By Miriam Raftery

July 15, 2017 (San Diego) – California’s Supreme Court has ruled 6 to 1 in favor of the San Diego Association of Governments, finding that an environmental impact study for the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan is legal and complied with state law on climate change concerns. The ruling overturned only the greenhouse gas study challenge, but upheld a decision by an appellate court that ruled against SANDAG on other issues.

Overall crime rate still the second lowest in 37 years

Source: SANDAG

April 24, 2017 (San Diego) -- The number of homicides, aggravated assaults, and motor vehicle thefts in the San Diego region went up in 2016, compared to 2015, while the number of rapes, robberies, burglaries, and larcenies went down, according to the annual crime report released by the SANDAG Criminal Justice Division.

La Mesa to vote April 11 on resolution to oppose AB 805

By Miriam Raftery

April 8, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Elected leaders in numerous local cities are gearing up to oppose a state bill that critics warn weaken the voices and voting power of smaller cities on the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), as well as the Metropolitan Transit System and North County Transit District.  The bill gives more power to the city of San Diego, which critics contend will mean not enough clout by representatives from the county or other cities in the region to pass, block, or even place items on the agenda.

East County News Service

February 23, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – After Voice of San Diego revealed that SANDAG misled voters on projected revenues for the Measure A transportation initiative (see stories here and here),  seven SANDAG members said they were not informed of the botched forecast and have signed a letter calling for an investigation, VOSD reported.

East County News Service

August 1, 2016 (Lakeside) - The Lakeside Community Planning group meetings Wednesday, August 3 in the Lakeside Community Center at 9841 Vine St., Lakeside.  The formal meeting starts at 6:30, however at 6 p.m., a public viewing of plans for current and upcoming projects will be available for the public.

Coordinated system aims to improve travel-time, reliability on I-15

April 24, 2016 (San Diego) -- Officials from SANDAG and Caltrans are activating the final piece of a system designed to guide motorists around major incidents when they occur along the Interstate 15 corridor, providing travel choices and improving travel-time reliability.

August 24, 2015 (San Diego)--The California Transportation Commission (CTC), San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), and San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce are hosting a public forum on Tuesday in San Diego on road infrastructure and maintenance needs at the local, regional and state level.  The forum from 4 to 6 p.m. will be held at the CALTRANS building’s Garcia auditorium at 4050 Taylor St., San Diego.

Representatives from the CTC, SANDAG, and the Chamber will discuss the reasons for California’s deteriorating transportation system, and potential short-term and long-term funding solutions to stabilize road repair and maintenance funding. Topics to be covered include:

Rooftop solar rules and objections to SANDAG “San Diego Forward” EIR are among key topics

East County News Service

July 11, 2015 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa City Council will meet Tuesday, July 14 at 6:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers.

Items of interest on the agenda include an ordinance to streamline rooftop solar applications, traffic calming measures proposed for Harbinson Avenue,  and a letter to SANDAG regarding the regional draft Environmental Impact Report San Diego Forward. Appointments to City commissions will also be made.

By Miriam Raftery

April 25, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) has released a $200 billion, 35-year regional growth plan for the county titled "San Diego Forward: The Regional Plan."   The plan lays out visions for transportation, sustainability and growth through 2050 including higher density land use along transportation corridors.

Several public hearings will be held including a May 13^th hearing at 6 p.m. in La Mesa’s community center.  But thus far, no hearings have been schedule in East County’s mountain, desert or rural areas.

East County Magazine asked the County why no hearings are scheduled in those areas. We pointed out that rural, mountain and desert areas lack public transit, making it difficult for residents to travel long distances to attend hearings in San Diego or even La Mesa.  In response, the County indicated it could hold additional workshops potentially if a community group to partner with could be found.

Applications Due March 20

December 26, 2014 (San Diego)--To incentivize projects that promote smart growth, as well as increase walking, biking, and transit usage, SANDAG is calling on local jurisdictions to submit applications for $15 million in competitive grants available under its TransNet Smart Growth Incentive Program (SGIP) and TransNet Active Transportation Grant Program (ATGP).

North Coast Corridor Public Works Plan/Transportation and Resource Enhancement Program has “dire consequences to public health, climate change, and coastal integrity” says Duncan McFetridge, Cleveland National Forest Foundation co-director

East County News Service

August 10, 2014 (San Diego)--The Cleveland National Forest Foundation (CNFF) has sent a formal request to the California Coastal Commission to postpone project approval for the North Coast Corridor Public Works Plan/Transportation and Resource Enhancement Program (PWP/TREP). This project would expand and widen areas of Interstate 5 between La Jolla and Oceanside.

McFetridge has long contended that transit problems encouraging sprawl anywhere in the county puts added pressure on forests in the inland regions.

Throughout June and July, SANDAG will hold community workshops countywide to solicit public input on the biggest issues facing the region between now and 2050 – including the economy, environment, energy, transportation, public health, land use, borders, and social equity. Iinput gathered at these workshops will be used to develop San Diego Forward: The Regional Plan. The SANDAG Board is expected to adopt the plan in 2015.

A workshop in East County will be held on  June 27 from 6-8 p.m. in the  La Mesa Community Center, Arbor View Room, 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa.  For a full list of workshops, scroll down.

By Miriam Raftery and Janis Mork

February 15, 2013 (La Mesa)--It’s not often that a mayor accuses a councilmember of lying in a public meeting, or that a councilmember contends the mayor is engaging in schoolyard banter.  Both happened in La Mesa this week, where Mayor Art Madrid and Councilmember Ernie Ewin engaged in a terse dispute over appointments to three regional boards plus travel expenses.

January 15, 2013 (San Diego)--SANDAG invites the public to review and comment on the draft Public Involvement Plan (PIP) that will be used to support the development of a consolidated regional plan. The review period ends February 7, 2013. Comments should be directed to David Hicks at david.hicks@sandag.org.

By Patrick Osio

December 1, 2012 (San Diego)--The election of Bob Filner as Mayor of San Diego can have positive trans-border economic growth with his plan of San Diego’s opening an office in Tijuana for direct and timely communications with that city’s mayor, other city and state officials and business and community leaders. It's long overdue.

To be sure, the idea of closer cooperation between the cities of San Diego and Tijuana have been important with former San Diego mayors as most recently exemplified by Mayor Jerry Sanders who had a strong and amicable relationship with the former and present Tijuana mayors. Going back to Pete Wilson who worked closely with Tijuana city, state and federal agencies on the location of the Otay Mesa  Port of Entry, and Susan Golding establishing a direct telephone (Red Line) between her office and then Mayor of Tijuana, Hector Osuna Jaime, after the devastating El Niño storms that crippled Tijuana’s economy.