The Balboa Park Cultural Partnership (BPCP) is hosting the Balboa Park Sustainability Forum on Jan. 21 to officially launch its long-term sustainability program, and announce its environmental goals for the park’s 2015 centennial.

David Gottfried, the “godfather” of the green-building movement, will join San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, the BPCP and other environmental and cleantech organizations at the kick-off event from 3-5 p.m. at the Balboa Park Recital Hall, located at 2130 Pan American Road West. The public is encouraged to attend this free event, which will also feature “green” gifts and refreshments.

The Balboa Park Sustainability Forum will highlight current eco-friendly measures, environmental plans for 2009 and long-term sustainability goals. Gottfried – founder the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and World Green Building Council (WGBC) – will serve as the keynote speaker. Gottfried also crafted the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification process. Presenters will also include Sanders and representatives from the BPCP, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, San Diego Gas and Electric Company (SDG&E) and the City of San Diego Park and Recreation Department.

“Balboa Park is a community icon that is enjoyed by San Diegans and visitors from around the world,” Sanders said in a release. “We owe it to all of them to collaboratively protect and maintain Balboa Park for generations to come. I encourage anyone interested in the future of Balboa Park to attend the Sustainability Forum.”

The purpose of the Balboa Park Sustainability Program is to inspire, educate, and engage in sustainable practices, in order to preserve and enhance the park’s cultural essence and environmental viability. In doing so, Balboa Park contributes to a larger community responsibility of reducing carbon emissions and addressing global climate change.

Since 2007, member-institutions have collaboratively saved more than 3 million kilowatt-hours, resulting in more than $375,000 in annual energy savings. During the next six years and beyond, the Balboa Park Sustainability Program will maintain a focus on energy efficiency, water conservation, recycling programs, waste reduction, landscape conservation, transportation programs, and sustainable development and business practices

To RSVP for the Balboa Park Sustainability Forum, visit www.bpcp.org or contact Rory Ruppert at bpcp@bpcp.org.

A coalition of more than 50 California labor organizations, including United Healthcare Workers (UHW) and the California Labor Federation, will file an amicus brief on Friday in support of the three lawsuits now challenging Proposition 8, the 2008 ballot initiative that added a same-sex marriage ban to the California state Constitution.

The labor organizations represent more than two million working men and women in California.

“This is a very significant brief from California’s labor unions,” said Shannon Price Minter, legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR). “These unions represent more than two million working men and women in California. They have many members who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender, and they support the rights of all their members to be treated fairly and equally under the California Constitution.”

On Thursday, the California Council of Churches and other religious leaders and faith organizations representing millions of members also planned to file an amicus brief with the California Supreme Court asking the Court to invalidate Proposition 8. The brief is filed on behalf of the California Council of Churches, the General Synod of the United Church of Christ, two Episcopal Bishops (of California and Los Angeles), the Progressive Jewish Alliance, the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations and the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of California, and the Northern and Southern California Nevada Conferences of the United Church of Christ.

The groups are represented by Eric Isaacson, based in San Diego, and by Jon B. Eisenberg of Eisenberg and Hancock, LLP, based in Oakland.

City Councilmember Carl DeMaio unveiled Monday a four-point proposal to support San Diego’s small businesses and self-employed in the midst of a difficult economy. DeMaio’s Small Business Tax and Regulatory Relief Proposal includes tax relief, compliance education and outreach, public-private partnerships, and regulatory relief.

“While politicians in Washington D.C. are focused on federal bailout packages for Wall Street and big business, no one is focused on Main Street and small businesses,” DeMaio said in a release. “That’s why I’m proposing the City of San Diego enact a small business tax and regulatory relief package by April 15.”

DeMaio outlined his plan at a press conference where he drew attention to complaints his office has received regarding the city’s Business Tax Certificate and Rental Unit Business Tax programs.

Approximately 75,000 business tax certificate holders are small businesses, comprising 92 percent of all certificate holders in San Diego.

As some San Diegans are laid off from larger corporations, many are turning to self-employment to make ends meet – requiring them to pay this tax.

Most San Diegans are not aware of these two tax programs, and many small businesses and property owners are just now learning they are non-compliant. Due to a new data sharing program being used by the city treasurer, thousands of San Diegans are being sent delinquency notices – complete with late fees, penalties, and surcharges. More than 90,000 rental unit business tax unit notices were mailed Jan. 9, with many hitting San Diegans’ mailboxes this week.

“Imposing fees and penalties is not the way to support the economy here in San Diego. The city should foster a more jobs-friendly and service-oriented environment,” DeMaio said.

DeMaio’s proposal calls for the review of a hybrid tax amnesty/tax holiday program modeled after successful programs utilized by Los Angeles and Anaheim.

Los Angeles expects to actually collect more revenue as a result of the program to cover its looming budget deficit. Anaheim incorporated innovative partnerships with its local Chamber of Commerce and utility company to support the success of its small businesses.

DeMaio, who has set balancing the city’s budget as his top priority, is confident a tax relief package can be implemented that would be budget neutral, while supporting job creation.

San Diego City Councilmember Todd Gloria announced last week the return of two Community Relations Officers (CROs) to the neighborhoods of District 3.

Gloria was an outspoken advocate of bringing CROs back to the area throughout his recent campaign for office, and discussed the matter in his first meeting with San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne.

“Community Relations Officers are key to keeping streets safe for residents, businesses and visitors,” Gloria said in a release. “Crime prevention is vital to community stability, and CROs provide that necessary service.”

CROs use their familiarity with the people and properties in specific neighborhoods to directly address nuisances and crime trends proactively with the support of community members. The San Diego Police Department’s Mid-City Command, covering the areas bordered by Interstate 15 on the west, Interstate 94 on the south, College Area to the east and Interstate 8 to the north, has been served by just one CRO for the past several years. Two additional officers will be re-assigned there this month. The three officers will be Dean Thomas, Anthony Bryant and David Tos and they will be attending neighborhood civic group meetings.

“Bringing these officers back to District 3 was my goal and part of my commitment to strengthening public safety,” said Councilmember Gloria. “To be able to deliver on this promise is exciting, and I look forward to making more progress in partnership with the community.”

Community member Maria Cortez was enthusiastic about the announcement.

“CROs make a big difference in bringing down crime rates because of their involvement in the community,” said Cortez. “Community members know they can bring their concerns to CROs and act as their eyes and ears.”