La Mesa

LA MESA COUNCIL CANDIDATES SHARE STRENGTHS AS THEY VIE FOR TWO OPEN SEATS

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: Genevieve Suzuki,Lauren Cazares, and Shawn Townsend.

August 9, 2024 (La Mesa)—La Mesa’s City Council will have two new members after the November election.  That’s because Councilman Jack Shu is retiring and Councilman Colin Parent, whose term  expires, is running for State Assembly.

Both Parent and Shu have endorsed two Democrats running for Council seats:  Genevieve Suzuki, an attorney, journalist and community volunteer, and Lauren Cazares, a policy advisor at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.  The County Democratic Party and prominent Democratic officials have also endorsed Suzuki and Cazares.

The County Republican Party has not endorsed any candidate in this race. Two other candidates have pulled papers to run: fitness company CEO and  personal trainer Shawn Townsend, an independent, and Jose Fernandez, whose information is not yet available.


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PARENT LEADS SHARP-COLLINS IN FUNDRAISING FOR STATE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 79 RACE, BUT CONFLICT OF INTEREST REPORTS STILL PLAGUE HIM

 

By Michael Howard

July 30, 2024 (La Mesa, CA) – As the two democratic candidates for State Assembly District 79 Colin Parent and LaShae Sharp-Collins prepare for the upcoming November 5 election, fundraising in the last three months is crucial.

Heading into the critical August through October time period, Parent has the clear lead in fundraising totals, collecting over double the amount of Sharp-Collins with $401,009 to her $195,824.

What becomes clear when looking at the contributions they’ve received is the difference in occupations of the donors. Setting aside for a moment the majority both campaigns raise through Political Action Committees (PACs), what remains is a clear picture of who are each candidate’s core donors.


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DR. HAROLD BAILEY WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD FROM WATER FOR PEOPLE

By Miriam Raftery

July 31, 2024 (San Diego’s East County)—Water for People, a global nonprofit, has presented its prestigious Kenneth J. Miller Founder’s Award for outstanding service to La Mesa resident Harold E. Bailey, Ph.D., P.E.  A registered civil engineer and former university instructor, Dr. Bailey has an impressive record of accomplishments for numerous local water-related organizations and agencies spanning more than four decades.

“As a past chair of the San Diego Water for People Committee who continues volunteering numerous hours serving on multiple event committees, and who has been a strong and consistent supporter of Water for People for over 15 years,” the organization’s award recommendation letter states, “Harold Bailey exemplifies outstanding service to Water for People’s mission of bringing clean water and sanitation to `everyone, forever’; he is well deserving of the Miller award.”


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ASSESSED VALUE OF PROPERIES IN EAST COUNTY CITIES HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR

 
East County News Service
 
Photo courtesy: San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/Clerk Jordan Z. Marks recently certified the 2024 assessment roll in a letter to Andrew Potter, clerk of the County Board of Supervisors.
 
July 29, 2024 (San Diego) –  San Diego County’s gross assessed value of all taxable property, including residential, commercial and industrial land, has reached $768 billion, which is 5.58% higher, or $40.6 billion greater than last year, according to Jordan Z. Marks, San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk (ARCC).
 
The ARCC office also said the 2024 gross assessed value for the city of El Cajon was $13,559,175,149, or 3.33% higher than the 2023 figure of $13,122,021,164.
 
The figures for the city of La Mesa were $10,716,933,082 for 2024, a 3.51% increase from $ 10,353,489,019 in 2023.
 
The figures for the city of Santee were $9,289,601,629 for 2024, a 5.42% increase from $8,811,894,317 in 2023.

About the author: (28) Rick Griffin | LinkedIn


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LA MESA POLICE SEEK LEADS IN STABBING DEATH; $1,000 REWARD OFFERED

Update July 25,  2024:  La Mesa Police have identified the victim and clarified that the victim was stabbed, not shot.

By Miriam Raftery

July 13, 2024 (La Mesa) – Shortly after midnight, a man suffering stab wounds to his upper torso staggered across High Street in the 7500 block and fell down on a the driveway in front of an apartment building, a caller told police. Officers and fire department personnel immediately responded and rendered first aid, but the victim was declared dead at the scene.

“Based on initial information gathered by investigators, it does not appear the victim, a 25-year-old white male and resident of La Mesa, was shot while out on the street,” says Lieutenant Katy Lynch. “A light-colored sedan was seen driving westbound on High Street shortly before the victim was seen staggering across the street, but it is unknown if that vehicle is related to this incident.”


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UPDATED ODD COUPLE PLAY IN LA MESA PROVIDES INSIGHTS ON FRIENDSHIPS DESPITE DIFFERENCES

By Susan Taylor

July 15,2004 (La Mesa) -- Neil Simon’s timeless comedy, The Odd Couple, is playing at Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa through July 28, a play worth seeing.  Directed by Diane Jones and produced by Cydney King, it is billed as the “female version”, so the cast is all female, with the exception of two male roles introduced in the second act.

The show retains the game-playing friends in a 1980’s New York apartment, and the principal roles of the jilted spouse and the slob.  Yvonne Nguyen portrays Florence Unger, the insecure wife in need of a place to stay and a best friend’s compassion. Erin Grayce plays Olive Madison, a hard-working sports writer who cares nothing for a tidy home.  Olive invites Florence to temporarily share her apartment until they get laughingly on each other’s nerves. Viewers come away with the realization that this very odd couple teaches valuable lessons about friendship and differences among people here and abroad.


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LA MESA CITY COUNCIL APPROVES SALES TAX MEASURE FOR BALLOT

 

By Rachel Williams

July 11, 2024 (La Mesa) -- Here’s Why Your Voice Matters, La Mesa.

The La Mesa City Council voted unanimously on July 9 to let residents vote in November on whether to continue the ¾ cent sales tax extension used to fund public services.  Prop L, enacted in 2008, is set to expire in 2029.

According to a city press release sent by the city after the vote, the Prop L sales tax contributes approximately $12 million annually in local funding. Without Prop L funding, the City would need to make significant reductions to public safety services and maintenance of streets, sidewalks, parks, storm drains and other infrastructure, the release states.


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AFTER OTAY FIRE, LA MESA CITY MANAGER OFFERS ASSURANCES ON SAFETY OF PROPOSED BATTERY STORAGE SITE IN LA MESA

By Miriam Raftery

Image: Rendering of proposed Murray Project in La Mesa, via Enersmart's project website

July 8, 2024 (La Mesa) – A battery fire at the Gateway energy storage facility in Otay Mesa in May forced evacuation of nearby businesses for nearly two weeks.  

Enersmart has proposed building a battery energy storage facility at 8131 El  Paso Street in La Mesa.

After the Otay fire, La Mesa City Manager Greg Humora recently sent an e-mail to the mayor and city councilmembers highlighting key differences between the Otay and La Mesa projects in size, technology, and fire protection plans.


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LAMPLIGHTERS PRESENTS THE ODD COUPLE, WITH FEMALE ROOMMATES JULY 5-28

 

By Miriam Raftery

July 6, 2024 (La  Mesa) – Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa presents Neil Simon’s classic comedy, The Odd Couple, July 5-28, with a twist. Instead of sloppy Oscar and neatnik Felix, the leads are female roommates​: Olive Madison and Florence Unger.


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LA MESA SUNDAYS AT SIX: SUMMER CONCERTS AT HARRY GRIFFEN PARK

East County News Service

June 3, 2024 (La Mesa)-- La Mesa's 2024 Summer Concerts will be held on Sundays from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. from June 23 through July 28 at the Amphitheatre at Harry Griffen Park, 9550 Milden Dr., La Mesa.

The concert series highlights musicians from various genres, from soulful jazz to energetic rock.

Artists include:


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ADIOS TO POR FAVOR IN LA MESA: MEXICAN EATERY SELLS TO OWNER OF FARMER’S TABLE

By Miriam Raftery

June 30, 2024 (La Mesa) – Today is the last day to savor margaritas and Mexican food at Por Favor in La Mesa, a favorite of village patrons for the past 50 years. The Marrujo family has sold its downtown La Mesa restaurant, but will continue to operate Por Favor in El Cajon.

The Alba Retaurant Group, established by Albert Morreales, has purchased the Por Favor site at 8302 La Mesa Blvd., according to SanDiegoVille.com.  The group owns several local restaurants including Farmer’s Table, Limoncello, and Smokey and the Brisket in La Mesa, as well as  Farmers Bottega in Mission Hills.

Alba reportedly plans to remodel the space for a new restaurant concept, though details have not been disclosed,NBC 7 reports.0

Will the new owners retain the Mediterranean Revival-style building’s historic features, such as its arched, stained-glass windows,interior balcony and  exterior concrete-and-stucco finish designed to resemble rusticated stone?


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JUNETEENTH CELEBRATIONS INCLUDE EAST COUNTY SITES

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Lemon Grove Mayor Racquel Vasquez and Shane Harris, President of the People's Associate of Justice Advocates, raise Juneteenth flag

June 19, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – In honor of Juneteenth, a federal and county holiday, events and recognitions have been held across our region.

Juneteenth flags were raised in the cities of Lemon Grove and Chula Vista, at the Sweetwater Union School District,and other venues, while La Mesa hosted a Junetenth and Friends celebration.

On June19,1865, slaves in Galveston, Texas learned that they were free—over two years after President Abraham Lincoln had signed the emancipation proclamation. Juneteenth commemorates this official end to slavery in the U.S.


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RUTH STERLING TO SERVE AS GRAND MARSHAL AT LA MESA FLAG DAY PARADE JUNE 8

 

East County News Service

June 3, 2024 (La Mesa) – La Mesa salutes Old Glory at the annual Flag Day Parade this Saturday. The parade starts at 10 a.m. and travels west through the La Mesa Village, along La Mesa Blvd. Former City Councilwoman Ruth Sterling will serve as Grand Marshal of the parade.

"Ruth's tireless dedication, from spearheading the parade's committee to establishing the Flag Day Parade endowment, exemplifies the essence of our celebration," the city's press release states.

Free ice cream will be provided by the La Mesa Community Relations and Veterans Commission at the Lookout in Legacy Park at the corner of La Mesa Blvd, 4th St. and Allison Ave.


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SECURITY CAMERAS SHOW MOUNTAIN LIONS IN LA MESA AND RANCHO SAN DIEGO

By Miriam Raftery

May 22, 2024 (San Diego’s East County)—Mountain lions are typically nocturnal and may travel many miles each night.  While rural residents are accustomed to the occasional cougar sighting, discovering that a mountain lion is their neighbor has startled residents in suburban La Mesa and Rancho San Diego over the past week.

On May 14, a video clearly documents a mountain lion in the backyard of a La Mesa home close to Lemon Avenue School near Jackson Drive, just west of State Route 125.

Another video taken on May 15 (screenshot, left) shows a mountain lion (also known as a puma or cougar) strolling along a swimming pool on Brabham Street in Rancho San Diego, not far from the library, ballfields and Cuyamaca College.


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ANTI-SEMITIC FLYERS LITTER LA MESA—AGAIN

By Miriam Raftery

A report has been filed with La Mesa Police by a resident disturbed over anti-Semitic flyers found across her 73rd Street neighborhood on Sunday morning.

“The police found them throughout at least West La Mesa, where I live, and have collected enough for evidence,” says Jane Peterson, who filed a report.  An officer advised her that “LMPD had already received calls and they were investigating it.” LMPD is interested in viewing any surveillance video community members might have to help identify those distributing the flyers and their vehicle (s),  she adds.  “I hope that La Mesa has a plan in place to stop this in its tracks immediately.”


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JACK IN THE BOX GUNMAN ARRESTED AFTER PURSUIT

By Miriam Raftery

April 25, 2024 (La Mesa) – Stolen mail, an illegal semi-automatic ghost gun, live and spent ammunition were among the items found in the vehicle of a suspect apprehended April 20 after a pursuit.

La Mesa Police officers responded to a call reporting a man pointing a gun at a female victim at the Jack in the Box restaurant on Jackson Drive in La Mesa shortly before midnight.  The officers spotted a vehicle leaving the scene that matched a description of the suspect’s vehicle.


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LA MESA HOLDS SPECIAL HEARING TODAY ON PROP L SALES TAX RENEWAL SURVEY

By Miriam Raftery

Chart, left, prepared by city staff, shows general fund forecast for next 10 years if Prop L is extended.

April 23, 2024 (La Mesa)—The La Mesa City Council will hold a special meeting at 4 p.m. today to review and discuss the Proposition L renewal survey results.  Prop L, the ¾ cent sales tax increase approved by voters in 2008, is set to sunset in 2029, unless a measure to extend it is put before voters and approved.  Prop L revenues currently account for 20% of the city’s general fund revenues.

The announcement of a special meeting comes after a letter sent April 17 by former Mayor Art Madrid to the current Mayor, City Council, and City Manager urging action.


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VIEW OUR INTERVIEW: LA MESA ACTIVISTS OBJECT TO CITY COUNCIL BANNING REMOTE PARTICIPATION

 

View video of interview, which also aired on KNSJ radio: https://youtu.be/6CG6xMtEY8U

March 25, 2024 (La Mesa) East County Magazine recently interviewed La Mesa activists Janet Castaños, PhD, and Gene Carpenter, who raise concerns over La Mesa City Council’s Feb. 27 decision to end remote public comments.  The action came after anti-Semitic comments were made by several callers at the previous meeting, though the city’s stated reason for ending the public’s ability to call in with comments was that the COVID-19 pandemic is over.

Castaños calls the vote a “knee jerk” reaction without public input.  “We had built greater community activity, greater engagement in our City Council with our Zoom and call-in options,” noting that people who were sick or had childcare issues could call in from home.  She objects to the decision made “without even taking the time to look at a variety of options that are used by the City of San Diego City  Council or the Board of Supervisors...”

“It affects all boards and commissions for the city of La Mesa...You have to physically be there if you want to make a comment on anything on the agenda,” she added.

Audio: 


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LA MESA BANS PUBLIC REMOTE COMMENTS AFTER ANTI-SEMITIC RANTS; OTHER CITY COUNCILS AROUND NATION POINT TO AI GENERATED ASSAULT


By Michael Howard

 

Screenshot from City Council video: La Mesa City Attorney Gleen Sabine advises Council on free speech rights

 

March 3, 2024 (La Mesa, CA) - The La Mesa City Council in its February 27 meeting voted 4-1 to ban remote public comments moving forward, with Councilman Jack Shu casting the dissenting vote.


The agenda item cites a memo by City Clerk Megan Wiegelman that suggested “in the aftermath of COVID, remote public comment is no longer necessary.” But the move to disallow call-in and Zoom public comments during City Council meetings seems to be in response to theFebruary 13 Council meeting, in which several remote participants listed Jewish government officials and unleashed a barrage of anti-Semetic speech. 


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FREEWAY SHOOTING IN LA MESA: SUSPECT IN BLACK FORD FUSION SOUGHT

East County News Service

March 4, 2024 (La Mesa)—California Highway Patrol is seeking a black Ford Fusion sedan driven by a black man suspected of shooting and injuring a motorist on I-8 in La Mesa yesterday afternoon.

The injured motorist, an El Cajon man, was driving a red Chrysler PT Cruiser westbound on Interstate 8, just east of Grossmont Blvd. California Highway Patrol responded to reports of the shooting around 3:35 p.m.


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ANTISEMETIC CALLERS OVERWHELM LA MESA CITY COUNCIL MEETING WITH HATE SPEECH

By JW August, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association
 
Photo: Courtesy of City of La Mesa
 
February 16, 2024 (La Mesa) -- What began as a typical La Mesa City Council meeting this week to weigh local issues morphed into an antisemitic diatribe by largely anonymous white-supremacist callers.
 
Words turned ugly during the council’s public comment period on Tuesday when a series of callers, each held to a council-mandated three-minute limit per speaker, used their allotted time to debase and degrade Jews with callous accusations and conspiracy theories.

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COUNTY ISSUES EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION AFTER STORM CAUSES FLOODING DAMAGE; RESIDENTS ASKED TO SUBMIT DAMAGES

East Count News Service

Photo courtesy of the City of La Mesa

January 23, 2024 (San Diego)--The County of San Diego is proclaiming a local emergency on behalf of the Board of Supervisors in anticipation that resources and assistance from the state and federal government may be needed because of damage caused by flooding from the storm January 22, 2024.

Residents and businessowners can submit their damages to https://crisistrack.juvare.com/public/sandiegoCA/request.html

A local proclamation communicates to the state that the County is anticipating significant impacts to both public and private property.

The San Diego National Weather Service office reported that Monday was the 5th wettest day in San Diego since 1850.


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LAMPLIGHTERS THEATRE IN LA MESA PRESENTS THE CRUCIBLE JAN.12-FEB.4 -- WITH A MODERN TWIST

East County News Service

January 21, 2024 (La Mesa)-- Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa will present playwright Arthur Miller’s classic, The Crucible January 12 through February 4. 

Written in 1953, it is a dramatized and fictionalized retelling of the Salem witch trials in Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1692-93. Most of the characters are real historical figures.  Miller wrote the play as an allegory for McCarthyism.  It is regarded as a central work in the canon of American drama.  It’s a story of one man’s struggle toward grace.  It depicts human struggles both internal and external:  a community galvanized by fear and suspicion, a wife betrayed by lust, an orphan girl blind with passion and obsessed with revenge, ruthless prosecutors, deluded holy men, and covetous neighbors. 

Lamplighter’s director has updated once again, this time to 2020, where it appears the country is again seemingly divided and moving in two extreme directions.


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COMEDY NIGHT JANUARY 26 AT SPACEBAR CAFÉ AND WINE BISTRO

East County News Service

January 19, 2024 (La Mesa) -- Comedians Gene Levin and Carol Johnson produce 4th Friday Comedy every month at SpaceBar Cafe & Wine Bistro, 7454 University Avenue, La Mesa from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The monthly show is one of longest running free comedy shows in our region.


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TOBACCO RETAILERS WILL NEED A LICENSE TO SELL IN LA MESA

Story and photo by Michael Howard

Photo: Tobacco retailers like this smoke shop will be subject to licensing later this year. 

January 15, 2024 (La Mesa, CA) - The La Mesa City Council adopted a new ordinance earlier this month that mandates tobacco retailers shall have a license to sell tobacco products.

The ordinance passed unanimously during the January 9,2024 City Council meeting upon Councilmember Jack Shu’s motion to adopt. Shu showed his support of the ordinance by wearing two lapel pins.

“One is ‘I love clean air’ and the other is a lung that was given to me for cleaner lungs by not smoking,” Shu said.


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VISIONARY DANCE THEATRE BECOMES MOUNARATH-POWELL DANCE

Source:  Mounarath-Powell Dance

January 13, 2024 (La Mesa) - Visionary Dance Theatre, an award-winning dance company and school for the performing arts in the heart of La Mesa, is thrilled to announce a rebranding initiative to celebrate its 15th anniversary and the long-standing partnership of its founders, Spencer John Powell and Mickey Mounarath.


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$10,000 REWARD OFFERED TO SOLVE 2021 MURDER OF SAILOR IN LA MESA

By Miriam Raftery

January 11, 2024 (La Mesa) – La Mesa police seeks public help to solve the murder of 22-year-old Corneilius Donte Brown.  His family is offering a $9,000 reward, in addition to a $1,000 Crimestoppers award, for information leading to the identification and arrest of suspects in his murder, which occurred on April 24, 2021 around 12:26 a.m.


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SING, DANCE AND LEARN WITH KATHRYN THE GRAPE JAN. 12 AT GROSSMONT CENTER

East County News Service

January 4, 2024 (La Mesa) -- Families are invited to come sing, dance and learn with Kathryn the Grape for a Fun Friday morning January 12 from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. in the Grossmont Center Courtyard in La Mesa. Enjoy positive, upbeat, award-winning children’s music at this interactive concert. Your little ones will love singing and grooving along at this live music experience.


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AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPLEX IN DOWNTOWN LA MESA STARTS LIST FOR LEASING

By Miriam Raftery

January 3, 2024 (La Mesa) — An affordable housing development on city-owned land at the site of the former police  station in downtown La Mesa is expected to be completed later this year.  You can now sign up on an interest list to received leasing events information this summer.

Renters must have a household income between $29,200 and $67,200, which is 30% to 70% of the area’s $97,000 median income. Rents will range from $685 to $1,591 per month.


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PASSAGES: ERNEST EWIN, FORMER LA MESA COUNCILMAN AND CIVIC LEADER

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Councilman Ernie Ewin  at the La Mesa railway depot, during kickoff of the city's 2012  Centennial.

January 3, 2024 (La Mesa) -- Former La Mesa City Councilman Ernest “Ernie” Ewin died December 28, 2023 at age 76 in Utah from complications of vascular dementia.  Ewin served 18 years on the City Council, previously serving on the city’s planning commission, and held many other civic leadership positions, contributing to East County communities in the fields of education, healthcare, and more.

Ewin represents the City on the Metropolitan Transit Board (MTS), where he has chaired the audit committee. He chaired the Metro Waste Water Joint Powers Authority and served as Executive Director of the Grossmont College Foundation’ board of directors and as donor relations specialist for the Foundation for Grossmont & Cuyamaca Colleges. In addition, he was Chairman of the Prop G Grossmont Healthcare District's Independent Oversight Committee and served on the board of the East County Visitors’ Bureau.

 He was also  a founding member of the San Diego Trolley Board of Directors, past member of the County of San Diego Finance Review Panel, past Chairman of the San Diego County Organization Assessment Panel, and past Chairman of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca District's Prop R Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee. He also chaired a volunteer finance committee for the city’s 2012 Centennial celebration.


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