READER’S EDITORIAL: SEQUESTER HARMS SAN DIEGO; BIPARTISAN SOLUTION NEEDED
By Congressman Scott Peters (D-San Diego) March 12, 2013 — Two weeks before the sequester took effect, House leadership called a recess and sent us home. As a former Port Commissioner and City Council president, that was foreign to me. I could not believe, with the amount of work still to be done, we were sent home. And, even more frustrating, that we were sent home without being allowed to vote on a single alternative to the sequester, because leadership didn’t agree with the legislation. This, in my opinion, is not representative of the democratic process that the United States is regarded for. I used my time at home to send a message back to Washington. I worked with our port commissioners, scientific research community and maritime workers to tell Congress that the negative effects of the sequester will be felt in San Diego through layoffs, furloughs, stifled research and decreased GDP. Two weeks ago, I spent every day on the House floor bringing attention to the sequester and urging Congress to work together. Last Thursday, the final day to avoid the sequester, I asked leadership to stay in session to find a solution. Leadership decided to adjourn but my appeals did not fall completely on deaf ears. This week, since returning, I have heard from both Democrats and Republicans who want to find a responsible alternative to the sequester, and who believe these solutions can be accomplished in our upcoming budget negotiations. On March 27th, the “continuing resolution” that Congress passed last year in lieu of a budget, will expire. My colleagues on both sides of the aisle see an opportunity for us to stop the politics enough to address our serious fiscal problems – including the sequester – with a responsible budget that raises revenues by closing tax loopholes and reins in our spending. I’m determined to do my part to get Congress working again. Since day one I’ve looked for partners on both sides of the aisle who have a similar mindset and determination to put aside political agendas and problem solve. This is just the beginning of a trying journey, but if we remember our purpose, this journey will also be rewarding. It is my great honor to represent you in Congress, and I am working hard every day to make you proud. The views in this editorial reflect the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.
SANTEE COUNCIL TO WEIGH CRACKDOWN ON HOMELESS
March 12, 2013 (Santee) – Santee’s City Council on Wednesday will weigh actions aimed at reducing activities by the homeless including panhandling, overtaking public parks, riverbed camping and “scavenging” (including taking items from recycling bins). The City of Santee has no shelter for the homeless. The proposals to discourage homeless people from taking up residency in Santee public areas focuses not on providing services to help the homeless, however, but rather emphasizes punitive actions such as banning cigarettes in public parks and alcohol on weekdays, prohibiting single-sale sizes of alcoholic beverages at new businesses, and prohibiting aggressive conduct by panhandlers. According to a Council Agenda Statement prepared by the City Manager, transients in City parks have been “loitering, smoking, drinking, sleeping, using City electricity for Personal electronics and generally intimidating families…” Other problems include pollution of water and wildlife habitat along rivers and theft of recyclables from bins in the City that “have monetary value.” Copper wire theft has also been a problem, with wiring found at homeless camps. The City estimates the prosecution of transient activities total $76,000 a year. In 2011, Santee Mayor Randy Voepel criticized the Regional Task Force on the Homeless, disputing its finding that Santee had 58 homeless people. ”Santee has ALWAYS had 12-15 homeless people (mostly in the River Bottom), this is collaborated by the Sheriff’s Department. For you to raise our count to 58, either reflects poor counting methods or cheating. Change your count to reflect reality sir,” Voepel wrote in a terse letter to the Regional Task Force on the Homeless. The task force’s director defended the effort to the Santee City Council and invited Mayor Voepel to join the 2012 count, which found 26. The Mayor indicated he was satisfied that the number was accurate. With no homeless shelters in Santee, the homeless are forced to either leave town for neighboring communities such as El Cajon or San Diego to find shelter and key services, or set up makeshift camps and risk arrest for vagrancy or loitering. At a Santee Community Oriented Policing Committee meeting in January 2012, Councilman John Minto suggested that the City should change the law to reflect different classes of homeless, such as those forced into homeless by circumstances rather than those choosing a transient lifestyle by choice. He advocated distributing funds to those most in need, Santee Patch reported. “”Is there some way to get a discounted camping rate at Santee Lakes for the needy?” Minto asked.
POSTAL INSPECTORS WARN ABOUT FOREIGN LOTTERY FRAUD
March 12, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)–The United States Postal Inspection Service is warning the public about foreign lottery scams. In three years, American consumers lost over $42 million in lottery scams. Lottery fraud victims not only suffer the devastation of a financial loss, but even worse, the psychological pain and suffering that take a physical toll on the victims. And many victims suffer alone, because they are too embarrassed to report the crime and seek assistance. These scams continue to plague our nation’s citizens and can only be stopped by educating the public about this devastating crime. Fraudsters often prey on older Americans who may be more attractive targets because they are retired and perceived to have time and money. Seniors are subjected to heavy telemarketing campaigns and often befriended by the fraudster on the phone. Once the fraudster has gained the trust of the senior, the senior feels comfortable sending money to pay for fees in order to receive their lottery winnings. It is critical to educate our seniors, their family members, and their care givers so they may protect themselves and their loved ones. The Postal Inspection Service suggests the following tips: You can protect your loved ones by watching for some telltale signs: • A change in your loved one’s demeanor • Large withdrawals from bank accounts • Stacks of mail offering lottery tickets for sale • A large volume of phone calls • Hang-ups when you answer the phone because your voice isn’t recognized as the victim’s voice. Postal Inspectors encourage the public to report suspected lottery scams at 877-876-2455, http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov or at your local Post Office. This year the United States Postal Inspection Service will focus its prevention campaign on foreign lottery fraud scams by participating in events the entire month of March. For additional information on foreign lottery scams see websites: http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov and http://www.deliveringtrust.com.
CONGRESSWOMAN SUSAN DAVIS INTRODUCES BILL TO HELP PREVENT DIABETES IN SENIORS
March 12, 2013 (San Diego) – Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-CA) and Rep. Filemon Vela (D-TX) introduced legislation to prevent diabetes in seniors and rein in health care costs. The Medicare Diabetes Prevention Act (H.R. 962) would extend the proven benefits of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) to seniors under Medicare. “With thoughtful, responsible action we can get growing healthcare costs under control and make our country healthier at the same time,” said Davis. “In fact with targeted prevention initiatives, like the National Diabetes Prevention Program, Congress can achieve cost savings by preventing diabetes and its complications, meeting our goals of improving health and reining in spending.” “With healthcare costs continuing to grow, diabetes is one of them most dangerous and expensive chronic diseases facing our nation. In Texas’ Rio Grande Valley alone, the rate of diabetes is more than three times the national average,” said Congressman Vela. “The National Diabetes Prevention Program is proven and effective public-private partnership that will help seniors get the treatment and care they need through Medicare. Preventing diabetes in this high-risk population will undoubtedly save lives and potentially save the federal government billions of dollars.” The National Institutes of Health (NIH) clinical trial, the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), found patients with prediabetes can reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58 percent through participation in a lifestyle intervention program. For seniors over age 60 the trial was even more effective, reducing risk by 71 percent. Unfortunately, this successful program is not currently available to most seniors who could benefit. The Medicare Diabetes Prevention Act of 2013 will extend the proven benefits of the National Diabetes Prevention Program to Medicare beneficiaries by making the community-based intervention available as a Medicare benefit. Currently, 50 percent of all seniors in the U.S. have prediabetes and are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. It has been estimated that without action, Medicare spending on diabetes will grow to $2 trillion in 2020. The Urban Institute estimated that expanding this program will actually save up to $191 billion to the US health care system, with most of the savings being achieved by federal health programs, like Medicare.
THE GATHERING: BYU’S INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE ENSEMBLE TAKES STAGE IN SAN DIEGO AND EL CAJON MARCH 12 AND 13
March 12 at Lincoln High, March 13 at Grossmont College March 12, 2013 (San Diego) — You’re invited to come feel the pounding of American Appalachian clogging, hear the melodies of Scottish highland song, and see the array of color in Indian dance with BYU’s International Folk Dance Ensemble. Brigham Young University’s critically acclaimed folk dance team brings the world’s cultures together in their energetic performance, The Gathering. The show takes stage tonight at Lincoln High School Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m. Dancers will also perform at Grossmont Community College on Wednesday, March 13 in the outside quad area to help enhance cultural awareness on campus. The performance is made possible by a grant from the World Arts and (Cultures Committee. The dance ensemble will also be performing at three local schools in San Diego County. The Gathering is the pulse of the world’s cultures, bringing together Irish hard shoe, American clogging, Ukrainian Hopak, exotic Indian dances, and other music and dances from around the world in an energetic 90-minute performance. The showcase incorporates dance and music from Eastern and Western Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America, with authentic costumes and precise performance . The Gathering shows audiences that their hearts can beat in time to any tradition. The dance ensemble is accompanied by the highly versatile and acclaimed acoustic band Mountain Strings. Courtney Austrian of the US State Department in the Ukraine says of the performance, “The dancers and the musicians were absolutely magnificent. Everyone in my office who was lucky enough to attend the performance has been talking today about the energy, enthusiasm, and sheer talent that was on stage last night. The overwhelming feeling here is that it’s extremely unfortunate that there could only be one performance!” “An extraordinary amount of time, talent, and resources go into a production of this size,” says Edwin G. Austin, former artistic director of the ensemble. “The program, however, goes much deeper than pure entertainment. The production is steeped in tradition—a patchwork of mankind’s finest expression—an attempt to preserve fragments of diversity that might otherwise be forgotten.” Since 1964, IFDE has toured all over the world, representing the United States and American folk culture. The group has become internationally famous at the world’s most prominent folk dance festivals where they perform with many of the best dance companies from throughout the world. The group has traveled to more than 100 countries with their international repertoire. IFDE has also represented both BYU and the US as the American performance in the world’s largest folk festivals. The International Folk Dance Ensemble originates in the Department of Dance of the College of Fine Arts and Communications at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. BYU is one of the nation’s largest private universities with an enrollment of 30,000 students from throughout the United States and 110 foreign countries.
LMSV TO VOTE MARCH 14 ON FILLING SCHOOL BOARD VACANCY: 6 CANDIDATES VIE FOR SEAT
Update March 15, 2013: The Board appointed Gerald Lecko to fill the vacancy. March 11, 2013 (San Diego’s East County ) – A preacher, a scientist, a substitute teacher, an architect, an IT tech for the Navy, and a PTA president are all vying for appointment to the La Mesa Spring Valley School Board to replace Penny Halgren, who resigned for personal reasons. The LMSV board has decided to fill the vacancy by appointment to avoid costs of a special election. On March 14, the board will hear from the applicants and take public comments before casting their votes at the special meeting.Six candidates, listed in alphabetical order, are Steve Babbitt, Robert Divine II, Gerald “Jerry “ Lecko, Ben Motten, Jay Steiger, and Mike Stewart. For details on each, scroll down. Babbit is the lead pastor at Spring Valley Community Church and currently serves on the district’s Citizens Bond Oversight Committee. His wife teaches in the district and he has three children who attend LMSV schools. He has been endorsed by Supervisor Dianne Jacob. Divine is a retired Naval officer who has worked as a substitute teacher in the district. Son of a conservative minister, he says he wants to “build faith, strengthen families, and our community.” Lecko, an architect who owns a design studio, is also chair of the District’s Citizens Bond Oversight Committee. He has served on the Mt. Helix Council PTA and is also a past chairman. His candidacy is backed by Glen Sparrow, a fellow member of the CBOC representing the San Diego Taxpayers Association. Motten, a research scientist, serves on the San Diego Chamber of Commerce Education Committee and chairs the Spring Valley Economic Development Council. He is also on the board of the East County Boys and Girls Club. Steiger, who previously ran for the board, is president of the Murdock Elementary PTA and has been endorsed by the school’s principal. He has also serves on the district’s Budget Study Committee and as vice president of Legislation for the Mt. Helix Council of PTAs. Steiger has children in LMSV schools and attended district schools . “I will be a strong voice for all children and work to ensure that the district provides educational opportunities for every student now, and in the future,” said Steiger, who received by far the most letters of support (25) of any candidate. Stewart, a civilian who works for the Navy as an IT Tech, has previously served on the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee and coached Special Olympics. He also volunteers with the GUHSD Parent Music Advocacy Group. He has stated that he seeks a “well rounded” education for students that includes art, science, music and physical education as well as math, reading and writing. The meeting will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 14 at 4750 Date Avenue in La Mesa.
RAMONA AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL MAY SHUT DOWN DUE TO SEQUESTRATION: TOWER IS CRITICAL FOR BATTLING WILDFIRES
March 12, 2013 (Ramona)–Vice-Chairwoman Dianne Jacob and Supervisor Ron Roberts will join disaster response experts at the Ramona Air Field today to urge the federal government to recognize that the Ramona Air Traffic Control Tower is a critical asset during county disasters, especially fires. The Cal Fire Air Attack Base at the Ramona Air Field responds to an average of 450 calls per year and protects more than 1.7 million acres, including U.S. Forest Service land. The base played a key role in fighting the 2003 and 2007 wildfires. The county, along with Cal Fire, has made significant technology investments and upgrades to aircraft that fly from Ramona. In response to sequestration, the Federal Aviation Administration is proposing to close air traffic control towers deemed not crucial to the national interest. The County has learned that the Ramona Airport ATCT, operated under a FAA contract with Serco Inc., is targeted for closure. A press conference will be held at 1 p.m. today at the Emergency Operations Center, 5580 Overland Avenue in San Diego. In addition to Supervisors Jacob and Roberts, speakers will include Dave Hanneman, president, San Diego County Fire Chiefs’ Association and Ray Chaney, Division Chief, Air Operations, Cal Fire.
STEP BACK IN TIME TO FRONTIER DAYS AT VALLECITO DAYS MARCH 16-17
Oasis in the Desert for Stagecoach Riders, Civil War Soldiers March 13, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Can’t live without your cell phone? What about your car? Imagine then riding a stagecoach out on the western frontier 150 years ago. While you can’t actually step back in time, you can get an idea of what life was like back then at Vallecito Days, a free weekend festival March 16 and 17 at Vallecito County Park. The seventh annual event highlights the role the Vallecito Stage Station played as a stop for the San Antonio-San Diego Mail and the Butterfield Overland Stage Service. Thousands of travelers passed through what is now Vallecito County Park to begin new lives out west. During the Civil War, Union volunteers marched east across the desert to fight invading Confederates in Arizona and New Mexico. They all sought much needed respite at the stage station before moving on. “If you love history or want to teach your children about life on the frontier, come on out,” said County Parks and Recreation Director Brian Albright. “Volunteers in period attire will demonstrate how to throw a tomahawk, archery, flint and steel fire making, soap-making and how to cook on an open hearth.” The infantry will come marching in after a 32-mile trek and be dressed in authentic garb down to their shoes. Mountain men such as trappers and hunters will set up camp as they did in the mid-1800’s. Horseback riders from the Ramona Trails Association and the Backcountry Horsemen of California will also don period costumes to re-enact the delivery of Overland Mail to the stage station. Spinners and weavers will give demonstrations and a surveyor will show how the people of that time ‘mapped the west.’ Visitors can also take tours of the stage station. If you’d like to make a day of it, bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the sunshine. Food is not being sold at the park. The events for Vallecito Days run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. The park is located south of Shelter Valley at 37349 County Route S-2 (Mile Marker 34-35) Vallecito Valley, CA. 92036. For more on the park and how to get there, see these directions. For a schedule of events, visit the Parks and Recreation website or call (760) 765-1188.