Printer-friendly version
Photos: East County Chamber President Eric Lutz and three fresh faces running for local offices: Laura Koval for Santee City Council, Teresa Rosiak-Profitt for both Lemon Grove Council and Grossmont-Cuyamaca school board, and Jeff Griffith for State Senate.
By Miriam Raftery
September 1, 2018 (El Cajon)—Some 20 candidates and public officials flocked to “Politics in Paradise” hosted by several local chambers of commerce Thursday night at the Water Conservation Garden.
This year, the format did not include a panel discussion or questions, but rather guests had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with candidates. Each candidate also had 30 seconds to introduce themselves, with moderator Barry Jantz indicating any who ran over would get the “hook.” Most gave just the basics – name, what they’re running for and how to find them – though a few managed to get some zingers in.
“I’m the only candidate who’s not on criminal probation,” quipped El Cajon Councilman Gary Kendrick (photo, right), taking a jab at his opponent, Ben Kalasho, who was not present. Kalasho is on probation after pleading guilty to worker’s compensation fraud.
Helix Water District Board member Dan McMillan said he’s running on a platform of “promises made, promises kept” after voting against water rate hikes. He’s running against Jim Stieringer, who formerly served on the Grossmont Healthcare District Board, Grossmont High School District Board, and La Mesa City Council.
Lemon Grove Councilwoman Jennifer Men
doza (photo, right) said she’s been canvassing neighborhoods meeting with residents who besides increasing public safety and improving streets, want new restaurants, breweries, wineries and places to shop in Lemon Grove.
That prompted La Mesa Councilman Guy McWhirter (photo, left) to impishly invite Lemon Grove residents to come dine and shop in La Mesa, which now has an emerging restaurant row with a wine tasting room and brew pub downtown.
Mendoza is running against Councilman Jerry Jones and Teresa Rosiak-Profitt, both running on fiscal responsibility platforms, and Martin Kamaal, an educator and former assistant to the California AAWNVKT Speaker.
McWhirter and fellow La Mesa Councilman Bill Baber are squaring off against physician Akilah Weber, daughter of Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, and Dave Myers, a retired Sheriff’s commander. La Mesa Mayor Mark Arapostathis is running opposed, a testament to his popularity despite leaving the Republican party and running with no backing of any political party.
El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells (photo, right) spoke about accomp
lishments including $44 million in reserves, which he says is triple that of most other cities of the same size, the upcoming reopening of the East County Performing Arts Center and bringing a new Marriott Courtyard Hotel and Mercedes Benz dealer to town, though he acknowledged homeless remains a problem being worked on. .He’s running against Helix Water Board director Joel Scalzitti and program manager Robert Weaver Jr.
Santee Councilman Ronn Hall (photo, left) brought supporters holding up campaign signs for his social media photo op. His opponent is Rudy Reyes, an archaeologist and Cedar Fire burn survivor.
In other Santee races, Vice Mayor Rob McNelis is running against website developer and business owner Evelyn Andrade-Heymsfield under new district elections. Laura Koval, Santee Lakes recreation director, is running against retiree Lynda Marrokal, who spoke about her long roots in the community, and Zack Giannino, a college liaison.
Cal Fire Captain Jeff Griffith toted a sign touting his support from firefighters in fire-prone East County. He is running for State Senate against Santee Councilman and former Asssemblyman Brian Jones.
There were also candidates and officials from a smattering of other offices ranging from school boards to healthcare district.
The most notable no-show was indicted Congressman Duncan Hunter, though organizers said both Hunter and Congresswoman Susan Davis were unable to attend due to pressing legislative schedules in Washington D.C.
Guests also sipped and noshed on wines (photo, left, Granite Lion Cellars) and foods from local restaurants and wineries amid the paradise-like setting at the Water Conservation Garden, located on the campus of Cuyamaca College in the Rancho San Diego community of unicorporated El Cajon.
Recent comments