SUPERVISORS TO HOLD HEARING FEB. 26 ON PROPOSED ZONING LANGUAGE FOR FORMER FOREST CONSERVATION INITIATIVE (FCI) PROPERTIES
East County News Service February 25, 2020 (San Diego) – On Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 9 a.m., San Diego County’s Planning & Development Services will present to the Board of Supervisors a Zoning Ordinance amendment to include “Former Forest Conservation Initiative Properties Overlay of Part Five: Special Area Regulations” on former Forest Conservation Initiative lands that lie outside of Village or Rural Village boundaries. The Forest Conservation initiative passed initially by voters once protected extensive forest lands in the vicinity of Cleveland National Forest, but the measure expired through sunsetting and was not renewed by Supervisors. The Overlay does not change underlying land use regulations or General Plan densities. However, it requires additional analyses and findings before approval of any proposals that increase residential density on these lands beyond what is currently allowed by the General Plan. The Supervisors meeting will be held in the County Administration office at 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, Room on the north end of the third floor. The official agenda, Board Letter, and supporting materials have been published and are available on the Clerk of the Board website at: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/cob/bosa/bos-calendar-meetings.html?date=02/26/2020&meetingtype=BOARD OF SUPERVISORS – Wed The Board Letter contains a description and analysis of the proposed changes as well asn public input received as of the date of printing. Additional public comments can be directly submitted to the Clerk of the Board at publiccomment@sdcounty.ca.gov until 5:00 p.m. on February 25, 2020. Please reference the hearing date and agenda item in your correspondence. The project website is also available with additional information: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/pds/advance/FCIzoningupdate.html If you have any questions about the Board of Supervisors or project website materials, you can contact Robert Efird, project manager at: PDS.advanceplanning@sdcounty.ca.gov (858) 505-6677 If you wish to speak at the Board hearing, you must submit a Request to Speak form to the Clerk of the Board, prior to the scheduled 9:00 a.m. start of the meeting. The general policy of the Board regarding individuals who wish to address the Board is to allow up to three minutes per person and up to 15 minutes for organized group presentations of three or more people – please note each member of the group is required to speak. For additional information on public participation at Board hearings, see the following link: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/bos/boardrules.html#4 In addition to the Board Chambers, you may watch the hearing from several locations throughout the CAC where it will be broadcast live: The overflow lounge located directly across from the Board Chambers on the third floor (Room 302) The Cafeteria located on the fourth floor in the south wing of the building The Chambers Balcony located on the fourth floor (Room 410) There are two main entries to the CAC; the east entrance and the south entrance. Allow time for a security check at the entrance. The building opens at 8 a.m.There are a number of public parking structures and on-street parking within close proximity to the County Administration Center. Please note parking restrictions as listed below: 610 W Ash St (closest private structure) 1600 Pacific Highway, County Administration Center (underground) On-street public parking (2-hour limit) For public transportation information, please visit http://www.sdcommute.com/.
HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
February 25, 2020 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. HEALTH Live updates: Spread of coronavirus in U.S. appears inevitable, health officials warn (Washington Post) Analysis: How close are we to a pandemic? (BBC) Coronavirus Outbreak Sees China Ban Trade and Consumption of Wild Animals ((Newsweek) SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY These 26 words ‘created the internet.’ The US government is coming for them (CNN) Jeff Bezos pledges $10 billion to fight climate change: ‘`We can save the earth’ (HuffPost) Images from Space Show Antarctica Melting After Hottest Day Ever Recorded (Newsweek) For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down. HEALTH Live updates: Spread of coronavirus in U.S. appears inevitable, health officials warn (Washington Post) Health officials in the United States warned Tuesday that the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country appears inevitable, marking a significant change in tone as global travel disruptions continued to worsen, South Korea neared 1,000 cases and Iran reported at least 15 deaths. Analysis: How close are we to a pandemic? (BBC) … The new coronavirus is no longer a problem just in China, with a small number of exported cases. It has many people asking if the virus is about to become a pandemic and whether containing it is still possible? Coronavirus Outbreak Sees China Ban Trade and Consumption of Wild Animals ((Newsweek) COVID-19 has killed over 2,000 people since late last year. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY These 26 words ‘created the internet.’ The US government is coming for them (CNN) For decades, many of the biggest names in tech have leaned on a little-known law to avoid being held responsible for some of the most controversial content on their platforms. The companies have invoked this federal law, known as Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, in one court case after another to dismiss potentially costly lawsuits over messages, videos and other content created by users. But now, big changes could be coming to Section 230 that might expose Facebook (FB), YouTube and others to more lawsuits over hate speech and misinformation for the first time in their histories. Jeff Bezos pledges $10 billion to fight climate change: ‘`We can save the earth’ (HuffPost) Amazon’s chief executive, Jeff Bezos, is pledging $10 billion to help fight climate change. On Monday, the richest man in the world announced on Instagram that he would be launching “the Bezos Earth Fund.” Images from Space Show Antarctica Melting After Hottest Day Ever Recorded (Newsweek) On February 6, the temperature at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula reached 18.3 degrees Celsius.
SDSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL OUTLASTS COLORADO STATE 64-61 IN OT
Aztecs held CSU to 2-for-21 shooting in the fourth quarter and OT Source: goaztecs.com Photo courtesy goaztecs.com February 24, 2020 (Fort Collins, Colo.) – The Aztec women’s basketball team (13-16, 8-9) outlasted Colorado State (12-16, 6-11) 64-61 in overtime inside Moby Arena Monday evening. The Aztecs, who trailed the majority of the game, were whistled for a foul at the buzzer at the end of regulation when the game was tied, but after a review the officials ruled that the foul occurred after the buzzer and the game went to overtime. In the extra period the Aztecs held the Rams to 1-for-8 shooting and got a stop in the final seconds to hold on for the win. Three Aztecs scored in double-digits led by Taylor Kalmer’s 18 points, who also had five assists. Téa Adams had 17 points, her fourth straight game in double-digits. Monique Terry had 12 points and seven rebounds. Sophia Ramos had a game-high 13 rebounds along with eight points. Late in the first half, the Rams went up by six which was their largest lead of the game at the time, Taylor Kalmer finished the half with five straight points to bring the halftime score to 32-31 Colorado State. Kalmer and Téa Adams paced the Aztecs with nine points each. The Rams made six of their first nine shots in the third quarter and pushed their lead to seven, but the Aztecs rallied with an 8-0 run to take their first lead since the first quarter. Both teams struggled to score in the fourth quarter which had just 11 total points. The game was tied at 53 with 5:17 and that score held until there was 1:46 left when Baylee Vanderdoes knocked down a jumper from the elbow. The Rams tied it up with 17 seconds left when Lore Devos hit a pair of free throws. The Aztecs fumbled the ball out of bounds with 11 seconds left to set up CSU’s final possession. Tori Williams drove to her right and appeared to be blocked by Sophia Ramos, but the officials blew the whistle as the buzzer sounded. After review, it was deemed the foul occurred after the buzzer and the game went to overtime. The Aztecs held the Rams to 2-for-21 shooting in the fourth quarter and overtime. The Rams went up two with 1:41 left but the Aztecs finished the game on a 5-0 run with a three-pointer from Taylor Kalmer and a driving lay-in from Téa Adams. SDSU outrebounded the Rams 53-35 and 14-6 on the offensive glass. Sophia Ramos had 13 boards, the second most in her career, Baylee Vanderdoes had eight and Monique Terry had seven. The Rams were led by Annie Brady’s 20 points. Lore Devos (12), Tori Williams (11) and Jamie Bonnarens (10) also scored in double-digits. STAT OF THE GAME I The Aztecs held the Rams to 2-for-21 shooting in the fourth quarter and overtime. STAT OF THE GAME II SDSU outrebounded Colorado State 53-35. THE NOTE The Aztecs will be the No. 6 seed in the Mountain West Tournament with a win vs. Nevada on Thursday and the No. 7 seed with a loss. UP NEXT The Aztecs wrap up the regular season Thursday when they host Nevada at 5:30 p.m. SDSU will honor their four seniors prior to the game. Box
AZTECS WOMEN’S GOLF IN EIGHTH AFTER TWO ROUNDS AT BRUIN WAVE INVITATIONAL
Gioia Carpinelli leads Aztecs at three over par Source: goaztecs.com Photo courtesy goaztecs.com February 24, 2020 (San Luis Obispo) – The San Diego State women’s golf team is in eighth place after two rounds of the Bruin Wave Invitational, which began Monday at the par-72, 6,103-yard San Luis Obispo Country Club. The Aztecs opened with a 23-over-par 311 in the morning, before shaving off seven strokes with a 16-over 304 in the afternoon for a 36-hole total of 39-over 615. SDSU trails Cal Poly for seventh by just two strokes (+37), and has a four-shot cushion over San Francisco (+43) in ninth and co-host Pepperdine (+44) in 10th. Second-ranked USC leads the 12-team field at 6-over 582, while Northwestern (+9), No. 14 UCLA (+12), No. 16 Oregon (+16) and Washington (+22) round out the top five. Gioia Carpinelli (Boppelsen, Switzerland) led the way for San Diego State on Monday after firing an even-par-72 in the second round following her 3-over 75 in the morning, and is tied for eighth at 3-over 147. Carpinelli was one of just 10 golfers to shoot even-par or better in the second round, recording five birdies in all with three bogeys and a double bogey. She got to 3-under twice in the second round, including late with a birdie on the par-3 third hole (SDSU started on hole No. 10), but played her final four holes at 3-over to drop back to even par. In the opening round, Carpinelli had three birdies, two bogeys and two double bogeys for her 3-over 75. Fernanda Escauriza (Asunción, Paraguay), meanwhile, sits in a tie for 24th at 8-over 152 thanks to a 78 and a 74 on Monday. In the second round, Escauriza had two birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey. In the first round, Escauriza rallied from bogey-double bogey-bogey start to go only 2-over the rest of the 15 holes for her 6-over 78. Sara Kjellker (Hollviken, Sweden) and Benice Ilas (Ayala Alabang, Philippines) each carded back-to-back 79s and are tied in 46th at 14-over 158, while April Ranches (San Diego) sits three shots back in a tie for 53rd at 17-over 161. Northwestern’s Kelly Sim has a six-shot lead at 8-under 136 after setting a tournament record with a 67 in the morning and following it up with a 69 in the second round. UCLA’s Emma Smits and USC’s Alyaa Abdulghany are tied for second at 2-under 142. San Diego State will tee off from hole No. 10 at 7:35 a.m. Tuesday in the final round along with Cal Poly and San Francisco. The Bruin Wave Invitational San Luis Obispo, Calif. Day One Results San Luis Obispo Country Club Par 72, 6,103 yards Team Standings (Top 5 of 12 teams + SDSU) 1. No. 2 USC…300-282—582 (+6) 2. Northwestern…292-293—585 (+9) 3. No. 14 UCLA…296-292—588 (+12) 4. No. 16 Oregon…297-295—592 (+16) 5. Washington…296-302—598 (+22) — 8. San Diego State…311-304—615 (+39) Individual Leaders (Top 5 of 63 players + SDSU) 1. Kelly Sim (Northwestern)…67-69—136 (-8) T2. Emma Spitz (UCLA)…71-71—142 (-2) T2. Alyaa Abdulghany (USC)…71-71—142 (-2) 4. Amelia Garvey (USC)…75-69—144 (E) T5. Emilie Paltrinieri (UCLA)…73-72—145 (+1) T5. Annabel Wilson (UCLA)…74-71—145 (+1) — T8. Gioia Carpinelli (SDSU)…75-72—147 (+3) T24. Fernanda Escauriza (SDSU)…78-74—152 (+8) T46. Bernice Ilas (SDSU)…79-79—158 (+14) T46. Sara Kjellker (SDSU)…79-79—158 (+14) T53. April Ranches (SDSU)…79-82—161 (+17) Day one results
READER’S EDITORIAL: ABORTION IS A 1ST AMENDMENT ISSUE
Response to Sylvia Sullivan’s “pro-choice dangerous descent” (Feb. 16, 2020) By Joel A. Harrison, PhD, MPH February 24, 2020 (San Diego) – Sylvia Sullivan’s Reader’s Editorial makes a number of points that reflect more a rigid ideology rather than valid arguments on abortion, from claims of violence at clinics to medical, social and economic considerations regarding abortion. As I make clear below her editorial ignores some compelling reasons for pro-choice. However, what I haven’t seen in her editorial is that abortion should be considered a 1st Amendment issue given that almost all pro-lifers base their position on the Bible. Sullivan documents cases where pro-life activists have been assaulted and verbally attacked. In such cases those carrying out the assaults should be legally prosecuted and held accountable. However, Sullivan ignores the overwhelming evidence, which is that pro-lifers are responsible for the majority of such incidences and that it is pro-lifers only who have carried out murder, attempted murder, vandalism, arson, and assaulting women at Planned Parenthood centers, many there for prenatal care, that is, to further their pregnancies (see, for instance, National Abortion Federation, 2018). Sullivan writes: “Pro-choice activists cheering a plane banner that proclaimed late term abortionist, George Tiller, a ‘national treasure!’” According to a Wikipedia article on George Tiller: “Tiller treated patients who discovered late in pregnancy that their fetuses had severe or fatal birth defects. He also aborted healthy late-term fetuses in cases where two doctors certified that carrying the fetus to term would cause the woman ‘substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function.’ Tiller was murdered while in a pew attending church services. (Wikipedia. George Tiller) So, does Sullivan think aborting a fetus with severe or fatal birth defects was wrong or preventing a pregnant woman from suffering s “substantial and irreversible impairment”? And does she condone murder? While I tend to avoid anecdotes, I think one says it all. A woman was forced to carry to term a baby without a skull, called anencephaly, a fatal birth defect that affects only 1,206 pregnancies a year in the US.(Cassella, 2019). None of the aforementioned had any chance of survival. So, why, once detected, put a woman through this? Only about 1% of abortions in the United States occur during the third trimester. While the reasons very, many are due to severe fetal abnormalities or risks to the mother (Brown, 2016; Kacere, 2014; monado, 2009). And another relevant anecdote, Angela Carder. Angela Carder and her husband desperately wanted to bring a child into this world. Angela had been successfully treated for cancer during her early teens. Unfortunately, during pregnancy, another cancer attacked. Her doctors advised her they could save her life with another round of chemotherapy; but the fetus would have to be aborted. Angela refused. Her sole goal was to stay alive long enough to give birth. Someone at the hospital got wind of her condition, petitioned the court and the judge ordered a Caesarian. Hospital doctors refused saying a Caesarian would kill her. Doctors were brought in from the outside and a Caesarian was forceably performed on Angela. She died and the fetus was stillborn. I’m not a lawyer, but my understanding of law is that if someone kills another, even if they have but hours to live, that is murder. I don’t believe one can even force a person to donate blood, donate bone marrow, etc. So, a judge decided Angela was but an incubator and ordered her murder. Is this what pro-life is about? (ACLU, 1997; The New York Times, 1990; Wikipedia. Angela Carder). Do pro-lifers consider women mainly incubators? What about a woman who doctors want to perform a Caesarian because of high risk of infection who insists on a normal delivery (Gorney, 1988)? If pro-lifers are consistent, then victims of incest or rape have to carry the fetus to term, a constant reminder of the crime committed against them. If one makes an exception then a problem arises, namely, that the fetus, according to them, is a human being with rights. In fact, the “policing” of pregnant women may have resulted in fewer seeking prenatal care (e.g. ACLU, 2020). So, is the fetus more important than the mother? (Thornton, 1991). Planned Parenthood provides quality prenatal care, wellness care, including pap smears, etc. to women who lack health insurance and/or can’t afford the deductibles and copays. Yes, about half of Planned Parenthood centers carry out abortions; but abortion represents a small percentage of the care they give. Pro-choicers fighting to end government funds to Planned Parenthood are actually depriving far more pregnant women who want to have a child of the prenatal and postnatal care they need (Butler, 2019; Wikipedia. Planned Parenthood). Sullivan writes: “They professed to want abortion to be “safe, legal, and rare.” This is a far cry from today’s pro-choice movement as whole and their shocking turn to abortion at any time, for any reason, and at taxpayers’ expense. It has become a proud celebration of abortion as a good thing!” First, advocating for a woman having control over her own body, including abortion, is a far cry from seeing abortion as “a good thing!” Can one find some people who do take such a position? Perhaps, but it is wrong and unfair to find a few extremes as representative of the vast majority of those pro-choice. However, we don’t have choice in this nation. I lived in Sweden for almost 10 years where abortion is and has been legal. If, for instance, a university student becomes pregnant and decides to keep the child, she gets an array of support, including excellent free prenatal care, postnatal care, a monthly stipend (in U.S. we get tax deductions which benefit higher tax brackets more and those with little to no income not at all, in Sweden and many other nations, one receives a monthly child stipend, usually until the child becomes 18), if living in a single-room