Watchdog activist says he will file complaints with FPPC and Attorney General; 2nd watchdog group also questioned board’s actions
 

By Miriam Raftery
 

December 6, 2010 (La Mesa)—By a unanimous vote, the Grossmont Healthcare District Board voted to recognize recently resigned board member Jim Stieringer as director emeritus and to name the District conference center after him. The Board made these votes despite a letter from Citizens Oversight Projects founder Ray Lutz stating that he believes such actions violate the law.

Terry Francke, general counsel for CalAware, a statewide watchdog group on open government issues, also questioned legality of the emeritus title and suggested that ”an attorney general’s opinion could and should be sought before action is taken” by the Board, La Mesa Patch.com reported shortly before the vote was taken.

Store targeted by measure reveals today that it is going out of business

December 1, 2010 (La Mesa) – On December 14 at 4 p.m., La Mesa’s City Council will consider an ordinance proposed by San Diego Stop Puppy Mills. The proposed law would prohibit pet stores from buying dogs from puppy mills and other breeders.

Since February 2009, the group has been protesting against Pet Works in Grossmont Center, alleging that the store sells dogs raised in puppy mills with inhumane conditions. Today, East County Magazine contacted Pet Works and learned that the store plans to shut down.

By Jeremy Los

November 27, 2010 (Washington and Sacramento) -- Do you know how your Congressional and State Legislative representatives voted on important recent bills? Find out here! Recent major bills include the Paycheck Fairness Act, the Small Business Jobs & Credit Act, the State Budget, plus bills to reform campaign financing and raise age limits for pre-school and kindergarten.  Scroll down for details.

November 18, 2010 (San Diego) – Congressmen Bob Filner (D-San Diego) is calling for the U.S. House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee to hold a hearing to examine the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) security screening procedures at airports, including full-body scans and pat downs.

By Miriam Raftery

November 15, 2010 (La Mesa) – In closed session this morning, Grossmont Hospital District's  Board unanimously found that Jim Stieringer should not get his old seat on the board back.  Stieringer resigned Novembe 5th, then tried to resuscitate his old job by asking to have his resignation rescind after the Board refused to consider his application for a $60,000 a year staff job, amid questions over legality and  conflict of interest concerns.

With Stieringer's Hospital District career in limbo akin to life support, today the District pulled the plug.  

November 12, 2010 (La Mesa)--Grossmont Healthcare District Board of Directors will hold a special meeting on Monday, November 15 at 7:30 a.m. in the District conference center, 9001 Wakarusa in La Mesa. Following public comments of up to five minutes per person, the board will adjourn to closed session to confer with legal counsel on “significant exposure to litigation.”

By Miriam Raftery
 

November 5, 2010 (La Mesa) –Jim Wieboldt, a Sheriff’s deputy and founding chairman of the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce, announced Wednesday that he plans to challenge Ruth Sterling for a seat on the La Mesa City Council in 2012.
 

“Public safety will be my number one priority,” said Wieboldt, who pledged to “ask the tough questions about our crime rate” and get recommendations to reduce crime.

November 3, 2010 (Sacramento) – After declining to concede last night despite multiple TV networks declaring Senator Barbara Boxer the winner, U.S. Senate candidate Carly Fiorina called Boxer today to concede defeat and offer congratulations.

East County Mayors win reelection; new faces join councils in Lemon Grove and Santee

By Lola Sherman and Miriam Raftery

Photos by Mary Paulet and Miriam Raftery

November 2, 2010 (San Diego) -- Not too much changed on the county's political landscape in Tuesday's election. Incumbents and candidates with a great deal of name recognition, be they Republican or Democrat, fared well.

East County News Service
November 3, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – At daybreak, Democrat Kamala Harris has regained a narrow lead over Republican Steve Cooley in the California attorney general race.

Cooley declared victory last night, but canceled a press conference today after learning that overnight, Harris took the lead at 46.1% to 45.6%. Fewer than 38,000 votes separate the two candidates and thousands of provisional and late absentee ballots remain uncounted.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Dennis Richardson

November 2, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – This election night provided both political parties in California with victories as well as defeats. Nationally, Republicans are projected to regain a majority in the House of Representatives, picking up 60 seats—including some won be Tea Party-backed candidates. Democrats retained control in the Senate by a slim margin. "

But in California, Democrats swept the slate, winning all statewide offices except attorney general. Former Governor Jerry Brown soundly defeated former E-Bay CEO Meg Whitman 52.8% to 42.4% to regain his former job, despite Whitman spending $163 million—the highest amount ever spent on a political race in California.

November 2, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Magazine will tweet election results live from Golden Hall after polls close tonight, and also post detailed stories online a bit later. 

If you wish to receive live election results on top local races, go to www.Twitter.com and sign up to follow EastCountyMag. It's free! Note:  This is a separate Twitter account from our ViejasAlerts account, which is used only to "tweet" emergencies. 

As nonpartisan media, ECM does not endorse candidates.  Instead we provide info from a broad variety of sources--so you can make an informed decision.

November 1, 2010 (Alpine) - The Alpine Community Network has compiled links to articles about Alpine School Board candidates. Below is the Network's helpful information for Alpine voters.

"California faces a crisis. It is mistakenly called a “budget crisis.” It is actually a democracy crisis." -- By Professor George Lakoff

November 1, 2010 (Sacramento) -- California is the only minority rule state in America. Both houses of the California legislature are in control of a minority on all economic issues - and almost all issues are about what is in the budget. Only 34 percent of only one House of the Legislature can control legislation by saying no, creating gridlock, and blocking the will of the majority that represents the overwhelming majority of Californians.

That is why budgets have not been on time, and why they are doing less and less for the state.