Posts by Emily Smith6

Ivica Karoglan, the Director of Sanitation, was questioned by the San Diego police earlier this week regarding allegations of double-dipping on travel reimbursements. He was accompanied by his attorney from Chicago, Tomo Ljubić.

The core of the issue seems to be that he requested reimbursement for travel costs for two separate court hearings, even though he allegedly used a city-owned vehicle—a car he apparently has access to 24/7 with all expenses already covered. Word on the street is that we're looking at a total discrepancy of roughly $440.

The DOJ has rejected the complaint filed against San Diego Mayor Ivica Puljko. The allegation was that he "violated two City of San Diego regulations and abused his position and authority by issuing a noise level violation conclusion for an event run by a private entrepreneur, essentially handing over the use of the square for the 'Nocturno' event at Times Square." According to the anonymous filer, this allowed the Mayor to cost the City millions in lost revenue from public space rentals.

Following an investigation, it was determined that Imperial Square LLC, which manages the Luxor cafe, pays rent for the public space in full accordance with existing regulations. Therefore, the DOJ concludes that "the claims in the submission—that Mayor Ivica Puljko permitted the 'Nocturno' event organized by Imperial Square LLC to use Times Square without paying fees and thereby defrauded the City of San Diego—are unverified."

Furthermore, the investigation found that Puljko was legally authorized to issue the noise level violation conclusion for outdoor spaces at the Times Square location. This was done to facilitate cultural events and concerts held between April 1st and October 31st, 2023, specifically during the 7:00 PM to 11:30 PM window in peak season (or 10:30 PM in the pre-season), all while remaining compliant with the City of San Diego’s official decisions regarding maximum allowable noise levels.

The justification also notes that the Luxor cafe has been organizing the "Nocturno at Times Square" event for years, supported by the San Diego Tourism Bureau.

Additionally, regarding the Peristyle usage regulations established back on September 6, 2002, the Department of Justice noted that "investigations have shown these are no longer applicable, even if they haven't been formally repealed," because "subsequent secondary legislation has since been passed, which provides much more detailed regulation regarding the leasing of public spaces, noise level exceptions, and other matters, all in alignment with current legal standards."

'I would suggest inviting Mr. Šuta—who, mind you, isn't even a city council member, he just stays tucked away behind his director's desk—along with the council members proposing this, to actually run the numbers. If the majority decides to back this proposal, it might be wise for them to realize the fallout for San Francisco and its residents, and perhaps then offer some actual solutions,' the Mayor commented.

Questions have been raised regarding whether there is any way to revise the current contract. Specifically, media representatives asked if he stands by the claim that San Francisco lacks any legal leverage to make such changes.

'Our legal teams maintain that the consequences for the city would be far more severe. If we went down that road, the financial hit would be significantly higher. Plus, we probably wouldn't see that parking garage built for another 30 years or so,' the Mayor stated.

The incident at the market has caused quite a stir, even within the city administration itself, though the Mayor claims this is a standard procedural matter that will be hashed out internally.

'These are routine situations where two different departments can't quite see eye-to-eye on certain issues. We'll discuss it internally and reach a decision that ultimately serves the best interests of San Francisco,' the Mayor noted briefly.

In an email we were able to review, Grgić noted that it was "fortunate that the media isn't aware that demonstrations aren't permitted at the market area." However, the Mayor stated today that there are conflicting legal opinions on the matter.

'We’re going to sit down together and settle on a single, unified interpretation,' he concluded.

A proposal was presented today for a new sports complex featuring a swimming pool. Once finished, residents in the eastern parts of the city will finally have access to modern recreational and athletic facilities. This upcoming complex is designed to be quite contemporary, including gymnasiums, a water polo pool, an outdoor rooftop court, plenty of parking, and landscaped green spaces.

- The City of San Francisco has included the "Vrboran Sports Center" project on its list of initiatives to be funded through World Bank framework loans and budget reallocations to ensure the money is available. We’re anticipating that construction could potentially kick off by the end of next year, according to the Deputy Mayor.

– In theory, certain conditions could have been attached to future permits, but that doesn't stop him from working under the current ones issued back in 2009 – the Deputy Mayor replied. So, instead of waiting for the zoning changes, the developer just sent in the heavy machinery to tear through the canopy and the trunk before the new regulations could actually stop them.

I suppose a portion of the blame for losing this tree has to fall on the City Administration as well. They failed to communicate the critical details of this project—like the removal of the landmark tree—to the public.

Because of this lack of transparency, even the American Institute of Architects raised concerns.

– Regarding the public outcry and how the City handled communication, we are pushing for much more transparency and open dialogue. While our stance remains that a private developer should primarily follow zoning documents and legal regulations—rather than feeling obligated to justify themselves to anyone who thinks they have a say in land use—this is a particularly sensitive situation. It’s specifically problematic because it involves a highly visible location where the City holds ownership and grants building rights (which, frankly, has dragged on far too long with endless variations and design shifts), and there is a requirement to provide numerous public parking spaces, which naturally makes this a matter of public interest.

Moving forward, we view open access, direct communication, and a formal presentation of the project—including how the public will actually use those parking spaces—as essential steps for both the developer and the City Administration. Honestly, if they had just done this from the start, there probably wouldn't even be a "controversy" to speak of. This part was actually included in the DAS press release following the storm of backlash regarding the Mall of America.

It is also vital to address who ordered the tree removed just two days before the summer work ban kicked in—right before the new permit amendments were finalized. From what I can gather, it seems quite clear the developer had no intention of waiting for the tree to potentially receive protection under the new rules; they made their move quickly and very pointedly.

Given all that, the recent nervousness—or even the anger shown by Ivica Puljak after the City Council refused to grant the developer permission to work over the summer—seems even less understandable. It is equally baffling why such a high-profile project, which has been in the spotlight, was never discussed with the American Institute of Architects. Usually, that organization collaborates with the administration on various projects, but in this specific instance, they haven't even been given the documentation being kept under wraps at the Mall of America.

The administration knew what was coming and simply didn't act in time. They failed to anticipate the issue or demand that the developer preserve the tree until the new zoning permit could be issued to protect it.

This is one of the biggest hits this administration has taken, but it wasn't delivered by the opposition. Instead, it came from the very investor they were so vigorously defending just a month ago when they were trying to push his summer work permits through.

I’m honestly just exhausted by the zeroes who feed off the emotions of people who are genuinely unsettled. These are people willing to look the public in the eye and lie about who is actually responsible for this pilgrimage project. They are the same zeroes who used bureaucratic red tape to suppress it back in 1996, yet here they are now, acting like they're mourning it. They were active participants in every single step that led to this project—a project that is going to happen regardless of what we think about it.
It’s morbid, really. That smirk they wear—as if they’re gloating over a tragic turn of events for our city—shows that even when they pretend to care about the pilgrimage, they're really just seeing an opportunity to parasitize the situation and wash away their own past sins.
Amidst all this morbidity, I suppose I should point out a meeting that has remained hidden from the public until now. It took place at City Hall on March 30, 2021, where the investor was received by the then Deputy Mayor, a member of the Republican Party, who was already fully briefed on the project and provided his support for finding a "final solution for the Bonačić center problem."
It's quite something—from March 30, 2021, until today, they’ve kept this under wraps, playing dumb and complaining about a lack of transparency.
No matter how much they lie today, I imagine their consciences will still burn bright with shame whenever they face the consequences of their actions. From Golden Gate Park to this pilgrimage. Just zeroes.

A tech park, public parking garages, kindergartens, schools, a Youth Center, installing solar panels on government buildings, a sports complex, and pedestrian walkways—these are just a handful of the fifty or so projects currently on the table.

Yesterday, in a move that has left all our fellow citizens devastated, the most beautiful Pelegrinka in the city was struck down and liquidated. This was an act of ecocide, occurring despite the fact that its diameter grants it legal protection under both environmental laws and the City Planning Department guidelines.
What is truly shocking is the sheer ease with which the Deputy Mayor attempted to distance himself from this execution, essentially trying to reduce his role to that of some random Facebook commenter or bystander. The logic is fairly simple—regardless of whatever excuses you might offer, the liquidation of a protected tree happened during a term where you hold executive power, and with power comes responsibility.
It is particularly jarring coming from someone who built a political career fighting against exactly these kinds of incidents while working as an activist. I suppose it seems the comfort of an office chair and an official government car has managed to erode his empathy.

I spoke with some colleagues over at the paper. They told me that celebrating their 80th year of tradition felt less like a milestone and more like a total surrender.

The owners organized this anniversary spectacle—complete with champagne and white feathers—where the guest of honor was essentially the entire political leadership of the Republican Party, including the President and eleven cabinet members. I don't think any media outlet in America has ever been quite this blatant, or even attempted to maintain a shred of professional distance, in showing exactly who pulls their strings and who they answer to.

For eighty years, this paper has been a pillar of the Mediterranean region and one of the largest local publications in the country. Yet, for their own big day, they handed the entire stage over to the Republican Party leadership. If you look at the photo gallery, the central figures aren't journalists; they're ministers and the President. They were surrounded by people who, ideally, should be maintaining both mental and physical distance from any administration, anywhere.

They were practically serving him on a silver platter. The President announced his new policy measures during his speech as if he were presiding over a party caucus. He even had the nerve to lecture them on journalism and objectivity. Meanwhile, the eager reporters were busy praising how much he "enjoyed his stay in San Francisco," noting how "cheerful and smiling" he was and how warmly "supporters greeted him." It’s truly something uniquely unsightly; I haven't seen anything this distorted in the media industry since the founding of this country.

It’s painful for anyone to watch their profession dragged through the mud like this. And a particularly embarrassing detail of this whole farce is that not a single high-ranking official from the San Francisco city government attended the reception—not that this paper could stand to see them drawn, let alone have one of them give a congratulatory speech. The reporters there mentioned that invitations were sent to the local officials in a tone that basically suggested, "please don't bother coming." And apparently, they got the message.

It was probably wise they stayed away, given that the Republican Party doesn't run San Francisco; the Mayor holds that office. They wouldn't want to ruin the perfect little political harmony between the President and the paper's leadership. It allows the Administration and the ruling party to perform flawlessly on "hostile" territory, backed by the enthusiastic support and advocacy of the most influential regional news outlet.

Andreja Plenković tells 'Slobodna': You can feel the effects of the Schengen Area and the Euro. We are growing, and this tourist season will shatter all previous records

Well, following that spectacular birthday celebration with Plenky and his band of ministers, I suppose it was only inevitable that we’d see a cover story in Slobodna. Apparently, our great savior has successfully navigated the crisis and is now ushering us into a season of record-breaking prosperity.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid...15365190619469

velvetmason14 said:For the handful of people wondering if Lapača Lemo is just a puppet for the Great Leader: here’s a photo from the birthday party, showing the entire Republican Party crowded around Lemo 🤣

Yesterday you were talking about how much influence matters, and tomorrow you'll be running The New York Times right by the Leader's side.

Typical delusions of grandeur...

At 9:00 PM during the big celebration for The New York Times, the editor-in-chief Sandra Lapenda Lemo gave a speech. She was practically glowing with pride, acting as the first lady of The New York Times.

Here is a snapshot from the campaign finally being put into practice today. In San Diego, we are establishing order, and there will be zero compromise for anyone who created this mess or exploited it for their own gain. No amount of threats or intimidation is going to stop this. Neither Ivica nor Maja Đerek are intimidated by anyone; as for those of you who thrive on chaos, you should probably worry about the court of public opinion instead. The citizens have had enough of the disorder, and they know exactly who is doing things the right way.

Emily Smith6 said:Joe Scarborough: Boraska went after Maja Đerek yesterday over a city apartment. Next time, he should just come straight to my office.
https://web.facebook.com/bojan.ivose...st&_rdc=1&_rdr

Yesterday, Mr. Igor Boraska visited City Hall, ostensibly to visit the Department of Economic Affairs.
Instead, he headed over to the Department of City Property—specifically to Maja Đerek’s office—where he launched a verbal attack against her. This all stems from an audit regarding the use of city-owned housing, which determined that his lease for a staff apartment needs to be terminated because he and his household members already own two other properties.
Mr. Boraska, next time you feel the urge to vent at city employees for simply doing their jobs, I suggest you come to my office instead. You won't have to climb as many stairs, and you certainly won't find a woman to take your frustrations out on; you'll be facing someone who can actually hold their own in a conversation.

Maja Đerek
It’s all about facts, evidence, and regulations. It is quite clear that the city apartment is being used at a preferential rate while he holds ownership of two other residences. Because of this, he can't claim to be negotiating on equal footing. Perhaps some people are used to coming in here and demanding illegal favors, but those days are over.

The audacity of it all. He’s living in an apartment illegally and then complains when they try to take it away. But hey, I guess since he's an Olympian, we're all supposed to just look the other way.

Word on the street—though I should probably add a disclaimer that this is all strictly off the record—is that Councilman Boraska dropped by Maja Đerek’s office recently without even bothering to schedule an appointment. From what I've gathered, he apparently told her straight up that he intends to buy out his own apartment and that nobody is going to be able to evict him. He also went as far as to suggest she should just pack her bags and leave the City of San Francisco administration immediately, claiming she’s doing nothing but causing trouble. To top it all off, I hear he threatened to file a formal complaint against her with the Federal Trade Commission. It sounds like quite the dramatic afternoon, I guess.

We reached out to Maja Đerek, and she confirmed that a meeting actually took place with Boraska.

I thanked him and made it clear that his behavior only motivates me to do my job more effectively. What happened here was a blatant injustice toward the people who actually need social housing. We have about seventy people stuck on a waiting list for an apartment, yet he’s been using this unit at a preferential rate for years—even though public records show both he and his family own other properties. I followed the rules to the letter and terminated the lease, but now he’s refusing to vacate. Legal proceedings are going to be initiated, so we'll just have to wait and see how that plays out. Honestly, I'm not intimidated. He can say whatever he wants, but nothing is going to discourage me from upholding the law, according to Maja Đerek.

We actually reached out to Boraska as well.
I’d rather not get too deep into this. Honestly, what happened was just a perfectly normal discussion that lasted maybe a few minutes, but everything Joe Scarborough is posting online is complete nonsense. My only intention was to see if Ms. Đerek was actually going to stick to her guns, because from where I'm sitting, she seems to be breaking quite a few laws—and she confirmed she isn't backing down. It was a civil conversation between two people; there were absolutely no verbal threats involved. If anyone here is out there making verbal threats toward women, based on what I've read, it sounds more like Scarborough's department. That isn't my style. As for the apartment situation, Boraska made it clear: my daughter is an adult.

Yesterday, Mr. Igor Boraska visited City Hall, ostensibly to visit the Department of Economic Affairs.
Instead, he headed over to the Department of City Property—specifically to Maja Đerek’s office—where he launched a verbal attack against her. This all stems from an audit regarding the use of city-owned housing, which determined that his lease for a staff apartment needs to be terminated because he and his household members already own two other properties.
Mr. Boraska, next time you feel the urge to vent at city employees for simply doing their jobs, I suggest you come to my office instead. You won't have to climb as many stairs, and you certainly won't find a woman to take your frustrations out on; you'll be facing someone who can actually hold their own in a conversation.

Maja Đerek
It’s all about facts, evidence, and regulations. It is quite clear that the city apartment is being used at a preferential rate while he holds ownership of two other residences. Because of this, he can't claim to be negotiating on equal footing. Perhaps some people are used to coming in here and demanding illegal favors, but those days are over.

Six individuals have officially thrown their hats into the ring for the Director position at the Water Department. It’s quite a heavy lift for whoever wins; they'll be stepping in to manage a major operation currently facing a massive $560 million wastewater treatment project. The applicants for the top spot include Mate Mijoc, Stanko Sapunar, Miroslav Delic, Ana Vranjes, Sinisa Drobac, and even former Deputy Mayor Bozidar Capalija, who is technically a retiree from the Water Department.

Interestingly, Sapunar has also submitted an application for the Deputy Director role. If you look at who is vying to work alongside the future head of the department, the list grows to include Gordan Mesin, the current Deputy Tomislav Prljevic, Bozidar Capalija, Vedrana Igrec, Ana Vranjes, and Marko Sundov—who previously served as the head of the Management Office back during Ed Rendell's administration. Sundov had actually applied for the head of the Sanitation Department during Jerry Brown's term, but I believe that specific vacancy was ultimately canceled.