By Sylvia Hampton

November 1, 2012 (San Diego)--This election is a battle between two very different philosophies of government, especially as it relates to domestic affairs. One that embraces “united we stand” and a role of federal government that is being played out at this moment in the Northeast in the aftermath of hurricane Sandy. The Governors of thirteen states are desperate for the coordination skills of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the support of President Obama as they face this horrendous disaster.

This is the Democratic Party philosophy that government is necessary for the enforcement of laws, civil order and preserving equal access to basic human needs and civil rights.

November 1, 2012 (San Diego) –Responding to complaints from neighbors of two organic farms in Escondido and Jacumba, County Supervisors on October 30 approved a plan to order farmers to reduce eye gnat infestations. The plan adopted stops short of allowing the county to order pesticide use, but does give the county the right to order other abatement  measures if voluntary efforts don’t work.

For details, see ECM news partner 10 News’ article at http://www.10news.com/news/county-tentatively-approves-program-to-reduce...

November 1, 2012 (Poway)—A hiker who collapsed on a trail on the Poway side of Mount Woodson has been declared dead, Lt. J.T. Faulkner with the San Diego Sheriff’s office informed ECM.

A friend who was hiking with the victim called for help at 11:04 a.m.  “Our unit got there at 11:14 and the Fire Department was already there,” Lt. Faulkner told ECM.  The victim was found about halfway up a trail.  Copter 12 and ASTREA were called in to assist.

A Rebuttal to Jim Kelly's guest editorial in ECM

By Bill Weaver, candidate, Grossmont Union High School Board

November 2, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--Jim Kelly is a blue ribbon fibber. Jim Kelly says, "It is time to answer these misleading, politically-motivated attacks."

I'll say it is--there is only one politically motivated attack agent. It is Jim Kelly who for years has been officially the recruiter for the out of touch extremist right local party that is in charge of ruining the conservative name with its radical right agenda. There is zero validity to Jim Kelly's rebuttal.

CPSC, FEMA and USFA Warn About Deadly Dangers After Hurricane Sandy Passes

October 30, 2012 (Washington D.C.) -- For those of our readers with relatives in the path of Hurricane Sandy, here is some potentially life-saving advice from three federal agencies. These tips are also applicable to surviving other disasters, such as wildfires and earthquakes.

October 31, 2012 (San Diego) – Grossmont College dance students present ‘Breaking Boundaries’, November 1 -3 at 7:30 p.m. at the Joan B. Kroc Theatre, 6611 University Ave., San Diego.  The concert is an annual student choreographed event that will showcase a variety of dance genres, including modern dance, ballet, jazz and hip-hop.

Admission tickets at the door are $13 per person (cash only).  For more information visit www.grossmont.edu/dance, or call the Dance Department at 644-7766.

(Ethiopia, Somalia, Burundi, Congo, Sudan, South Sudan, Rwanda, Eritrea, Uganda, Kenya, Liberia)

October 31, 2012 (Sa Diego) -- Life in a conflict zone can be traumatizing, and moving to the U.S. doesn’t make it go away. In order to develop better services for the local East African community, we need your help.

If you are 18 years or older, please come at one of the times listed below and complete a questionnaire about trauma.  Each participant will be given $15.00.

Obama to Governors in path of Hurricane Sandy: "We will be there...making sure that we've got the best possible response."

By Miriam Raftery

October 28, 2012 (San Diego) – As Hurricane Sandy, one of the worst storms in memory, barrels toward the East Coast and wildfire season hits full stride here in San Diego's East County, voters should know that when asked about federal disaster relief at a debate among Republican primary presidential candidates, Mitt Romney called such spending “immoral.” 

By Miriam Raftery

October 29, 2012 (La Mesa)—The owners of Hunter’s Carpet in La Mesa have sent a letter to Council candidate Laura Lothian, with a copy to the City Attorney, contending that Lothian’s campaign falsely represented the carpet company’s property as an eyesore. 

“The picture you promote as “typical trash” in the city is a gross misrepresentation,” the owners wrote.  “Evidently it’s your practice to be deceitful during your political campaigns,” the letter added, noting that the tactic is “similar to your last election campaign.” Lothian displayed a photo of the property in campaign materials touting a need to eliminate blight. 

October 30, 2012 (San Diego) -- As Americans head to the polls on November 6, a local chef is capturing the flavor of the elections — literally. In honor of Barack Obama and Mitt Romney’s races for the White House, Terra American Bistro chef/owner Jeff Rossman has created a Presidential Pairings Menu featuring recipes that capture the qualities of both candidates. The menu will be offered November 4-10.

“In our 14 years, Terra American Bistro has delighted in serving the best of New American cuisine to San Diegans,” Rossman said. “And, really, what is more American than the presidential elections?”

October 30, 2012 (Alpine)  --Alpine Union School Superintendent Tom Pellerino has sent a letter to parents today describing a man questioned by law enforcement for twice approaching a middle school student and offering a ride. A detailed description of the man and his vehicle is provided in his letter below. 

Update: Suspects are now in custody.

October 30, 2012 (San Diego) -- San Diego Police Department Robbery Unit detectives, in cooperation with detectives from the Escondido Police Department, are investigating a series of armed robberies and a carjacking that occurred throughout the county yesterday in the College Grove, Escondido and Mission Valley areas, as well as burned vehicles used in the crimes that were found in College Grove and Chula Vista.

By Janis Mork

October 29, 2012 (Poway)- “We thought the fires would defeat us, but instead we have risen,  phoenix-like, from the flames,” English competitor Dominic Sewell declared back in 2007. The Witch Creek fire had just ravaged our region, but organizers decided that the tournament would go on.  Hence a name for the event was born—and it’s been held ever year since, with more competitions, displays and exhibitions each year. 

The 6^th annual Tournament of the Phoenix took place at Poway Rodeo grounds October 27-29.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

October 29, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--It’s time to change our clocks this coming Sunday November 4^th “back” for daylight savings and when we do that it’s a good time to change our smoke detector batteries and check their condition says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. Roughly two-thirds of home fire deaths occurred in homes without working smoke alarms. Since most fatal fires occur at night, it’s essential that every home have working smoke alarms to provide an early warning.

By Bill Weaver

October 29, 2012 (San Diego) –San Diego is home to immigrants and refugees from around the world.  The Mano A Mano Foundation has provided the following list of scholarships available to non-citizens as well as citizens and AB 540 students. AB540 is a California bill passed on October 12, 2001 that allows undocumented students who meet certain requirements to pay in-state tuition instead of out-of-state tuition in California's higher institutions. For more information see ab540.com.