How Kamala Harris played hardball and won $18 billion to help California homeowners 

Story by Miriam Raftery, photos by Ron Logan

February 13, 2012 (San Diego) – Last September, the U.S. Department of Justice and attorney generals from other states were ready to sign a multi-state settlement of misconduct by banks that resulted in foreclosures.  The deal on the table? An estimated $4 billion or less for California, the state hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis. Moreover, no wrongdoers would be prosecuted.

So California’s Attorney General Kamala Harris stood up—and walked out. 

Her actions led to a dramatically different settlement reached last week that is expected to ultimately reach $40 billion—including an estimated $18 billion for California and $1.5 billion for San Diego homeowners.

February 10, 2012 (San Diego) -- An individual who jumped off a bridge in an apparent suicide was struck by a vehicle and died at the scene, Officer Larry Landeros of CHP informed ECM at 1:40 p.m. All lanes but one have been shut down on southbound 805 at Balboa. 

February 9, 2012 (Alpine) –At 8:15 p.m. tonight, Sheriff’s dispatch confirmed that a suspicious device has been found at the Viejas Outlet Center, 5000 Willows Road in Alpine.  The Sheriff’s Bomb and Arson squad was dispatched and found the device to be harmless.

"Out of an abundance of caution, we evacuated the outlet center," Robert Scheid, Viejas spokesman told ECM.  

 
It Doesn’t Take a Fire to Burn a Child

A local elected official says SDG&E installations of smart meters are occurring at homes on opt-out list

By Miriam Raftery

February 7, 2012 (San Diego)—The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) this week voted to allow Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)  customers to have smart meters replaced with older  analog meters, for a $75 installation fee plus a monthly fee of $5 to $10, depending on income.  Ratepayers must inform PG&E by May 1 if they wish to opt-out.

Commissioners have not yet ruled on whether to allow San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) or other utilities’ customers to opt out, but are expected to make a similar ruling later this month. SDG&E has proposed even higher opt-out fees of including an initial $175-$200, an exit fee of $50 and a monthly fee of $15 to cover meter readings, the North County Times reports. 

By Miriam Raftery

February 4, 2012 (Jamul)—Revelations that public funds have been awarded to a private hunting club to develop hunting dog training ponds in the state-owned Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area has heightened controversy over the project. 

By Miriam Raftery
February 3, 2012 (San Diego) – On Tuesday, San Diego’s City Council voted unanimously to approve an “urban agriculture plan” that encourages city residents to grow their own food--and sell some items.

 
By Cynthia Wharton

February 2, 2012 (Jacumba)- - The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) held a public participation hearing at the Jacumba Highland Center on January 24.

Presided over by an administrative law judge, the honorable Hallie Yacknin, this hearing provided an opportunity for interested members of the public to express their views on San Diego Gas & Electric’s (SDG&E) application for a permit to construct the East County Substation Project (ECO Substation).

February 2, 2012 (Alpine) – A Sig Alert has been issued due to an accident blocking the left lanes on I-8 east just west of Dunbar Lane. An overturned vehicle is on its roof. The Sig Alert was issued at 10:09 a.m. Traffic has reportedly been backed up to Tavern Road. CHP is in process of reopening one of the blocked lanes, CHP website indicates.

 
By Serena Scaglione

Special early-bird rates for ECM members now available

January 28, 2012 (San Diego)--Environmental law professor Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will be the keynote speaker at UnitedGREEN’s second Forging a Sustainable Future Symposium March 3 and 4, 2012 at San Diego State University.

 
January 30, 2012 (El Cajon) – Help is needed a family with a child and two dogs, all displaced by an early morning fire at the home they were renting. The house, built in the early 1900s, may be a total loss and damage is estimated at $180,000 including contents.