Editorials

The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine.

READER’S EDITORIAL: THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT US!

 

By Russell Buckley

March 31, 2011 (La Mesa)--"Today's benefit structure for public employees is unrecognizable from the design, funding structure and goals of the original 1932 version. Instead of retirement security, the public pension became a wealth generator. Initially, state workers retiring at age 65 could expect retirement income at roughly half of their final compensation, based on an average salary earned during their last five years of employment. The retirement formulas and benefits began ratcheting up in the 1940's and never stopped. California's pension plans are dangerously under funded, the result of overly generous pension promises, wishful thinking and an unwillingness to plan prudently. Unless aggressive reforms are implemented now, the problems will get far worse, forcing counties and cities to severely reduce services and layoff employees to meet pension obligations."

 

The words above are taken from the 50 or so pages of the Little Hoover Commission Report released last month. The report is about the State at large - but its words apply so accurately to La Mesa that it seems to be talking about us.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER'S EDITORIAL: AN OPEN LETTER TO HELIX WATER DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGARDING SAFETY AND ACCURACY OF SMART METERS


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READERS' EDITORIAL: CONGRESSMAN BILBRAY PROPOSES TO LEGALIZE MONEY LAUNDERING IN TRILLION DOLLAR GIVEAWAY

 

By Jon Mattes

 

March 26, 2011 (San Diego)--Did you miss the proposed trillion dollar government giveaway last week to big corporations? No, that is not a typo, a trillion not a billion, and yes, a Congressman proposed just that.

 

Representative Brian Bilbray of San Diego, a former lobbyist, proposed a bill that would allow US corporations to dodge taxes on a trillion dollars in profits. Forget the debate over the estate tax or a tax break for the super rich; this proposed giveaway has them all beat, hands down!


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: WHY IS OUR DRINKING WATER BEING SIPHONED OFF BY SDG&E FOR SUNRISE POWERLINK CONSTRUCTION?

 

An open letter to San Diego's Mayor and City Council

 

By John Pilch
President, San Carlos Area Council

 

March 22, 2011 (San Diego) --I'm intrigued by what's happening in the San Carlos Community with respect to water usage. While we're being advised of the continuing Stage 2 Drought Alert, the City of San Diego is selling water from two  hydrants on Lake Murray Blvd. West Frontage Road to the contractor who is constructing the Southwest Powerlink.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: THE BUZZ OVER POWERLINK--WHY WE SHOULD SUPPORT WORKERS ON THE LINE

 

By Michelle Mann, Boulevard


“In a time of economic fallout it is nice that there are still jobs for good hard working Americans. That is what these guys are that are out building the power line.”

 

March 19, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- It is amazing to hear all the buzz about this new power line going in. It is astonishing how many people are trying to sabotage this project and oppose it. I would like to see all those people who are making such a stink about this project turn their power off. The only reason why these guys are out here building the power line is to provide power to those that are complaining.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER'S EDITORIAL: AMERICA SHOULD RECONSIDER ITS BAIL-OUT OF THE NUCLEAR POWER INDUSTRY


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’Ss EDITORIAL: WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR US TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT PENSION REFORM?

 

By Russell Buckley

 

March 16, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- Last month, the Little Hoover Commission issued a report about California's pension system: Public Pensions for Retirement Security. The Report is filled with information about where our pension finances stand, explanations about how we got here, and dire warnings about where we will be without an immediate change of course.

 

The Little Hoover Commission is an independent government oversight commission created in 1962. By statute, it is a bipartisan board consisting of five members appointed by the Governor and four named by the Legislature, as well four legislators. Here are a couple of examples of the Little Hoover Commission findings:


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER'S EDITORIAL: SUPERVISOR JACOB SHOULD PROTECT WILDLIFE, CULTURAL SITES AT GREGORY CANYON

 

By Ruth Harber, Secretary Treasurer, River Watch

March 14, 2011 (San Diego) --I applaud Supervisor Diane Jacob's endeavors to keep the Powerlink out of her district because of concerns for the environment.

However, I can't for the life of me understand why she would support the Gregory Canyon dump in the North County, where the canyon is also home to eagles and various endangered species, where it will desecrate Native American sacred sites, and where money seems to rule.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READERS’ EDITORIAL: SUPERVISOR ROBERTS’ ATTEMPT TO SUBORDINATE COMMUNITY PLANS TO BE HEARD WED. MARCH 16

 

 

“This plan to subordinate Community Plans would eventually harm every unincorporated community in this County.”

 

By Jack Phillips, Chair
Valle de Oro Planning Group

 

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER'S EDITORIAL: ANCHOR ZYGOTES? THE UNINTENDEND CONSEQUNCES OF HUNTER’S LIFE-AT-CONCEPTION BILL

 

By Mike Copass

 

March 10, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) --On a serious-meets-funny note, Rep Duncan Hunter Jr's (R- El Cajon) newly-submitted "Life at Conception" bill, HR 374, would grant citizenship rights to pre-born human beings -- that is, from moment of conception, rather than at birth.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER'S EDITORIAL: A TALE OF TWO ADJOINING FIRE DEPARTMENTS

 

One spends more than twice as much on employee health insurance--almost one million dollars more

 

By R. Perry

 

March 5, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- The San Miguel Fire Protection District spends more than twice as much on health benefits for its 96 employees than does the neighboring fire department in El Cajon.

 

In 2009 San Miguel Fire asked voters for a 1.5 million dollar benefit fee. The voters turned them down. The result was the closure of an entire engine company reducing response capability by eleven percent.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: DOG ATTACK ON HORSE AND RIDER RAISES CONCERN OVER COUNTY’S SLOW RESPONSE

By Marilyn Gramse

 

March 3, 2011 (Blossom Valley) – On Monday, February 28, two equestrians were riding on the County designated trail on Quail Canyon. When they approached  a home in the 10,000 block of Quail Canyon, a pit bull dog and the owner came out to the equestrians. The pit bull began sniffing the horses, bit the rider, and attacked the horse--going for the throat. The horse, struggling for its life, began to circle, dumping the rider.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READERS’ EDITORIAL: KILLING WOMEN IS NOT “PRO-LIFE”

By Wren Osborn

February 26, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) --I do not think the anti-abortion groups should be allowed to lay claim to the name "pro-lifers."

 

After all, they now want Congress to pass a law to prohibit abortions needed to save a woman's life.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: CORPORATE POWER, WALMART, AND THE UNDERMINING OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS


City should reform law and require initiatives go on ballot in next regularly scheduled election—not a costly special election

 

By Joel A. Harrison, PhD, MPH

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER'S EDITORIAL: EAST COUNTY A NO-SHOW AT TAXPAYER SEMINAR ON PUBLIC AGENCY 401KS

 

By David Smyle, La Mesa

 

February 11, 2011 (San Diego's East Count)--On Thursday February 10, the SD County Taxpayer Association held an informative breakfast on 401(k) plans for public employees. All County and City leaders were invited to attend for free--but only representatives from the City of San Diego, San Marcos, Oceanside, the Port Authority, SD County Water Authority and the SD Firefighters and Police Associations were present, besides the public.

 

Since no East County city or Other County officials or their representatives were in attendance, I guess they already had all the answers and had determined that this route was not for them. With Helix Water District currently under employee MOU negotiations and paying the most beneficial employee package of any public agency, it would have been nice to at least see one of the two negotiators in attendance for good PR even if they didn't plan to use the information.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: SUPERVISORS SHOULD SUPPORT GENERAL PLAN UPDATE BACKED BY LOCAL PLANNING GROUPS

 

Editor's note: This issue is slated to be addressed by Supervisors on Wed. Feb. 9.


“The County Board of Supervisors should know that 23 of the 26 Community Planning and Sponsor Groups have voted to support the proposed General Plan Update. They should also know that S.O.R.E's late-stage attempt to block adoption of proposed General Plan is not based on any new information. “ – Donna Tisdale

By Donna Tisdale

February 8, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- The current controversy, ginned-up by Save Our Rural Economy (S.O.R.E.), an apparently well funded coalition of builders, developers, Realtors, some farmers, and in our area--absentee land owners, is based on rehashed old news that has been repeatedly analyzed and responded to by County staff at various stages of this long-drawn out update process.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READERS’ EDITORIAL: SAN DIEGO COUNTY GENERAL PLAN UPDATE FATALLY FLAWED

 

Editor’s note: San Diego’s Board of Supervisors is slated to consider this issue on Wed., Feb. 9.

 

By Dr. Richard Parker and Scott Barnett

February 8, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) --Like anything in life, there’s no use doing something quickly if it’s not going to be done right. The adage couldn’t be more relevant to the current effort to update San Diego County’s General Plan. The Board of Supervisors will soon meet again on the plan, and after years of hard work, dozens of meetings and an abundance of feedback from the community, there is an apparent rush to suddenly, unfortunately, and haphazardly complete the effort, despite very significant flaws that threaten the long-term economic viability of the unincorporated areas of our County.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER'S EDITORIAL: RAMONA FORUM ANNOUNCES FRIDAY RALLIES AT BANK TO STOP FORECLOSURES

"Don't wait for your town to be devastated. Take action Now! Here's an example of what you can do.  Pass this on." -- Dave Patterson


By Dave Patterson
 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER'S EDITORIAL: TELL THE GUHSD--DON'T DELAY ALPINE'S NEW HIGH SCHOOL...AGAIN

 

We understand that there may be (again) a declared "delay" of the 12th GUHSD HS startup. This will effectively kill this project forever. -- Bill Weaver

 

By Bill Weaver

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER'S EDITORIAL: THE MAN WHO ENDED OUR MALAISE--REMEMBERING RONALD REAGAN

By E.A. Barrera

 

February 1, 2011 (San Diego's East) -- February 6, 2011 marks what would have been Ronald Reagan’s 100th birthday. That milestone is a personal one for me. Though I never knew or met President Reagan, he was the first president who I could recall from start to finish. He was the president as I entered my senior year in high school and came of age … proud liberal-Democrat from a family of the same (dating back to Al Smith running as the first Catholic candidate for president in 1928).

 

As a member of the generation euphemistically once called "Gen X", I was never the less fascinated by the America Reagan promised. Reagan's America was in complete contrast to that of the baby-boomer class, which dominated the airwaves and media all my life. It was the return of the generation that beat the Great Depression and won World War Two. It was John Wayne reborn … and the "Old Man" (as I would come to call Reagan - first in sarcasm, then in reverence) epitomized that return.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: TULE WIND POWER PROJECT LOW RISK TO PROTECTED SPECIES

By Robert Pinto, Sr., Tribal Chairman
Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay Indians

 

January 25, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--We’d like to set the record straight about the proposed Tule Wind Power Project’s expected impacts to protected species, namely the golden eagle and California condor.
 

As the Tribal Chairman of the Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay Indians on whose land a portion of the Tule Wind Power Project is being proposed, I represent the tribe when I say that we fully support the entire Tule Wind Power Project. Our Reservation’s Class 7 wind resource (the highest rating and one of the few available sites in the U.S.) is our Tribe’s only natural resource and currently our only potential for economic development on our remote lands. The project is proposed in a remote, rugged and sparsely populated area, and the wind turbines would be unseen by nearly everyone, including the Tribe’s residents who will only partially see a few turbines.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: JUDGE CITES CONDOR IMPACT; HALTS SALE OF WIND FARM IN KERN COUNTY

 

SAN DIEGANS SHOULD WEIGH FATE OF CONDOR FROM PROPOSED TULE WIND PROJECT


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: FLUORIDE LOWERS CHILDREN’S IQ

 

An open letter to Mayor Jerry Sanders opposing plan to fluoridate San Diego’s water

By Jeanie Ryan
 

January 1, 2010 (San Diego) --The problem with water fluoridation is that it negatively affects those we try to protect. The American Dental Association advises no fluoride for children under 6 months and then very little to one year of age-- less than that with is supplied in fluoridated water.
 

We know that fluoride crosses the blood brain barrier and that one in six children have a learning disability. Studies have shown that children in high fluoride areas have lower intelligence. (See a Chinese study linking mental retardation and low IQs to fluoride in water.) 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: TULE WIND PROJECT WILL KILL CONDORS

 

 

In April 2007, the first condor spotted in San Diego County in over 100 years soared into East County across the Mexican border. It may be the last, if the wind industry has its way.

By Jim Wiegand

 

December 28, 2010 (San Diego’s East County)--When is the media going to put an honest spotlight on the wind industry? When is the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service going to wake up?

 

I am an expert on birds of prey and have seen many environmental impact reports and studies generated for the wind industry. I have yet to see an honest one. All that read this should find this statement shocking.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: CITY SHOULD FLUSH ITS PLAN TO ADD TOXIC FLUORIDE TO SAN DIEGO’S WATER SUPPLY

“…The form of fluoride (silicofluorides) they plan to put in our water is classified as a toxic waste. As a toxic waste, it is costly to dispose. But as a sellable product, that expense is eliminated.” – Jim Bell

 

A commentary by Jim Bell

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: CAN THERE BE JUSTICE FOR SLAIN PEACE OFFICER?


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: WHEN GOOD IS BAD

 

By Jim Bell

December 12, 2010 (San Diego)--Here we go again, justifying doing something bad to do something supposedly good.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER'S EDITORIAL: FAILING TO LISTEN IS BAD FOR BUSINESS--AND COMMUNITY

 

Council should say "no" on Dec. 14 to Walgreen's plan to sell alcohol

 

By Garry Davis

December 8, 2010 (El Cajon)--Earlier this year, a lot of us began our effort to revitalize a key business district in El Cajon by forming the Second Street Business Association – Alliance for a Better Community. What we hope to promote is a balanced mix of businesses that generate jobs and revenue for our local economy.

 

And who am I kidding, we also obviously want more customers for businesses.

 

“Balance” is the key word.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: PARTNERING FOR GUHSD’S NEW 12TH HIGH SCHOOL IN ALPINE

 

Something new, different, and state-of-the-art

 

By Bill Weaver


December 1, 2010 (Alpine)--It is widely acknowledged by most experts that our classrooms of today are outdated. We are not offering a state-of-the-art education to our current young generation, nor meeting the technological needs of students. They say that we are sending our kids into the world under-educated and not well prepared. Experts argue that our system of education at the primary and secondary level is in dire need of reform.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER'S EDITORIAL: PREMATURE OBITUARY ISSUED FOR FEDERAL CASE AGAINST SUNRISE POWERLINK THAT IS STILL GOING STRONG


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

Pages