By Miriam Raftery

August 18, 2014 (El Cajon)—Mark Arabo, a national leader among Chaldean Christians in the U.S., has announced plans to lead a “massive” group of Iraqi Christians in a “peace walk to end genocide in Iraq” Tuesday in El Cajon. 

Hundreds of thousands of Iraqi Christians and other minorities have been displaced from their homes, murdered or mutiliated in attacks by  ISIS terrorists in Iraq who now call themselves the Islamic State. A prayer vigil earlier this month for Iraq Christians held in El Cajon drew an estimated 2,000 people.

August 13, 2014 (Sacramento)—Today, the California Fire Chiefs Association has issued the following news alert with updates on firefighting and wildfire preparedness efforts statewide:

August 14, 2014 (Washington D.C.)-- As part of $300 million in grants from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) announced that $1.02 million would go to fight homelessness among veterans in San Diego. Vietnam Veterans of San Diego will be the recipient of the VA grant.

Opponents voice constitutional concerns over deal, file a  Grand Jury complaint

By Janis Russell

August 13, 2014 (El Cajon)-- At yesterday’s El Cajon City Council meeting, members voted 4-0 to move forward with discussions on a partnership between the East County Performing Arts Center and the Rock Church. Pro Tem Mayor Gary Kendrick recused himself from this agenda item because of a “financial conflict of interest.”

The proposal drew strong support from church members and local business interests, but garnered strong opposition from some arts supporters and citizens concerned over constitutional issues.  Today, Karen Marie Otter, an El Cajon resident and former Congressional candidate, informed East County Magazine that she has sent a letter of complaint to the County Grand Jury asserting that she believes the deal violates the First Amendment of the Constitution, which requires separation of church and state.

By Mimi Pollack

August 14, 2014 (San Diego)--The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Humane as “being marked by compassion, sympathy, or consideration for humans or animals.” This is a good description of Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of the San Diego Humane Society and co-host of Animal House on NPR.  Giving back to society and helping animals in need has been Dr. Gary Weitzman stated mission in life.

August 13, 2014 (San Diego's East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL

• Iraqi Christians in San Diego fear U.S. airstrikes are too late in Iraq (Los Angeles Times)
• Filmmaker taking a fond look back at ‘70s and ‘80s La Mesa (UT San Diego)
• Green Technology Building Code Changes Approved For San Diego County (KPBS)
• San Diego Bucks California’s Trend in Biz Relocation (Voice of San Diego)
• San Diego Businesses, By the Numbers(Voice of SD)
• La Mesa gets a new brewery (La Mesa Today)
• San Diego's Police Officer Retention Problems Hit New Low (KPBS)
• Risk assessment report moves Valley Center closer to its own fire department (Valley Center/Times Advocate)
• Sempra under investigation, says Mexican Press (SD Reader)

STATE

• California Lawmakers Reach Compromise On Revamped Water Bond (KPBS)
• In dry California, water goes to those who drill the deepest (Al Jazeera)
• Other view: Groundwater mining is exploitation of shared resource (SacBee)
• THE NEW DIGITAL BREED OF FIRE COMMAND (FastCompany.com)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

August 13, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - School is back in session so let’s have class in some basic safety tips.  First, use extra caution while driving as excited students will be walking, bicycling, driving, riding buses and may not be paying attention while traveling to and from school. Yes, if we ever need you to put down those cell phones and pay attention is now reminds Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.”

By Miriam Raftery

August 13, 2014 (San Diego)--Bribery. Conspiracy. Illegal possession of firearms. Those are among the 26 charges just filed against Jose Susomo Azano, the Mexican businessman alleged to have made illegal campaign donations to local politicians including District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, former San Diego Mayor Bob Filner and Congressman Juan Vargas, whose district includes the southeast portion of East County as well as San Diego’s border region and portion of Imperial County.

By Miriam Raftery

August 12, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County  includes some festive options for these hot August nights, from concerts to a dive-in movie.  Major charitable events are also taking place including a fashion show to benefit disabled adults in East County and an art lovers night atop Mt. Helix.  Plus we’ll have a sneak preview of activities later this month – including Julian’s StarFest and the start of pow-wow season.  Stay tuned for all these events and more on East County Magazine’s Destination East County!

“A vote is too precious to limit.” – No Term Limits in La Mesa slogan

East County News Service

August 11, 2014 (La Mesa)--With the slogan “A vote is too precious to limit,” a group of La Mesa residents has joined together to form No Term Limits in La Mesa, to oppose a term limits initiative  in the city of La Mesa that will be on ballots this November. The group asks the public’s help to spread the word through a people-powered grass roots campaign using word of mouth, a website (www.NoTermLimitsInLaMesa.com ), social media and downloadable graphics to print your own flyers, car signs, posters and T-shirts.

The group objects to term limits on principle, Kristin Kjaero explained, saying “The Founding Fathers didn’t give us term limits, they gave us the Bill of Rights which guarantees our right to free expression. The most fundamental form of that expression is our vote, which allows us to put teeth behind our opinions.”

By Miriam Raftery

NextEra hopes to build its solar farm close to SDG&E’s new substation, continuing the industrialization of rural Jacumba Hot Springs.

August 10, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – For planners and residents in East County, keeping track of proposed industrial solar projects has begun to resemble a tiresome game of Whack-a-Mole: one vanishes and another pops up in its place.

By Miriam Raftery

August 12, 2014 (San Diego)--A local legislator says she has received threats over introducing a bill that would help poor mothers afford diapers for their children, 10 News reports. 

AB 1516 would give $80 for diapers to every family with a child under 2 years old, if the family qualifies for CALWORKS, the state’s program that helps welfare recipients get jobs.  

The high cost of diapers prevents many parents from returning to work, since most child care centers require that children wear disposable diapers, so reusing cloth ones is not an option during working hours.

By Miriam Raftery

August 12, 2014 (El Cajon)—El Cajon’s City Council will vote at today’s 3 p.m. meeting on directing staff to pursue a draft final agreement with Rock Church for establishing a partial lease of the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC).  The deal would also authorize Rock Church to lease land adjacent to the theater to construct a new building for the church that would be partially available for city use.

The measure is on the consent calendar, however ECM has received several e-mails from community members who are concerned  about separation of church state issues and about the long-term loss of the theater for public use during a significant number of hours each year.  They want to see any leasing decisions halted until the city follows up on its promises to hire a professional theater management company.

By Miriam Raftery

August 8, 2014 (Boulevard)—Donna Tisdale is the elected chair of the Boulevard Community Planning Group and has long been a champion fighting for rights of rural residents against an onslaught of industrial-scale development proposals.  So why did Soitec Solar snub Tisdale in three invitation-only meetings with residents on Soitec’s controversial industrial-scale solar projects in Boulevard, held at a private ranch?

"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.