ALPINE PLANNER TO RETAIN SEAT AS COUNTY FINDS NO VACANCY
October 9, 2011 (Alpine) – Alpine Community Planning Group member George Barnett will retain his seat after rescinding a prior resignation, Supervisor Dianne Jacob has indicated. Responding to a letter from another planning group member, Louis Russo, Supervisor Dianne Jacob states in a September 28 letter that “According to County Counsel, there is nothing in Board Policy I-1 that prohibits a planning or sponsor group member from changing their mind.” Chairman Greg Fox declined to accept the resignation, after with Barnett withdrew it. “The APG’s standing rules refer to “officially declared” vacancies which occur when the Chair makes such a declaration. In this instance, there was no official vacancy and the member can retain his seat,” Jacob further noted. Barnett initially resigned after a question was raised about potential conflicts of interest due to Barnett heading up the Back Country Land Trust, a nonprofit organization that has accepted funds from SDG&E including an easement for Sunrise Powerlink in Potrero and education grants. Barnett, who chaired an ad hoc committee on Sunrise Powerlink for the planning group, has announced his intent to recuse himself from votes on SDG&E-related issues pending a clarification from County Counsel on conflict of interest questions. Jacob’s letter indicated that she has forwarded a copy of Russo’s e-mail to County Counsel Thomas Montgomery and to Walt Ekard, Chief Administrative Officer, for any information they can provide on other issues raised by Russo regarding potential conflicts of interest.
SURVEY FINDS 3,000 FORCED MARRIAGES SUSPECTED AMONG IMMIGRANT GIRLS AND WOMEN IN AMERICA
October 9, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – The Tahirih Justice Center, which seeks to protect women in the U.S. from gender-based violence, reports “an increasing number of forced marriage cases involving young women and girls from traditional immigrant communities in the United States.” Some are U.S. citizens; others are legal permanent residents, refugees, asylees, or have other immigration statuses. A new Survey on Forced Marriage in Immigrant Communities in the U.S. conducted by Tahirih this summer identified up to 3,000 known and suspected cases of forced marriages in America in the past two years. San Diego County took in more refugees and asylees last year than any other city in the U.S., as well as many other immigrants. Tahirih won’t disclose specifics on individual cities, but confirmed that forced marriages have occurred in California. The survey was distributed to thousands of people nationwide who work with immigrants, including service providers, law enforcement officers, educators and community leaders. Over 500 responded from 47 states. The survey focused only on immigrant communities, not other populations, so likely undercounts total forced marriages in America. Other findings include: • Forced marriage is being seen in immigrant communities from 56 different countries, and affects people of many different faiths. • Two out of three respondents (67%) felt that there were cases of forced marriage not being identified in the populations with which they work, suggesting a significant population of “hidden victims” beyond the potentially 3000 cases identified through Tahirih’s survey. • Less than 10% of respondents said they had a working definition of forced marriage at their agency, and less than a quarter of respondents (22%) said their agency’s screening and referral process enabled them to identify cases where forced marriage may be of concern. • Less than one in five respondents (16%) said that their agency was properly equipped to help individuals facing forced marriage. • Almost half of respondents (46%) who provided information on particular tactics used against victims reported that victims had been subjected to actual physical violence. The reasons behind these forced marriages are complex and varied, particularly in an American context. Parents may regard a forced marriage as a way to prevent their daughter from becoming too Americanized, protect the family’s honor, or gain economic security. Whatever the rationale, the result may subject the woman or girl to severe and sustained harm, including domestic abuse, marital rape, and other forms of violence. Although the United Kingdom and a few other countries have begun to recognize and address the issue of forced marriage with new laws and policies, little has been done to assist individuals facing forced marriage the United States, leaving young women (and some men) in crisis with few resources and options. Some young immigrant women don’t know that forced marriages are illegal in the U.S. But even young women who take refuge in shelters have been returned to parents seeking to force them into marriages. Alarmingly, 42 respondents said they knew of women who contemplated or attempted suicide to escape forced marriage situations. In addition, 13 reported knowing of attempted murders and one reported an actual murder related to forced marriage cases. Girls who attempted to flee forced marriage situations were sometimes falsely charged with crimes, accused as runaways, or threatened with bodily harm to themselves or their families to force them to submit. Some were kidnapped, others tricked into going abroad for a visit, only to be forced into a marriage overseas. Tahirih’s Forced Marriage Initiative was formally launched in 2011 and aims to develop a national response to the problem of forced marriage in immigrant communities in the United States that will enable women and girls to safely resist or escape forced marriages. Read the full report: http://www.tahirih.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/REPORT-Tahirih-Survey-on-Forced-Marriage-in-Immigrant-Communities-in-the-United-States-September-20113.pdf For more on Tahirih’s Forced Marriage Initiative, visit http://www.tahirih.org/advocacy/policy-areas/forced-marriage-initiative/ .
CEDAR FIRE SURVIVOR NEEDS INFO ON ALL-STEEL HOUSES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY TO SATISFY LENDER REQUIREMENTS
October 9, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – East County Magazine has received the following request from a reader who is having trouble obtaining refinancing on a construction loan to rebuild her home destroyed in the Cedar Fire. According to Carlynne Albee, her lender needs additional information on similar houses built entirely of steel. Below is her letter, if any readers know how to obtain the information that she needs. Good afternoon, I need a HUGE favor. Here is the background: I am a Cedar Fire Re builder that built an all steel house – including siding and roof, etc – totally fire proof, termite proof, earthquake proof, no way to suffer wood rot, never need painting or re roofing, etc. Problem is, I have been trying to arrange to refinance my construction loan with a reverse mortgage and the lenders have been turning us down because they can’t find any other house like mine, and they really want to see that one has sold. Those of us that build them do so as forever homes. I do have the name and address of another Cedar Fire re builder with an all steel home and I have heard of two others, one of which survived the Cedar Fire but I don’t know where they are.. Is there anyway that you would consider including the following in an email to your entire list, and I trust your judgment as to whether you have them contact me or go through you. No, I don’t expect a special, just for me email, but if you could include it, that would help me save my house – time is running out. We need the addresses of any all steel houses in San Diego County. By all steel, we mean steel supports as well as steel siding and steel roof. A Cedar Fire Re builder needs this for their lender and neither the county nor the MLS show such information. They do need actual addresses. Thank you for your help. Thank you for taking this request seriously, and feel free to contact me if you need further information, Carlynne Allbee samwisebaggins@yahoo.com
TWO TRANSIENTS ARRESTED FOR ROBBERY IN LA MESA PARK
October 9, 2011 (La Mesa) – Two transients have been arrested for stealing a bicycle and attempting to steal a backpack and cell phone from a man at Collier Park yesterday, La Mesa Police report. One of the men also reportedly threatened to beat up the victim if he would not relinquish his property. Those arrested are John Allen Bass and Jamar Brown, both age 24. Police responded at 7:40 p.m. last night to a report of a robbery at Collier Park, 4401 Palm Avenue in La Mesa. The 21 year old male victim told police he was sitting on a park bench when he was approached by a group of black males. The two suspects separated themselves from the group and approached the victim. One suspect sat down next to the victim and demanded that the victim give up his backpack. When the victim refused, the suspect attempted to take the backpack. The suspect and victim pulled back and forth on the backpack, but the victim was able to retain his property. When the victim attempted to leave the park with his bicycle, the second suspect told the victim to give him his cell phone. He then grabbed hold of the victim’s bicycle and pulled it away. The second suspect threatened to beat up the victim if he did not leave the park. The victim left the park and called the police from his home. Officers located a group of males a short distance away from the park. The victim positively identified the two suspects who robbed him. The suspects were booked into San Diego County Jail on the charge of 211 P.C. Robbery. The victim was not injured during the robbery and all of his property was recovered.
WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
October 9, 2011 (Rancho San Diego)—The Water Conservation Garden’s Executive Director, Marty Eberhardt, has announced her retirement, effective February 1, 2012, after over seven years of service to the non-profit organization. Eberhardt has been the Executive Director of The Garden since August 2004. She was named an Outstanding Citizen of the Year by East County Magazine for her efforts on behalf of educating the public about water conservation measures. During her tenure as The Garden’s first executive director, the organization’s programs and exhibits and its acclaim both locally and nationally have grown tremendously. Educational offerings were increased from just one class per month to over 60 offerings annually, and the Ms. Smarty-Plants K-8 education program grew to serve over 28,000 students in the last year. Twelve of the 20 current Garden exhibits were either completely remodeled or added under her direction, the staff grew from 3.5 full-time equivalents to 7.0 full-time equivalents, and a cadre of 90 active volunteers blossomed from an original group of 15. The American Public Gardens Association recognized The Garden as one of eight public gardens in North America to be a model for public outreach, and in 2009, Sunset Magazine declared The Water Conservation Garden as one of the “Top Ten Gardens in the West”–a truly extraordinary achievement given the number and diversity of much larger Gardens in the region. Eberhart’s vision for The Garden led her to create its first two strategic plans, which were completed with input from staff members, the board of directors, and affiliated water agencies. On January 1 of this year, Eberhardt saw The Garden through a successful transition from governance by a Joint Powers Authority to governance by a non-profit organization. When asked about her tenure at The Garden, Eberhardt said, “It has been a privilege to work with some wonderful people- board, staff, and docents- on an issue of such importance to the future of San Diego and the greater southwest- conserving precious water resources.” Friends of the Water Conservation Garden Board President, Richard Wright, said, “Under Marty’s leadership the Garden‘s programs and public profile have dramatically increased. Without question, her retirement is a huge setback in The Garden’s efforts to advance the cause of water conservation in the San Diego region. A search for a new director will begin immediately, but Marty has knowledge, experience and expertise that will be difficult to replace.“ An official search for a new Executive Director will begin by mid-October. Eberhardt holds a Masters in Education in Biology from the University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona. Her long career in nonprofit management included fifteen years at the Tucson Botanical Gardens, including twelve as Executive Director. She will spend the first six months of her retirement on sabbatical with her professor husband, and then plans to find new ways to contribute to the San Diego community. Opened in 1999, the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College is dedicated to promoting water conservation in the southern California landscape through excellent exhibits and programs that educate and inspire the public. The Garden is supported by memberships, donations, grants, and water agency support. For more information, visit www.thegarden.org or call 619-660-0614×10.
COUNTY UNVEILS WEST NILE VIRUS PREVENTION VIDEO GAMES
Games aim to make it fun for kids to learn how they can help prevent the disease October 9, 2011 (San Diego)–Now, learning how to “Fight the Bite” and protect yourself from West Nile virus can be fun, says the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health. The agency has created a new website, http://www.SDSwatTeam.com, and two specially-created video games to let kids (and even adults) play while learning about protecting themselves and others from West Nile virus, the potentially-deadly disease that is spread by mosquitoes. “This is something we can use in libraries, schools and in homes to give kids a fun way to learn about preventing West Nile virus,” said Supervisor Greg Cox. “Reaching out to kids is especially important because they often play outside where they are vulnerable to mosquitoes that can carry the disease.” The first game, “Hazard Hunt,” asks kids to help Hannah and Hector, the County vector inspectors (vectors are pests that can transmit diseases) hunt for 12 common places around the home where mosquitoes can breed. Players use their computer mouse to find breeding spots and answer multiple-choice questions about mosquito prevention. When the player answers all 12 questions correctly, they become a SWAT team member and win an official certificate or a SWAT team robot they can cut out and put together. The second game, “Mosquito Munch Maze,” lets players use the arrow keys on their computer to help a mosquito fish swim through a maze and “gobble up” his favorite food, mosquitoes. Winners also become SWAT team members and get to print out a certificate or robot. San Diego County has not had a human case of West Nile virus since November 2009, partly because of the County’s extensive prevention measures, which have included: dropping granular larvicide on waterways to kill mosquito larvae; giving free mosquito-eating fish to residents; looking for neglected, “green” swimming pools; providing text message alerts and extensive public education. However, the disease, which is mainly spread to humans by mosquitoes who feed on infected birds, remains a threat. There have been 88 human cases in California this year and two Kern County men became the state’s first West Nile virus fatalities this week. Nationwide, there have been 362 human cases and 18 deaths in 2011. To find the new “Swat Team” page and more information about West Nile virus and how to prevent its spread, go to http://www.SDFightTheBite.com.
SDSU RECEIVES $1.67 MILLION JOBS ACCELERATOR GRANT
October 9, 2011 (San Diego) — San Diego State University (SDSU) has received a joint grant of $1.67 million for its Jobs Accelerator program from the Economic Development Administration (EDA), the Small Business Administration and the Employment Training Administration (ETA). “Our number one priority is job creation,” said Congressman Bob Filner (D-San Diego), in announcing the award. “Our region has been in dire need of this type of investment in our economy and our students. In a time when school and local budgets are being cut to the bone, this grant will go a long way to creating the good paying jobs we need, training the workforce, and help us move into a new green energy economy.” The SDSU proposal identifies the renewable energy industry as a "cluster" for development, demonstration, deployment and workforce training. The SDSU Brawley Campus in the Imperial Valley will establish a physical site to perform commercial-scale proof-of-concept demonstrations, supported by multi-faceted commercialization support services, and targeted technical training curricula. The Jobs Accelerator program is focused on economic development, reducing the need for H1-B visas to supply trained workforce, and small business developmental training in economically distressed regions. Through the coordination of federal resources, the Jobs Accelerator supports the development of self-identified clusters that demonstrate high-growth potential. The participating agencies and bureaus in the Jobs Accelerator will offer a combination of funding and technical assistance to approximately 20 clusters in a variety of industries across nation. In addition, multiple federal agencies and bureaus are committing technical assistance to provide streamlined support to selected clusters for qualifying projects. SDSU is set to receive $ 1,121,601 from ETA, $400,000 from EDA, and $149,999 from SBA. For more information: http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/jobsandinnovationchallenge
COUNTYWIDE TEA PARTY RALLY DRAWS SMALL CROWD, BUT PARTICIPANTS REMAIN STEAMED OVER LOCAL AND NATIIONAL POLITICS
October 9, 2011- American Flags were prominent last Saturday, October 1, as a small but boisterous group of T.E.A. (Taxed Enough Already) Party members congregated at Kit Carson Park in Escondido for some “October Tea.” Compared to the thousands who turned out for this weekend’s Occupy San Diego demonstrations, the crowd size numbered only about 60 people. But participants were equally passionate about their dissatisfaction with the status quo in America. Ramona Tea Party stalwart Terri Linnell coordinated the event. After her closing speech, ECM asked Linnell if she plans to again challenge Congressman Duncan Hunter for his seat in 2012. “Yes,” she replied with a smile, “I am running.” On her website, she lists her reasons. “We no longer want laws written for the corporations; we want laws written for the people," she said, echoing one point in common with the Occupy San Diego demonstrators. But on other points, Linnell has fiscally conservative views. "We no longer want a big, wasteful government; we want our Constitution restored.” The event aimed to bring together the varying Tea Party factions that are spread throughout the county. Factions from Lakeside, Vista, North County, Tri-City, and Ramona all had booths set-up and pamphlets at the ready. During the rally’s social hour, attendees were encouraged to network with other groups, all in the hope of creating more cohesiveness throughout the region with the main focus on the 2012 elections. “We are looking to throw out the president and [to] beating up the Senate,” said Cliff Sumrall, founder and coordinator of the Fallbrook Tea Party. Some speakers chose to focus on issues that hit closer to home. “We should be worried about the local boards,” said Lakeside Tea Party coordinator Steve Johnson. “The boards are where everything begins, we need to be worried about school, water, fire and planning commission boards.” Johnson himself is a member of the Lakeside Water District board. Lynn Miller of North County Conservatives furthered that thought, stating, “Planning boards could become tyrant in taking away our liberties.” As for the mayoral race, Linnell made it clear that the group has yet to choose a candidate to back. The group will look to back Nick Popavich if he chooses to run for Congressman Bob Filner’s open seat. Speakers took advantage of the time to address the critics of the T.E.A. (Taxed Enough Already) Party. Most notably, actor Morgan Freeman labeled the group as “racist,” while others have labeled the group as radical zealots. “What is so horrible about being fiscally Conservative and protecting our borders,” pleaded East County Tea Party leader Barry Willis. Rhonda Deniston, Oceanside Regional Director for Stoptaxingus.com, claimed that the major problem is that “We have lost God in our lives.” “The left should not be surprised by our uprising,” said Deniston. “We are not radical or racist, we are exercising our constitutional right.” The message was clear from the sparse but passionate crowd that those present believe the future of the country starts now. “We need to start teaching our children and grandchildren to protect the Constitution,” said Deniston. “We are going to be the future of the United States,” Linnell concluded. “We are going to give our grandkids a country they can be proud of.”
GOSPEL PIANIST TIM PARTON TO PERFORM IN SPRING VALLEY OCT. 16
October 9, 2011 (Spring Valley) –Tim Parton, former pianist for the Legacy Five gospel music group and 2011 musician of the year nominee by AbsolutelyGospel.com, will perform at Faith Chapel in Spring Valley on October 16. An accomplished pianist and vocalist, Parton began playing piano at age two and is a self-taught prodigy who attributes his talents to God. In addition to performing in Nashville and other venues including his current West Coast solo tour, Parton also produced albums for Legacy Five. The concert begins at 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 16, with doors open at 3 p.m. A donation of $10 per person or $25 for family is suggested. Faith Chapel is located at 9400 Campo Road in Spring Valley. In addition to Parton’s performance, a presentation will be made by the local youth group im2moro. View a video of Tim Parton performing at the Great Western Fan Festival, “Pianos on Fire” at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZm-Id0VeDE&feature=related For more information, call (619)461-7451 or visit www.fchapel.org.
READER’S EDITORIAL: SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT
By Paul Gonya Editor’s note: In an article on Alpine Planning Group Member George Barnett’s resignation, Mr. Barnett stated that he considered his greatest accomplishment to be getting two developers off the planning group’s board: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/7330 . He did not identify those planners by name.(Mr. Barnett later rescinded his resignation: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/7362). Now one of the individuals he referenced, Paul Gonya, claims that his circumstances were portrayed inaccurately by Mr. Barnett. Mr. Gonya states that it’s not true that he was found guilty in a civil trial. While true, he did plead guilty in a criminal (not civil) trial to grand theft embezzlement charges, as the Alpine Sun and Union-Tribune reported: http://www.thealpinesun.com/archive%202009/May%207/as%20inside.html and http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/may/01/bn01plea18624/?metro. A settlement was reached in a civil trial: http://www.thealpinesun.com/archive%202007/December%2020/as%20inside%202.html However Mr. Gonya states that there is more to the story. Below is his statement. October 9, 2011 (Alpine)–Mr. Barnett’s statement regarding “two former Alpine Planning Group members being found guilty in a civil trial involving fraud and embezzlement” is emphatically untrue. More important, Mr. Barnett fails to mention that the defendants in the case filed a cross complaint for fraud and misappropriation of funds against the plaintiffs when the business partnership fell apart in 2006. The official Brief filed in the civil case clearly cites the issues related to a “nasty breakdown of a partnership between a large building corporation and the smaller Alpine builder which resembles a divorce more than a civil case” The important fact and deliberate misstatement relates to the settlement of the civil case as most business cases are settled. The “former Alpine Planning Group members” were not “found guilty of fraud and embezzlement in the civil case” as stated by Mr. Barnett. The larger corporation was disappointed in the profit margins being realized on the Stage Coach Ranch project. They did not realized the impact the Multiple Species Conservation Plan (MSCP) had on the project and sought to recover lost profits by interpreting conditions of the partnership contract not intended in the original agreement. The cost of the litigation on the smaller Alpine development company devastated their individual financials and respective companies. Therefore, meeting the settlement terms required the sale of one Defendant’s Lake Arrowhead vacation home and the other individual not being able to make the full settlement payment. That partial default resulted in the large development company presenting the case to the District Attorney’s office to seek enforcement of the unpaid settlement under the threat of criminal prosecution. Again the defendants were faced with an estimated half million dollars in combined attorney fees to defend the case or accept a plea bargain. To complicate the situation one of the defendants was engaged in a brutal divorce battle where his wife froze all of his assets including any funds that might be used to defend against the criminal case that mirrored the civil case. Hence the acceptance of the plea bargain. Given these facts, if Mr. Barnett’s “greatest achievement” was ”to work to have” these “individuals removed from the Alpine Planning Group” then he takes credit for circumstances that he had no influence over. As for these individuals “ leaving Alpine” Mr. Barnett again takes credit for decisions made by a loving father of seven daughters who sought employment opportunities elsewhere. Likewise the other individuals decision to move to his ranch in Oklahoma was hardly a result of anything to do with Mr. Barnett. Most disturbing is the article and the reality of the situation in the lost to the Alpine’ community of its largest contributor to literally every civic endeavor from the community center, the library, multiple youth activities, donation of the home of the Historical Society, the Kiwanis Club, Youth Olympics, playground equipment and many more. It would be very revealing to determine how many Alpine residents and youth would share Mr. Barnett believe that the community is better off without these benevolent individuals.