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DEVELOPMENT IS KEY ISSUE IN SANTEE CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 RACE: HEAR OUR INTERVIEWS



 

East County News Service

November 1, 2018 (Santee) – This is the first election in which Santee residents cast votes by district. In District 1, Councilman Rob NcNelis, a market leader with a mortgage banking company and former Chamber of Commerce president, is running against Evlyn Andrade-Heymsfield, a software engineer and business owner who worked at U.C. Berkeley’s school of public health as a program manager and chair of the staff advisory council.

Key issues are development vs. quality of life, as well as how to address the city’s budget deficit. Andrade-Heymsfield claims her opponent puts developers’ interests over those of residents; she pledges to oppose Fanita Ranch. McNelis says he’s voted against some developer donors’ projects and votes for what's best for Santee. He pledges to keep government small and out of people’s pockets; Andrade-Heymsfield says she has ideas for new revenue sources to address the city’s deficit without raising taxes. 

We interviewed both candidates on KNSJ 89.1 FM radio. Hear the full interviews by clicking the audio links (Evlyn Andrade Heymsfield audio and Rob McNelis audio) plus read highlights below.

Audio: 

Evlyn Andrade-Heymsfield interview
Rob McNelis interview

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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW WITH MAYOR BILL WELLS ON HIS REELECTION CAMPAIGN





Listen to our interview by clicking this link



East County News Service

October 26, 2018 (El Cajon)—Mayor Bill Wells sat down for an in-depth interview with East County Magazine Show’s producer Miriam Raftery.

You can hear the full interviewed aired on KNSJ Radio at the audio link, or scroll down for highlights as he discusses his achievements as Mayor and his goals for the city if reelected.

Audio: 


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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW: CHARDÁ FONTENOT, LMSV SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE ON RESTORING RESPECT AND CLOSING ACHIEVEMENT GAP

 

Reform candidates’ slate reveals opponents used deceptive tactics, including fake photo, misleading claim on backing by teachers, and scare tactic over theater program

Listen to our interview aired on KNSJ

East County News Service

October 26, 2018 (La Mesa) – Chardá Fontenot is representing a slate of three candidates running to bring changes to the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District board. She says  she wants to increase transparency, bridge the achievement gap between minority and white students, bring back sixth grade camp, increase revenue sources and restore respect by board members to students, teachers and parents. 

She’s also criticized an opposing slate for deceptive tactics used in their campaign, including running a fake candidate photo and misleading voters on which slate has backing from the LMSV Teacher's Association.

Fontenot has served as a district advisory council representative, parent volunteer, and currently chairs the school site council. A mother who once attended schools in the district herself, she’s also  a certified lactation counselor who owns a lactation business.

Hear her full interview on KNSJ 89.1 FM at the audio link and scroll down for highlights.

Audio: 

Interview with Charda Fontenot, LMSV candidate

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OUR AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER 2018 RADIO SHOWS ARE NOW ONLINE

October 28, 2018 (San Diego's East County)-- Our August and September 2018 radio shows are now online. For links to listen to the shows plus an index with full list of topics and interviews, click "read more" and scroll down. (Audio files may take a few moments to load).

Our interviews included author Richard Carrico, Claudio Erickson of Unplugged Village, all four candidates for La Mesa City Council (previously published in our politics section) and discussion of the top issues across our region and our nation.

The East County Magazine Show airs Mondays and Fridays from 5 to 6 p.m. on KNSJ, 89.1 FM.  Our shows rerun on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.  (Note, our August shows reran on Fridays due to staff vacations.) Read more and listen to our August and September shows below:

Audio: 

ECMShow8-3-2018
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BUDGET CRISIS TOPS CONCERNS FOR LEMON GROVE COUNCIL CANDIDATES



By Miriam Raftery

Photos, top row--Challengers Kamaal Martin and Teresa Rosiak, bottom row--incumbent Councilmembers Jennifer Mendoza and Jerry Jones.

October 14, 2018 (Lemon Grove) – With Lemon Grove facing a budget deficit and 78% of its general fund spent on public safety, the City Council faces tough choices. Should the city consider the drastic step of disincorporating and reverting back to county control? Or can the city be saved through revitalization by bringing in new businesses, or by raising taxes? Proposals for the latter failed to win passage with the current Council majority, leaving the city faced with dipping into its reserves in the next fiscal year if the finances don’t improve.  

Those are among the issues addressed in our interviews with all four candidates, as well as concerns over crime, marijuana dispensaries, street repairs and more.The candidates are  incumbent Councilmembers Jennifer Mendoza and Jerry Jones, as well as challengers Teresa Rosiak, a medical credentialing specialist and former Chamber of Commerce president, and Kamaal  Martin, an educator with state and county governmental experience.

Hear our interviews aired on KNSJ radio by clicking the audio links below this story, and scroll down to read highlights from each interview.

 

Audio: 

Kamaal Martin interview
Teresa Rosiak interview
Jennifer Mendoza interview
Jerry Jones interview

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HEAR OUR INTERVIEWS: JULIAN-CUYAMACA FIRE CHIEF, PARAMEDIC AND FIRE SURVIVOR SPEAK OUT TO SAVE THEIR FIRE DEPARTMENT

 

"Since the inception of the San Diego County Fire Department in 2008, this county has lost over 400 volunteer firefighters, boots on the ground that were guarding their homefront...That's sad." -- JCFPD Battalion Chief Mike Van Bibber

“Ranchita in the month of June this year was covered six days. That’s all.” – Karen Kiefer, JCFPD firefighter-paramedic, on services after the County Fire Authority began its takeover of the volunteer department  June 1st.

"They came and found us...it was dark, the embers were everywhere...the roof was on fire," Lori Foss says of JCFPD volunteer firefighters who saved her life and her home during the 2007 Witch Fire

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District firefighter-paramedic Karen Kiefer and Chief Mike Van Bibber

 

October 11, 2018 (Julian) – The battle to save the Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District, the last volunteer fire district in San Diego County, has reached a heated pitch. Residents are gathering signatures seeking to block the takeover by the County Fire Authority approved by the Local Agency Formation Commission in September, before an October 16th public protest meeting with LAFCO.

On our radio show on KNSJ, East County Magazine interviewed the JCFPD battalion Chief Mike Van Bibber, along with firefighter-paramedic and former emergency medical services director Karen Kiefer, a well as Lori Foss, who lost her home in the 2003 Cedar Fire and had her home and family saved in the 2007 Witch Creek Fire by Julian’s volunteer firefighters. They believe that the takeover will leave Julian and surrounding areas less safe due to longer response times by engines coming from farther away, with no “home team” to respond quickly to medical emergencies, car accidents or structure fires.  Click the audio link to hear the full interview, or scroll down to read highlights.

Audio: 

Interview with JCFPD Chief Mike Van Bibber, firefighter-paramedic Karen Kiefer and fire survivor Lori Foss

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STRAW BALE HOME IN CAMPO HONORED AS ENERGY CHAMPION BY SDG&E, WILL BE FEATURED ON GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL TOUR OCT. 21

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: Simple Construct

 

 

Hear our interview on KNSJ radio with homeowners Brian and Susan Fallgren, Simple Construct builder Rebeca Tasker, and SDG&E communications manager Helen Gao.

 View video on the home’s construction and view tour of the finished residence. 

July 14, 2018 (Campo) – Inspired by historical California adobe homes,  Brian and Susan Fallgren in Campo teamed up with Simple Construct to create a straw bale and adobe home that is beautiful, comfortable even in extreme heat, fire resistant and energy efficient—producing more power than it uses. 

The home has also won numerous honors.  It’s the first residence in Southern California to receive net zero certification through the Living Building Challenge, one of only 27 homes in the world to win this recognition.  A participant in the California Advanced Homes Program, it was also a winner in  the San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) 13th annual  Energy Showcase Awards and will be featured on the San Diego Green Building Council’s Green Homes Tour on Sunday, October 21.

“It’s an incredibly functional, comfortable home to live in, not only from an environmental standpoint, but from an every day livability standpoint,” Susan Fallgren says.

Audio: 

Interview: Straw Bale Homes--Helen Gao of SDG&E, Rebecca Tasker of Simple Construct, & Campo homeowners Brian and Susan Fallgren

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HEAR OUR INTERVIEWS: FOUR CANDIDATES VIE FOR LA MESA CITY COUNCIL

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Dave Myers, Bill Baber, Akilah Weber and Guy McWhirter

 

September 29, 2018 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Councilmembers Bill Baber and Guy McWhirter are running on their records. Their challengers, retired Sheriff’s commander Dave Myers and physician Akilah Weber, are running on the slogan “Elect a cop and a doc.” East County Magazine sat down with all four candidates on our radio show, originally aired on KNSJ. 

Key issues in La Mesa include affordable housing and development vs. community character, downtown revitalization, crime and public safety, public health,  marijuana regulations, the city’s climate action plan, and a potential new library.

You can click the audio links at the bottom of this story to hear each interview, and scroll down for highlights. Candidates are listed in the order that they scheduled their interviews.

Audio: 

Interview with Dave Myers, La Mesa City Council candidate 2018
Interview with Bill Baber, La Mesa City Councilmember on candidacy 2018
Interview with Dr. Akilah Weber, La Mesa City Council candidate 2018
Interview with Guy McWhirter, La Mesa City Councilmember on candidacy 2018

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LA MESA VOTERS TO DECIDE ON MARIJUANA BUSINESS TAXES: BABER PROPOSES COUNCIL ALSO LEGALIZE RECREATIONAL ADULT USE

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

Hear our interview with Councilman Bill Baber on marijuana measures, originally aired on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audio link

September 13, 2018 (La Mesa) --The La Mesa City Council has approved by a 5-0 vote a ballot measure, Proposition V, which would allow the city to put a business excise tax on cannabis businesses in  La Mesa.  The tax, if approved, would be paid by the businesses, not consumers. The city’s finance departments estimate that the measure could raise $1.5 to $2 million per year.

“As a separate matter, we’re working on an adult use ordinance that would bring the opportunity for adult use businesses to come alongside medicinal,”  reveals Councilman Bill Baber in an interview with ECM on KNSJ Radio.  He envisions allowing dispensaries already complying with medical marijuana sales requirements to be the first to carry recreational cannabis.

Audio: 

Interview with La Mesa Councilman Bill Baber on marijuana measures

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LISTEN NOW: OUR JUNE AND JULY 2018 RADIO SHOWS ARE NOW ONLINE

 

Our June and July 2018 radio shows are now online. For links to listen to the shows plus a full list of topics and interviews, click here or click "read more" and scroll down. (Sound files may take a few moments to load).

We covered the June primary races, wildfires in East County, efforts to help West Fire survivors, controversies involving El Cajon Councilman Ben Kalasho, the fight to save the Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District, major land use controversies, and more.

Our newsmaker interviews included  Dana Law who hiked the Pacific Coast trail, Rebecca Tasker, a straw bale home builder with Simple Construct, along with homeowners of a straw bale home and SDG&E’s Helen Gao on help for energy efficient building, East County Chamber president Eric Lund on the Passport Through Time event, and more.


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LISTEN NOW: OUR MARCH-MAY 2018 RADIO SHOWS ARE NOW ONLINE

 

Our March, April and May 2018 radio shows are now online. For links to listen to the shows plus a full list of topics and interviews, click here, or click "read more" and scroll down. (Sound files may take a few moments to load).

Our interviews included wildlife biologists Tommy Hough and Renee Owens on their adventures in the field and conservation efforts, Sheriff Bill Gore, El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, legal thriller novelist Teresa Burrell, judicial candidate Matt Brower, Assembly candidate  Larry Wilske, County School Board candidate Eric Lund, Victor Crosswaithe Contreras on a historical script-writing contest, and investigative journalist Greg Palast. (Note: candidate interviews were previously posted separately before the election and are now also available in complete show files.)

We also covered hot local, state and national issues including school gun violence, a lawsuit over powerline easements in East County, a lawsuit against  Lemon Grove Councilman Arambula , El Cajon Councilman Kalasho accused of false real estate filings, homelessness, the Trump-Russia investigation, family separations, La Mesa’s new farmer’s market, an initiative to limit growth in Santee, Earth Day activities and more.


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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW: DANA LAW, HIKER WHO COMPLETED PACIFIC CREST TRAIL

Law will speak today at the El Cajon Library on his Pacific Crest Trail adventure

 

By Miriam Raftery

June 16, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – Dana Law is a magician, but he’s recently completed a feat that required no magic—just a lot of willpower and walking.  He hiked the entire Pacific Crest Trail, from the Mexican border to Canada. The trail runs 2,650 miles – the equivalent of climbing Mt.  Everest 16 and a half times.  He did it in 31 sections over 13 years.  In an interview with East County Magazine aired on KNSJ,  the intrepid local hiker discussed his adventures along the way, also offering advice to those who may wish to tackle the trail.

Click the audio link to listen to our interview, and scroll down for details on today's event, plus links to his blog and Facebook page, where you can find a journal he kept of each stretch along the route.

For Law, his motivation wasn't all about nature, though he has stated, "The trail symbolizes everytihng there is to love--and protect--in the Western States." To him, the real treasure of the trek are the bonds built with friends along the way, and the accomplishment of fulfilling a rigorous physical challenge.

Audio: 

Interview with Dana Law, Pacific Coast Trail hiker, on KNSJ

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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW: ERIC LUND, CANDIDATE FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

May 31, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) –  Last week, we interviewed Eric Lund, candidate for San Diego County Board of Education in district 3, on our radio show. Lund is president of the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce and also teaches business classes Grossmont and Southwestern Community Colleges. In addition he heads up the East County Homeless Task force and is a member of the East County Adult Education Alliance. The district encompasses most of East County as well as parts of San Diego.

Hear the full interview, originally aired on KNSJ Radio, by clicking the audio link, or scroll down for highlights.

“I’m so much an advocate of great education. I love teaching,” says Lund, who has taught for 17 years and was inspired by his grandfather, who headed up SDSU’s English Department for many years. “I really feel that our education system that is ranked one of the lowest in the United States can and should do better.”

Audio: 

Interview with Eric Lund, candidate for San Diego County School Board

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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW: MAYOR BILL WELLS, CANDIDATE FOR CONGRESS

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

May 25, 2018 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, candidate for the 50th Congressional district currently held by Rep. D. Duncan Hunter, sat down for an  interview with East County Magazine’s show on KNSJ radio. In his interview, he spoke about both conservative values and a need for compassion in addressing a broad range of issues, as well as how his experience heading up the city of El Cajon has prepared him for serving in Congress, if elected.

Hear the full interview by clicking the audio link and scroll down for highlights.

Asked why he decided to run, Wells says, “It really started with elected officials across the region worried about the Congressman being under criminal investigation.”  Both Wells and Hunter are conservative Republicans. 

To Wells, the race is primarily about character and integrity. In a thoughtful and in-depth interview, he also discussed some areas where his views differ, such as budget cutting priorities and restraint with nuclear weapons, as well as some initiatives of his own in healthcare and treatment of the mentally ill.

Audio: 

Interview with Mayor Bill Wells, candidate for Congress

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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW: LARRY WILSKE, RETIRED NAVY SEAL RUNNING FOR ASSEMBLY

 

 

May 18, 2018 (San Diego's East County)-- Larry Wilske is a retired Navy Seal, running as a Republican challenger to incumbent Randy Voepel in the 71st Assembly district. Voepel, also a Republican, is facing allegations of "stolen valor" or inflating his military record.

Wilske belives integrity is the core issue in his race against Voepel. In our interview aired originally on KNSJ Radio, Wilske talks about the ethics concerns, as well as his stances on issues impacting California statewide such as education, sanctuary state laws, and healthcare.

A resident of Descanso in San Diego's East County, he also shared his views on rural issues including fire preparedness, water, power shut offs and jobs.  Hear our full interview with Larry Wilske by clicking here.

Audio: 

Larry Wilske, 71st Assembly candidate

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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW: FINANCIAL TIPS FROM JONATHAN ZIDE, CABRILLO CREDIT UNION VICE PRESIDENT

 


 

By Miriam Raftery

May 18, 2018 (San Diego) – What should consumers know about saving money and choosing a financial institution?  What’s the difference between credit unions and big banks?  When does a home equity line of credit make sense, and what are new options when shopping and financing a car?

These are among the questions East County Magazine asked Jonathan Zide, vice president of Cabrillo Credit Union, which has branches in La Mesa, San Diego and Carlsbad. The local company has been serving our region since 1955, starting out helping federal Border Patrol agents. Today, it’s open to everyone.

Audio: 


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SCRIPT-WRITING COMPETITION SEEKS LOCAL HISTORICAL CHARACTERS FOR TWAINFEST PRESENTATIONS

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

Deadly is May 31 to submit scripts for Twainfest August 18 in Old Town

May 6, 2018 (San Diego) – Victor Crosthwaite Contreras, an actor, educator and descendant of two Spanish soldiers who served at the San Diego Presidio, sat down with East County Magazine on KNSJ Radio for an interview about a script-writing competition that seeks to depict historical characters from the 1800s in our region.

Hear his interview, along with his dramatic historical interpretive reading of infamous bandito Joaquin Murrieta on whom the legend of Zorro was based, by clicking the audio link. Fior more information, scroll down.

Audio: 

Victor Crosthwaite Contreras interview and dramatic reading

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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW: SHERIFF BILL GORE MAKES CASE FOR REELECTION

 

Hear our interview at this audio link, or scroll down for higlights.

By Miriam Raftery

 

May 6, 2018 (San Diego) – In an exclusive interview aired recently on the East County Magazine Show on KNSJ radio, Sheriff Bill Gore said San Diego is the “safest urban county in America” and touted his nine-year record, also addressing controversies. Hear the full interview at the audio link above, or scroll down for highlights.

Gore has a 44-year career in law enforcement, including serving as Assistant Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), where he helped pioneer a cyber crimes squad and joint terrorism task force. A Navy veteran raised in San Diego, he comes from a law enforcement family and is married to one of the FBI’s first women agents. His department serves the county’s unincorporated areas and contracts with nine local cities, including Lemon Grove and Santee here in East County.

Audio: 

Sheriff Bill Gore interview 2018 on KNSJ

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GREG PALAST TO SPEAK IN SAN DIEGO MAY 1ST AT SHOWING OF DOCUMENTARY ON “THEFT” OF ELECTION: HEAR OUR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

 

 

Our interview with Greg Palast originally aired on the East County Magazine Show on KNSJ 89.1 FM You can  listen now by clicking the audio link .

By Miriam Raftery

April 27, 2018 (San Diego) –  Acclaimed investigative journalist Greg Palast will be appearing and speaking at a showing of his award-winning documentary film, “The Best Democracy Money Can Buy: Case of the Stolen Election” on Tuesday, May 1st at the Joan B. Kroc Peace & Justice Center theatre at the University of San Diego (5998 Alcala Park, San Diego).

Audio: 

Interview with Greg Palast April 2018

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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW WITH TERESA BURRELL, AUTHOR OF LEGAL THRILLERS, MYSTERIES AND CHILDREN'S BOOKS

 

Listen now! Click the audio link .

By Miriam Raftery

April 24, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- Teresa Burrell, local author of the award-winning Advocate Series, The Tuper Mystery Series, as well as three children’s books, sat down for an interview this week on the East County Magazine Radio Show on KNSJ.  Click the audio link above to listen now. 

Our Bookshelf host, Reina Menasche, spoke with Burrell about her passion for protecting children as well as her love of literary endeavors.  A teacher-turned-attorney, she has dedicated her life to helping children in the classroom and the courtroom. 

Many of her novels are inspired by actual legal cases. She is the author of The Advocate Series of legal thrillers which now contains nine novels. The Advocate’s Felony received the San Diego Best Mystery Award, and six of the books have received the International Readers’ Favorite Award.

Audio: 

Teresa Burrell interview

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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

OUR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2018 RADIO SHOWS ARE NOW ONLINE: LISTEN NOW

 

Our January and February 2018 radio shows are now online. For links to listen to the shows plus a full list of topics an interviews,click here  or click "read more" and scroll down. (Sound files may take a few moments to load).

Our interviews included Congressional candidate Shamus Sayed, Mandi Matti on efforts to help an El Cajon family after a fire, Brad Weber, publisher of La Mesa Magazine, former Supervisor Pam Slater-Price and Mark Jackson on the Save Our San Diego Countryside initiative, and Ramona mystery novelist Joyce Strand. Plus we covered hot issues including homelessness, power outages, immigration, marijuana legalization, actions of local councils, Congressional controversies, new parks in our region, and much more.

The East County Magazine Show airs Mondays and Fridays from 5 to 6 p.m. on KNSJ, 89.1 FM.  Our shows rerun on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.  Read more and listen to our January-February shows:

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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

LISTEN NOW: OUR DECEMBER 2017 RADIO SHOWS ARE NOW ONLINE

 

Our December 2017 radio shows are now online. For links to listen to the shows plus a full list of topics an interviews, click here or click "read more" and scroll down. (Sound files may take a few moments to load).

Our interviews included El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, Assembly candidate James Elia, and Sullivan Solar President Daniel Sullivan. We covered hot issues from efforts to reduce firefighters’ suicides to resources to help wildfire survivors, as well as charitable giving to help people in need over the holiday season.

 The East County Magazine Show airs Mondays and Fridays from 5 to 6 p.m. on KNSJ, 89.1 FM.  Our shows rerun on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.  Read more and listen to our December shows:

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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

LISTEN NOW: OUR NOVEMBER 2017 RADIO SHOWS ARE NOW ONLINE

 

Our November  2017 radio shows are now online. For links to listen to the shows plus a full list of topics an interviews, click here or click "read more" and scroll down. (Sound files may take a few moments to load).

Our interviews included Don Harrison, author of 77 Miles of Jewish Stories,  Bob Hartsfield on Rotary Club’s music competition, and Dash McTavish of Food Not Bombs on protests against El Cajon’s ban on feeding the homeless in parks. Plus we covered top issues from wildfires and power outages to a major deal to save the East County Performing Arts Center.

 The East County Magazine Show airs Mondays and Fridays from 5 to 6 p.m. on KNSJ, 89.1 FM.  Our shows rerun on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.  Read more and listen to our November shows:

Audio: 


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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW: BRAD WEBER, LA MESA MAGAZINE PUBLISHER

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

 

February 11, 2018 (La Mesa) – His motto is “community, kids and causes.” 

Brad Weber, publisher of the brand new Discovering My City: La Mesa Magazine and other community pubilcations in our region, sat down for an exclusive interview with East County Magazine on KNSJ radio. 

You can hear the full interview at the audio link below this story, and scroll down for highlights.

Audio: 

Interview with Brad Weber, Discovering Our City - La Mesa Magazine

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TRANSLATOR WHO HELPED U.S. MILITARY SAVES BABY FROM FIRE, BUT HIS FAMILY IN EL CAJON LOSES EVERYTHING

 

 

Hear our interview  on KNSJ with Mandy Mattis, No One Left Behind, on the Shurish family, how you can help this local hero and other translators relocated here after risking their lives to help Amreican troops.

By Miriam Raftery

February 1, 2018 (El Cajon) – Targeted by the Taliban for helping the U.S. military as a translator in Afghanistan, Ahmed Shurish fled his homeland with his wife and children, leaving everything else behind.  They arrived here just seven months ago, building a new life in El Cajon.

But now his family has once against lost everything, this time in a fire in which Shurish heroically saved his neighbor’s baby from the flames. So the community is pulling together to help this hero and his family rebuild their lives yet again.


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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW WITH SHAMUS SAYED, MODERATE REPUBLICAN RUNNING AGAINST REP. DUNCAN HUNTER

 

 

 

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

Hear our full in-depth interview, originally aired on KNSJ 89.1 FM radio, by clicking the audio link.

January 28, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – Shamus Sayed, a Republican running in the 50th Congressional District for the seat currently held by Rep. Duncan Hunter, calls himself a fiscally conservative, socially moderate Republican.  He says he’s running, “because I want to make a change” and because he wants to bring “integrity and accountability” to the offices.

Rep. Hunter is under criminal investigation by the Justice Department for alleged use of campaign funds for lavish personal expenses.  A federal grand jury has recently been convened, raising the potential for an indictment, though Hunter has stated recently that he has no intentional of stepping down.

Audio: 

interview with Shamus Sayed, 50th Congressional District candidate

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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

HEAR OUR INTERVIEW: EL CAJON MAYOR BILL WELLS

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 28, 2017 (El Cajon)—El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells was our guest for an in-depth interview on our radio show last week.  You can hear the full interview, originally aired on KNSJ, by clicking on the “audio” link.  Our topics included the performing arts center, a major new goal for helping the homeless, and economic revitalization in the community.

Mayor Wells shared details about the city’s exciting new partnership with Live Nation to reopen the East County Performing Arts Center.  The Mayor, who plays several musical instruments, recalled how music made a big difference in his own life.  “It was the first thing I was really good at,” he reflected, also sharing a humorous anecdote about how he talked his way into the school band as a youngster growing up.

Audio: 

Interview with El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells Dec. 2017

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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

LISTEN NOW: OUR OCTOBER 2017 RADIO SHOWS ARE ONLINE

 

Our October 2017 radio shows are now online. For links to listen to the shows plus a full list of topics an interviews click here or click "read more" and scroll down. (Sound files may take a few moments to load).

Our newsmaker interviews included a two-part chad with Chida Warren-Darby on domestic violence and African-American issues and Emma Higgins, Grid Alternatives, on creating job training and solar opportunities for low income people locally.  We also covered top local and national issues, from wildfires across California to the Las Vegas mass shooting s and defunding of Children’s healthcare, as well as top local stories such as the hepatitis A outbreak, homelessness and invasive Aedes Egypti mosquitoes.

The East County Magazine Show airs Mondays and Fridays from 5 to 6 p.m. on KNSJ, 89.1 FM.  Our shows rerun on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.  Read more and listen to our October shows:

Audio: 


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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

HEAR OUR INTERVIEW: JAMES ELIA, ASSEMBLY CANDIDATE RUNNING AGAINST RANDY VOEPEL

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 21, 2017 (San Diego's East County) -- Last week, East County Magazine sat down with James Elia, a Democrat running in the 71st Assembly district against Republican Assemblyman Randy Voepel. Hear our interview, originally aired on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audio link.

Elia, an accountant, has set his sights on establishing a state bank -- a goal he estimates would bring in enough revenues to fund universal healthcare for all Californians. 

He is running on a populist platform that includes creating more affordable housing in East County, bringing economic development and good-paying jobs to the 71st Assembly district.

Audio: 

James Elia interview on 71st Assembly candidacy

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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

NEW SDG&E RATES WILL MAKE SOLAR COST MORE--UNLESS YOU HAVE A BATTERY BACKUP

 

 

Hear our interview with Daniel Sullivan, founder of Sullivan Solar, by clicking the audio link

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Battery storage unit on garage wall

December 18, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Many solar customers are unaware of new time-of-use rates that took effect December 1st. In an interview with ECM on KNSJ Radio, Sullivan Solar founder and president Daniel Sullivan explains that if you bought solar between June 30, 2016 and Dec. 1, 2017, your rates will be going up sharply after a five-year grace period. Rates for use during evening hours are doubling; a typical family will pay 143% more than in the past. If you buy solar in the future, your rates will also be higher, starting immediately.

But there is a solution:  buy a back-up battery, which will not only lower your rates, but also provide backup power to keep your electricity on during future power outages. Back-up batteries, with subsidies, can be financed out for only about $20 a month – and you’ll likely save $100 a month on your electricity bill, says Sullivan. Rebates end in June 2018, so there's a strong incentive to get a battery soon before the rebates run out.

Audio: 

Interview with Daniel Sullivan, Sullivan Solar, on battery back-ups

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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

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