fire pits, really?
In an effort to close a $43 million shortfall in the city budget, Mayor Jerry Sanders (and 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 at the cost of threatening our San Diego coastal lifestyle. I expect more from a man with “sand” in his name.
- In the seventies, 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 marshmellow and downed my first S’more around a beach bonfire. Imagine if campfires were banned? Or, worse, roasting marshmellows?
- In the eighties, 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 nineties, 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 multi-platinum recording career from beach bonfire jams in Oahu.
Can you imagine a world without Jack Johnson? Depending on the viewer 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 two and a half year old son, a fan of 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 the list, threatening 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 on the matter.
Aloha, Chris.
