POLITICS IN PARADISE: FILNER, HUNTER CLASH ON HEALTHCARE, BUDGET, CLIMATE CHANGE & MORE
By Miriam Raftery August 25, 2009 (Rancho San Diego/El Cajon)—The setting was serene, but the political exchanges were rocky at “Politics in Paradise,” a community legislative forum sponsored by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce Friday evening at Cuyamaca College’s Water Conservation Garden. “Welcome to East County’s first town hall yelling match on healthcare reform,” emcee Barry Jantz quipped, though the forum covered a broad range of issues. Congressmen Bob Filner D-San Diego) and Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) took center stage (photo, above) in a rare dual appearance, along with Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) and supervisor Diane Jacob. (Assemblyman Marty Block (D-Lemon Grove) and State Senator Denise Ducheny (D-San Diego) were unable to attend the evening of impassioned discussion about issues impacting East County businesses and residents. HEALTHCARE: A PAINFUL POINT OF CONTENTION Filner led off by tempting his partisan opposite. “Who’s against socialized medicine?” he asked as predictably, many hands shot up. Then he countered, “Of those with your hands raised, how many have gone for treatment at the V.A. (Veterans Administration)?” Glancing at Hunter, whose hand was raised, Filner shot off, “Why, Duncan, that’s government-run healthcare.” In a later question, the Democratic Congressman said he supports universal access to healthcare as a right for all Americans and supports cost controls to rein in the soaring costs of medical treatment. Hunter responded that he believes there are ways to fix the system without getting rid of insurance companies. He said he wouldn’t trust government to handle healthcare when “they can’t get cash for clunkers working.” He opposes any public option or universal access but would support changes to make private health insurance more portable and transparent. “Reform the system, don’t crush it,” he said. GLOBAL WARMING MELTDOWN Asked about global warming, the Congressional members reached a near boiling point. Hunter ridiculed the notion that climate change needs to be addressed by Congress. “Nobody really knows the cause,” he said. “The earth cools, the earth warms…It could be caused by carbon dioxide or methane. Maybe we should kill the cows to stop the methane, or stop breathing to stop the CO2…Thousands of people die every year of cold, so if we had global warming it would save lives…We ought to look out for people. The earth can take care of itself.” Filner took a polar opposite approach. “The science is clear. Global warming is here,” he warned. “In the interest of our species we need to take action. By all calculations, in California if the seas rise, we are in trouble.” He noted that Hunter’s father, the senior Duncan Hunter, chaired the House Armed Services Committee and was a key ally of the Pentagon in Congress. “The Pentagon is doing a study to see if the seas rise and we run out of water, what do we do? They accept global warming as fact,” Filner said. “We can do some things to deal with climate change. We can get beyond fossil fuel dependence. It will create jobs…we can make changes so our children and grandchildren will be here and have a good environment in the future.” He chided Hunter for making decisions based on religion, not scientific evidence. “This country is based on science,” he said. “Do we as a species progress through scientific understanding? If we give that up, we’re dead as a nation.” Hunter countered by suggesting that believers in global warming must not believe in God, then added, “If we give up God, we’d be dead as a nation.” SPARRING OVER NATIONAL DEFENSE Noting that Republicans are forty seats down from a majority in the House, Hunter observed, “We can’t stop anything right now.” But he pledged to make national defense a priority and voiced concerns over cutting the defense budget for the first time during a time of war. He also called for more border security and voiced opposition to any amnesty plan for unlawful immigrants. “Half the money spent for cash for clunkers would support a missile defense program,” he said, adding that spending 2 to 3 percent less a year on Defense could mean cutting missile defense and shipbuilding. Hunter also criticized Democrats for raising the national debt. Filner said both he and Hunter favor a 300-ship Navy and that both serve on a shipbuilding committee. “As a Democrat, I’m equally concerned about debt,” he said, adding that the Bush administration built up record debt in the past eight years on war, bank bailouts and more and the Obama administration has increased the debt further with stimulus funds. Filner voted against the Bush bailouts but for the Obama stimulus plan, he noted. But he defines national security broadly to include more than only military defense. “My district thinks national security means having a job, being able to send your kids to college so you can participate in the economy, having a clean environment and having healthcare. That makes them feel secure,” he said. ENERGY ISSUES SPARK HEATED REMARKS Supervisor Jacob (photo, left) issued a strong call for development of alternative energy sources and spoke forcefully against Sunrise Powerlink (a project supported by the Chamber). “The 11,000 page environmental impact report is the largest in California history and it clearly stated that Powerlink is not needed,” she said. Jacob called for clean alternatives but added that energy needs must be balanced to suit the location and weigh environmental issues when considering projects such as wind turbine farms. She called for more small-scale turbines as well as finding ways to increase solar energy. “We should allow at the County level to be energy independent and self sufficient,” said Jacob, who wants to see financing to help people and businesses afford the up-front cost of solar and ultimately, sell excess power back to the power grid. She called for “solar on every roof” but added that any laws at the state level should include a cost-benefit analysis to avoid “job killer” proposals. Anderson called for a balanced approach utilizing more solar and wind where
HISTORY COMES ALIVE AT STUDENT’S WALKING TOUR OF LA MESA
By Miriam Raftery August 25, 2009 (La Mesa) –Young women in flapper costumes and men in dapper attire strolled the streets of La Mesa in mid-August, offer visitors a walk back through time to the city’s heyday as a silent movie filmmaking Mecca and a turn-of-the-century boom town. The historical tours were all part of a project prepared by Karissa Valencia (photo, left, in white flapper dress), a Helix Charter High Graduate and incoming freshman at the University of San Diego, to earn her Gold Award in Girl Scouts. We started our tour at the old railway depot, next to the former Lemon Grove Company. Built in 1894, the store with lemon warehouse behind is now home to a sign company, the brick façade covered in stucco. We strolled across Spring Street and up La Mesa Boulevard, once known as Lookout Avenue and later, part of historic Highway 80. Where Cosmos Coffee and Hoffers Cigar shop now stand, there was once a hotel—until a fire leveled half the building. “Rumor has it, La Mesa Hotel was once a brothel,” our guide whispered. Next door, produce was once cultivated for the hotel—an urban garden, long before urban gardens became popularized anew. The corner of Palm Avenue was once home to the Hotel Dorothy, where a famous Hollywood director often stayed. Alan Dwan directed Shirley Temple in “Heidi” and John Wayne in “The Sands of Iwo Jima”; his granddaughter still resides in Lakeside today. While in town, the director would film on an open-air lot in the heart of downtown La Mesa. Over 100 one-reel movies were produced in 1911 alone; in 1920 a new wave of moviemaking occurred here via the Grossmont Studios. Next door, silent movies and vaudeville productions entertained crowds in the Baldridge Opera House. Today, inside the Por Favor Restaurant, you can still see the old-time balcony and arched, stain glass windows from the theater’s gilded past (photo, left) “La Mesa was first a movie town and gateway to the Cuyamacas,” our guide said. “It was very famous. Movies are still being produced here,” she added, noting that A&E was out just a week before filming a crime program. Homeland Florist was once a shoe store where the proprietor shocked some patrons. “It epitomized the changes of the Roaring ‘20s by offering scandalous open-toed shoes,” our sandal-clad tour guide disclosed. Peer above the florist shop’s façade to see vestiges of red cap stone and a red tile roof, We pass the Gidley building, which formerly housed a tavern, and an antique shop that opened in the ‘40s, starting “a trend that never left,” our guide noted. Gio’s Bistro Wine Bar, formerly the site of the original Drew Ford car dealer, is our town’s newest modern-day tavern. We head to Gio’s loft upstairs (photo, right) to watch a slideshow titled “La Mesa: The Early Years.” Kumeyaay Indians were the first residents of the region. Later, Robert Allison bought land here back in 1868, just three years after the end of the Civil War—and after burying three children crossing the plains from Iowa. First named Allison Springs, the town later became La Mesa. (Collier Park still has springs, where sheep were once watered and bathed.) A year later, after gold was discovered at Julian, the first hotels here were built. Allison donated money and land for construction of a water flume and railroad. The slideshow includes historical photos of tow dignitaries riding in the flume to celebrate its opening. The flume carried water from the Cuyamacas through East County starting in 1889, culminating at Lake Murray. In the early days, La Mesa children took a train to San Diego to attend class, until the first school (Allison School) was built in 1895. Teachers were paid $60 a month; a bell from the original school can still be seen at La Mesa Middle School. Trains continued to run through La Mesa until the 1940s; today the San Diego trolley runs along the former railway route. Village blacksmiths proudly displayed their wares in an early parade, proclaiming “razors made to order.” La Mesa’s volunteer fire department started in 1908, featuring Blaze, the fire dog, a bell and an air raide siren. Gravity Boy, a new business in town, occupies a former Post Office site in a building erected during the Art Deco era complete with air conditioning—a rarity in that era. Don Keating’s used car lot and All Things Bright and British are set back from the street, unlike neighboring buildings. That’s because the sites once housed gas stations serving motorists on old Highway 80, which was decommissioned in the 1970s when Interstate 8 opened up. Intricate roses, arches and other historical architectural elements can be seen on the front of Risque Hair Designing, built in the roaring ‘20s. Down the street, the drugstore still stands, though sadly its vintage wooden soda fountain is long gone. The old Logan Bakery, another long-time La Mesa business, closed down a few years ago and its site is now home to a Handful of Wildflowers gift boutique. Each building on our tour contained a plaque and historic photo. Asked if the tours will continue after her short-term project is completed, Valencia replied, “I’ve turned everything over to the La Mesa Historical Society so they can keep this up. I hope that they will.” We certainly hope so, too!
NEED WORK? HUNTER TO HOST JOB FAIR SEPT. 2 IN EL CAJON
August 25, 2009 (El Cajon) Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-Alpine) will host a Community job Fair on September 2 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 East Douglas in El Cajon. "This community job fair offers a great opportunity for County residents, veterans and local businesses to come together and explore employment possibilities," said Congressman Hunter. "Job seekers will have a chance to speak with representatives from various industries and area businesses about their interests and qualifications. At the same time, businesses will get to interact with prospective candidates as our community continues working to strengthen its workforce." Businesses interested in participating in this free event must return a completed registration form ( http://hunter.house.gov/images/stories/scan001.pdf) to Congressman Hunter’s office. Inquiries can also be directed to Congressman Hunter’s El Cajon office at 619-448-5201.
TO YOUR HEALTH! FREE & LOW-COST HEALTHCARE CLASSES IN SEPTEMBER
Sharp Grossmont Hospital’s Senior Resource Center offers free or low-cost educational programs and health screenings each month. The Senior Resource Center also provides information and assistance for health information and community resources. For more information, call 619-740-4214. For other programs, call 1-800-827-4277 or visit our web site at www.sharp.com. HOW TO TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR DURING DIFFICULT TIMES Do you have trouble talking about certain topics? How do you have a conversation about sensitive subjects, like end of life care or a serious diagnosis? Hear from Dr. Margaret Elizondo, Associate Medical Director, Sharp HospiceCare about the importance of end-of-life care planning. Learn how to discuss vital issues with your health providers, family and friends Wednesday, September 16, 5:30 – 7 p.m. at the Grossmont Healthcare District Conference Center, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa. Registration required. Call 1-800-827-4277. HOW DO I DO THIS? CAREGIVING AT HOME Learn & practice the basics of caring for a loved one at home from a registered nurse. Program includes learning how to safely transfer, provide personal care, proper body mechanics & more! Saturday, September 19, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Sharp Grossmont Hospital’s Brier Patch Campus, 9000 Wakarusa, Rooms 13 & 14, La Mesa. Cost $10. Registration required. Call 1-800-827-4277. THINK PINK – BREAST CANCER AWARENESS AND EARLY DETECTION Learn about why early detection is so important, how to do breast self-exams and what treatment options are available from Donna Thompson, RN, BSN, Sharp Grossmont Hospital’s Certified Breast Health Navigator on Tuesday, September 22 from 1 – 2:30 p.m. at the Grossmont District Conference Center, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa. Registration required. Call 1-800-827-4277. FREE BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING No appointment necessary. Open to the public. For information, call 619-740-4214. Sharp Grossmont Hospital Brier Patch Campus, Senior Resource Center, 9000 Wakarusa, La Mesa on Tuesday, September 1, 9:30 – 11 a.m. La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center, 8450 La Mesa Blvd., Friday, September 18, 9:30-11 a.m. PROJECT C.A.R.E. COMMUNITY ACTION TO REACH THE ELDERLY Do you know someone who lives alone and would like a daily call to check on them? Project C.A.R.E. is a community effort enabling people who live alone to feel safe in remaining at home. Services include a daily computerized telephone call, Vial of Life, friendly visit from the Senior Volunteer Patrol and more. Call 619-740-4214 for details.
SAN DIEGO SENIOR OLYMPICS WANTS YOU! COMPETE IN 20+ EVENTS
TORCH RUN & OPENING CEREMONIES AUGUST 20 August 24, 2009 (San Diego) – You’re never too old to be a champion in the San Diego Senior Olympics, which kick off August 30th with a torch run and opening ceremonies co-sponsored by the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce and San Diego Track Club. Aspiring senior athletes over 50 are invited to compete in more than 20 events including archery, badminton, ballroom dancing, basketball, billiards, bowling, golf, handball, horseshoes, paddleball, pickleball, racquetball, road race, shooting, soccer, softball, swimming, table tennis, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. Deadline for entry is August 31st. For details and registration forms, visit www.sdseniorgames.org or call (619)226-1324. “This is as real as it gets!” exclaims a press release issued by San Diego Senior Olympics. The organization’s first-ever torch run will begin at the U.S.S. Midway and head up Harbor Drive to Nimitz Blvd., over to Sunset Cliffs, along Sea World Drive, east on Friars Road through Fashion Valley, then south, ending at the Handlery Hotel & Resort on Hotel Circle. The public is invited to coe cheer on the runners. An evening of festivities will follow, featuring entertainment, silent auctions and raffle prizes as well as dignitaries and special guests, the U.S. Marine Corps. Color Guard, veteran marathon swimmer Becky Jackman, and Robin Pain, torch carrier for the 1984 U.S. Olympics. A $20 donation is requested for reservations at the evening event, which is limited to the first 350 requests. San Diego Senior Sports Fesetival is a nonprofit committed to encourage adults age 50 and over to carry on vigorous lives by developing and maintaining adequate personal fitness through regular participation in recreational activities, sports, physical fitness activities and educational programs. For more information, visit www.sdseniorgames.org, call (619)226-1324, or see http://meetup.com/San-Diego-Senior-Olympic-Games.
EDITORIAL: BREAKING BAD–CALIFORNIA VS. THE OTHER STATES
By Richard Rider, Chairman, San Diego Tax Fighters August 21, 2009 (San Diego) — Here’s a depressing comparison of California taxes and economic climate with the rest of the states. The news is breaking bad, and getting worse (I keep updating this article): California has the 2nd highest state income tax in the nation: . 9.55% at $48,000. 10.55% at $1,000,000 Our state is by far the highest state sales tax in the nation. 8.25% (not counting local sales taxes) We have the highest state car tax in the nation – at least double any other state. 1.15% per year on value of vehicle. Our corporate income tax rate is the highest in the West. 8.84% California’s 2009 Business Tax Climate ranks 48th in the nation. http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/topic/15.html We have the fourth highest capital gains tax 9.55% http://www.thereibrain.com/realestate-blog/capital-gains-tax-rates-state-by-state/109/ We also have the highest gasoline tax (averaging 64.5 cents/gallon) in the nation (July, 2009). When gas hits $3.00/gallon, we are numero uno – because unlike many states, we charge sales tax on gasoline purchases (built into the price). http://www.api.org/statistics/fueltaxes/ Our state has the fourth highest unemployment rate in the nation. (July, 2009) 11.9%. National rate 9.4%. http://www.bls.gov/news.release/laus.nr0.htm California’s 2009 “Tax Freedom Day” (the day the average taxpayer stops working for government and start working for oneself) is again the 4th worst date in the nation – up from 28th worst in 1994. http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/show/387.html To offset lower state revenues, 29 states are proposing 2009 state tax and fee increases totaling $24 billion. California, with 12% of the nation’s population, is proposing 47% of that increase (6/5/09). http://money.cnn.com/2009/06/04/news/economy/states_budget_crises/index.htm One in five in Los Angeles County is receiving public aid. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-welfare22-2009feb22,0,4377048.story California has 12% of the nation’s population, but 36% of the country’s TANF (“Temporary” Assistance for Needy Families) welfare recipients – more than the next 7 states combined. Unlike other states, this “temporary” assistance becomes much more permanent in CA. http://weblog.signonsandiego.com/weblogs/afb/archives/034662.html California prison guards are the highest paid in the nation. http://www.caltax.org/caltaxletter/2008/101708_fraud1.htm California teachers are easily the highest paid in the nation. http://www.nea.org/home/29402.htm (California has the second lowest student test scores) California now has the lowest bond ratings of any state, edging out Louisiana. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/19/BA7F16JLKH.DTL California ranks 44th worst in “2008 lawsuit climate.” http://www.instituteforlegalreform.com/component/ilr_featured_tools/29/item/LAI/19.html In 2005 (latest figures), for every dollar Californians sent to D.C. in taxes, we got back 78 cents – 43rd worst. http://www.taxfoundation.org/taxdata/show/22685.html America’s top CEO’s rank California “the worst place in which to do business” for the fourth straight year (3/2009). But here’s the interesting part – they think California is a great state to live (primarily for the great climate) – they just won’t bring their businesses here because of the oppressive tax and regulatory climate. Consider this quote from the survey (a conclusion reflected in the rankings of the characteristics of the state): “California has huge advantages with its size, quality of work force, particularly in high tech, as well as the quality of life and climate advantages of the state. However, it is an absolute regulatory and tax disaster.” http://tinyurl.com/cyvufy California, a destitute state, still gives away college education at fire sale prices. Our community college tuition is by far the lowest in the nation. How low? Nationwide, the average community college tuition is 4.5 times higher than California CC’s. This ridiculously low tuition devalues education to students – resulting in a 30+% drop rate for class completion. In addition, 2/3 of California CC students pay no tuition at all – filling out a simple unverified “hardship” form that exempts them from any tuition payment, or receiving grants and tax credits for their full tuition. http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/capitolalertlatest/020722.html http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jun/29/1n29fees225829-two-year-colleges-fees-likely-rise-/ On top of that, California offers thousands of absolutely free adult continuing education classes – a sop to the upper middle class. In San Diego, over 1,400 classes for everything from baking pastries to ballroom dancing are offered totally at taxpayer expense. http://www.sdce.edu California residential electricity costs an average of 35.4% more than the national average. For industrial use, CA electricity is 56.2% higher than the national average (2007). http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epa/fig7p5.html http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epm/table5_6_a.html It costs 38% more to build solar panels in California than in Tennessee – which is why European corporations have invested $2.3 billion in two Tennessee manufacturing plants to build solar panels for our state. http://www.foxandhoundsdaily.com/blog/jack-stewart/more-solar-companies-producing-elsewhere-sell-california Consider California’s net domestic migration (migration between states). From April, 2000 through June, 2008 (8 years, 2 months) California has lost a NET 1.4 million people. The departures slowed this past year only because people couldn’t sell their homes. http://www.mdp.state.md.us/msdc/Pop_estimate/Estimate_08/table5.pdf These are not welfare kings and queens departing. They are the young, the educated, the productive, the ambitious, the wealthy (such as Tiger Woods), and retirees seeking to make their pensions provide more bang for the buck. The irony is that a disproportionate number of these seniors are retired state and local government employees fleeing the state that provides them with their opulent pensions – in order to avoid the high taxes that these same employees pushed so hard through their unions. As taxes rise and jobs disappear, we lose our tax base, continuing California’s state and local fiscal death spiral. This spiral must stop NOW. Richard Rider is chairman of San Diego Tax Fighters and founder of the conservative blog www.RichardRiderRant.blogspot.com. The opinions expressed in this editorial reflect views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.
FIREFIGHTER INJURED, 41 RESIDENTS DISPLACED IN FALLBROOK FIRE
August 24, 2009 (Fallbrook) updated 5:30 p.m. – Fire has engulfed 24 units in a two-building apartment complex at 11556 S. Vine in Fallbrook, at the intersection of Clemmens St. “Ten units were damaged, with four severely damaged,” John Buchanan, North County Fire and Rescue public information officer told East County Magazine. “Forty-one people have been displaced. The Red Cross has been notified and is on the scene to help residents.” A firefighter from North County Fire Protection District has been injured and was transported to Palomar Hospital, Buchanan confirmed. The three-alarm fire started around 2 p.m. this afternoon, prompting a call for mutual aid at 2:50 p.m. Eighteeen engines were dispatched to help battle the blaze, with evacuations made of the vicinity. In a separate incident, a brush fire that started shortly before 2 p.m. at 3000 Wing in San Diego is now under control, with no damage to structures, San Diego Fire Department has confirmed. As of early this evening, the fire is contained but is expected to take several hours to fully mop up, said Buchanan. Cause of the fire remains under investigation. East County Magazine activated the Viejas Wildfire/Emergency Alert service to notify our readers about the fire when evacuations were announced. To sign up for this free service, just click the sign-up button on the top right side of our homepage.