CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR FACE OFF IN DEBATE: BROWN VS. WHITMAN TUESDAY AT 6 P.M.
Printer-friendly version September 27, 2010 (San Diego) – The first of three televised debates between California gubernatorial candidates Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman will be aired Tuesday night at 6 p.m. on Channel 7/39 KNSD locally. Whitman, former CEO of E-Bay, has spent over $119 million of her own money, breaking the nation’s record for most funds poured into a race by any candidate. Brown, California’s former Governor and current Attorney General, has relied on grassroots support but has been outspent by his wealthy opponent. Now voters will have an opportunity to hear directly from both candidates—without the filtering of political advisors or scripted TV ads. The Sacramento Bee has provided a pre-debate analysis of each candidate’s strengths and weaknesses. Brown, a veteran debater, has in-depth knowledge of state government. Whitman lacks government experience but is a skilled public speaker. Whitman “must show she is gubernatorial—something more than a billionaire, self-funded candidate” while Brown needs to “demonstrate he is modern, his ideas relevant today,” according to the Bee’s analysis. The debate will be held at the University of California, Davis. Printer-friendly version
BOMB THREAT PUTS STEELE CANYON HIGH SCHOOL IN LOCKDOWN
Printer-friendly version Updated 1:15 p.m. – The package has been determined to contain party supplies, Sheriff’s officials have told ECM news partner 10 News. Sheriff’s representative Jan Caldwell says it is too early to determine if this is related to the pipe bomb that injured Connie Hoagland in Rancho San Diego or the pipe bomb left in the family’s Rolando neighborhood earlier this month. September 27, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – Steele Canyon High School has been placed in lockdown due to a suspicious package delivered this morning, ECM has learned. The package was delivered via Federal Express. According to 10 News and an ECM source close to the investigation, the package was addressed to a child of Connie Hoagland, the woman injured in last week’s pipe bomb explosion outside a Rancho San Diego daycare center where she worked. Highway 94 in the vicinity of the school has also been shut down as bomb squad officials examine the package; officials have also asked that air space be cleared over the school. Printer-friendly version
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS HOSTS LA MESA CANDIDATE FORUM TONIGHT
Printer-friendly versionAre you voting in the November election on races for La Mesa Mayor and City Council? Be an informed voter! September 29, 2010 (La Mesa) — Come to the League of Women Voters La Mesa Candidate Forum tonight, September 29, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the La Mesa City Council Chambers, 8130 Allison Avenue, La Mesa CA 91942. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government. To learn more about the League’s East San Diego County Chapter, visit the LWV website here. To know more about the candidates, please visit our La Mesa Spotlight series: LA MESA MAYORAL CANDIDATES Mayoral Candidate Laura Lothian: Candidate’s Troubled Past Leads to New Beginnings Incumbent Mayor Art Madrid: More than Forty Years of Public Service LA MESA CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES Incumbent Councilman Mark Arapostathis: A Lifetime of Learning the City from the Inside Out Council Candidate Patrick D. Dean: It’s All About Priorities Incumbent Councilman Ernest Ewin: From Big Picture to Specifics Council Candidate Kevin D. Rynearson: Candidate Says he has the Right Chemistry for City Council Council Candidate Ian Shiff: New Resident Aims to Foster Civic Pride Printer-friendly version
CORONER RULES SHOOTING DEATH A SUICIDE; BODY FOUND INSIDE BURNED HOME
Printer-friendly version September 29, 2010 (Poway) – Firefighters battling a fire at the home of Valentine Derkach in Poway on September 23rd found his body inside the residence. Following an autopsy, the San Diego County Coroner has concluded that gunshot wounds to Derkach’s head and chest were self-inflicted and ruled the death a suicide. Derkech, 73, resided alone at his Poway home on Robley Rancho Road. Printer-friendly version
15 ACRES IN U.S. BURNED IN MEXICO FIRE
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery September 27, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The Border 11 fire which crossed into the U.S. two days ago has burned 15 acres on American soil but is now 100% contained on the U.S. side of the border, Cal-Fire Battalion Chief Nick Schuler told East County Magazine this morning. “The fire is still actively burning in Mexico on the east and west flank,” he said. In Mexico,roughly 500 acres have burned, though accurate estimates are difficult to obtain, he added. The fire is burning to the north; east winds are forecast along with triple digit temperatures. However the winds are not expected to be Santa Ana strength. “Firefighters who were there last night are still there today actively working fire in Mexico. There is a structure threat in Mexico due to the fire,” Schuler said. “ They still consider the fire to be a threat to the U.S., which is why we are down in Mexico.” Two Mexican civilians had burn injuries yesterday and a Mexican firetruck reportedly suffered damage in the blaze. A report that firefighters were overtaken by fire proved false, Schuler confirmed. Printer-friendly version
TRUCK ACCIDENT SHUTS DOWN HIGHWAY 67
Printer-friendly version September 27, 2010 (Poway) – All lanes of Highway 67 are now shut down due to a rollover accident involving a dumptruck and three vehicles. A SigAlert has been issued. According to the SigAlert, CHP is turning traffic around at Mt. Woodson and Archie Moore. Northbound lanes are shut down at Poway Road as of 9:01 a.m. Northbound motorists are advised to use Poway Road as an alternate route. Southbound traffic is being diverted onto Archie Moore to Highland Valley. If you are not yet signed up to receive our free Viejas Wildfire & Emergency alerts via email, sign up free at the top right side of our homepage. Our alerts can reach you even if phone lines or cell towers burn down. You can also follow ViejasAlerts at Twitter.com to get brief text messages on your mobile device. Printer-friendly version
GUNFIRE, STABBING IN EL CAJON ENDS WITH 19 DETAINED
Printer-friendly version September 27, 2010 (El Cajon)—El Cajon Police responded to multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire around midnight. Upon arrival, they found a man stabbed and beaten outside an apartment on Cuyamaca Street near Vernon Way, where a large fight had occurred. A six-hour standoff ensued. According to ECPD Lt. Tim Henton, officers believed whoever fired the gun was inside, along with possible shooting victims. The stabbing victim was taken to a hospital in stable condition, where he was treated and released. 10 News spoke with witnesses who said a loud noise, possibly from a party, was heard from inside the apartment before the gunfire. Police ended the stand-off with a flash bang that was deployed around 6 a.m. All 19 people were detained, but no arrests were made immediately. Shell casings were found outside the home and officers checked the residence for weapons and found a hand gun. Printer-friendly version
SAN MIGUEL FIRE HOSTS FIRE SAFETY COMMUNITY FAIR OCT. 9
Printer-friendly version September 27, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – Fire station tours, fire safety demonstrations, and a children’s fun activity dinner are among the activities planned for this year’s Fire Safety Community Fair and open house. This free event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 9th at the San Miguel Fire Station #22, 11501 Via Rancho San Diego in the Rancho San Diego area of El Cajon. This "hot"event, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by the San Miguel Regional Firesafe Council, Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce, and community partners including East County Magazine and the Viejas Wildfire & Emergency Alerts. A pancake and waffle breakfast to raise money for the San Miguel Regional Firesafe Council will be held ($2 donation requested.) Sempra Energy/SDG&E will provide demonstrations and fire safety workshops. Children can enjoy coloring, painting and reading at a Children Fun Activity Center sponsored by the Rancho San Diego Library. A goat-petting zoo and environmental land management information will be provided by the goats’ owner, Johnny Gonzalez. In addition, all ages are welcome to ride the “Little Fire Truck” from 12 to 2 p.m. Kids can also meet their favorite firefighters and tour the fire station. Other sponsors include Jeff Harrison ( San Miguel Firesafe Council and realtor, Silvercrest Realty), La Vida Real Retirement Community, and the Burn Institute. Printer-friendly version
READER’S EDITORIAL: WHITMAN’S EDUCATION PLAN WILL LEAVE BEHIND AN ENTIRE GENERATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE
Printer-friendly version By Ian Magruder, California Young Democrats September 26, 2010 (Sacramento) – As the election grows nearer, college and high school students, as well as educators and parents fear the effects of Meg Whitman’s education plan. Whitman clearly doesn’t understand or care about the future of California’s education system. The candidate has already spent $119 million dollars on her campaign or the equivalent of paying a year’s pay for over 2,000 teachers in the state– teachers that she plans to cut if elected. Whitman Ad Shows That Whitman Can’t Balance the Budget or Fund College In a recent television ad Meg Whitman vowed to give $1 billion to the University of California and California State University by making cuts to welfare. While this may sound appealing to a Conservative base, Whitman’s proposal demonstrates a clear lack of understanding. By restricting all adults on welfare to a lifetime limit of two years, only 22% of the state’s welfare recipients will be affected. Not only will these cuts come nowhere near the $1 billion that Whitman suggests, but they will disqualify the state from federal funding for welfare. During the worst economy since the Great Depression cutting welfare, even for higher education, is cruel and heartless. A close look at Whitman’s plan to fully fund higher education reveals that she doesn’t understand how funding for services works in California or how to fact check. (http://www.sacbee.com/2010/09/05/3006706/ad-watch-whitman-misfires-on-college.html#mi_rss=State%20Politics) Whitman Ignores the Truth about the California Department of Education Meg Whitman has promised to cut 150 jobs in the California Department of Education (CDE) in a radio ad because they are “staffers working on programs it no longer administers.” This is part of her plan to reduce the budget deficit by eliminating 40,000 jobs and saving $3.3 billion. The 150 proposed jobs are based off of the Legislative Analyst’s Office’s (LAO) January recommendation. Since the time the report was issued, the LAO has amended the number of cuts to the CDE to include internal cuts by the CDE and the Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell. The current suggestion is to eliminate 22 positions, a savings of $2.6 million. Meg Whitman has ignored the revisions to the LAO’s report and continues to insist that 150 jobs must be cut from the California Department of Education because these employees are “robbing the taxpayer”. As evidenced by the handling of the LAO report, Meg Whitman thinks it’s acceptable to ignore government reports. (http://californiawatch.org/watchblog/whitman-overstates-excess-jobs-california-department-education-4231) The opinions in this editorial reflect the views of its author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org. Printer-friendly version
SYLVIA’S SOAPBOX: CARLY FIORINA’S PLAN TO CONTINUE TAX CUTS FOR THE SUPER-RICH & CREATE JOBS…IN INDIA
Printer-friendly version By Sylvia Hampton September 26, 2010 (San Diego) — As the CEO of Hewlett Packard, Carly Fiorina told the world that giving high-tech jobs to foreign workers using H-1B status nonimmigrant visas was just part of the reality of globalization. Fiorina likes cheap labor. The woman she hopes to unseat, United States Senator Barbara Boxer, understands that preparing our own students to take these jobs is the better way to go. That is because Boxer sees the big picture while Firorina only looked at the bottom line for her company, Hewlett Packard. That is the company whose board of directors had to pay her over $20,000,000 just to get rid of her. The company stock shot up on the news that Fiorina was ousted. So why would anyone want to vote for Fiorina instead of Boxer? Fiorina is against legalized abortion. Boxer supports the 7-2 Roe V. Wade Supreme Court decision written by the Richard Nixon nominated Catholic Justice Harry Blackman who said when he retired "It’s a step that had to be taken … toward the full emancipation of women." Fiorina is for the right of companies to pollute and add to the national carbon footprint with little or no government interference. Boxer believes this is an area that impacts the environment so profoundly that it must be a national priority to cut back on fossil fuel use and provide incentives for citizens and companies to do so. Fiorina supports keeping the tax cuts for the wealthy. Boxer believes that the ten-year sunset on those cuts is necessary in light of the economic situation. Fiorina talks about cutting government spending, yet her spending on the Republican primary and now this general election is turning into a record-breaker. She has so much personal money that the sky is the limit. Boxer raises more money from small donors like me who have house parties and support her dedication to core issues. She believes government spending is what we do to invest in the future and our people —education, environmental protection, justice system, health care & research, transportation, national defense. We need federal spending for the Coast Guard, border patrols , veterans affairs, CIA, FAA, FEMA, FBI, FDIC, National Parks and Forest Service, consumer safety, global affairs/State Department, land management, Library of Congress, NASA, National Weather Service, Peace Corps, postal services, Secret Service, Social Security and infrastructure. Just to name a few. This job of U.S. Senator is not for some cute centerfold or failed CEO. It is for someone with vision, political experience and guts. Fiorina would fight for the Wall Street tycoons. Boxer fights for the general public. Sylvia Hampton is a community activist inducted into the San Diego County Women’s Hall of fame for 2008 for her work in the fields of healthcare reform, social justice and reproductive health. She is past president of the League of Women Voters of San Diego County and served on President Nixon’s Title X Family Planning Council. Her monthly Community Forum column is published in the Sun Signature Community Newspaper, Diamond Gateway Signature, and her Soapbox in the East County Magazine. Opinions are Sylvia’s alone and not to be interpreted as the policies of the League of Women Voters or East County Magazine. Printer-friendly version