“…The Florida Stand-Your-Ground law should be applied such that any injuries sustained by Zimmerman were the result of Martin’s standing his ground, not the reverse. However, Americans in general should question the very premise of such laws”.—Joel A. Harrison
By Joel A. Harrison, PhD, MPH
June 3, 2012 (San Diego) -- By now most people know the basic facts of the Trayvon Martin case. On February 26, George Zimmerman, member of a neighborhood watch, spotted Martin entering a gated community where Martin and his father were visiting the father’s fiancée. Martin was returning from purchasing Skittles at a local convenience store and was talking with his girlfriend on his cell phone.
“With California’s new `top two’ primary system, only two candidates will advance to a November run-off.I’m running against two Republicans, so it’s important for Democrats to vote on Tuesday.” – Pat Hurley, candidate, 71st Assembly District
June 2, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Pat Hurley has worked in factories and on railroads. He’s turned around troubled businesses in mobile electronics, finance and sales.He’s led efforts as a nonprofit executive to create job-training programs, help low-income communities, and forge a sustainable future for our region. Now he wants to bring his experience—along with Midwest, middle class values—to the state capitol.
Hurley is the only Democrat running for the new 71st Assemblydistrict (formerly the 77th), which includes nearly all of East County.The seat is currently held by Republican Brian Jones. Another Republican, engineer John McLaughlin from Temecula, is also in the race.
June 2, 2012 (El Cajon) -- The commencements held at Cuyamaca and Grossmont colleges this week, in which more than 2,300 students received degrees or certificates, were a joyous and welcome change to the budgetary gloom that has settled over the state’s community colleges.
June 2, 2012 (Sacramento) Wednesday the Senate approved Senate Bill 961, authored by Senator Ed Hernandez, O.D. (D – West Covina), to make many of the protections established under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) part of California law. SB 961 requires every health plan, by January 1, 2014, to include guaranteed availability and renewability of health insurance coverage and protects Californians from being denied or losing health coverage because of a preexisting health condition. SB 961 also requires insurers and health plans to base premiums solely on age, geography, and family size.
BLM places "outrageous conditions on public comment" by releasing personal contact information online
June 2, 2012 (San Francisco) -- Protect Mustangs, a Bay Area-based preservation group, asks the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to revise its conditions for receiving written comment. The BLM now requires personal identifying information that BLM says it cannot safeguard, the group cautions.
What started as an issue jeopardizing public process for people who want helicopters roundups to stop has mushroomed into a free speech issue for all Americans.
June 2, 2012 (San Francisco) -- Efforts by a local group to keep Palomar Mountain State Park open were given a shot in the arm with a $20,000 grant from the California State Parks Foundation (CSPF), the San Francisco based charitable organization dedicated to protecting, enhancing and advocating for California's magnificent state parks.
June 2, 2012 (San Diego) - The Somali Family Service (SFS) is gearing up for their second Annual OceanLeaf Awards Celebration and is now accepting nominations.
San Diego is home to the nation’s second largest Somali refugee population of more than 35,000 individuals. For over a decade, the SFS of San Diego has been working hard to serve this emerging East African community, seeing it progress educationally, economically and socially.
June 2, 2012 (Lemon Grove) --The Lemon Grove Historical Society is kicking off Dr. Amorita Treganza Centennial Week with a Flamenco Potluck Birthday Party on June 3 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at her ancestral home, 3251 Kempf Street in Lemon Grove.There will be a performance by the Juan Carlos and Juanita Flamenco Dance/Guitar/Singer Troupe from 4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
A column written for the East County Magazine “Your guide to financial planning & socially responsible investing”
By: Judith L. Seid, CFP ®
President, Blue Summit Wealth Management
For a Successful Business Exit
May 30, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--Most business owners are too busy working IN their business that they forget to work ON their business. It is crucial to protect the asset that you likely have spent the majority of your life building and have a disproportionate share of your wealth tied up in. And yet, studies show that somewhere between 70 – 90% of business owners have not thoughtfully planned for their inevitable business exit and even those that do plan, oftentimes wait until the 11th hour.
June 1, 2012 (San Diego's East County)--It has been proven that ground-based wind turbines can result in issues such as environmental damage, noise and visual blight. But Altaeros Energies has brought an intriguing alternative to the table.
Altaeros has announced a breakthrough in high altitude wind power. In April, the company reports that it tested a successful prototype of a flying wind turbine, able to lift a standard Skystream turbine 1000 feet into the air--and produce far more power with the blades aloft.
June 1, 2012 (San Diego) -- The County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing June 8 at 9 a.m. on a major use permit requested for the Energia Sierra Juarez high-voltage transmission line, which would transmit power across the U.S.-Mexico border to the proposed East County (ECO) substation. The project would include three steel lattice towers approximately 150 feet in height. For full details, read more.
June 1, 2012 (Valley Center) – The Sheriff’s Valley Center Substation is receiving a new License Plate Reader (ALPR) car through a grant from the Barona Band of Mission Indians, Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Nation and the Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee which funded the $78, 673 car.
June 1, 2012 (Ramona) – Fred Ulysses Hammett, 70, an attorney from Ramona, died Wednesday in a head-on collision that also claimed the life of a mother and her three young children.
Hammett was in Texas to attend his sister’s memorial service. He was driving a rental SUV when he was struck head-on by a Ford pickup truck. The pickup was driving the wrong direction on I-20 in Mesquite, Texas and reportedly almost struck a Texas trooper’s car before hitting Hammett’s vehicle.
June 1, 2012 (San Diego) -- Four new cases of whooping cough were reported at local schools boosting the region’s total to 42 cases for the year so far, County Health and Human Services Agency officials reported yesterday.
June 1, 2012 (Jacumba) – Local artist Bill McGee is showing two pieces of his work at the Jacumba Library, 44605 Old Highway 80, during the month of June. The artwork will be for sale and McGee will donate all proceeds to the Jacumba library and the Mountain Health Center, except for a small amount to be used to replenish his paints.
June 1, 2012 (La Mesa) – In celebration of La Mesa’s 100th birthday San Pasqual Winery is offering a special Centennial Wine Tasting at its tasting room in downtown La Mesa at 8364 La Mesa Blvd.For $15 you receive 6 generous tastes of San Pasqual’s award winning wines in a keepsake 19 oz Centennial logo glass.
June 1, 2012 (San Diego)– State legislation that would have generated $500 million annually for the construction of affordable housing in California failed to reach the necessary two-thirds vote in the State Senate today and is dead for the year.
June 1, 2012 (San Diego) – “San Diegans do love their parks, but our parks could be at risk if Prop A passes,” begins District 7 Councilmember Marti Emerald in a taped statement released today by the No on Proposition A campaign. Emerald cautions San Diego voters against voting for the measure, which State Controller John Chiang, State Treasurer Bill Lockyer, San Diego’s Independent Budget Analyst and Fitch Ratings Company have all stated will cost the City of San Diego hundreds of millions of dollars each year.
Hikes and Cleanups to be Held at County Parks Around the Region
June 1, 2012 (San Diego) -- The San Diego County Department of Parks and Recreation is inviting everyone to “live well” and celebrate National Trails Day Saturday, June 2 by hiking through or helping to clean and restore trails in County parks.
June 1, 2012 (San Diego) -- If you want to vote in the June 5 Presidential Primary Election, but your schedule won’t allow you to visit your polling place Tuesday, take advantage of the Saturday voting hours at the Registrar of Voters office.
June 1, 2012 (San Diego) -- San Diego Police Department detectives from the Southeastern Division are working in conjunction with members of the San Diego Unified School District Police Department to investigate a series of abduction attempts that occurred earlier this month in the Mountain View area.
Since mid-May, four girls, ages 10 and 11 years, were followed as they walked home from Emerson Elementary School.
June 1, 2012 (San Diego) –In an exclusive interview with East County Magazine, Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher laid out his vision for our region’s future. His priorities are to “make San Diego a leader in 21st century jobs” by rebuilding the economy base,” improve public education, and rebuild infrastructure to create more walkable and livable communities, Fletcher told ECM.
A retired Marine and decorated Iraq war veteran who has worked in counter-intelligence, Fletcher has also laid out plans to help returning veterans on issues ranging from homelessness to jobs.
“I believe it’s important to have open and transparent government,” says Fletcher, who recently made headlines by announcing that he’s left the Republican party to run as an independent, shortly after the GOP endorsed Carl DeMaio for mayor.
May 31, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) -- With only days left in the 2012 primary season, no contest reflects the nature of modern California politics better then the race in the 79th Assembly District. The new California Primary system is in place this year, forcing all candidates of any party to run in what are now quasi-municipal elections. No single party may field a candidate for the fall, and the top two vote-getters of the primary-- no matter the party--will face each other in a run-off election this November.
May 30, 2012 (San Diego) –Accusations are flying in the contentious race for San Diego Superior Court seat 25.Candidate Jim Miller has been removed as a Judge Pro Tem by the Superior Court—and now he’s crying foul.
Miller claims he’s a victim of dirty politics. He’s accused one of his opponents, Robert Amador, of involvement in his ouster, a claim denied by Amador, who previously sued Miller over ballot statement claims.
Miller maintains he knows of no legitimate reason for the court to remove him from its list of approved Judges Pro Tem.
Posts on Miller’s Facebook page, however revealsome intemperate remarks made about cases he heard while serving as a Judge Pro Tem--as well as barbed criticisms of local attorneys, judges, and parties in cases he handled as a lawyer.
Transaction results in $4.9 million in savings for district taxpayers
May 31, 2012 (El Cajon) -- Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) has successfully implemented Proposition H 2006 Series bond refunding and announces a savings of $4.9 million for taxpayers over the next 11 years. The GUHSD board approved the refunding during its April 19 meeting.
May 31, 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:
U.S.
Memorial Day/Veterans issues:
Almost half of new vets seek disability (AP)
Romney tells vets dangerous world demands powerful military (Reuters)
Op-ed by President Obama: Keeping faith with our veterans (White House)
How Memorial Day glosses over the real horrors of war (AlterNet)
Other national news:
Iberdrola drops two wind projects (Tribune-Democrat)
Help wanted, but not for mid-level jobs (NPR)
More relatives, friends caring for kids (Reuters)
Democrats to offer a ‘lifeline’ for single payer healthcare (ThinkProgress)
Romney hits magic number for GOP nomination (CNN)
Military campaign money favors Obama (USA Today)
WORLD
Official: 160 girls poisoned at Afghan school (CNN)
U.S. officials among the targets of Iran-aimed assassination plots (Washington Post)
Syria condemned for massacre (BBC)
Iran hit by new cyber-weapon “Flame” (Jerusalem Post)
May 31, 2012 (La Mesa) -- Nothing says summer like dancing under the stars, and dining al fresco. Back by popular demand, Grossmont Center will host its popular summer concerts series beginning Friday evening, June 1 and each Friday through July in the Macy’s courtyard from 6-8 p.m.
May 31, 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:
LOCAL
Radioactive bluefin tuna caught off coast of California (10 News)
A special Memorial Day delivery for La Mesa (La Mesa Today)
Soccer unites refugee and immigrant kids (UT San Diego)
Fletcher campaign receives over $56,000 from donors outside of state (Reader)
Portion of Interstate 8 dedicated to fallen agent Robert W. Rosas (Backcountry Messenger)
New library, updated school for Lemon Grove (UT San Diego)
STATE
CA Senate passes bill prohibiting schools and employers from asking for Facebook passwords (Sacramento Bee)
California Democrats bid for 2/3 control of state Senate (Sacramento Bee)
May 31, 2012 (La Mesa) – In honor of La Mesa’s Centennial, on June 11 the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce will host its biggest-ever “Taste of La Mesa-Taste of the Century.” This delectable event takes place at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 La Mesa.
By Miriam Raftery
June 2, 2012 (San Carlos)—Regina Johnson, 55, has been arrested for the suspected killing of her husband and 14-year-old daughter. 
June 2, 2012 (Lemon Grove) --
June 1, 2012 (Valley Center) – The Sheriff’s Valley Center Substation is receiving a new License Plate Reader (ALPR) car through a grant from the Barona Band of Mission Indians, Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Nation and the Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee which funded the $78, 673 car.
June 1, 2012 (Jacumba) – Local artist Bill McGee is showing two pieces of his work at the Jacumba Library, 44605 Old Highway 80, during the month of June. The artwork will be for sale and McGee will donate all proceeds to the Jacumba library and the Mountain Health Center, except for a small amount to be used to replenish his paints.
June 1, 2012 (La Mesa) – In celebration of La Mesa’s 100th birthday San Pasqual Winery is offering a special Centennial Wine Tasting at its tasting room in downtown La Mesa at 8364 La Mesa Blvd.
June 1, 2012 (San Diego) – “San Diegans do love their parks, but our parks could be at risk if Prop A passes,” begins District 7 Councilmember Marti Emerald in a taped statement released today by the No on Proposition A campaign. Emerald cautions San Diego voters against voting for the measure, which State Controller John Chiang, State Treasurer Bill Lockyer, San Diego’s Independent Budget Analyst and Fitch Ratings Company have all stated will cost the City of San Diego hundreds of millions of dollars each year.
Hikes and Cleanups to be Held at County Parks Around the Region
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
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