UNKNOWN OBJECT SPOTTED OVER EAST COUNTY SKIES
By Miriam Raftery May 1, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – At 8:15 p.m. on Thursday, April 29, East Count y Magazine columnist Dennis Richardson of Lakeside reports spotting a large, white object “burning across the skies” from south to north in the western sky. “It started falling apart towards the end of my field of vision,” he said, adding that smaller pieces “flew away in a cone-shaped tail as they burned up more quickly and disappeared.” A larger piece traveled on and disappeared behind clouds, said Richardson, who believed the object could be space debris, a meteorite, or shooting star. ECM asked astronomy writer Dennis Mammana (www.dennismamammana.com; www.facebook.com/DennisMammana), author of the syndicated “Stargazer” column, if he was aware of any meteor showers or other celestial phenomenon that evening. “This sounds like a meteor, albeit a very bright one,” he replied. “It might have been a piece of natural material or a piece of manmade space debris. From the description of its long tail and the early hour, it sounds like an “earthgrazer” which falls tangentially through the Earth’s atmosphere and burns for a long time.” Such occurrences happen more frequently than most people are aware,” Mammana added. Coincidentally, the Space Station passed over our region and was reportedly visible here one night later. If you spotted either of these unusual occurrences in the night skies over East County, please post your comments below.
200 TEENS IN SPRING VALLEY BRAWL
May 1, 2010 (Spring Valley) – A brawl involving 200 or more juveniles at the Spring Valley Community Center may have been gang related, according to the San Diego Sheriff’s office. The rowdy crowd was ultimately dispersed without injuries and no arrests were made. Deputies responded to a call from security guards at 10:52 p.m. They arrived to find a large group of teens 15 to 18 years of age fighting in the parking lot. The youths were slow to disperse, so additional units were called out to help break up additional fights in multiple locations. Help from surrounding agencies was requested to disperse the crowd. Two security guards were assaulted, but not harmed according to a Sheriff’s press release. Overcrowding and lack of adequate security are believed to be contributing factors; follow up with event organizers is planned to prevent a reoccurence.
KIWANIS CLUB WILL SEND 3 EAST COUNTY YOUNGSTERS TO OHIO; WHO WILL THEY BE?
May 1, 2010 (La Mesa) — Three East County youngsters are going to Akron, Ohio, this July to compete in the National All-American Soap Box Derby. They will be winners of their divisions in the 8th Annual Drew Ford-Kiwanis Club of La Mesa Soap Box Derby. Who will they be? That won’t be known until race day, Saturday, May 22, on Junior High Drive adjacent to La Mesa Middle School. Thirty-five youngsters age 8 -17 are expected to enter this year’s competition, according to Derby Director Dennis Wilkes. Last year, Bryce Taylor of Santee won the local race, survived several heats in the single-elimination field in Akron, and finished in fourth place overall in his division. “We were thrilled to see Bryce, one of our winners, go all the way to bring home a trophy,” said Wilkes. “Our local race was the first soap box derby he had ever entered.” Wilkes added that a Derby Car Clinic will be held from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, May 15, at Sign DeSign on La Mesa Blvd and Nemo, to assist parents and drivers in assembling their race cars. To enter the May 22 derby, sponsor a car, or advertise at the event, contact Wilkes at 619-469-7353 or dwilkes1@cox.net.
READER’S EDITORIAL: DOES REP. HUNTER UNDERSTAND WHAT HE SWORE TO UPHOLD AND DEFEND?
By Hugh Moore May 1, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) — At a public forum this past week Rep. Duncan Hunter suggested that children born in the US of parents that are not citizens should not be granted citizenship specifically stating, “And we’re not being mean. We’re just saying it takes more than walking across the border to become an American citizen.” Actually, according to the United States Constitution Title 8 section 1401 not only is anyone born inside the United States a citizen but “anyone found in the U.S. under the age of five, whose parentage cannot be determined” is also a citizen. It would seem that Rep. Hunter has forgotten that our country was founded by immigrants and part of the founding fathers’ idea of a free society was to make participation in the government that rules the people available to all the people that are ruled by that government. So why is it that Rep. Hunter feels his opinion is more important than one of the basic tenets on which our country was founded? Maybe he feels that this opinion is politically expedient and will gain him votes but will never be tested since certainly no one is going to offer a constitutional amendment to change the citizenship clause and he will never have to vote on this issue? Or even worse, could it be that Rep. Hunter doesn’t know the constitution well enough to understand he has just insulted Jefferson, Adams, Franklin …? Does not know the constitution well enough to understand that what he stated as his opinion is in direct opposition to the constitution he has now sworn to uphold at least twice? Please Rep. Hunter, my representative, stop embarrassing me and yourself. Hugh Moore is co-chair of the Green Party of San Diego County. The opinions expressed in this editorial reflect the 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.
SANTEE STREET FAIR PROMISES FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
The Santee Street Fair will be held May 29th, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on River View Parkway next to the Santee Trolley Square. There will be live bands and entertainment, rides, food vendors and a beer and wine garden. Entertainment includes Lindsey Spurlock, the Corvettes, Outta-Sync, Rockola, Blues 1-4-5 and Ramshackle. Canned goods will be collected to help support the Santee Food Bank. The event is organized by the Santee Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Union Bank, Padre Dam’s Santee Lakes, KUSI and Walmart. For more information call 619.449.6572 or visit the festival website here.
ANTHEM BLUE CROSS WITHDRAWS RATE HIKES UP TO 39%
Bill to regulate rate hikes introduced by Insurance Commissioner candidate Dave Jones April 30, 2010 (Sacramento – Following a storm of criticism, Anthem Blue Cross announced yesterday that it will withdraw its request to raise premiums by as much as 39% on California policy holders. “The hearings I chaired revealed that Anthem Blue Cross and its parent company, Wellpoint, have made billions in profits at the expense of Californians,” Assemblyman Dave Jones, candidate for State Insurance Commissioner, said in a press release issued today. When the insurer refused to provide information on salary packages of its executives, Jones said, “I issued the first Legislative subpoena in a decade to get that information.” Jones has now introduced Assembly Bill 2578 to regulate health premiums in much the same way that auto, property and casualty insurance rates are regulated under Proposition 103. “Left to their own devices, insurance companies will continue to boost their already huge profits instead of providing Californians with high quality health care at an affordable price,” said Jones.
SAN DIEGO BOOKSHELF: JUST IN TIME FOR MOTHER’S DAY, ONE MOM SPEAKS OUT ON GREATEST GIFT A MOTHER CAN RECEIVE
Author will share her story and sign copies of Delivering Hope on Saturday May 1st in El Cajon May 1, 2010 (El Cajon) — Ten years ago, Pamela MacPhee offered to become her very own human biology experiment by carrying a baby for her cousin’s wife, who was devastated by infertility from cervical cancer. MacPhee successfully delivered a healthy baby girl, named Hope, to the couple in May of 2000—born one day after Mother’s Day. After fielding thousands of questions from friends, family and strangers about surrogacy, she decided to put her surrogacy story down on paper to share her experience with a broader audience. On Saturday, May 1st from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, MacPhee will be at the Borders at 159 Fletcher Parkway in El Cajon to share and sign copies of the resulting memoir, Delivering Hope. The mystery and magic of the miracle of surrogacy awes people, touches their souls and stimulates their curiosity. In Delivering Hope, MacPhee creates a fascinating, intimate memoir, sharing the anxieties, hopes, struggles and joys of her journey to give her cousin and his wife the gift of a child.
LEFT HOOK: DEADLOCKED GOVERNMENT
As the Country Suffers, Leadership Fails By Walter Davis April 30, 2010 (San Diego)–With the economy in the tank and American families suffering, a deadlocked government continues to look after the interests of the corporations. These are tough times for the American family. So many teens seem not to have hope; young adults do not seem to be able to realize their true potential. Our world class education system has been gutted while the war machine never seems to run out of money. The wealthy get wealthier and the poor get poorer. Our court system continues to punish with illogical laws that increase our poverty level and destroy American families in family court, drug court, criminal court. People are dying because they have no insurance and cannot pay $28,000 per month for chemo or $400,000 for a transplant. Profit is the motivation, not concern for our fellow man and woman. If a profit cannot be made, it is not done. Florida Governor Charlie Crist has been targeted by his party for appearing to cooperate with the executive branch of government. Republican Senator Lindsay Graham has withdrawn his support for important climate change legislation due to intimidation for daring to cooperate; on its face, the immigration bill is being blamed for this as a smoke screen. Unenforceable immigration legislation remains on the books while families languish and suffer with the threat of deportation because they cannot satisfy unreasonable immigration policy in a system that is deadlocked and unable to help them even if they could. The local Democratic Party, laden with corruption, cronyism is powerless to stop a war mongering, out of touch local Republican spin machine. The Tea Party, however, threatens to do what the inept Democratic leadership cannot do: split and defeat the conservatives. The apathetic and far left need representation. Democrats have moved to the center and Republicans have moved further to the right. While Americans suffer from medical costs, a watered down health care bill gets resisted by Republicans. While financial institutions continue to rip off the American public, Republicans continue to delay and water down financial reform. While service members die needlessly, our leadership continues to prosecute senseless wars as our coffers are drained and schools are closed. The time for nationalistic fervor and religious fanaticism has passed. The American people need leadership that is focused on THEIR problems as opposed to the money of corporations. Corporations must be stripped of their political power. This country must finally become of the people, for the people and by the people. If you think it ever has been, you are sadly mistaken. A resource based economy is the only way to go. It is time to move to a higher level of consciousness. See www.TheZeitgeistMovement.com and www.TheVenusProject.com. Walter Davis is a syndicated columnist and producer of five public access cable TV shows on COX Communications. His stories and shows focus on positive achievements of citizens in the community, highlighting leaders who are often overlooked by mainstream media. He has pioneered use of Internet TV in media applications including webcasting and web-conferencing, helping ordinary people get attention for their efforts and causes with his Citizens’ Internet TV Network. In addition, he founded the San Diego County Community Coalition, a progressive group that stands for human rights and social justice http://www.meetup.com/sdcommunitycoalition. Walter Davis is based in San Marcos and operates studios in Carlsbad and El Cajon. http://www.WalterDavisEnterprises.com. The opinions expressed in this column 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.
EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: APRIL 30, 2010
East County Roundup highlights important stories impacting East County published in other publications. Roundup stories for this month include: Jail land to be acquired by eminent domain: legal action okayed for expanded Las Colinas facility Streamlined zoning code proposed in El Cajon; City to hold hearing on revised rules Salas, Vargas financing debate turns ugly Crackdown curbs crime on trolley How a strict earthquake safety law doesn’t apply to all schools Famliy, friends remember slain Poway couple New info prompts release of woman in elderly thefts King parents, Fletcher lobby for Chelsea’s Law Santee man catches child in 30-foot mall plummet Energy: solar fire raises questions about panel safety; building code leaves firefighters unable to fully kill power Mingei Escondido latest casualty of economy Council’s oversight of meeting knocked;public isn’t given chance to comment (El Cajon hearing on East County Performing Arts Center) JAIL LAND TO BE ACQUIRED BY EMINENT DOMAIN Legal action okayed for expanded Las Colinas facility April 29, 2010 (San Diego Union-Tribune) SANTEE— An effort to replace the region’s only all-female jail — an endeavor that has drawn three lawsuits — has become even more complicated. County supervisors this week voted 4-1, with Dianne Jacob dissenting, to use eminent domain to take control of about 15 acres in Santee needed for the new Las Colinas Detention Facility. Although the county currently owns the land, it is trying to seize the development rights on the acreage from Minneapolis-based developer Ryan Cos., which is developing a mixed-use project on more than 100 acres in the area. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/apr/30/las-colinas-jail-land-to-be-acquired-by-eminent/ STREAMLINED ZONING CODE PROPOSED IN EL CAJON; CITY TO HOLD HEARING ON REVISED RULES April 29, 2010 (Union-Tribune) — Telegraph services and Green Stamp redemption centers are out, but computer centers will be included for the first time in El Cajon’s zoning code as city officials propose revisions to outdated regulations. Some changes also are being considered that could rile some residents and please others. Carport tarps for recreational vehicles and landscaping with gravel no longer would be permitted, and El Cajon residents wouldn’t be allowed to hold more than 12 garage sales a year. …With the revisions, a permit for a child-care business would cost $200 instead of $4,700 and would be easier to obtain. A restaurant owner who wants to add outside dining would pay $200 instead of $1,250 and wouldn’t have to get a major permit. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/apr/29/streamlined-zoning-code-proposed/ SALAS, VARGAS FINANCE DEBATE TURNS UGLY April 30, 2010 (San Diego News Network) — A routine campaign news conference Friday morning turned into a sidewalk shouting match between supporters of rival Democratic state Senate candidates Mary Salas and Juan Vargas that at one point degenerated into a brief scuffle. Rep. Bob Filner, D-Chula Vista, joined Salas, an assemblywoman from Chula Vista, in front of the Hall of Justice in downtown San Diego to accuse Vargas of being bankrolled by insurance companies, oil companies and other interests spending money on his behalf through independent committees. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/apr/30/salas-vargas-finance-debate-turns-ugly/ CRACKDOWN CURBS CRIME ON TROLLEY Officials say theft, robbery are most common incidents April 26, 2010 (Union-Tribune) — Serious crime on the San Diego Trolley fell last year as ridership on the red cars dropped and authorities cracked down on iPod thefts and other snatch-and-run offenses. Officials for the Metropolitan Transit System reported a 2009 crime rate of 0.52 incidents per 100,000 passengers, down from 0.63 the previous year. San Diego crime rates fell over the same period last year. Stops with the highest number of reported crimes included the ones at Encanto/62nd Street, the El Cajon Transit Center and the Grossmont Transit Center in La Mesa. Offenses ranged from robberies and drug abuse to vandalism and public drunkenness. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/apr/26/crackdown-curbs-crime-on-trolley/ HOW A STRICT EARTHQUAKE SAFETY LAW DOESN’T APPLY TO ALLL SCHOOLS April 14, 2010 (Voice of San Diego)–San Diegans have earthquakes on the mind after a series of Baja temblors rattled homes and nerves here two weeks ago. They have less to worry about their children’s schools: California public schools are seen nationally as the gold standard for seismic safety under an exacting law called the Field Act. But not all schools are subject to the rules. Preschools aren’t covered by them. Private schools are covered by a separate, slightly less demanding law, which doesn’t apply at all to older private schools. And charter schools, which are publicly funded but independently run, don’t fall under the Field Act unless they accept state facilities money — something that is rare here — or use district buildings. http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/education/article_0409877a-483b-11df-bc18-001cc4c002e0.html FAMILY, FRIENDS REMEMBER SLAIN POWAY COUPLE April 12, 2010 (Pomerado News) — Joyful remembrances of Mitch and DeeDee Cunnyngham brought a mixture of tears — and at times robust laughter — during a Saturday memorial service at North City Presbyterian Church. …The mood during the service was in sharp contrast to the horrific tragedy on Easter Sunday that claimed their lives at the hands of neighbor Robert Reed, who reportedly pumped shotgun blasts into their home, killing them in the process. http://www.pomeradonews.com/article/News/News/Family_friends_remember_slain_Poway_couple/32839 NEW INFO PROMPTS RELEASE OF WOMAN IN ELDERLY THEFTS Deirdria Nicholson, 50, Arrested Last Thursday April 12, 2010 (Channel 10 News) El Cajon — Questions about the suspect’s identity prompted prosecutors Monday to drop their case against a La Mesa woman accused of stealing the purses and pocketbooks of seven people after talking her way into homes in El Cajon, Lake Murray and San Diego. http://www.10news.com/news/23121800/detail.html KING PARENTS, FLETCHER LOBBY FOR CHELSEA’S LAW Legislation would tighten parole rules April 12, 2010 (San Diego Union-Tribune) — Aware of the challenge but committed to their cause, Kelly and Brent King on Monday launched the campaign to pass “Chelsea’s Law.” “We must demand nothing short of swift and decisive action for all of our children,” said Kelly King, the mother of slain Poway teenager Chelsea King. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/apr/12/kelly-king-cant-keep-happening-over-and-over-again/ SANTEE MAN CATCHES CHILD IN 30-FOOT MALL PLUMMET April 11, 2010 (Channel 6 news) – A 21-year-old Santee man stepped outside of a restaurantat an Orange County mall for a smoke, spotted a small child
TEEN GIRL FIGHTS OFF SUSPECTED KIDNAPPER IN OTAY AREA
Suspect’s truck was towing a trailer with possible license CA/4KW5935 April 30, 2010 (Otay Ranch) –Authorities seek the public’s help to locate a man suspected of trying to kidnap a 14-year-old girl who was accosted while walking to High Tech high School on Thursday. The teen student was walking southbound on Eastlake Parkway between 8 and 8:15a.m. when she heard a whistle and saw a Hispanic male in a beat up Ford pickup truck towing a trailer staring at her as he slowly drove by, Chula Vista Police report. The suspect continued southbound to Birch Road and made a left turn where the victim lost sight of him. The victim continued cut through a Vons parking lot and continued walking southbound on Discovery Falls near Crossroads Street when the suspect vehicle approached her. The suspect slowed and yelled "come here" and motioned her to come over with his arm. The victim ignored the suspect and continued walking toward school. The suspect parked the truck and started walking across the street toward the victim. The victim ignored the suspect and did not think he was coming for her. The suspect approached the victim and grabbed her by the arm. The victim kicked and elbowed the suspect and ran southbound toward High Tech High which was about 1/4 mile from the area of the assault. The victim went to the school office and immediately reported the assault. The victim was upset and shaken but she was not injured. The suspect fled in an unknown direction. The suspect was described as a Hispanic male adult approximately 5′-05" tall, 28-30 years old wearing a plain gray baseball cap and a zipped up grey jacket. The suspect had dark skin and weighed about 200 lbs and had a heavy build and a mustache. There were no other distinguishing characteristics. The suspect vehicle was an older tan "beat up" Ford F150 with yellow lettering on the door. The truck was towing an empty black flatbed trailer with a possible license plate number of CA/4KW5935. The victim did not remember the plate on the truck. Chula Vista Police Department School Resource Officers and Detectives from the Family Protection unit are actively investigating this incident. The police department is working closely with the Sweetwater High School District and the Chula Vista Elementary School District to alert parents and students about the incident. The incident is being treated as an attempted kidnapping. If anyone witnessed the incident or has further information please contact the Chula Vista Police department at (619) 691-5151.