SIGN A PETITION! Key vote Feb. 29 could take away your right to be informed and speak out

By Miriam Raftery, Editor, East County Magazine

“People will never hear about projects until after they’re done if this [elimination of planning groups] goes through.” – Mark Ostrander, chair, Jacumba sponsor group

February 2, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – I've rarely published an editorial commentary, reserving my opinion for only those matters with the gravest of consequences for East County. One such matter will come before San Diego's Supervisors on February 29, when supervisors will vote on whether or not to eliminate all community planning groups countywide.  They will also weigh other “reforms” aimed at making it easier to pave over paradise--or put a goliath-scale project next door to you--with nobody the wiser until it's too late.

This ill-conceived idea is the brainchild of a “Red Tape Reduction Task Force” stacked with developers. If adopted, it will stifle voices of concerned residents in the early planning phases of major development projects from condo complexes to wind farms. 

Danielle Cook, a concerned citizen in Jacumba, has launched an online petition calling on Supervisors to save community planning groups. I have signed it, and urge all County residents to do the same if you value a democratic process that allows people’s voices to be heard, not just special interests. You can sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/petitions/san-diego-county-supervisor-save-our-planning-and-sponsor-groups.

 Several workshops scheduled in 2012 to help thousands of American families avert foreclosure

January 21, 2012 (San Diego)--San Diego City Council will be discussing a proposed “Urban Agriculture Ordinance” on Tuesday, January 31 at 2 p.m. in council chambers, 202 C Street, 12th floor, downtown San Diego. The proposal aims to make it easier to grow food in city limits.

 
Update February 4, 2012 -- The Department of Defense still has not listed the death of Jay Polk, nor has any notice of his death been published in New Iberia, Louisiana, where he claimed to live.  A source informs ECM further that his name has not been provided for addition to a memorial for special forces soldiers. Thus it now appears he was not killed in service to his country and likely fabricated the "report" of his death and possibly his military service as well. Now a blog site claims to have obtained military records showing a Jamond Polk was thrown out of the military at Fort Jackson. We do not know if this is the same Jay Polk referenced below, but include this information for anyone who may be able to confirm or disprove the connection: 

We are leaving this story posted, with this disclaimer, because the research on special forces operations includes numerous well documented links on that issue  even if Polk's tale is a hoax.  

By Nadin B. Abbott

January 17, 2012 (San Diego)— On January 2, a soldier in San Diego claiming links to Special Forces posted on his Facebook page that he was deploying to Syria. This tantalizing piece of information startled readers, leading many to ask: does our country have troops in Syria and if so, why?

By Nadin Abbott

 
December 20, 2011 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Police Department is holding its annual Mid-City Division Christmas toy delivery on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 beginning at 6:00 a.m. The toy delivery will be held at the Multicultural Storefront at 5348 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92105.

By Sierra Severson

New initiative encourages seniors and their loved ones to ‘use their voice’ to advocate on important issues through workshops and social media 

November 20, 2011 (San Diegio)--The County Department of Environmental Health has issued a General Advisory for coastal waters of San Diego County due to recent rainfall. Activities such as swimming, surfing and diving should be avoided in all coastal waters for 72 hours following rain due to elevated bacteria levels. This includes all coastal beaches, Mission Bay and San Diego Bay.