLC, an investment and advisory firm focused on clean technologies and sustainable development.
For a Close Shave . . .
Get to the ShaveCon Convention
Everything you ever wanted to know about the art of shaving will be divulged at the inaugural ShaveCon Shaving Convention coming to San Diego on April 15-17.
Different types of razors — safety, straight, cartridge and electric — and other products such as creams, soaps and grooming accoutrements will be featured at the convention, which will be held at the Horton Grand Hotel in Downtown.
The idea of the convention is not just to advertise different razors and the brands but also allow visitors to gain more information about the different types and the shaving experience they offer. Attendees can purchase razors on site, see new
products and services, and watch demonstrations on how to shave your face, head and body. There will be special tutorials for teens and young shavers.
The convention will also host a world wide barbershop contest called the “King and Queen of ShaveCon.” Straight razors barbers from all over the world can enter the contest. People who are not located in California can enter via video (for details, visit www.shavecon.com).
UC San Diego Launches New
Research Center for Fatty Liver Disease
The UC San Diego School of Medicint has launched a research center to understand nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a chronic condition that can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure. An estimated 100 million adults and children in the U.S. suffer from the condition.
“We already have a lot of depth and breadth in the study and treatment of NAFLD and associated conditions at UC San Diego,” said Rohit Loomba, professor of medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology and director of the new center. “In pharmacology, molecular medicine, physician training, clinical trial design and drug development, scientists and researchers here have been working on NALFD and related diseases for a long time. But this is a major step. It creates a single entity able to address every aspect of a global disease that didn’t even exist 35 years ago.”
“The goal of our research program is to prevent the progression of NAFLD to cirrhosis, and find better ways to treat the condition,” Loomba said.
Affirmed President and CEO
Heads California Housing Consortium
James Silverwood, president and CEO of Affirmed Housing, has been named chairman for the California Housing Consortium, a nonpartisan advocate for the production and preservation of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income Californians.
Silverwood joined the CHC Board in 2010 and has served as vice chair the last two years. He has more than 34 years of experience in real estate development. Under his direction, Affirmed Housing has secured over $800 million in financing and tax credit equity, and is a regional leader in developing innovative new affordable homes and acquiring/rehabilitating communities for affordable housing.
Silverwood has served on numerous boards and committees, including the board of the San Diego North County Building Industry Association, the California State Treasurer Housing Finance Advisory Committee, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, and San Diego Housing Federation.
Adolfo Gonzales Named Chief
Probation Officer for County
Adolfo Gonzales, head of the San Diego County District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation, has been named the county’s chief probation officer, replacing outgoing chief Mack Jenkins. He begins March 4.
As chief probation officer, Gonzales will manage a staff of 1,250 employees, who supervise about 11,400 adult and 2,000 juvenile local offenders.
Gonzales, 60, has nearly four decades of law enforcement experience. Before working for the the District Attorney’s Office, he was National City Police Chief for nine years. He began his law enforcement career as a reserve officer with the San Diego Police Department in 1978 where he eventually rose to assistant chief.
A fluent Spanish speaker, Gonzales holds a master’s degree in education from San Diego State University and a doctorate of education in leadership science from the University of San Diego.
Exemplary Instructor Earns
Distinguished Professor Award
Sharon Hamill is the former chair of the Cal State San Marcos psychology department. She serves as the faculty director of the California State University Institute for Palliative Care at the university and she’s the first program director of the university’s new Child and Adolescent Development major. And she is at the forefront of research into the emotional and psychological impacts on teenagers and young adults who find themselves caring for family members afflicted with
deadly diseases.
Now, Hamill has a new title: recipient of the 2015-16 Harry E. Brakebill Distinguished Professor Award — the highest honor presented at Cal State San Marcos.
The university said Hamill embodies CSUSM’s mission of working with and for the community. She is an active member of the Coalition for Compassionate Care and the North County Action Network, and she volunteers at the St. Francis Soup Kitchen. Her research in collaboration with Dr. Elisa Grant Vallone led to the development of a caregivers’ handbook, which was published by the Work-Life Coalition and Aging and Independence Services.
“She is a key leader on campus and in our community,” said Veronica Anover, professor of French and Spanish.
Collaborative Donates More Than $215,000
To Support HIV/AIDS Programs, Services
The San Diego HIV Funding Collaborative, a grant program of San Diego Human Dignity Foundation, has distributed more than $215,000 to 11 local nonprofits to support their HIV/AIDS programs and services.
The nonprofits were assembled Jan. 29 at the San Diego Foundation in Liberty Station.
According to the County of San Diego’s Health and Human Services Agency, California has the second largest number of HIV/AIDS cases in the United States, and San Diego County has the third largest number of HIV/AIDS cases in California.
Because of the large number of cases, several local programs and servicessupport those suffering from and ending new HIV infections.
The grants went to:
Being Alive — $20,000 – To support the organization’s general funding program.
Christie’s Place — $20,000 — To fund its integrated HIV services for women, children and families.
Family Health Center San Diego — $20,000 — To support its the Safe Point syringe exchange program.
Fraternity House — $15,750 — To support its Mental Health, Education, Nutrition and a healthy Direction (MEND) project.
Mama’s Kitchen — $20,000 — To fund its AIDS nutrition program and pantry service.
NC LGBTQ Community Center — $20,000 — To fund its HIV/AIDS project.
San Diego Volunteer Lawyer’s Program — $20,000 — For its HIV/AIDS legal services project.
San Diego Youth Services — $19,993 — To support its Peer Education Empowerment Program (PEEP).
San Ysidro Health Centers –$20,000 — To support the CASA and Our Place programs. This organization focuses on Latino and African American HIV services.
Stepping Stone San Diego — $20,000 — To support its general funding program.
Vista Community Clinic — $20,000 — To fund the program which provides pre-exposure prophylaxis to high-need North County populations.
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Amy Cuddy: The Game Changer
San Diego Women’s Week once again welcomes a roster of influential authors to their seventh annual event, held this year March 14 through 18. Amy Cuddy, known world-wide for her 2012 TED Talk (the second-most viewed talk in TED’s history), brings her thoughtful research and down-to-earth charm to both her book, “Presence,” and her keynote address March 18
at Harrah’s Resort Southern California.
Cuddy studies how nonverbal behavior and snap judgments influence people. Her research has been published in top academic journals and covered by NPR, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, The Economist, Wired, Fast Company, and more. Cuddy has been named a Game Changer by Time and a Rising Star by the Association for Psychological Science
For full details on San Diego Women’s Week, click here
