By Miriam Raftery

October 20, 2012 (San Diego)—Should SDG&E be allowed to charge ratepayers for the 2007 wildfires that it caused – as well as damage from any future fires?  The utility has sought to set up a ““Wildfire Expense Balancing  Account” (WEBA) that would allow it to recover its uninsured losses—regardless of whether the utility was negligent in failing to maintain its lines and equipment. 

This week, two conflicting draft decisions from California Public Utilities representatives are fueling further controversy.

Changes remove inspection specifications from license, reducing public and NRC review and clouding operator requirements, watchdog group says

October 20, 2012 (Washington D.C.) -- Citizens' Oversight, an El Cajon-based citizens watchdog group, submitted a formal request[1] to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regarding a license amendment request[2] by Southern California Edison (SCE) for the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (San Onofre).

By Paula Dickenson, Crime Prevention specialist, San Diego Sheriff, Alpine

October 20, 2012 (San Diego) -- Halloween is an exciting, fun-filled time for young people.  Unfortunately, it can also result in tragedy. The following safety tips are offered for parents, children, and drivers, which will help make Halloween a safe event for all.

By Miriam Raftery

October 20, 2012 (Washington D.C) – H.R. 3409 has been called the worst environmental bill ever Congress by SustainableBusiness.com. Deceptively titled the “Stop the War on Coal Act”, the bill in fact repeal major public health and environmental safeguards, even overturning Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act protections. 

Duncan Hunter and Darrell  Issa, both Republicans, voted for the bill, Congresswoman Susan Davis, a Democrat, joined with Republican Brian Bilbray in voting no. Bob Filner did not vote.

By Lauren Schmitt, MS, RD

October 20, 2012 (San Diego's East County) -- Are you worried about gaining those dreaded pounds during the holiday season?  There is no reason to accept the fact that weight gain is inevitable during the holiday season.  You have the power to stop that vicious cycle.  If your eating habits are not as healthy as you would like, use the few months prior to the holidays to make healthy changes. 

It takes six weeks to change unwanted habits, so start now.  That way, once the holidays hit, you have a healthy foundation to work with.  People who eat healthy and maintain a healthy weight year round are less likely to overindulge time after time during the holiday season. 

All six candidates have agreed to participate

By Miriam Raftery

October 22, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Want to learn more about  candidates running for the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) board?  

The public is invited to a GUHSD candidates forum on Monday, October 22 at 6:30 p.m. in La Mesa.  The League of Women Voters will moderate the forum, which is sponsored by East County Magazine. Audience members will have the opportunity to submit questions in writing and hear candidates’ views in this important race. 

October 19, 2012 (San Diego) – Distancia Events presents “The Zombie 5K Fun Run” at Mission Trails Regional Park on October 20.  The course will begin at the Equestrian Staging Area located at the intersection of SR52 and Mast Blvd.  This is a ghoulish event for the whole family.

October 18, 2012 (El Cajon) – HauntFest on Main is a new free event taking place in Downtown El Cajon on October 26, from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.  The event will kick off a week long Centennial Celebration of the City of El Cajon that focuses on the historic downtown district.  HauntFest on Main will be a family-friendly event featuring live music from over 16 bands on multiple stages.  Performers include Eve Selis, Without Au Doubt, One Eighty and much more.

By Janis Mork

October 16, 2012 (Spring Valley)- Civil engineer John Revels is running for the San Miguel Fire Board. In an exclusive interview with East County Magazine, he shared his views on his candidacy and the future of the fire district.

Revels was motivated to run because, “I got a flyer of what was going on at San Miguel fire board. I have nothing against Cal Fire; they are a great organization. I wanted to keep San Miguel independent as it’s always been [before the merger with Cal Fire]. So a year ago, I started attending meetings and talking to people, and I also went to meetings to speak to the board at Cuyamaca College.”

October 18, 2012  --  (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:

STATE

• Foreclosures drop dramatically statewide (Sacramento Bee)
• Cal-Pers approves 85% rate hike for long-term care (Sacramento Bee)

LOCAL

• State denies SDG&E bailout (10 News)
• Judge delays SDG&E trial amid noose talk (UT San Diego)
• San Diego Supervisors vote to charge poor for their Sixth Amendment rights (Citybeat)
• Lawsuit says police shouldn’t decide who is a reporter (UT San Diego)
• Unplugging wind subsidies: Looming end of wind (UT San Diego)
• Bilbray, Peters spar in first debate (UT San Diego)
• The race for La Mesa (La Mesa Today)
• State Treasurer: Fire Poway bond staff (Voice of San Diego)
• CPUC launches  probe of San Onofre, its costs (UT San Diego)
• Charter school in La Mesa ranked eighth in state in API scores
• Real DeMaio doesn’t live up to ‘taxpayer watchdog’ name (Voice of San Diego)
• SDGLN won’t accept pro-Filner ads (CityBeat)
• Trailer Parks in La Mesa? One Council Candidate Welcomes the Idea 

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

October 18, 2012 (Pala) -- The Pala Fire Department along with the Pala Band of Mission Indians will hold its 7th Annual Fire Prevention Fair on October 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pala Fire Station on Hwy 76 in Pala. This event is free and open to the public.

October 18, 2012 (La Mesa) – Biz Center Art, located in the La Mesa Biz Center presents Practicing the Present October 20 through January 2.  The opening receptions will be October 20 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.  The show will look at all aspects of the present.  Biz Center Art gallery manager Midge Hyde said, “This show runs from Fall 2012 into the new year.  I just thought it was a good time to look at where we are as artists, people and members of this community.”

By Dennis Moore

Kyocera, TurboTec, and String Quartet photos by Eric Ragin

October 18, 2012 (Tijuana)--As an American living in Tijuana, I have a unique perspective and vantage point on Tijuana Innovadora 2012, the 10-day showcase of business technology and culture in Tijuana, Mexico, that opened October 11, 2012 and ends on October 21, 2012. The eyes of the world will once more turn to Tijuana, truly a mosaic of Mexico, and discover what creativity and courage has led them to create. There’s no doubt, they are bound for greatness.

Fundraiser a success, but more help is needed:  “wish list” provided for families who lost homes

By Miriam Raftery

October 17, 2012 (Jacumba/Boulevard)—Ray Ritter, 2, and his parents are among nine families who lost everything in the Shockey Fire last month.  The home they were renting burned to the ground and they had no insurance.  But that’s just the latest in a string of tragedies for the Ritters.

“Dad died September 14,” Monica Ritter told ECM.  “His memorial service was Sept. 20 and on the 21st, our house burned down.”

ECM met the Ritter family at a fundraiser for Shockey Fire victims held last Friday at the Jacumba community center, where firefighters and community members turned out to raise $1,378.59.  The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation had already given over $3500 to the families during recovery after the fire—but now fire victims need additional help to rebuild their lives as the cold season draws near.