Editorials

The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine.

READER’S EDITORIAL: AN OPEN LETTER TO COUNTY SUPERVISORS—PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM SMART METERS

 
By Robin Davis, Lakeside

 
December 18, 2011 (Lakeside)--I am one of the people who has experience health issues from what I can only believe are the smart meters.   I have lived in my home since January 1973 and it's never been like this.  In the last year and a half (since May 2010 when my smart meter was installed on my home), my husband and I have developed issues that when it comes down to it, the common denominator has been the smart meter.  I could go on but if you have questions, feel free to email me.   I know other people who live here in Lakeside that are suffering. 

Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER'S EDITORIAL: PUBLIC DEMAND FOR SUPERVISORS TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH REGARDING SMART METERS

By Susan Brinchman
Dear San Diego County Board of Supervisors,
 
December 20, 2011 (San Diego County) -- I am the Director of the national nonprofit, Center for Electrosmog Prevention, headquartered in La Mesa, CA. I add my urgent, repeated request for the SD County BOS to investigate and respond to the calamity befalling our county called "smart meters", courtesy of San Diego Gas and Electric, a company that I heard Supervisor Diane Jacobs criticize severely for other reasons, in front of a large audience at the El Cajon CPUC Rate Increase meeting in October. SDG&E have been caught repeatedly lying about smart meter complaints, minimizing these and covering them up.

Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: SDG&E WINS AGAIN; CONSUMERS AND FIRE VICTIMS LOSE


By Tom Myers
 
December 20, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) --The CPUC has approved SDG&E’s request to pass the cost of increased wildfire liability costs on to consumers.
 
Let's see...In testimony before the Powerlink was constructed, SDG&E said their
Power lines do not cause wildfire. The EIR said the Powerlink will cause wildfire during its expected life. CPUC approved the Powerlink. SDG&E changed their story and admitted they caused several 2007 wildfires in East County. CPUC fined SDG&E for lying to them, but let them proceed with Sunrise Powerlink.

Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER'S EDITORIAL: SAN DIEGO COUNTY GENERAL PLAN UPDATE FATALLY FLAWED

 by Scott Barnett & Richard Parker

 
December 16, 2011(Alpine) -- Like anything in life, there’s no use doing something quickly if it’s not going to be done right. The adage couldn’t be more relevant to the current effort to update San Diego County’s General Plan. The Board of Supervisors will soon meet again on the plan, and after years of hard work, dozens of meetings and an abundance of feedback from the community, there is an apparent rush to suddenly, unfortunately, and haphazardly complete the effort, despite very significant flaws that threaten the long-term economic viability of the unincorporated areas of our County. Rather than proceeding forward in the face of significant resident opposition and well-considered questions about the Plan, the Board of Supervisors should direct staff to get it right before it is ultimately approved. 

Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: SAN DIEGO MOM ASKS CONGRESS TO EXTEND UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND KEEP HER FAMILY OFF THE STREETS

 By Vanessa Celia Winters, San Diego

 
December 16, 2011 (San Diego) -- I am a Wal-Mart associate who supports three children, and an unemployed husband. My husband was laid off due to the economic recession and has been on unemployment ever since. I work odd hours at Wal-Mart just to earn enough money to feed my family.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: CONGRESS SHOULD EXTEND UNEMPLOYMENT BY DEC. 31 DEADLINE

By Sierra Severson

 
December 6, 2011 (San Diego)--The unemployment insurance fund is about to expire before the end of this year. Congress needs to act to extend this necessary safety net or Americans will suffer even greater than they already have. We need this program to be renewed for the millions of people who are seeking jobs in this economy.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: LETS RE-FORM THE PBID IN EL CAJON--AND BRING THE PROCESS OUT FROM BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

By Peggy Buffo

“:…The newly hired [CDC] executive director Cindi Fargo was thrown to the wolves. None of the problems brought out by the Blue Ribbon Commission were her doing. I believe Cindi is probably the best person now to work with the reformed PBID.”


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: RE-THINKING THE EDUCATION PARADIGM

By Vince Wallgren

November 17, 2011 (La Mesa)--As the public education establishment’s quandary over shortfalls in funding reaches critical mass, the time may be ripe for introducing sweeping changes to the entire system. 

During a recent broadcast of the Ladona Harvey Show, a education establishment insider asserted (paraphrasing) that among the more important elements in revamping the education system is a higher degree of parent - teacher communication; and that parents must be more involved in the overall education experience.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

A VETERAN’S STORY: REMEMBERING CORPORATE LINDEN EILER

 

By David Secor, Candidate for 50th Congressional District

Editor’s note: Due to technical problems we could not post on Veteran’s Day, but wish to share this moving story now with our readers.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIALS: A WIN FOR SENIORS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN CALIFORNIA

A Major Win for all Californians:
What you need to know about the Elder Economic Planning Act of 2011

by Paul Downey, CEO & President, Senior Community Centers, San Diego

November 10, 2011 (San Diego)--We all aspire to age and with age we all hope to be able to provide ourselves with the basic needs to simply survive – home, food, health care, transportation, etc. However, this is not the case for all seniors. Many struggle to get by daily and though they may have saved in their youth, unforeseen circumstances can turn almost anyone’s lives upside down. 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: WHY DOES OUR SENATOR CARE MORE ABOUT THE DEAD THAN THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING IN HIS DISTRICT?

By Rex Lyons
 
November 8, 2011 (El Cajon) –There’s something very troubling about the newsletter I received from Joel Anderson, our Republican state senator.  It’s filled with stories about honoring the dead—naming a roadway for a fallen CHP officer,  breaking ground at a sports park named for the late President Ronald Reagan, and commemorating  9/11 victims.
 
 
 
 

Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: WE DON’T NEED A CITY OF BELL-STYLE OF GOVERNMENT IN EL CAJON

By Drum Macomber, former El Cajon Citizen of the Year

November 9, 2011 (El Cajon) -- The city of El Cajon wants to be a "Charter City.”

Instead of abiding by the citizen protections provided by state and federal law, the “charter city” designation gives city councils total control over a host of municipal decisions.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER'S EDITORIAL: IMPRESSIVE GROWTH IN ONE SECTOR OF OUR ECONOMY

By Russell Buckley, co-founder, East County Tax Hawks


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: MEDICAL BENEFITS OF MARIJUANA VS. ALLEGED RISKS

 By Joel A. Harrison, PhD, MPH


November 8, 2011 (San Diego)--In an earlier Op Ed I pointed out that according to the U.S. Constitution, the Federal government has no legal right to impose criminal law on marijuana both grown and sold within the State of California (Reader's Editorial: Medical Marijuana and States Rights, October 25, 2011,
http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/7674).

 
Following Federal raids on medical marijuana shops in California, Representative Bob Filner called on President Obama to reclassify medical marijuana as a legitimate controlled substance for medicinal purposes.
  

Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: A PARENT’S OPINION--GUHSD BOARD’S RECENT HS12 DECISION IS DISHONORABLE

By Bill Weaver
 
November 2, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--We who simply wish for an honorable Grossmont Union High School District are one step forward, and two steps backward with this GUHSD and Governing Board of Trustees once again. Over this past summer, with the votes occurring on July 14th, and actions continuing in September and October, the GUHSD Board has been less than honorable.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

RON LOGAN’S PHOTOG BLOG: OCCUPY SAN DIEGO, DAY 24


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: WHY WE ALL OCCUPY WALL STREET

 

By Daniel J. Smiechowski
 
October 30, 2011 (San Diego)--From a social-psychological view the national manifestations on Wall Street are a result of the piano man versus cop syndrome or creativity and obedience. More simply, the protest can be described as inherent to society's pressure valve of conflict and order.
  

Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: OCCUPY THE NATION

Wal-Mart’s assault on its employees’ health is symptomatic of what ails America

By Bonnie Price, PhD

October 29, 2011 (La Mesa)--What’s happening to our nation?  Why are thousands of demonstrators gathering in hundreds of parks and public places with signs and slogans proclaiming everything from, “I AM THE 99%!” to “They got bailed out; we got sold out!”


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: DEADLY ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION- WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW

At Nov. 4 hearing, county planners should reject cell phone tower in heart of our small town

By Lisa Rene Anderson

October 27, 2011 (Julian)--On November 4th, 2011, the San Diego County Planning Commission will render their decision on whether to approve a proposed cell tower to be placed in the center of residential-zoned Shelter Valley, Julian- the tiny, dark sky-designated rural town at the edge of the Anza Borrego Desert State Park that I and my husband live in.
 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: WHY LA MESA SHOULD BECOME A FAIR TRADE TOWN

By Deanna Gullo, Secretary, Fair Trade San Diego


October 27, 2011 (La Mesa)--Even though the Tuesday October 11 vote before the La Mesa City Council did not result in the passage of a Fair Trade Town resolution, La Mesa Fair Trade and Fair Trade San Diego welcome this opportunity to further educate La Mesans and the larger San Diego community on what Fair Trade is as well as what it means it means to be a Fair Trade Town.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND STATES RIGHTS

 
By Joel A. Harrison, PhD, MPH

 
October 25, 2011 (San Diego)--The citizens of California voted to legalize medical marijuana, but the feds are now raiding our local shops. As a disclaimer, I have never used marijuana or any other recreational drug; but see its value in alleviating human suffering.
 
In a comprehensive review of the science the prestigious Institute of Medicine found that marijuana does alleviate several medical problems: “Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base” (1999) and the following year published a version for the general public: “Marijuana As Medicine? The Science Beyond the Controversy (2000).” Subsequent research has only strengthened the IOM findings.  

Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: CSU PRESIDENT RESPONDS TO HATE WITH PLATITUDES

By Kit-Bacon Gressitt

October 24, 2011 (San Diego)--On October 17, a group of Cal State University San Marcos (CSUSM) students, faculty, staff and community members sent an unusual letter to CSUSM President Karen Haynes and the Cal State system board of trustees. The letter requested that Haynes and the trustees break their silence and take action to ameliorate the hostile educational and work environment created by The Koala, a private, for-profit hate tabloid distributed at CSUSM since January 2011, at San Diego State University since 2004/2005, and at UC San Diego since 1982.

 
You can learn more about The Koala, owner George Lee Liddle III, and some of the student staff and advocates of the hate tabloid at www.CallOutTheKoala.com. 

Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER'S EDITORIAL: TRAGEDY HIGHLIGHTS NEED TO RESTRICT OWNERSHIP OF EXOTIC ANIMALS


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: LOST HOPE

By Connie Frankowiak

 
October 17, 2011 (Julian)-- Who are these people that are taking to the streets, parks and open spaces of America because they know that no one in power is listening to them???!!!!

They are Americans who have lost their Republic, jobs, homes, businesses, health insurance and all hope because of the greed and corruption of the Robber Barons and their Stooges that have taken over their country.
 

Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READERS’ EDITORIAL: STEALTH APPROVAL OF POWERLINK CONSTRUCTION ON SUNDAYS MUST BE REVOKED


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: NECESSITY FOR THE NATION

By Bonnie Burns Price, Ph.D.

 
 
“Is it possible that Congress is trying to put the USPS out of business, so FedEx and UPS can overcharge the citizenry for privatized service?... Do you want rural post offices that are the center of regional communities to go out of business because they are not profitable for the private delivery services? Do you want to pay high cost, non-union, private contractors $10 to deliver a letter because it’s being sent to a remote, rural area, if it can be delivered at all? ” – Bonnie Burns


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER'S EDITORIALS: GOVERNOR’S REALIGNMENT PLAN PUTS OUR COMMUNITY AT RISK

 

 

By Assemblyman Brian Jones

 

"In this realignment, which I strongly opposed, inmates convicted of certain crimes that would have sent them to state prison will instead be housed in county correctional facilities. What the Governor and those who voted for his plan failed to realize is the fact that many of the county facilities are already dangerously over-crowded, thus many of these “low-level” offenders will be receiving a “get out of jail free” card. "

 

October 13, 2011 (Sacramento) -- There are many reasons people enter into public service. For some, it is to gain power and influence. For others it is to make a profound difference for their community. As a lifelong resident of Santee, I put myself firmly into the second category. And since my early days on the Santee City Council, public safety has been a top priority.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER'S EDITORIAL: THE SHAME OF LA MESA--COUNCIL VOTES AGAINST FAIR TRADE, BOWS TO CORPORATE INTERESTS OVER HELPING PEOPLE


“The City, on its own website, already supports many initiatives that show preference to some businesses over others—and rightly so, to promote the public good… Where were the so-called pro-life members of the council last night? Why, casting their votes on behalf of companies represented by an out-of-town Chamber of Commerce instead of showing compassion for unborn babies, children and families.”
 

By Meg Jensen
 

October 13, 2011 (La Mesa) – La Mesa’s City Council fell one vote short last night of joining major cities and small towns across America in becoming a “Fair Trade Towns USA” city. The resolution would not have cost the city a penny. It would, however, have enabled consumers to have information on retailers in La Mesa who have voluntarily agreed to carry at least two fair trade products certified to have been made without the use of child labor, slavery, or use of dangerous chemicals that harm workers and their unborn children.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

 

By Paul Gonya

 

Editor’s note: In an article on Alpine Planning Group Member George Barnett’s resignation, Mr. Barnett stated that he considered his greatest accomplishment to be getting two developers off the planning group's board: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/7330 . He did not identify those planners by name.(Mr. Barnett later rescinded his resignation: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/7362). Now one of the individuals he referenced, Paul Gonya, claims that his circumstances were portrayed inaccurately by Mr. Barnett. Mr. Gonya states that it's not true that he was found guilty in a civil trial. While true, he did plead guilty in a criminal (not civil) trial to grand theft embezzlement charges, as the Alpine Sun and Union-Tribune reported: http://www.thealpinesun.com/archive%202009/May%207/as%20inside.html and http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/may/01/bn01plea18624/?metro. A settlement was reached in a civil trial: 

http://www.thealpinesun.com/archive%202007/December%2020/as%20inside%202.html  However Mr. Gonya states that there is more to the story.  Below is his statement.

 

October 9, 2011 (Alpine)--Mr. Barnett’s statement regarding “two former Alpine Planning Group members being found guilty in a civil trial involving fraud and embezzlement” is emphatically untrue. More important, Mr. Barnett fails to mention that the defendants in the case filed a cross complaint for fraud and misappropriation of funds against the plaintiffs when the business partnership fell apart in 2006.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: THE LEGACY OF STEVE JOBS (1955-2011)

 

By Nikki Symington 

 
 
 
October 6, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)—Here is another inspiration and gift from Steve Jobs that bears witnessing. He was fired from the company and product he created. Who fired him? A board of directors representing investors interested only in money--not interested in creative genius or a CEO who didn’t fit their vapid images, no doubt. 
 
The good news is that in Steve Job’s case, they failed and inspiration, leadership and genius was invited back to save their pocketbooks, and enrich our lives. There is a lesson here about what is wrong with American companies and corporations.
 

Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

Pages