CITIZENS GROUP SEEKS FUNDS TO BATTLE BIG ENERGY PROJECTS, SAVE GROUNDWATER IN BACKCOUNTRY
September 5, 2014 (Boulevard) – The nonprofit citizens group Backcountry Against Dumps (BAD) has been battling numerous major energy projects proposed in rural East County, including funding lawsuits that seek to halt several with potentially devastating consequences and research studies to support those lawsuits, as well as persuade County planners and other decision makers to reject projects that may deplete water resources, harm wildlife, or have adverse health impacts on residents. “Right now, we need to raise funds to pay for the professional analysis of Dudek’s groundwater investigations for Soitec Solar and Tule Wind that is underway,” Donna Tisdale, founder of Backcountry Against Dumps, told East County Magazine. Donations can be sent to Backcountry Against Dumps at PO Box 1275, Boulevard, CA 91905 and marked for that purpose. BAD was founded in the late 1980s and incorporated in 1991 as a 501c4 nonprofit. Originally the organization waged a successful battle to halt a landfill planned by the Campo tribe. BAD has advocated against several proposed projects that were cancelled, including Shu’luuk Wind and another wind project slated in Jewel Valley. The group has filed numerous lawsuits including suits over Sunrise Powerlink, the County wind ordinance, Tule Wind, and battled projects ranging from the ECO substation to a cross-border transmission line. BAD, along with the county and its public officials, is currently facing litigation from an entity representing developer Greg Lansing. Lansing is suing over projects blocked by the county and BAD on his property in Jewel Valley. Those projects included proposed industrial-scale wind and solar projects and a master-planned housing project that Supervisor Dianne Jacob opposed due to concerns over inadequate water; minutes of Boulevard’s Planning Group meeting indicate the vast majority of residents who came also opposed Lansing’s massive projects in their rural community. During the current drought, the worst in California history, water is today an even more pressing concern in this rural area that is 100% dependent on groundwater resources. Recently, a hydrology expert, Victor Ponce, at San Diego State University has estimated that Soitec’s four proposed solar projects in Boulevard would use more groundwater than can be replaced through rainfall, putting the entire ecosystem at risk. But Dudek, a consultant hired by Soitec, maintains there is adequate water, as East County Magazine previously reported. Dudek has previously grossly underestimated water use at other projects for developers that paid for the company’s services
OVER A HALF MILLION DOLLARS RAISED LOCALLY TO HELP IRAQI CHRISTIANS
By Miriam Raftery Photo, left: Noori Barka speaks as slideshow depicts Iraqi Christian refugees forced to walk across the desert, fleeing their homeland to escape ISIS terrorists with nothing but the clothes on their backs. September 4, 2014 (ElCajon)–Community members and religious leaders came together on August 27 in El Cajon at a fundraiser to help save Christians in Iraq who have fled their homes to escape the Islamic State imposed by ISIS terrorists. ISIS is systematically massacring Christians and other minorities who refuse to convert to Islam. The event, which was emceed by KCBQ radio host Mark Larson, raised over $588,000. Bishop Sharhad Jammo (photo, right) has pledged to personally travel to the Middle East to deliver the donations, despite grave dangers in the region, where Christian religious leaders have been kidnapped, tortured and murder. Mark Arabo, a national leader of Iraqi Christians, told East County Magazine that the event represented the good will of the people of San Diego. “We all came together for a purpose: ending a genocide and giving hope to the hopeless,” he said. “We will continue to pursue our journey to save 400,000 Christians.” El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells led the pledge of allegiance. Noori Barka spoke about the plight of those forced to flee their homes, showing a slideshow with images as evidence of the suffering, including the burning of an 1,800 year oild church in Mosul by ISIS (photo, left). Other speakers included Bishop Jammo and Pastor Jim Garlow (photo, below right) from Skyline Weslyanne Church. Last weekend, Bishop Jammo spoke at Skyline Church, moving many of the evangelist church parishioners to come to the fundraiser and donate to help Iraqi Christians. Speaking at the fundraiser Wednesday night at St. Peter’s Catholic Cathedral in El Cajon, Pastor Garlow shared chilling details about the brutal treatment of Christians at the hands of ISIS forces, who first humiliate, then kill their victims. Some of the killers boast of collecting women’s body parts; severed heads have been used as footballs , said Garlow. He ended his talk by recalling President John F. Kennedy’s visit to the Berlin Wall, when Kennedy showed solidary in standing with all Berliners. “Tonight, I am a Chaldean,” concluded Garlow, then repeated it in Aramaic to thunderous applause. Donations to the Minority Humanitarian Foundation made be made at http://minorityhf.org/ .
SO CAL HOSTS PICNIC WITH PARROTS OCT. 26: CELEBRATION OF ECO-DIVERSITY
September 4, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – SoCal Parrot is hosting its 2nd Annual Picnic with the Parrots, “A Celebration of Eco-diversity” on Sunday, October 26th 2014. This event is SoCal Parrot’s annual fundraising event and is a rare chance for the public to visit and enjoy the wildlife rehabilitation facility and special animals in a dynamic natural setting. Picnic with the Parrots will be a full day of animal encounters, fun educational activities, expert presentations, live art and eco-oriented community booths, silent auctions and raffles. A limited number of tickets are available now through SoCal Parrot’s website. SoCal Parrot invites animal rescue groups, artists, scholars, eco-friendly businesses and other community organizations to inquire about being involved in this community celebration. A limited number of opportunities are still available. SoCal Parrot is a non-profit, tax-deductible, 501(c)3 organization in Southern California. SoCal Parrot’s mission is to bridge the gap of care and consideration for wild, naturalized parrots and is the only local organization working to help protect these endangered parrots that – while suffering in their native habitats in Mexico, are thriving in Southern California. Funds raised from this event will goes directly toward community education / outreach programs and helps to support the costly care of injured and orphaned wild parrots. For tickets and more information visit http://www.socalparrot.org.
TIPS SOUGHT IN COLD CASE 1987 MURDER OF DIANA GAIL MOFFITT
September 4, 2014 (El Cajon)–The Sheriff’s Homicide Detail wants your help in solving the 1987 murder of Diana Gail Moffitt. On October 9, 1987, road crews found Moffitt’s body in a ditch along Blossom Valley Road in El Cajon. Investigators at the time discovered she had worked as a prostitute in the San Diego and Portland, Oregon areas. Moffitt’s death was ruled as suspicious. No arrest has ever been made in Moffitt’s murder. If you have any information on the murder of Diana Gail Moffitt, call the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail at (858) 974-2321. You can also call the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 is being for information that leads to an arrest. Anonymous email and text messages can be sent in via www.sdcrimestoppers.com.
TROPICAL STORM NORBERT TO DOUSE REGION
East County News Service September 3, 2014 (San Diego) – Tropical Storm Norbert, the remnants of a hurricane, will move northwest off the coast of Baja California this weekend, bringing thunderstorms to Southern California beginning early Sunday. Stormy weather could last through Tuesday, with the highest chance of thunderstorms in the mountains. Flash flooding in mountains and deserts is possible. Along the coast, expect high surf on south-facing beaches especially on Monday. Coastal thunderstorms may also occur, says meteorologist Alexander Tardy at the National Weather Service.