LA MESA REJECTS HATE-FREE RESOLUTION
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery May 14, 2009 (La Mesa)—La Mesa’s City Council voted unanimously to table a “Hate Free” resolution proposed by a coalition of 52 community groups countywide at a meeting Tuesday following heated and divisive public testimony. (For text of the resolution and details, see our previous article at http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/?q=node/1105.)Supporters said the measure was needed to reduce hate crimes by addressing “hate-motivated behavior” and promoting tolerance in the community. Opponents argued that it could restrict free speech and religious expression. Supporters of the measure cited Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) data indicating a 50% rise in hate crimes nationally over the past eight years and a growing number of hate groups in San Diego County, including East County. Eddie Meyer, field representative for Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña, told Council members that the Hate Free San Diego coalition formed in part because of discrimination and hate faced by refugees at Qualcomm Stadium after the 2007 fires, when some people were denied emergency aid solely because of racial prejudice. “Currently in San Diego, we have a hate crime once in every three days,” he added. “Hate groups are moving to San Diego,” he added, noting that California already leads the nation in the number of hate groups. He called San Diego County a “hotbed” of hate-based activity and observed a need to “counter hate messages with a positive message.” “We see a need to stand up for liberty and justice for all,” said David Meyer from the Church of Scientology, who formally asked the La Mesa Council to adopt the resolution. Countering critics who believe the measure targets free speech, he added, “Our mission is to elevate and encourage free speech, not suppress it.” He urged Council to adopt the measure to encourage people to speak out against bigotry, hate and hate-related violence. “If we remain silent, the perpetrator may think we believe it’s okay,” he added. “With our freedoms comes responsibility for our neighbors.” La Mesa resident Nancy Goettler also spoke in favor. “Hate can be taught by actions and by inaction,” she said, then asked La Msea to “serve as an example for our children.” Another speaker, a disabled veteran, said she had to pull her gay son out of school for half a year because “he encountered hate.” Carroll Boone, a member of La Mesa United Methodist Church’s peace and justice committee, said she’s concerned that “difficult economic times have given rise to an increase in shaming, naming and hate speech in La Mesa and beyond.” Rev. Mary Sue Brookshine also spoke in favor. “As a Christian minister, I am committee to honoring Christ’s greatest commandment—to love one another and encourage other Christians to do the same,” she said, pointedly adding that the resolution would not prevent her from speaking out from the pulpit on any issue as long as it is not endorsing a political candidate. Other speakers lined up against the proposal, several citing verbal attacks and publication of semi-nude photos of Miss California USA, Carrie Prejean. Mary Hills called the actions retaliation against Prejean for “speaking her heart” in revealing that she opposes gay marriage. “Truth is being labeled as hate,” she said. Pastor Jim Garlow (photo) of Skyline Church said he is against hate, but “freedoms are being lost.” He noted that opponents of Proposition 8, the gay marriage ballot initiative, had their personal addresses and maps showing location of their homes posted on the Internet. He observed that people who oppose gay marriage because of religious beliefs are “automatically called bigots, hatemongers.” Sylvia Sullivan, a La Mesa resident who described herself as a “peaceful, pro-life demonstrator, asked “Are we not supposed to hate sometimes?” She stated that she has had things thrown at her while protesting against abortion. Chris Thomas of La Mesa posed perhaps the most troubling question: “Who will decide what is hateful speech and what isn’t?” Craig Maxwell, a former Mayoral candidate, testified that “hate crimes is a redundant category” and argued that the resolution could lead to “criminalization of thought itself.” He urged Council to adhere to the children’s phrase that “sticks and stones will break our bones, but names can never hurt us.” La Mesa’s Police Chief testified that hate crimes have declined locally from 2008 to 2007 and that existing measures are effective. Each Councilmember spoke out, and while all denounced hate crimes, Councilmembers unanimously expressed the view that the measure was not needed. Councilman Ernest Ewin said the issues raised by the resolution are “already covered by existing laws.” Councilwoman Ruth Sterling also expressed concern over Constitutional issues. “The Supreme Court has ruled that symbolic expression, whether swastikas, burning crosses or peace symbols, are protected speech,” she said. Councilman Mark Arapostathos, a teacher, said schools already promote acceptance, not hate. Mayor Art Madrid said La Mesa has been a leader in battling hate, noting that the city introduced a human relations advisory committee many years ago and is committed to protecting the rights of all. He added that all members of the Council have received comments from people on both sides of the hate-free resolution who have taken a threatening tone with elected rerpesesnteds. “All of us got e-mails that said, `Support me or else.’” Mayor Madrid concluded, “If there is one thing I’ve learned through the years, it’s that you cannot legislate common sense or morality.” Printer-friendly version
CUYAMACA COLLEGE CAREER FAIR DRAWS RECORD CROWD
Printer-friendly versionEmployer representatives say sizable attendance a reflection of the times May 13, 2009 (EL CAJON) – Jobless figures topping 9 percent in San Diego County – 12 percent in El Cajon, according to the most recent state employment numbers – resulted in record attendance of about 500 people at this year’s career fair at Cuyamaca College, organizers say. In addition to a higher turnout, the 15th annual fair was also remarkable for the noticeably large share of attendees from the community at large. So say employer representatives like Tristan Turk with Wells Fargo Bank and Darrin Schwabe with the San Diego County Water Authority, two of some 60 companies and organizations which set up tables at the May 5 event. “I was surprised at the number of people I spoke with who weren’t students,” Turk said. “The college provided a valuable community service by putting on an event with such a good setup and a lot of participation.” Even though the current economic crisis has meant fewer job openings overall at Wells Fargo, Turk said the bank is always in need of people to fill entry-level teller positions. However, with the current slowdown in hiring for the higher-level jobs, Turk said people aren’t advancing as quickly and are remaining longer at teller positions. Turk said in the face of the tough economy, job fairs like Cuyamaca’s are a good way to keep a finger on the pulse of the current job market. It also bodes well for job-seekers to attend fairs because increased competition for jobs means only the most aggressive and active are likely to succeed, said Laure Brown, Cuyamaca College Career Services coordinator. Schwabe, a senior human resources analyst with the San Diego County Water Authority, said he was looking to recruit for an internship program offered through the Cuyamaca College Water/Wastewater Technology program. The 33-week internship program requires participants to work 20 hours per week at a wage of $10 per hour and is an excellent training opportunity. Applications are being accepted through this month for the fall semester. ”We aren’t currently hiring for full-time positions, but we have been working in concert with Cuyamaca College for about the past three years in providing this internship,” Schwabe said. “In addition, we wanted to participate in the career fair because of the importance of community involvement and outreach” Schwabe added that the demand for people with technical skills is expected to grow due to a large wave of retirements on the part of the current workforce. “The career fair at Cuyamaca College continues to draw employers because we are an excellent source of well-prepared, motivated workers looking to get a foothold in the job market,” said Dr. Cristina Chiriboga, interim college president. “Community colleges continue to produce a steady stream of workers ready and eager to accept the challenge of an increasingly competitive and technology-driven workplace.” Governing Board President Bill Garrett said that it’s important to understand that the Cuyamaca College event is more than a job fair and provides exposure to careers that students and other fair-goers may have never even thought of. “In addition to job interviews, attendees benefit enormously by gathering information about a variety of career fields and gain insight into the local job market,” he said. “Plus, for those considering a career change, or who are seeing signs that their current jobs are at risk, the fair is a great way to scope out new possibilities.” Cuyamaca student Sharon Jacobs, who lost her job earlier this year as a retail sales clerk, expressed amazement at the variety of job fields represented at last week’s fair. “After I was let go from my last job, I decided I needed to return to school to train for a more dependable career,” she said. “I want to get into the healthcare field because I’m also hearing about the demand for people in that field. I’m really glad I came here to the career fair – it’s made me see there are lots of avenues to explore.” Cuyamaca programs, including computer and information science, or CIS, and Grossmont College programs such as occupational therapy assistant and respiratory therapy, had tables set up at the fair to provide a peek into what the careers entail. The East County Career Center was also in attendance, providing an additional resource for fair-goers to tap for insight into the job market. Brown, the Cuyamaca College Career Services coordinator, said this year’s event drew more industry involvement than she had anticipated, given the economic climate. Other colleges sponsoring job and career fairs have been reporting about a 20-30 percent reduction in the number of participating employers, she said, so the continuing strong interest in Cuyamaca’s fair is heartening. Career fairs such as Cuyamaca’s have long been regarded as a valuable recruiting tool among public-sector employers who tend to cast their nets wide for a diversity of workers. Local, state and federal entities were all well represented: the California Highway Patrol, the FBI, Helix Water District, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, the Social Security Administration, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, San Miguel Fire Department, the state National Guard, and military recruiters from the U.S. Army and Navy. For employment information and help in career assessment or building a resume, contact the Career Center at (619) 660-4450 or visit www.cuyamaca.net/careerserv/. Registration is currently available for summer-session classes beginning June 8 at Cuyamaca College and June 15 at Grossmont College. Online registration and college applications are available through the college Web sites, www.cuyamaca.edu and www.grossmont.edu Printer-friendly version
POWERLINK FOES APPLAUD DEFEAT OF HAYES AS INTERIOR DEPUTY SECRETARY
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery May 13, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)—Senate Republicans blocked the nomination by President Barack Obama of David Hayes to serve as deputy secretary of the Interior Department. Hayes, who held the same position in the Clinton administration, has drawn opposition from some community leaders and environmentalists locally due to his recent role as lobbyist for Sempra Energy. Sempra’s Sunrise Powerlink Project must be approved by the Interior Department for federal lands in San Diego’s East County in order for the project to be constructed. “The Obama Administration can do better than appointing a former SDG&E/SEMPRA Energy lobbyist to protect our nation’s public lands. Sometimes things happen for a reason.” Diane Conklin, Mussey Grade Road Alliance spokesperson, told East County Magazine. The Alliance has intervened with the Public Utilities Commission to oppose Powerlink based in part on the high fire danger which a state environmental impact report has found that the project would pose. Laura Cyphert, East County Community Action Coalition, had this to say. “According to the Interior of Land Mangagement website, the `mission of the Department of the Interior is to protect and provide access to our Nation’s natural and cultural heritage and honor our trust responsibilities to Indian Tribes and our commitments to island communities.’ I was very concerned when a former Sempra/SDG&E lobbyist was nominated for this very important position, as I doubted his ability to perform these duties without significant bias,” she said. “I was thrilled to hear that he was rejected, and remain hopeful that the next nominee will be a more appropriate choice to protect our public lands and cultural sites.” Donna Tisdale, chair of the Boulevard Planning Group and founder of Backcountry Against Dumps (BAD), also praised the blocking of Hayes’ nomination. “The Hayes rejection is a good thing for us based on his previous position as paid lobbyist for Sempra / SDG&E and his reported work on their transmission and energy projects,” she said. “Access to decision makers is everything and Sempra and SDG&E have far too much of that already. The Dept of Interior is already throwing open the door for the industrialization of our public lands to for-profit corporations like Sempra, and to foreign corporations like Iberdrola Renewables, for unecessary and destructive large scale renewable energy projects and massive transmission lines. They will reap billions at expense of the US taxpayers and ratepayers when there are better, cheaper ways to generate renewable energy at or near the point of use. It is unfortunate that the Obama administration seems to be conducting business as usual.” Hayes fell three votes short of the 60 needed to invoke cloture, limit debate and allow the nomination to proceed. The nomination was blocked after Senator Robert Bennett (R-Utah) placed a hold on the nomination due to concerns over Interior Department cancellation of oil and gas drilling leases near national parks in Utah. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has pledged to continue trying to force a vote on the nomination. No other Obama nominee has come to a vote and failed to get support required to attain confirmation. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar calls the vote “a tired vote of bitter obstructionism” and praised Hayes as a “qualified and fine person.” In a stastement released today, he added, “We have answered every question and worked to find common ground on difficult issues, but the American people rightfully want change from the Obama Administration and from the Department of the Interior. We will deliver that change. The American people will know, once again, that the Department of the Interior is wisely managing their treasured landscapes and their natural resources on their behalf.” Printer-friendly version