ALPINE’S CASE AGAINST GROSSMONT REVIVED: JUDGE PRESSMAN RESCINDS DISMISSAL OF CASE
East County News Service November 4, 2015 (Alpine)—Superior Court Joel Pressman today announced he will vacate his dismissal of a case filed by the Alpine Union School District and Alpine Taxpayers for Bond Accountability and set a status conference with counsel November 6th. The move comes on the heels of an appellate court ruling yesterday which found the Grossmont Union High School District violated its promise to build an Alpine High School and affirmed Pressman’s earlier order for the Grossmont district to set aside $42 million bond money sufficient to build the school, pending full adjudication of the claim’s merits at trial, as ECM reported. Judge Pressman issued the following statement today, though his court reporter: In light of the Fourth District Court of Appeal’s Decision on Appeal of the Preliminary Injunction, on its own motion, the Court vacates the dismissal entered on October 30, 2015 and will set a hearing to reconsider its ruling on Grossmont’s Summary Judgment. The Court will also reconsider Plaintiff Alpine Union School District and Alpine Taxpayers for Bond Accountability’s Motions for Summary Adjudication. Counsel are to appear on November 6, 2015 at 1:45 pm. for a Status Conference to set a further briefing schedule. Ralf Swenson, Superintendent of the GUHSD, issued this statement on what he referred to as a “roller-coaster ride” on the series of rulings: “We remain optimistic that after further consideration of the evidence, the Court will come to the same conclusion as issued in the final ruling, and ultimately dismiss this matter.” Superintendent Swenson included a statement from the District’s attorney, which reads, “It is apparent that the trial court is proceeding carefully in light of the Court of Appeal decision. However, the Court of Appeal’s decision expressly contemplates that the trial court was and is entitled to consider additional evidence in considering the issues and it did so. To say it most succinctly, the Court of Appeal affirmed the preliminary injunction. It has left it to the trial court to decide the case on a full consideration of the evidence.” Ian Friedman, attorney for Alpine Union School District, told East County Magazine, “The Alpine District is encouraged by the trial court’s recent reversal in light of the 4th appellate district court’s determination the language of propositions H and U contain a promise by Grossmont to construct a new high school in Alpine. We intend to continue all efforts to see these promises fulfilled with the construction of a new high school in Alpine.”
DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS NOV. 5-21
Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link. East County News Service November 5, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) — This week’s Destination East County includes guitar concerts, a Plantstravaganza, the Toast of East County featuring local wineries, the Ramona Art and Wine Festival, and a Punkin Chunkin contest! Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including a harmonica concert, Wrangler at Red Mountain Ranch dinner theatre, a storytelling celebration, and the Mother Goose Parade. Scroll down for details on these events and many more. THIS WEEKS MAJOR ATTRACTIONS ODEUM GUITAR DUO: TOUR OF ITALY NOV. 6 AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE The Grossmont Guitar Guild will present the Odeum Guitar Guitar Duo in a Tour of Italy concert on November 6th at 7 p.m. The concert will be held in the Cuyamaca College Performing Arts Theatre (900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon; tickets $10 general, $8 seniors/faculty, $5 students). RAMONA ART & WINE FESTIVAL NOV. 7 This year’s Ramona Art and Wine Festival will feature 15 local wineries, artists, vendors and chefs on November 7 from 12 noon to 5 p.m. at a new, expanded location at Begent Ranch (18528 Highland Valley Road, Ramona). Hand-painted barrels will be auctioned to benefit the Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project. This 3rd annual event has sold out in the past, so early reservations are recommended. For more information and tickets, visit www.RamonaArtandWineFest.net. RUBEN DELGADO CLASSICAL GUITAR IN LA MESA NOV. 7 Guitarist Ruben Delgado will perform a free concert at the San Pasqual Tasting Room in downtown La Mesa on November 7th from 7 to 19 p.m. He plays classical, Spanish, Latin, popular guitar music, and also writes his own music. There is no cover charge and wine by the glass, cheese & crackers and dessert will be available for sale. FALL PLANTSTRAVAGANZA NOV. 7 The Water Conservation Garden celebrates the fall planting season with the 2015 Fall Plantstravaganza!, on Saturday, November 7th from 10 am to 2 pm, with a special members-only preview sale from 9 am to 10 am. The event aims to help San Diego gardeners make the most of the fall planting season with a plentiful mix of gardening experts and plants offered by local growers and nurseries. The Garden’s gift shop will also be overflowing with unique nature-inspired treasures that are perfect for gift giving. For more information visit www.TheGarden.org. (Admission: Members and Kids 12 and Under FREE; $3 General Admission; Free Parking) TOAST OF EAST COUNTY WINES NOV. 8 There are more than 50 wineries in San Diego County, with more than 40 east of Highway 15. Many of those local east county vintners will have their products highlighted at the inaugural Toast to East County on Sunday, November 8 at Cottonwood Golf Club in El Cajon from 1 to 4 p.m.. In addition to area wines, the public will have a chance to sample other locally-produced foods including olives and honey. There will also be foods from local restaurants and a variety of beers from local craft brewers – all at one convenient location. For tickets and details, visit twww.eastcountychamber.org PUNKIN CHUNKIN’ NOV. 8 IN ALPINE he 2nd Annual Alpine Education Foundation Punkin Chunkin will be held on Sunday. November 8th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to benefit Alpine Schools. This family friendly educational fundraiser requires teams to create a launching device to chunk their pumpkins for accuracy and distance while competing for nearly $2,000 in cash prizes for distance and accuracy. The event will be held at the Joan MacQueen Middle School (2001 Tavern Road) in Alpine. For details visit www.AEF4kids.net MOXIE THEATRE PRESENTS THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE WATSON INTELLIGENCE NOV. 8-DEC. 4 Moxie Theatre (6663 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego) will present The Curious Case of the Watson Intelligence, opening November 8 and running through December 4. The play tells the tale of four companions in a time-jumping tribute – Watson, the trusty sidekick to Sherlock Holmes, a loyal engineer who built Alexander Graham Bell’s first telephone, an unstoppable super-computer that became the reigning Jeopardy! Champ, and an amiable techno-dweeb who is looking for love. For tickets and details, visit www.MoxieTheatre.com . NOW FOR A PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS… THE RAMONA CONCERT ASSOCIATION PRESENTS THE ROBERT BONFIGLIO HARMONICA TRIO NOVEMBER 14 Robert Bonfiglio regularly performs with the world’s top orchestras and symphonies including the Boston Pops with John Williams and the National Symphony at the Kennedy Center in Wash. D.C. Called “the Paganini of the Harmonica” by the Los Angeles Times, Bonfiglio dazzles audiences worldwide with his constant reinvention of the harmonica. With his Trio of Stephen Benson on guitar and Joe Deninzon on the electric 7-string violin, they will perform classical, blues and jazz. Robert has appeared on CBS Sunday Morning, the Today Show and the shows of Larry King and Regis and Kathy Lee. (Check out his website. ) The concert will be held at the Ramona Performing Arts Center on the campus of Olive Peirce Middle School. (1521 Hanson Lane, Ramona) November 14 at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and details on this and other upcoming concerts, visit http://www.ramonaconcerts.com/index.html CIRCLE PLAYERS PRESENT “WRANGLER AT RED MOUNTAIN RANCH” NOV. 13-14 The Circle Players of El Cajon will be performing “Wrangle at Red Mountain Ranch” November 13th and 14th at 7:00pm and November 15th at 2:00pm. This mystery dinner theatre is set at a dude ranch and attendees are encouraged to wear their western attire and have a rip-roarin’ good time! Performances will be held at Richardson Hall, 551 Farragut Circle in El Cajon. All tickets are $20.00 and include a BBQ meal. For reservations or information, please call (619) 588-5348, or e-mail thecircleplayers@gmail.com. The Circle Players is part of the Neighbor to Neighbor program of the First Presbyterian Church of El Cajon. CONNECT LA MESA BLOCK PARTY NOV. 14 Connect La Mesa invites you to bring you family and friends to a fun and interactive Block Party on Saturday, November 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Farmer’s Market parking lot on Allison Avenue. There will something
STORM WALLOPS REGION: TRAPS 20 CARS IN FLOODWATERS
By Miriam Raftery November 4, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) –Last night’s storm brought lightning, thunder and heavy rains across Southern California, bringing welcome relief from drought but wreaking havoc on area highways. All lanes flooded on State Route 94 near the College exit and vehicles exiting on Federal Blvd. quickly became stuck in rising floodwaters reportedly up to the hoods – sending some cars afloat, necessitating rescues. ECM news partner 10 News has video shot by one motorist trapped in flooding: http://www.10news.com/news/video-san-diego-couple-trapped-in-floating-car . The deluge last night fell on already rain-soaked areas from lighter showers earlier in the day. By 1 p.m., over an inch of rain had already fallen in Lemon Grove and many mountain areas, with 1.39 inches recorded at the Pine Hills area near Julian. A power outage left thousands in the dark in portions of the Lake Murray area, Allied Gardens, Del Cerro, Mission Gorge, Grantville and Sycamore Canyon as well as some San Diego neighborhoods. In northern California, snow fell in the Sierras, bringing promise of potential relief from the drought. Mudslides plagued some areas. But the storm also brought moments of rare beauty, such as a double rainbow tweeted by the U.S. Forest Service over its Angeles National Forest headquarters (photo, top of story). Additional showers are expected through this afternoon, the National Weather Service predicts.
EL CAJON POLICE REACH OUT TO PUBLIC TO IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY, ANNOUNCE PLANS TO BEEF UP ENFORCEMENT OF TRAFFIC RULES
View pedestrian safety video from El Cajon Police: http://vimeo.com/116996655 By Miriam Raftery November 3, 2015 (El Cajon) – El Cajon has had 13 pedestrian fatalities in the past 20 months. In the prior 36 months, there were 10 fatalities. So in half the time, there have been double the number of pedestrian deaths. “That concerns us a great deal,” Police Chief Jim Redman told community members at a public safety forum held last month at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, where the department reached out to share safety tips, hear community suggestions, and advise about a new enforcement campaign aimed at saving lives. A “Check before you step” campaign aims to educate the public on how to prevent pedestrian injuries and deaths. A video prepared by the department in English and Arabic points out that drivers are too often distacted or under the influence or drugs or alcohol. But in many cases, pedestrians are at fault. Pedestrians may be uninformed of traffic laws, crossing mid-block (jay-walking) to save time, distracted by cell phones or music, drunk, or dressed in dark clothing that make them invisible to drivers after dark. The problem goes beyond El Cajon. Over 1,000 people in San Diego were injured in pedestrian-vehicle accidents in 2012, the last year for which statistics are available countywide, and that included 70 deaths from jaywalking. About 80% of El Cajon’s pedestrian collisions involve adults, with only about 20% involving juveniles. Why does El Cajon have so many pedestrian accidents? There are several factors. The area is served by three trolleys and multiple bus stops, so there are many pedestrians in the area, many heading to or from local schools, parks, or the downtown business district. The city also has many immigrants and newcomers who may not be familiar with local traffic laws and safety guidelines. Police seek to dispel the “myth” that pedestrians have the right of way. One officer noted, “The car wins, even if you’re right,” and urges pedestrians to follow the rules. The problems are being addressed through education, engineering such as adding better lighting and sidewalks in some areas, and enforcement—including citations. Jaywalking tickets can be expensive – around $192 for a first offense, and higher for multiple offenses. The fines are set by the court, not by police. For every 10% increase in enforcement, there is a 10% decrease in traffic collisions, according to the department. In 2012, the department made 1800 contacts and issued 1100 citations, of which 640 were pedestrians. Some got two tickets in the same day-apparently not getting the message. In addition, 69 people were arrested and 43 vehicles impounded. Engineering improvements include a $500,000 grant from CalTrans amd Rady Children’s Hospital to create safe routes to six schools in El Cajon. Pedestrian safety improvements have also targeted Greenfield Drive near a middle school with no sidewalks; improvements slated include sidewalks, curbs, ramps and speed feedback signs. Projects have been completed with federal grantsw near Madison and Johnson Avenues and Rentee. Pedestrians walking at night should wear light-colored clothing with neon reflective bands or better yet, flashing lights on back; also use a flashlight. Only cross in crosswalks and wait for the walk symbol. Never jaywalk between intersections. Look both ways before crossing the street. Bicyclists should follow traffic rules and don’t drive the wrong way against traffic or on sidewalks. Drivers should use extra caution, slow down, and watch for pedestrians—even if you can’t see them.
ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS
November 3, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)– East County Magazine’s World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include: U.S. Budget deal includes Social Security, Medicare reforms (The Hill) “We need an energy miracle” (The Atlantic) Exxon sealed our fate: The campaign of misinformation and outright lies that ensured planetary disaster (Salon) Update: U.S. military ignored child rape since 2003 (Examiner) Paul Ryan elected House speaker (CNN) House GOP moves to impeach IRS chief (The Hill) Shrinking naval forces need boost (San Diego Union-Tribune) GDP growth slows as inventories fall (Marketplace) Largest U.S. banks face $120 billion shortfall under new rule (Reuters) Walgreen’s buying Rite-Aid for $9.4 billion in cash (CBS) Presidential campaign: Trump? Carson? Rubio steals the debate show (Politico) AP Fact check: The Republican debaters and the facts (Associated Press) Is Democratic socialism the right path for America? (CNN) Ben Carson once again compares something to slavery, this time abortion (HuffPost) WORLD Russian plane crash over Sinai: was there an explosion? (CNN) U.S. signals shift in Syria-Iraq campaign against Islamic State (BBC) Parliament vote could lead to EU freedom for Snowden (CS Monitor) Beit Hagai mother of eight slashed by terrorist near Gush Etzion junction (JPost) Watch: ISIS threatens Jews, Israel with ‘big war’ in second Hebrew video(JPost) For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down. U.S. Budget deal includes Social Security, Medicare reforms (The Hill) GOP leaders and the White House are pushing structural reforms to Social Security and Medicare that would avert the double-digit increases expected next year for many beneficiaries in both programs while saving billions in other areas… In addition… the deal would enact a series of changes to both the disability and Medicare programs — some of which could be tough for Democrats to stomach. “We need an energy miracle” (The Atlantic) Bill Gates has committed his fortune to moving the world beyond fossil fuels and mitigating climate change. Exxon sealed our fate: The campaign of misinformation and outright lies that ensured planetary disaster (Salon) New investigation finds oil company understood dangers of climate change a full 11 years before the public. Update: U.S. military ignored child rape since 2003 (Examiner) Three weeks ago a few media outlets, including San Diego 6 News, covered allegations that US military leadership told service members to look away when they saw indications of child sex abuse in Afghanistan. After reporting the lurid details that ended several military careers for standing up for the child victims, the Pentagon said they would finally investigate the allegations. Paul Ryan elected House speaker (CNN) … The vote was largely a formality after House Republicans nominated him for the position on Wednesday. But even some conservatives who did not support Ryan said that after weeks of infighting, they were eager to move on and give Ryan the space to unite the party’s various factions and craft a legislative agenda. Trump? Carson? Rubio steals the debate show (Politico) The Florida senator ditches his low profile, confronting Bush head-on and attacking the media. AP Fact check: The Republican debaters and the facts (Associated Press) Ben Carson pitched a tax plan with numbers that didn’t add up. Donald Trump boasted that he’s paying his own way in the campaign, but he isn’t. Chris Christie accused the government of stealing Social Security money that it has actually borrowed — and will pay back with interest.Reality got twisted out of shape on a number of fronts in the fast-paced Republican presidential debate Wednesday night. Is Democratic socialism the right path for America? (CNN) At the first Democratic debate, Sen. Bernie Sanders acquainted many Americans with the term he uses to describe his program: “democratic socialism”…What is democratic socialism and how would it change America’s capitalist economy? And is it the right path for the United States? CNN Opinion invited political scientists, economists and other experts to weigh in. Ben Carson once again compares something to slavery, this time abortion (Huffington Post) The insurgent GOP candidate says no to exceptions for rape and incest. House GOP moves to impeach IRS chief (The Hill) House Republicans have moved to impeach IRS Commissioner John Koskinen, arguing he violated the public trust. Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) introduced an impeachment resolution Tuesday, days after the Justice Department concluded its investigation into IRS targeting of Tea Party groups with no charges filed. Shrinking naval forces need boost (San Diego Union-Tribune) Our shipbuilding program is so anemic that it imperils national security. GDP growth slows as inventories fall (Marketplace) The Commerce Department reports that gross domestic product — the total of all goods and services the U.S. economy produces — rose at a 1.5 percent annual rate in the third quarter of 2015. The preliminary estimate represents a significant decline from GDP growth in the second quarter of 2015 of 3.9 percent. Largest U.S. banks face $120 billion shortfall under new rule (Reuters) Six big U.S. banks need to raise an additional $120 billion, most likely in long-term debt, under a rule proposed on Friday by the Federal Reserve. The requirements are aimed at ensuring that some of the biggest and most interconnected banks…can better withstand another crisis.. without disrupting markets or requiring a government bailout. Walgreen’s buying Rite-Aid for $9.4 billion in cash (CBS) Walgreens, the biggest U.S. drugstore chain, on Tuesday confirmed it would buy Rite Aid (RAD) for $9.41 billion in cash. WORLD Russian plane crash over Sanai: was there an explosion? (CNN) Was a midair heat flash that a U.S. satellite detected over the Sinai Peninsula when the flight went down a sign of an explosion aboard the plane? …There are a wide range of theories on what made the passenger jet plunge to the ground, killing all 224 people on board,…officials
EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS
November 3, 2015 (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 San Diego’s Ambulance Service Assesses Slow Response Times (KPBS) Rival buys Rural Metro ambulance company (San Diego Union-Tribune) Study Shows Scope Of Sex Trafficking In San Diego County (KPBS) Can L.A. billionaire’s cash halt U-T layoffs? (San Diego Reader) Details emerge in investigation of YMCA of San Diego management (KPBS) Laser hits Lindbergh bound plane; pilot taken to hospital (San Diego Union-Tribune) STATE California fines top health insurers for overstating Obamacare networks (Los Angeles Times) Signature gathering starts for California legalization of marijuana (Times of San Diego) Lawsuit: Cal-Fire director ordered grieving families kept ignorant of death benefits (Sacramento Bee) For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down. LOCAL San Diego’s Ambulance Service Assesses Slow Response Times(KPBS) The city requires ambulances to meet certain response times in four zones 90 percent of the time. However, data from July, August and September showed that the benchmarks were met between 84 percent and 87 percent of the time. Rival buys Rural Metro ambulance company (San Diego Union-Tribune) The Scottsdale, Arizona, company was sold to the parent company of rival American Medical Response, or AMR, based in Greenwood Village, Colorado… Rural Metro has provided ambulance service in San Diego since 1997 without a competitive bidding process… The company was fined $230,000 earlier this month for failing to meet response times required in the contract …Rural Metro issued a “plan to cure” saying it would pay double-time when needed, offer incentive bonuses to eligible recruits and take additional steps to improve staffing levels and service. Study Shows Scope Of Sex Trafficking In San Diego County (KPBS) San Diego County law enforcement has long known that human sex trafficking was a significant problem here. Now, for the first time, instead of just anecdotes there are numbers to reveal the scope of the problem. Can L.A. billionaire’s cash halt U-T layoffs? (San Diego Reader) Broad foundation funding emerges as source of influence in Los Angeles Times intrigue Details emerge in investigation of YMCA of San Diego management (KPBS) The YMCA of San Diego County is facing turmoil at the top. KPBS previously reported that the YMCA’s corporate board had hired a consultant to oversee an investigation into mismanagement allegations. Here are edited excerpts from an interview with KPBS Investigative reporter Amita Sharma. Laser hits Lindbergh bound plane; pilot taken to hospital (San Diego Union-Tribune) …Lindbergh Field tower officials told San Diego police that the laser strike occurred four to five miles southwest of the airport, police Officer Dino Delimitros said. It was reported about 9:15 p.m….It was the second such incident reported locally in a month. On Sept. 30, a SkyWest plane heading to San Diego was hit with a laser flash about 11:50 p.m. about 10 miles east of the airport. STATE California fines top health insurers for overstating Obamacare networks (Los Angeles Times) The state’s Department of Managed Health Care levied fines of $350,000 against Blue Shield of California and $250,000 for Anthem Blue Cross. At issue were the companies’ error-riddled provider directories that frustrated many consumers statewide as they tried to find doctors during the rollout of the Affordable Care Act in 2014. As a result, some patients incurred big unforeseen medical bills because they unwittingly went out of network for care…In addition to the state’s enforcement action, consumer lawsuits are still pending against both insurers. Signature gathering starts for California legalization of marijuana (Times of San Diego) What could be a resolution to the long-running debate over medical marijuana in San Diego and across California took a step forward Friday when backers of a proposal to legalize the drug won the state’s OK to gather petition signatures needed to put the idea before voters. If enacted, the state would see a huge financial windfall through law enforcement cost savings and the new taxation of the drug and drug businesses. Lawsuit: Cal-Fire director ordered grieving families kept ignorant of death benefits (Sacramento Bee) Former Cal Fire manager says Director Ken Pimlott threatened his job if he disobeyed. Cal Fire says, ‘This allegation is not true’
APPEALS COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF ALPINE, AGAINST GROSSMONT HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT—IN CONFLICT WITH TRIAL JUDGE’S ACTION
East County News Service Updated November 4, 2015 with reactions and Judge Pressman’s final ruling. November 3, 2015 (Alpine) –California’s 4th district court of Appeal has handed down a ruling in favor of the Alpine Union School District and Alpine Taxpayers for Responsibility against the Grossmont Union High School District– a ruling in apparent conflict with Superior Court Joel Pressman’s most recent action. The ruling comes just hours after Pressman announced a decision to throw out the lawsuit entirely (dismissing it with prejudice) – reversing his earlier decision to set a December trial date and upholding his tentative ruling from last week. In so doing, he contradicted his own earlier findings and instead, determined that Propositions H and U did not obligate the GUHSD to build a high school for Alpine. But the appellate court found just the opposite.The appellate court found the district violated its promise to build the Alpine High School and affirmed Pressman’s earlier order for the GUHSD to set aside bond moneys sufficient to build the school, pending full adjudication of the claim’s merits at trial.–a trial that may never occur, based on Pressman’s latest action. The appellate court found that “We conclude the trial court properly found Grossmont promised to construct a new high school for the Alpine area.” The court noted that both Prop H and Prop U could be constructed as such, but that Prop U’s language was specific for “constructing a new school in Alpine/Blossom Valley” adding “Contrary to Grossmont’s argument, those propositions did not leave the decision as to which projects would be funded…solely to the discretion of Grossmont’s board. …Contrary to Grossmont’s argument, we do not believe that language gives its board unfettered discretion to ignore its promise to construct a new high school in the Alpine area.” The court also cited evidence that Grossmont was “rapidly spendindg bond proceeds on projects other than a new high school” as evidence the district lacked intent to honor its promise, further finding that “Grossmont had either broken its promise or was unlikely to fulfill its promise to construct a new high school in the Alpine area within a reasonable time frame using Prop. U bond proceeds.” The appellate further suggested that a trial court could have “reasonably found incredible, or at least greatly exaggerated, Grossmont’s argument that it would have to lay off staff members and terminate the services of hundreds of local contractors and other workers were the preliminary injunction issued.” The ruilings come on the heels of the County Board of Education ruling in favor of Alpine parents’ request to break away from the GUHSD and unify with the Alpine Union School District so that it can expand from elementary and middle school to build the high school with funds secured from Grossmont through the suit. Unification is pending a decision by the State Department of Education and ultimately, a vote by Alpine voters. The appellate court concluded that the trial court did not abuse discretion by issuing the mandatory preliminary injunction until a trial on the cases’ merits. But Judge Pressman’s inexplicable decision to halt that trial despite the appellate court’s findings leaves the fate of Alpine students and district funding in limbo—an exercise in frustration and confusion for those who have fought more than two decades to obtain a high school for Alpine’s teens. The Grossmont district’s attorney, Warrington Park told the San Diego Union-Tribune, “Grossmont can now go back to what it has always done and that is serve all those in the Grossmont community, including Alpine. I think what the judge wanted to do was see all the evidence that bore on the issue, and once he saw everything, he rightly concluded there was no obligation.” But Grossmont trustee Priscilla Schreiber, who has clashed with the board majority and has consistently supported the Alpine community, voiced bafflement and frustration, noting that “reeling from one shocking decision to a ray of hope, in a matter of a couple of days, is a bit much to take in. It seems from the quotes in the UT that the District and its attorney believe they have prevailed and that the issue is resolved? Did they not read the appellate court brief?” she asked in an e-mail sent to East County Magazine. Schreiber believes the appellate court’s ruling seems “pretty definitive with regard to the injunction. So to me, the appellate court not only upheld the trial judge’s reasoning for imposing the injunction, in the first place, but argued strongly that the promise to build the school was an obligation under both Propositions, as well as, the actions the District took towards building the school were all part and parcel of a promise/expectation/obligation. It was an excellent brief and one I am hopeful will remind the judge of why he did the right thing to begin with,” she added. “If I read the tentative/final ruling correctly, the judge reversed his stance and no longer believed the bases of his own argument for the injunction, making no sense.”