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FeedFire pits, really?
A humorous look at the city's latest ban
In an effort to close a $43 million shortfall in the city budget, Mayor Jerry Sanders (and the city council) extinguished fire pits at ALL city beaches. With 186 active fire pits (down from 454 in 1993), the cut will save the city a total of $173,000 a year — in my humble opinion, a miniscule percentage compared to the cost of threatening our San Diego coastal lifestyle. I expect more from a man with "sand" in his name.
— In the ’70s, following a day at the beach, I have distinct memories of my family (and friends) gathering around fire pits. A youngling at the time, my family didn't camp, we went to the beach. In fact, I roasted my first marshmallow and downed my first s'more around a beach bonfire. Imagine if campfires were banned? Or, worse, roasting marshmallows?
— In the ’80s, my teen years, after a day of boogie boarding on my Morey Boogie Mach 7 with Churchill flippers, I remember sharing my first kiss around a fire pit with Dawn Irwin. An experience (almost) shared by Raph Macchio in The Karate Kid. Unfortunately, in the process, he got kicked in the abdomen by Johnny Lawrence. Regardless, harmless fun. Imagine being robbed of these memories?
— In the ’90s, as a P.B. resident at the time, nothing compared to watching the sunset (with beer in hand), stoking a fire and sharing laughs with a group of friends after an evening surf session. It was also a place to share new music, often inspired by the ocean (eg: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam and Jane's Addiction). Here I am pictured in 1991 with Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Farrell (check out my fro and baby face).
While on the subject of music, around the turn of the century, I recall the old 91X crew hosting radio station "bonfire" meetings on Fiesta Island. It was a place to share a beer and throw the competing radio station's bumper stickers into a blazing fire. In retrospect, how lame. At the time, said 91X meetings were inspired by breaking Jack Johnson, who (arguably) launched a multiplatinum recording career from beach bonfire jams in Oahu.
Can you imagine a world without Jack Johnson? Depending on the reader of this blog, perhaps that was a bad example. Regardless of what you think of his music, he has amazing skills in the water and tapped into a fruitful (beach-inspired) music career.
Today, my 2 1/2-year-old son, a fan of the Curious George soundtrack, adores trips to the beach (they have become routine and invaluable). Additionally, with a family to support (a second due at Christmas) in San Diego, I am no stranger to budget cuts. However, when it comes to trimming the proverbial financial fat, on the bottom of my list is anything that would sacrifice the San Diego lifestyle I have grown to love and, more importantly, hope to share with my children (yes, including fire pits).
Keeping the $43 million budget shortfall in mind, is there a solution that would generate revenue for the city? Those in favor of saving the fire pits have suggested metered parking and sponsored pits. "This fire pit is brought to you by Sombreros."
I would love to hear your feedback.
Aloha, Chris
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Reader Comments:
Chris Cantore for mayor!! We need to see him on the radio!!
Wow, seriously?
So, what we have here is a sad old man reliving his glory days and displaying a blatant disregard and/or blind ignorance to budgetary concerns and actual political process. How is this useful?
Beyond that, does San Diego Magazine allow the complete abandonment of literary structure and adherence to simple grammar basics to go unchecked prior to publishing? Is this piece a high school project? I have come to expect better from you and your org, Rowena.
Celebrating a castaway from an already irrelevant medium's random musings is hardly attention worthy, much less worthy of being published.
619METRICS
Wow, seriously?
It's a blog.
I am a native San Diegan of 55 yrs...the good old days are gone at the beach due to a few drunkin thugs and a mismanaged San Diego budget we can build new ballparks and convention centers but must take away the fire pits where do those alleged "tourist dollars and hotel taxes go"
whats next??? no barbeques at the beach.......
Amen! San Diego's such a mellow town and to continue stripping it of the few simple things that mark our characteristic lifestyle seems criminal!
I'm SURE there are bigger fishes to fry in closing the budget gap.
Chris: You still rock! Great piece and great photos. Never deconstructed the mayor's name before to realize he had "sand" in it. Love having you blog on the site...--RonDon
As a native San Diegan, it has been sad to see drinking and fire pits being taken from the beaches...such a large part of the local beach culture here is gone because of a few screw ups and budget cuts...mighty sad indeed. Much love to Cantore.
San Diego's mayor that doesn’t understand the true life style of our beloved city.
Chris,
I have lived in San Diego since the 60's and I agree with you that this drastic cut of $173,000 in comparison to the city's deficit is ridiculous. What is going to be next? Maybe they should cut some jobs where the salaries are $100,000 and above for the city, then we can keep the fire pits. I grew up with those pits and my children had those experiences as well. Thanks for putting it into perspective.
Great article!!!!!
619METRICS,
You are nothing but sour grapes attacking Chris like that. Get a life!!!
It is simple math that a $173,000 savings on the fire pits is not even a dent on the total $43 million deficit for the city. I'm sure there are other areas that the city could cut back spending. It's just easier for them to look at the fire pits. A no brainer that could definitely back fire. How about the mismanagement that has been happening for decades and the pension plan issue. Why don't they deal with that? Because it is an ugly mess they like to sweep under the rug!!! How about the law suits that get filed against the city. How about the building in Kearny Mesa that was ignored by all when it was too tall by FAA standards. The person that owns that company is good friends with Jerry Sanders. Jerry turned a blind eye to that. Now another law suit because that city felt it could allow something that is against Federal Regulations. Come On!!! That is where the bleeding that this city does needs to be checked and watched. That alone could save us a lot of money.