Ten years ago today a group of people, some of whom I’ve never met, launched an organization that changed my life and the lives of so many San Diegans.
Voice of San Diego, the online, non-profit news source where I cut my teeth, today celebrates 10 years of telling truth to power, of in-depth investigations, of holding government accountable to its constituents and of bringing a voice to the voiceless.
When I joined back in December 2005, just months after Scott Lewis and Andrew Donohue had taken over as co-editors, VOSD was a scrappy startup. Based out of a shabby office building on Elm Street, just blocks from City Hall, we focused a lot in those early years on being the best at covering government.
On my first day as an intern, within minutes of sitting down at my desk, the new honchos sent me to a press conference with Mayor Jerry Sanders. I remember calling my mother during the quick walk, thinking that I had finally made it to the big time. I was going to cover a mayoral press conference.
I came back to the office to report back to Donohue about what I had learned. The mayor made two appointments, including Jay Goldstone as chief financial officer. I was ready to basically rehash the press conference when Donohue pointed out to me that it was a big deal that the CFO would now oversee the city’s auditor John Torell. He passed along Torell’s number and told me to find out what he thought.
It was the first time over many, many years that I would witness Donohue and Lewis’ intricate knowledge of the city. Over the next several years, as I moved from reporting into photojournalism, I worked alongside reporters as we uncovered some of the city’s biggest scandals.
I watched alongside Will Carless as Carolyn Smith was ousted from Southeastern Economic Development Corporation after we uncovered that she gave herself and top deputies more than $1 million in unapproved compensation. Less than 24 hours later the head of the city’s other redevelopment agency resigned after Rob Davis’ reporting into her business dealings.
The fallout from the stories really put VOSD on the map. I was also around to see a mortgage fraudster sent to prison for A Staggering Swindle, to ride on fire trucks to show the impact of long response times for our poorest communities, to tell the stories of a refugee community farm being dismantled, and generally to shine a light where there was darkness in our city.
Today, VOSD is continuing to do all of this. And, as Lewis puts it, it’s now an institution in San Diego. It’s a service that members can count on to bring them a fresh perspective and to find stories they won’t find anywhere else.
The organization impacted me a lot personally over the years. I like to think I’m one of many. It’s not only the young journalists who’ve honed their craft at VOSD who’ve benefited. It’s the people whose stories they told. And it’s the people of San Diego whose government officials have had to confront important issues in our communities because VOSD reporters would no longer let them go ignored.
To stay a strong, independent institution that serves the people, VOSD needs you. This post isn’t written in consultation with any of my friends back at VOSD or at their urging. But if you think the services I described above are valuable to you, you should find a way to become a member, even if it’s just a few bucks. (Click here to donate)
Below I’m sharing some images from my time working with VOSD -- a pretty random collection pieced together this morning. If you take the time to become a member today, shoot me an e-mail at [email protected] and I’ll gladly send you an 8x12 print of one of the images of your choosing. It’s my way of saying thank you for supporting journalism and for making sure VOSD has the resources to tell the story of San Diego.
Ron May, an opponent of a plan to renovate Balboa Park's Plaza de Panama, protests outside of San Diego City Hall before a council meeting where the plan was being considered on Monday, July 9, 2012 in San Diego, California, U.S.
A city worker attempts to shut off a geyser of water created by a toppled fire hydrant.
At the Horn of Africa offices on University Avenue, Somali women learn about CPR. The training is part of the process for becoming licensed daycare providers, a step many San Diego Somali women are taking to bolster their income.
A view of the new San Diego Central Library.
Jehovah's Witnesses are baptized at the annual convention at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California, U.S. The title this year is "God's Word Is Truth."
As night falls, the crew of Engine 12 responds to a small fire near a homeless encampment.
In his City Heights apartment, Burma native Har Sin sits on the floor watching an episode of American Gladiators. Har Sin moved here after spending nine years in a refugee camp in Thailand.In his family’s City Heights apartment, Har Sin, who is deaf, sits on the floor watching an episode of American Gladiators. Har Sin is a refugee who has never learned formal communication. He moved to the United States hoping to fix his ears.
Every year, thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses pack Qualcomm Stadium to give it a thorough cleaning, a week before a massive prayer service at the facility.
A supporter of Republican candidates dons an American Flag tie as election returns roll in at the U.S. Grant Hotel.
Former SEDC President Carolyn Y. Smith pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement.
Outside San Diego's new federal courthouse.
An overall view of the Occupy San Diego encampment.
Mayoral candidate Nathan Fletcher, a former Marine, talks to fellow servicemembers before the Veteran's Day Parade.
The San Diego Chicken at Qualcomm Stadium.
A prisoner with Rainbow Conservation Camp #2 takes in the view after hiking up the "Face of God" trail at the camp.
Dale Chihuly's signature piece is at the end of what's known at the Salk Institute as the Stream of Life. It seemingly rests at the precipice of the Pacific Ocean as hang-gliders soar behind.
In the parking lot of the Alliance for African Assistance, Fatima Abdelrahman watches over her children and their friends, the children of Maha Hussein on Tuesday, July 3, 2012.
On Tuesday, November 15, construction crews hoisted artist Do Ho Suh's "Fallen Star" art project onto the seventh floor of the Jacobs School of Engineering at the University of California, San Diego. The 70,000 pound home is part of the Stuart Collection.
Scenic sunset views in and around La Jolla Cove on Monday, November 5, 2012 in San Diego, California, U.S.
Mayor Jerry Sanders delivers his final State of the City address at the Balboa Theatre.