By Ben Hueso
May 23, 2008
Had it not been for a tip we received that Blackwater USA was secretly moving into Otay Mesa, its 61,000-square-foot paramilitary training center would be opening soon. Blackwater has become infamous for its conduct in Iraq. Hundreds of people in Potrero successfully fought against Blackwater when it initiated plans to move in. Running out of time since getting an extension of its contract from the federal government, it quickly turned around and submitted an application to the city of San Diego under two pseudonyms.
In September 2007, “Southwest Law Enforcement Training Enterprise” asked to conduct tenant improvements in East Otay Mesa. It identified the use as warehouse with offices, and when asked if it planned to use any explosives or blasting agents or other health hazards associated with the warehouse, it answered “no.”
In February 2008, it submitted another application and included “Raven Development Group” as the tenant. The applications were titled “Southwest Police” and later “Southwest Law Enforcement.” In this later application, the project description included an indoor firing range to be used as a training facility. However, when asked in the Hazardous Materials Questionnaire whether it would be using any blasting agents, etc., again, it failed to disclose that it would.
The City Attorney's Office recently opined that Blackwater could not operate a law enforcement or security training facility within an industrial area in Otay Mesa with only ministerial approvals. This type of firearm activity requires City Council approval. As a result, the city denied the Certificate of Occupancy.
In a letter from Blackwater's attorneys, they demanded that the city rescind its denial and give Blackwater the “process it is due.” It is not only ironic, but downright laughable that they would demand their due process, when they have gone through considerable expense and effort to deny the city and the Otay Mesa community of our rights of due process to review the compatibility and legality of this installation with the Otay Mesa community.
They sneak into the city with names of two subsidiaries under a grossly misrepresented use and then proceed to demand a fair process? At a minimum, fairness begins with disclosing who you are and what you intend to do. The people have a right be heard, too – and I will work to ensure that the public's right to know is afforded to the people of San Diego.
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Ben Hueso District 8, San Diego City Council
Military training and military activity belongs within the security of a military base. The presence of potentially harmful military weaponry within proximity of a border facing numerous challenges only adds to the difficulty in resolving those challenges.
This condition is further exacerbated by a very apparent conflict of interest of a for-profit corporation that profits from insecurity at the border. For someone who represents the border region and is trying to work with Mexico to improve business relations and work on public safety issues, it's difficult to ignore the harmful effects that this Blackwater facility would have on the Otay Mesa community, which has not been appropriately reviewed or provided for in the existing community plan's environmental impact report.
The facility would be just across the street from the border; in fact, it's within proximity of two international airports, two of the busiest border crossings in the world, a high school, a community college and future elementary schools and housing. And, it would undermine all our efforts to make Otay Mesa a viable “international community” seeking to attract investment and quality employment.
Blackwater needs to put everything on the table. This way, people get a chance to give an informed opinion. As a member of the San Diego City Council, I will do everything I can to make sure residents are given their due process.
 Hueso represents District 8 on the San Diego City Council, which includes Otay Mesa.
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