May 9, 2010 (Sacramento) – “The Senate continues to make progress to restore California's economy and put people back to work,” Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) announced. In April, Senate committees passed several bills as part of “Agenda 2010”, Democrats’ plan that aspires to create 140,000 jobs without raising taxes or dismantling workplace and environmental protections.

Employees Illegally Dumped Pesticides and Hazardous Chemicals

May 3, 2010 (San Diego) -- San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis (photo, left), California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. and 18 other District Attorneys throughout the state announced today that a $27.6 million settlement has been reached with Wal-Mart for violations of environmental laws and regulations. It is one of the largest environmental settlements of this type brought by a prosecuting agency in U.S. history.

By Miriam Raftery

April 26, 2010 (Washington D.C.) – Congressmen Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) and Bob Filner (D-Chula Vista) have joined a bipartisan coalition of 78 Congressional members asking that the U.S. renegotiate the U.S.-Mexico trucking program created under NAFTA. The members sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and U.S. Trade Ambassador Ronald Kirk, following an announcement that the U.S. and Mexico have established a working group to discuss the cross-border trucking issue.

“Reinstating the cross-border trucking program would directly undermine our nation’s border security, endanger public safety, and disadvantage American trucking companies,” Hunter stated last week in a press release.

April 15, 2010 (El Cajon)--The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians has made a donation valued at approximately $10,000 to the El Cajon Community Development Corporation to further the organization’s economic development efforts in Downtown El Cajon. The Viejas donation was made in support of the El Cajon CDC’s annual “It’s 5:00 Somewhere” fundraiser party held April 16, 2010 in Downtown El Cajon.

 Can theater be key to downtown revitalization?

April 1, 2010 (El Cajon) – At a community forum Tuesday, dozens of East County residents turned out to hear details of a proposed plan for the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC).

The conceptual business plan, prepared by consultant Kurt Swanson, calls for the City to takeover management of the theater, invest $4.3 million in renovations, and commit to 48 performances per year including a return to headline entertainers. While some area residents praised the effort, many had questions, suggestions, and criticisms to offer.

Empowered Energy Solutions finds hot market for rapid residential audit program

 

By Dennis Moore

March 25, 2010 (San Diego) – Saving money while converting to green energy sources is viewed by many consumers as both desirable and a necessity in this day and age.

At the forefront of this movement is Empowered Energy Solutions, a Solana Beach, California based business that is helping homeowners county-wide save money from day one on sustainable, energy efficient projects for their homes, offices and commercial buildings, from small restaurants to huge factories. One of the company’s diagnostics was on a building that previously had an annual electric bill of $11.5 million a year.

“Right now in San Diego, thousands of homes are running inefficiently, wasting their owners’ money,” Ted Torre-Bueno, president and founder, told East County Magazine. “Dollars spent on energy efficiency have the highest return on investment and in effect, are free for the homeowner and for the community. If we can reduce power use, we save on utility bills and help eliminate the need for new power plants in the future.”

“Your guide to financial planning & socially responsible investing”

By: Judith L. Seid, CFP ®
President, Blue Summit Financial Group

March 6, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- Seven businesses were honored at the 98thAnnual Inaugural Gala hosted by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce and presented by Barona Resort & Casino on February 26. This year’s Gala replaced the Chamber’s Annual Awards Banquet, increasing the number of honorees and award-winners and broadening scope of the event.

By: Stanley Popovich

February 28, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- Layoffs in today’s business world are common--and with a lay-off comes the fear and anxiety of finding another job. With this in mind, here are some ways for you to manage those stresses involved in finding a new job.