Politics

HEAR OUR INTERVIEW: CHARLENE MCADORY, THRIVE LEMON GROVE PRESIDENT AND COUNCIL CANDIDATE

 

November 7, 2016 (Lemon Grove) –Charlene McAdory, president of Thrive Lemon Grove and a long-time community activist, is running for the Lemon Grove City Council.  She reached out to us to talk about key issues in Lemon Grove.  In addition, as a past member of a citizens police oversight board in another city,  she gave us her perspective on the recent police shooting in El Cajon and the importance of oversight.

You can hear our interview, originally aired on KNSJ Radio, by clicking the  audio link: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au... and scroll down for more information on this race.

Audio: 

interview: Charlene McAdory, Thrive Lemon Grove president and Council candidate

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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW: ODAY YOUSIF JR, GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD CANDIDATE

 

November 7,  2016  (San Diego’s East County) – Oday Yousif Jr. is a graduate of Valhalla High School in the Grossmont Union High School District and a current student at San Diego State University. Now he’s running for the Grossmont school board,  seeking to bring a student’s perspective to the board and serve the needs of multi-lingual and multi-cultural students.  You can hear our interview, originally aired on KNSJ radio,  by clicking the audio link: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

Yousif asked for an interview to clear up information on a  mailer with misleading information on candidates' party endorsements. He is the only candidate endorsed by the county Democratic Party in Grossmont’s  Trustee Area 2, which includes La Mesa, Mt. Helix,  and portions of surrounding neighborhoods. He also spoke out in support of Measure BB,  Grossmont's school bond measure, which he backs despite some flaws in the measure because he believes "our schools need more money" to better serve students.

Audio: 

Interview: Oday Yousif, GUHSD candidate

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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW: NICK MARINOVICH, BOND OVERSIGHT EXPERT, ON PROBLEMS WITH GROSSMONT’S MEASURE BB

 

November 7, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Nick Marinovich chaired a school bond oversight committee in the Sweetwater Union High School District, where officials were convicted for illegal pay-to-play.  He resigned his position on the Grossmont Union High School District’s Citizens Bond Oversight Committee, contending Grossmont’s committee acted like a lapdog,  not a watchdog—failing in its oversight duties.

He reached out to us to share his concerns over Measure BB,  a $128 million school bond measure.  

You can hear our interview, originally aired on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audio link: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...  and scroll down for highlights.

Audio: 

Interview: Nick Marinovich, on GUHSD Measure BB

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FBI CLEARS CLINTON IN LATEST E-MAIL PROBE: COMEY ANNOUNCES NO EVIDENCE OF ANY CRIME

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 6, 2016 (Washington D.C.) - FBI director James Comey today announced that Hillary Clinton should not face any criminal charges with regard to emails recently found on a computer that belonged to former Congressman Anthony Weiner, who was married to top Clinton aide Huma Abedin.


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: SIGN OF THE TIMES

 

November 5, 2016 (El  Cajon)—Anonymous citizens have added commentary above and below a sign touting three conservative candidates for El Cajon City Council: Paul  Circo,  Star Bales and Bob McClellan. 

New signs cheekily note that these three candidates “did not show for debates,  did not show for a prayer vigil” (in response to a  police shooting), and “can’t spell their own name on their own signs,” a reference to a misspelling in McClellan’s name.


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READER’S EDITORIAL: LA MESA COUNCIL RACE CAREENS INTO THE GUTTER

 

By Gene Carpenter and Anthony Mc Ivor

November 4, 2016 (La Mesa) -- Earlier this week, many La Mesa residents found a rude surprise in their mailboxes. It was a particularly vile attack mailer targeting La Mesa Council candidate Colin Parent.  The piece is slick, but  intellectually dishonest and shabbily written.  After three polite debates in city venues, who would use the post for such a vulgar purpose? 


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DUNCAN HUNTER SAYS HE WILL REPAY $49,000 IN PERSONAL AND UNAUTHORIZED EXPENSES CHARGED TO HIS CAMPAIGN

 

Hunter opponent Patrick Malloy claims use of campaign funds for personal expenses was “corruption”

By Miriam Raftery

November 4, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) announced yesterday that he will repay nearly $49,000 in personal or unauthorized expenses charged to his campaign, the Riverside Press Enterprise reports.  The action comes months after revelations that Hunter charged up large sums for an Italian vacation with his family last Thanksgiving, as well as money paid to his children’s private school, a Hawaiian resort, an oral surgeon, as well as and purchases of jewelry, groceries, video games and more.


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HEAR OUR HOT INTERVIEWS: SAN MIGUEL FIRE BOARD CANDIDATES

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 4, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The future of the San Miguel Fire District hangs in the balance.  Should San Miguel keep its contract with Cal-Fire or return to being a stand-alone district, as the current board recently voted by a slim margin?  We interviewed a representative from  each of the two slates running for our East County Magazine Radio Show on KNSJ. Listen now by clicking the orange audio link.

 In this heated session,  incumbent Bill  Kiel, a retired engineer, makes the case for staying with Cal-Fire, while retired fire chief Kim Raddatz argues for giving Cal-Fire the boot and returning to an independent district.  Each side claims their position will be best for taxpayers and public safety.  One side is backed by Cal-Fire firefighters, the other by leaders of the former San Miguel firefighters.

Audio: 

San Miguel Fire interviews: Kim Raddatz and Bill Kiel, candidate slate representatives

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DECEPTIVE MAILERS IN EL CAJON AND LEMON GROVE

 

By Jonathan Goetz

November 3, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Deceptive mailers have been sent to voters in El Cajon and Lemon Grove, readers tell ECM.

The San Diego County Democratic Party has endorsed Vickie Butcher, Stephanie Harper and Ben Kalasho in the El Cajon City Council Race. But a reader has alerted ECM that a mailer claims El Cajon Democrats endorsed Butcher as well as Humbert Cabrera and Steve Goble.  Cabrera and Goble have not been endorsed by any political party.


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DECEPTIVE MAILERS IN GUHSD CAMPAIGN

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

October 29, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Multiple candidates in the Grossmont Union High School District Board race have complained of mailers containing false or misleading information on candidates' party endorsements or affiliations.

Below is information on which parties have endorsed candidates in the race,  as well as which candidates have teachers' union backing and which seem to be running stealth campaigns--offering little or no information for voters.


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READER’S EDITORIAL: HOW CAN TAXPAYERS’ LAST LINE OF DEFENSE BE MISSING IN ACTION IN GROSSMONT’S MEASURE BB?

 

By Priscilla Schreiber, Trustee, Grossmont Union High School District

November 3, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- After reviewing statements made in the San Diego County Taxpayers Association's (SDCTA) campaign literature, "Yes on BB", I thought it would be helpful to the voters if I shared my perspective, as the Board member who did not vote to put this bond measure on the ballot.

My comments (not in bold) follow their statements (in boldface):


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DECEPTIVE HIT PIECE LANDS IN LA MESA MAILBOXES

 

Update with comments from the Lincoln Club President and links to prior concerns raised about the PAC by the FPPC.

By Miriam Raftery

November 3, 2016 (La Mesa) — A hit piece mailer on La Mesa City Council Colin Parent has been sent by a shadowy political action group tied to his opponent.

The mailer deceptively states Parent moved to La Mesa only to run for Council and mentions he’s lived in Sacramento and San Diego.  It fails to mention his long and deep ties to East County.  Parent went to Fuerte Elementary School near Mt. Helix, had his first job on La Mesa Blvd. with the East County Development Council, grew up going to local La Mesa hang-outs such as the Aquarius roller rink, was active in Boy Scots and graduated from Valhalla High School in the Grossmont Union High School District before attending UC San Diego and later, getting a law degree in New York.


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READER’S EDITORIAL: SELLING OUT SANTEE WITH A DEVELOPERS’ DELIGHT CAMPAIGN

 

By Van K. Collinsworth, Executive Director/Resource Analyst

savefanita@gmail.com

October 31, 2016 (Santee)--Analysis shows 98% of Santee City Council candidate Mason Herron's donors are from outside of Santee; much of these contributors are easily identified as being traffic gridlock producing development interests. (CA Form 460’s are required disclosures.)

In contrast,  Stephen Houlahan has not taken any developer dollars and 76% of his contributors are Santee residents.


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WHO LEAKED CONFIDENTIAL PERSONNEL FILES AT HELIX WATER DISTRICT?

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 1, 2016 (La Mesa) – Someone with access to confidential files at Helix Water District violated state law and district policy by anonymously mailing part of a board candidate’s personnel file to East County Magazine.

We will not violate privacy rules by publishing the contents.  However, we did speak with the candidate, Louis Tejeda, who gave permission for us to disclose the leaking of his confidential record: a notice of proposed disciplinary action sent 21 years ago, when he was an employee of the district.


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REPUBLICANS SHOW HIGHER VOTING RATE IN EARLY BALLOTS RETURNED LOCALLY

By Miriam Raftery

November 2, 2016 (San Diego)—Countywide, 324,415 voters have already cast ballots through early voting or mail-in ballots received at the San Diego County Registrar of Voters office,  as of 5 p.m. yesterday.  So far, 36.73% are from Republicans,  who are voting at 5.27% above their registration percentage. 

The highest number of ballots were cast by Democrats, 39.85%, but they are voting at only 2.91% above the party’s registration rate.  Independents account for 23.42% of votes, which is 8.18% below registration.


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REALTORS ANNOUNCE ENDORSEMENTS OF EAST COUNTY CANDIDATES

 

East County News Service

November 1, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) –  The Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR), a 2,500-member trade group for San Diego-area realtors, has released its list of endorsed candidates vying for seats in East County city and special district election races in November. PSAR operates an office and conference center in El Cajon at 1150 Broadway.


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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW WITH CAJON VALLEY SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Devorah Fox,  left,  and Ramona Irwin, right

October 31, 2016 (El  Cajon)—East County Magazine invited all five candidates running for the Cajon Valley Union School District to be interviewed on our radio show. Two responded.  

Hear our interview with  Ramona Irwin and Devorah Fox: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au... , and scroll down for more information about the candidates.

Audio: 

Devorah Fox and Ramona Irwin interview

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FBI RENEWS INVESTIGATION OF CLINTON E-MAILS

By Miriam Raftery

October 29,2016 (Washington D.C.)—FBI Director James Comey has notified Congress that it is renewing its investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s use of e-mails on a private server.

The action comes after emails were found on a computer shared by top Clinton aide Huma  Abedin and her estranged husband,  ex-Congressman Anthony Wiener. Huma had used the computer to send e-mails to Clinton.  The computer was seized as part of an investigation into Wiener for allegedly sexting a teenage girl.  It is unclear whether any of the emails were sent by Clinton, or whether they are new or duplicates of e-mails already examined before an earlier probe was dismissed, or if any contained classified material.

Both Democratic and Congressional leaders have called on Comey and on Attorney General  Loretta Lynch to promptly provide further disclosure and clarity.


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USE OF FIRE TRUCKS IN SANTEE POLITICAL CAMPAINS DRAWS HEAT

 

By Miriam Raftery

October 28, 2016 (Santee) - Backers of city council and mayoral candidate in Santee are trading barbs over the use of fire trucks in campaign ads.

Van Collinsworth questions why the Santee Firefighter’s Association has been posting signs supporting mayoral candidate John Minto and city council candidate Mason Herron atop a fire truck parked on public property at West Hills High School. In a letter sent to the current mayor and council, Collinsworth called the practice ”unethical.”


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HEAR OUR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: GREG PALAST ‘S FILM “BEST DEMOCRACY MONEY CAN BUY” EXPOSES CONSPIRACY TO SUPPRESS MINORITY VOTES

 

Attorney for white nationalist group developed computer program to drop minority voters off voting rosters in 30 states

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left:  Miriam Raftery with Greg Palast at film debut in San Diego

Listen now to our interview with Greg Palast, originally aired on KNSJ:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

Scroll down for highlights.

October 28, 2016 (San Diego)--Investigative reporter Greg Palast’s Academy Award-nominated documentary, The Best Democracy Money Can Buy:  A Tale of Billionaires and Ballot Bandits, pulls back the curtain to expose a dark conspiracy to steal votes from millions of minorities across America. A seasoned gumshoe detective turned award-winning investigative reporter, Palast leaves no room for doubt as he masterfully reveals the powerful players behind this insidious scheme.

East  County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery sat down for an exclusive interview with Palast,  in town for the debut of his film in San Diego on Monday.  You can hear our interview by clicking the orange audio link,  and scroll down to  read our review of this must-see documentary.

Audio: 

Greg Palast Interview on Best Democracy Money Can Buy

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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW: MARK JACKSON, NO ON MEASURE B

 

October 25,  2016 (San Diego's  East  County)--  Measure B on the  countywide ballot was paid for by  a  developer.  Accretive Development wants voters to approve Lilac  Hills, a massive,  master-planned community the size of Del Mar in rural Valley Center. 

Why should voters in East County and elsewhere in San Diego care?  First, because taxpayers countywide could wind up footing part of the bill and second,  because if Measure B passes, developers of other controversial  projects could similarly seek to bypass state enviornmental review and the county plannning process.  That's why major environmental groups such as  Sierra Club, Save Our Forests and Ranchlands, and Cleveland Natoinal Forest Foundation are all opposed to the ballot proposition.

Hear our interview with Mark Jackson from the No on Measure B committee, originally aired on  our show on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audio link.

Audio: 

Mark Jackson, no on Measure B interview

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“BEST DEMOCRACY MONEY CAN BUY” FILM STARTING OCT. 24 IN SAN DIEGO ALLEGES MASSIVE SCHEME TO STEAL MINORITIES’ VOTES

 

Film by investigative reporter Greg Palast asserts GOP has 30-state computer program that can eliminate over 7 million minority voters

East County News Service

October 19, 2016 (San Diego) - Rolling Stone investigative reporter’s new film, “The Best Democracy Money Can Buy: A Tale of Billionaires and Ballot Bandits” will be shown Monday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the AMC Fashion Valley 18 Theatre (7037 Friars Rd.) 

A portion of proceeds will benefit KNSJ radio.

The movie features Ed Asner, Rosario Dawson, Ice-T, Richard Belzer, Shailene Woodley and Willie Nelson.  Palast will be there along with special guests.  Reserve your Tickets.


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TRUMP LAWYERS SEEK TO EXCLUDE SEX SCANDALS, CAMPAIGN VIDEOS FROM TRUMP UNIVERSITY CASE

 

By Miriam Raftery

October 24, 2016 (San Diego) -- Federal Judge Gonzalo Curiel in San Diego has turned down a request by Donald Trump’s lawyers who sought to dismiss a case alleging that Trump University defrauded students in its real estate seminars.  So the case is headed to trial—but not until after the election.

Trump’s attorneys have also asked the judge to bar statements from the presidential campaign about his personal conduct to be considered as evidence in the trial.   Judge Curiel will hear that request on November 10th.


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MONDAY IS LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN NOV. 8 ELECTION

 

By Tom Christensen, County of San Diego Communications Office

October 22, 2016 (San Diego) -- If you want to vote in the Nov. 8 presidential general election, you must register by Monday, Oct. 24. Voters may register online until midnight.

If you’re not sure about your registration, check your status online at sdvote.com.

You will need to register if you:


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THIEVES CAUGHT ON VIDEO STEALING KALASHO CAMPAIGN SIGNS

 

By Miriam Raftery

October 22, 2016 (El Cajon) — After having 62 campaign signs stolen or defaced, El Cajon City Council candidate Ben Kalasho set up “bait signs” with hidden surveillance cameras.  Two thieves were quickly caught on tape and police were notified.


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LA MESA CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES SHARE VIEWS AT THIRD VOTERS FORUM

 

By Janis Russell

October 20, 2016 (La Mesa) - Topics ranging from crime rates to homelessness to business issues were discussed Tuesday, when La Mesa City Council incumbents Kristine Alessio and Ruth Sterling along with challenger Colin Parent participated in a forum held at the La Mesa Police Department community room.   The forum was hosted by the League of Women Voters of San Diego and the American Association of University Women.


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A LIVELY CANDIDATE FORUM IN LEMON GROVE FOR COUNCIL AND MAYORAL CANDIDATES

 

Jonathan Goetz

October 20, 2016 (Lemon Grove) -- Housing,  homelessness,  business issues and marijuana were among the topics ata candidates’ forum Wednesday in Lemon Grove moderated by the League of Women Voters. Candidates present included Theresa Rosiak, George Gastil and Racquel Vasquez running for Mayor, along with City Council candidates Jerry Selby, David Arambula, Glenn Thornton Jr., Steve Browne and Charlene McAdory.


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DUELING SLATES VIE FOR SAN MIGUEL FIRE BOARD: ALL 9 CANDIDATES SPEAK OUT AT HEATED CANDIDATE FORUM IN CREST

 

By Miriam Raftery

October 20, 2016 (Crest) – The stakes are high in the San Miguel Fire Board race. In July, the board majority voted to axe a contract that outsourced firefighting to Cal Fire, entered into back when property tax revenues had plummeted in the recession and the district had shut down a fire station.  Now four candidates want to undo the recent vote and keep the deal with Cal Fire, while four others are running to restore local control.  The ninth candidate says he hasn’t made up his mind.  There are four seats up for grabs.

All nine appeared at a candidate forum tonight in Crest, a town that burned in the 2003 fires and where residents pay a higher assessment for fire services than any other fire district locally.


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MORE DEMOCRATIC BALLOTS IN EARLY MAIL-IN BALLOTS RECEIVED

 

East County News Service

October 19, 2016 (San Diego) — As of October 18th, just over three percent of the nearly 1 million mail-in ballots countywide have been returned to the San Diego Registrar of Voters.  Nearly 42% of those ballots cast and returned are Democrats, or almost 5 percent above the registration rate.  About 35 percent are from Republicans, running at 3.5 percent above registration rate.


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TRANSCRIPT OF EL CAJON CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES FORUM: POLICE ISSUES, ECONOMY, MARIJUANA AND MORE SPARK HEATED CONVERSATIONS

 

Transcription by Jonathan Goetz

October 18, 2016 (El Cajon) - Seven candidates vying for three seats on the El Cajon City Council participated in a lively forum at Grossmont College on October 5th:  Stephanie Harper, Ben Kalasho, Hubert Cabrera, Steve Goble, George Glover, Joseph Fountain and Vikie Butcher.  Incumbents Bob McClellan and Star Bales, along with challenger Paul Circo, declined to participate citing travel and scheduling conflicts.

Topics included the police shooting, building a new animal shelter, reopening the performing arts center, sales tax in El Cajon, marijuana regulation, strengthening our community and improving police relations with minorities, poverty and unemployment.

Each candidate had one minute to respond to questions  from  moderators Miriam Raftery of the East County Magazine,  Karen Pearlman from the San Diego Union-Tribune, Albert Fulcher from the East County Californian, and  Marya Fani from  Mega Network, followed by audience questions.


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