An open letter to the Grossmont Union High School District Board regarding its ban on any public citizen speaking over 3 minutes total for all agenda items combined

By Nick Marinovich, former member, Citizens Bond Oversight Committee for the Grossmont Union High School District

February 20, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- As a Citizen who actively participates in the governance process, I have indicated at several board meetings my frustration with not being able to adequately make my points when there is a three minute total time any one Citizen can speak at a regular board meeting. Government Code Section 54954.3 states:

(a) Every agenda for regular meetings shall provide an opportunity for members of the public to directly address the legislative body on any item of interest to the public, before or during the legislative body’s consideration of the item, that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body, provided that no action shall be taken on any item not appearing on the agenda unless the action is otherwise authorized by subdivision (b) of Section 54954.2.

 (b) The legislative body of a local agency may adopt reasonable regulations to ensure that the intent of subdivision (a) is carried out, including, but not limited to, regulations limiting the total amount of time allocated for public testimony on particular issues and for each individual speaker.

 (c) The legislative body of a local agency shall not prohibit public criticism of the policies, procedures, programs, or services of the agency, or of the acts or omissions of the legislative body. Nothing in this subdivision shall confer any privilege or protection for expression beyond that otherwise provided by law.

East County News Service

February 20, 2016 (Pine Valley) -- Pine Valley is celebrating the grand opening of a multi-use field for baseball and soccer events.

SDG&E slated to upgrade 30 mobile home parks, improve safety for residents

By Mike Allen

February 19, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Elected officials, state and local utility people and residents of the Heart ‘O the Hills Mobile Lodge in El Cajon gathered Feb. 18 to celebrate the completion of a natural gas and electric line upgrading, the first park in San Diego County to obtain such a conversion.

East County News Service

February 19, 2016 (Washington D.C.) – The Natural Resources Defense Council sued the Environmental Protection Agency in federal court in New York today to force it to set limits on perchlorate.  

GUHSD Superintendent Ralf Swenson to retire on July 1, 2016

Source:  Grossmont Union High School District

February 19, 2016 (El Cajon) – GUHSD Superintendent Ralf Swenson will retire on July 1, 2016. The Governing Board of the Grossmont Union High School District has selected Dr. William E. Diedrich and Dr. John L. Roach of Dave Long & Associates Executive Search Services, as its advisers to assist the Board in its search for a new superintendent.

New EMF readings at Alpine Elementary have lower levels; district offers reassurance to parents

By Miriam Raftery

February 18, 2016 (Alpine) –  Alpine planners, school officials, and SDG&E have weighed in with responses to publication of meter readings that revealed high electric-magnetic frequency (EMF) levels along Alpine Boulevard, where Sunrise Powerlink high voltage lines are buried. The readings were first published in the Alpine Sun and later highlights, analysis and community reactions were published in East County Magazine and the Alpine Community Network.

A community coming together to fight an invisible disease

Source: Lisa Drayton, Bloomin' Uterus™

February 18, 2016 (San Diego) - On March 26, 2016, join the Bloomin’ Uterus™ Endometriosis Awareness and Support Walk beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Lake Miramar.  Registration is free, but donations are appreciated. All of the funds are donated to the Endometriosis Foundation of America.

Padre Dam and Helix Water Districts to develop new source of drinking water that is safe, locally-controlled and drought-proof

East County News Service

February 18, 2016 (Santee) - Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors accepted the East County Advanced Water Purification Program study at its February 3 board meeting. Additionally, the Board authorized a contract for $3,497,500 with Kennedy/Jenks Consultants to provide as-needed engineering services for the program.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Supervisor Dianne Jacob, speaking against Powerlink at a 2010 rally

Update:  SDG&E, the Alpine Union High School District, and the Alpine Community Planning Group have responded to community concerns.  The County Board of Education has measured levels at the Alpine Elementary School and found them within EPA recommended levels. SDG&E has offered to meet with any concerned residents or business owners and take measurements. We have also provided additional a broader range of studies on possible health issue.  See our new article here with the latest details: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/alpine-powerlink-concerns-spark-responses 

February 17, 2016 (Alpine) – Today, Supervisor Dianne Jacob sent a letter to California Public Utilities Commission chairman Michael Picker requesting an immediate investigation and independent review of high electric magnetic field (EMF) levels in Alpine. Copies of Jacob’s letter were sent to Governor Jerry Brown, Attorney General Kamala Harris and all CPUC commissioners.

Source: San Diego Couunty Sheriff's Department

February 17, 2016 (Lakeside) - Do you recognize the man in these photos? He is wanted in connection with a theft outside the Lake Jennings Apartments in Lakeside. 

February 17, 2016 (San Diego's East County)-- East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

General news

• Ryan floats skipping budget (The Hill)
• After Scalia’s death, what’s next for Supreme Court? (Huffington Post)
• Oklahoma cracks down on injection wells after earthquake spike (CS Monitor)
• Kentucky lawmaker takes aim at anti-abortion law with 'Viagra' bill (Reuters)
• Bad teachers: Which states are keeping track and which aren’t (CS Monitor)
• A surprise player emerges in government’s historic auction of airwaves (The Washington Post)

Presidential primary

• Campaigns secretly prep for brokered GOP convention (Politico)
• CNN schedules Democratic debate in Flint, Michigan (CNN)
• How Hillary Clinton Might Actually Win In N.H., Even Though She Lost Big (NPR)
• Cruz’s plan would radically change tax code (Politico)
• State Dept. subpoenaed documents from Clinton Foundation: report (Reuters)
• Hillary Clinton and Henry Kissinger. It’s personal. (Mother Jones)
• Donald  Trump threatens Ted Cruz with lawsuit over presidential eligibility (Guardian)

WORLD

• Drug cartel battle kills 49 in northeastern Mexican prison (Reuters)
• Exclusive: Samples confirm Islamic State used mustard gas in Iraq - diplomat (Reuters)
• Syria: cessation of hostilities ‘within a week’ agreed at Munich talks (Guardian)
•  There are good reason why Europe’s Jews are so worried (Reuters)
• Turkey accuses Russia of firing missiles in Syria, killing 50 in schools, hospitals (JPost)
• How censorship works in Vladimir Putin’s Russia (The Washington Post)
• Thousands of Iraqi refugees leave Finland voluntarily  (Reuters)
• Somalia's al Shabaab says its bomber behind airline blast (Reuters)
• Why is China trying to revive ancient Silk Road?
• Iran to upgrade missiles, get Russian defense system: minister (Reuters)
• Female suicide bombers kill over 60 people in northeast Nigeria: officials (Reuters)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

By Liz Alper

February 17, 2016 (San Diego) - The moment that hungry baseball fans like you and I have been waiting for is finally here.

East County Alert

February 17, 2016 (Lake Morena)--CAL FIRE and San Diego County Fire will be conducting a controlled burn today, Wednesday, February 17, 2016  near Lake Morena beginning at approximately 9:00 a.m.

Smoke may be visible throughout areas of the County. 

February 17,  2016 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL/REGIONAL

• Porter Ranch Natural Gas Leak Temporarily Controlled (City News Service)
• Hungry? Amazon delivers from local eateries in an hour (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Obama to designate new national monuments in the California desert (The Washington Post)
• Hasty water policies don’t mix well with long-term planning (Voice of San Diego )
• Officials Show Off Facility Where Passengers Apply For TSA Pre-Check Program (KPBS)
• Dueling SANDAG Proposals Pit Transit Against Local Infrastructure (Voice of SD)
• CPUC boss and energy innovator were friendly (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Cell-tracking 'Stingray' device was kept secret (San Diego Union-Tribune)

STATE

• Coastal Commission fires executive director over objections of hundreds of supporters (Los Angeles Times)
• Governor Brown’s budget includes Salton Sea funding (The Sun)
• California farmers reap record sales in record drought (Chron.com) (AP)
• How the drought boosts your utility bills, and global warming (SF Gate)
• 2 Golden Gate Bridge pedestrians hit by blow darts (SF Gate)
• US hospital held to ransom by hackers (BBC)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

By Miriam Raftery

February 16, 2016 (Ramona) – The Milagro Farm Winery has announced that it is closing its tasting room to the public effective immediately while undergoing upgrades, with plans to reopen in the next couple of months.