“The City, on its own website, already supports many initiatives that show preference to some businesses over others—and rightly so, to promote the public good… Where were the so-called pro-life members of the council last night? Why, casting their votes on behalf of companies represented by an out-of-town Chamber of Commerce instead of showing compassion for unborn babies, children and families.”
 

By Meg Jensen
 

October 13, 2011 (La Mesa) – La Mesa’s City Council fell one vote short last night of joining major cities and small towns across America in becoming a “Fair Trade Towns USA” city. The resolution would not have cost the city a penny. It would, however, have enabled consumers to have information on retailers in La Mesa who have voluntarily agreed to carry at least two fair trade products certified to have been made without the use of child labor, slavery, or use of dangerous chemicals that harm workers and their unborn children.

Ruling today on smart meter opt-out for SDG&E customers sparks added interest among local ratepayers

By Miriam Raftery

October 11, 2011 (El Cajon) – SDG&E wants to hike utility rates by over 17% in the next four years.  Tomorrow, East County residents will have a chance to voice their views on the proposal at two hearings held by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The public meetings will be held at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m. at the El Cajon City Council Chambers, 200 East Main Street in El Cajon. 

An East County Magazine poll of readers has found that thus far, 93% of the 275 who voted think the CPUC should deny SDG&E's rate hike request.  TAKE OUR POLL: Should the CPUC approve SDG&E's rate hike?

The rate hike is opposed by the CPUC’s own Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA), which conducted an audit that found SDG&E inflated its costs. The DRA recommended that SDG&E lower—not raise—its rates.   

By Miriam Raftery
 

October 11, 2011 (Borrego Springs) – Judy Winter Meier, long-time editor of the Borrego Sun, has been identified as the victim of an apparent murder-suicide. Her body was found last night at her home, along with her estranged husband, Jim Meier.
 

October 11, 2011 (La Mesa) -- La Mesa City Manager Dave Witt has announced the selection of 25-year La Mesa Police Department veteran Edward (Ed) Aceves as the City’s new Chief of Police.

October 7, 2011 (Campo) – Pacific Southwest Railway Museum invites you to bring the whole family for the 8th annual old-time train ride to its pumpkin patch. Travel on a haunted train, then pick out and decorate a pumpkin to take home.

This year, the popular “Pumpkin Express” rides will be offered three full weekends from October 15 through October 30.

By Miriam Raftery

October 9, 2011 (Ocotillo) – ECM has received photos and an e-mail from Jim Pelley, a motorcyclist who reports finding metal cables strung two feet off the ground across roadways in Ocotillo frequented by off-road vehicle enthusiasts.

The cables were attached to an SDG&E helicopter “pulling cables from tower to tower,” Pelley reports.”This is a serious situation and I am worried that someone will not see this cable and a serious accident will result with either the off road vehicle or the helicopter.”

October 9, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – East County Magazine has received the following request from a reader who is having trouble obtaining refinancing on a construction loan to rebuild her home destroyed in the Cedar Fire.

October 9, 2011 (Rancho San Diego)—The Water Conservation Garden’s Executive Director, Marty Eberhardt, has announced her retirement, effective February 1, 2012, after over seven years of service to the non-profit organization. Eberhardt has been the Executive Director of The Garden since August 2004.  

October 9, 2011 (San Diego) -- San Diego State University (SDSU) has received a joint grant of $1.67 million for its Jobs Accelerator program from the Economic Development Administration (EDA), the Small Business Administration and the Employment Training Administration (ETA). 

“Our number one priority is job creation,” said Congressman Bob Filner (D-San Diego), in announcing the award. “Our region has been in dire need of this type of investment in our economy and our students. In a time when school and local budgets are being cut to the bone, this grant will go a long way to creating the good paying jobs we need, training the workforce, and help us move into a new green energy economy.”

October 9, 2011 (Spring Valley) –Tim Parton, former pianist for the Legacy Five gospel music group and 2011 musician of the year nominee by AbsolutelyGospel.com, will perform at Faith Chapel in Spring Valley on October 16.

An accomplished pianist and vocalist, Parton began playing piano at age two and is a self-taught prodigy who attributes his talents to God. In addition to performing in Nashville and other venues including his current West Coast solo tour, Parton also produced albums for Legacy Five.

East County Magazine News Service

October 9 2011 (Julian) – Rogelio Malihan, 53, died at the scene of a three-motorcycle accident shortly after noon today while riding with his son and a close friend on southbound Highway 79.

October 8, 2011 (SAn Diego) -- Would San Diego residents survive a major earthquake? They would greatly improve their chances of escaping serious injury or death by taking the safest action: Drop, Cover and Hold On. San Diego County residents have three more weeks to join the nearly eight million Californians, including more than 646,000 people in San Diego County, who have already signed up for the Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill, which will take place at 10:20 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20 or 10:20 on 10/20.