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Vol. 64 No. 8 | Thursday, February 22, 2024
www.sdvoice.info
Serving San Diego County’s African & African American Communities 64 Years
VOTE EARLY,
PRIMARY MAR. 5th REGISTRAR’S OFFICE & SELECT VOTE CENTERS
OPEN NOW!
Check Your Registration Status TODAY! www.sdvote.com
2024 California Presidential Primary Election: A Look at the Black Candidates
INSIDE
THIS WEEK'S ISSUE:
KEY DATES
SEE PAGE 10
FEB. 3 - Ballots went out to registered voters. FEB 6 - Official ballot drop boxes opened, through March 5. FEB 20 - Voter registration deadline. FEB 21 - If you missed the voter registration deadline, you can still conditionally register and vote. Visit the Registrr’s office or any vote center through March 5.
MAR 5 - Last day to vote! Hours: 7 am to 8 pm APR 4 - Deadline to certify the election. ***Check sdvote.com or see pg. 9 for vote center and ballot box locations and hours. If you returned your mail ballot through the U.S. Postal Service, track it every step of the way! Sign up for Where’s My Ballot? at sdvote.com
BE SURE TO VOTE!
PHOTO: CBM
By Joe W. Bowers Jr. CALIFORNIA BLACK MEDIA
Across California, voters will also be choosing candidates for one US Senate seat, 52 congressional seats, 80 State Assembly seats, and 20 State Senate seats. Additionally, there’s a statewide ballot measure, Proposition 1, which if passed, would allow the state to borrow $6.4 billion for mental health treatment beds and revamp the law that funds mental health services through a tax on millionaires.
The ballot for the 2024 California presidential primary election, set for March 5 — commonly called “Super Tuesday in political media speak — features leading presidential candidates President Joe Biden (D) and former President Donald Trump (R). Black candidates for President include President R. Boddie (D), Eban Cambridge (D), Jasmine Sherman (Peace and Freedom), and Cornel West (Peace and Freedom).
See CANDIDATES page 2
FLOOD IMPACTED VICTIMS FIGHT FOR HOTEL VOUCHER EXTENSION By Macy Meinhardt VOICE & VIEWPOINT STAFF WRITER
As their hotel vouchers expire, families displaced by the January 22 floods express frustration with the ongoing challenge of navigating various government agencies in search of secure and stable housing while displaced.
In the direct aftermath of the storm, many local organizations including the Jackie Robinson YMCA rallied funding together
The San
Diego Voic
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Thursday,
CATIONS
february. 15, 2024
OP BOX LOC
VULTURE CULTURE:
9
Reuben Gomez standing in what is left of his childhood home on Beta Street in Southcrest which took in five feet of water on Jan. 22. PHOTO: Macy Meinhardt/ Voice & Viewpoint
REAL ESTATE INVESTORS CIRCLE STORM BATTERED NEIGHBORHOODS One thing residents in flooded Southeastern want investors to know:““El barrio no se vende!” THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS NOT FOR SALE!” By Macy Meinhardt VOICE & VIEWPOINT STAFF WRITER Homeowners who experienced flooding are grappling with a whirlwind of challenges right now. From daunting cleanup efforts, to navigating insurance claims, stable housing and governmental funding. All while balancing familial responsibilities and work obligations.
“As a community, we must shine the light on grieving San Diego flood victims, and the vulture entities shamelessly preying on their current vulnerabilities,” wrote in a social media post by San Diego Rise Up, a non-partisan citizens advocacy group. Acquired San Diego Housing Commission property used for temporarylodging for flood impacted residents. PHOTO: Macy Meinhardt/ Voice & Viewpoint
from the community to donate a variety of hotel vouchers. However, much of those vouchers, especially ones donated by community organizations, were not intended to be evergreen. Many vouchers expired on Feb. 14th, Valentines Day, with hopes
that more formal agencies including the County and the San Diego Housing Commission would kick in on time with more stable resources. The City, County, and The Housing Commission assert that this is already in motion. See EXTENSION page 2
The post highlighted a video captured by volunteers on Beta St., which features an altercation unfolding with a real estate associate in the Southcrest neighborhood on Beta St. “These people have been here for three, four generations at least, and it's hard to have someone come in and just try to, you know, say ‘hey we want your house,’” said Reinette Senum, alongside Melissa Grace, Founder of SD Rise Up. See NEIGHBORHOODS page 2
COUNTY STARTS SHORT-TERM
LODGING FOR JAN. 22 FLOOD VICTIMS
New Applications Will Be Accepted Through Feb. 23rd By Cassie N. Saunders COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE
www.sdvoice.info
The County of San Diego has begun providing people displaced from their homes by the Jan. 22 flooding with up to 30-days of temporary lodging. The first people transitioning are in two categories: Those already placed into short-term hotel rooms where supporting funding is now running out and those who have not been in hotels and may now need temporary lodging due to the Jan. 22 flood. See VICTIMS page 18
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ATIONS
Amidst all of that, it’s been reported that alleged “vulture investors” are canvassing hard hit neighborhoods in Southeastern San Diego, offering overwhelmed homeowners a low price for their home in exchange to wash their hands of their property.
“I have a wife and two kids, where are we supposed to sleep? In the car?” said Moises Godinez at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 13. Thousands of San Diegans have been affected by the catastrophic storm system that caused damage in areas near deferred storm channels and creeks. With a long road ahead of recovery, residents say the most pressing need is semi-permanent housing, quickly.
ONS
LLOT DRO
ENDORSEMENTS & VOTING LOCATIONS
ENCANTO CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Right Now! - Early voting has begun at the Registrar’s office, Monday–Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.
through March 4.
TER LOCATI
SEE PAGE 8
Election 2024
MAR 2 - All vote centers open daily from 8 am to 5 pm
TER & BA
VOTE CEN
Selec 24 – Marc t locations open throughou h 5, 8:00 am to t San CHECK THIS LIST 5:00 pm | Election Diego County Day, TO FIND SITE NAM A LOCATIO March 5, 7:00 am E to 8:00 pm N NEAR YOU Bonita Vista SITE ADD Convenien RESS CHULA Chula Vista Middle School-Cafe t locations VISTA teria 9191 Hilltop High City Hall DATE return enve throughout the 650 Otay Lakes0 county to lope. Febr Chula Vista School-Cafeteria Election 276 4th Ave Rd Day, Noveuary 6 – March 5,drop off your voted SITE NAME Rosebank Middle School-Aud days mber 8 all Mar 2 to Mar ballo & ADDR 555 Claire Elementary itorium ESS locations and hours vary t sealed insid Ave School-Aud DAYS of Feb 24 to Mar 5 e its open 7:00 by 415 5th Ave the WEEK itorium am to 8:00location & TIMES Chula Vista CHULA VISTA Mar 2 to Mar 5 Bay View 80 Flower pm - 91910 SITE NAME Baptist Churc 5 Librar y Civic Public St & ADDR Mar 2 to Mar Open 24 hours CHULA Fred H Rohr ESS Center h 365 F St DAYS of VISTA Feb. 6 throu daily the WEEK Mar 2 to Mar 5 91911 MAAC CommElem School-Cafeteria SAN DIEG & TIMES gh North Park 5 210 Jamul Ave Chula Vista O - 9210 Mar. 5, 8 p.m. Harborsid unity Center 4 3795 31st St Librar y Librar y-Driv Public e Elem Schoo 1540 Malta Open 24 hours Open 24 hours e-Thru Ave l-Auditoriu 365 Mar Feb. 6 throu daily F St 1387 3rd Ave 2 to Mar Feb. 6 throu daily m Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh Mar 2 to Mar 5 Fahari L Jeffer Norman Park 681 Naples Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh 5 St Senio s Elem Center Feb 24 to Mar r CHULA Hedenkam Schoo SAN DIEG Open 24 hours City Heigh VISTA p Elem Schoo l-MPR 600 O - 9210 270 F St 9191 Mar 2 to Mar 5 McMillin, Corky 5 Feb. 6 throu daily l-MPR Half Weingart ts/ 5 1145 Camino 3 Open 24 hours Schoo Office of the Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh Otay Ranc 3795 FairmLibrar y Feb. 6 throu daily 930 E Palom Prado h High School-Auditorium ount Ave Recorder/Co Assessor/ l-Gym Open Oak Park Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh Mar 2 to Mar 1201 Santa ar St Chula Vista unty Clerk- Feb. 24 hours daily Cora Ave 2802 54th Librar y 6 throu Mar 2 to Mar 5 Eastlake Midd 590 3rd Ave Open 24 hours 1250 Olym St Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh pic Pkwy Feb. 6 throu daily Mar 2 to Mar 5 CHULA Liber ty Eleme le School-Library Chula Vista VISTA ntary Schoo Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh 9191 Mar 2 to Mar 5 Care Facilit Animal l-MPR Open 24 hours 5 900 Dunca 4 130 Beyer y SAN n DIEGO Ocean Beach Feb. 6 throu daily Way Camarena, 2175 Procto 92107 r Valley Rd Librar y Kumeyaay Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh Mar 2 to Mar CHULA Eastlake HighEnrique S Elem Schoo Open 24 hours VISTA 4801 Santa 700 Buena Park l-MPR School-Roo 9191 Mar 2 to Mar 5 Open 24 hours Monica Ave Feb. 6 through daily Vista Wy m 1604 5 1650 Explo 5 Point Loma Mar. 5, 8 p.m. Feb. 6 throu daily ration Falls 1120 Eastla El Cajon Elks Hervey Librar/ Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh Open 24 hours ke Pkwy, MainDr Mar 2 to Mar 3701 Voltai y Kennedy Rc Lodge #1812-Meet EL CAJO Entrance Feb. 6 throu daily CHULA re St ing N - 9201 VISTA Mar 2 to Mar 5 Otay Recre Rancho San Center-Meeting Rm Rm 9 Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh 91911 5 1400 E Wash Center ation Sycuan Triba Diego Library-Meeting Open 24 hours SAN DIEG 1675 E Madis ington Ave 3554 Main Missio l Hall-Buildin Hall daily O - 9210 n Valley Feb. 6 throu St on Ave g3 8 Mar 2 to Mar Librar y 11555 Via Ranch Chula Vista Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh Open 24 hours Public 2123 Fento Feb 24 to Mar 5 3 Kwaaypaay o San Diego Grossmont Librar y Feb. 6 throu daily n Pkwy Open 24 hours College-Gr Ct Feb 24 to Mar 5 389 Orang EL CAJO Access To Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh iffin Gate Feb. 6 throu daily e Ave N - 9202 Mar 2 to Mar 5 Independen 0 Eucalyptus Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh Mon-Fri 8:30 5 8800 Gross Crest Comm Skateboard 8885 Rio ce Park mont Colleg 4:30 p.m. a.m. Open 24 hours Magnolia unity Clubhouse EL CAJO Unit 135 San Diego Dr e Dr 1301 Olean Sat-Sun: Close Elem N - 9202 Feb. 6 throu daily der Ave Mar 2 to Mar Naranca Elem School-Auditoriu d 5 113 North Park1 Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh m School-MPR Rios Elem Dr School-MPR 650 Green SAN DIEG CHULA Clairemont field O - 92110 VISTA Harvest Park Mar 2 to Mar 1030 Naran Dr 91913 2920 Burge Librar y Open 24 hours 1550 E Palom ner Blvd Mar 2 to Mar 5 Maryland 14314 Rios ca Ave Open 24 hours ar St Feb. 6 throu daily Aven Canyon Rd Mar 2 to Mar 5 Feb. 6 throu daily United Churc ue Elem School-Aud LA MESA Grocery Outle Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh - 91942 Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh Mar 2 to Mar 5 Parkway Acadh Of Christ Of La Mesa itorium 3948 W Point t 5 5400 Maryl emy-Rm 28 -Hall Loma Blvd Mon-Sun: 8 a.m. CHULA - 10 p.m. Heritage Count VISTA 5940 Kelton and Ave Mackenzie 91914 Creek 2454 Herita y Park Mar 2 to Mar Park 9009 Park Ave Encanto VFW ge Park Row Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Plaza Dr Post #1512 2775 Macke Mar 2 to Mar 5 LEMON Feb. 6 throu daily daily Feb. nzie Creek GROVE Rd Mar. 6 through Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh Mar 2 to Mar 5 - 9194 5, 8 p.m. 5 6873 Feder 5 Deaf Comm SAN DIEG al Blvd CHULA Linda Vista NATIONA Granger Jr unity Services of San O - 92111 VISTA Sunset View L CITY 91915 High 2160 Ulric Librar y Feb 24 to Mar 9195 Open 24 hours IRA Harbison School-Library Diego Park St Open 24 hours 5 2240 Cleve 0 Feb. 6 throu daily 1390 South Las Palmas Elem School-Aud land daily Feb. 6 Greensview itoriu 2020 Van Ness Ave Elem Schoo Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh Dr Mar. 5, through l-Auditoriu m Ave Mar 8 3235 E 8th p.m. 2 to Mar m St Logan Heigh SAN DIEGO Mar 2 to Mar 5 1900 E 18th Alpha Squa - 92113 Frazier Farms LA MESA - 9194 567 S 28th ts Librar y St 2 Open 24 hours Mar 2 to Mar 5 St 8401 Fletch SAN DIEG San Diego re-Hall Open 24 hours er Pkwy City O - 9210 Feb. 6 throu daily Mar 2 to Mar 5 Washingto College - P Bldg Feb. 6 throu daily 5 Mountain Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh 550 14th St 1 Flex n Elem Schoo La Mesa Branc Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh l-Auditoriu Rm BeckwourthView/ 1480 Park h Open 24 hours m Librar y Blvd 721 San PasquLibrar y Open 24 hours Feb 24 to Mar 1789 State Golden Hill Feb. 6 throu daily 8074 Alliso al St St Recreation Feb. 6 throu daily n Ave Mar 2 to Mar 5 Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh SAN DIEG Ctr-Clubho La Mesita Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh O - 9210 use Mar 2 to Mar 5 Park 2 8855 Dalla College-Rola SAN DIEGO 5 2600 Golf City Heigh Open 24 hours s St 92115 ndo Course D ts Librar y Feb. 6 throu daily SAN DIEG Columbus Recreation Ctr-Rm Open 24 hours Club O - 9210 6600 Monte Westmont Mar 2 to Mar Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh Feb. 6 throu daily Our Redeemer Of SD-Assembly 2 / 3 zuma Rd 5 4380 Landi 5 Hall 9000 Murraof La Mesa Lutheran The Salva Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh Unity San Mon-Sun: s y Dr 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Diego-Wrig Church-Hall 4425 Home St Kroc Centetion Army Open 24 hours ley Hall Feb 24 to Mar 6845 Univer 1370 Euclid Ave Feb. 6 throu daily rsity Ave Ave Feb 24 to Mar 5 Bella Vista LEMON GROVE 3770 Altad Carson Elem Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh ena Ave 7922 Palm Health Center Open - 91945 Mar 2 to Mar 5 Islamic Cente School-Auditorium SAN DIEG St 24 hours daily 5 SAN O r Of DIEG 24/7 9211 Mar 2 to Mar San Diego Librar y Kiosk Feb. 6 throu Kearny Mesa O - 9212 - MPR 5 3 6905 Kram 1 : County Opera Rec Ctr-M HHSA Lemo Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh Open er eeting Room n Grove 5500 Overla tions Center Feb. 24 hours daily 7050 Eckstr St Live Well Cente nd Ave Open 24 hours om Ave 6 throu Mar 2 to Mar 7065 Broad r 3170 Armstrong Mountain Office of the Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh Feb. 6 throu daily way View Comm St Mar 2 to Mar 5 Recorder/Co Assessor/ SAN Southcrest Lemon Grove Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh Open 24 hours Rec Ctr-M Ctr-Back Meeting Rm DIEGO - 9211 Branch Mar 2 to Mar 5 9225 Claire unty Clerk Dolores Magd Librar y eetin daily Feb. mont Mesa Open 24 hours 5 641 S Boun 3 aleno Mem g Rm 1 Blvd Mar. 6 through 3001 Schoo dary Registrar Rec Ctr-M Feb. 6 throu daily 5, 8 p.m. l Ln 4149 Newto St eeting Rm (Lobby) of Voters Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh Mon-Fri: 8 Mar 2 to Mar 2902 Marcy n Ave, Use S 40Th St Audubon 5600 a.m. 5 Overland Schoo Ave Sat-Sun: Close - 5 p.m. Mar 2 to Mar Ave SAN DIEG Bethune Eleme l-Auditorium Lincoln AcresNATIONAL CITY Sat-Sun: 2/24-2d O - 9211 - 9195 Branch Mar 2 to Mar 5 Librar y Martin Luthe ntary School-Aud /25, 3/2-3/3 8 Open 24 hours0 5 8111 San Vicen4 2725 Grang Valencia Park/r King Jr Rec Ctr-M itorium Registrar Closed 2/19a.m. - 5 p.m. Feb. 6 throu daily er Ave 6835 Benja te St eeting Rm of Voters Malcolm X gh (Drive Natio min Holt Rd Mar. -Thru) Library nal 5, Mar 2 to Mar Mon-Fri: 6 8 p.m. City Public 6401 Skylin 5600 Overla a.m. - 7 p.m. Librar y e Sat-Sun: Close Mon-Thu: Mar 2 to Mar 5 nd Ave 5148 Marke Dr Hoover High 1401 Natio t St Sat-Sun: 2/24-2d Fri: 10 a.m.10 a.m. - 8 p.m. nal City Blvd Mar 2 to Mar 5 SAN DIEG Clay Eleme School-800 Bldg JROTC /25, 3/2-3/3 8 Sat: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. O - 9211 Mar 2 to Mar 5 Crawford ntary School-Auditoriu Rm Serra MesaClosed 2/19a.m. - 5 p.m. Sun: Close - 5 pm 5 High Schoo 4474 El Cajon5 l-Rm 109 m Mesa Librar Kearny Closed 2/19d Open 24 hours 6506 Solita Blvd, Use Highland 9005 Aero y Ave Mar Ave Feb. 6 throu daily Dr Registrar 4191 Colts Way Central Librar SAN DIEGO 2 to Mar of - 92101 Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh Mar 2 to Mar 5 330 Park Blvd y SAN DIEG St Columbia Voters Open 24 hours 5 O - 9212 Catholic Schoo Mar SAN daily 2 to Mar 5 Feb. 6 throu DIEGO Paradise Hills l-Hall 5600 Overl 3 92139 Port of San and Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh 5922 Ranch Librar y Open 24 hours 3365 Glenc Ave, Suite 100 Diego San Diego o Hills 3165 Dr olum Dr Miramar Colle Pacific Hwy Open 24 hours Feb. 6 throu daily Feb 24 to Mar Mira Mesa ge-Room K-107 SAN DIEGO Feb. 6 throu daily Skyline Hills Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh - 9212 Mar 2 to Mar 5 Challenger Rec Ctr-Game Rm San Diego Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh 5 7900 Parad Librar y 10440 Black 6 Open ise Valley Hage Elem Mid School-Auditoriu Museum Firehouse Rd Feb. 24 hours daily 8575 New Mountain Rd, Lot 2 School-Aud m Mon-Wed: 6 throu Salem St 1572 Colum itorium Feb 24 to Mar Thu-Fri: 10 Closed 10810 Parkd Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh bia St The Old Globe Sat-Sun: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Mar 2 to Mar 5 9750 Galvin ale Ave SDSU PPG a.m. - 4 p.m. Alumni Cente Casa de Oro SPRING VALLEY Ave 1363 Old Globe Mar 2 to Mar 5 Mon-Fri: 9 - 9197 Branch r-Fowler Ballrr SAN DIEGO Way Librar y a.m. - 5 p.m. - 9218 Mon, Wed-T 7 Mar 2 to Mar 5 Sat-Sun: Close om 9805 Camp 5 d 5250 55th 2 Spring Valle 10 a.m. - 6 hu: o Rd #180 St, Parking SPRING Mission Hills-H SAN DIEGO Tue: 12 p.m.p.m. Structure 7 Highlands y Academy-MPR 92103 VALLEY - 7 p.m. Knox Librar illcrest/ Mar 2 to Mar Fri: - 91977 10 New Seaso Elem School-MPR Open 24 hours a.m. - 5 p.m. 5 3900 Conra ns 215 W Wash y Sat-Sun: Close Feb. 6 throu daily Spring Valle Church - Youth Cente ington St Spring Valley 3131 S Barce d Dr Closed 2/19 d y Community r University Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh Branch Ctr-Olsen Mar 2 to Mar Librar y 2300 Bancr lona St Librar y Heights Open 24 hours Rm Open 24 hours oft 836 Kemp Mar 2 to Mar 5 8735 Jamac Dr Feb. 6 throu daily 4193 Park ton St Feb. 6 throu daily SOURCE: ha Blvd Blvd Mar 2 to Mar 5 gh Sweetwater https://www Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh Mar. 5, 8 p.m. .sdvote.com County Park Place Feb 24 to Mar 5 Open 24 hours 5 10691 Sweet FOR A COM Feb. 6 throu daily Park Place water PLETE LIST Mar. 5, 8 p.m.gh OF VOTING CENTERS VISIT: SDVO OR BALLOT DROP-OF TE.COM F LOCATION S February
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