April 12, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will host its 11^th annual “Grip It & Rip It!” golf tournament on May 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Sycuan Resort.

The Chamber invites participants to “ditch your suit and rock the argyle” at Sycuan Resort’s Pine Glen Executive Course for an afternoon of “golf, hilarious fun and incredible networking.” 

By Miriam Raftery

An ECM exclusive special report

"I think the organization is finished. It can't run by committee, which is what's being proposed." -- Mike Cully, former Chief Executive Officer

March 5, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) Updated 3:30 p.m. – Last week, ECM reported that the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce let go its Chief Executive Officer, Scott Alevy, and terminated the position amid dwindling financial resources.

Now Mike Cully,  former CEO of the Chamber who was fired in September 2010,  reveals that he recently won a lawsuit against the Chamber over his termination. “I feel comfortable talking about this now," said Cully, who has not spoken publicly about the issues until now.

Moreover, Cully reveals a troubled financial history at the organization he once ran. “The problems with the Chamber preceded my arrival,” he told ECM in an e-mail response requesting his comments on the Chamber's current issues. “When I was interviewing, I requested, but never got—a full download of their financial status. And for good reason, in retrospect.”

October 22, 2012 (El Cajon)--A series of free “How-To” workshops designed to help East County small business owners improve their employee productivity and performance is being offered by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District.

“We’re proud to work with the chamber to offer courses dedicated to supporting East County businesses so that they can be as productive and effective as possible,” said Cindy L. Miles, college district chancellor.

January 15, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) -- The San Diego East County Chamber of commerce celebrates 100 years of service to the business community with an elegant gala on February 4. The soiree of the century for East County business leaders will be held at the opulent U.S. Grant Hotel in San Diego.

Named for President Ulysses S. Grant, the hotel has a strong East County tie: it is owned by the Sycuan tribe of the Kumeyaay Nation. Sycuan invested $56 million restoring the national historic landmark hotel to its former grandeur. Located on land once home to the Kumeyaay, the Grant has hosted presidents and celebrities, ran a speakeasy during Prohibition, and became a hallmark of women’s rights in an event known as the "Grant Grill Invasion."

October 6, 2011 (La Mesa) – How will federal health care reforms impact the health of your business and employees? The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce presents a free program tonight, featuring a panel that includes physicians, representatives from the hospital and insurance industries, the County health department, and a human resources/employment law specialist.

The program will be held tonight, October 6 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Grossmont Healthcare District, 9001 Wakarusa Street in La Mesa.

By Miriam Raftery

August 25, 2011 (Rancho San Diego) – The weather was sultry and the political discourse even hotter at Politics in Paradise last Friday night, hosted by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce in the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College.

 Congressmembers Bob Filner and Duncan Hunter, Assemblyman Brian Jones and former Senator Denise Ducheny fielded questions on a broad range of issues, from jobs and healthcare to a new stadium for the Chargers. The evening yielded insights, humor, and surprises.

Story by Miriam Raftery; Photos by Mark and Miriam Raftery

August 2, 2011 (Alpine) -- "Oh, you're beautiful!" San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce President Scott Alevy exclaimed as his wife, Joanne, dished up a forkful of chicken.  But he wasn't complimenting her cooking. Instead, Alevy was admiring Raja--a 500-pound Bengal tiger that Joanne was feeding after winning a drawing at Lions, Tigers & Bears (LTB) in Alpine.

The Chamber hosted a fundraiser to benefit the big cat rescue facility last weekend, donating 100% of proceeds to help this worthy cause while providing a memorable experience for Chamber members. View our video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFhE9h-O0Uw

by Miriam Raftery

July 10, 2011 (San Diego)--“Hunger is at record levels here in San Diego,” John Lucero Criswell with the San Diego Hunger Coalition told members of the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce during a breakfast Friday at Mission Trails Regional Park.

Three food banks distribute 31 million pounds of food a year to the needy in our region, but demand has increased 10% in the past year as more people lose jobs and fall into poverty.

Teen who died at falls identified as Joseph Meram, 16, of El Cajon

Sheriff says falls will stay closed until ways are found to protect public safety

By Miriam Raftery

July 8, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – A family outing turned to tragedy when Joseph Meram, 16, hiked ahead of his relatives and wandered onto the wrong trail with his cousin over the weekend. The teen plummeted over an 80-foot cliff into a swimming hole at the base of Cedar Creek Falls.

His death has prompted closure of the falls indefinitely--and debate over the role of government in balancing accessibility vs. safety on public lands. Now Sheriff Bill Gore speaks out on the tragedy, which occurred soon after the U.S. Forest Service improved a trail to make the site more accessible—a move Sheriff Bill Gore says was well-intentioned, but resulted in serious consequences.

July 1, 2011 (San Diego) -- San Diego Sheriff Bill Gore will speak at the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce breakfast on Friday, July 8 from 7-9 a.m.  This month's breakfast will be held at the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitors Center.

January 20, 2011 (San Diego's East County)--The following local, state and national education news items are excerpted from a very informative e-newsletter published by Doug Deane, chair of the Business Education Committee at the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce.

Our picks for Deane’s top education stories from the latest issue include: 

• GUHSD Superintendent Swenson’s Newsletter
• Vacancies on the Grossmont Union-High School District Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee
• ‘No-Child’ Change has Bipartisan support
• A Challenge to States and Districts: Policies That Put the Students First
• High School to College: The New Alignment
• Financial Aid Grants on the Rise
• DREAM Act Boosts Attention on Illegal Immigrant College Students
• Learning with Disabilities
• Rethinking Advanced Placement
• College’s Policy on Troubled Students Raises Questions
• How California Ranks
• Challenging Times: California Schools Cope with Adversity and the Imperative to Do More
• School Finance Highlights 2010-11

January 13, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- Local educators are invited to join the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce on a trip to Peru July 11-19.  

Tour highlights will include:

November 19, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Women leaders in six categories were honored at the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce 2010 Women in Leadership luncheon. More than 350 guests attended the event on October 29th at the Doubletree Hotel in Mission Valley. Each year the Chamber sifts through and considers a host of qualified candidates to honor in six different categories – Business, Non-Profit, Education, Government, Healthcare and Arts/Culture/Media - at its annual luncheon. The following were this year’s winners:

Benefits East County Toy and Food Drive

November 11, 2010 (La Mesa)--The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce and Viejas Band of the Kumeyaay Nation invite you to a night of “blues and brews” during Celebrity Waiter Night at Hooleys. The event takes place Tuesday, November 23 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Hooleys Irish Pub & Grill in Grossmont Center, La Mesa. All tips and donations will benefit the East County Toy and Food Drive, serving needy children and their families this holiday season.

Proceeds benefit East County Toy & Food Drive

November 11, 2010 (La Mesa) – The San Diego East County Chamber of commerce invites you to a night of “blues and brews” during Celebrity Waiter Night at Hooleys. The event takes place Tuesday, November 23 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Hooleys Irish Pub & Grill in Grossmont Center, La Mesa. All tips and donations will benefit the East County Toy and Food Drive, serving needy children and their families this holiday season.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Ron Logan and Miriam Raftery

October 18, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Congressman Duncan D. Hunter squared off Friday night in a heated debate with Democrat Ray Lutz, a local businessman and community activist, and Libertarian Michael Benoit, also a businessman. View Two area publications described the challengers' assault on Hunter, a combat veteran. (See ECM's coverage  of the challengers' assault on Hunter, a combat veteran.  (View video of the full debate: http://www.copswiki.org/Common/M1071.) The lively exchange, sponsored by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce, was held at Cuyamaca College.

East County Magazine ran a fact check on key points rasied in the debate. Scroll down to see which claims stood up to our fact-checking team’s research, which facts were fuzzy, and who told the biggest whopper. 

September 14, 2010 (El Cajon) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will host a debate among the three ballot-qualified Congressonal candidates in the 52nd Congressional District. Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-Alpine) will square off against challengers Ray Lutz, a Democratic community activist and businessman, and Libertarian Michael Benoit, a small business owner.

The event will take place Friday, October 15th at 7 p.m. in the Communication Arts Theater at Cuyamaca College, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in El Cajon.

“Passport to the Future” brings together La Mesa, Santee and East County Chamber for business showcase on September 23

August 20, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- Applications are now available for the East County’s largest Business Showcase and Expo to be held on Thursday, September 23 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Elk’s Lodge, 1400 E. Washington Avenue, El Cajon, 92019.

“Democrats' idea of increasing taxes delays REAL budgetary reforms and stalls true economic recovery in State.”

By Mike Cully
President/CEO, San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce

August 19, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- It is disappointing that the Democratic Legislative Leaders continue to delay California’s economic recovery by increasing taxes and delaying serious budgetary reforms.

July 7, 2010 (La Mesa) – San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will feature NBC 7/39 money advisor George Chamberlain at its Power Breakfast meeting on Friday, July 9th at 7:15 a.m. Chamberlain is also host of KOGO Radio’s “Money in the Morning” show, serves as executive editor of the Daily Transcript, pens a column for the North County Times, and publishes a national newsletter titled “Investing for Rookies.”

Update:  Watch full video of the debate now posted here in 8 parts: http://www.youtube.com/user/EastCountyMagazine (on right, or click direct link to this debate:  

http://www.youtube.com/user/EastCountyMagazine#p/c/982657ADB2A569C8  ; also see:

How would you as a  freshman legislator attempt to alleviate and help address the budget crisis? http://vimeo.com/12276900.

By Miriam Raftery
 

June 3, 2010 (El Cajon ) – Seven candidates for state legislative offices fielded questions and presented their views at a candidate forum sponsored by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce Tuesday and moderated by former TV news anchor Vic Salazar at the Elks Lodge in El Cajon. Candidates clashed on views over how to turn the economy around and bring jobs to East County, with visions that ranged from slashing taxes to specific plans for actively bringing green manufacturing jobs to our region.

February 4, 2010 (La Mesa) -- Mix it up with fun and networking at Hooleys Irish Pub & Grill, 5500 Grossmont Blvd. at Grossmont Center in La Mesa. The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce joins with the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce to help celebrate the popular pub's one-year anniversary at the La Mesa location on Monday, February 8th from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

By Mike Cully

January 16, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- It’s the beginning of a new year and California’s economic hardships haven’t changed.

We face a 12 percent unemployment rate – one of the highest in the country – and a $20 billion deficit. Overtaxed and overregulated, companies are closing their doors and moving to neighboring states with lower costs to do business, and discouraged workers are leaving town in order to make a living.

I am concerned about the future of California. That’s why I am supporting Meg Whitman to be California’s Republican nominee for governor.

December 1, 2009 (Alpine) -- The San Diego East Visitors Bureau & San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce invite the public to a holiday mixer and open house/grand opening of the San Diego East Visitors Bureau. Guests are asked to bring an unwrapped gift for Stoney’s Kids East County Toy Drive while joining in an evening of festivities that includes ice skating, bowling, refreshments, and more.

August 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – The East County Chamber of Commerce and Cuyamaca College invite the public to meet Meg Whitman, Republican candidate for Governor. Whitman, former CEO of E-Bay, will speak at the Cuyamaca College Student Center from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5th.  This event is free to the public.

Whitman, a Republican, has said that her number one goal as Governor would be to “help the private sector create 2 million jobs for Californians by 2015.”