Leave the harbor seals alone. On Monday, a federal judge rules the city of San Diego can't touch them. Meanwhile, San Diego city councilwoman Sherri Lightner represents La Jolla as part of district 1. She's urging the public to get their input in on what to do with the seals.
Day in and day out, the main attraction at the Children's Pool in La Jolla is the harbor seals. Sightseers young and old can't help but be drawn to them. Chris Parks and his family are visiting from Santa Clarita. He brings his 4 year old son, Angelo, to the Children's Pool so he can check out the seals.
"I like to play with them," little Angelo Parks said.
"I'm sure it brings a lot of tourism because it's an attraction," Chris Parks said.
The seals continue to draw attention with tourists and the city of San Diego. The city's recent plan to disperse the seals by using taped barking dogs is put on hold.
"Let them be. Because it is unique and exciting to see them," Linda Johnson said. Johnson, her husband Eugene and daughter are visiting from out out town.
Cindy Benner is President of La Jolla Friends of Seals. Benner and her non-profit organization want Councilwoman Lightner, to take a position on the seals.
"We would like her to take a position in council chambers that aren't solely her own, but one that reflects her constituents," Benner said.
Benner calls the recent ruling from a federal judge a huge victory for the seals. However, it conflicts with a state court ruling stating the city has the responsibility to disperse the seals. The Mayor of San Diego says the city is stuck between a rock and a hard place.
"It's costing the city literally hundreds of thousands of dollars in attorney's fees and the rest of it," Mayor Sanders said.
An out-of-town visitor from Colorado wants to take matters into his own hands.
"I'd be glad to go down and shove off one a day," Don Stieham said.
With the city's budget woes, some residents wonder if spending $700,000 to disperse the seals is a smart move.
"We don't have money for teachers and libraries and now they're shutting our state parks. How dare anyone say they should take money on dispersing the seals when this is such a beautiful thing," Carmel Valley resident Cheryl Rosen said.
The city is requesting public input until June 9th.
A state court judge has set a hearing for June 15th to determine how to remove the seals.
Meanwhile, Senate Bill SB-428 goes into effect on January 1, 2010. The senate bill allows Marine Mammal Park to be used for the education benefits of children as an allowable use for the beach cove created by the breakwater at the Children's Pool.
Day in and day out, the main attraction at the Children's Pool in La Jolla is the harbor seals. Sightseers young and old can't help but be drawn to them. Chris Parks and his family are visiting from Santa Clarita. He brings his 4 year old son, Angelo, to the Children's Pool so he can check out the seals.
"I like to play with them," little Angelo Parks said.
"I'm sure it brings a lot of tourism because it's an attraction," Chris Parks said.
The seals continue to draw attention with tourists and the city of San Diego. The city's recent plan to disperse the seals by using taped barking dogs is put on hold.
"Let them be. Because it is unique and exciting to see them," Linda Johnson said. Johnson, her husband Eugene and daughter are visiting from out out town.
Cindy Benner is President of La Jolla Friends of Seals. Benner and her non-profit organization want Councilwoman Lightner, to take a position on the seals.
"We would like her to take a position in council chambers that aren't solely her own, but one that reflects her constituents," Benner said.
Benner calls the recent ruling from a federal judge a huge victory for the seals. However, it conflicts with a state court ruling stating the city has the responsibility to disperse the seals. The Mayor of San Diego says the city is stuck between a rock and a hard place.
"It's costing the city literally hundreds of thousands of dollars in attorney's fees and the rest of it," Mayor Sanders said.
An out-of-town visitor from Colorado wants to take matters into his own hands.
"I'd be glad to go down and shove off one a day," Don Stieham said.
With the city's budget woes, some residents wonder if spending $700,000 to disperse the seals is a smart move.
"We don't have money for teachers and libraries and now they're shutting our state parks. How dare anyone say they should take money on dispersing the seals when this is such a beautiful thing," Carmel Valley resident Cheryl Rosen said.
The city is requesting public input until June 9th.
A state court judge has set a hearing for June 15th to determine how to remove the seals.
Meanwhile, Senate Bill SB-428 goes into effect on January 1, 2010. The senate bill allows Marine Mammal Park to be used for the education benefits of children as an allowable use for the beach cove created by the breakwater at the Children's Pool.
