Mary Sessom

EX-LEMON GROVE MAYOR MISSED CAMPAIGN FILING DEADLINES, DRAWS FPPC NOTICE

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 10, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – The Fair Political Practices Commission published a notice of a possible $1,013 fine against Mary Sessom, former Lemon Grove Mayor for missing campaign filings and annual fees.  


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JERRY JONES TAKES STAND AGAINST REPEALING LEMON GROVE’S WELCOMING CITIES ORDINANCE

 

By Jonathan Goetz

October 19, 2016 (Lemon Grove) -- At prior meetings citizens have voiced concerns over marijuana. But at last night’s Lemon Grove City Council meeting, instead of pot they were talking about potholes.  Council also heard arguments that the city lacked priorities when it passed a Welcoming Cities Resolution.  The resolution was modeled after a White House initiative to help newcomers by assisting refugees and immigrants integrate into communities.


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LEMON GROVE MAYOR RESPONDS TO THREATS AGAINST HER FAMILY OVER WELCOMING COMMUNITIES RESOLUTION

 

Lemon Grove Council highlights:  public speaks out on immigrants resolution and cannabis dispensaries; Council approves new housing development

By Jonathan Goetz

October 11, 2016 (Lemon Grove) — Lemon Grove Mayor Mary Sessom spoke at Tuesday’s City Council meeting to denounce threats circulated on Facebook by people opposed to the City Council’s “Welcoming Communities Resolution,” an affirmation of inclusion for refugees displaced by war and violence that Council approved.


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EAST COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOSTS Q & A SESSION WITH LOCAL POLITICIANS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Politics in Paradise" showcases hot issues--and partisan divide in East County

Story and photos by Sharon Penny

Hear an audio report by Janis Russell: http://kiwi6.com/file/t3ud7qryhp

 

Photo, left to right:  CA Senator Joel Anderson, County Treasurer Dan McAllister, Supervisor Dianne Jacob, Assemblyman Brian Jones, Lemon Grove Mayor Mary Sessom, and Congressman Duncan Hunter

August 8, 2014 (El Cajon)--Six East County politicians participated in a lively question and answer session under the stars at Cuyamaca College's Water Conservation Garden during a mild summer evening on August 7.

The location for the annual event hosted by the joint Chambers ofCommerce in East County was apropos because the state’s water issue was a hot topic discussed by local leaders. The site exemplified ways that constituents could help with the current drought. Other issues debated at the event were welfare, immigration, the local craft beer industry, using public pension funds to invest in affordable housing, providing incentives to private developers, Proposition 13, high-speed rail, and even Shamu.


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CITY OF LEMON GROVE HOSTS GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY TO COMMENCE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW MAIN STREET PROMENADE JULY 19

 

City’s Highly-Anticipated, Sustainable Redevelopment Project Moves Forward
June 11, 2012 (Lemon Grove) -- Construction is set to begin next month on the highly-anticipated Main Street Promenade Redevelopment Project in Lemon Grove. The public is invited to join regional public officials for the groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, July 19 at 3:00 p.m. on the 3500 block of Main Street, just north of Broadway.

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LEMON GROVE SCRAPS RECREATION DEPARTMENT, ELIMINATES MOST YOUTH SPORTS



May 5, 2011 (Lemon Grove) – A packed audience turned out Tuesday in Lemon Grove, where the cash-strapped city’s council voted 3-2 to eliminate the Recreation Department. Around 20 members of the community addressed the council, which also opted against outsourcing programs to the YMCA.

“All the community people who spoke were in favor of keeping the city’s youth programs,” said Councilman George Gastil, who voted against axing the department.


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EAST COUNTY MAYORS REACT TO HOMELESS COUNT FINDINGS

 

By Jeremy Los

 

“This issue has received band-aid approaches to fix it when it needs a tourniquet.” – La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid

 

“We look at them as a resource… they are the eyes and ears of the community… they certainly know when something is going on.” – El Cajon Mayor Mark Lewis, on the homeless in his town

 

 "I do not feel there needs to be a regional center for the homeless in East County." -- Lemon Grove Mayor Mary Sessom

 

"I am not in the homeless business." - Santee Mayor Randy Voepel

 

April 26, 2011 – Four East County mayors shared their reactions on a new study on the many homeless in our region. Their views differed dramatically on how to address the homeless problem.  In addition, three of the four mayors questioned the study findings and voiced doubts on the numbers of homeless people listed in their cities. 

 

According to the 2011 Point-In-Time Count by the Regional Task Force on the Homeless, East County is now home to 8.9% of San Diego County’s homeless population, with El Cajon staking claim to the highest number of homeless people. However, the majority of El Cajon's homeless are in shelters--while in other East County communities, the homeless are living on the streets, in cars, or camped along riverbeds.  


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READER’S EDITORIAL: DEFEND OUR COMMUNITY SERVICES AND REC DEPT. FROM DESTRUCTON MAY 3

A community leader and historian contends that the City's proposal to eliminate its recreation department is a lemon--and that residents will be squeezed.

 

By Helen Ofield, president, Lemon Grove Historical Society

 

April 26, 2011 (Lemon Grove) – [Councilman] Tom Clabby has given permission to release to you his response to Howard Cook's bizarre email. Please see below. Cook, who ran as a budget wizard, is evidently unable to fathom the same budget figures you and I have been reading.

 

Poison pen letters like the one to Tom, wild statements to media (Channel 10 a couple of days ago, Union-Trib, etc.) to spread inaccurate statements, skewering long-time, skilled, city employees, attempting to divide the council on trumped-up fiscal issues -- all of this is a throwback to the bad old days when we suffered with a rogue councilman, who also touted himself as a financial wizard. The said rogue has long since been discredited, but not before nearly destroying the Senior Center with his budget mismanagement. In other words, history is repeating itself.


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LEMON GROVE MOVES CLOSER TO SHUT-DOWN OF PARKS & RECREATION DEPT.

April 8, 2011 (Lemon Grove) – By a 4-1 vote, the Lemon Grove City Council ordered staff to come up with a plan to shut down its Parks & Recreation Department, outsource programs for children and adults to the YMCA, but find a means to keep other functions of the department.

 

Those functions include leasing recreation buildings to community groups and operating city events, such as the holiday bonfire and concerts in the park. Staff will present its report to Council on May 3rd.


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LEMON GROVE PROCLAIMS PRIDE DAY JULY 10

 

July 6, 2010 (Lemon Grove) – The City of Lemon Grove has issued a proclamation declaring July 10th “Pride Day at Your Lemon Grove Library.” Ron deHarte, emcee of the Pride Celebration, was the victim of a hate crime that occurred in Lemon Grove last summer while participating in an equal rights torch relay that passed through Lemon Grove.

 


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WALK SAN DIEGO HONORS LEMON GROVE'S MAYOR SESSOM WITH SPECIAL AWARD


City of La Mesa and City Heights Community Center also among honorees in San Diego's eastern regions

May 22, 2010 (San Diego) – Walk San Diego’s recent Golden Footprint Awards included a special recognition to Lemon Grove’s Mayor Mary Sessom for “outstanding vision and leadership in promoting walkable communities.”

 

 


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