RAIN DRENCHES COUNTY; THUNDERSTORMS AND HAIL FORECAST NEXT
By Miriam Raftery March 1, 2014 (San Diego) – Drought-parched San Diego got some relief over the past two days. The National Weather Service has released precipitation totals for the two days ending at 2:10 p.m. today. More is due in Sunday, with thunderstorms, hail and gusty winds forecast and flooding possible due to already saturated ground. Below are the totals for the past 48 hours: Palomar Mountain received a substantial 7.78 inches of rain/snow. Other heavy levels were recorded at Julian (4.44 inches), Mount Laguna (3.92 inches), Ramona (3.10 inches), Descanso (3.08 inches) and Santa Ysabel (3 inches). Urban areas got far less rainfall. Lindbergh Field downtown recorded 1.08 inches. El Cajon and La Mesa had less than an inch (.93 and .81 respectively). In the rural areas, Alpine had 2.67 inches, Potrero 1.91, and campo 1.52. Desert regions had scant precipitation; just over a tenth of an inch was recorded at Agua Caliente. For more details, see http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sgx/display_product.php?sid=SGX&pil=RRM
SOITEC FAILS TO DISCLOSE TRUTH ABOUT SOLAR PROJECT IMPACTS, HIRES FORMER SD PLANNER WHO WORKED ON SOITEC PROJECTS
Why doesn’t San Diego County end revolving door situation? Photo: Soitec’s Newberry Springs project, which promised minimal enviornmental impacts, graded all vegetation on the site. By Miriam Raftery March 1, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)—Developers frequently put “spin” on project descriptions to emphasize benefits rather than negative impacts. But certain statements by Soitec representatives regarding its proposed solar projects in Boulevard and a recent project in the desert fall into the “Pinnochio” category. In fact Soitec representatives misrepresented glare issues and the amount of land that is disturbed by their projects. During a Soitec community meeting at the Manzanita Diner last month, ECM’s editor asked Soitec media and communications advisor Karen Hutchens specifically about a moratorium on solar projects approved by San Bernadino County Supervisors amid concerns about glare in Newberry Springs, where Soitec built a project very similar to its proposed Boulevard sites. Hutchens responded, “That had nothing to do with our project. The moratorium was passed before our project was even built.” But Robert Berkman, head of a citizens group in Newberry Springs called CEQA-NOW, told ECM that statement was a bald-faced lie. “The moratorium came out because of the Soitec project—after it was built,” he said, adding that citizens invited Supervisors to visit the site. Supervisors said, “’`Good grief, what has happened here? ‘ “ Berkman stated. “The moratorium occurred because we were able to bring them out and say `This is an example of solar done wrong.’” Soitec’s Hutchens concedes that she erred in her statement on the timing of the moratorium, and agrees it was imposed after Soitec’s project was built, but says Soitec’s project was not the reason for the moratorium. ECM is seeking clarification from San Bernardino County’s Land Services Department. That’s not the only disputed statement by Soitec. Deceptions on grading sites, protecting plants and wildlife At Boulevard’s planning group meeting and in other discussions with the public and press, Soitec has repeatedly promised it would make efforts to minimize environmental impacts and has stated that it would not scrape bare vast tracts for its projects. The company brochure makes simlar claims including “no grading of water required” and “minimal impact on vegetation and wildlife.” But the Newberry Springs project, which has the same sized Soitec solar modules proposed for Boulevard, proves otherwise, as numerous photos sent by CEQA-NOW shows. (photos, top left and right, for example). “These claims are demonstrated as false when based on their estimated grading and water use and other significant impacts for Rugged Solar, Tierra Del Sol Solar, LanWest and LanEast, removal of agriculture preserve, and through other information included in the DPEIR, and as demonstrated by Soitec’s other projects,” Boulevard Planning Group Chair Donna Tisdale says of Soitec’s claims regarding no grading and minimal environmental impacts at its Boulevard sites. “The false claims, regarding no grading and minimal impact on vegetation and wildlife, are also contradicted by Soitec’s own public relations Fact Sheets, and other documents, with evidence of clear grading, removal of virtually all vegetation, and disturbance of natural soil / binders at their following existing sites,” she added. (See document links below.) Soitec’s 1.37MW Questa New Mexico facility Fact Sheet (173 Concentrix 18′ x 21′ CPV dual trackers): claims of zero water gallons per year for power production http://www.soitec.com/pdf/sites/Soitec_Questa_factsheet_en.pdf Soitec’s 1.68 MW Newberry Solar 1 site in Newberry Springs,CA (60 CX-S530 CPV systems) Newberry Springs ID Card: http://www.soitec.com/pdf/sites/Soitec_Newberry_ID_card.pdf Soitec’s Newberry Springs PR video (see video starting at 2:31 minutes for evidence of clear grading at Newberry site and at 3:30 where the video fades out just as the main glare from the CPV panels would show up):http://www.soitec.com/videos/soitec-newberry-springs/ Soitec’s Hazelemer 500kV site Durban South Africa Fact Sheet (32 CX-S42 systems): http://www.soitec.com/pdf/sites/Soitec_Hazelmere_factsheet_en.pdf Soitec’s Wadi El Natrun Egypt 40kW Fact Sheet (5 Soitec CX-P6 systems) http://www.soitec.com/pdf/sites/Soitec_Wadi_El_Natrun_factsheet_en.pdf Soitec’s Touwsrivier Western Cape South Africa 82kW (demonstration project) Fact Sheet (Soitec CX-P6): http://www.soitec.com/pdf/sites/Soitec_Touwsrivier_factsheet_en.pdf Soitec’s 680kW Puertollano, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain CPV plant Fact Sheet (Soitec CX-P6): http://www.soitec.com/pdf/sites/Soitec_Puertollano_factsheet_en.pdf Soitec’s 630kW Rains, Var , France Fact Sheet (80 32m2 CPV Systems): http://www.soitec.com/pdf/sites/Soitec_Rians_factsheet_en.pdf These and other projects are documented in the Soitec CPV Installation document dated February 2014, where all but 2 of the 12 projects shown are clear graded: http://www.soitec.com/pdf/Soitec_CPV_Installations_V10.0.pdf Newberry Springs residences complain of major changes not disclosed, mitigation not enforced Residents contend that Soitec pulled a bait-and-switch tactic in Newberry Springs after acquiring the project site from another company that had proposed panels only about seven feet tall. The company assured community members that environmental impacts would be minimal. Residents report they were shocked to see the entire site bladed, every piece of vegetation removed along with the crust of desert soil, and modules 27 feet high erected which blocked views of the Newbery Mountains Wilderness area. Those facts are detailed in a letter sent February 28, 2014 by CEAQ-NOW to Tom Hudson, director of San Bernadino County’s Land Use Services Department. The letter further alleges that many if not all proposed mitigations “have somehow disappeared” including a living fence to screen visual impacts, soil stabilization to reduce blowing sand, and road improvements. The letter further asserts that Soitec’s permitting manager, Patrick Brown, stated that the company had not retained records including signed applications for any amended conditions of approval, nor signed approvals for amended conditions of approval – such as the massive change in height. Hutchens contends that “Soitec is in full compliance with County requirements” and objects to the bait and switch characterization. “That’s not the case. It was fully approved by the County and all of the community was public noticed,” she states. Soitec later sent a statement reading, “Soitec is making efforts to minimize the environmental impacts of its projects as required by the California Environmental Quality Act and as discussed in the Draft PEIR. The brochure cited in the article is intended for a world-wide audience, subject to local permitting and development requirements. Here, the County of San Diego’s CEQA document is the authoritative document about the Boulevard projects, not the brochure, and Soitec has never made any representation to the contrary.” She
READER’S EDITORIAL: TIME FOR SAN DIEGO DEMOCRATS TO BROADEN THE BASE
By E.A. Barrera February 28, 2014 (San Diego)–I was proud to support David Alvarez and his campaign for Mayor. His life is an inspiration and his future is the future of San Diego. But now it is time for all San Diego Democrats to come together, and grow beyond our basic base of supporters. There are floods of Independents and Republicans out there disgusted with the modern Tea Party-dominated GOP. The new Confederacy has taken hold of the Republican Party, leaving millions of Americans ready to join with the Democrats in reasonable dialogue and solutions to our nation’s future problems. But in the next few months, San Diego Democrats must start to consider how the negative campaign against Nathan Fletcher by Alvarez supporters – both officially, unofficially, and by rumor, innuendo, and deception – created a bitterness that caused many Fletcher Democrats (much less Independents who did not want to vote for Faulconer) to either sit at home or vote for Faulconer in protest. I became an enthusiastic Alvarez backer, but it was very disheartening during the primary to be called a “DINO” (Democrat In Name Only) or worse because I thought Fletcher the better candidate to keep the Mayor’s office in Democratic Party control. Now we are hearing a theme from backers of Alvarez as to why he lost: Racism and/or the notion Democrats can’t win Special Elections. It is true that racism and bigotry are spreading within the ranks of Conservatism. Simply listen to or read the comments of listeners on Roger Hedgecock’s radio program, “FOX News”, Rush Limbaugh or the “Duck-Dynasty show” and you can see and smell the racist, bigoted bile of so many who cling to the Confederate values defeated by Abraham Lincoln, Cesar Chavez, Martin Luther King and Barack Obama. Racism against Alvarez absolutely occurred … but no more so then against President Obama, who managed to win a far larger percentage of San Diego votes in 2012 then Faulconer did in 2014. In fact it is this same bigotry in all its forms: against Blacks, Latinos, Asians, Gays, Women and the Poor – which is driving so many Republicans from the GOP … Republicans like Nathan Fletcher. The latter argument is perhaps the most disturbing – the one that says there was never any chance for Alvarez or any Democrat to win, because Republicans vote more often in “Special elections.” Ridiculous comments have streamed across social media and online publications, ranging from the absurd notion that the race was lost the moment Bob Filner resigned, to voters were hoodwinked into voting for Faulconer, to the apparent idea that Democrats simply don’t care to vote when an election is not about the Presidency. This is a defeatist attitude for numerous reasons, least of all the ability it has to mask what was a clear distinction of this campaign: Democrats lost sight of the bigger picture. The San Diego Democratic Party had the unique and maybe once in a lifetime chance to broaden the Democratic base and kill the GOP-development cabal of Doug Manchester and his lackeys. If Faulconer had not won, the Republican Party would not have had a single major elected official in California. Furthermore, there would not be a single Republican Mayor of any of the ten most populace cities in the United States. But the way the Labor Council threw Nathan Fletcher under the bus in the name of party purity was terrible. They didn’t just endorse Alvarez, but skewered Fletcher – basically implying that he was some sort of spy for the right and if you did not vote for Alvarez, you were violating the principles of Liberalism and the Democratic tradition. Essentially doing the work Faulconer wanted done. So now, Democrats have no leverage or voice in city hall and the establishment powers that have dominated local governance are emboldened. They think they have a mandate. But within this defeat exists rays of hope for the future. Kevin Faulconer proved that Conservatism is dying. He barely, if ever, mentioned his party affiliation and or that he is a staunch conservative on economic issues. David Alvarez proved that Liberalism still has a way to go before being the majority, but the passion his supporters showed that Labor and the Liberal wing of the Democratic Party are determined fighters who will never quit. And Nathan Fletcher proved that there are millions of voters in between the two ideological ends looking for a home and leaning towards the Democrats if only we will welcome them into our party. Ideological rigidity is not the way of America. Our values are inclusiveness and our principles are based on education, debate and seeking common ground. These are the true values and principles of the Democratic Party – the party of FDR through Barack Obama – and it is the party I am proud to call my own. The opinions 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.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN LAKESIDE? FIND OUT MARCH 5
February 28, 2014 (Lakeside) – Lakeside residents are invited to a Lakeside revitalization meeting on March 5th from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Lakeside Community Center, 9841 Vine Street. Supervisor Dianne Jacob will officiate and residents will also hear from local Sheriff’s deputies, the California Highway Patrol, the County and others on what’s happening in Lakeside. The public’s input is welcomed.
MARKETING MATTERS: THE POWER OF PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS
Tips and tricks for business success and growth By Rama Beerfas April 1, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – Ever think that of a promotional product as just a “tchatchke,” “swag,” or “stuff”? Think that they can’t possibly be useful marketing tools? Well, my friend, you would be wrong! First of all, the dare: I dare you to look in your desk, pockets, purse/briefcase/backpack, or car and not find at least one promotional product. OK, you’ve looked – how many were there? Two? Three? Five? More? Did you know that: Seven in ten consumers recalled receiving at least one promotional product in the past 12 months. A similar finding was observed in previous studies. Among those who recalled receiving promotional products, 70% recalled receiving two or more items. (Taken from “The Influence of Promotional Products on Consumer Behavior” study conducted by Relevant Insights in November, 2012.) OK, so you, like at least 70% of the population, has a promotional product in your possession – so what? The same study cited above shows that recall of the advertiser and message behind the first promotional item recalled are very high. While 88% recalled the advertiser from a promotional product received in the past twelve months, only 71% recalled advertisers on a newspaper or magazine read a week before. That speaks to the power of promotional products to support brand recall. Also cited in the study is that eight in ten consumers own between one and ten promotional products, six in ten keep them for up to two years, and about half (53%) use a promo item at least once a week or more often. Talk about keeping your brand and message right in front of your target market! There are plenty more statistics available that explore the efficacy of promotional products against other advertising formats. If you’d like to see more, please e-mail me at rama@levpromotions.com for the link. In the meantime, consider how you might want to utilize promotional products as part of your company’s overall branding and marketing efforts. Do you want to excite, remind, entice, or thank? You can accomplish all of these and more with the right promotional product! Rama Beerfas is Chief Solutions Specialist for San Diego-based Lev Promotions, offering marketing consulting, promotional products, trade show displays and training, and more. Rama also offers seminars and training in marketing and customer service related topics. She can be reached at (619) 697-2045 or at rama@levpromotions.com or visit www.levpromotions.com. Column requests and comments are welcome.
TWO LAWSUITS OVER LOCAL WIND ENERGY ISSUES HEAD TO COURT
By Miriam Raftery February 28, 2014 (San Diego) – Opponents of the Tule Wind project in McCain Valley will have their day in court on Monday, March 3 in San Diego’s U.S. District Court. Then on April 25, a separate suit against the County over its wind energy ordinance and general plan amendment will also be heard. The suits were filed by the Protect Our Communities Foundation and Donna Tisdale. Tisdale informed ECM that it’s important to have many East County residents attend these trials. The first case was filed against the federal Bureau of Land Management over its approval of Iberdrola’s Tule Wind, a massive project slated to be built on public lands. That case will be heard on March 3 at 9:30 a.m. in Room 4A of U.S. District Court, Southern District by Judge Sammartino. The address is 221 West Broadway, San Diego. The case against the County will be heard on April 25 at 1:30 p.m. in Department C-71 by San Diego Superior Court Judge Timothy Taylor at 220 West Broadway, San Diego. Tisdale hinted that another lawsuit may be in the works. “Protect Our Communities is now dealing with the Bureau of Indian Affairs approval of Tule Wind phase II on the Ewiiaapaayp reservation,” she said. The tribal lands constitute a small portion of the Tule Wind project which also includes turbines planned on federal, state and county lands. For more information on the Protect Our Communities Foundation, visit www.protectourcommunities.org.
RAINY DAY CRASHES
February 28, 2014 (San Diego)—Over 242 collisions were reported yesterday during just 16 hours on the first day of the storm, compared to 50 to 75 accidents on “good weather” days. The stats include freeways and unincorporated area streets in San Diego County as well as Temecula.
VIDEO: THE OCOTILLO SUITE
February 28, 2014 (Ocotillo) — An Ocotillo resident has prepared a poignant video dramatically illustrating the scope of destruction done by Pattern Energy to build its Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility. The video details the beauty of the desert with closeup images of birds and other wildlife amid the ocotillo forest mowed down on 12,500 acres of public lands, then shows the construction and finished results. The resident, who also performed the music heard in the video, left this on doorsteps to share the story of Ocotillo’s transformation. Several Ocotillo residents who viewed the entire video have told us they were moved to tears, reminded of what has been lost in the name of “green” energy. Note: The bird killed was not at Ocotillo.