ANDERSON IOU BILL GOES TO GOVERNOR FOR SIGNATURE
Printer-friendly version August 23, 2010 (Sacramento) – Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon) announced today that his AB 1506, a measure that would require the state to accept its own IOUs in payment for state taxes or fees, has passed both houses of the Legislature and is now on the Governor’s desk. The state has issued IOUs to those owed money when the state did not pass a budget by the constitutional deadline. Anderson praised constituents who wrote to support AB 1506, the IOU Taxpayer Protection Action. “Because of your unwavering support and thousands of letters, AB 1506 cleared both houses of the legislature without a single ‘no’ vote,” he said. “We are one final step away from total victory.” Voters who wish to voice their views to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger may contact Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at www.gov.ca.gov/interact, by fax to 916-558-3160, or by calling 916-445-2841. Printer-friendly version
SAN DIEGO FIREFIGHTERS BURN ROBERTS, ENDORSE WHITBURN FOR SUPERVISOR
Printer-friendly version August 26, 2010 (San Diego) – Supervisor Ron Roberts has been in office during two of the worst wildfires in San Diego history in 2003 and 2007, serving as Chair of the Board of Supervisors during the 2007 firestorms. But his opponent, challenger Steve Whitburn, has won the coveted endorsement of the San Diego Firefighters Association. “We believe Stephen is the right choice for Supervisor because he will fight to make our communities safe,” said Frank DeClercq, president of the San Diego City Firefighters. Whitburn is an award-winning journalist, community advocate, and spokesperson for the American Red Cross. “I am so proud to have the endorsement of the San Diego Firefighters,” Whitburn said. “They are tremendous leaders in the community, and work hard every day to keep our families safe. They understand better than any of us the public safety needs we face.” Whitburn believes a regional approach to fire protection is the only answer in a county that has twice seen large fires start in the back country and burn into urban areas. In addition to support from firefighters, Whitburn recently picked up endorsements from the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council for his support of working families. He is also endorsed by the Sierra Club and League of Conservation Voters for his efforts on behalf of environmental protection. Though he failed to win support from firefighers, Roberts did secure endorsement from the San Diego Police Officers Association and Deputy Sheriff’s Association for the 4th Supervisorial District seat. Printer-friendly version
CLIMBERS, RESCUERS RECALL HARROWING ORDEAL ON EL CAPITAN
Printer-friendly version County honors deputies who saved couple’s lives during Monte Fire; Climbers offer safety tips for others By Miriam Raftery August 26, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego Sheriff’s deputies Gary Kneeshaw and Scott Blight saved two rock climbers trapped on the face of El Capitan mountain during the Monte Fire in Lakeside on Saturday. Today, the deputies were honored with a commendation from the County Board of Supervisors for their heroic actions in a daring ASTREA helicopter rescue. In a press conference at Gillespie Field in El Cajon today, Lieutenant Richardson praised the deputies for actions “above and beyond the call of duty” which “without a doubt, saved the lives” of rock climbers André Doria and Meg Rippy. Doria and Rippy, 27-year-old graduate students at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, revealed details of their ordeal to East County Magazine. “We’d climbed up the actual rock face and made it about 350 feet,” Doria said. The pair then took shelter beneath a shaded rock outcropping on El Capitan (the local name for El Cajon Mountain towering over Lakeside’s El Monte Valley) to eat lunch. Then Rippy stepped out to scout out the next phase of their ascent. “I saw the fire, and thought it was a controlled burn at first,” she recalled. The climbers used a cell phone to call 911 and learned that the blaze was a wildfire—burning straight toward them. The fire soon blocked the route they’d taken up the mountain, trapping them on the sheer rock face. “Probably five years ago, this rescue wouldn’t have been accomplished and these two climbers would have died,” Richardson said, praising a partnership between firefighting and law enforcement authorities that allowed the rescue helicopter to fly in an active fire zone. He called the collaboration “a real model” that is unique in California and possibly in the nation. Chopper 10 pilot Dave Weldon spotted the climbers. During the rescue, he hovered above, poised to order a water drop if the ASTREA helicopter team needed help. ASTREA helicopter pilot Scott Bligh recalled flying through smoke so thick it made his eyes water, then landing on toe skids to pull Rippy from a narrow rock ledge and fly her to safety. “I felt a big sense of relief seeing the chopper pull away with Meg, and she was blowing me a kiss,” Doria recalled. Deputy Kneeshaw, the tactical flight officer, stayed behind on the mountain with Doria. Soon the original landing spot was overrun by fire, forcing them to traverse the lateral face of El Capitan to take shelter elsewhere. Doria kept a watchful eye on his climbing ropes, realizing that he and the Deputy might have to resort to plan B—attempting to climb up the ropes to higher ground if the fire encroached their new location. On the return flight, Bligh recalled, “It was a lot hotter…I had a wakeup call when embers were coming into the cockpit; I had no idea what was behind me.” The trapped duo on the mountain were elated to spot the helicopter’s lights approached through the wall of smoke. By then, flames were just twenty feet away, Kneeshaw recalled. Bligh spotted Rippy’s bright orange helmet through the smoke and made a second toe-skid landing without a moment to spare. “Gary hopped on the skid, leaned over André’s lap and said, `We’ve got to go now. There isn’t going to be a third trip.” Kneeshaw leaped onto the helicopter’s skid and gripped the outside of the helicopter. There was no tether to secure him, so Doria reached outside the chopper and grabbed onto the Deputy’s gun belt. Kneeshaw clung onto the outside of the helicopter as it descended to the valley floor through blinding smoke, landing about a mile and a half away. “Every time I think about it, I feel my pulse race,” Bligh said of that final flight. “After the second landing, my knees were shaking…my hand s trembled.” Bligh praised the climbers for remaining calm throughout the ordeal. “They were very composed and smooth—a joy to work with. We told them to dump their gear, which we later learned was worth around $2,000 to $3,000. They never had a problem following directions.” Bligh also expressed gratitude to special training he’d received just three days before the Monte Fire on how to react if overrun by a fire. Kneeshaw noted that he has taught safety training and participated in an exercise in which lifeguards rode a helicopter skid—a skill he never imagined he’d need to use himself at a much higher altitude. Doria and Rippy insisted that despite the horrific scenario, they did not feel afraid. “We would like to thank everybody who cooperated in this operation,” Doria said at the press conference, praising the deputies for “their precise skills and amazing bravery.” Rippy also expressed gratitude, then offered advice for other climbers and hikers in the backcountry. “We were very lucky to have a cellphone,” she said, noting that cell phones with GPS (global positioning satellite) technology can help rescuers pinpoint the location of people who become trapped or incapacitated. She recommended that all hikers and climbers carry a GPS device, signaling mirror, and a cell phone. She also urged climbers and hikers to wear bright clothing. “We realize how very lucky we are to be here,” Rippy said, turning to face the deputies. “You saved our lives—and we thank you.” The ordeal has not dissuaded the couple from fulfilling their goal at some future date. Doria disclosed, “We’re going to climb that mountain!” Printer-friendly version
COMEDY NIGHT & WINE TASTING AT THE VINE
Printer-friendly version August 26, 2010 (Alpine) – It’s comedy night at The Vine in Alpine on Friday, August 27 at 9 p.m. This month’s comedians include headliner Patrick DeGuire, as well as Graci Stumpf, Willy Wilson, and Josh Lawson—with a cover charge of just $7. How do you top that act? On Saturday, August 28 from 4-7 p.m., the Vine is offering wine tasting—at just $10 for up to 10 tastes. “That’s right, we’re going to open EVERY single kind of wine we have so you can try anything, white or red (even the good stuff),” an email sent to patrons of the Vine announced. The event, which includes appetizers, will also feature representatives of Maddalena and San Antonio Wineries to pour and education guests on over 30 kinds of wines. The Vine is located at 2502 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine. Long-time readers of East County Magazine will recall our rave review of this restaurant, where we hosted our first “On the Road with the East County Eater” event. The restaurant features a cozy ambience with rustic mountain charm—complete with a tree growing through the roof behind the bar! For more information, see www.visitthevine.net. Printer-friendly version