WINDS OF CHANGE: COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION TO CONSIDER WIND ORDINANCE APRIL 13
“We are requesting a moratorium on industrial wind turbine projects and initiation of unbiased, science-based peer-reviewed studies on health…They are subjecting rural residents to be guinea pigs or lab rats on a mass scale that has never been seen anywhere.” –Donna Tisdale, Boulevard Planning Group Chair “Tapping into sources of renewable energy is critical for a number of reasons…We applaud the County’s commitment to achieving these goals by updating and streamling requirements for small and large wind energy systems.” – Jennifer Purczynski Enel Green Power/Padoma Wind Power LLC By Miriam Raftery April 12, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Tomorrow (Friday) morning at 9 a.m., the San Diego County Planning Commission will consider a proposed wind ordinance that would make it easier for industrial-scale wind facilities as well as smaller turbines to be built in unincorporated areas—primarily in East County communities. The meeting will be held at 5201 Ruffin Road. If approved, the proposal would subsequently be heard by the Board of Supervisors at a future date. Vast tracts of land in East County, including many mountain, rural and desert areas, could be opened up for wind energy development if the proposal is approved, including scenic areas such as the Julian region. The proposal would also include a General Plan Amendment to modify the Boulevard Community Plan to allow more large wind projects, while conversely changing the Borrego Springs Community Plan to provide protection of scenic views. Several alternatives will also be considered. But Donna Tisdale, Chair of the Boulevard Planning Group, voiced outrage. “Regardless of whether the Planning commission approves the proposed project for over 800,000 acres in County jurisdiction or a reduced project with still over 400,000 acres, it’s over incredibly destructive,” she told ECM. “It’s unconscionable.” She questioned why County planners would sanction destruction of views in Boulevard, while protecting them in Borrego. Tisdale said that any county resident living within a designated wind resource area would have to disclose that fact when they sell their home, negatively impacting property values for homes near sites that could become industrialized wind facilities with turbines 450 feet tall or more. Tisdale fears cumulative impacts of multiple wind projects slated or proposed for county, state, federal and tribal lands near her community. Those impacts may include harm to human health such as tinnitus (ringing in the ears), headaches and heart problems found in residents near wind turbines, death of birds including eagles and destruction of habitat for other wildlife, fire dangers, noise, safety hazards (blades have been known to hurl off, scattering heavy debris up to a mile) and visual blight. Advocates say renewable energy from wind projects is needed to reduce global warming. Enel Green Power, which owns Padoma Wind Power, a company planning a wind project in the Boulevard area, notes in comments submitted on the proposed ordinance, “Not only will clean power improve quality of life by reducing air pollution and creating green jobs, it will help meet the State of California’s aggressive RPS goals and targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.” But the wind industry fails to note that there are other viable options for reducing greenhouse gases without the destructive environmental, health and safety issues posed by industrial-scale turbines. The California Public Utilities fourth quarter report in 2011 on the state’s progress toward meeting renewable power goals contains a surprising finding. In the Bay Area, where PG&E purchases solar from PV including homeowners and businesses with rooftop installations, the cost per megawatt to buy power from solar PV is actually LESS than the cost of purchasing wind energy. The 2011 contract price for PG&e to buy wind was $118/megawatt-hour (MWh). By contrast, the cost to buy solar PV sized at 3-20 MW was just $114/MWh. Solar has dropped sharply in price in recent months due to innovations in technology, thus the gap may well continue to widen in the future, making solar from small-scale owners a more economically viable option than either industrial-scale wind or desert solar—and without the potential hidden costs in health, safety, and environmental damage, diminished property values, or heightened fire risks associated with the industrial-scale projects. To learn more about the County’s proposed wind ordinance, see these links: November 2011 Wind Energy Ordinance draft Environmental Impact Report and General Plan Amendment Planning Commission Agenda and Staff Report April 13, 2012 April 2012 Wind Energy Ordinance draft Environmental Impact Report with draft response to comments Summary: http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/dplu/advance/POD10-007/01_S.0_Summary.pdf
CELEBRATE EARTH DAY IN ALPINE APRIL 14
April 12, 2012 (Alpine) – The Alpine Chamber of Commerce is holding its “I Love a Clean Alpine” event on April 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The event begins at the Triangle, 2157 Alpine Blvd. with a free continental breakfast. Vests and bags will be distributed for cleaning up Alpine Blvd. and Wrights Field. At noon lunch will be provided. There will also be recycling and going green displays and demonstrations in the Albertsons parking lot at 2955 Alpine Blvd., Alpine. Items that can be recycled include ewaste, batteries, tires and gently used clothing. Document shredding will also be available.
ECM WORLD WATCH: GLOBAL AND NATIONAL NEWS
April 12, 2012 — (San Diego’s East County) – ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflecting all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include: U.S. Perfect recipe for wildfires as season starts early (NBC) With Santorum’s exit, Romney shifts focus (Washington Post) FDA details clot risk on birth control pills (USA Today) Romney blames Obama for women job losses actually caused by GOP (Rawstory) Obama: We could call the Buffet rule the Reagan rule (CBS news) Hill insider trading bill signed Where is George Zimmerman? Treyvon Martin shooting (CBS News) Apple, publishers accused of fixing e-book prices (Reuters) WORLD Defiant North Korea begins injecting fuel into rocket (Reuters) Syria pledges truce, if rebels hold fire (Reuters) Warnings over medical implant hacks (BBC) No sign of tsunami after powerful Indonesia quake (KPBS) Haitian orphans long wait is over (Fox) China braces for next act in leadership drama (Reuters) Norway’s mass killer Breivik found sane (BBC) Scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories. U.S. Perfect recipe for wildfires as season starts early (NBC) April 10, 2012 — The U.S. wildfire season that typically starts in late spring has taken off this month, with crews tackling fires up and down the East Coast in recent days. Twenty-five states, all east of the Rockies, posted their warmest January-March periods on record, and many Northeastern states have had their driest starts ever. "Those two factors, and recent wind, is a perfect recipe for fire" in the eastern U.S., Weather Channel meteorologist Mike Seidel told NBC News. http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/11/11140151-perfect-recipe-for-wildfires-as-season-starts-early?lite With Santorum’s exit, Romney shifts focus (Washington Post) April 10, 2012 — Rick Santorum’s decision to suspend his presidential campaign Tuesday effectively ended the race for the Republican nomination, giving likely nominee Mitt Romney the opportunity to repair the damage he sustained in the primary contests, rally reluctant conservatives behind his candidacy and shift his focus to President Obama. The general-election contest already was taking shape, with the Obama and Romney campaigns engaging each other more directly in the past few weeks. That will accelerate rapidly, with Americans now looking at a probable seven-month campaign between two candidates who have strikingly different visions about where to take the country. http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/with-rick-santorum-out-mitt-romney-shifts-to-obama/2012/04/10/gIQAsey58S_story.html?hpid=z1 FDA details clot risk on birth control pills (USA Today) April 11, 2012 — Federal health regulators said Tuesday they are adding labeling to Yaz and other newer birth control pills emphasizing that the drugs may be more likely to cause blood clots than older contraceptive pills. The labeling will apply to Bayer’s Yaz, its predecessor Yasmin and similar drugs containing the manmade hormone called drospirenone, which mimics the naturally occurring female hormone progesterone. The drugs are among the best-selling contraceptives in the U.S., due to marketing emphasizing their ability to clear up acne and other hormone-related issues. http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/story/2012-04-10/FDA-blood-clot-birth-controll-pill/54157712/1 Romney blames Obama for women job losses actually caused by GOP (Rawstory) April 11, 2012 — Republican presidential hopeful and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney says that President Obama’s economic policies amount to the real “war on women,” according to a post at CNN’s “Political Ticker” blog. The presumptive 2012 nominee was speaking at a Delaware factory when he delivered the remarks. He claimed that 92.3 percent of the “jobs lost” under the Obama administration were positions held by women. Romney was fighting back against news that the president is currently beating him in polls by 19 percentage points with women voters. http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/04/11/romney-blames-obama-for-women-job-losses-actually-caused-by-gop/ Obama: We could call the Buffet rule the Reagan rule (CBS news) April 11, 2012 — Opposed to the "Buffett Rule"? What about the "Reagan Rule"? Facing sharp opposition to his proposal to level the tax playing field, President Obama changed rhetorical tactics Wednesday and said that his so-called "Buffet Rule" on taxes could be renamed the "Reagan Rule" since the Republican icon supported the basic concept — which he called America’s fair share plan. "It’s time for Congress to stand up for the middle class and make our system fairer by passing the Buffett rule," Mr. Obama said from the Eisenhower Executive Office Building next to the White House as he pushed a proposal to ensure the wealthiest Americans don’t pay a lower tax rate than middle class Americans. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57412386-503544/obama-we-could-call-the-buffett-rule-the-reagan-rule/?tag=stack Hill insider trading bill signed April 4, 2012 — President Obama signed into law a bill strengthening the ban on insider trading by members of Congress and other government officials who might profit on private knowledge they gain from their work. “We were sent here to serve the American people and look out for their interests, not to look out for our own interests,” Obama said at a signing ceremony in Washington, joined by Republican and Democratic members of Congress. “There is a deficit of trust between this city and the rest of the country.” http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/hill-insider-trading-bill-signed/2012/04/04/gIQA5dQ6vS_story.html Where is George Zimmerman? Treyvon Martin shooting (CBS News) April 11, 2012 — The attorney representing the parents of slain teen Travyon Martin said Tuesday he’s worried that no one knows the whereabouts of the shooter, George Zimmerman. "We’re concerned that he might be a flight risk, that nobody knows where he’s at," said Ben Crump. "That he can get in contact with you, but you can’t get in contact with him." Zimmerman says he shot Martin in self-defense after following the teenager in a gated community in Sanford, Fla., on Feb. 26. He said after he followed Martin for a time, he was returning to his truck when the teen attacked him. He shot the unarmed teen to death during the altercation. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57412307/where-is-george-zimmerman/?tag=mncol;lst;8 Apple, publishers accused of fixing e-book prices (Reuters) April 11, 2012 — The U.S. government sued Apple Inc and five publishers, saying they conspired to fix the prices of electronic books, and reached a settlement
EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: TOP LOCAL AND STATE NEWS
April 12, 2012 — (San Diego’s East County)–East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include: STATE Radiation from Japan disaster found along California coast (ABC) If California taxpayers paid up, state’s deficit would disappear (Sacramento Bee) High-stakes vote nears in California water waters (KPBS) California deer population declines as habitat disappears (Sacramento Bee) LOCAL La Mesa, El Cajon to get armored vehicle (San Diego Union-Tribune) Program to help chronically homeless showing results (San Diego Union-Tribune) Abandoned orchards must be monitored for pests (Sacramento Bee) 15-year-old Santana High School student injured in crash awakens from coma (Santee Patch) U.S. says beware of ads placed by drug smugglers (San Diego Union-Tribune) El Cajon City Council fills vacancy (San Diego Union-Tribune) La Mesa home prices trending up (La Mesa Today) Feds misled by SoCal Edison on San Onofre changes, group says (KPBS) Scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories. STATE Radiation from Japan disaster found along California coast (ABC) April 10, 2012 — Kelp along the California coast was found to be contaminated with radioactive material from a nuclear plant damaged in the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan, according to a recent study. Researchers at California State University, Long Beach found that the kelp contained radioactive iodine, cesium, xenon and other particles at levels unlikely to be detrimental to human health but much higher than the amounts measured before the disaster. http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/04/10/radiation-from-japan-disaster-found-along-calif-coast/ If California taxpayers paid up, state’s deficit would disappear (Sacramento Bee) April 8, 2012 — As Californians put the finishing touches on their income tax returns, tax collectors say the state’s $9.2 billion deficit would drop to zero if all taxpayers submitted what they owe. That means every resident claiming the market value of tattered jackets donated to charity. Every business reporting every dollar of income they receive even when paid in cash. Every service worker reporting every tip. And every resident paying use tax on Internet purchases. http://www.sacbee.com/2012/04/07/4397186/if-california-taxpayers-paid-up.html High-stakes vote nears in California water waters (KPBS) April 10, 2012 — California’s water wars have long been waged in courtrooms, but shots are now being fired on the Internet as well. The San Diego County Water Authority launched a website last month to attack its largest supplier, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, saying it wanted to lift a veil of secrecy. The site offers a trove of internal documents obtained under California’s public records law, including references to a "Secret Society" and an "anti-San Diego coalition." http://www.kpbs.org/news/2012/apr/10/high-stakes-vote-nears-california-water-wars/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kpbs%2Flocal+%28KPBS+News%3A+Local+Headlines%29 California deer population declines as habitat disappears (Sacramento Bee) April 8, 2012 — An estimated 445,000 deer live in California, or about equal to the city of Sacramento’s human population. Which sounds like a lot, until you realize the deer are spread over the entire state: 99 million acres. If there were only 445,000 people in California,how long would it take you to find somebody you really wanted to hang out with? http://www.sacbee.com/2012/04/08/4398312/california-deer-population-declines.html LOCAL La Mesa, El Cajon to get armored vehicle (San Diego Union-Tribune) April 10, 2012 — By December, the city of La Mesa will be the proud owner of a new vehicle for its police department. It won’t be a Ford Crown Victoria, F-350 or Explorer, or even another Chevy Suburban. La Mesa is going for something more rugged: a critical incident Tactical Armor Rescue vehicle. (See the website for the vehicle here). http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/apr/10/la-mesa-el-cajon-to-get-an-armored-vehicle/ Program to help chronically homeless showing results (San Diego Union-Tribune) April 10, 2012 — A program designed to help those chronically homeless and reduce the taxpayer burden at the same time is continuing to show results. For the first time in a decade, James Marsh has a key, a bed, a kitchen and a place to call his own. "I wake up in a bed, not in a bush," he said. "It means a lot to me. I don’t have to worry about someone stealing my belongings." http://www.10news.com/news/30864729/detail.html Abandoned orchards must be monitored for pests (Sacramento Bee) April 10, 2012 — Growers in northern San Diego County are being told to monitor their citrus and avocado groves for pests, even if they’ve abandoned the trees because of soaring water costs. The North County Times ( http://bit.ly/HvkFF4) says the county’s agriculture department is preparing a letter to the growers reminding them of their responsibility. Officials say farmers have been abandoning orchards in the Valley Center area in recent years because soaring irrigation costs have made them unprofitable. http://www.sacbee.com/2012/04/10/4403335/abandoned-orchards-must-be-monitored.html#mi_rss=AP%20State%20News 15-year-old Santana High School student injured in crash awakens from coma (Santee Patch) April 9, 2012 — A 15-year-old Santana student critically injured in a crash that killed two of her friends on State Route 52 last week awakened today from the coma she had been in for five days. Charlotte McQuillen of Santee began responding to her parents at Sharp Memorial Hospital this morning, squeezing their hands, puckering her lips for kisses and making a peace sign with her hand at their request, family spokesman Ashi Fachler said. http://santee.patch.com/articles/15-year-old-santana-student-injured-in-crash-awakens-from-coma U.S. says beware of ads placed by drug smugglers (San Diego Union-Tribune) April 10, 2012 — "Would you like to work in San Diego?" asked the small want ad placed in a Tijuana daily newspaper. "A company that is a leader in its field is looking for male employees." It sounded like a good opportunity, but what appeared to be an honest job offer had a major hitch: The work involved smuggling narcotics, and the employer was a drug trafficking organization. The scenario has become increasingly familiar to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa border crossings. Over the past year, more than three dozen drivers caught with drug loads claimed that they had answered want ads, and were simply complying with their new employer’s request that they drive a vehicle across the border. http://www.10news.com/news/30866946/detail.html El Cajon City Council fills vacancy (San Diego Union-Tribune) March
READER’S EDITORIAL: SUPPORT FOR ECO SUBSTATION AND TULE WIND
By Bill Pape April 12, 2012 (Jacumba)–I have lived in Jacumba for over twenty years. The Jacumba area has been economically depressed since interstate 8 was built approximately 45 years ago. What this area needs is JOBS. These projects will bring temporary and permanent JOBS. We need any and all JOBS created by these projects and all future projects. The ECO Substation is so vitally important to the Jacumba area as it will provide the necessary infra-structure for the Tule Wind and all future clean energy projects. Also, it will provide more dependable electrical distribution by adding a connection to the SouthWest Powerlink in our area. The Tule Wind Power Project is perfectly placed in McCain Valley away from residential areas. It will provide clean energy for up to 60,000 homes,while creating NO air pollution. I completely support the ECO and TULE projects as they will enhance the lives of myself and my neighbors and the entire world. The views 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.
STEELE CANYON HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTS INAUGURAL TASTE OF THE TOWN APRIL 20
April 12, 2012 (Spring Valley) – Steele Canyon High School (SCHS) is holding its inaugural Taste of the Town event on April 20 at the Sycuan Golf and Tennis Resort, 5485 Casino Way, El Cajon from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The event will feature local restaurants, wineries and breweries that will provide samples of their cuisines and beverages. There will also be entertainment, silent auctions and raffle prizes. Tickets are $35 for one or $60 for two. Ticket purchase forms are available at www.schscougars.org Vendors – If you know of a local restaurant, winery or brewery that might like to be involved, please provide their contact information or let us know if you have contacted them personally regarding the event. Interested vendors can visit the Taste of the Town website or contact PTO President Holli Nicewander (619-884-8881) hnicewander@schscougars.org. Business Donor/Sponsor – If you would like to donate items for the silent auction or be a sponsor, please complete the Business Donor/Sponsor form located on the website. Advertising – If you would like to place advertisements in the program, please complete the Business Donor/Sponsor form located on the website. Forms are available at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/SCHS-Taste-of-the-Town/307979995890397 or the school website: www.schscougars.org
RAIN BRINGS URBAN RUNOFF TO COUNTY BEACHES
April 12, 2012 (San Diego County) — The Department of Environmental Health has issued a General Advisory for the coastal waters of San Diego County due to recent rainfall. Swimmers, surfers, and other ocean users are warned that the levels of bacteria can rise significantly in ocean and bay waters, especially near storm drains, creeks, rivers, and lagoon outlets that discharge urban runoff. Urban runoff may contain large amounts of bacteria from a variety of sources such as animal waste, soil, and decomposing vegetation. While many coastal storm drains within San Diego County are permanently posted with white metal warning signs, additional temporary warning signs are not posted for General Advisories. Activities such as swimming, surfing and diving should be avoided in all coastal waters for 72 hours following rain. This includes all coastal beaches and all of Mission Bay and San Diego Bay. Elevated bacteria levels can persist after a rainstorm depending upon the intensity of the storm, volume of runoff and ocean and current conditions.
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT SENDS WORKER TO EMERGENCY ROOM
April 12, 2012 (El Cajon)–Just before 2:00 p.m. yesterday, Heartland Fire & Rescue in El Cajon, with assistance from San Miguel Fire Protection district and El Cajon Police, responded to reports of 48 year-old male injured on the job at Precision Metal Products, located at 850 West Bradley in El Cajon. According to police, the worker had been operating a heavy press when a piece of the metal broke loose striking the worker in the abdomen. Heartland Fire & Rescue stabilized the victim and transported him to Sharp Memorial’s Trauma Room. There is no word on his condition. There were no other injuries involved.
PHOTOS OF THE MONTH: DESERT BIGHORNS
April 12, 2012 (Ocotillo) – “My wife, Mary, and I had the pleasure of seeing a large group of bighorn sheep while we were on one of our desert wildflower trips,” Robert Baran says. They photographed a group of 15 or more Peninsular Bighorn Sheep on Saturday, April 7 between Meyer Creek and Ocotillo.
SHELL GAS STATION CLERK IN LA MESA ROBBED AT GUNPOINT
April 12, 2012 (La Mesa) – Police have published descriptions of two men wanted in connection with armed robbery of a Shell Gas Station, 9090 Dallas Street in La Mesa, on April 11 around 6:44 p.m. The lone clerk was accosted by a man armed with a handgun who demanded cash and cigarettes. The clerk, who was not harmed, gave the man cash from the register and several packs of cigarettes. The armed man left the business on foot and was seen by the clerk meeting up with a second male who apparently was acting as a look out. Together they ran across Dallas Street towards an apartment complex located at 9071 Park Plaza. La Mesa Police officers, with assistance from El Cajon Police officers and the SDPD ABLE helicopter searched the area but the suspects were not located. The cash loss is undetermined at this time. According to La Mesa Police Department, the first suspect is described as a black, adult male, 20-25 years ole, 5’11” tall, 150 lbs. with braided hair and wearing a black baseball cap, black T-Shirt and black jeans. The second suspect is described as a Black, adult male, 20-25 years old, with long hair, wearing a baseball cap and a red jacket over a white T-shirt. The investigation is ongoing. If you have any information on this case, please call the La Mesa Police Department at (619)667-1400. You may also call Crime Stoppers’ anonymous toll-free tip line (888)580-TIPS (or www.sdcrimestoppers.com). You can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case.