GETTING YOUR BUSINESS ON THE FAST TRACK: OCT. 7 IN RANCHO SAN DIEGO
Printer-friendly version October 6, 2009 (Rancho San Diego) – Are you maximizing your business growth and profitability potential? Michelle S. Butler, president and CEO of the Women’s Business Center of California, will teach you how to utilize the same tools Fortune 500 companies use to help your business profits soar. Butler will speak at a business roundtable presentation hosted by the Rancho San Diego Chamber of Commerceon Wednesday, October 7th at 11:30 a.m. at Press Box Sports Lounge, 2990 Jamacha Road in Rancho San Diego. Cost for the program and lunch is $15 for Chamber members who pre-register, $20 at the door. For reservations, contact chamber@rsdjchamber.com. Printer-friendly version
KID ZONE HAS FUN FOR ALL AT EL CAJON FIRE SAFETY & CAREER EXPO – OCT. 10
Printer-friendly version September 13, 2009 (El Cajon) – Learn about becoming a firefighter, police officer or 9-1-1 dispatcher at the El Cajon Fire Safety & Career Expo on Saturday, October 10th. The event will also feature a new Kids’ Fun & Safety Zone with a variety of family-friendly activities. Kids can enjoy visits with KC the Safety Robot and pirate Captain Jack Sparrow, viewing fire trucks and other emergency vehicles, plus playtime in an inflatable house. The kids’ zone also includes safety car seat information, child IDs, a fire safety trailer, Home Depot Kids’ Workshop, free kids’ safety helmets (while supplies last) , injury prevention and safety displays. East County Magazine will be on hand signing people up for our free Viejas wildfire/emergency alerts. A special ceremony at noon will thank the community for its support. The event will be held at the Fire Station located at 100 East Lexington Ave. in El Cajon from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call (619)441-1737 or visit www.elcajonfire.com. Printer-friendly version
MAN COMMITS SUICIDE OFF SEVERIN DRIVE BRIDGE
Printer-friendly version October 5, 2009 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Coroner’s office has identified Ali Shah Wahid, 34, as the man who committed suicide on September 29th by jumping off the Severin Drive overpass in La Mesa. Wahid, who was witnessed jumping, was struck by several vehicles, according to the Coroner’s report. Arriving after receiving 911 calls, emergency responders declared Wahid dead at the scene of head and chest injuries. Printer-friendly version
THE CYCLE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: FREE PRESENTATION OCT. 27 IN SPRING VALLEY
Printer-friendly version October 5, 2009 (Spring Valley) — William D. Gore, Sheriff of San Diego County, announces a presentation regarding domestic violence and resources available to those who find themselves in abusive relationships. The event will be held on Tuesday, October 27th 2009, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the San Miguel Fire Station, located at 2850 Via Orange Way in Spring Valley. Speakers include San Diego County Sheriff’s Crime Prevention Specialist, Angie Hamilton, from the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Station, as well as other representatives from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office. Also, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, East County Family Justice Center, and Center for Solutions will have personnel on hand to discuss domestic violence. Speakers will explain how violent relationships begin and can continue for years. Resources will also be offered to help victims manage a safe plan to escape an abusive relationship. Recognizing the signs and patterns of the cycle of violence will also be discussed to help victims understand they are not alone in their situation. Domestic violence has climbed to alarming levels within the last several months. This one-night seminar will offer ways in which people can keep from becoming victimized, as well as resources to help someone else who may be in an unsuitable relationship. RSVPs are appreciated. To RSVP, call Crime Prevention Specialist Angie Hamilton at 619-337-2039. Printer-friendly version
WHITMAN CLAIMS SACRAMENTO BEE DISTORTED HER VOTING RECORD
Printer-friendly version October 5, 2009 (Sacramento) – Last week, the Sacramento Bee published an article stating that Meg Whitman, Republican candidate for Governor, did not register to vote in the past 28 years. Initially, Whitman responded by stating that her voting record was “inexcusable,” adding, “I failed to register and vote on numerous occasions throughout my life. That is simply wrong and I have taken responsibility for my mistake." Today, however, the Whitman campaign has issued a press release accusing the Sacramento Bee of distorting her voting record and asking the newspaper to correct the record. Whitman “clearly remembers voting on multiple occasions, including the 1984 and 1988 presidential elections,” the release states. The release also asserts that the San Francisco registrar has no records for voters prior to 1992—and that the registrar could not produce voting records before 1992 for Senator Diane Feinstein or House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, either. The campaign has also asked the newspaper to retract a statement that Whitman was not registered in Ohio. According to the Whitman release, her campaign has obtained records from the Hamilton County Board of Elections confirming that she was registered to vote there from 1980 to 1982, 27 years ago. The Bee’s assertions promoted Steve Poizner, one of Whitman’s opponents in the June 2010 Republican primary, to call for her to withdraw from the race. But the Oakland Tribune has called Whitman’s voting explanation “a poor one” in an article published today, noting that when she finally did register in 2002, she missed voting in half the local, state and federal elections over the next five years. The newspaper notes Whitman’s disdain for the political process and for voters; when asked where she had been registered as a Republican prior to moving to California, she responded, “Go find it.” Whitman previously explained her voting lapses because she was “focused on raising a family, on my husband’s career, and we moved many, many times.” But the Oakland Tribune editorial noted, “Family responsibilities and moving are no excuses for not voting. (What an insult to parents across the state who somehow manage to raise their kids and still cast a ballot.)” The editorial further chided Whitman for expressing concern over the plight of small business while ignoring the needs of others. “We don’t get any sense that Whitman cares about the poor, worries about the environment, or understands the complexity of say, state water policy. Indeed, thus far, she has ducked debtes with the other Republican candidates and, for the most part, avoided serious issue discussions with reporters.” Conservative pundit Hugh Hewitt, however, in a blog posting claims to have documents proving Whitman’s registration records and called the Sacramento Bee story “a poorly sourced and very sloppy example either of agenda journalism or of lazy journalism, if you can call it journalism at all.” Printer-friendly version
VIEJAS & RADIO STATION MAGIC 92.5 STAGED HUGE BLOCK PARTY
Printer-friendly version Thousands enjoyed free concert, car show and kids fun zone Story and Photos by Leon Thompson Viejas (September 26, 2009) Thousands of enthusiastic rock music fans of all ages convened in the parking lot of Viejas Casino to hear a free concert co-sponsored by radio station Magic 92.5 on Saturday, October 3. The event, new this year, was clearly a success—as evidenced by a line of cars backed up to the freeway exit by mid-afternoon. The event featured attractions for the whole family including free rides in the fun zone for the young and young at heart, a vintage and custom car show. A troop of young spray-can outlaws fascinated the crowd by transforming a blank wall into living art that seemed to jump from the wall. (The artists, who declined to have their faces photographed, honed their skills from years of practice in places not so welcoming as here.) Beautiful vintage and custom cars brought back memories of a past generation. The Impala Car Club congregated in the car exhibit. One candy-apple red convertible apparently ran on keg beer—and the owner held a party in its trunk. The longest line was clearly for the Round-up, a gut wrenching spin ride that at its apex send its riders hurling toward space. The lighting, giant-vision and sound emitted from the Stage were first-class. Earlier a trio of gorgeous rockers in micro-minis called Siren’s Crush warmed up the crowd for the headline trio of female stars Teena Marie, Lisa Lisa and Debbie Deb. The other gender though was well represented in the crowd, estimated to be near 2,000. A field of vendors also plied wares such as solar panels, weight loss programs, custom Hawaiian shirts and hot motorcycles—as well as a sign-up booth for free Viejas wildfire alerts powered by East County Magazine. Given the success of its first Block Party, Viejas hopes to host similar events in the future, Viejas spokesman Bob Scheid informed East County Magazine. Printer-friendly version
USDA OFFERS HELP TO FARMERS & RANCHERS IN SAN DIEGO & IMPERIAL COUNTIES
Printer-friendly version October 5, 2009 (Washington D.C.) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently designated San Diego and Imperial counties as part of a contiguous natural disaster area due to drought that began January 1, 2009, and continues. Farmers have eight months from the date of the USDA declaration – September 17, 2009 – to apply for assistance to help cover their losses. “I am pleased that the USDA is acknowledging the hardship and heavy financial burden suffered by our farmers and ranchers due to water scarcity,” said Congressman Bob Filner (D-San Diego). “This declaration is a starting point to provide assistance, as the state and federal authorities work to ensure stable water supply.” The designation from USDA qualifies agricultural producers to apply for low interest Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program that was approved as part of the 2008 Farm Bill. Interested farmers and ranchers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs, such as the Emergency Conservation Program, Federal Crop Insurance, and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Additional information is also available online at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov. Printer-friendly version
HUNTER ANNOUNCES FUNDING STEP TO INCREASE SAN DIEGO’S WATER SUPPLY—BUT VOTED “NO” ON BILL
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery October 5, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) issued a press release announcing that the House of Representatives passed a conference report on H.R. 3183, the fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Act. The legislation includes $120,000—funding secured by Congressman Hunter, according to the release, to perform a feasibility study of the water system in San Diego County and determine an approach to connect under-utilized reservoirs. There’s just one problem: Hunter voted “no” on adoption of that conference report on October 1st, according to the roll call vote published in the Washington Post. Legislation that includes funding to increase San Diego’s water supply moved “one step closer to enactment today when the House of Representatives passed the conference report on H.R. 3183, the Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Act,” a release on Hunter’s website states. “Water availability remains an important issue for San Diego County residents," Hunter’s statement continued. "With this funding, our community can continue working to build the water infrastructure it needs both today and in the future.” Hunter’s statement further elaborated on the reasons why increasing local water availability is important: “Connecting our local reservoirs represents an important step toward maximizing existing resources to ensure sufficient collection during wet years and water availability during dry periods or emergencies. This will help with our overall goal of making San Diego County water independent." The measure encompasses a study of four existing reservoirs: San Vicente; El Capitan; Loveland; and Murray. H.R. 3183 is expected to receive Senate approval in the near future, at which time the legislation will be presented to the President for signature. Asked why the Congressman issued a press release touting a conference report that he opposed, Hunter spokesman Joe Kasper offered this explanation: "You are correct, Congressman Hunter voted against the conference report to the FY10 Energy and Water Appropriations Act. However, he did support the initial House version of the bill when it was considered in July, which included funding for the reservoir study. His opposition to the conference report was based on the fact that the legislation increased funding by more than $200 million from the initial House version and subsequent efforts to increase water availability in California were not included in the bill." Kaser added, "The funding Congressman Hunter secured for the reservoir study will help fund in important local initiative that maintains wide support and contribute to our overall goal of making San Diego water independent." Printer-friendly version
EDITORIAL: SMALL BUSINESSES NEED HEALTH REFORM NOW
Printer-friendly version Many politicians and pundits claim that efforts to reform our health system are moving too quickly. Yet for millions of small business owners like me, health reform cannot happen soon enough. By Vince Mudd For 15 years, I have not only provided access to health insurance for my 45 employees and their family members, but also paid 100 percent of their premiums. I do this because I believe that when employees do not have to spend time dealing with the “problem” of health insurance they are more productive in the workplace. My employees live healthier lives. This benefits them, their families, and ultimately my business and society. Despite these mutual gains, providing health insurance to my employees is simply unsustainable. Last year my small business premiums skyrocketed 18 percent. I wish this were surprising. But the truth is my premiums have risen significantly every one of the 15 years I have been buying coverage for my workers. Unfortunately, my health-care-related stress does not end there. Every year I pay tens of thousands of dollars in medical riders on other business-related policies like liability and property insurance, adding further to my health care costs. I want to focus on my business, not health care. The status quo makes this impossible. Unlike other aspects of my business, I am powerless in the face rising health care costs. I have limited options to solve the problem within the confines of my business model. None of them are satisfactory. I can stop paying my employees’ premiums, cut back or the generosity of the benefits I offer, or change insurance companies every year seeking a “better deal.” (To be clear, there is no such thing as a “better deal” in the world of small business health insurance.) These choices feel forced and out of balance, especially as we try to grow our economy in the face of economic turmoil. No business owner should have to choose between a healthy workforce and a successful business. No American should have to choose between a job they love and their health. Reforms that will relieve me and my colleagues from the stranglehold of an unworkable small business insurance market and rising health care costs are within reach. Proposals in Congress would prevent insurers from charging me more if one of my workers gets sick and would allow me to easily compare and purchase insurance online without limiting myself to the choices offered by my local broker. Most importantly, health reform will provide small business owners with something that is often elusive today – a choice of quality insurance products. Increased choice and competition are two reasons I think that an alternative to private insurance – like a public health insurance option – could be helpful to small business owners. Given the opportunity, I do not know if I would choose to enroll in either a public health insurance option or co-op. I do know, however, that I would like that choice. Finally, health care reform will begin to slow the rate of system-wide health care cost growth, bringing health care cost increases closer to changes in economy-wide productivity, making health insurance more affordable over time. I have heard many detractors say that it is impossible to provide health insurance to every American without costing the system even more than it spends to date. This is not an accurate statement. The fact is that every person paying for health insurance is already, in effect, “paying for” the erratic and dysfunctional care being received by other non-payers. There is so much waste and duplication in the design of the existing system that reform will solve. I will give you a specific example of direct savings every business will realize once we have universal care. Your homework assignment is to pull out your auto insurance policy and premium statement. Note that you are currently being charged between 5-7% of your premium value for “medical”. You’ve been paying this fee for years yet never noticed it – and more than likely – never used it. Once we have reform and everyone is covered, “medical” will be removed from your auto policy and you will save that 5-7% of premium. This is true for boat, RV, home owners, professional liability, general liability and a number of other insurance products that businesses as well as individuals purchase every day. From my rough analysis, I believe we, (businesses and individuals), will see a reduction in premium of between $10 – $30 billion dollars per year. I have demonstrated just one of the many specific savings that will result in health insurance reform. These improvements will allow me to continue to provide insurance to my workers and grow my business. Small business owners do not want a free ride. We want to share in the responsibility for a healthy workforce and a prosperous economy. But we need help. Act now. We have waited long enough. Vince Mudd is a San Diego businessman and owner of San Diego Office Interiors. This piece was originally published in the Congressional Quarterly. The views in this editorial reflect the views of its author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. If you wish to submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org. Printer-friendly version
EDITORIAL: HOW MANY MORE?
Printer-friendly version By Enrique Morones October 1, 2009 (San Diego) – Today marks the 15th anniversary of the wall of death—the border wall of shame. Since October 1st 1994 and the launching of Operation Gatekeeper here in San Diego, thousands have died. Nobody knows the exact number: 5,000, 6,000, 10,000. How many more? These are not numbers, these are human beings! How dare the U.S. government build a wall to kill people. How else can you describe it? It does not keep people out. It does keep people in and IT KILLS PEOPLE. How many more? Marco Antonio Villasenor, five years old, dies along wIth 18 other men (Victoria, Texas, 2003), Guadalupe Beltran burns to death, leaves four children without a mother (San Diego, California 2007), John and Jane Doe with plus 600 plus unidentified human beings, children, buried at Holtville Cemetery in Imperial Valley. How many more? Today, someone will die, simply because they had a dream. A dream to have food on their table, is that a crime? These human beings, have no “legal” way to get into this country, there is no Statue of Liberty for them, no Ellis Island, no legal way for them to enter the country, no line for them to get into. So they are killed by Operation Gatekeeper. How many more? Every day the administration in power tells us, “We must fix the broken immigration system, we will have humane immigration reform” and every day at least one more human being dies, waiting for the “promised” immigration reform. How many more? NI UNA MUERTE MAS, REFORMA YA! Enrique Morones is the founder of Border Angels (www.borderangels.org). The opinions expressed in this editorial reflect the views of its author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. If you wish to submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org. Printer-friendly version