This story was reported for IVNSanDiego.org in November 2020. San Diego native Deja Fields said Moxie Theatre changed her life six years ago when she was a junior at San Diego Creative and Performing Arts. The small Rolando theater with a mission to empower women in the theater and arts industry cast Fields as Ermina in “Crumbs from the Table… Read more →
Category: Politics
‘It’s a Horrible Narrative’: Black Women Are Losing Their Jobs Faster Than Others
This story was reported for IVNSanDiego.org in November 2020. Native San Diegan Shakema Martin says she may still be employed today if she weren’t Black. Martin, a Mira Mesa native, was working at a Carlsbad company until August when she caught COVID-19. She quarantined until she felt better and returned to work with a doctor’s note, clearing her of the… Read more →
From City Heights to City Hall: Viet Vote Aims to Empower Vietnamese Community
This story was reported for IVNSanDiego.org in September 2020. Jean-Huy Tran grew up in Orange County, home to more than 200,000 Vietnamese-Americans, one of the largest Vietnamese populations in the U.S. He became accustomed to seeing elected officials of Vietnamese descent in office, including Tony Lam, the first Vietnamese person to hold elected office in the U.S. But, when Tran… Read more →
In San Diego Blue Wave, GOP and Independents May Not Ride
This story was reported for IVNSanDiego.org in August 2020. When it comes to the race for San Diego mayor, the local GOP has made its decision: “LEAVE IT BLANK – BOTH are terrible.” In a contest pitting two Democrats – Barbara Bry and Todd Gloria – against each other, the Republican Party of San Diego County isn’t taking sides. In… Read more →
Poway City Council: All Boys Club In A Town Of Women
This story was reported for KPBS News on Jan. 27, 2015. The last woman to serve on the Poway City Council was Merrilee Boyack, who sat on the board from 2004 to 2012. Boyack said there were instances when she felt her approach was different because of her gender. “I felt very drawn to and connected to the people,” Boyack… Read more →
Solana Beach: Styrofoam ban on way to implementation
This story was reported for Seaside Courier on Oct. 15, 2015. Solana Beach is on its way to becoming the first city in San Diego County to ban Styrofoam. The City Council on Wednesday voted 4 to 1 to adopt an ordinance banning the use of polystyrene — or as it is commonly known, Styrofoam — at restaurants. Councilwoman Ginger… Read more →
New Oceanside majority approves puppy mill ban
This story was reported for Seaside Courier on Jan. 9, 2015. Oceanside’s City Council majority enjoyed its newfound power at its first meeting of the year on Wednesday. Mayor Jim Wood and Councilwoman Esther Sanchez, who previously saw many of their proposals dismissed, passed several new items with the help of newcomer and now Deputy Mayor Chuck Lowery. Former Councilman… Read more →
City Hall power struggle in Encinitas
This story was reported for Seaside Courier on May 23, 2014. So much for that power-sharing agreement. Encinitas Councilmember Lisa Shaffer is asking her colleagues to reconsider a December agreement that had political opposites Teresa Barth and Kristin Gaspar splitting the mayor’s post this year, with Barth serving through June and Gaspar serving in the largely ceremonial position for the… Read more →
Next for Wood: Change the Oceanside City Council
This story was reported for Seaside Courier on June 18, 2014. With a failed shot at unseating county Supervisor Bill Horn behind him, Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood says he is now focused on changing the City Council. Wood, who often finds himself at odds with the council majority, said he’s “embarrassed” by his colleagues. “Hopefully, I’ll change the makeup on… Read more →
50 years in the making: Asian-American could join San Diego City Council
This story was reported for 10News on Mar. 12, 2014. It’s an election that can be considered consequential by many standards but for one ethnic population, the stakes are pretty high. An Asian-American will likely be elected in November to the San Diego City Council for the first time in 52 years. It’s a huge feat for local Asian-Americans, who… Read more →