2 ACCIDENTS, BRUSH FIRE SNARL TRAFFIC ON I-8 IN EAST COUNTY
June 29, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Expect traffic delays if you are traveling on I-8 through east County this afternoon. A two-car rollover on I-8 east at Pine Valley Road sparked a brush fire, forcing 150 cars to be turned around at Sunrise Highway and diverted onto Old Highway 80. The U.S. Forest Service is currently mopping up that blaze. In addition, on I-8 near Crestwood Drive, further east, a vehicle has rolled three times and is on its side in the center divider, according to the San Diego SIG Alerts website. If you are not yet signed up for free wildfire/emergency alerts, sign up free at the top right side of our home page. You may also receive a free weekly copy of East County Magazine with news and events for our region. In addition, you can receive brief text alerts on your mobile device by following ViejasAlerts on Twitter.
WILL POWER REPORT: SUPREME COURT ON DRUGS?
Nothing but the truth! By Will Power June 29, 2011 (San Diego)-–The US Supreme Court made two important health care rulings last week. The first ruling was that consumers harmed by the use of a generic drug cannot sue the drug manufacturer. Generic drugs are copies of drugs which are out of patent. This means anybody can manufacture these copycat drugs, and often quality control can become a problem. Another problem is because many of these drugs are made in India or China, issues of counterfeit drugs become an issue. The Supreme Court’s logic was that these drugs have already proven themselves in the marketplace or physicians would not prescribe them. But often side effects are poorly understood or do not show up after a long period of time. If patients have an allergy or idiopathic reaction to a generic drug, they are out of luck. They will have to suffer and nobody will be liable. The second decision was a body blow to the concept of patient confidentiality. The State of Vermont passed a law which stopped pharmacies from supplying patient prescriptions to drug company databases. The Vermont law was aimed at keeping your personal, private medical information from becoming public information. But the Supreme Court ruled the Vermont law unconstitutional, which means all your private drug records go into computers run by Big Pharma. Then those drug reps start trying to pressure your MD into using more expensive medications. Taken together, the two decisions appear to be a wash. The effect on consumers will not stop the use of generic drugs, which are cheaper and often effective. But the decision to allow personal medical information into corporate databases could mean people could have their insurance cancelled if they are taking anti-cancer drugs or have expensive drug regimens. Both these decisions take power from consumers and put it in the hands of Big Pharma. The Robert’s Court will certainly never be described as pro-consumer! Will Power is a retired history teacher and creative writing instructor.
BILLS FOCUSED ON IMPROVING STUDENT SUCCESS IN COLLEGE CLEAR SENATE HURDLE
June 29, 2011 (Sacramento) — Last week, the Senate Education Committee approved three bills authored by Assembly Higher Education Chair Marty Block (AD-78) aimed at improving the student experience at California’s public colleges and universities. This series of bills includes AB 620 aimed at creating safe college campus environments for LGBT students,AB 670 to establish clear appeals procedures for California State University (CSU) admissions decisions, and AB 743that creates a system-wide assessment tool to better place community college students. “Making it through California’s higher education systems can be a daunting, at times, frustrating experience for some students. Boosting student success requires a multi-angle approach and I believe it is critical for us to tear down roadblocks that further discourage students,” said Chair Block. “These bills underscore that approach in their own way by addressing hateful bullying that can poison a student’s learning environment, appropriately assessing a community college student’s level of college-readiness to limit the redundant and unnecessary courses that delay degree completion, and by informing students of their appeal options when they are rejected from a CSU campus. These bills will help students on the road to earning their degree and I am glad to have the support of my colleagues.” The following bills have been approved by the Senate Education Committee: AB 620: Preventing Bullying, Promoting Safety for LGBT Students in Higher Education This bill improves the campus climate for LGBT students at public colleges and universities by providing access to student services, identifying best practices for campuses to model, and by adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression to campus anti-discrimination policies on harassment, intimidation, and bullying in their student codes of conduct. This bill now goes the Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration. AB 670: CSU Appeals Process This bill ensures that each campus of the California State University has a clear appeals process for students who are denied admission. This measure seeks to make sure that applicants who are denied admission are notified of the campus appeals process and how long they have to appeal and to ensure that each campus lists their appeals process on their websites so interested parties can access that information. This bill now goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration. AB 743: Community College Assessment Program This bill increases the efficiency of community college student assessments by establishing a statewide common assessment system to ensure that students are properly placed. It also improves student success by offering students a pre-test component which allows them to practice and prepare before taking their assessments. This bill now goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration. The Senate Education Committee also approved AB 795, giving authority to any California Community College (CCC), California State University (CSU), and encouraging the University of California (UC) to enforce state, local and system-wide smoking and tobacco laws, regulations and policies by issuing fines of no more than $100. It now goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration. Assemblymember Block is a proven advocate for California’s college students. Last year, he fought successfully to get 1,740 qualified local students admitted to San Diego State University after flawed changes made to their admissions policy caused these students to be rejected. These efforts culminated in AB 2402, which requires a CSU campus to follow a set of specified public notice criteria prior to adopting a change for admission standards that affects applicants in the Local Service Areas of a CSU campus, including changes to transfer requirements and determinations regarding impaction of majors. AB 2402 was signed into law last year. Website of Assemblymember Block: http://asmdc.org/members/a78/ Assemblymember Marty Block proudly represents the cities and communities of Bonita, Chula Vista, Lemon Grove, San Diego and Spring Valley.
SDSU, SDG&E HELP “ENGINEER” SUMMER CAMP FOR 150 SAN DIEGO COUNTY KIDS
Local Science Camp a “First” on the West Coast June 29, 2011 (San Diego) — Last week, 150 elementary school children in San Diego County were attending a new kind of summer camp — the “Summer Engineering Experience for Kids” (SEEK) Camp, a concept designed by the National Society for Black Engineers (NSBE) in 2007 to build a pipeline to careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) for African-American and other under-represented minority children. The San Diego SEEK camp is the first of its kind on the West Coast, while another SEEK camp begins later this month in Oakland, Calif. Students will learn, have fun, and experiment with technology during the three-week day camp on campus at San Diego State University (SDSU). To demonstrate what they’ve learned, the kids will take part in “competitions” each Friday during the camp to show off to family and friends what they’ve learned and/or built. The competitions will be held at the Parma Payne Alumni Center on the SDSU campus from noon to 2 p.m. June, July 1 and July 8. “One of the great joys of education is when we see students get excited about something new,” said Dr. James R. Kitchen, SDSU’s vice president for student affairs. “The SEEK Camp exposes students every day to things they’ve never seen or done before. You can see the excitement in their eyes. And, hopefully, some of them are being inspired to pursue careers in the STEM fields as they move forward with their education." A fundamental aspect of the SEEK program is that NSBE collegiate members serve as mentors to the campers. College students from a number of schools will travel to San Diego to be mentors and will stay in the SDSU dorms for the duration of the SEEK camp. “Technology is transforming the energy industry and changing the kinds of skill sets utilities will need in their workforce,” said Jessie J. Knight, Jr., chief executive officer for San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). “As we begin to navigate the new frontier of the smart grid, the door is open to all kinds of possibilities. We hope some of the best and brightest future graduates will choose a career with SDG&E, but we also know we need to start now to engage them in science and engineering. The SEEK camp helps make that happen.” SDG&E, through its parent company’s Sempra Energy Foundation, contributed a $50,000 grant to support the summer camp. Other potential future employers, energy developers NRG, Inc. and Calpine, along with Southern California Edison, provided financial support for the San Diego SEEK camp. The Urban League of San Diego was instrumental in getting the word out to local schools to make sure kids and their parents were aware of this summer’s SEEK camp. “The support of so many generous partners is integral to the success of the SEEK program, but it also is evidence of our nation’s need to rebuild its technological dominance by encouraging more young people to go into science, technology, engineering or mathematics as a career,” said Carl B. Mack, executive director of NSBE. Mack is leading NSBE’s efforts to have a SEEK camp in every state in the U.S
COLLEGE FOR KIDS AT THE HERITAGE OF THE AMERICAS MUSEUM
June 28, 2011 (El Cajon) — Every summer the Heritage of the Americas Museum, located on the campus of Cuyamaca College in Rancho San Diego, has week-long classes for students going into fifth through ninth grade. All of the classes are taught by retired school teachers. The cost for each five-day class is only $50.00. For more information, you can call the Museum at 619-670-5194 or visit the web site at www.cuyamaca.edu/museum. The classes at the Museum are very unique, fun, and educational. The first two sessions are called Survivor: Pioneer Skills in the Computer World. This class teaches students things that they won’t learn sitting in front of a computer. They’ll build a model shelter, make fire by friction, and rig and lift a weight using a rope and pulleys, and more. The list of activities goes on and on and the students always have a great time. The two “Survivor” classes are followed by two different art classes. In Art Stars, a variety of art techniques are taught. Students use the Museum for inspiration for some of their paintings. Art appreciation is also covered, with a look at the art masters. You, the Artist helps students develop their own artistic style. A variety of skills are taught. High quality art materials, which the students take home, are funded through a grant from the Friends of East County Arts, Inc.. On the web-site, you will find descriptions of each class, biographies of the instructors, the dates and times of each class, and the registration forms, which can be downloaded and mailed to the Museum with a check for payment.
MISSING MAN FOUND BY SEARCHERS IN EL CAJON
June 29, 2011 (El Cajon) – An injured man who called 911 after falling down an embankment last night has been found following an intensive search and will be transported to a hospital, Melissa Aquino, public affairs officer with the San Diego Sheriff’s Office, advises. The 911 call was handled by El Cajon Police at 7:06 p.m. last night. Edward Barber, 67, told a dispatcher that he got lost driving home from a restaurant, got out of his car and fell down an embankment. The dispatcher remained in contact with him until 8 p.m. Sheriff’s deputies from the Lemon Grove station, along with an ASTREA helicopter and El Cajon Police officers searched for the victim until 2 a.m., then called off the search until morning. Today, the search resumed at 10:30 a.m. with Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers as well as a K-9 dog unit. ASTREA found Barber’s car on Camino Monte Sobra, a dirt road about a half mile from the nearest house, at 11:40 a.m. Search teams were mobilized in an area within one mile of the vehicle. Volunteers from SAR found the victim alive at 1:40 p.m. about a quarter mile from his car, north of Singing Hills Memorial Park. “Sheriff’s ASTREA is rescuing him and will fly him to Singing Hills Memorial Park, where an ambulance is waiting to take Mr. Barber to a hospital,” Aquino confirmed.
LOCAL CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES REACT TO AFGHANISTAN TROOP WITHDRAWALS ANNOUNCED BY PRESIDENT
Poll shows strong public support for plan; Rep. Hunter visits Afghanistan to meet with military officers By Miriam Raftery June 29, 2011 (San Diego) – A Gallup Poll shows 72% of Americans support President Barack Obama’s plan announced last week to withdraw thousands of U.S. troops from Afghanistan this year. Just 23% opposed the troop drawdown plan, and some want to see an even faster troop withdrawal. Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon), a veteran of the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars and member of the House Armed Services Committee, visited Afghanistan this week and met with General David Petraeus. He has voiced support for troop withdrawals, citing erosion of public support. But he called for a shift in focus toward counter-terrorism utilizing special operations forces, intelligence gathering capability and air assets. “Drawing down troop levels in Afghanistan is the right call but, without a change of strategy, shifting away from nation building and putting greater emphasis on counterterrorism operations, progress will remain slow and current mission objectives will be more difficult to meet,” said Rep. Hunter in a prepared press statement. “We now hear from Admiral Mullen and others that the Afghan strategy will stay the same despite the start of troop withdrawals.” He noted that billions of dollars spent to install a credible Afghan government are “lagging” and called on changes to avoid risking security gains made. Susan Davis (R-San Diego) said the focus can’t be solely on number of troops withdrawn, but instead on how the remaining troops are utilized, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. She called for a smooth transition to Afghan security forces. Rep. Bob Filner (D-Chula Vista) was the only member of San Diego’s Congressional delegation to sign a bipartisan letter to the President sent Tuesday urging that a “significant and sizable” troop withdrawal begin in July. He previously had pushed for troop withdrawals to begin late last year. Brian Bilbray (R-Carlsbad) said the Taliban and al-Qaeda remain threats and urged the President to “focus more on America’s war in Afghanistan rather than devoting American resources to the conflict in Libya.” Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) supports prompt return of American troops but expressed concern over corruption in Afghanistan that he believes has undermined advances made. He called for leadership by President Obama to “address this pervasive problem within the Afghan government.”
REDISTRICTING COMMISSION WEIGHS PUBLIC CONCERNS
By Miriam Rafery June 29, 2011 (San Diego)—The California Citizens Redistricting Commission heard input from area residents this month, including some residents of East County and Imperial County who objected to the redrawing of Congressional and state leglsiative district lines to lump the two regions together. Scott Alevy, chairman of the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce, noted differences in the geography and economy of the two areas. “You have a mountain range, literally, between us,” he noted. Other East County residents concurred. “The East County is made up of a number of towns and communities which all have similar attributes that give the East County its special charm,” Lakeside resident Milt Cyphert, co-founder of the East County Community Action Coalition and a board member of the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce, wrote in a letter to the commission. Cyphert noted that East County’s communities share common cultural bonds of rural, equestrian and Western heritage as well as geographical features. “The East County is a playground for San Diego, with parks, hiking, horse and bike trails and scenic corridors for all to enjoy,” he wrote. “The Imperial Valley is a desert.” He further noted that East County communities have special concerns for fire-fighting and that many East County residents work in San Diego but have little in common with Imperial Valley. He argued that the proposed redistricting could “destroy all that we have done to protect and preserve our unique and cherished way of life by taking away our vote and our voice and giving it to Imperial Valley.” Some Imperial Valley residents are also upset at being joined with San Diego. Josué Merado, an Ad hoc Border committee member, led a group of residents from Imperial County to San Diego to voice concerns to the commissioners. “We need representatives that know our region, the similarities and the difficulties, to be one voice for those who are too exhausted or tired of not being listened to,” he said, the Imperial Valley Press reported. “Redistricting is about giving a voice to the people.” One Latino rights group has talked of filing a lawsuit alleging Voting Rights Act violations, contending that the proposed districts along the border region do not provide ample voice for the area’s many Hispanic voters. Not everyone is displeased. Some members of the La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club and East County Democratic Club have expressed approval at the Commission’s proposal to shift portions of La Mesa and El Cajon from Republican Duncan Hunter’s district into representation by Democrat Susan Davis, for example, noting that La Mesa now has a slim Democratic majority in voter registration. This is the first time that redistricting, also called reapportionment, has been handled by a citizens’ group instead of the California Legislature. The Commission is bound by numerous—and sometimes conflicting—rules. One area that has been problematic is that areas in Imperial County do not have enough people to meet the minimum population requirements for Congressional and Legislative districts. Rob Wilcox, communications director, has noted that the problem is particularly thorny with Congressional districts where the population variance between districts is restricted to just one person. On June 23, the commission announced it will move its release date for a second draft of maps to July 14th in order to have more time to review them before voting to move forward. Districts will be numbered in the second round of maps. In addition, the commission delegated authority to commissioners Blanco and Forbes to work with its chief counsel to recommend a law firm for post-final map litigation.
BRUSH FIRE IN OTAY
Update 2:55 p.m.: The fire is now 5-10 acres, burning at Otay Truck Trail. June 29, 2011 (Otay Mesa) – A brush fire that originated in Mexico has burned three to five acres in Otay Mesa along Alta Road, Cal Fire reports. Currently one air tanker, one helicopter, one air attack plane, three engines and two handcrews are at the scene. Containment is likely within an hour or so, Cal Fire spokesman Mike Mohler informed East County Magazine at 11:29 a.m. If you are not yet signed up to receive our free Viejas Wildfire & Emergency Alerts, sign up free at the top right side of our homepage. You may also receive our free weekly copy of East County Magazine. You can also follow ViejasAlerts on Twitter to receive short text message alerts on your mobile device.
FATHER WHO THREATENED WIFE AND SON ARRESTED AFTER SWAT STANDOFF IN LA MESA
June 29, 2011 (La Mesa)–William Warnock, 59, is under arrest for assault with a deadly weapon and felony criminal threats after an eight hour standoff with police. La Mesa Police responded to a call at 6100 Blain Place, La Mesa, around 10 p.m. last night after Warnock’s wife reported that her husband had threatened to hurt her and also threatened to kill their 20-year-old son with a large screwdriver. Police learned that Warnock was on parole for a felony (evading the police) and that there were three guns in the house. Police officers attempted to contact Warnock via the telephone to get him to come outside the residence but he refused. At about 11:15 p.m., a SWAT callout was initiated and members of the La Mesa and El Cajon SWAT teams responded to the scene. Throughout the early morning hours, SWAT had intermittent contact with Warnock who continued to refuse to come out of the house. At about 6:05 a.m., Warnock stepped outside the house and SWAT officers were able to use a Taser device to incapacitate him and take him into custody. A handgun, shotgun and loaded rifle were found in the residence after the arrest. Warnock will be booked into County Jail on criminal threats and assault with a deadly weapon charges. During the incident, six nearby homes were evacuated and Blain Place was closed at Nagel Avenue and Dallas Street. The street was opened again at 7:00 a.m. and the evacuated residents were allowed back in their homes