Politics and local government

GOVERNOR 'S VETO TERMINATES ANDERSON IOU BILL

 

By Miriam Raftery

 

October 2, 2010 (Sacramento) – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed AB 1506, a measure authored by Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon). The bill would have required all state departments to accept IOUs issued by the state of California. Businesses and individuals could have redeemed IOUS as payment for state taxes, vehicle licensing fees and other debts.


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REDISTRICTING: THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY


Propositions’ impact on plate at League of Women Voter’s luncheon

Story and photos by Emily Anderson

 

October 2, 2010 (San Diego) -- Members of the San Diego League of Women Voters met last Thursday, September 23 at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse on Harbor Island to hear a three-member panel discuss redistricting, including the potential impact of an upcoming ballot initiative that could overturn a major redistricting measure previously approved by voters.


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CONGRESSMAN FILNER RECOGNIZED AS "DEFENDER OF CHILDREN"

 

Washington, DC – Recently, First Focus Campaign for Children, a national bipartisan advocacy organization, recognized Congressman Bob Filner (D-San Diego as a “Defender of Children.” This award is part of First Focus Campaign for Children’s inaugural campaign to recognize several Members of Congress who make improving the well-being of children a national priority.

 


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NEW EVIDENCE BOLSTERS CLAIM THAT WHITMAN KNOWINGLY EMPLOYED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT AS HOUSEKEEPER


Whitman denies claim; husband's handwriting on letter revealed today bolsters maid's case. Allegation may be tip of a larger iceberg, Social Security spokesman suggests.

 

By Miriam Raftery

September 30, 2010 (Sacramento) –Meg Whitman, Republican candidate for Governor, is under increasing fire as evident mounts that she knowingly employed an illegal immigrant and that and her husband ignored a 2003 warning from the Social Security administration that a maid working in their home did not have legal documentation.


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BROWN-WHITMAN DEBATE VIDEO NOW ONLINE; MEDIA POLLS STATEWIDE GIVE VICTORY TO BROWN

September 29, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Who won last night’s gubernatorial debate? You decide! Here is a link to the video of the complete debate: http://debate.ucdavis.edu/webcast.html
 


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SPOTLIGHT EL CAJON: JOHNNEY MINARICK, MINISTRY STUDENT BRINGS RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVE TO MAYORAL RACE

By Miriam Raftery
 

September 30, 2010 (El Cajon ) – Johnney P. Minarick prays perserverance will pay off. He ran for Grossmont Health Care district board in 1998, getting just 4.92% of the vote, and for Grossmont Cuyamaca Community College District’s board in 2000, drawing 18.5%.  Now he’s running for Mayor of El Cajon against four other candidates (incumbent Mayor Mark Lewis and challengers John “Mike” Garcia, Todd Moore, and Darris Mroz.)
 

Minarick says his biggest concern is that “nonbelievers took the Bible out of schools” and belives that kids "need the Bible to learn right from wrong.” As Mayor, he would seek to “bring reading the Bible back into schools again like we used to do when we were kids in Pennsylvania.”


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LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS HOSTS SERIES OF FORUMS ON CANDIDATES AND BALLOT MEASURES

 

September 29, 2010 (San Diego's East County)--The League of Women Voters of East San Diego County is hosting a series of forums about ballot measures, as well as candidates for the La Mesa and El Cajon City Councils, and the Grossmont High School District Board.

 

The series of events are as follows:


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SPOTLIGHT EL CAJON: RETIRED POLICEMAN TODD MOORE SEEKS NEW BEAT... AS MAYOR OF EL CAJON

September 27, 2010 (El Cajon ) – Retired after 19 years as an El Cajon police officer, Todd Moore now says he has a new vision for El Cajon.  “We need leadership that we can count on to do what is right, to serve the residents of El Cajon," he said, "and to move this community to a place where it thrives…not just survives.”

 


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LA MESA SPOTLIGHT: CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE KEVIN RYNEARSON

 

Candidate Says he has the Right Chemistry for City Council

By Kristin Kjaero

In Part VII of this series on election races in La Mesa, East County Magazine spotlights City Council candidate Kevin Rynearson. For this series we asked all candidates the same set of questions on local issues, with an open invitation to bring up anything else they would like to discuss at the end of the session. We want each candidate to speak for themselves.

September 27, 2010 (La Mesa) – Kevin Rynearson is a 28-year-old student currently working on his third year defense and PhD in organic chemistry at UCSD, specifically in RNA anti-viral therapies for Hepatitis C. Now he thinks he has the formula to improve La Mesa.


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CANDIDATES FORUM ON SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES OCTOBER 2

 

September 28, 2010 (San Diego) -- The Sustainability Alliance of Southern California and the California Center for Sustainable Energy will sponsor a unique sustainability-focused candidates' forum on Saturday, October 2. The event will feature local, state and national candidates addressing their positions on green issues including Proposition 23, climate change and public transportation.


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LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS HOSTS LA MESA CANDIDATE FORUM TONIGHT

Are you voting in the November election on races for La Mesa Mayor and City Council?

 

Be an informed voter!

 

September 29, 2010 (La Mesa) -- Come to the League of Women Voters La Mesa Candidate Forum tonight, September 29, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the La Mesa City Council Chambers, 8130 Allison Avenue, La Mesa CA 91942.


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LA MESA SPOTLIGHT: INCUMBENT COUNCILMAN MARK ARAPOSTATHIS

A Lifetime of Learning the City from the Inside Out

By Kristin Kjaero

In Part VI of this series on election races in La Mesa, East County Magazine spotlights Incumbent City Councilmember Mark Arapostathis. For this series we asked all candidates the same set of questions on local issues, with an open invitation to bring up anything else they would like to discuss at the end of the session.

 

September 26, 2010 (La Mesa) -- Incumbent Councilman Mark Arapostathis, 43, is a hometown boy and local teacher who knows the city from the inside out. He was born and raised in La Mesa, went to Lemon Avenue Elementary, La Mesa Middle School and Helix High School, earned his B.A., M.A. and PhD in education locally, and has spent his entire career teaching since 1991 in the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District. He currently teaches second grade at Rolando Elementary School.


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STOP SUNRISE POWERLINK MARCH AND RALLY SATURDAY SEPT. 25

 

Congressional debate to follow Stop Powerlink events

 

September 25, 2010 (Lakeside) – A rally for San Diegans who oppose the Sunrise Powerlink will be held Saturday, September 25th in Lakeside. The rally will be held at Lindo Lake Park (by the pavilions near the playground) at 10 a.m., followed by a march through Main Street in downtown Lakeside. 

 

 


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REP. HUNTER & PRES. OBAMA URGE VETERANS TO COLLECT "STOP LOSS" PAY: APPLICATION DEADLINE IS OCT. 21


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10 BILLS BY ASSEMBLYMAN BLOCK AWAIT GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE

 

Septemer 23, 2010 (Sacramento) Assemblymember Marty Block (D-Lemon Grove) announced that 10 bills which he authored now await Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s signature. This package includes measures to boost skills for the unemployed, improve community college student assessment, eases the voting process for military serving overseas and protect funding for special education programs in schools across California.


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REP. ISSA REFUSES TO DEBATE OPPONENT HOWARD KATZ


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8 COMPETE TO WIN 3 SEATS ON SANTEE COUNCIL

 

By Lola Sherman

September 19, 2010 (Santee) - They call it a race when candidates compete for election, and in the case of the contest for city Council here, the word “race” seems appropriate.

 


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LA MESA SPOTLIGHT: CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE IAN SHIFF

 

New Resident Aims to Foster Civic Pride

 

By Kristin Kjaero

In Part Five of this series on election races in La Mesa, East County Magazine spotlights City Council candidate Ian Shiff. For this series we asked all candidates the same set of questions on local issues, with an open invitation to bring up anything else they would like to discuss at the end of the session.

 

September 15, 2010 (La Mesa) – City Council Candidate Ian Shiff and his family moved to La Mesa five months ago, because they like the community feeling. They bought their first house here and plan to raise their children, now three months and two years old, in the City.


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LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS HOSTS SEPT. 23 FORUM ON REDISTRICTING INITIATIVE

 

By Emily Anderson
 

September 16, 2010 (San Diego) – Voters across the county are gearing up to face local, statewide and Congressional elections Nov. 2nd. Many issues relevant to San Diego County will be on the ballot, including Proposition 27, which, if passed, would eliminate the bipartisan citizens commission in charge of drawing state district lines.


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FEATHERS FLY IN CONGRESSIONAL RACE; 2 CANDIDATES TO DEBATE SEPT. 21 IN RAMONA

“We have a chicken suit and we may have someone wear it to stand in for Duncan Hunter in debates.” – Ray Lutz, Democratic candidate, 52nd Congressional District
 

You Tube violates 1st Amendment, removes debate videos of Hunter in 2008 

September 17, 2010 (Ramona) – The Ramona Forum will host a 52nd Congressional District candidates debate on Wednesday, September 22 at 6 p.m. in the Sizzler banquet room, 344 Main Street in Ramona. Democrat Ray Lutz and Libertarian Michael Benoit will appear, but incumbent Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter has declined, according to event organizers. Now his opponents are turning up the heat.


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LA MESA SPOTLIGHT: CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE PATRICK DEAN


It’s All About Priorities

 

By Kristin Kjaero

 

In Part Four of this series on election races in La Mesa, East County Magazine spotlights City Council candidate Patrick Dean. For this series we asked all candidates the same set of questions on local issues, with an open invitation to bring up anything else they would like to discuss at the end of the session. 

September 15, 2010 (La Mesa) – Quality of life issues lead La Mesa City Council candidate Patrick Dean’s priorities, from his personal approach to life to his visions for the City.


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SEMPRA (SDG&E) & LA MESA COUNCIL ENDORSE “NO ON DIRTY ENERGY” EFFORT TO DEFEAT PROP 23


“It’s the moral and ethical thing to do to protect the health and well-being of our residents,” Mayor Art Madrid

By Miriam Raftery


September 15, 2010 (La Mesa) – La Mesa's City Council voted yesterday to oppose Proposition 23. Sempra Energy, parent company of San Diego Gas & Electric Company, also announced its opposition to Prop 23.  

 

The ballot initiative would repeal California’s landmark AB 32, the law which protects clean air, requires greenhouse gas emissions reductions, and provides incentives for renewable, clean energy jobs in California.


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REAL TO HOST CANDIDATE FORUM SEPT. 21 IN CAMPO

 

September 14, 2010 (Campo) -- The Rural Economic Action League will host a candidate forum to allow the public to query contenders for the Campo Lake Morena Planning Group on their views and positions. The forum is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 21 at the Mountain Empire Community Center, 976 Sheridan Road, in Campo.


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S.D. POLICE REVIEW BOARD SEEKS CITIZEN MEMBERS


Deadline is September 30th


September 11, 2010 (San Diego) -– The City of Sa Diego’s Citizens’ Review on Police Practices is seeking new members. The Board is responsible for reviewing serious citizen complaints against San Diego police officers, officer-involved shootings, and in-custody deaths. The CRB also oversees the administration of discipline in cases where the officer has been found to have disobeyed proper policy and procedure. Additionally, the CRB makes policy and procedure recommendations to the Chief of Police.


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BROWN VS. WHITMAN: TV AIRWAYS BATTLE IS ON

For those readers who spend more time in front of the computer than the TV set, we bring you the latest TV commercials for candidates vying for the top job in California politics. 


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LA MESA SPOTLIGHT: INCUMBENT COUNCILMAN ERNEST EWIN

 

From Big Picture to Specifics

By Kristin Kjaero and Miriam Raftery

In part two of this series on election races in La Mesa, East County Magazine spotlights incumbent Ernie Ewin. For this series we asked all candidates the same set of questions on local issues, with an open invitation to bring up anything else they would like to discuss at the end of the session. We want each candidate to speak for themselves.

 

 

September 2, 2010 (La Mesa) --Talk to Councilman Ernie Ewin about issues in the community and you’ll hear a wide-reaching perspective. From his early days in first grade at Murray Manor, to serving as Student Body President at Grossmont Community College, and on to San Diego State University, his roots in the community run deep.


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3 POLITICAL EVENTS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16


September 10, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Political wonks, mark your calendars! Three major political events are slated for September 16th.

La Mesa Chamber of Commerce hosts a forum for La Mesa mayoral and council candidates. East County Democratic Club has a forum on ballot initiatives plus state legislative and Congressional candidates. In addition, the Eastlake-Bonita Democratic Club has candidates for legislature, school boards, and more.


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LA MESA SPOTLIGHT: INCUMBENT MAYOR ART MADRID

 

 

More than Forty Years of Public Service

 

By Kristin Kjaero and Miriam Raftery 

In part three of this series on election races in La Mesa, East County Magazine spotlights incumbent Mayor Art Madrid. For this series we asked all candidates the same set of questions based on local issues, with an open invitation to bring up anything else they would like to discuss at the end of the session.

 

September 6, 2010 (La Mesa) – Ask Mayor Art Madrid about La Mesa and he sounds like a father, proud of his hometown and full of visions for the City’s future. 


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5 LOCAL MAYORS JOIN GROWING STATEWIDE OPPOSITION TO PROP 23


Measure backed by 2 big out-of-state oil companies would rollback air pollution standards and repeal incentives for clean, green-tech jobs

La Mesa Council to consider No on 23 resolution on Sept. 14

By Miriam Raftery

September 6, 2010 – La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid and El Cajon Mayor Mark Lewis have joined with over 30 cities including Los Angeles and Sacramento, hundreds of business leaders, and many public officials to oppose Proposition 23, the deceptively titled “California Jobs Initiative.”  A whopping 97% of funds come from the oil industry, with most from two large out-of-state oil companies, Valero and Tesoro.


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ASSEMBLY CANDIDATE MARK HANSON REVEALS COMMITMENTS TO BRING 32 GREEN MANUFACTURING COMPANIES TO CALIFORNIA & CREATE 2,200 JOBS

 

New jobs include many slated for East County;

Cedar Fire survivor also calls for stronger fire protection and improved emergency notification in region

By Miriam Raftery
 


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