Originally Published on the ECOreport

By Roy L Hales

On October 14th, or possibly the 28th, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors will decide if they should rip up the dreams of a rural community so a developer can get a lot of money. As County Planning commissioners Peder Norby and Michael Beck recently pointed out, if the Lilac Hills project goes forward it will destroy 13 years of work, and close to $20 million, that went into San Diego County’s General Plan.

The project spreads across 608 acres in the Valley Center area. There are currently 16 “dwelling units” and a total of  just 110 are allowed under current zoning. Accretive Investments wants to build 1,786 units over the course of a decade. This would support a larger population that the city of Del Mar. Why plunk a city in the middle of nowhere?

County News Service

September 16, 2015 (San Diego)--The San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved new rules Wednesday that will promote beekeeping and local agriculture while protecting the public. 

Supervisors approved a new “tiered” beekeeping ordinance that will allow beekeeping hobbyists and businesses to keep bees and hives closer to roads, property lines and homes in unincorporated areas — but still far enough away to keep people safe.

East County Alert Service

September 16, 2015 (Orange County, California) -- An 8.3  magnitude earthquake has occurred off the coast of Chile has led to issuance of a Tsunami Advisory for the California coast from Orange County north to San Luis Obispo. San Diego County is  not included in the advisory. 

A Tsunami Advisory is issued for Tsunamis (or tidal waves) expected to be 1 to 3 feet higher than normal--capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to persons in or near the water.  Greatest threats will be the strong underwater currents early Thursday which will be hazardous to boaters and swimmers; coastal structures may also be damaged.  The tsunami arrival time ranges from 4:46 a.m. to 5:10 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday) morning along the southern California coast.

The tsunami in Orange County is expected to be a foot high, with 4 to 8 inches expected in San Diego County. 

Hawaii is also on alert for a tsunami.

September 16, 2015 (Washington D.C.) – Wildfires, unlike  earthquakes or hurricanes, are not funded as natural disasters---and the money to fight devastating fires is running out.  Now as wildfires ravage our state, Senator Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, has issued a statement urging Congress to pass the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act. Here is her statement in full:

"This is fiscal irresponsibility...The bond oversight is a joke." -- Nick Marinovich, bond oversight committee member who recently resigned in protest (photo, left).

"I don't think the public is aware of the damage being done by a handful of special interests." -- Jim Kelly, board member, referring to Alpine parents and taxpayers who sued the district over its failure to build the Alpine high school

By Janis Russell; Miriam Raftery also contributed to this report

September 15, 2015 (El Cajon)- At the September 10^th Grossmont Union High School District board meeting, president Robert Shield gave his report regarding a lawsuit the board is facing filed by citizens of Alpine. An update on Propositions H and U was presented to the board. The majority approved an agreement with CliffordMoss and John Hoy to study  the likelihood that voters would re-authorize Prop U bonds or issuance of new bonds.

That could be a tough sell to voters, since the district is being sued by Alpine taxpayers for failing to spend Prop H and U bonds on building an Alpine high school as spelled out in the bonds. The district has claimed enrollment triggers weren't met, though multiple knowledgeable insiders have repeatedly reported that triggers were met.

Roberts issues response to settlement decision

East County News Service

File photo by Nadin Abbott

September 15, 2015 (San Diego) – Today, the majority of County Supervisors voted to pay $310,000 to settle claims filed by three ex-staff members against Supervisor Dave Roberts. 

In a prepared statement, Supervisors indicated they determined the settlement to be “in the best interest of taxpayers” and said Roberts “at a minimum, showed poor judgment.” The statement added that “although not conclusive, the investigative material surrounding the inappropriate use of County funds, promoting a hostile work environment, an alleged bribe, campaigning on County time, improper use of a County vehicle and retaliation against District 3 staff members is significant and a matter of concern for the Board of Supervisors.”

Asked his response, Roberts, who has consistently denied the staffers' allegations, provided East County Magazine with the following statement:

As arrests and incarcerations decline, county will put greater emphasis on prevention, intervention

East County News Service

September 15, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--A major decrease in juvenile arrests and detentions has caused significant savings for the county, and now government officials are looking to transfer money into services that help keep young people out of serious trouble. In 2009, 5,000 juveniles were under supervision, but now there are approximately 2,100. Detention rates have had a similar decline, down from 842 to 438, said Ron Lane, deputy chief administrative officer.

On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to transfer this savings to training for law enforcement officers dealing with young offenders, increased mental health services, and a program that helps stop juvenile family violence.

By Buck Schott

September 15, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--Who’s talking about issues people care about on the presidential campaign trail--and who's trashing whom?  Who’s showing some backbone, and who’s breaking from the herd?  Which candidate is trouncing Trump in a saucy new ad—and which climate-denying candidate got a science lesson from our own California governor?

Find these juicy details and more in this week’s column, as well as an update on who’s in, who’s out, and who will be onstage at the upcoming debates.

East County News Service

September 12, 2015 (El Cajon) -- The city of El Cajon is home to more than 40,000 Chaldeans, one of the largest Chaldean enclaves in the United States.  Chaldeans are an integral part of the local business community as well as the community at large, and would like to invite neighbors to sample the culture at the upcoming 5^th Annual Chaldean American Festival on September 19 and 20. The City of El Cajon has proclaimed September Chaldean American Month, and invites the whole community to attend the Chaldean American Festival. The family event will feature authentic homemade Chaldean faire, traditional music and dancing, games for children, as well as local vendors for all to enjoy.

September 14, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – East County Magazine readers who attended our Mardi Gras party last year will recall the rollicking, zesty music of the Bayou Brother band playing Cajun and Zydeco blues, including several East County residents.  Now the Bayou Brothers “High Roller Zydeco” is nominated for Best Blues CD in the San Diego Music Awards—the first Zydeco band to win this nomination.

Source: Sempra

September 14, 2015 (San Diego) – For the fifth consecutive year, Fortune magazine has named Debra L. Reed, chairman and CEO of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), to the magazine’s “Most Powerful Women in Business” list.  Reed is ranked No. 23 in 2015, up from No. 30 last year.

East County News Service

September 14, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)—Haggen, a major West Coast regional grocer, has announced plans to reorganize around its core profitable stores by filing voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company has received commitments for up to $215 million in debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing from its existing lenders to maintain operations and the flow of merchandise to its stores during the sale process.

“The Wise Use of Medication” on Sept. 23

September 14, 2015 (La Mesa) -- Medicines can treat health problems and help you live a healthier life but must be used correctly.

The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library will host a free program on “The Wise Use of Medication” from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Tips and suggestions will help attendees understand how to be safe and use medicines wisely, including information about over-the-counter and prescription medications, as well as key questions to ask your doctor or the pharmacist.

4 firefighters injured battling blaze

By Miriam Raftery

Photo taken by a Cal Trans crew member

September 13, 2015 (Lake County, California)—Overnight, fueled by gasoline explosions, the Valley Fire grew from 400 acres to 40,000 acres, Cal Fire report.  The blaze has destroyed scores of buildings including the historic heart of Middletown, a historic silver mining town dating back to the 1880s. The communities of Cobb and Hidden Valley have also suffered extensive damage, ABC news reports.

East County News Service

Photo by Alex Tardy, National Weather Service forecaster

September 13, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--If you’re looking to beat the heat, here’s some news you can use.

Cooler weather is coming to our region, with the remnants of Hurricane Linda  forecast to bring showers starting Monday night through Wednesday. Over an inch of rain could fall in the mountain areas.