ASSEMBLYMEMBER VOEPEL SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR 2017 WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Local honoree will be recognized in Sacramento on March 6 January 25, 2017 (Sacramento) — Assemblymember Randy Voepel, R-Santee, invites constituents to nominate extraordinary women in their communities for consideration as the 2017 Woman of the Year for the 71st Assembly District. “There are countless women all throughout the 71st District who sacrifice time and energy in order to help improve our community,” said Voepel. “They do it not because they expect any sort of benefit, but because they simply want to improve the lives of others. It’s important that we recognize the efforts of those who go above and beyond the call of duty, and that’s why I am so honored to be offering this recognition.” Held annually, the Woman of the Year ceremony celebrates the contributions of exceptional women from across California. The 2017 Women of the Year for the state of California will be recognized in Sacramento on Monday, March 6 at a special ceremony held during Assembly session, along with honorees representing all 80 Assembly Districts and 40 Senate Districts. Honorees typically include elected officials, teachers, leaders in non-profit organizations and civic volunteers. Assemblymember Voepel is asking constituents throughout the 71st Assembly District to submit names of women who are making a difference in their communities. Constituents can submit their nominations for Woman of the Year by filling out the nomination form. Nominations must be submitted by Friday, February 17. Assemblymember Voepel will review the nominations and announce their selection shortly thereafter. Assemblyman Randy Voepel represents the 71st Assembly District, which includes the communities of eastern San Diego County, including Alpine, Borrego Springs, Casa de Oro – Mount Helix, El Cajon, Lakeside, Jamul, Ramona, Rancho San Diego, Santee and Spring Valley; and southern Riverside County, including Anza, Aguanga, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, Lake Riverside and Mountain Center. Prior to his election to the Assembly, Voepel served as the Mayor of Santee for 16 years.
TRUMP CANCELS TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP (TPP) TRADE DEAL
By Miriam Raftery January 25, 2017 (San Diego) – President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to cancel the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact with 12 Pacific Rim nations. The action is being hailed by even many Trump opponents who did not support the trade deal, but has drawn criticism from others, particularly in the business community. “The victory against the TPP belongs to the people,” says Evan Greer, director of Fight for the Future, a digital rights group that organized some of the largest protests against the TPP. “An unprecedented international movement of people and organizations from across the political spectrum came together and led nothing short of an uprising that stopped an outright corporate takeover of our democratic process.” The TPP was initially supported by the Obama administration but ultimately failed to win passage in Congress. Top leaders and presidential candidates in both parties ultimately turned against the TPP following a public outcry that made support toxic for those seeking election or reelection. Trump campaigned on withdrawing the U.S. from the proposed TPP, arguing that free trade agreements such as the TPP, NAFTA and CAFTA benefited global special interests at the expense of U.S. workers. Signing the order, he called it a “great thing for the American worker.” The Obama administration’s arguments for the TPP included opening new markets for US manufacturers to sell goods overseas, which could have increased jobs in U.S. factories. Obama’s team also believed the TPP would provide an opportunity to raise environmental and labor standards in the member nations and limit growing Chinese influence. Pulling out of the pact, the President and supporters of the TPP argued, would benefit China and the remaining nations now apt to form their own trade deal without the United States. The TPP would have phased out around 18,000 tariffs those other 11 countries have on imported goods from the U.S. It also would have established rules for international trade including digital commerce, intellectual property rights, human rights and environmental rights. While that could help prohibit practices such as child labor overseas, opponents argued that some U.S. labor standards would be weakened, along with environmental standards. Some Republicans objected to the TPP because it would have limited monopoly protections on brand-name drugs made by big pharmaceutical companies. Organized labor and many Democrats opposed the deal because it lacked what they viewed as enforceable protections against manipulation of currency values by other countries. Many also raised concerns that the TPP would open the door to foreign interests suing through special trade tribunals to block local, state or federal policies in the U.S. such as consumer safety or environmental protections. Some also feared internet censorship and erosion of creators’ copyrights. The TPP was carved out largely in secret, and though some objections were addressed with side agreements, but the public was not allowed to see what went on behind closed doors. Fight for the Future’s leader Evan Greer concludes, “Corporations attempted to turn the deal into a wish list for policies they knew they could not pass through a more transparent process. But an unlikely band of labor unions and tech companies, environmentalists, hackers, and Tea Party patriots took on the world’s largest and most powerful corporations, and we won.”
WOMEN’S GROUP TO FLY PLANE WITH BANNER OVER GOP RETREAT: “FOX POLL: ACA MORE POPULAR THAN TRUMP”
East County News Service January 25, 2017 (Philadelphia) — On Thursday, January 26th, as Donald Trump meets with Republican Congressional leaders at the Loews Hotel in Philadelphia debating how to repeal the Affordable Care Act, UltraViolet, a national women’s advocacy organization, will fly a plane banner over the meeting reading: “Fox Poll: ACA More Popular Than Trump.” UltraViolet’s plane cites a new poll from Fox News that found that 50 percent of voters feel favorably about the Affordable Care Act. The same poll found that only 42 percent of American voters feel favorably about President Trump. “We know that Trump is a narcissist. So we are sending him and the GOP a loud and clear message — Obamacare is more popular than you. We’re sure he’ll love that,” said Shaunna Thomas, co-founder of Ultraviolet. Many Americans have mixed views on the ACA, also called Obamacare, supporting some provisions but seeking reforms, not repeal, to resolve issues. The program that provided insurance to 20 million Americans who lacked health insurance before. The ACA had been blamed for Aetna pulling out of the healthcare market, but in a court case this week, a judge concluded that Aetna lied and the real reason for its withdrawal related to its attempted merger with Humana. Critics have called for higher reimbursements for doctors and lower premiums for middle income earners on the ACA. The Republican Senate has already voted to begin repealing the ACA but has not passed nor disclosed any detailed replacement plan. When pressed, GOP leaders have said any plan should allow “access” to healthcare for those who can afford it. Liberals have called for guaranteed healthcare for all, while some conservatives want to revert to a market-based healthcare system but without guarantees such as not losing coverage due to preexisting conditions. “Make no mistake – repealing the Affordable Care Act would literally cost thousands of women their lives. Whether it was the ACA’s guaranteed coverage of screening tests for cervical or breast cancer, comprehensive maternity care, domestic violence counseling or access to birth control and emergency contraception – for millions of American women the real health care benefits provided by this law are not negotiable,” continued Thomas. “Nearly 30 million Americans rely on the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion for insurance – and because of the law, we now have the lowest uninsured rate in US history. President Trump and Congressional Republicans want to take us back to a time where women paid more for health insurance and millions of Americans died unable to afford care. We will not let that happen.” UltraViolet members will also join the thousands of people rallying outside the Loews Hotel to protest President Trump and his plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
JANET AND GEORGE GASTIL-THE LEGACY CONTINUES
By Mimi Pollack January 24, 2017 (Lemon Grove) — In her 80 years, Janet Gastil has worn many hats and is a true Renaissance woman. She has been a wife and mother, teacher, musician, realtor, and politician. Her son, George, has followed in Janet’s footsteps, dedicating himself to teaching and public service, as well as raising his family. Janet Manly Gastil was born in 1936 in Long Island, but moved to San Diego in 1946 when she was 10 years old. Like her mother, Gastil suffered from asthma, so going west improved their health. Both of her parents were attorneys and active in social causes, which helped to shape their only child. A student prodigy, Gastil received her BA in English from San Diego State University [back then known as San Diego State College] at 19. She was awarded a Woodrow Wilson fellowship to Duke University where she got her MA at 20. She returned to San Diego and continued her graduate studies at UCLA from 1957 to 1959. She worked as a teacher’s aide there and reconnected with an old family friend, Gordon Gastil, a geology professor, eight years her senior. That connection grew romantic, and nine months later, despite their parents’ objections over the age difference, they got married. The marriage lasted 54 years and produced four children. They moved back to San Diego in 1959 after their first child was born. Gordon began his renowned 35 year career in geology as a professor and mentor to many at SDSU. Janet began teaching English at San Diego Junior College -today it is City College-, but her stubborn, independent streak prevailed, and she quit after one year when she had a conflict with the administration over academic freedom. She left teaching and focused on raising her children. The Gastils moved to La Mesa in 1963, and in 1966, they designed and built an adobe house in the old “Californio” style (where they lived until Gordon passed away in 2012. A feminist, who also loyally stood by her husband’s side, Janet was his caregiver in his last years.) In 1968, Janet became actively involved in politics, as did Gordon who went on to run for Congress in 1976. Janet served as his campaign manager. In 1977, she was elected to the school board of the La Mesa/Spring Valley school district, where she served for 14 years. In 1992 and in 1994, she ran for U.S. Congress against Duncan Hunter. Although she lost both times, she gave Hunter a run for his money in the 1992 campaign, receiving more votes than any other challenger against Hunter. In 1996, she ran for State Assembly against Steve Baldwin. She retired from running for public office after that, but still served as the president of two different Democratic Clubs as well as serving on the executive board of the California Democratic Party in 2013. She also actively campaigned for her son, George, on his campaigns for various offices that he held in Lemon Grove and for his 2016 bid for Mayor of Lemon Grove, which he narrowly lost. She and Gordon also co-authored a book, “Follow the Sun”, which won the San Diego Book Award in 2006 for best historical fiction by a San Diego author. It’s the story of the world’s first geologist, who also happens to be the first person to go all around the earth, including Mexico, Morocco, Egypt, Hispaniola, California, Alaska, China, and other places. The overall plan and the science part were written by Gordon, as well as the poetry and some of the narrative. The modern travel parts and a lot of the text were written by Janet. Finally, there is her love of music. She took violin lessons as a child, and in 1968, she began giving violin classes through the Suzuki Strings program at SDSU. She went back to school herself and finished a second BA in music in 1976. She has been a violinist for the Tifereth Israel Synagogue for 20 years and before that, she played for the Jewish Community Center Orchestra. This Renaissance woman also had a successful real estate business for 30 years. She had a Quaker business philosophy in running her company as she believed in environmental preservation among other things. Indeed, it hard to describe all that this lively woman has done, but she still goes through life with determination, boundless energy, and a twinkle in her eye. The apple does not fall far from the tree/ Her son, George Gastil, 53, has his mother’s energy and sense of justice. In addition, as a middle child, he has an easygoing way about him and likes to resolve conflict. George has followed in his parents’ footsteps in wanting to be of public service since he was young. George Gastil graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a master’s degree in history. He returned to San Diego to become a teacher, and has worked as an adjunct professor at every single community college in San Diego County except Miracosta College! He has since narrowed it down to two schools, and he currently works at Grossmont College and SDSU. His specialty is California history, especially early California history, and his passion for teaching has earned him high marks from his students. In addition, he has been active in fighting for better working conditions for adjunct teachers. George’s easy way with people was put to good use when he began writing a weekly column about public events in Lemon Grove for the Daily Californian in 1993. In 1994, he moved to Lemon Grove with his family and ran for the school board, winning a seat in 1998. He served on the board for ten years and was the board’s president in 2007. In 2008, he was elected to the Lemon Grove City Council where he remained until 2016. Furthermore, in 2002 George joined the staff of State Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny. He served as the Senator’s local liaison for education,
PICKWICK PLAYERS PRESENT “TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD” FEB. 17-26 AT OFF BROADWAY LIVE IN SANTEE
“If our democracy is to work in this increasingly diverse nation, each one of us must try to heed the advice of one of the great characters in American fiction, Atticus Finch, who said “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”- President Barack Obama, Farewell Address January 2017 Source: Pickwick Players January 24, 2017 (Santee) — Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird is the timeless and timely story of Atticus Finch, a widower, and his children Scout and Jem in the summer of 1935 in their town of Maycomb, Alabama. Atticus strives to raise his children to be willing to see the world from other people’s perspective, to “walk around in other people’s shoes”. Over the course of the story, a young black man is unfairly accused of accosting a white woman and Atticus agrees to defend him. Atticus’ morality and honor puts not only his client, but his children and himself in grave danger. Published in 1960, this coming-of-age story of prejudice and violence, tolerance and community is as relevant today as it was when it was published nearly 57 years ago. The stories of Scout, Jem, their friend Dill and their community has been a staple of English classes since publication and holds an honored place in American literature. It is a story to which almost everyone can relate to it in one way or another, be it they the subjects of family, race, inclusion, honor, cowardice, injustice, love, hate, friendship, justice, or just plain growing up. The novel was adapted to a screenplay which won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1962 This production by the nonprofit Pickwick Players Feb. 17-26 coincides with the one-year anniversary of the death of Harper Lee and benefits from interest in the story due to the publication of Go Set A Watchman (billed as a sequel to the original book) in 2015. This exciting, funny, moving, and insightful play is a must-see for the whole family. The production team is led by Tyler Richards Hewes (Director), Frank Remiatte (Producer), Robyn Smith (Assistant Director), Dee Segui (Scenic Design) and Mark Zetler (Lighting Designer). DATES: February 17-February 26, 2017 TIMES: Friday & Saturday at 7:30 Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Saturday Matinee at 2:00 p.m. on February 25 TICKETS: $17-23 Off Broadway Live is located at 9490 Cuyamaca Street in Santee, California http://www.pickwickplayers.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/TKAM-Poster-791×1024.jpg
SAN MIGUEL FIRE BOARD TO CONSIDER CHANGING DISPATCH SERVICES TO HEARTLAND; CRITICS SAY COST WILL BE HIGHER
East County News Service January 24, 2017 (Spring Valley) – San Miguel Fire District’s board meets Wednesday, January 25 at 5:30 p.m. in the District’s board room (2850 Via Orange way in Spring Valley). The hot agenda item is a proposal to shift dispatch services from CAL FIRE to Heartland Communications, by joining Heartland’s Joint Powers Agremeent along with the cities of El Cajon, Lemon Grove, La Mesa and Santee as well as fire districts in Alpine and Lakeside. Patrick Walker, Deputy District Vice President for CAL FIRE’s union local 2881, says this would cost over $800,000. “CAL FIRE Firefighters Local #2881 opposes this move,” says Walker, adding that “the agreement is $250,000 more than the cost of CAL FIRE dispatching.” He faults the board, stating, “Once again, no study was done and they refused to obtain a free quote, not just from CAL FIRE, but other agencies as well.” The board, prior to the November election, voted to undo a partnership with CAL FIRE and return the district to local control as a free-standing district. San Miguel partnered with Cal Fire initially when the district was facing a budget shortfall during the recession. But Walker slammed current board members backed by former San Miguel Firefighters union members, as being “irresponsible” and influenced by special interests.
WOMAN HIT CROSSING STREET IN SANTEE, SERIOUSLY INJURED
East County News Service January 24, 2017 (Santee) – A woman pedestrian around 50 years old was struck by a vehicle and seriously injured Friday, January 20th around 5:35 p.m. while crossing Magnolia Avenue in front of the 7-11 store on Woodside Avenue. According to Sergeant Mike McNeill with the Sheriff’s department, the woman was outside the marked crosswalk when she was struck by a silver Ford Fusion driven by a 79-year-old driver. The victim sustained major injuries to her head and upper body. She was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital. Traffic investigators from the Sheriff’s Santee station are conducting the investigation.
BOYS BASKETBALL: MATADORS PULVERIZE BRAVES 70-32
Do you have a son or daughter that plays a sport at a level other than varsity? Drop a line on this story or tweet @ECMagSports to request coverage! Like our sports coverage? Donate to help support ECM’s sports section! Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories! Story and photos by Liz Alper January 24, 2017 (El Cajon) – Deep in the heart of conference play, the El Cajon Valley High School Braves varsity boys basketball team looked to improve their 0-2 record in conference play against the Matadors of Mount Miguel. The Matadors took advantage of the Braves’ 3-14 record by putting on an absolute clinic in the first half, only allowing El Cajon Valley to score 13 points. By halftime, the Matadors led 49-13. Mount Miguel’s attack slowed down a bit in the second half as they turned the ball over more, but they still were able to put up good numbers offensively. El Cajon Valley, on the other hand, couldn’t stop Mount Miguel’s fast breaks, quick layups, dunks and threes. By the end of the third quarter, the Matadors led the Braves by 43 points–impressive for a high school basketball team–61-18. In the fourth, the Matadors calmed down and played relaxed basketball. The Braves calmed down too, but only because they knew there’d be no catching up. The Matadors dominated and improved their record to over .500 (9-8) with a huge 70-32 win. The Braves fall to 3-15. The Braves face Monte Vista on Friday night. Tipoff is at 7:00 p.m. As for the Matadors, they’ll play Friday night as well against the Vaqueros of El Capitan. Tipoff is also at 7:00 p.m.
TRUMP CANCELS FUNDING FOR NONPROFITS HELPING WOMEN AND BABIES OVERSEAS
By Miriam Raftery January 24, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – Federal funding for abortions has long been banned, including under the Obama administration. But now President Donald Trump has gone farther, signing an executive order to ban all funding for nonprofits that provide abortions overseas, even money that provide vital women’s health services such as birth control, mammograms, pre-natal and maternity care. Trump’s action could result in 6.5 million unintended pregnancies, 21,700 mothers dying, 2.1 million unsafe abortions, and countless deaths of newborn babies from preventable conditions, according to the U.S. Agency for International Development. The President’s action comes just one day after the women’s march drew 2.9 million people urging support for women’s rights. For women in Zika-infected areas, not having access to contraception could mean many babies born with microcephaly, severe brain damage and other serious birth defects. In Africa, where AIDS is rampant, condoms save lives. Lack of care during pregnancies can put unborn babies at risk. One program funded by the federal government has resulted in a 55% drop in maternal deaths during childbirth in Zambia, to cite just one example. California’s new Senator, Kamala Harris, tweeted an image of the all-male political leaders on hand for the signing with her message stating, “This group just made it more difficult for women to get access to health care worldwide. You tell me what’s wrong with this picture.” President Trump is continuing Ronald Reagan’s legacy by taking immediate action on day one to stop the promotion of abortion through our tax dollars overseas,” insists Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the anti-abortion advocacy group Susan B. Anthony List. But cutting off money for non-abortion services such as pre-natal and maternity care will in fact result in the deaths of many babies born with preventable, life-threatening birth defects or other serious conditions. Eliminating funds for cancer screenings and care for women during pregnancy and childbirth also puts the lives of women around the world at risk, making it hard to justify the “pro-life” description of Trump’s executive action.
READERS SHARE SCARY STORM STORIES
By Miriam Raftery Photo: Crestwood summit on I-8 by Don Lumb January 24, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – “I was nearly killed by a large boulder on Friday night,” a reader told ECM, adding that multiple rock slides occurred along the highway to Ramona along the San Pasqual grade. “The County needs to evaluate that road right now before people are killed by the boulders.” Heavy snow fell on Mt. Laguna and Julian, also blanketing Interstate 8 from Japatul Valley to In-Ko-Pah. Visibility was poor, leading to multiple crashes. Don Lumb sent photos from the Crestwood summit on I-8, noting, “Almost got stuck on the grade due to inexperienced drivers spinning out.” In Jamul, Kate Campbell warned, “Several motorists cleared a rock fall on a bend on Jamul Drive, half a mile from the elementary school.” Debris remained scattered on the slippery road, she advised. The Deerhorn Valley Antler reported several flooded spots Monday along Highway 94 including dips at Deerhorn Valley Road and Honey Springs. “Smart folks looked at their own vehicles and the depth/speed of the water, then made a safe decision,” Kim Hamilton wrote, adding that there were no reports of vehicles stuck or swept away. Readers reported hailstones in Spring Valley, Mount Helix, Lemon Grove and other areas. Liz Young sent a video taken in the Proctor Valley area of Jamul, where thunderstorms and heavy downpours led to closure of Proctor Valley Road on Monday: https://youtu.be/CSnTcBYLDGM. In Rainbow, Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team members looking for a child who reportedly was spotted in swiftly moving waters of Rainbow Creek made a grim discovering, finding a man’s body and a submerged car. In the South Bay area, high winds toppled over 100 trees. On Mt. Helix, a homeowner lost a large oak tree; in Alpine, a eucalyptus fell on the Alpine VFW Hall. Elsewhere downed trees damaged cars, homes and an apartment building. While some suffered damages, others celebrated a sight not often seen in San Diego after years of drought: normally dry creeks and rivers suddenly filled with running water. Colin and Janice Campbell shot video of rushing waters in Viejas Creek in Alpine: https://youtu.be/YY26LcEgmq4.