How many massive energy projects are too many for one rural community to absorb?
“They want to put these all out here, because we’re throwaway country people.” – Howard Cook
By Mia Myklebust and Miriam Raftery
February 16, 2012 (Jacumba) – Walking along the shores of Lake Jacumba, it’s clear that Howard Cook has big dreams for his community. Chairman of the Lake Restoration Committee, he has wrested a pledge from the Audubon Society to restore the once-dry lake.
“We want to have fishing, boating, and recreation,” he says. Cook is working with others who dream of “making this another Taos—art, wildlife, hiking, Indians and birds.”
But there’s trouble on the horizon. Multiple industrial-scale wind and solar farms soon stand to surround this tiny town, jeopardizing its most cherished natural treasures. Sites include publicly owned recreation lands, notably a spectacular scenic gorge known to locals as “our Grand Canyon,” Cook points out.
Jacumba is a proverbial canary in the coal mine—a warning of what other publicly-owned preserves and rural communities across America may soon face.
February 16, 2012 (San Diego) – State Senator Juan Vargas came to the California Democratic Convention hoping to find support for his campaign to fill Bob Filner’s seat in Congress.He won the party endorsement—but has lost support from many here. A group of activists surprised Vargas in the hall and presented him with a “Spineless Rubber Chicken” award for twice ducking a vote on SB 810, a landmark healthcare reform bill opposed by the insurance industry.
Insurers reportedly spent $1.46 million to elect Vargas to the Legislature. His Congressional campaign has taken another $140,000 in insurance and pharmaceutical contributions, as ECM previously reported http://eastcountymagazine.org/node/8577
Proposed Pay Raises Defy all Logic During These Economic Times, Kostrinsky says
February 17, 2012 (San Diego) – When the seven members of the City of San Diego’s Salary Setting Commission unanimously proposed to increase the salaries of Councilmembers from $75,000 annually to $175,000 annually while increasing the Mayor’s salary from about $100,000 to $235,000. City Council candidate for District 7, Mat Kostrinsky has come out against the proposal.
“The official casualty count of Iraq and Afghanistan is 5,000 plus killed and about 45,000 wounded…You know how many men and women have approached the VA for help for war-related injuries from those two wars? Almost a million," said Congressman Bob Filner. "We need to take care of these kids when they get back here…Veterans are THE issue for Democrats.”
By Miriam Raftery and Mia Mykleberg
February 16, 2012 (San Diego) –Thousands of soldiers are returning home to San Diego County as the Iraq war ends and troop draw downs occur in Afghanistan.
At the California Democratic Party’s newly formed Veterans’ Caucus, Congressman and Mayoral candidate Bob Filner, former Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives, laid out detailed plans to welcome home veterans with respect and hands-on help--including establishing a Veterans' Office for San Diego if he is elected Mayor.
Reproductive Justice Still Hot Topic as 50th Anniversary of Landmark Case Approaches
February 16, 2012 (San Diego) -- Reproductive rights is the focus of Thomas Jefferson School of Law's 12th Annual Women and the Law Conference on Friday, February 24, 2012. The highlight of the conference will be the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Lecture, which will be delivered by Dr. Sarah Weddington, the Texas attorney who made history when she successfully argued the landmark Roe v. Wade case before the United States Supreme Court.
February 16, 2012 -- (San Diego’s East County) – ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflecting all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:
WORLD
Israelis: Iran behind Bangkok bombings: coordinated attacks around the world (CNN)
Israel warns US Jews: Iran could attack here (ABC)
Heightened security in U.S. over Iran threat (ABC)
February 15, 2012 (Lakeside) –A manhunt is on for a hit-and-run driver following a collision at 7:56 p.m. at Highway 67 and Riverford Road involving a white car and a Toyota pickup. According to the CHP website, the suspect fled on foot and a search is on in the vicinity of Woodside Avenue.
February 15, 2012 (Washington, D.C.) -- Two San Diego Congressional representatives, Susan Davis and Bob Filner, have taken steps to clean up the secret money plaguing our political system. Both Democrats have joined colleagues in cosponsoring the Disclose 2012 Act (H.R. 4010) to require disclosure of the corporate and special interest money in politics.
February 15, 2012 (Poway) — Representative Duncan Hunter (R-El cajon)--announced today that he will host another community job fair, in partnership with the East and North County Career Centers, and the San Diego North and Poway Chambers of Commerce. The event will be held February 24, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon in the Poway Community Center auditorium, 13094 Civic Center Drive. Admission is free.
February 13,2012 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Centennial Committee invites you to join in forming a human “100” to honor La Mesa’s 100th birthday. A “Century of Smiles” photo shoot will take place on February 18 at 7 a.m. on the upper level of the Grossmont Center parking garage. Refreshments will be provided, plus free t-shirts to the first 300 participants.
February 15, 2012 (Pennsylvania) -- Reprinted with permission from FactCheck.org (a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania)
February 14, 2012 (El Cajon)—A suspect wanted in a January home invasion robbery remains on the loose tonight. Late this afternoon, police with guns drawn surrounded a black sedan with tinted windows matching the suspect’s vehicle description on I-8 in La Mesa.
Bill would be paid for by closing a tax loophole for out-of-state corporations
By Megan McGlamery
February 14, 2012 (Sacramento)--In an effort to make college more accesible for students of all economic backgrounds, Assembly Speaker John Pérez (D- Los Angeles) has introduced the Middle Class Scholarship Act. This groundbreaking piece of legislation could cut fees in the California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) systems by two-thirds for students whose family incomes are less than $150,000 and who do not already receive financial aid.
February 12, 2012 (San Diego) – At this weekend’s California Democratic Convention, the statewide party issued pre-primary endorsements in three Congressional races but declined to make an early endorsement in two other races.
February 14, 2012 La Mesa -- On March 1, 2012, the La Mesa Police Department will be presenting a personal safety seminar which is open to the public. This seminar will consist of both lecture and demonstration by La Mesa Police Department’s Defensive Tactics Instructors and they will address a number of personal safety questions. What do street predators look for in a victim? What do you do if you find yourself in a dangerous situation? How do you quickly escape danger in the event of an assault? These questions will be answered during this seminar. This seminar is designed for adult men and women.
February 12, 2012 (San Diego) – Declaring it time to “regain control of the people’s House from the special interests,” California Democratic Party Chairman hosted a joint press conference with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in San Diego, site of the 2012 California Democratic Convention themed “Battleground California.”
February 14, 2012 (San Diego)--The 14th Dalai Lama, spiritualleader of Tibet, will make his first trip to San Diego April 18 and 19 for public events at San Diego State University, the University of San Diego and the University of California, San Diego.
The Compassion Without Borders symposium will include three major public events:
February 14, 2012 (Lake Murray) -- One of the royalty members of the skies in the bird world is the Osprey. The king of raptors may go to the Bald Eagle, but on an equal hierarchy as the Eagle is the magnificence Sea Hawk, Fish Hawk, Sea Eagle-- more commonly known today as the Osprey.
February 14, 2012 (El Cajon)--The Cajon Valley Republican Women Federated will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 21st at 7:00 a.m. at The Pancake House restaurant, 1000 North Second Street. The guest speaker is Brian Brady, director of Stop Taxing Us, a north county based taxpayer advocacy group dedicated to holding candidates and elected officials accountable to California's taxpayers.
February 14, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--Identity theft, a growing problem, is regularly in the news. We are warned to keep our Social Security numbers safe, to not carry our SSN cards with us. But recently, I joined the ranks of Medicare recipients and, to my surprise, found that my Medicare number is my SSN number--and we are instructed to carry it with us at all times.
February 12, 2012 (El Cajon)--When El Cajon Brewing Company opened in October, it joined the ranks of San Diego’s beer elite. The growing brewery culture in San Diego had a gap in East County that this local brewery and restaurant has filled with gusto.
From filling food to an array of craft beers brewed on site this El Cajon newcomer is well worth savoring.
February 10, 2012 (Sacramento)-- Assemblymember Marty Block (D-78th District), Chair of the Assembly Higher Education Committee, has joined Speaker John A. Pérez on legislation that will keep college fees down for middle class families. The Middle Class Scholarship, which was introduced by Speaker Pérez today, will close a tax loophole for out-of-state corporations in order to cut college fees for middle income families.
How Kamala Harris played hardball and won $18 billion to help California homeowners
Story by Miriam Raftery, photos by Ron Logan
February 13, 2012 (San Diego) – Last September, the U.S. Department of Justice and attorney generals from other states were ready to sign a multi-state settlement of misconduct by banks that resulted in foreclosures.The deal on the table? An estimated $4 billion or less for California, the state hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis.Moreover, no wrongdoers would be prosecuted.
So California’s Attorney General Kamala Harris stood up—and walked out.
Her actions led to a dramatically different settlement reached last week that is expected to ultimately reach $40 billion—including an estimated $18 billion for California and $1.5 billion for San Diego homeowners.
An Open Letter To the Honorable Supervisors on the Proposed Ordinance Amending San Diego county’s Regulatory Ordinances Relating to Vector Control
By Danielle Cook
February 13, 2012 (Jacumba) --I am a resident of Jacumba, a member of JAG (Jacumba Against Gnats), Secretary of the Jacumba-Boulevard Revitalization Alliance and one of the four (total) community representatives that participated on the EGIWG committee that produced the proposed new ordinance draft.
February 13, 2012 (San Diego) -- Kroc Kids Junior Theater Company is holding a casting call for all skill levels age 7-18 for the upcoming production of “Once Upon a Mattress” with performance dates of May 25-27th. Tuesday, February 28th 4:30-6:30 p.m. is the music audition, come prepared to sing with a CD for accompaniment. Thursday, March 1st from 4:30-6:30 p.m. is for callbacks and the dance audition.
February 13, 2012 (San Diego)--Several Occupy groups came together to protest outside the San Diego Convention Center at the California Democratic Convention on Saturday.
Around 100 people, including 40 local protesters and 60 from other areas including Los Angeles and Riverside, sought to draw attention of Democratic leaders and delegates. Issues included corporate power, civil liberties, homelessness and foreclosures.
“Throughout history, it was hard for black men, with no education. They couldn’t become officers. They weren’t trained right. African-Americans were always left with the worst equipment (like hats and shoes) while the white officers made 50 cents more.” – Trooper John Green
By Megan McGlamery
February 10, 2012 (Lemon Grove) In celebration of Black History Month, the Lemon Grove Historical Society hosted members of the San Diego Chapter of the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers. Dressed in authentic uniforms, the speakers—including veterans of the famed regiment and their descendants--explained the history of the Buffalo Soldiers, as well as their importance to the San Diego community.
February 13, 2012 (San Diego) 11:00 a.m. - I-8 west is shut down due to a suicide. According to the CHP website, a man waved to passing motorists before jumping to his death off a bridge at 805. Traffic is being diverted off I-8 at Texas Stsreet and a SIG ALERT has been issued.
February 14, 2012 (La Mesa)-- The City of La Mesa has awarded a construction contract to replace the sewer pipe beneath University Avenue from Massachusetts Avenue to Harbinson Avenue. Construction is scheduled to take place at night, between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6 a.m. beginning February 15. The work is expected to take four weeks to complete.
By Miriam Raftery
Bill would be paid for by closing a tax loophole for out-of-state corporations
February 12, 2012 (San Diego) – At this weekend’s California Democratic Convention, the statewide party issued pre-primary endorsements in three Congressional races but declined to make an early endorsement in two other races.
By Joel A. Harrison, PhD, MPH
By Miriam Raftery
Recent comments