President calls for trade reforms to bring jobs back to U.S., tax fairness and more

By Mia Myklebust and Miriam Raftery

January 26, 2012 (San Diego)—The State of the Union address traditionally reviews the condition of our nation and previews the President’s legislative plan for the future. This year, Barack Obama’s speech had added importance as his last State of the Union address before the 2012 election.  The incumbent presidents challenges were to address successes of his current term and his long-term goals for a potential five more years.    

The President provided evidence that economic recovery is underway. He touted his administration’s success in combating terrorism, eliminating Osama bin Ladin, ending the Iraq War and improving America’s relationships overseas. In addition, he laid out ambitious proposals for “an America built to last.”  He issued repeated calls to action, among them:

•   Trade reforms and tax credits for businesses that bring jobs back to America
•   Tax “fairness” to help middle class Americans
•   Invest savings from ending the Iraq war into reducing the deficit and creating jobs
•  Creation of a Veterans Jobs Corps
•  Prevent high school drop-outs and provide incentives to stop tuition hikes
•  End oil subsidies, increase U.S. oil production, and support clean energy  technologies
  

Council also approves program to promote composting by local gardeners

January 24, 2012 (La Mesa)—Gearing up for the city’s year-long centennial celebration, 2012 promises to be “a very busy, festive and memorable year,” said La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid during tonight’s State of the City address.

By Miriam Raftery

January 21, 2012 (Alpine) – The Alpine Community Planning Group (ACPG) is holding a series of public hearings on proposed land use changes that could impact about four percent (3,000 acres) of all lands in the APCG planning area.  The properties are among some 77,000 acres countywide of privately owned lands within Cleveland National Forest. 

January 25, 2012 (San Carlos)—A teen driver with four passengers in a Dodge Charger struck a Dodge SUV carry a family with three young children last night on Badin Drive near Jackson Drive. The crash, which occurred around 8:30 p.m., injured eight people.

January 24, 2012 (San Diego) – A Sig Alert has been issued for Highway 94 west near Federal Blvd. due to a rollover accident. At least one victim is reportedly trapped, according to the CHP website. Two lanes are blocked and traffic is impacted in both directions.

Is duck-hunting training for dogs a wise use of public land and water, or just plain daffy?

By Miriam Raftery

January 23, 2012 (Jamul) – Last week, ECM reported on controversy surrounding sporting groups’ plans to create the Honey Springs Sporting Dog Training Facility  in the Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area, a state-owned preserve.  Neighbors were shocked to learn that dog training ponds would be filled with 2.4 million gallons of groundwater a year.  So was the local planning group and the area’s rural fire department, which relies on the same water supply to fight fires.

Now state and county officials have both confirmed that groundwater will be the key factor in determining whether or not the project moves forward.

January 23, 2012 (Mount Laguna)--The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has issued a Boil Water Order and Public Notification for the Mount Laguna Recreation Area water system located on Sunrise Highway, Mt. Laguna, CA 91948 effective immediately.

The drinking water system has tested present for total coliform bacteria and absent for E.coli.

January 22, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is offering absolutely free tax preparation and e-filing services in East County. Volunteers will staff these locations from February 1, to April 17, 2012.

Supervisors accused of approving items not on agenda regarding cutting red tape for development projects

By Terry Francke, General Counsel, Californians Aware

January 20, 2012 (San Diego)--Californians Aware has filed suit against the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, challenging its decision at a meeting last month as a violation of the Ralph M. Brown Act, the state’s open meeting law for local government.

The petition, filed today in San Diego County Superior Court, cites the Board’s immediate approval of a slate of recommendations from an advisory committee on cutting red tape in development approvals.

January 19, 2012 (San Diego) – The Regional Task Force on the Homeless seeks volunteers to help with its annual countywide point-in-time count of homeless people in our region. Titled the “We all County Campaign,” the count will be held on Friday, January 27 from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. To volunteer, sign up at http://www.rtfhsd.org/pitc/weallcount-registration/.

Crowd reacts warmly to news that CPUC denied SDG&E charge as "illegal"

Photo by Bob Silvern

January 18, 2012 (San Diego) -- Over sixty San Diegans angered by SDG&E’s proposed tax (network use charge) on rooftop solar customers protested at the company’s Energy Innovation Center open house today, pleading: “Please don’t take our sunshine away.”

Unbeknownst to protesters, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a ruling during the same hour rejecting SDG&E’s proposal after concluding that the proposed charge would be illegal.

January 19, 2012 (Jacumba) – The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and assigned Administrative Law Judge Hallie Yacknin will hold a hearing in Jacumba on January 24. The public may testify with comments on SDG&E's proposed $285 million 60-85 acre ECO Substation and 13 miles of new 138kV transmission lines planned for Boulevard.

Update: The device has been found to be harmless. "Itw as either debris or a device made to look like an explosive," said Maurice Luque with San Diego Fire. Also, the device was on Conrad in San Diego, not Conrad on Mount Helix. 

January 18, 2012 *(San Diego's East County) – The Metro Arson Strike Team from San Diego Fire Department, along with a representative from the federal Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agency, has been deployed to a home at 4549 Conrad, Chris Hoffman with the ATF has confirmed to East County Magazine.

According to Incident Page Network, a suspicious device in front of the home has triggered the investigation and multiple homes on the street are being evacuated.

Update: 20% of $60,000 funding goal met so far; pledges sought from public

New! View a video of what may be lost:  http://palomarsp.org/friends/save_palomar_video_standard.htm

By Miriam Raftery

January 16, 2012 (Palomar) –  Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park has submitted a plan to the California Dept. of Parks and Recreation that could prevent the park from closing permanently on July 1 due to budget cuts. The group seeks pledges from inidividuals in hopes of reaching $60,000.  [Editor's note: 16% of the goal was met when we posted this. Now on Jan. 17, 20% of the goal has been met. Thanks to our readers who helped! I made a pledge and hope many more of you will help save this beautiful place!)

 To pledge, visit www.friendsofpalomarsp.org. (You won't be asked to pay unless State Parks agrees to the plan.) To  learn more and see photos of what’s at stake, see ECM’s story on Palomar State Park at http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/5539