EDITORIAL – A PROPOSAL FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA
Put Americans to work providing fire protection infrastructure and energy independence for San Diego’s fire-ravaged East County region By Miriam Raftery, Editor, East County Magazine December 7, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) —President-Elect Barack Obama is expected to propose the largest infrastructure-rebuilding program since Franklin Delano Roosevelt initiated the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression. The goal is to put Americans back to work and revitalize the economy while also repairing roads, bridges, levees and other public projects. While fiscal conservatives may oppose massive spending on public works projects, the reality is that with a Democratic-controlled Congress, the President’s proposed infusion of capital into infrastructure rebuilding is guaranteed to pass. “So why not have San Diego County’s bipartisan Congressional delegation propose that a portion of those infrastructure dollars be spent to improve fire safety right here in East County, where the worst wildfires in California history struck in 2003 and again in 2007?” Half a million people were forced to evacuate in the most recent fires here. Wildfires have cost billions of dollars in property damage and claimed dozens of lives in San Diego’s eastern region in the past five years alone, yet we remain at high risk for future–and potentially worse–conflagrations. How about putting Americans to work undergrounding power lines in high-wind areas locally? “At least three of last year’s fires have been blamed on power lines, according to CALFIRE reports; the state of California and San Diego County have filed lawsuits against SDG&E to recoup massive losses.” No doubt even the utility company would welcome federal investment in putting power lines underground — since this would dramatically reduce the risk of future fires started by downed or faulty wind-blown power lines. Obama’s administration could also put Californians to work clearing brush and cutting firebreaks in our backcountry areas — In the past, prisoners from five local honor camps were utilized to cut firebreaks and thin brush, but those camps have all been closed. Since closure, dense brush has contributed to fires starting in East County and burning into urban areas of San Diego, including Scripps Ranch and Rancho Bernardo, where hundreds of homes burned down. Bark beetles have taken a toll on trees in our local forests, compounding problems from drought and trees burned in prior fires. Why not put crews to work clearing dead trees, which would surely be cheaper than funding cleanup and rebuilding after yet another horrific firestorm? Not to mention the skyrocketing cost of homeowners insurance for people in fire-prone areas — if they can qualify for insurance at all. Perhaps funds could also be found to help uninsured or underinsured fire victims rebuild utilizing fire-safe, energy-efficient and green technologies. Around half of the 2003 Cedar victims and over 90% of 2007 fire victims locally have not yet been able to replace their homes. “Many are unable to afford costs of new building code requirements, such as widening or paving private roads to accommodate fire-fighting vehicles.” Obama should also consider funding public works projects to build solar or wind farms in East County (with appropriate environmental and safety standards met), as well as helping business owners and homeowners retrofit to install solar panels and other energy-saving measures as he has recently annonced. “Buildings use 45% of all electricity in America.” Developing energy independence and reducing greenhouse gas emissions should be treated as national security priorities. So should eliminating power lines to reduce the risk of wildfires, which not only threaten the security of East County residents and businesses, but also provide an easy means for terrorists to strike using nothing more than a match to terrorize an entire region. San Diego has an abundance of sunshine. “Solar and wind power could assure sustainability for backcountry communities that need it most, since SDG&E has threatened to shut off power during high-risk fire conditions.” Many rural residents rely on electricity to power wells with water needed to sustain people and livestock — Shutting off power to wells also threatens water supplies that can be tapped by firefighters during a firestorm emergency, so assuring a stable power supply also helps keep our communities safe. I can think of no more worthy use of our tax dollars than to keep Americans safe. — Protecting Californians and residents through the West from wildfires should rank at the top of infrastructure budget priorities — right up there with shoring up levees in New Orleans, repairing failing bridges, and rebuilding public infrastructure devastated by tornadoes, hurricanes, floods or earthquakes. If you agree that the Obama administration should make wildfire protection and “energy independence for East County priorities in its American infrastructure investment program, take action!” Contact your Congressional representatives and Senators, using the links in our Citizens’ Action Center: www.eastcountymagazine.org/?q=0809soundoff. You can also visit www.change.org to post a comment for Obama’s transition team, along with a link to this editorial. After all, the safety of our community is at stake. Editor Miriam Raftery is a national award-winning journalist who has been covering wildfires in San Diego County for the past 25 years.
Save Water to Win Free Admission to the Natural History Museum–and Get Discounts for Legoland
December 1, 2008 (Natural History Museum) — San Diego County faces water rationing in 2009 as a result of drought. Water districts locally are asking all users to cut back on water usage. Now you can earn some fun rewards for your family by conserving water. Residential customers who have saved water could win a family membership at the San Diego Natural History Museum. Just bring in your water bill documenting your savings to the San Diego Natural History Museum in Balboa Park and you will be entered into a drawing. Up to one membership per month will be given away until June 2009 to eligible households. You can also sign a pledge to save 20 gallons of water daily, and receive discounts to the San Diego Natural History Museum, Museum of Man, and Legoland California: www.20gallonchallenge.com/mypledge.html#discount For more information, visit: www.20gallonchallenge.com/promotions.html
Sylvia’s Soapbox –” DOCTOR, PATIENT MISTAKES CAN BE DEADLY AND EXPENSIVE
By Sylvia Hampton As I write this, my daughter’s relative by marriage and close friend is in a Los Angeles hospital intensive care unit fighting for her life at age 46. The family told my daughter the following story: “Peggy” (not her real name) had been feeling ill for some time with abdominal pain that her doctor thought was from the uterine fibroids they knew she had. The doctor was considering a hysterectomy to correct the problem. When her pain and complaints worsened she was told to take ibuprofen. This did not help and when she later could not get a call-back from the doctor, in frustration, she increased the dose herself to a dangerous level. The pain got so bad after a day or two that she ended up in the emergency room where she was diagnosed with diverticulitis, an inflammation of the colon, which was missed during the earlier office visit. Did she have an elevated temperature? Was that checked? A woman over 40 with these symptoms of lower abdominal pain and an elevated body temperature is a red flag for appendicitis or diverticulitis. Undiagnosed and untreated, the infection caused a tear in the colon wall which allowed seepage of bacteria into her system resulting in acute respiratory failure, renal failure, and liver damage. The medical term is “severe sepsis”. She underwent emergency surgery that successfully repaired the tear by removing a portion of her colon. However due to the Sepsis her blood pressure became dangerously low. She was put on two life support systems, a respirator for her lungs and blood pressure medication. They treated her with an antibiotic which kept her from declining further but did not raise her blood pressure. Later it was decided to try a new drug that is rarely used except in extreme Sepsis cases. It is usually given for a 96 hour period but had to be interrupted for dialysis Sunday evening. So far the dialysis has helped reduce the swelling and she looks more comfortable. Her husband, parents and brother keep a vigil by her side. Today she looks better and they report eye and hand movements. Health care today requires us to be more vigilant and communicate clearly with our doctors and their staffs. “Peggy,” a college graduate, has what is considered good health insurance. But we know that is not enough in this market-based health system that makes a profit from denying care. We must always speak up strongly and report accurately to the people who answer the phones for the doctors. Had Peggy gone on the Internet and checked her symptoms she may have avoided much of her pain and agony. Women tend to suffer in silence thinking it is “all in their head.” But why would she not get a quicker response from her doctor? Did she make it clear what was happening? At this point we can only guess. Is it any wonder our health care system is the most expensive but still leaves us number 37 in health of our population? A CAT scan or MRI costing about $1000 might have led to a simple operation and far better outcome for Peggy and her family. How sad. Sylvia Hampton is a community activist inducted into the San Diego County Women’s Hall of fame for 2008 for her work in the fields of healthcare reform, social justice and reproductive health. She is the past president of the League of Women Voters of San Diego County and served on President Nixon’s Title X Family Planning Council. Her monthly Community Forum column is published in the Rancho Bernardo Sun, Diamond Gateway Signature, and her “Soapbox” in the East County Magazine. Opinions are Sylvia’s alone and not to be interpreted as the policies of the League of Women Voters.
FORMER GUHSD SUPERINTENDENT TERRY RYAN DIES OF BRAIN TUMOR
By Miriam Raftery December 1, 2008 (East San Diego County) — Terry Ryan, former superintendent of the Grossmont Union High School District, died November 24 at his home in Rancho Bernardo. Battling brain cancer, Ryan resigned from his position at the GUHSD 18 months ago. “He worked hard to improve relations with the teachers after what had been an extremely difficult and contentious two years of negotiations”, recalled GUHSD board member Richard Hoy, who praised Ryan for supporting public education. “The passage of Prop H, the first bond in over 36 years, was due in no small measure to his leadership and vision. The students of the district will benefit from new construction and renovations for many years to come. I would extend my condolences and prayers to his family during this difficult time.” Ryan had a 37-year career in education, serving in the Grossmont, Santee, Valley Center and Bonsall School Districts as well as with the San Diego County Office of Education. He co-founded the Valley Center Kiwanis Club and served as its first president. “He made a great contribution to the VC schools”, former Valley Center superintendent Harry Weinberg said, according to the Valley News Roadrunner. He set up a system of accountability and raised student achievement. Ryan’s tenure at the GUHSD was marred by controversies including a contentious labor dispute with the teacher’s union as well as his opposition to a charter proposal by Steele Canyon High School; the latter led to a vote of no confidence by a large majority of the district’s teachers, the East County Californian reported. “There is no question that Terry Ryan was a dedicated educator”, recalled Doug Deane, Chair of the Education Committee for the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce. However he observed, Superintendent Ryan’s legacy is tainted by the contentiousness and infighting among the Governing Board members during his stay in the district, and it is difficult for some to separate his accomplishments from that controversy.” But he added, “It is clear that Superintendent Ryan was responsible for the District’s passing of the Proposition H bond measure, which started the revitalization of what had once been a leading high school district in the County, and which had decayed substantially during the 1980s and 1990s. The residents of the District owe Terry Ryan a debt of gratitude for beginning that rebuilding process, which will be furthered by the passing of Proposition U.” Former GUHSD Board Chair Larry Urdahl said in an interview shortly before Ryan’s retirement, “What’s never reported is the good job Terry Ryan is doing.” He cited formation of an East County Gang Task force and the Grossmont Educational Foundation as examples. Ryan himself believed his greatest accomplishments at the GUHSD were improved test scores and passage of the bond measure. “We’re really pleased about the continuous academic progress that we’re seeing”, he said in an interview with this reporter shortly before his retirement announcement. Asked about labor controversies amid a time of budget crunches, he concluded, “It’s hard to be popular and well-liked when you’re cutting your district’s budget by one-fourth, but it’s a responsibility that we have to the taxpayers and citizens of this community to be financially solvent.” Services are pending. Donations may be made in Ryan’s name to the Grossmont Union High School District, Terry K. Ryan Future Teacher Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1043, La Mesa, CA 91944.
A SEASON FOR REFLECTION
Dear Readers, December 1, 2008 (La Mesa) — The East County Toy & Food Drive was founded 33 years ago by Stony Stone and a group of local businessmen to make the holidays brighter for children in need. This year, your help is needed more than ever. Stony suffered a serious health crisis several weeks ago and remains in rehabilitation. His illness falls in a year when more children than ever need help. Amid these tough economic times, many families have lost homes or jobs. Some can’t afford to put food on the table. Know a needy family? Get help, sign up to volunteer, or find out where to donate toys and food here: www.ectfd.org/4815.html. There are many in our community who need help–or just a friend to spend time with–this holiday season. Many older people are alone, because their children can’t afford to travel. As we reported last month, hunger is rising in East County–and many families can’t afford to put food on the table. Perhaps you can volunteer at a local food bank or homeless shelter, as President-elect Barack Obama did over Thanksgiving. If you pass a homeless person, stop a moment and listen to their story. Charities are short of donations in these hard times so please, help if you can. Our own holidays this season are tinged by loss. Over Thanksgiving, my mother-in-law passed away. Our family also deeply misses my father, who died in March. Both lived full and rich lives, giving and sharing their wit and wisdom with those they loved. Please take time out to spend with those you love, and tell them how much you appreciate them. Miriam Raftery, Editor East County Magazine
A SEASON FOR REFLECTION
Dear Readers, December 1, 2008 (La Mesa) — The East County Toy & Food Drive was founded 33 years ago by Stony Stone and a group of local businessmen to make the holidays brighter for children in need. This year, your help is needed more than ever. Stony suffered a serious health crisis several weeks ago and remains in rehabilitation. His illness falls in a year when more children than ever need help. Amid these tough economic times, many families have lost homes or jobs. Some can’t afford to put food on the table. Know a needy family? Get help, sign up to volunteer, or find out where to donate toys and food here: www.ectfd.org/4815.html. There are many in our community who need help–or just a friend to spend time with–this holiday season. Many older people are alone, because their children can’t afford to travel. As we reported last month, hunger is rising in East County–and many families can’t afford to put food on the table. Perhaps you can volunteer at a local food bank or homeless shelter, as President-elect Barack Obama did over Thanksgiving. If you pass a homeless person, stop a moment and listen to their story. Charities are short of donations in these hard times so please, help if you can. Our own holidays this season are tinged by loss. Over Thanksgiving, my mother-in-law passed away. Our family also deeply misses my father, who died in March. Both lived full and rich lives, giving and sharing their wit and wisdom with those they loved. Please take time out to spend with those you love, and tell them how much you appreciate them. Miriam Raftery, Editor East County Magazine
SOLAR HOLIDAY LIGHTS– SAFE, CHEAP & GREEN!
By Miriam Raftery December 2008 (San Diego) — Here’s a bright idea–save money on your holiday electric bills by going green! Solar holiday lights are now available in white or colored strings, twinkling lights, tree nets, wreaths, illuminated stars and even poinsettia lights for a variety of outdoor applications. Solar lights are also much safer than electric holiday lights. Our household once had a fuse box fire caused by holiday lights that overloaded an aging electrical circuit. (Fortunately, one of the kids smelled smoke, sparing us a tragedy.) With solar lights, there’s no need for a plug, wires or dangerous extension cords. You can illuminate landscaping too hard to reach with conventional electric lighting. Attractive and versatile, solar holiday lights simply soak up the sun’s rays by day, then illuminate solar-powered LED light fixtures after dark. Now Ploughsare offers hand-painted glow ornaments to hang on outdoor trees. As the name implies, the ornaments absorb sunshine, emitting a soft glow for hours after sundown. Solar lights may cost a bit more up front than electric lighting (strings average around $20), but will pay for themselves in energy cost savings over the long run. You can find a variety of solar holiday lights at these online sources, as well as through some local discount, department and home improvement stores: mysolarshop.com/holiday.html www.plowhearth.com/product.asp www.solarsanta.com/home.php www.target.com/Lights-Solar-Christmas-Decorations/b/ref=sc_fe_l_2/192-2939191-0306409?ie=UTF8&node=727917011 www.nextag.com/Furnishings–zzsolar+powered+christmas+lightsz2700404zB6z5—html