By Nadin Abbott; Miriam Raftery also contributed to this report

February 12, 2014 (San Diego) Republican Councilmember Kevin Faulconer was elected as the next San Diego City Mayor in the special election by a substantial margin. The Registrar of Voters final tally has Kevin Faulconer with 12,7296 votes, translating to 54.53% of the vote, and David Alvarez with 11,4478 votes, translating to 45.47%.

Faulconer’s election opens a vacancy on the Council—and an opportunity for Democrats to pick up a consolation prize. The Democratic-controlled Council will name Faulconer’s replacement, which is expected to give Democrats enough votes to override a mayoral veto.  Still with San Diego’s strong mayor form of government, Faulconer will have many options for implementing his policies without Council approval.

February 12, 2014 (San Diego’s East County ) --ECM 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.

• Sniper attack on power station highlights grid vulnerability (NPR)
• House approves clean debt hike (The Hill)
• Federal government to expand recognition of same-sex marriage (L.A. Times)

WORLD

• French Court Orders Google To Display Notice On Its Search Page (NPR)
• Hundreds of Palestinians riot on Temple Mount after Friday prayers (Jerusalem Post)
• Cameron to Scotland: Don't break away and erode UK's global clout (Reuters)
• Report: Russia and Egypt complete $2 billion arms deal funded by Gulf states (JPost)
• Iran: Warships Will Steam Close To U.S. Waters As 'A Message' (NPR)
• Ukraine places anti-terrorist forces on alert  (Reuters)
  

February 12, 2014 (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

• Low-tier utility rates to jump (U-T San Diego)
• With Faulconer, San Diego pivots back towards business as usual (Voice of San Diego)
• Another skirmish leaves Madrid spurned (La Mesa Today)
• Mayors accuse MWD of hoarding funds (U-T San Diego)
•  Helix Water District shares drought news (U-T San Diego)
• Motives of SDG&E project questioned  (U-T San Diego)

STATE

• The emptying of Northern California’s reservoirs (ECO Report)
• Nine Million Pounds of Beef from "Diseased and Unsound Animals" Recalled by California Company (L.A. Weekly)
• State’s median income up more than 3% (Sacramento Bee)
• California solitary confinement changes questioned at hearing (Sacramento Bee)

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

February 17 is deadline for public comments; citizens are urged to participate

By Sharon Penny

February 11, 2014 (Boulevard)--An overflow crowd attended the February 6 meeting of the Boulevard Planning Group to hear a detailed presentation by the County of San Diego and Soitec about four massive solar projects planned for the community.

But the show-stealer proved to be Jacumba resident Howard Cook, chair of the Jacumba Sponsor Group.  Cook fired off a list of  glaring omissions from the water use estimated by Soitek’s consultant, Dudek.  These were not minor components; among the omitted items were a substation, concrete-making plants and rock-crushing operations--all water intensive activities, raising serious questions about the competence and integrity of an environmental consulting firm with a record of severely under-estimating water use at other recent projects.

This story published originally on the Eco Report is part of an joint investigation with East County Magazine

http://www.theecoreport.com/green-blogs/area/usa/california/san-diego/sa...

By Roy L Hales

February 10, 2014 (Boulevard)--Yesterday, we reported how three authorities state Soitec's consultant is wrong, Boulevard does not possess enough water for their proposed solar project.  Now a video from the February 6  community meeting, at Boulevard, reveals that Soitec's consultant, Dudek, recently underestimated the amount of water needed at SDG&E recent ECO substation project by  more than three times what would be the final total. (The original estimate was 30 million gallons and the actual amount was closer to 100 million gallons.) Dudek is also alleged to have seriously underestimated the amount of water needed for the  Ocotillo Wind Project. If this is true, how can  we assume that Dudek's estimates for the Boulevard project are correct?

“Our forest is a delicate ecosystem being attacked by growth...This project will only add to the problems we are facing out here in the forest.” – Duncan McFetridge, founder, Cleveland National Forest Foundation (photo, left)

“We plan to rebuild existing lines in the forest to provide safe, reliable service and fire protection.” – Allen Trial, SDG&E

By Sharon A. Penny

February 6, 2014 (Alpine)--SDG&E submitted a plan to retrofit and update electric line facilities within the Cleveland National Forest into one Master Special Use Permit (MSUP). Currently, SDG&E has over 70 individual special use permits for these facilities. Many organizations and back country citizens are concerned about the need, cost, environmental impacts, and potential harm to the forest of the proposed plan of development.

On February 5, California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Administrative Law Judge Jean Vieth held a formal prehearing conference at the Alpine Community Center regarding the $418.5 million MSUP project. 

February 10, 2014 (Rancho San Diego)--A new Sheriff’s Station opened Monday on Campo Road in Rancho San Diego, near the intersection of Highways 54 and 94.

February 10, 2014 (Ramona) – Ramona vintners invite you to visit Ramona's Wine Country for Valentine's Day Weekend (Friday - Sunday), and enjoy Ramona's East End Winery Loop, a scenic drive connecting three local wineries, Ramona Ranch, Vineyard Grant James, and Turtle Rock Ridge.   Each winery will be providing a special pairing in honor of Valentine's Day all weekend.

February 10, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--The worst drought in California history is hitting farmers hard—and soon, consumers may be paying higher prices as a result.