EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: TOP LOCAL AND STATE NEWS
Printer-friendly versionOctober 25, 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: LOCAL/REGIONAL Scout files show abuse in county (U-T San Diego) La Mesa ready to allow beer and wine-making (U-T San Diego) U.S. to study cancer risk near San Onofre nuclear plant (KPBS) Appeals court deals another blow to sprawling Fanita Ranch project (Santee Patch) DeMaio once attacked tax hike he now champions (Voice of San Diego) U-T San Diego publishes questionable poll in mayoral race (LGTB Times/Free Press) California woman survives car bombing, husband’s double life (ABC) Another DeMaio scandal: U.S. attorney Laura Duffy (LGTB Weekly) San Vicente Dam reaches full height (FoxCT) STATE California has lowered number of uninsured children (Sacramento Bee) Jerry Brown accuses anti-tax group of illegal money laundering (Sacramento Bee) Medical pot growers ravage state forest habitat (Sacramento Bee) Read more for excerpts and links to full stories. LOCAL/REGIONAL Scout files show abuse in county (U-T San Diego) October 20, 2012 — Decades-old court files and confidential records kept by the Boy Scouts of America show that San Diego County was not spared the repeated sexual abuse of scouts by leaders. There was the den leader ousted from his Cub Scout pack in El Cajon in 1990 when he was arrested for luring an 8-year-old into his home, wrapping a cord around his neck and fondling him. http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/oct/20/scout-files-show-abuse-county/ La Mesa ready to allow beer and wine-making (U-T San Diego) October 23, 2012 — After a public hearing, the La Mesa City Council voted 5-0 Tuesday to amend the municipal code to allow wine and beer creation in commercial and industrial areas of the city. There will be a second review before the change can go into effect. A portion of the city’s municipal code written in 1979 has forbidden the manufacture of various products in the city, in addition to wine and beer. They include charcoal, certain cement products, detergents and soap using animal fat, fertilizers, glass, insecticides, meat and poultry (slaughtering), paints, wax, petroleum products and hazardous materials. http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/oct/23/la-mesa-ready-allow-beer-and-wine-making/ U.S. to study cancer risk near San Onofre nuclear plant (KPBS) October 24, 2012 — The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is launching a pilot study of cancer risks in people living near six U.S. nuclear power plants, including the San Onofre generating station in Southern California. That plant has been offline since Jan. 31 to repair corroded steam generator tubes. The $2 million study announced Tuesday will look at multiple types of cancer in populations around plants in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey and Tennessee and near a uranium fuel producer in Tennessee. It also will specifically examine cancers in children living near the facilities. http://www.kpbs.org/news/2012/oct/24/us-study-cancer-risk-near-san-onofre-nuclear-plant/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kpbs%2Flocal+%28KPBS+News%3A+Local+Headlines%29 Appeals court deals another blow to sprawling Fanita Ranch project (Santee Patch) October 23, 2012 — An appellate court ruled Friday in favor of the opponents of the Fanita Ranch project, a 1,380-unit development that would cover thousands of acres on Santee’s northern edge. That decision comes in the wake of two earlier legal setbacks for Fanita Ranch. The city of Santee approved the latest iteration of development at Fanita Ranch in 2007. Subsequently, after legal challenges by Preserve Wild Santee, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Endangered Habitats League, a superior court judge twice ruled that the city failed to adequately consider the project’s fire safety impacts. Friday’s California Court of Appeal decision adds to these rulings, finding that the city improperly deferred dealing with the project’s effects on the endangered Quino checkerspot butterfly and did not properly consider the project’s water supply demands. http://santee.patch.com/articles/appeals-court-deals-another-blow-to-sprawling-fanita-ranch-project?ncid=newsltuspatc00000001 DeMaio once attacked tax hike he now champions (Voice of San Diego) October 15, 2012 — With a possible San Diego tax increase on the horizon in fall 2005, the budget hawk swooped. Carl DeMaio, then-owner of Performance Institute, a government-training company, pennedan op-ed eviscerating the plan: They’re at it again! The politicians and lobbyists at San Diego City Hall have concocted yet another plan to impose a stealth tax in San Diego. The net increase of the tax is estimated to be $9.6 million — all of which will go to the same City Hall that already cannot account for two years’ worth of revenue it has spent. What’s worse, this scheme they plan to impose is a tax that has been voted on and decisively rejected by San Diego voters not once, but twice in the past two years. http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/government/article_fb269470-14cc-11e2-a235-0019bb2963f4.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+voice-of-san-diego-all-articles+%28All+articles+voiceofsandiego.org+–+full+feed%29 U-T San Diego publishes questionable poll in mayoral race (LGTB Times/Free Press) October 21, 2012 — The San Diego U-T published a poll suggesting that Carl DeMaio is ahead in the mayoral race by ten points. Shocking. You mean Doug Manchester and the U-T have conducted a poll that supports his candidate, DeMaio? No other poll has shown DeMaio in the lead. So I guess the cheese stands alone, as the old nursery rhyme goes. We in the LGBT community know that the U-T coverage of the mayor’s race has been cheesy at best. Let’s analyze the actual U-T poll. First the margin of error is +/- 4%. That means that you can subtract 4% from DeMaio and add 4% to Filner. That would mean DeMaio could be as low as 42% and Filner as high as 40%. Hmm, that would make it a 2% lead for DeMaio. Of course, there are more issues with the headline and the poll. http://sandiegofreepress.org/2012/10/u-t-san-diego-publishes-questionable-mayoral-poll/ California woman survives car bombing, husband’s double life (ABC) October 19, 2012 — Connie Hoagland, a mother of three from suburban San Diego, says she is ready to forgive and forget the man who tried to kill her by planting a bomb in her car more than two years ago.That man was her husband.”I don’t want to think about him anymore,” she told “20/20.” “I just am done with that. I had to forgive him.” http://abcnews.go.com/US/california-woman-survives-suburban-bombing-husbands-double-life/story?id=17501553 Another DeMaio scandal: U.S. attorney Laura Duffy (LGTB Weekly) October 20, 2012 — Many are asking whether US Attorney
COMMON CAUSE LAUNCHES EFFORT TO STOP VOTER SUPPRESSION IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Printer-friendly versionBy Nadin Abbott October 24, 2012 (San Diego)– It is ironic. This morning ECM attended a press conference dealing with voting suppression, while nearby volunteers from both the Democratic and Republican Parties were getting ready to register newly minted citizens after their naturalization ceremonies. The conference was called by State Senator Leeland Yee (D-8). He was joined by State Representative Marti Block (D-78- Assembly), as well as Simon Mayeski of the non partisan Common Cause and Phillip W. Liburd, Executive Board Member of the NAACP San Diego Branch. According to Yee the State Senate held a hearing yesterday on “strategic efforts to suppress the vote during the November election.” The comprehensive presentation was done by Common Cause of California. According to Yee, in his view, “Voter suppression is the same as voter fraud.” Mayeski said that there is a history of intimidation in San Diego, chiefly East of I-15, South of I-18 and at the colleges. Common Cause is ready to respond to these efforts. Moreover, they are part of a coalition of civil rights organizations, among then the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the NCAAP. Mayeski said that Common Cause has a program already in place drawn from extensive efforts back in the June Primary to prevent intimidation of voters. He said that they “expect more intimidation.” The way that they have observed this is through The Voter Integrity Project challenging the process though small technicalities, including demanding to see an ID, which in California it is not required. This “creates a hostile environment.” Mayeski was clear to say that people have a right to observe the process, but they do not have a right to create this hostile environment. Common Cause has about one hundred lawyers and about fifty volunteers ready to help voters, and they urge voters who feel they have been intimidated to call 1-866-OUR VOTE. This will immediately redirect the caller to a local office where action can be taken. They will be ready to respond from before the Polls open until after they close. It is important that people self report if they run into trouble. Common Cause will also have poll observers where they may see trouble. Chiefly, people could be challenged over the name on the voting roll in a “manner that may intimidate the voter.” There is also a problem with those seeking to imidate voters by wearing uniform type clothing that may scare voters from actually exercising their rights. Mayeski emphasized that he expects the targets of these efforts to be students and newly minted citizens, as well as others. He said that they also expect students to join with the core of volunteers the group is are raising. Assemblyman Block said that he supports Senator Yee’s efforts since it is the “most sacred right to vote, and we need to ensure voters rights.” He revealed that voter suppression has been seen in the 39th District. He applauded efforts by Senator Correa, Senator Yee and the Committee to bring light to this. Yee was the sponsor of a bill that allowed people to register to vote electronically. This has led to over a million more registered voters, and he is afraid of efforts to suppress those votes. Libbard said that the efforts of the NCAAP here in San Diego have concentrated on educating voters, especially those who had been convicted of crimes. As long as they are no longer on probation, they are free to vote. He also added, like the rest of the speakers, that voting “is our sacred right.” He emphasized that they will work with Common Cause to ensure that citizens who want to vote can and should vote. Libbard also told ECM that we are lucky that we do not have the same challenges that we have seen in Ohio, North Carolina and Pennsylvania and praised California’s Attorney General for enforcing the rights of voters. Printer-friendly version
SCALZITTI CHALLENGES SMITH FOR HELIX WATER DISTRICT SEAT 5, SAYS DIRECTORS ARE “ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL”
Printer-friendly versionOctober 25, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Water Company President Joel Scalzitti is squaring off against incumbent Helix Water District board member Richard K. Smith for the District 5 seat. ECM sent a questionnaire to both candidates. Smith declined to answer the questions, instead responding, “I refer you to my web site, www.richardsmithforhelixwaterdistrict5.com. Scalzitti , who previously served on the Helix Board but left office 13 years ago due to residency questions as a result of a divorce, says he now meets residency requirements and owns and runs a small ranch in Granite Hills. He answered each question in detail and his responses are below. Scalzitti’s website is http://www.joel4water.com/index.html 1. Motivation: What is your motivation for running? My motivation is that we need new representation at the Helix Governing board. The current directors are asleep at the wheel, and “staff” is steering the ship at the ratepayer’s expense. They have given away our future in the form of higher rates required due to the opulent employee wages and medical benefits. 2. Qualifications: What is your professional/career background, and how will it help you in the position for which you are running? My wife and I currently own Kelly’s Water Works a Trucking and water Distribution Company. We are currently building Freeways and Transportation pathways. We Have Trucks and Equipment Similar to the district’s I’m running for. The District just retired a work truck with 47,000 miles on it (similar truck to ours) and our trucks have more than 483,000 miles on them. All trucks and equipment need to be in service twice as long as they are. This is one area I believe we can tighten our belts! Also retirements and salaries need to be more competitive to the Private industry. In this economy, giving employee raises two years in the future (approved last month by the board) is irresponsible! 3. Leadership: Describe your view of what leadership as it applies to serving on your water board. To what degree should Board decisions be swayed by public opinion? I believe leadership needs to work more with the ratepayer who elect them. Watching the budget and controlling cost! I will work with the public and directors to turn around the endless rate increases by lower labor costs. 4. Challenges: What are the main challenges you believe your District faces and what ideas do you have to address those challenges? The high legacy costs that the board has placed on the future ratepayers. I will endeavor to reduce the labor costs and the excessive retirement benefits thru negotiations and forced furloughs. 5. Vision: What is your long-term vision for meeting water needs in your District? Helix is one of the few districts with a local supply and large storage capacity. I will insure that we support long-term arrangements to insure our local supply and work with the County Water Authority on economically feasible water supplies/solutions. Water usage is 70% of what is was only 4 years ago and this is with population growth. We can live within our water constraints and still maintain a vibrant economy and growth. 6. Implementation: Has your District published a Strategic Plan to implement its goals and visions? Would you please expand on this, and any other ideas you have to implement your vision expressed in the previous question? The plan only covers the operation of the district and does not address the larger problem of labor costs. The plan needs to be expanded to include more automation and consideration of bidding on the work required. THERE is no job that the district does that a private contractor could not at least bid on. In fact, many of the more technical and larger tasks are performed by private contractors. We should also study the economics of merging with some of our surrounding districts. This would alleviate one or more general manager at cost of over $350,000 per year, legal counsel, another $200,000 per year saving, and many redundant staff positions.. 7. Rates: Do you believe all water users should pay the same rate, or that some users should subsidize others? Please explain. // would is your view of your District’s rate structure? Yes we should all pay the same rate for water. To subsidize for conservation it should be from you past year bill cycle to date. Like if you used less water last year at the same time, I could see a reward just like good drivers. However, we should all start out the same rate and meter. I would support a water budget approach for each ratepayer. Those that require more water, because of family size or lot size etc. would be allocated a larger base amount. Once the base amount is exceeded, I would support increased tier pricing. The board only recently adopted a capacity fee requiring new users to “buy into” the existing system. Since the existing ratepayers had to pay for the NEW infrustrure, the rates had to be increased to cover the costs. Another example of the Board asleep at the wheel. 8. Transparency: What have you done or will do to promote transparency in your district? I have personally spoken out a many of the Board meetings for and against polices the Board was considering. I have tried to make the public aware of the close relation between the Board and the Employees and how this relationship is causing excessive labor costs in the form of high employee benefits and retirements. With the help of other concerned ratepayers, we have attempted to publicize an insidious relationship that is costing the ratepayers millions of dollars annually. Printer-friendly version
SMALL BUSINESS FORUM AT SDSU OCT. 31
Printer-friendly versionCongresswoman Susan Davis to Host Forum October 25, 2012 (San Diego)–The Federal Government buys nearly anything imaginable and Congresswoman Susan Davis has assembled a Small Business Forum for local business owners, so that they may learn how to break into this huge marketplace. The program will feature a presentation by the San Diego Contracting Opportunities Center, as well as a panel of prime contractors to discuss how to team up with larger firms and businesses who are already successfully working with the federal government. All San Diego area businesses looking to sell their goods and services to the federal government are invited to attend this FREE event! Please RSVP at www.house.gov/susandavis or 619-280-5353 Small Business Forum Wednesday October 31st 9am to 12pm Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center San Diego State University 1897 Aztec Walk San Diego, CA 92182 Complimentary Parking in Parking Lot 5 Printer-friendly version
READER’S EDITORIAL: UNION-TRIBUNE CROSSES THE LINE
Printer-friendly versionBy Joel A. Harrision, PhD, MPH October 25, 2012 (San Diego)–In June, during the Primaries, I was appalled to see on the front page of the U-T San Diego both op-eds supporting Carl DeMaio for mayor and a list of voting recommendations. Historically, American newspapers, at least over the past century, have kept separate their news and editorial departments as well as their respective pages. This wasn’t always the case. During the early years of the Republic newspapers were clearly partisan; but during the early years of the Republic most cities had several papers. For instance, Michael Schudson’s book, “Discovering the News: A Social History of American Newspapers,” (Basic Books, 1981) as described by Amazon.com: “This instructive and entertaining social history of American newspapers shows that the very idea of impartial, objective “news” was the social product of the democratization of political, economic, and social life in the nineteenth century. Professor Schudson analyzes the shifts in reportorial style over the years and explains why the belief among journalists and readers alike that newspapers must be objective still lives on.” The Wall Street Journal is a prime example, winning awards for journalistic excellence all the while having an editorial section clearly one-sided. Politicizing the front page of the U-T was a first even for them. I was reminded of this in a recent story by Craig Gustafson published in the U-T, “Filner Tries to Make U-T an Issue in Campaign (October 15).” I sent by e-mail a letter to the U-T, which they published on October 16. However, they cut out several of the key points I tried to make. Below is my entire letter. I’ve bolded and italicized the parts published in the U-T. In the past, I’ve done word counts of letters published by the U-T and mine was certainly within acceptable limits: “Re: FILNER TRIES TO MAKE U-T AN ISSUE IN CAMPAIGN (Oct 15, 2012) Though a native San Diegan, I have lived in six other American cities. In addition, I’ve read about the history of the press, especially related to keeping separate the newsroom from the editorial board. Without such separation the news reports lose all credibility. As Craig Gustafson wrote: ‘The U-T took the unusual step of touting its endorsement of DeMaio in the June primary with two front-page editorials.’ The U-T has always been a conservative newspaper; but, in the past, occasionally published OpEds from liberal columnists and others. Since the take-over by Manchester, the Editorial page has been decidedly one-sided. However, in June they crossed the line. Never in my life have I seen editorials supporting one candidate put on the front page. Gustafson’s article compares monies given to the campaign by Manchester and those by unions; but fails to give an estimate of what two front-page editorials would have cost if sold on the open market. As Gustafson wrote: ‘Newspaper publishers have long tried to steer civic debates in one direction or another.’ And that is their right; but when they blazenly put one-sided editorials on the front page, claiming as Gustafson does that ‘the U-T newsroom is independent from the editorial board,’ they have crossed the line. No longer is it clear where the news ends and editorials/one-sided opinion pieces begin.“ Though Gustafson’s story was slanted; it did give both sides. However, one of the key points made by Gustafson was a comparison of monies given to the campaign by Manchester, owner of the U-T, and unions. As my letter points out, not counting the market value of putting op-eds on the front page grossly underestimates Manchester’s monetary contributions to the campaign. In addition, how much value should one put on having the region’s only major newspaper devote its editorial page, under Manchester’s direction, to supporting one side? Leaving out the historical perspective I gave as well as my personal experiences with newspapers both in San Diego and six other American cities weakened my arguments. As I wrote, the U-T has always been a Republican newspaper; but in the past had columnist such as James Goldsborough and Lionel van Deerlin to represent more liberal perspectives; but this is no longer the case. The U-T now stands alone as the only American newspaper I know of that doesn’t even attempt to give the appearance of a separation between their news and editorial departments. While they have every right to maintain a blatantly one-sided editorial department, the people of San Diego should demand that they really do keep their news department separate and that includes the pages devoted to news! Anyone who agrees with me should send a letter, e-mail, or phone the U-T and tell them that they should make a pledge that in the future they will keep their editorials where they belong and stop crossing the line. 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. Printer-friendly version
FACT CHECK ON THE GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT CANDIDATES
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery October 25, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Numerous claims and accusations have been flying among candidates running for the Grossmont Union High School District, where the Board majority is reportedly the target of an ongoing Grand Jury investigation over allocation of bond funds. Which candidates’ claims are true and which are not substantiated by the facts? Scroll down to read the findings of our hard-working team of fact-checkers. Gary Woods Claim: “A number of us realized we couldn’t go forward, especially when we realized the trigger of 23, 245 students would not be met in the foreseeable future,” he explained. “It’s not that we don’t want to build a school. It’s that, as trustees, we are legally prohibited from it based on the language of Prop U.” – Gary Woods in an interview with ECM, explaining why he now opposes building a high school in Alpine. He repeated the trigger claim in the candidate forum Monday. Facts: While early on there were legitimate questions on whether the enrollment trigger would be met, Woods failed to mention that the GUHSD Superintendent ultimately confirmed that the trigger WAS met. “The official enrollment came in for the 2010/11 school year at two above the trigger number—making it three consecutive years it was satisfied,” Sal Casamassima, Chair of the Alpine High School Citizens Committee told ECM. An Alpine Sun article back on July 22, 2010 was headlined GUHSD reaches enrollment trigger for Alpine High School. But after the Board authorized final steps to acquire the site and proceed with architectural filings and grading, the Board majority including Woods created a “brand new trigger, nowhere to be found in the bond language, and passed a resolution that state funding levels would have to be restored to 2008 levels in order for the school to be built. So what Woods said about the enrollment trigger was bogus,” Casamassima added in an e-mail to ECM. Moreover, a chart prepared by GUHSD demographer Vince O’Hara shows a substantial increase in enrollment projected after next year. Woods’ logic also fails to take into account the large LOSS of enrollment that failing to build the Alpine High School is likely to result in, since Alpine parents, fed up with twice voting for bonds that explicitly listed the Alpine High School as a top priority, are now seeking a “divorce” from the GUHSD and unification of the Alpine Union School District to expand beyond elementary and middle school. If that occurs, and the AUSD builds a new high school, the GUHSD would lose ADA revenues from hundreds or more students likely to leave the district entirely. Claim: Gary Woods has claimed to be an advocate of modernizing high schools and bringing technology into the classrooms. He stated that he views modernization of the District’s campuses and “phenomenal” and further proclaimed that on his watch, the Grossmont district is “embracing technologies and using it in every classroom…Other districts are coming to us to learn about technology.” – Gary Woods, in an interview with ECM Facts: Woods holds a doctoral degree in technology. While he may be enthused about the impacts of technology and modernization at GUHSD schools, he in fact opposed both Prop H and Prop U, which provided funding for the modernization of campuses and technology, as ECM reported based on candidate forums at the time. Bill Weaver Claim: “Shouldn’t there be $75 million to build the high school as budgeted? There was a long-range master plan in 2003; this was the single largest budget item in Prop H.”—Bill Weaver, in comments made at the candidate forum and in an interview with ECM. Facts: It is true that the 2003 Long Range Master Plan prioritized building the new Alpine high school as a “must-do” project and estimated slightly over $71 million as the cost, the largest item budgeted. Claim: Weaver also repeatedly said that the Board majority “ignored recommendations of its own Boundary Committee” by opting to redraw district lines that excluded a new high school in Alpine.” Facts: The Boundary committee’s final report concluded that district enrollment would increase substantially if the Alpine High School was built. “With the addition of HS12, district enrollment…surpasses current enrollment by almost 200 students in 2015/16,” helping the district to recover lost Average Daily Attendance (ADA) money, the report found. Doug Deane, who chaired the GUHSD Boundary Committee, confirmed that its findings were ignored by the Board majority. “The Grand Jury investigation into the use of bond money by the GUHSD does not surprise me,” Deane, who is also past co-chair of the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, said in an interview with ECM. He called the GUHSD Board “at the very least irresponsible, and at worst negligent, in their use of Prop. U bond money.” Jim Stieringer Claim: The district has a 77% graduation rate, but it should be a lot better.” – Jim Stieringer, in an interview with ECM Facts: The graduation rate district-wide for the 2010-2011 school year was 77.5%. That’s up slightly from the prior year, at 76.7% according to the California Department of Education’s Cohort Rates data. While it’s good that there was improvement, there’s plenty of room for more. By contrast, San Diego Unified High School District has an 83.7% graduation rate, KPBS recently reported. Claim: “As a member of the Healthcare district, I defended the interests of residents by challenging the sweetheart lease of Grossmont Hospital to Sharp Healthcare. I initiated the lawsuit that resulted in a $5 million settlement with Sharp.”—Jim Stieringer, in an ECM interview Facts: Stieringer was on the Grossmont Healthcare District board when it filed a lawsuit against Sharp Healthcare over a lease dispute involving Grossmont Hospital. After the suit was filed, Stieringer stated, “The reason we filed this lawsuit was because we believed the facts surrounding the initial lease negotiation suggested that the public interest was not served in that there were demonstrable conflicts
FROM THE CHIEF’S CORNER: HIGH WIND SAFETY TIPS
Printer-friendly versionBy Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna October 25, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)–Wildfires are a major concern for us beginning today and into the weekend says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. Warm temperatures, with wind gusts anticipated to reach up to 60 mph in wind prone areas with relative humidity expected to be in the single digit area with little over-night recovery. This warning applies to most all of the Southern California area. If a wildfire fire does develop under these conditions anticipate a rapid rate of spread due to low fuel moisture content! Fire Danger is not the only hazard we have to concern ourselves with during High Winds and Red Flag Warnings. Strong winds can cause considerable damage on their even without fires. Please follow the below safety tips. Wind Safety Tips: The safest place to during high winds is indoors. Watch for flying debris. Tree limbs may break and street signs may become loose during strong wind gusts. Keep an eye toward nearby balconies for loose objects that may fall. Take cover next to a building or under a shelter. Stand clear of roadways or train tracks, as a gust may blow you into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Report downed lines. Do not try to free lines or to remove debris yourself. Avoid anything that may be touching downed lines, including vehicles or tree branches and chain link fences. Puddles can conduct electricity in some cases. Warn others to stay away. Do not touch anyone who has been shocked who may be in direct or indirect contact with a power line . You may become a second victim. Get medical attention as quickly as possible by calling 911. When driving, keep both hands on the wheel and slow down. Watch for objects blowing across the roadway and into your path. Falling tree limbs and branches may be in the roadway. Keep a safe distance from cars in adjacent lanes as strong gusts could push a car outside its lane of travel. Take extra care in a high-profile vehicle such as a truck, van, SUV, or when towing a trailer, as these are more prone to be pushed or even flipped by high wind gusts. If winds are severe enough to prevent safe driving, get onto the shoulder of the road and stop, making sure you are away from trees or other tall objects that could fall onto your vehicle. Stay in the car and turn on the hazard lights until the wind subsides. If a line falls on your car, stay inside the vehicle. Take care not to touch any of the metal frame of your vehicle. Do not exit the car until help arrives, unless it catches on fire. To exit, open the door, but do not step out. Jump, without touching any of the metal portions of the car’s exterior, to safe ground and get quickly away. Power outages may be eminent so remember traffic signals may be out so pay extra attention. Visibility may be limited from sand/dust. Watch for obstacles that may have blown into the street. Keep it slow and be safe! Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna 949-274-2979 Wildfire Fire Safety Tips Reminder: These are just a few guidelines for creating a defensible space to help reduce the spread of wildfires. Again, be sure to check with your local and state authorities for specific regulations in your area. • Remove dead and overhanging branches. • Remove any branches within 10 feet of chimney vent. • Clean all dead leaves and needles from roof and gutters. • Install a roof that meets the fire resistance classification of Class C or better. • Cover chimney outlet with a nonflammable screen of 1/4 inch or smaller mesh. Brand Guard Vents are a great alternative. • Stack woodpiles at least 30 feet from all structures, fences, and other combustible material. • Remove all stacks of construction materials, pine needles, leaves and other debris. • Keep lawn chairs, umbrellas, and other canvas furniture a safe distance from structures • Clear all vegetation and other combustible or flammable materials from beneath deck area. • Enclose underside of elevated decks with resistant materials. • Refrain from dumping lawn clippings in canyons. • Identify at least two exit routes from your neighborhood. • Make sure street names and house numbers are clearly visible. • Designate an emergency meeting place outside your neighborhood. • Immediately evacuate the area when ordered by police or fire personnel. Contact your local fire agency for fire related code and compliance ordinances in your area! Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna Printer-friendly version
A CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF SUSTAINABILITY IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly version October 26, 2012 (La Mesa)–Are we ready for the next 100 years? At this upcoming Centennial event, the City of La Mesa will be showcasing a variety of environmental topics, technologies and activities at the “Sustain La Mesa” Environmental Festival “Our Planet, Our Home” K-12 Environmental Literacy and Art Contest, Saturday,October 27. This event is presented by the La Mesa Environmental Sustainability Commission and takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Harry Griffen Park, 9550 Milden Street, La Mesa. If you enjoyed the butterfly release last year, you can see it again! The grace and beauty of these delicate creatures will surprise and delight one and all. Plan to spend the day and enjoy the beauty of the park, its trees, and amphitheater. Listen to exciting speakers and this year’s new addition of musical entertainment by Paul Seaforth & Mo’Sax Saxophone Quartet. Explore the interactive booths and exhibits, including topics such as energy and transportation, horticulture and habitat, water, recycling, community, and a kid’s zone. See innovative technologies, including electric cars and the latest in sustainable building materials. An EDCO recycling zone for hard to recycle materials and the County Office of Education’s Splash Science Mobile Lab will also be featured. Family entertainment will be provided throughout the day with face painting by the San Diego Clown Conspiracy and water conservation for kids by Ms. Smarty Plants. There may be a hummingbird or hawk to see, too. The speakers include Bamboo Bob on sustainable bamboo and Cadence Baron on herb growing and uses. As a new feature a food truck zone will be included with a variety of culinary options. The winners of the “Our Planet, Our Home” K-12 Environmental Literacy & Art Contest will be announced and their entries will be displayed at the festival. In this Centennial year, we wish to challenge students with a theme: “Big changes start with small steps, and every great development starts with a vision or dream. What solutions or inventions can you dream up, to shape the kind of world you want to pass on to the youth of the next century?” Entries for the contest are due by October 16, and the winning entries will be displayed after the festival at the La Mesa Library through November. For more information on the festival and contest, please visit cityoflamesa.com/SustainLaMesa. Printer-friendly version