THE JIM AND ANN SHOW, LIVE IN THE LEE HOUSE MARCH 3

February 5, 2011 (Lemon Grove)--Jim and Ann Elliott, for 30 years the last word in printing, mailing and political consulting at Western Graphics in Lemon Grove, will bring tales from the trenches and little-known backstories of politicians on the prowl to "History Alive," the monthly lectures series sponsored by the Lemon Grove Historical Society on Mar. 3 at 7 p.m. in the H. Lee House Cultural Center, 3205 Olive, Lemon Grove.

February 2, 2011 (San Diego) – “Learn how my office can help you,” says Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego). Davis invites the public to join her and staff members at the grand opening of a new community office this Saturday, February 4, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

January 28, 2011 (San Diego) – Governor Jerry Brown’s proposed state budget will impact people throughout California. Assemblyman Marty Block (D-78th Assembly District) wants to know your views on this important issue. He will host a town hall meeting on Thursday, February 3 from 6-8 p.m. at Patrick Henry High School at 6702 Wandermere Drive, San Diego (off Navajo Road in San Carlos).

January 28, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) has introduced legislation that would halt the repeal of the military’s don’t ask, don’t tell policy. President recently signed the repeal into law and the military is on a path to implementation of the repeal measure, which will allow gay and lesbian soldiers to serve openly in the U.S. military.

January 25, 2011 (San Diego) – Darrell Steinberg, president pro tem of the California State Senate, has announced policy committee assignments. Among East County and eastern San Diego’s delegation, committee chairmanships were awarded to Christine Kehoe (Appropriations) and Juan Vargas (Banking & Financial Institutions).

Additional assignments for the region’s four representatives (including Republicans Joel Anderson and Mark Wyland, as well as Democrats Kehoe and Vargas) are as follows:

"Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity." --
Martin Luther King, Jr., 1963

January 17, 2011 (Ramona) – Ron Selkovitch and Dave Patterson of the Ramona Forum demonstrated in Ramona over Martin Luther King Day weekend. According to a press release issued by the group, the purpose was to call for “civility and courage in the face of the recent shooting and political rancor.”

January 15, 2011 (San Diego) -- Councilmember Marti Emerald has asked Mayor Jerry Sanders to use newly found pension savings to fund San Diego’s financially strapped public safety agencies.

The City has learned its required pension payment for the 2012 fiscal year will be about $20 million less than originally anticipated-- about the same amount demanded in public safety cuts for next year.

By Jeremy Los and Miriam Raftery

January 6, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – The red Republican wave that swept through the nation in November has officially begun its reign in the United States House of Representatives yesterday as the 112th Congress commenced. The change elevates the positions and influence of local Republican representatives, while reducing the power of San Diego’s Democratic delegation in Congress.

Highlighted by the election of Rep. John Boehner of Ohio, as Speaker of the House, yesterday today marked the beginning of what House Republicans see as a chance to move the conservative agenda forward. The Republican leadership has announced its intent to repeal President Obama’s health care bill and begin to cut government spending in their first three weeks. Democrats in Congress now are on the defensive as they are now hoping to impede the destruction of what they pushed for since 2006.

January 3, 2011 (Sacramento) – Just before leaving office, outgoing Governor Arnold Scharzenegger yesterday appointed State Senator Dennis Hollingsworth to a lucrative $128,000 a year position on the state Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board. Hollingsworth (R-Murrieta), whose district included San Diego’s East County, left office due to term limits.

By: Jeremy Los

December 23, 2010 – So much for the “lame duck session” on Capitol Hill. The last winter session after an election, before the new Congress is sworn in, is often an uneventful time of farewells. The 111th Congress, though, seemed determined to end the year with a bang, bringing meaningful legislation to the forefront as exiting members of Congress strived to put their stamp on the future of our nation in a big way.

Major bills passed include repeal of the military’s `don’t ask, don’t tell’ ban and a bill to improve food safety. Bills that fell short, without enough votes, include the Dream Act, which would have allowed children of undocumented immigrants a pathway to citizenship, and a bill that would have paid for healthcare costs of 911 first responders.

Do you know how your representatives voted? Find out here.

Watchdog group says state law does not allow charges above 10 cents a page

December 13, 2010 (Martinez, California)– In a case that could have wide repercussions for members of the public and media outlets seeking public records from public agencies in California,, today Californians Aware (CalAware) filed a lawsuit in superior court, seeking an order to bar Contra Costa Community College District from continuing to violate the California Public Records Act (CPRA).

The district has been charging fees for copies of district records that are substantially above the "direct cost of duplication"--the maximum allowed by law, said CalAware general counsel Terry Francke.

December 11, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Services were held today for Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former presidential candidate John Edwards, who lost her battle with breast cancer.

Leon Thompson, past executive board officer in the California Democratic Party, sent an e-mail to ECM recalling his meeting with Elizabeth Edwards at the state Democratic convention in Sacramento. “She was an inspiration to me, Suzy and so many others,” said Thompson, whose wife, Suzy, later died of breast cancer. Thompson, a former Santee resident now living in Arizona, is battling cancer himself.

Watchdog activist says he will file complaints with FPPC and Attorney General; 2nd watchdog group also questioned board’s actions
 

By Miriam Raftery
 

December 6, 2010 (La Mesa)—By a unanimous vote, the Grossmont Healthcare District Board voted to recognize recently resigned board member Jim Stieringer as director emeritus and to name the District conference center after him. The Board made these votes despite a letter from Citizens Oversight Projects founder Ray Lutz stating that he believes such actions violate the law.

Terry Francke, general counsel for CalAware, a statewide watchdog group on open government issues, also questioned legality of the emeritus title and suggested that ”an attorney general’s opinion could and should be sought before action is taken” by the Board, La Mesa Patch.com reported shortly before the vote was taken.