By Buck Shott

A Roundup of the latest national, state and local political news
 

March 1, 2010 -- As filing deadlines fast approach, who's in, who's out, and who's still on the fence?  Find out here!

February 25, 2010 (Lakeside) – Lakeside residents who say they feel “burned” by several elected fire board directors who terminated Fire Chief Mark Baker have launched a recall election to oust two of those members.

February 23, 2010 (San Diego) – Congressman Bob Filner (D-San Diego) recently introduced H.R. 4488, the National Wildfire Infrastructure Improvement & Cost Containment Act.

“It is about time that we properly recognize our brave federal wildland firefighters and make sure they are on par with other federal firefighters,” Filner said in a newsletter to constituents. “Congress must provide American citizens with the strongest, most cost-effective, and efficient federal wildfire response possible to meet the challenges and complexities of wildfires in the 21st Century.”

 
 
By Miriam Raftery
 
Mike Thaller also contributed to this report
 
Updated February 25
February 23, 2010 (San Diego) San Diego County Republican Party Chairman Tony Krvaric has told East County Magazine writer Mike Thaller that he did not send a “vile” e-mail harshly critical of Mason Weaver, one of three Republicans in the 53rd Congressional District primary race. An email bearing the return address tonykrvaricreport@hush.com was sent to local media yesterday urging an investigation into Weaver. Krvaric said he called authorities to ask if laws were broken.

February 22, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- At its February 17, 2010 meeting, the Helix Water District Board of Directors adopted a resolution supporting the $11.14 billion water bond set for the November 2010 ballot.

View a video of the full meeting, recorded by www.CitizensOversight.org  here:  blip.tv/file/3260117

FACT CHECK SITES REVEAL CORPORATE FUNDING BEHIND TEA PARTIES; 

POLLS SUGGEST MOST FOLLOWERS ARE UNAWARE OF ACTUAL TAX RATE CHANGES

February 20, 2010 (El Cajon) – T.E.A. (“Taxed Enough Already”) Party protesters rallied in an El Cajon park yesterday, turning out despite drizzly weather. “We were happy with our big turnout considering the weather conditions,” organizer Barry Willis told East County Magazine. Just how big that crowd was, however, has become a point of contention.

 
February 18, 2010 (San Diego) – Assemblywoman Mary Salas (D-Chula Vista) has announced plans to run for the 40th State Senate seat. Senator Denise Ducheny (D-San Diego) will be stepping down due to term limits. Running on the campaign slogan, “a real Democrat,” Salas was honored as Legislator of the Year in 2009 by the San Diego County Democratic Party for her legislation that benefited senior citizens, children and veterans.

Should cities and counties be barred from starting up public power entitities to compete against utility giants such as SDG&E--and offer clean energy options to residents?  Voters to decide.
 

February 17, 2010 (San Diego) – A June ballot initiative seeks to change California’s constitution to make it harder for cities and counties to give residents alternatives to buying power from utility companies. The measure is funded by Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E). It would require a super-majority (two-thirds) vote for local governments to create new forms of public power entities through Community Choice Aggregation (CCA).

By Buck Shott

February 12, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) - Politics and rodeos have a lot in common. Both are tough and gritty—and unwary competitors are apt to wind up in the dirt. Here’s the rundown on the latest colorful political wrangling in races impacting our region.

ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR BALLOT INITIATIVE TO LIMIT LABOR SPENDING
 
February 11, 2010 (San Diego) – U.S. Senate candidate Carly Fioriona (www.carlyforcalifornia.com ), speaking at the Fairbanks Republican Women's luncheon on Tuesday, pledged to apply her business leadership skills to “grow the economy and cut spending.”
 
She is battling two Republican challengers, former Congressman Tom Campbell (www.campbell.org) and Assemblyman Chuck DeVore (www.chuckdevore.com) , in the June primary. The winner will square off against Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer (www.senate.boxer.gov and www.barbaraboxer.com ).

 
February 3, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The filing deadline for some November races is just days away. Four Republicans have announced intentions to run for the 77th Assembly District currently held by Joel Anderson, but thus far no Democrat has thrown a hat in the ring. Likewise, Congressman Hunter faces an easy coast to victory for reelection this fall, since there’s no Democratic opponent for his seat, either. Many local seats including city councils, mayors, as well as school, planning, water and fire boards also have only Republican candidates--or vacancies with no candidates at all.

By Miriam Raftery

February 2, 2010 (La Mesa)--In an exclusive interview, La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid offered his perspectives on the past year and the coming one. Despite challenging economic times for communities across America, La Mesa has weathered the storm in better shape than many.  Mayor Madrid provides insights into the city’s successes, future challenges, and new initiatives on the horizon—including consolidating some services with neighboring communities, revitalizing the downtown village, starting a community garden, and gearing up for the city’s centennial celebration in 2012.

 
HIGHLIGHTS, NATIONAL & LOCAL REACTIONS TO SPEECH
 
View video of speech: http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2010-state-union-address
 
Read full text of speech: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-state-union...
 
January 28, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – In his State of the Union speech, President Barack Obama pledged to make job creation a priority, along with helping America’s families who have been shouldering “the burden of working harder and longer for less; of being unable to save enough to retire or help kids with college.”
 
He outlined specific goals to create new jobs, provide tax credits and other help for small businesses, reduce college costs, encourage innovation, increase exports of U.S.-made products and eliminate tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas.

Citizens oversight group forms, will consider recall of board members

January 27, 2010 (Lakeside) – Residents of Lakeside directed heated criticism at the Lakeside Fire Protection District board. In a meeting last night, citizens charged that the Board failed to provide adequate explanation for the firing of Chief Mark Baker.

“You guys are in serious trouble, and you’re accountable for your actions,” Dennis Richardson, a lifetime Lakeside resident, told the board. “You guys need to be taken to the woodshed, because you did not listen to Lakeside.”

 
 
 
January 25, 2010 (San Diego) – Ten out of 11 local legislators made the California Small Business Association Honor Roll for 2009, in recognition of their voting records to protect the interests of small businesses. Conspicuously absent from the list was State Senator Dennis Hollingsworth (R-Murrieta), whose district encompasses the bulk of East County.

 
 
January 21, 2009 (El Cajon) - A community meeting on the future of the East County Performing Arts Center has been postponed until Wed. Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. due to tonight's stormy weather.  For details, see our previous story at http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/2603.

Move ignites anger among many community members; residents convene meeting Friday to discuss recall of Board members

January 20, 2010 (Lakeside) – By a 3-2 vote, Lakeside’s Fire Protection District on Saturday voted to oust Fire Chief Mark Baker, despite testimony from 18 members of the public who all spoke in favor of renewing Baker’s contract.

By Miriam Raftery

January 19, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – San Miguel Fire Protection District voted Thursday to charge drivers who cause accidents for the costs of emergency services. Proposed fees range from $390 to $2,100. The plan has sparked heated debate among community members.

Chief August Ghio says similar measures have been imposed in other communities around the U.S., including North County Fire District locally. Fire districts in Lakeside and Chula Vista are considering similar moves, he added.

January 17, 2009 (Alpine) San Diego Gas and Electric’s current proposal for Sunrise Powerlink, including undergrounding high-voltage power lines along Alpine Boulevard, was not well received by 400-plus people at a meeting on January 14th. County Supervisor Dianne Jacob convened the meeting to show the community information left out of the latest report submitted by SDG&E to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in Sacramento.

January 13, 2010 (Sacramento) - The Sacramento Bee has launched a new database where you can look up the voting record of every state legislator in California. Wondering how often your legislator broke party ranks, missed a vote or voted to support your interests instead of special interests?

January 1, 2009 (La Mesa) – A special meeting of the La Mesa City Council will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 7, 2010, in the auditorium of La Mesa Dale Elementary School, 4370 Parks Avenue, La Mesa, California. The purpose of the special meeting is for community and Council members to discuss La Mesa and its future.

By Miriam Raftery
 

December 17, 2009 (El Cajon) – The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) has fined Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) $20,000 for soliciting and accepting donations over legal limits. The FPPC also fined the Fresno Central Committee $29,000 for laundering money from major Anderson donors including Hamann Construction family members, Sycuan and Barona Indian bands, then funneling hefty sums back into Anderson’s campaign coffers. Anderson has since returned more than $100,000 in donations.

Fines were levied shortly after Anderson’s annual holiday party last week, where he posed for photos with hundreds of constituents. Outside the party, protesters used a loudspeaker to inform party-goers of the controversy, carrying signs that read “Jail Joel” and calling for the Assemblyman to resign.

SAN DIEGO -- (December 16, 2009) – The Campaign to reform San Diego County government announced today it has passed the next crucial milestone for appearing on the June 2010 ballot when the San Diego County Registrar of Voters qualified the signatures this week.

Registrar of Voters Deborah Seiler found that the measure qualified for the ballot after her office projected the campaign to have submitted 118 percent of the required 77,837 signatures needed to appear on the June ballot.

Congressman Filner provides update on funds with breakdown by Congressional districts

By Miriam Raftery

December 12, 2009 (San Diego) – More than $250 million has been allocated for the San Diego region through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for transportation and infrastructure projects, according to figures released yesterday by Congressman Bob Filner (D-San Diego). Filner is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which recently held a hearing titled The Recovery Act: Progress Report for Transportation Infrastructure Investment.”

 
December 14, 2009 (Washington) – In a newsletter to his constituents, Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) issued criticism of the Obama administration fiscal policies and called for changes to provide tax relief for Americans and help small businesses boost job creation.

“As 2009 comes to a close, we are all preparing and building hope for the future while still keeping in mind our shared experiences and lessons learned over the last year,” Hunter stated, noting that the economic decline has impacted millions of Americans.

Protest planned outside over donation controversy

December 8, 2009 – Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon) invites constituents to his annual open house from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight at his offices at 500 Fesler Street, Suite 201, in El Cajon. Guests will be offered hors d’hoeuvres and refreshments as well as an opportunity to meet their legislator and have a photo taken with him. In the past, the event has drawn hundreds of visitors.

By Miriam Raftery
 
December 3, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – California’s Fair Political Practices commission staff has recommended that Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) pay a $20,000 fine for collecting campaign donations that violated state law. Anderson has already refunded around $150,000 in donations made by non-local Republican Central Committees that funneled money received from major donors in San Diego County including SDG&E, Hamann Construction family members, and the Barona Band of Mission Indians.

December 2, 2009 (San Diego)--Assemblymember Mary Salas (D-Chula Vista) raised $6000 with proceeds from her annual Veteran of the Year Luncheon. In early November she presented the California State Military Museum Foundation and the Purple Heart Memorial Fund with checks for $3000 each.

November 25, 2009 (San Diego) – Dave Roberts is dropping out of the Democratic primary in the 50th Congressional District. In a letter sent to supporters this evening, the Solana Beach Councilmember issued the following statement: