In La Jolla people-versus-seals battle, tide has yet to turn [View all]
Fans of the marine mammals want to restrict access to the Children's Pool beach. Divers and swimmers say that's not fair. City Council is sick of the whole issue.
By Tony Perry, Los Angeles Times
January 8, 2012, 10:04 p.m.
Reporting from San Diego—
On the beach at the Children's Pool, curious tourists and locals, many with cameras at the ready, approached the dozens of harbor seals sleeping in the noonday sun.
From her vantage point on the sidewalk overlooking the horseshoe-shaped beach, Dorota Valli, a volunteer with the unofficial Seal Watch Campaign, was ready with her bullhorn.
"Ladies and gentlemen," she announced sternly, "please stay behind the rope. The seals are pregnant and they need their rest. No picture is worth hurting the seals."
At the other end of the sidewalk, near the lifeguard tower, were activists of an opposing stripe who believe Valli and her group are robbing the citizens of San Diego of the right to enjoy the breakwater-protected beach and its tranquil access to the ocean.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-seals-20120109,0,48021.story
$1 million dollars in city legal fees. 
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