FIGHT NIGHT! PLUS FREE PATIO RELEASE PARTY AT CALI-COMFORT SAT. NOV 21 IN SPRING VALLEY
Printer-friendly version November 19, 2009 (Spring Valley) – Cali Comfort Restaurant & Sports Bar in Spring Valley invites you to a “patio release party” this Saturday, November 21. Admission is free and includes free viewing of the pay-per-view United Fighting Championships (UFC) matchup between Tito Ortiz and Forerst Griffin 2 with Ashlee from Rock 105.3 radio’s Mikey Show. “We will have a Royal Flush Duck Tank, beer pong, fun in the sun, and beer specials all day,” Cali’s website advises. “Be sure to stay for “Fight Night in East County” with our Cali Girls. There will also be a Chargers/Chiefs ticket giveaway and many other prizes.” Cali’s is located at 8910 Troy St., Spring Valley 91977. For details, call 619-337-0670 or visit http://www.calicomforsd.com. Read our East County Eater’s thumbs’up review of Cali Comfort: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/2228. Printer-friendly version
LOCAL ECONOMIC INDICATORS IMPROVE, MANPOWER WORKFORCE REPORTS
Printer-friendly version November 19, 2009 (San Diego) – Looking for some good news about the local economy? Many of our economic indicators have improved significantly, according to Manpower Workforce Report: A San Diego Labor Market Snapshop (Business edition), published Nov.9 and reprinted with permission below. Among the findings: Economic indicators compiled by the University of San Diego are up for the sixth straight month in San Diego County, local unemployment has dipped slightly, venture capital investment in our region is positive, and the outlook of local business leaders surveyed revealed cautious optimism. See how our region’s economic recovery compares to the national overall: Unemployment Rate (Unadjusted) Sept. 2009 Aug.2009 (revised) July 2009 (revised) San Diego County 10.2% 10.6% 10.4% State of California 12.0% 12.2% 12.1% United States 9.5% 9.6% 9.7% Source: EDD Monthly Press Release, October 2009 • The unadjusted unemployment rate for San Diego County slipped to 10.2% during September a drop of four-tenths of a percent from the revised August rate of 10.6%. The local rate is three and eight-tenths of a percent higher than the 6.4% rate of a year ago. The rate in the county is one and eight-tenths of a percent below the statewide rate of 12%, and seven-tenths of a percent above the national rate of 9.5%. Marin County had the lowest rate in the state at 8%, and along with Santa Barbara County at 8.5%, Napa at 8.7%, and Mariposa at 8.8% were the only counties with rates below 9%. During September, 28 counties, four more than the prior month, had rates between 9% and 12%, while 32 counties, one more than the prior month, had rates above 12% to 18%. Imperial County had the highest rate in the state at 30.1%, an increase from the previous month’s 28.7% rate. (EDD Monthly Press Release, October 2009) • The Index of Leading Economic Indicators for San Diego County developed by the Center for Real Estate at the University of San Diego rose dramatically, a full one percent, for the sixth consecutive month and suggests the turn-around of the local economy is for real. The one percent increase in the Index matched the largest increase that occurred in March 2005. A strong rise in local consumer confidence led the upward move and was aided by solid gains in local building permits and in the outlook for the national economy. On the downside, initial claims for unemployment insurance were up significantly, and there were smaller decreases in local stock prices and help wanted advertising. Alan Gin, author of the Index, indicated that the numbers are encouraging but the outlook for the local economy continues to be weak for the rest of 2009 and the first half of 2010. Gin stated that in terms of employment and jobs, which typically is a lagging indicator, “Businesses tend to be cautious about hiring new workers until they are sure the recovery has taken hold. As a result local unemployment could approach 11 percent before improving.” (University of San Diego release, Oct. 27, 2009) • The nation’s economy grew at a 3.5% pace during the third quarter, the best showing in two years and was fueled by government-supported spending on cars and homes. The dramatic growth was the strongest signal yet that the longest, deepest downturn since the Great Depression could be on the way out. Many economists caution that the third quarter spurt was driven by government incentives and industry trends will fade, leaving a wobbly economy. But, a second report for the U.S. Department of Labor revealed that the number of people claiming jobless benefits for the first time dropped only slightly in the latest week, evidence that the labor market remains weak. (usatoday.com, Oct. 29, 2009) • San Diego County countered the national venture capital trend during the third quarter by posting a 20 percent increase in funds while the U.S. average stalled, according to a Dow Jones VentureSource report. The region drew $248 million for 29 deals in the third quarter up from $203 million and 24 deals in the second quarter but down from the $296 million for 20 deals during the third quarter of 2008. The 2009 three-quarter total venture capital investment for the region is $646 million for 68 deals. Experts foresee steady growth in venture capital investments for the region during the fourth quarter as well. (Daily Transcript, Oct. 19, 2009) • Using funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the San Diego Workforce Partnership and its contractors provided more than 3,200 youth with paid work experience over the summer. The first Hire-a-Youth program in more than 10 years placed many students in the private sector as well as in non-profits and education. “Considering the downturn in the local economy, there was real leadership by the private sector to step up and provide these young people employment opportunities,” said Margie de Ruyter director of the program. For many youth this was their initial step into the world of work and chance to gain invaluable work experience. • A survey sampling 89 business leaders in San Diego County by the Daily Transcript found a majority expects no change in their companies’ employment or capital spending levels. Of those polled, 48.2% expect their company’s employment level to remain constant while 29.4% of the business leaders in the county expect to increase their number of employees over the next 6 months, and 22.4% expect a decline. Only 23% expect their capital spending to increase while 43.7% expect no change, and 33.3% predict a decline over the next six months. (The Daily Transcript, Oct.9, 2009) • Construction spending in September posted a better-than-expected performance, powered by the largest jump in housing in more than six years. The advance provided hope that the battered housing sector is starting to turn around and will provide support for the overall economy as it struggles from the recession. The U.S.Commerce Department indicated that total construction spending was up 0.8% in September that included a 3.9%
EDITORIAL: STATE COLLEGE BUDGET CUTS MUST BE FAIR TO OUR LOCAL FAMILIES
Printer-friendly version By Tracy Emblem San Diego State University’s budget has caused student enrollment to be reduced by 4,618 by Fall 2010. Recently, the university announced that it had to change its “service area” enrollment policy to accommodate its budget cuts. San Diego State should delay its new policy for a year to allow local high school students who were working for admission in Fall 2010 and under the old guidelines to be admitted. The controversial issue is one of fairness. The students who are applying this November played by the old set of admission rules, but two weeks before application, San Diego State changed the rules. The students cannot now work to change their SAT scores or GPA at this late date. Since 1999, the freshmen student population at San Diego State has been derived in part from a local “service area” which is given extra points to allow local students college admission. However, for the past few years, in harder economic times, the number of “service area” students applying has increased. However, under the new admission policy, only 37 percent will be granted admission, which means hundreds of local students will readily be turned away. Also under new rules, the community college transfer students covered by the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) will have to wait longer for admission into the university because 100 percent of their work will have to be completed at the community college level. This means even a longer period to transfer because our local community colleges are also impacted by their own budget cuts. Of course non-resident student enrollment generates a lot more income for the university, but we must find a way to give our local students the first option of attending our publicly funded universities. While student diversity population is important, our local communities already consist of highly diverse populations, so this is not a reason to enroll more non-resident students. California community colleges and state colleges provide families from local communities the most-cost effective way for their children who live at home to obtain an education. If admission cuts are made, they should first be made to out-of-state students applying to attend our local public universities so we can accommodate our local students. San Diego State has long been the educator for the region’s workforce. November 30 is the deadline for enrollment. We must be vocal in asking our state and local officials to find a solution to the enrollment problem instead of turning community members away. People with strong ties to the community are much more productive. In times when our economy is hardest hit, we need to find a way to help those from our own communities move into higher education with the promise of better paying jobs from that education. Tracy Emblem is an attorney and a Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress, California’s 50th District. 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
2 GOP OFFICIALS RESIGN OVER ANDERSON CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS CONTROVERSY; EAST COUNTY ASSEMBLYMAN REMAINS MUM ON SUBJECT
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery November 18, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – A biography of Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) has been removed from his official Assembly website. But an archived copy reads, “The proof of Joel Anderson’s total commitment to honesty, integrity, and hard work aren’t in what he says. They’re in what he’s already done—the record of accomplishment he’s already achieved.” Anderson has remained silent, however, regarding serious questions raised over the honesty and integrity of his own campaign finances—including the core question of what he knew about a series of potentially illegal transactions. The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) is investigating allegations that Anderson’s campaign laundered money through three Republican Central Committees (Fresno, Stanislaus and Placer) in an effort to bypass campaign finance laws. Now Taxpayers for Anderson has returned approximately $100,000 in donations–and two Republican officials who say they opposed the questionable arrangements have resigned. State campaign finance law limits how much individuals may donate to a state legislative campaign, however no such limits apply to central committees. Hefty campaigns were made to out-of-the-area central committees by local donors and days later, massive and nearly identical sums totaling $140,000 were donated by those central committees to Anderson’s campaign coffers. Local donors embroiled in the controversy include Sempra Energy, Sycuan and Barona Indian tribes, as well as three members of Hamann family, owners and principals of Hamann Construction in El Cajon. In addition, Fresno’s Central Committee donated money to Anderson’s 2010 campaign shosrtly after receiving contributions from Anderson’s 2008 campaign. Hamann also owns the building where Anderson maintains both his distrct office and his campaign headquarters. Asked why the Hamann family donated $30,000 to the Fresno Central Committee, Gregg Hamann said he couldn’t recall, the Union-Tribune reported on October 8. Lynn Treasurers of the Placer County Republican Party Central Committee, resigned over the scandal. “I’m caught up in this because I’m the treasurer,” said Kyme, the Sacramento Bee reported on November 14. Kyme, who signed the check to Anderson’s committee and resigned after the FPPC subpoenaed her, told the Union-Tribune that she voted against the party making a contribution to Anderson and grew more suspicious after he returned the donation. Jerry Simmons has also resigned from the Placer County central committee . “It just didn’t smell right to me because I had never heard of Joel Anderson before,” said Simmons, the Union-Tribune reported. According to the Fresno Bee, both Kyme and Simmons “said they were in the dark about the source of the money going to Anderson.” Ironically, while Simmons and Kyme have resigned over their ethical objections to the financial transactions which they say they opposed, those who approved the transactions remain on the three GOP central committee boards while the FPPC investigation proceeds. Meanwhile an anonymous video posted on YouTube lampoons Anderson’s financial dealings: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3npUaVTs0yQ. Just what benefits if any donors may have hoped to reap by bypassing campaign finance limits is unclear. In the Assembly, Anderson sits on the Committee on Governmental Organization, Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife, Select Committee on Biotechnology, and the Committee on Insurance, where he potentially wields influence in legislation coming before those committees. Donations made to Anderson’s campaign war chests also benefit other Republican candidates. Anderson has long been considered a fund-raising powerhouse within the party who has formally chaired the Bush-Cheney campaign committee in San Diego County and served on San Diego’s Republican Central Committee. Elected by safe margins during both of his Assembly races, he has doled out hefty funds to other local Republican candidates from his unused campaign funds in the past. Raymond Lutz, Democrat who ran against Anderson in 2008, expressed skepticism over the returned donations. “Unfortunately, the Republican party can simply send that $100K to other central committees in each of the 58 counties or send it to candidates who will then turn around and each sent $3,900 in contributions to Anderson, effectively making the "Fair Political Practices" in California just a matter of making the parties do additional work. I would not be surprised to see that money come back to Anderson even though he "returned it",” Lutz stated in an online discussion forum (which ECM has received permission to reprint). Lutz added that in prior campaigns, Anderson raised large sums from corporations such as Sempra Energy, SoCal Edison and others that each gave exactly $1,000. Despite a hefty campaign war chest, however, Anderson’s expended little on his own campaign, sending most of the balance to candidates in other districts. Lutz suggested that some corporate contributors may donate to candidates in safe races as a means of bypassing campaign finance regulations, with “safe” candidates’ committees later bundling funds to donate to Republican central committees for distribution to GOP candidates in “unsafe” seats. “That way, the money from the corps is laundered at least one step, and it is hard to see any one company giving to any one race,” he observed. “Honestly, it would almost be better the other way so we could see who was contributing instead of this money laundering scheme.” The Assemblyman has thus far refused comment to all media regarding his campaign finance controversies and did not respond to ECM’s request for comment on this story. Nor has he spoken publicly about whether he will continue to pursue reported plans to run for the State Senate in 2010. Printer-friendly version
CRAFTING WITH MARY: QUICK & EASY THANKSGIVING DECORATIONS
Printer-friendly version By Mary Genser Thanksgiving Day Is not So far away— There’ll be cloudy skies, Apple and pumpkin pies— And lots of turkey to eat. Also every kind of sweet. Now— Go put up your feet And watch a game. I’ll do the same. Editor’s note: Fortunately, before relaxing for her holiday celebration, our crafty columnist provided us with directions for making three Thanksgiving projects: holiday glass plates, autumn embroidery hoops, and fall foliage centerpieces. ELEGANT GLASS PLATES Cut a pumpkin or other fall image from a piece of fabric. Glue fabric to backside of a glass plate. Another option is to paint a pumpkin on the backside of the plate using acrylic paint. Draw wedges of the pumpkin using thin, red lines. Paint the stem with green and yellow paint. If desired, you can add gold glitter paint to accentuate details on painted or fabric appliqués to complete your holiday plates. HOLIDAY HOOPS Place hoop onto a circle of fabric. Tighten screw at bottom, then hot glue lace onto back of hoop. Add flowers to conceal screws at bottom of hoop. FALL FOLIAGE Take a glass container or jar and turn upside down. Wrap a circle of fabric around it. Secure with a rubber band and cover with ribbon. Flip over and tuck fabric inside jar, hot gluing in place. Add decorative trim and the fall foliage or floral display of your choice. Printer-friendly version
SHERIFF’S SWEEP NEAR SANTEE HIGH SCHOOLS SNAGS DOZENS OF TEEN DRIVERS
Printer-friendly version November 18, 2009 (Santee) — On November 17, Santee traffic deputies, school resource officers, juvenile detectives and the COPPS Unit conducted a teen driver compliance detail. Special attention was given to drivers near schools. Drivers were stopped and cited for various traffic violations including use of cell phones, not wearing seat belts, violation of provisional license restrictions and equipment violations. Within the first 90 minutes, 27 citations and 36 violations issued near Santana High School. During the lunch hour, 9 citations and 14 violations were issued near West Hills High School. The Teen Driver Compliance Detail was intended to promote juvenile safety through education and enforcement in an effort to decrease the risks associated with teen driving. Additional teen safety programs are planned for the upcoming holiday season, Sheriff’s officials confirmed. Printer-friendly version
SHOPPER ASSAULTED OUTSIDE TARGET STORE
Printer-friendly version November 18, 2009 (La Mesa) – A 54-year-old woman was punched in the face yesterday at 5:51 p.m. while watching another woman yell at a young child outside the Target Store in Grossmont Center, La Mesa Police report. The victim was in the parking lot when she stopped to observe the incident. According to police, she was about to walk away when she was assaulted. The victim was transported by ambulance to Grossmont Hospital for treatment. Police seek the public’s help to identify the suspect, shown on a surveillance camera. She wore a black jacket with fur hood, dark pants, mult-colored shirt, and white boots. She had a young child with her, who is estimated to be about four years old. La Mesa Police, Target Security and Grossmont Security were unable to locate the suspect. If you have any information on this case, call the La Mesa Police Department at (619) 667-1400. This investigation is continuing. Printer-friendly version