STATE OF THE COUNTY ADDRESS: “OMINOUS DAYS BEFORE US,” JACOB WARNS
Printer-friendly versionCounty to Sue State Over Funding Cuts By Miriam Raftery Supervisor Dianne Jacob February 12, 2009 (El Cajon) — Dianne Jacob, Chairwoman of the County Board of Supervisors, presented a bleak outlook in a State of the County address presented last night at Cuyamaca College. As a result of falling revenues and state budget cuts, lay-offs and deep cuts in County services will be necessary, she warned. “Apparently, state legislators see nothing wrong with collecting their paychecks, while aid checks to more than 63,000 `at risk’ San Diego children hang in the balance,” said Jacob, who revealed that the state plans to delay some $100 million in aid payments to foster families, disadvantaged children and their parents. San Diego Supervisors plan to send representatives to Sacramento Friday to join with 23 counties to fight back by filing a lawsuit to try and force the state to meet its obligations. Meanwhile, the County has sent letters to vulnerable families explaining that the State aims to begin withholding funds starting Friday. Jacob also alluded to President Barack Obama’s inauguration speech, in which he spoke of gathering clouds and raging storms. “Those storms are battering our region.,” Jacob said. “We see dire unemployment, a record decline in the housing market and a troubling drop in tourism..Let me be clear: what lies ahead is treacherous.” She described a “triple whammy” of hits: local revenues including sales and property taxes have tumbled $90 million, stock market losses have squeezed pension funds, and a state’s budget shortfall likely to result on the most severe cuts ever, Jacob warned. More than 75% of the County’s operating budget comes from the state, she noted. Jacob pledged to utilize “strict fiscal discipline” as well as “technology and creativity” to address problems she believes will test government more than any time since the Great Depression. She noted that the County has a balanced budget, an adequate emergency fund and that Standard and Poors recently raised the County’s rating to AAA. Public safety will remain the highest priority, Jacob stressed, adding that the County’s commitment to spend $15.5 million annually on consolidation of rural fire agencies will mean full-time coverage at over 50 fire stations in unincorporated areas. She pledged a sweeping review of the current system to determine what else should be changed to improve efficiencies in fire protection despite taxpayers voting down the fire tax initiative on the November ballot. Jacob said she will ask the Board to consider manadatory water-wise and fire-resistant landscaping for all new development in the unincorporated area, and ask cities to follow suit. She also called for expanded use of recycled water in the face of potential water rationing. “Solar energy is ripe for the taking,” said Jacob, who wants to see homeowners, not SDG&E, allowed to keep profits from excess solar energy produced. She also supports a plan for government to line up private financing to help homeowners afford to install solar, then pay it back over time through property taxes. “Imagine every house in our region as its own clean, green little power plant. It’s possible!” she exclaimed. “What if we took the $2 billion ratepayer dollars that SDG&E wants to use for its controversial Sunrise Powerlink and funded rooftop solar energy instead?” On Monday, the City laid off 27 workers. Now, Jacob said more outsourcing of public jobs to private contractors may be needed to stem the flow of red ink. But that proposal drew criticism from Melinda Battenberg, communications specialist for Service Employees International Union, Local 22. “I don’t thnk outsourcing is a proven solution to anything. It’s concerning to hear her say that,” said Battenberg. “We really need to look at the County level to see what could be done to protect jobs and services.” She found it ironic that Jacob criticized state legislators for taking paychecks while the budget crisis remained unresolved, noting that “Supervisors are still getting a paycheck and large auto allowances” while workers are being laid off. She added, “We feel they should lead by example.” Battenberg called for formation of a coalition of employees, unions, and nonprofits to examine expenses and trim all the fat before any jobs or services are cut. The County has opened a new one-stop Operations Center to consolidate services and eliminate costly leased space. The project will employ over 3,500 San Diegans. In addition, County shovels are poised for federal stimulus funds. “More than $731 million in projects are ready to launch at a moment’s notice,” Jacob said. One bright spot has been a decrease in crime, due in part to a rapid response DNA team that solved over 200 cold crimes. But gang-related crime remains out of hand, To combat the problem, a new plan will embed pastors, coaches, teachers and mentors alongside law enforcement officers to intervene and help children of gang members avoid following parents down criminal paths. Jacob also pledged to seek support for legislation to allow San Diego to be a pilot county utilizing ignition interlocks to prevent drunk drivers from becoming repeat offenders. Mack Jenkins, Chief Probation Officer But Mack Jenkins, Chief Probation Officer for the County, expressed concerns over how his department can supervise paroled criminals if the state makes deep budget cuts for probation services as anticipated. “We might be decreasing services and supervising fewer people, or not providing the level of supervision.” The department will prioritize supervision for the highest risk offenders, he said. But asked whether crime will increase, he replied, “Certainly that is our concern.” Jacob assured that despite the challenges ahead, “the County’s walls will stay strong and its doors will stay open.” Printer-friendly version
HARBISON CANYON FIRE STATION REOPENS
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 10, 2009 (Harbison Canyon) — Like a phoenix arisen from the ashes, a new fire station has opened to replace the Harbison Canyon station that burned down during the 2003 Cedar Fire. CAL FIRE-Rural Protection District held a grand opening to celebrate completion of the new station, which was funded by insurance, the Sycuan tribe, and Supervisor Dianne Jacob’s office. The original wood station was among 300 structures destroyed by the Cedar Fire. The station could not be rebuilt on the same site, because there was inadequate room for fire trucks to turn onto the main street. Instead, the new structure, built of pre-fabricated steel with a slate roof, is situated on Harbison Road near St. George Drive. “Fire stations are pillars of the community,” District Chief Dave Nissen said shortly after the groundbreaking in 2008. “It breeds confidence in the community when you have a fire station.” Printer-friendly version
EL CAJON MOURNS PASSING OF WAYNE STALKER, LONG-TIME EMPLOYEE AND ARTIST
Printer-friendly versionThe El Cajon Police Department and the City are saddened by the death of retired Animal Control Officer Wayne Stalker. Wayne passed away on Wednesday, February 4 after a long courageous battle against cancer. Wayne joined the El Cajon Police Department as a Volunteer Police Reserve Officer on September 9, 1981, and then held various positions at the police department, eventually becoming an Animal Control Officer on July 1, 1995. He retired from the City on December 28, 2007. Not only was Wayne a dedicated officer, but he was also a very talented artist. Printer-friendly version
FREE GYMNASTICS DAY FOR KIDS FEB. 21 AT CAMEROM FAMILY YMCA, SANTEE
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 12, 2009 (Santee) — The Cameron Family YMCA in Santee will host their annual Free Gymnastics Day on Sat., Feb. 21 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event is a special day of fun in the branch’s fully-equipped gymnastics center for boys and girls ages three to 13 years of age. The Cameron Family YMCA is located at 10123 Riverwalk Drive in Santee. Printer-friendly version