ANDERSON’S IOU BILL PASSES ASSEMBLY UNANIMOUSLY; SENATE MUST ACT BY FRIDAY BEFORE LEGISLATURE ADJOURNS
Printer-friendly version September 8, 2009 (Sacramento) – AB 1506, authored by Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) has passed the Assembly by a unanimous vote. The measure would require the state of California to accept its own IOUs as payment for taxes or fees. “Your letters and voices came through loud and clear and generated momentum that carried onto the Assembly floor where AB 1506 passed unanimously,” Anderson stated in a message sent to constituents, after he received more than 1,500 letters in support of the measure. But to become law, the measure must be approved by the Senate before the legislative year ends this Friday. Since July 1st the state has sent out over 448,000 IOUs to people and businesses totaling $2.35 billion, Anderson’s office reports. “I wrote AB1506 so that it would force the state to accept its own IOU’s as payment – saving the State, businesses and taxpayers millions of dollars. It is the right thing to do – it’s fair as well as fiscally sound – 68 of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle have asked to join me as co-authors,” said Anderson, who requests additional letters from supporters to persuade Senators to take action. For more information, visit assembly.ca.gov/anderson Printer-friendly version
EL CAJON FIRE 9/11 SEARCH & RESCUE DOG DIES
Printer-friendly version September 9, 2009 (El Cajon)–One of El Cajon’s original disaster search dogs “Sherman”, has died due to health issues related to his age. Sherman became a part of the El Cajon Fire Department in 1997 through a partnership with the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. Sherman was partnered with his handler, El Cajon Fire Captain Steve Swaney. After becoming certified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster search work, Sherman, along with his handler, was available to serve anywhere in the United States at a moments notice. The call for service was never more important than on September 11, 2001. On that day, Captain Swaney, along with Sherman, received the request to respond with an Urban Search and Rescue Task Force to the World Trade Center in New York. Captain Swaney and Sherman arrived in New York that night (within 24 hours of the collapse) and worked at the site for ten days looking for survivors. In addition to the World Trade Center response, Swaney and Sherman have also responded to Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita and a local bluff collapse in San Diego. Sherman’s nickname was the “Sherman Tank”. He would stop at nothing to find the victim he was looking for. “These highly trained search dogs are a valuable and scarce resource to our community; Sherman was an important part of our fire service family and he will be greatly missed,” said Fire Chief Mike Scott. Printer-friendly version
ASSEMBLYMEMBER SALDANA RECOMMENDS RENEWABLE STRATEGY FOR BACKCOUNTRY IN LIEU OF SHUT-OFF PLAN
Printer-friendly version September 9, 2009 (San Diego)–Assembly Member Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) urged the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to collaborate with San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and other stakeholders in developing a long-term distributed generation strategy to reduce the risk of wildfire and provide safe power generation in case of emergencies. Saldaña’s made her recommendations in a letter to the CPUC in advance of their decision on the fate of San Diego Gas and Electric’s proposal to shut-off power to areas of San Diego County prone to wildfire. Saldaña said she believes SDG&E’s shut-off plan is both flawed and dangerous and reflects a cynical legal strategy more than any good-faith effort to address the risk of wildfire in San Diego’s back country. “I believe the utility’s proposed shut-off plan is both punitive to those ratepayers most affected by wildfires and an attempt to shift any future liability for SDG&E’s failure to address well-established fire danger posed by their transmission lines,” she said. Saldaña wrote that, rather than increasing safety in the fire-prone areas of the County, the shut-off proposal will likely exacerbate the danger by hindering firefighting, rescue services, emergency communication, and evacuation efforts throughout the affected areas, while also posing a serious threat to the lives and health of residents dependent on medical equipment. She encouraged the CPUC, SDG&E, the County of San Diego, ratepayers and other stakeholders instead to work toward developing an accelerated renewable distributed generation strategy for San Diego’s back country. She said she knew of at least one existing proposal that could serve as a springboard for discussion between the parties. “Stand-alone solar and wind generation will provide safer sources of energy for fire-prone areas,” she said. “Renewable-generated batteries for storing energy could also provide residents with power in emergency and high-demand conditions.” Saldaña cited additional benefits that would include bringing the utility closer to compliance with AB 32 renewable requirements, creating jobs in a time of high unemployment, and providing a stimulus to the local economy. The Commission is scheduled to vote on the shut-off plan this Thursday. Printer-friendly version
WOW! 2 NATIVE AMERICAN POW-WOWS TO DRAW THOUSANDS TO EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery September 3, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Thousands of tribal members from across the United States as well as many local participants and spectators are expected to flock to the Barona and Syucan reservations in East County during the first two weekends in September. Native American dancers, drummers and bird singers compete for prize money at the traditional celebrations, which are free and open to the public. These events provide opportunities for the public to learn more about our tribal neighbors’ rich culture and heritage. Highlights of each pow-wow include a grand entry, or honorary processional, led by a tribal leader carrying an eagle staff (photo) followed by costumed dancers such as gourd dancers, men’s traditional, men’s grass dancers, men’s fancy, women’s traditional, women’s Jingle, and women’s fancy dancers. Children are also included in the competitions and festivities. Each dance reflects a specific purpose; for example, grass dancing originated as a means of stamping down grasses to create a flat area for pow-wow grounds. Dancers wore braided sweetgrass. Men’s traditional dance originated when warriors would return home and reenact higlights of battles festooned in quills, beads, and a bustle of eagle feathers (photo). Native American jewelry and handicrafts, such as carved gourds (photo) and Indian flutes, will be offered by vendors at the pow-wows. Foods and beverages can also be purchased, including Native American fare such as Indian fry bread. The events will be held outdoors at tribal pow-wow grounds. Temperatures have topped 100 degrees in recent days, so dress cool, bring or buy water, and consider visiting during the evening hours if heat is a concern. Below are details on the Barona and Sycuan pow-wow events. 39th ANNUAL BARONA POW-WOW Friday–Sunday, September 4 – 6 Barona Baseball Field Barona Indian Reservation, 1095 Barona Road, Lakeside Events begin at 6 p.m. on Friday and at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information on scheduled events, visit http://www.baronatribe.org/powwow/powwow.html or call the Barona tribal office at (619) 443-6612, ext. 120. 20th ANNUAL SYCUAN POW-WOW Friday-Sunday, Sesptember 11-13 Sycuan Pow-wow grounds adjacent to Sycuan Casino 5459 Sycuan Road, El Cajon . Events begin at 4 p.m. on Friday and at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, including a full schedule of events and directions, visit http://www.sycuan.com/pow_wow.html. Printer-friendly version
SDG&E LOBBYIST ACCUSED OF BEDDING ASSEMBLYMAN OVERSEEING UTILITIES
Printer-friendly version September 9, 2009 (San Diego) – Shock and snickers greeted news reports today revealing that a lobbyist for SDG&E/Sempra Energy is accused of granting sexual favors to Republican legislator Mike Duvall, Vice Chair of the Assembly Utilities & Commerce Committee. If true, the relationship would be a direct conflict of interest and a clear ethical violation, since the committee has oversight over utility industry issues. Revelations of the affair prompted a flurry of reactions, including this snarky headline published at the Utility Consumers Action Network (UCAN) website: Sempra lobbyists caught doing anything to influence votes … including Assemblyman Mike Duvall. Duvall, who is married, bragged to a colleague about sexual exploits with a female lobbyist and another woman, apparently not realizing that a microphone in the committee hearing room was live. He boasted of the woman’s “little eye-patch underwear” adding, “And so, we had made love Wednesday—a lot!” He added, “ I like spanking her. She goes, `I know you like spanking me.’ I said `Yeah, because you’re such a bad girl!’” Duvall stated on tape that the lobbyist’s birthday was July 6 and that she was 36 years old. According to Orange County Weekly, SDG&E/Sempra Energy lobbyist Heidi DeJong Barsuglia turned 36 years old on July 6th. The paper cites other unnamed Capitol sources who claim to have seen Duvall and Barsuglia arm-in-arm around town, at restaurants, and shopping for groceries together. Duvall , who had a reputation as a staunch family-values conservative, resigned from the Assembly today as a result of the scandal, according to the Sacramento Bee, which published the complete videotape of the Assemblyman’s lewd remarks, SDG&E issued the following statement on the allegations. "Sempra Energy takes very seriously any reports involving the conduct of our employees," the statement says. "We are investigating this matter and the recent media reports that named one of our employees. The employee has denied the speculative media reports. Our investigation will be conducted to ensure not only that our policies on employee conduct are strictly adhered to, but also that our employee is treated fairly." The news breaks one day before the California Public Utilities Commission is slated to rule on SDG&E’s request to shut off power to area residents during high fire-risk days. SDG&E faces enormous liability for wildfires caused by its power lines and faces soaring insurance rates as a result. The utility has also engaged in heavy lobbying for its planned Sunrise Powerlink project and other issues. Sempra recently donated $1,500 to Duvall, who soon after came out in opposition to AB 64, major bill requiring utility companies to obtain more power from clean alternatives—a measure SDG&E opposes. Barsaglia replaced former Sempra lobbyist David Hayes, who was named Deputy Secretary of the Interior by President Obama. She holds a law degree and has previously worked as a lobbyist for the California Retailers Association and as a speechwriter for Pete Wilson, former Governor and ex-mayor of San Diego. She is one of three lobbyists, all female, currently registered for Sempra at the Secretary of State's website. Laura Cyphert, co-founder of the East County Community Action Coalition, has been battling SDG&E’s plan to put Sunrise Powerlink through backcountry communities. “Unfortunately from what I have seen, I am not that surprised,” she said in an e-mail to East County Magazine after learning of the SDG&E lobbyist scandal. “I suspect this is just the tip of the iceberg, and that much more will be revealed (no pun intended).” Another area resident sent an e-mail with this sardonic conclusion: “Now I know why Sempra lobbyists are so successful.” Printer-friendly version
RAMONA AIRPORT OPEN HOUSE & FLY-INS
Printer-friendly version September 11, 2009 (Ramona)–Tne Ramona Airport hosts its annual open house on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event features tours of the airport, Cal-Fire Air Attack Base, and control tower. Also on display are the Sheriff’s Copter 10 and Mercy Air helicopters, along with other aircraft including World War II-era Classic Warbirds. Aerial displays will include simulated rescues by the Sheriff’s Copter 10 and formation flying by the Classic Warbirds. Visitors can also view a Cal-Fire demonstration of firefighting techniques including a fly-by water drop. Smokey Bear, representing the U.S. Forest Service, will have gifts for children and fire safety tips. In addition, a Tricked Out Big Rig Truck Show is also included. The event is free. Food, including a pancake breakfast and Mexican fiesta lunch, will be available for a charge. The airport is at 2926 Montecito Road in Ramona. Printer-friendly version