CELEBRATING THE SEASON: THANKS TO OUR READERS
December 19, 2013 (Mount Helix) — Our “Feasting and Merrymaking” party was a rousing success. Thanks to all of you who joined in celebrating the holiday season as we continued our tradition of giving back to our community of readers. (Note: If you wish to receive invitations for our future events, including our upcoming Mardi Gras party, be sure to subscribe–free–to our newsletter at the top right side of the homepage.) Miss San Diego and Miss San Diego East County greeted our guests and were welcome additions to our party this year. We also had visits from several elected officials including Congresswoman Susan Davis, La Mesa Councilwoman Christine Alessio, and Jacumba Planning Group member Howard Cook. Other community leaders present included Douglas Holbrook, chairman of the board at KNSJ radio, Mark Hanson, chief executive officer at Heartland Coalition, and Ben Kalasho, president of the San Diego East County Chaldean-American Chamber of Commerce. Our guests savored Chateaubriand prime rib generous donated by Pinnacle Peaks Steakhouse in Santee, which wants all of you to know that they are still open for business and won’t be moving for a year or so. We also served up delicious sliders, wings and salads provided by Bridges Bar/Grill/Bay in the College area, as well as a delectable array of holiday goodies and more. Maness Vineyards and San Pasqual Winery donated wines for the occasion as well. Guests also bid on silent auction prizes including a Golden Artistry jewelry gift certificate, vintage candlesticks and jewelry from Antiques in the VIllage, Hawaii vacation from JVC Golf & Promotions, Mission Trails Regional Park award-winning photograph, tour of Maness Vineyards, wines from California wineries, and much more. Talented guitarist Dave Bramley with the San Diego Performance Academy entertained our guests with wonderful live music. In addition, each guest received a free ticket for door prize drawings–such as Viejas gift certificates, chocolates, jewelry, and Reina Menasche’s acclaimed novel. We also gave away a tower of chocolates and a Viejas gift certificate to winners of our East County Magazine trivia quiz, covering everything from the “Waddle and Trot” event to details in the Barona gingerbread village, as well as a few of our own accomplishments at East County Magazine this year — with helping to reopen closed fire stations in rural areas at the top of our “wish list” that Santa (okay, the Supervisors) fulfilled. Our dog, Ginger, was a big hit, too – lapping up all the attention at our party! We thank our generous donors, chefs, volunteers, musician and guests. Without your support, we couldn’t possibly have grown to be the second most widely read news organizaiton in San Diego County or won 55 journalism awards – powered by volunteers and talented freelancers with help from our parent nonpropfit, Heartland Coalition and Viejas, sponsor of our Viejas Wildfire & Emergency Alerts. It’s been a challenging year, and we do need funds for the future. Our holiday party broke even or just slightly more. We would be deeply appreciative of some year-end, tax-deductible donations to sustain us through the coming year — or better yet, please consider a monthly pledge which enables us to budget ahead and make sure we are there to cover important stories like this year’s Chariot Fire, changes in El Cajon’s City Hall, the big energy projects in our region, the draining of Lake Morena and the lack of veterans’ services in rural areas — all stories where we’ve been there, bringing you news for and about East County. You can donate or make a sustaining pledge at the top of our homepage (donate button, top left) and be sure to choose East County Magazine from our publisher’s list of options. To you and your family, we wish you a joyous holiday sesaon and a successful New Year!
4.6 QUAKE IN MEXICO RATTLES EAST COUNTY
December 19, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) — An earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale struck north-central Baja, Mexico this evening about 70 kilometers northeast of Camalu. Residents in Jacumba, Lakeside and El Cajon reported feeling the tremor, posting on the Brush Fire Partyline on Facebook. “Mexico……whoa…..that moved alot in Lakeside,” wrote Cats Ballzier. “I thought it was high winds shaking the house,” Eucalyptus Hills Maureen Hall resident posted. The quake was originally listed as a 5.2 but was later downgraded to a 4.6 by the U.S. Geological Survey.
EL CAJON CITY COUNCIL APPOINTS INSTAR BALES TO FILL VACANT CITY COUNCIL SEAT
Instar “Star” Bales takes oath of office, alongside her husband, Gerald By Janis Mork December 19, 2013 (El Cajon)- At Tuesday’s El Cajon City Council meeting, Council appointed InStar Bales, an Iraqi Chaldean woman who has served on the planning commission, to fill the Council vacancy after interviewing 27 candidates. After the meeting, Bales told ECM that she is “very honored” to be chosen. “When Councilman Bob McClellan said my name, I cried a little bit,” admitted Bales, whose integrity and willigness to stand up against special interests as a planning commission member were key factors in Council’s decision to select her. She added that her family has been “very supportive” of her decision to run for the Council. “They’re happy for me.” Bales said she has wanted to run for Council since the deemed approve alcohol issue arose. During her testimony to Council last week, she spoke about her difficult choice on the alcohol issue, since she has friends who own liquor stores, but ultimately she voted for the alcohol ordinance to crack down on stores selling alcohol to minors or serial inebriates because she believes it is in the best interest of the community overall. In the end, her integrity and backbone appear to have been key factors that swayed Councilmembers in her favor, along with her ability to speak the languages of major ethnic groups in El Cajon. The appointment comes on the heels of comments by former Mayor Lewis that were deemed insensitive to Middle Eastern residents, thus the appointment of Bales is a step toward healing that rift. Last week, we brought you coverage of the first half of the candidates. At this week’s meeting, the remaining candidates spoke out. Below are highlights of a few of them. Lily Schworm (photo, right), who previously ran for Council, said she believes the East County Performing Arts Center should not be a “tax funded project.” When Pro Tem mayor Gary Kendrick asked if she would accept campaign contributions from the liquor store or the Neighborhood Market Association, she said she would decline for a few reasons. “I refuse to be bullied. El Cajon is small enough that we don’t need contributions. I don’t support what they’re pushing.” Christopher Shamoon, (photo, left) a Chaldean and former Council candidate, has volunteered for the city in many different ways, including with the Live Well San Diego East Region Healthy Food Initiative. He also is in favor of ECPAC reopening but not until there’s a business plan that can make it profitable. Anthony Sottile, who has been on the planning commission, wants to be involved in “assimilation” of new immigrants. An Italian American, he mentioned he is a “surviving immigrant” and “I can relate to the immigrant community.” Katherine Spacone, who has been a special education teacher for 32 years, came to politics “because I was very concerned about the future of our country.” She has also been involved in the ECPAC foundation with Shamoon and Duane Swainston, another candidate. Regarding the policies of the Council, she would like it “if we can ease the regulations of bringing business in.” She also sang praises of how Council and staff have handled finances. “I was very impressed with the financial soundness. El Cajon is in pretty good shape. Can we do more? Of course, we can always do more.” After the interviews, Council discussed the options. Kendrick was in favor of Bales being appointed right from the start. He revealed, “The city has been sued by some liquor stores trying to change or overturn the deemed approved [alcohol] ordinance and we need someone who has the courage to stand up to these liquor stores. They’re essentially trying to take over this city. We’re really fighting for the soul of this city.. This could be the greatest threat the city has ever faced.” He said he admired Bales for “having the courage to stand up to the liquor stores” with her vote for the ordinance as a planning commissioner. He believes she “has the ability to convince them to be reasonable.” Councilman Bob McClellan was also in favor of Bales, noting that she speaks Arabic and Aramaic and thus can communicate directly with the many Middle Eastern immigrants in El Cajon. Councilman Tony Ambrose felt she should stay in the planning commission for now. Other candidates discussed as serious contenders were Sottile, Vickie Butcher, Darrin Mroz, Michael Griffiths, Shamoon, and Stephen Nissou. In the end, Councilman Ambrose suggested a motion be made. Kendrick made a motion to appoint Bales with a second from Councilman McClellan. The vote was 3-1 with Ambrose against. Bales fills the vacancy left on the Council after Bill Wells was appointed Mayor, following the resignation of former Mayor Mark Lewis.
PASTOR OF JAMUL’S ST PIUS X CHURCH SERIOUSLY INJURED BY DRUNK DRIVER
December 19, 2013 (Jamul) – Father Victor Mariestela, pastor at St. Pius X Church in Jamul, was struck head-on Tuesday night by a Ford Ranger while driving his SUV on Highway 94 west of Honey Springs Road. He was flown by medical helicopter to Sharp Memorial hospital, suffering serious injuries including two broken legs, a broken hip and broken wrist. The 23-year-old driver of the Ranger has been arrested for driving under the influence after crossing double lines and striking Father Mariestela’s SUV head-on. Father Mariestela’s SUV plunged 100 feet down an embankment. Both drivers had to be extricated from the wreckage and the Ranger driver also suffered moderate to serious injuries, UT San Diego has reported. The accident forced closure of Highway 94 for about two hours. Kim Hamilton, editor of the Deerhorn Valley Antler, thanked readers who alerted her to the crash, prompting an Antler Alert to inform others. “You helped many of your neighbors get home safely that night,” she wrote, adding, “I’m sure Father Victor would appreciate your good thoughts and prayers as he goes through what will be a challenging recovery.
ALPINE SCHOOL DISTRICT SLASHES TEACHER PAY: STRIKE PROSPECT LOOMS
By Miriam Raftery December 19, 2013 (Alpine) – The Alpine Union School Board voted unanimously to slash pay and benefits for teachers by an average of 30 percent. Teachers fear losing their homes with such deep cuts – and in January, the teachers’ union will vote on whether to go on strike. Cuts, which start at the end of January will include a 7.85% permanent pay cut and a $5,500 reduction in district contributions toward health care benefits. Full-time teachers stand to lose $1,400 to $1,600 a month and nearly half of the district’s 100 teachers stand to lose 30 percent of their pay and benefits, according to California Teachers Association representative Bill Guy, UT San Diego reported. Some could lose 50 percent. Angry teachers shouted at school board members at a heated meeting on December 10, asking to speak. In an open letter to the AUSD board published by the Alpine Community Network, Alison Knight Ford, wife and daughter of teachers in the district and a parent with children in Alpine schools, called on the Board to resign. “Your actions have caused a massive wave of upset among the parents and teachers of this community,” she said, adding, “I have NEVER felt this worried or concerned for my little child’s future.” She added that she and her husband are considering removing their children from the school system. Lou Russo, a parent and member of the Alpine Planning Group, calls for other drastic action. “Is it time to close an elementary? No one wants to hear of it, but Alpine Union School District (AUSD) finds itself butting heads with that terrible reality known as reality,” he suggests. “What does shuttering a school site buy us? Isn’t it time to find out?” Russo, offering up his own “Plan to cure the AUSD” sent to local media outlets, also suggests laying off some teachers and cutting administrative costs would be preferably to the board’s course of action. He asks, “Do we really need a full time superintendent? Do we need full time administrators at each site? Can they double up? Can a senior teacher be part time vice principal? Why not?” Supervisor Tom Pellegrino attempted to justify the cuts, adding, “If we had the money to give the teachers, we would give it,” 10 News reported. Ramie Hagood sharply criticized Pellegrino’s conduct at the meeting. “To impose the changes in the middle of the meeting before everyone had the opportunity to speak was extremely disrespectful and unnecessary. They should be ashamed of themselves,” she posted at the Alpine Community Network. Many teachers have criticized the Superintendent for maintaining a hefty salary and travel allowance while asking deep sacrifices of teachers. The district blames its economic woes on rising heatlh costs, state budget cuts, and declining enrollment. But teachers say those problems have been known for years – and they are prepared to strike. The district blames declining enrollment, escalating health costs and state cuts. Teachers say all of those problems were in the forecast years ago and they are prepared to strike. “If we go out on strike, that’s even more money out of pocket, but I’m willing to do that,” said Beth Bresnahan, who has taught here for nearly three decades, 10 News reported She concluded that it’s time for teachers to take a stand.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY
File photo: Sunrise Highway, Mount Laguna A cold storm system sweeping into San Diego’s mountain regions Thursday afternoon is forecast to bring snow down to 3500 feet tonight, with several inches of snow expected at elevations above 4500 feet. Heavy rainfall is occurring across much of the county and hail may also occur. The winter storm advisory remains in effect until 1 a.m. Friday morning.
BREAKFAST WITH SUPERVISOR DIANNE JACOB & LA MESA CHAMBER JANUARY 21
December 19, 2013 (La Mesa)–Supervisor Dianne Jacob will be the featured speaker at the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce breakfast on Tuesday, January 21 at 7:30 a.m. The event will be held at Marie Callender’s restaurant at 6950 Alvarado Road, San Diego. Cost is $15 for Chamber members and $20 for guests with advancer reservation, or $25 at the door. Breakfast includes eggs Benedict, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, fresh fruit, juice, and more, along with prize drawings. For reservations, contact rsvp@lamesachamber.com or 619-465-7700 Ext. 2.