By Marcia Tolin

Editor’s note:  La Mesa Today reports that Guy McWhirter has admitted to funding the negative mailers targeting his opponent, Mary England, and funneling the money through the non-local “Public Safety Advocates” PAC. England in fact has the endorsement of La Mesa’s police, fire and public employees’ associations. The same PAC sent a negative mailer on an Alpine candidate.  The mailer was similar in style to a second mailer sent anonymously, which listed endorsements for other candidates by 115 Alpine residents, some of whom have denied making the endorsements.

October 24, 2014 (La Mesa)--For the first time that I can remember, defamatory mailers or “hit pieces” have been delivered in La Mesa from big money and outside interests.  Mary England who has the only endorsement by the La Mesa Police Officers’ Association is being attacked by a “PAC”, or Political Action Committee calling itself “Public Safety Advocates” out of Encinitas.  The PAC is specifically targeting just one candidate, the only woman and the one with the most experience running in a field of five for the two open seats on the La Mesa City Council.  Why now and for this position?  Who is really behind this?

If we follow the money, we don’t have to look very far. Public records (Form 496) shows a contribution from Guy McWhirter, who donated $5,000 on 10/13/2014.  The “Public Safety Advocates” who have thus far put out three hit pieces on Mary have received their money not only from Guy McWhirter, but from many builders and developers, and a local Diamond dealer, CK Diamonds who is owned by Charles “Chuck” Kaderabek from El Cajon.

By: Ernie Susi, President, San Diego County Probation Officers Association;

Ben Kelso, President, San Diego Black Police Officers Association;

Alan R. Alvarez, President, National Non-Partisan Latino Peace Officers Association for Law and Order; and

Kevin McQuillen, President Fraternal Order of Police (San Diego Lodge #10)

October 11, 2014 (San Diego)--We expect judges to understand public safety issues.  We hope they come to the bench with a track record of experience and supporting law enforcement and the community.  In the November election there’s only one contested Superior Court Judge race, seat #25.  The obvious choice is clear: Deputy Attorney General Brad Weinreb.

By Barbara Nigro

October 3, 2014 (Julian)--PROPOSITION “P” will be on the November 4th ballot. Resident-voters will have an opportunity to staff the Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District with paid Firefighter-Paramedics. This would ensure that a Paramedic is always in the District and able to respond within minutes.

Originally published in La Mesa Today

By Anthony D. Mc Ivor

September 19, 2014 (La Mesa)-- In November, La Mesa voters will decide whether to change the Municipal Code and put into law a significant new ordinance. The ordinance will tell us – and future generations of La Mesa voters – who we can vote for, who we can’t and when.

By Tom Comeau

August 30, 2014 (El Cajon)--There's always been a steady assault by religious groups of all stripes, on the separation of church and state, but what El Cajon doesn't need is for the City Council to initiate such activity as in its proposed contract with the "Rock Church" (do they worship rocks?) for the utilization of the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) for religious purposes. The Council cannot dodge the issue of the church/state violation when it agrees to allow a church to utilize 'public property' for what is clearly religious purposes. Included in this agreement is the proposed erection of an additional building on 'public property' to serve the needs of this religious group, with the generous proviso that the building would revert to the city at the end of its use by the religious group.

By Robert Clark, El Cajon

By Ray Lutz, Citizens Oversight Projects

July 5, 2014 (El Cajon)-- Please take a look at this video presentation I created to be presented to the CPUC.  http://youtu.be/2umrwqLz_MI

The proponents of the $3.3 billion settlement proposal have met with the CPUC commissioners and their advisors in private meetings.  They would not allow me to make this power-point presentation at the recent public meeting. However, we are allowed to have private meetings of the same length as those granted to the proponents.

By Gloria Roma



June 12, 2014 (San Diego)--Should California's poorest schoolchildren be the interest free lenders of first resort to the state? I don't think so, but they are. For the past 10 years, the state has been diverting the property taxes that were allocated to schools to cover the state's other obligations. Most counties still report the property taxes are going to schools, even though they are not getting there. This violation of the public trust hurts our schools and our state.

By Laura Finley

June 9, 2014 (San Diego)--In April 2014, the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault issued a series of recommendations for college and university campuses related to responding to and preventing sexual assault. Given that one in five college-aged women endure a sexual assault, the White House is to be applauded for prioritizing this issue and for organizing the task force. But of course, it should be so simple to recommend that campuses do the right thing.

Emphasizing home flammability, as well as vegetation management, can save more homes during wildfires.

By Richard Halsey, Director, The California Chaparral Institute

May 24, 2014 (San Diego) – Local, state, and federal fire agencies are urged to expand their fire education efforts. Currently, the primary, and sometimes the only message citizens hear is to clear native vegetation ("brush") from around their homes. While creating defensible space is a critical component of fire risk reduction, it fails to address the main reason homes burn - embers landing on flammable materials in, on, or around the home, igniting the most dangerous concentration of fuel available, the house itself.

By Betty Stieringer

The physicians, nurses and technicians of Sharp HealthCare are unsurpassed in their skill, professionalism and patient care.  Why, then, is there opposition to Measure H?

May 2, 2014 (Sacramento) - Assembly Member Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) issued the following statement in response to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s lifetime ban and $2.5 million fine against Donald Sterling:

April 15, 2014 (San Diego County) - The Keystone pipeline proposal has hit a Nebraska stop sign, but it has deeper problems than right-of-way issues across the United States.  After all, the controversial proposal for transporting Alberta’s tar sands across America was never just about the pipeline.  Just ask the thousand students who rallied in front of the White House recently, who were willing to be arrested to make their point.

By Robert Clark

Photo: Shaima Alawadi