ECM EDITOR ON WIND WISE RADIO AT 4:30 TODAY
East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery will be a guest on WindWise Radio. The network, which specializes in wind energy issues, broadcasts nationally via live-stream over the Internet. The show starts at 4 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, with Raftery slated at 4:40. She will talk about new developments with the Ocotillo Express and Tule Wind projects locally. Preston Arrowweed, an elder in the Quechan tribe which has filed a lawsuit seeking to halt the project, will also be a guest on the program. Listen live at http://www.windwiseradio.org and please call in with your questions and comments at (213)943-3683! Tis is a great chance to air your concerns on wind issues nationally.
HIGHWAY 79 CLOSED DUE TO BRUSH FIRES
Update 3:50 pm. The highway is expected to reopen by 6 p.m., starting with one-way traffic. Traffic is being diverted up Old Highway 80 over the Sunrise Highway currently. Update: 2:25 p.m. These fires have been held to a total of 12 acres; air tankers are being dismissed. Fire is contained but not yet out; no structures were lost. June 10, 2012 (Cuyamaca) – Highway 79 is closed in the Green Valley Falls area near Cuyamaca due to brush fires on both sides of the freeway, Cal-Fire Battalion Chief Nick Schuler has informed ECM. Five small fires, ranging from one to five acres, are currently burned on both sides of the freeway, extending south to the entrance of Rancho Cuyamaca State Park, where 99% of the pine forest burned in the 2003 Cedar Fire. Sign up at the top right side of our homepage to receive free Viejas Wildfire & Emergency alerts via email and also receive a free weekly copy of East County Magazine with top news, events and festivals for our region. You can also get free brief text alerts on your mobile device by following ViejasAlerts on Twitter. We recommend all of the above to stay safe and informed at home, at work and on the road.
CROSS-BORDER POWERLINES APPROVED
By Miriam Raftery June 10, 2012 (San Diego) – The San Diego Planning Commission on Friday approved the Energia Sierra Juarez Gen-Tie project, a power line that Sempra Energy plans to utilize to bring energy from a planned Mexico wind facility across the border to the U.S. That facility’s future is in limbo, however, since a Mexican court has agreed to hear a lawsuit challenging Energia Sierra Juarez. Donna Tisdale, Boulevard Planning Group Chair, opposed the line. She argued that the California Environmental Quality Act requires broader consideration of the entire project. The Energia Sierra Juarez wind project would encompass over 600 square miles, including lands abutting several wilderness areas in the United States. The lines, capable of carrying up to 1250 MW, will hook into the Eco-Substation in East County—all part of what developers are calling an “energy mega-region” here. “This is just the beginning,” Tisdale said. She told commissioners that Sempra Energy is seeking to export natural gas while importing wind energy, profiting off the transmission both ways. “It’s a big shell game,” she said. She also cited a “culture of corruption” at the California Public Utilities Commission that has led to approval of dubious projects pushed forward by energy companies, including “pay to play” allegations against Commissioner Timothy Simon. Tisdale urged the San Diego planners to “exert your independence and moral authority to reject this project” and asked them “don’t certify any documents.” Bill Powers with Powers Engineering said it is “unprecedented” for the U.S. government to give Sempra a license to become a “gatekeeper” for power produced by private industry in another country. “The entire operation is in a foreign country. We have no regulatory control,” he observed. “You don’t give gatekeeper authority to anyone –this is all of Baja. “ Powers said that for the cost of buying wind energy from Mexico at 11 cents a kilowatt hour, “for that price you can be putting solar on closed landfills in San Diego.” Jeff Priolo from the Manzanita band of Kumeyaay Indians said the tribe believes there are cremation sites in the area but has not had adequate time to get monitors to the site to assess cultural resources. “We are a small underprivileged tribe and we have been overwhelmed with all the documents for so many projects,” he said. The tribal spokesman revealed that the Manzanita Indians have been accepted into a health impact study by California State San Marcos that will be completed within six months. Tribal members have alleged health problems caused by wind turbines on the nearby Campo reservation. “We are in favor of renewable energy,” Priolo said, “but we’re not sure how green this is.” Denis Traficante, president of the Protect Our Communities Foundation, said the Foundation has spent over a million dollars fighting large energy projects in East County, including Sunrise Powerlink. “It’s been a proverbial s***-storm of projects,” he said, expressing empathy for Native Americans whose ancestors graves have been desecrated at some sites. He asked planners to slow the process down while the lawsuit works its way through the Mexican court. A representative from the San Diego chapter of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union opposed the project. “We could lose 1,500 jobs to Mexicio,” he said. Joan Heredia with Enel Green Power North America testified in favor of the project. She presented a news article headlined “Scientists warn that earth may be approaching a tipping point.” She argued that global warming concerns are compelling and wind projects are needed. Heredia failed to disclose to commissioners, however, that she formerly worked for Sempra and has done permitting work on Energia Sierra Juarez, formerly known as Baja Wind: http://www.copswiki.org/Common/M631 http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/oeprod/DocumentsandMedia/Sempra_Application_(PP-334).pdf http://www.linkedin.com/pub/joan-heredia/12/724/9b Michael Nagy with the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce spoke in favor of the project, calling it a “vital component for the San Diego-Baja economic development as a mega region.” The San Diego Taxpayers Association also voiced support. Its board of directors includes representatives from Sempra and SDG&E, as well as Commissioner Adam Day: http://www.sdcta.org/About/Directors.asp Commissioner Adam Day said the commission needed to look at the isolated case of just the line in question. He voted in favor of the project. Commissioner Michael Beck voiced qualms, and abstained. “Sierra Juarez will be a hugely ecologically impactful project,” he said, citing concerns over a biodiversity crash. “What disturbs me is the lack of balance in these big projects…I do not have the big picture in East County.” Commissioner Woods voiced concerns, but voted for the line. “Are we opening a can of worms for the backcountry?” He asked staff to bring back information on all the energy projects proposed. Chairman Pallinger voted for the line, noting, “This one is fairly limited,” but then suggested a need for an independent consultant to advise commissioners on the larger projects. Commissioner Peder Norby voiced support for the line, noting that the line can carry more than wind. He observed that in Europe, a hemisphere-wide grid enables use of geothermal energy from Iceland, wind energy from the United Kingdom and solar from Africa. “We need to start working together internationally,” he concluded.
LA MESA CENTENNIAL “AMAZING GEOCACHE” CHALLENGE BEGINS
Modern Day Scavenger Hunt Uses GPS-Enabled Devices to Find City’s Historic Treasures June 10, 2012 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa Centennial-themed Amazing Geocache Challenge is officially on, and anyone who appreciates a fun and family-friendly modern-day scavenger hunt is encouraged to participate – and possibly win prizes along the way. Officially started on June 2 to coincide with the city’s Flag Day Parade, the Challenge concludes at 5pm October 7, 2012, with the City’s other beloved event, the La Mesa Octoberfest. Wildly popular throughout the world, geocaching events are outdoor treasure hunts using handheld GPS devices or GPS-enabled smart phones. Players navigate to a set of coordinates provided in search of cleverly hidden geocaches, or containers. Participants — known as geocachers – who answer all Challenge questions correctly are automatically entered into a random drawing to win one of 100 or more prizes, which include gift certificates for La Mesa merchants and an iPad, the grand prize. Throughout the game, players will also have the opportunity to find local discount coupons hidden in the caches. The Geocache Challenge is designed to be both fun and informative. Players visit and learn about various areas of interest in La Mesa. A Historic Downtown Guided Walking Tour gives participants the option to learn more in-depth information corresponding with the cache sites. Participants can leave comments on Geocaching.com as they go through the Challenge. One geocacher wrote, “Having lived here for such a long time, I really enjoyed finding places that I hadn’t noticed before, right in my own ‘back yard’!” Another comment echoed the sentiment: “I have lived in the East County all of my adult life but, as always, when you drive daily back and forth, one misses so much that you can only see and appreciate by foot. Looking forward to the rest of the challenge!” Sponsors for the Challenge include La Mesa Historical Society, which developed the Walking Tour and provided interesting historical tidbits into each of the caches; the La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation, who created several of the unique caches; the La Mesa Library, which created the first unique cache, hidden in the library; and local flood, fire and mold restoration specialists Flood Masters who is providing planning and financial support for the event. To get started right away, go to CityofLaMesa100.com to download the Amazing Geocache Challenge Packet, which includes Challenge Form and coordinates and Historic Downtown Walking Tour. For more information about geocaching, visit Geocaching.com/guide or attend the next information session at the La Mesa Library, located at 8074 Allison Avenue, on Saturday July 21 at 11am.
EAST COUNTY COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS RE-ELECTED
No opposition for Bill Garrett, Mary Kay Rosinski June 10, 2012 (El Cajon) — Bill Garrett, president of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board, and Mary Kay Rosinski, board vice president, have been re-elected without opposition for another four-year term. Because they had no challengers, the names of Garrett and Rosinski were not on the June 5 ballot for East County voters. The college district operates Grossmont College in El Cajon and Cuyamaca College in Rancho San Diego, serving almost 30,000 students. Garrett was appointed to a two-year term on the district’s Governing Board in 2004, soon after he retired as El Cajon’s city manager. Garrett had previously served as president of the Cuyamaca College Foundation and as a member of the district’s Citizens Bond Oversight Committee. He was elected to a two-year term in 2006 and a four-year term in 2008. In December, fellow board members unanimously chose Garrett for a fifth one-year term as board president. “I’m delighted to continue my service to the residents of East County,” Garrett said. “With state budget cuts, community colleges are facing some difficult times. I’m confident our board will make the hard decisions that best serve our students.” Rosinski was elected to the board in 2008 and serves as board vice president. She works as a special education teacher in the National School District, where she was previously nominated for Teacher of the Year. She is also a recipient of the Anita Snow Memorial Scholarship for achievements in special education and has received other recognitions. Rosinski served two terms as her teacher association’s president and chaired a number of committees, including Peer Assistance and Review and the Rolling Readers Program. “Despite increasingly limited resources, our two colleges continue to provide the education and job training that is so vital for East County,” Rosinski said. “I’m proud to serve on the board of a college district that is improving the lives of thousands of students each year.” Three other board seats will be up for election in 2014. Those seats are held by Edwin Hiel, who was elected in 2010 and now serves as board clerk; Debbie Justeson, who was elected in 2010, and Greg Barr, who was elected in 2006. The board also has two new student trustees, Grossmont College student Samantha Elliott and Cuyamaca College student Mohammed Alyasini, who will participate in their first board meetings this month. “Our college district is blessed to have Governing Board members who care so deeply about the value of education,” said Cindy L. Miles, chancellor of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District. “I know that this exemplary set of leaders has what it takes to deal with the many challenges ahead of us.” For more information about the colleges and the district, go to www.gcccd.edu.
SUMMER CRIME PREVENTION TIPS FROM THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
June 10, 2012 (San Diego County) — As summer approaches, people take advantage of the sunny weather to do outdoor projects, take their families to fun places, relax and keep cool. For criminals, however, it’s a very busy time of year. It can be easy to forget to close a door or window, but if they are left open it creates an easy opportunity for a burglar. Criminals focus on easy targets; make it difficult for them to choose you. The San Diego Sheriff’s Department wants to remind you of some tips to keep yourself, your family, your home and your valuables safe. At Home: Always lock your doors and windows especially at night and when you’re away Close your garage and pet doors Secure ladders and tools so they can’t be used to gain entry into your home Be wary of anyone who approaches your front door and don’t let them take up too much of your time. Criminals work together; one will come to your door and distract you while the other sneaks into your home. Ask for an ID of a utility person. Be a good neighbor, lookout for one another. Excessive dog barking could be a sign of an intruder and may warrant a call to the Sheriff’s Department. Report suspicious activity to the Sheriff’s non‐emergency line (858) 565‐5200 Sheriff’s Crime Prevention Specialists offer a free security check to show vulnerabilities in your home. Call your local Station or Substation. For more information, click here. When going on vacation: Lock up your home, activate your alarm Don’t broadcast your plans on social media Hold the delivery of your mail and newspaper or ask a trusted friend to pick them up for you Buy a timer for your lights and set them in a random pattern Ask a neighbor to occasionally park in your driveway Fill out a FREE vacation check form, so Sheriff’s Senior Volunteer Patrol members can keep an eye on your home. Car Safety: Never leave your car running unattended, even to dash into a store Always roll up your windows and lock your car even in hot weather Never leave valuables in plain sight Park cars in well‐lit areas Never leave any keys in the car or ignition Bike Safety: Always wear a helmet Follow the rules of the road Ride with the flow of traffic, not against it Wear bright‐colored or reflective clothing If you’re not riding, lock your bike Parents, set parameters on where kids are allowed to ride
EXPRESSIONISTIC PAINTINGS AT LA MESA HEALTH LIBRARY
June 10, 2012 (La Mesa) — The Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library is featuring an exhibit of 15 landscape paintings by Santee artist Barbara McVey through the month of June. McVey worked at schools with special education students until she retired in 1999. Then, she taught art history and the history of famous artists at elementary schools for five years. Today, she focuses on her artwork. Her exhibition at the Herrick Library features abstract watercolor and oil pastel paintings. “Because 90 percent or more of my work is done with my hands rather than brushes, I feel a connection with color and canvas,” McVey said. “The painting is an extension of my thoughts and feelings. I am inspired to create paintings imbued with a loving spirit of joy and beauty. My desire is to bring to the hearts of those who see them a vision of color that sings to them. The song in my heart becomes a symphony in paint on the canvas.” Her artwork also has been on display at St. Claire Gallery in El Cajon and the La Jolla Artists Association Gallery, as well as El Cajon City Hall, Family Superior Court House, the Museum of the Living Artist in Balboa Park and several retirement homes throughout San Diego County. She is a member of the La Jolla Artists Association, San Diego Museum of Art Artist Guild, Museum of the Living Artist and Associate Fine Artist of San Diego. Admission to the library is free. The painting exhibit is open to the public during regular library hours, which are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays through Fridays, and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. For more information, phone (619) 825-5010 or visit www.herricklibrary.org. The library’s address and directions: http://www.herricklibrary.org/aboutlibrary/general/.
READER’S EDITORIAL: NOTHING BOLD, NOTHING NEW
By Dave Patterson, Ramona June 10, 2012 (Ramona)–The seminal message delivered at the Ramona School board meeting on June 7 was that the problem is the unions. While concessions from the unions will certainly be part of it, the real solution is much more complex. Too bad that the administration and all but one of the school board members were willing to turn away from the reality, and instead cast a stone at a politically reliable target: public unions. Dawn Perfect, the lone dissenter in approval of the 2012-2013 budget, remarked courageously that the administration had failed to produce a plan toward future solvency, paraphrasing here. The County schools’ executive told the board that the deficit projections are “huge” for years 2013-14, and “beyond belief” for 2014-15. They warned that if the school board fails to reign in the budget, the state will take over and everyone will lose–particularly our children. They cautioned that Ramona Unified School District must budget assuming that the state school bond will not pass in November, because to do otherwise would be irresponsible. The public urged bold action such as closing a school and changing to a year-round system and then, as if nothing had been said, the school board approved the budget that contains no initiatives for a long-term solution. Nothing bold, nothing new. The school district is hoping that the unions will agree to a permanent pay reduction of 13% and huge reduction in benefits. Such a cut would create an annual $2.7M in savings against a $1.3M shortfall this coming year, $8.5M and $18.5M for the subsequent two years. The numbers don’t add up in the long term and it appears that few at the district are really worried about it. Asking the unions to sacrifice so that the inevitable calamity will be delayed only a year is unconscionable in my view. Like Rome burning, the administration appears monolithic while the place falls apart around them. The administration and school board are apparently oblivious to the fact that the district administrative pay is way out of line with reality, with the Superintendent at the helm with a salary that is larger that that of our Governor Jerry Brown. As if to throw a faux bone to the unions, the administration is convening a board of themselves to examine a 12% cut of administrative pay. The hawks are watching over the hen house. A particularly sorry part of the meeting was the board members asking the County executives for what sounded like absolution regarding the current crisis. The executive assured the board that the school district had done nothing wrong, and that the problem was entirely caused by the State. Never mind what has happened they said, it’s not your fault. This seemed to please everyone on the board, except Dawn Perfect, and the board voted to accept a budget that won’t solve anything. How sad for our children. Nothing bold, nothing new. The views expressed in this editorial reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY’S “RELAY FOR LIFE” AT BATES NUT FARM
June 10, 2012 (Valley Center) — Bates Nut Farm hosts the American Cancer Society’s “Relay for Life of Valley Center” from 9:00 am June 16 – 9:00 am June 17. This overnight relay-style event raises funds to help the American Cancer society save lives. Over 15 teams have already been formed, and the members from each team will take turns walking the course over the 24 hour period. Food, games and activities provide entertainment and fundraising opportunities throughout the event, and the family-friendly environment provides a sense of community. There are many moments that create the Relay experience. It begins June 16 at 9:00 am with a Survivors Lap. This inspirational time recognizes cancer survivors and their caregivers, and celebrates their victories over cancer. At 8:00 pm there will be a Luminaria ceremony to honor those touched by cancer and to remember those who lost their fight. At 9:00 Sunday morning June 17, the event concludes with a moving closing ceremony. Participants are not required to spend the entire 24 hour period, but with all of the fun and excitement, many have decided to camp out at Bates. Sherrie Ness of Bates Nut Farm is the Team Captain for the “Nuts for the Cure” team made up of friends, family and the Bates Nut Farm family. “It is a great cause that benefits so many people whose lives have been touched by cancer”, she says. “We are going to have lots of fun while raising money.” Information about the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Valley Center is available at www.relayforlife.org and www.batesnutfarm.biz . There are many opportunities to participate, from joining or forming a team, making a donation, or volunteering at the event.
RICHARD LAWRENCE TO RECEIVE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
June 10, 2012 (San Diego) — The San Diego Housing Federation Board of Directors has selected Richard Lawrence as the recipient of the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award. The award will be presented at the Federation’s Ruby Awards…There’s No Place Like Home event Thursday, June 14. Lawrence, 75, is being recognized for a career that spans nearly 50 years and includes community development, affordable housing advocacy and public service. He came to San Diego in 1998 to retire and spend time with his three grandkids. Instead, he wound up launching the Affordable Housing Coalition and dozens of advocacy efforts in support of low-income households and their need for affordable and accessible homes. His passion for what he does is easily recognized. He has worked for economic and social justice his entire life and understands the issues from personal experience. He’s known for his persistent, articulate, and fiery presentations both in the council chambers and on the streets in support of “housing that hard-working people here can afford and still have a little left over for themselves and their families.” He is the tenth of 15 children which helped him understand how to work with others. “I am fortunate to have always had strong allies, friends and supporters in the struggle. Lots of folks have inspired me, contributed to my success, and picked me up when I was dragging.” He considers himself “determined” and says his mother imbued in him a sense that if it’s worth fighting for, you fight for it and if you lose, you go back and figure out what to do next. Lawrence, who is a retired Methodist minister, is especially known for his civil rights activism. During the racially charged 1960s in Chicago, he corralled other ministers to join him in organizing a housing movement and bank boycott to combat segregation on the city’s South Side. He was joined by Dr. Martin Luther King who participated in the local action. Here in San Diego, his efforts have included opposing an agreement that allowed the developer of the Maryland Hotel to avoid replacing the hotel’s SRO units contrary to an existing city ordinance; organizing the first Housing Day in 2003 that resulted in a special housing bond and the declaration of the first housing state of emergency in San Diego; and participating in negotiations through A Community Coalition for Responsible Development (ACCORD) around Petco Park’s development. St. Vincent de Paul Village’s affordable homes at 16th and Market were developed under this agreement. Other issues where Lawrence has been out front in support of affordable housing include the City of San Diego’s inclusionary housing ordinance, condo conversions, and home foreclosures. He’s served on numerous task forces in San Diego dedicated to affordable housing. In 2007, he was a founding member of the San Diego Community Land Trust (CLT) in the midst of the foreclosure crisis. Community land trusts are community-based membership organizations that make it possible for lower-income households to own homes on land that is leased from the CLT. Lawrence serves on the Southeastern Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) Board as its Treasurer and on the board of the Center for Policy Initiatives (CPI). He is an adjunct faculty member at Springfield College (San Diego Campus) and the Western Institute for Social Research in Berkeley. He received his BA degree from Albion College, holds a Masters Degree in Social Ethics from the University of Chicago, and completed the Post Graduate Program for Management Development at the Harvard Business School. He and his wife Nancy live in San Diego. The award will be presented at the Ruby Awards event Thursday, June 14 at the Corky McMillin Events Center at NTC. The event begins with a reception at 5 p.m. For more information and tickets, go to http://www.housingsandiego.org/sdhfwebsite/RubyInvite2012.pdf .