Local representatives weigh in with their views

By Miriam Raftery

December 6, 2010 (Washington D.C.) – Congress is under fire to take action before Bush-era tax cuts expire at year’s end. Republicans want to see all tax extended, but have opposed extending unemployment benefits, which also expire this month. Democrats wanted to extend tax cuts for the middle class but eliminate tax cuts for the wealthy in order to reduce the deficit, and also extend benefits for the unemployed.  But Democrats could not pass their plan due to opposition from Republicans, who contend the wealthy need tax cuts to create jobs.

Now, President Barack Obama is pushing a compromise measure that would include a mix of new tax cuts, including a payroll tax cut and individual tax breaks, while also restoring some estate tax revenues.  

December 7, 2010 (El Cajon) – The landing gear collapsed on a Piper PA18 fixed-wing plane at Gillespie Field in El Cajon today, causing minor damage to the underside shortly after 3 p.m. There was no injury to the pilot and no passengers were on board.

December 7, 2010 (El Cajon) – A driver accidentally hit the gas pedal instead of the brake, rolling the front of the vehicle into the path of an oncoming trolley. The trolley struck the vehicle at North Marshall Avenue and Billy Mitchel in El Cajon, triggering a multi-agency response, Incident Page Network reported at 10:49 a.m. Fortunately, the driver was not injured.

Major new “Green Homebuilder” Survey ; Impact of Recession Gauged in Terms of Progress (and Lack of Progress) Among Major U.S. Homebuilders.

Breast cancer rehab center can now receive tax-deductible donations

Local representatives split on votes
 

By Miriam Raftery
 

December 4, 2010 (San Diego’s East County)—By a 256-152 vote, the House of Representatives has approved the Claims Settlement Act of 2010, which will provide $3.4 billion to settle a lawsuit which alleged federal mismanagement and loss of billions of dollars in trust funds for Indian tribes and individual Native Americans. Arizona Senator John McCain, former chair of the Senate committee on Indian Affairs, has called the government’s mismanagement “theft from Indian people” and declared that Native Americans are “rightfully owed the money.”

Although the measure had bipartisan support, among San Diego’s Congressional representatives, Republicans Duncan Hunter and Brian Bilbray voted against the settlement. Democrats Susan Davis and Bob Filner voted for it, while Republican Darrell Issa did not vote. 

Each week, 50 children are backed over by vehicles, resulting in serious injuries and deaths
 

By Miriam Raftery

December 5, 2010 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Department of Transportation this week proposed a new safety regulation to help eliminate blind zones behind vehicles.

“There hasn’t been an announcement this big since seatbelts and airbags were added to vehicles. We will no longer be backing up blindly,” Janette E. Fennell, founder and president of KidsAndCars.org, said of the new safety standards proposed.

December 5, 2010 (Jacumba) – Bill George Amantidis, 41, a medical courier, was found by a bystander lying in the road near a crashed Honda CRV on westbound I-8, just east of Jacumba at 5:52 this morning. Cal Fire and El Cajon CHP officers responded and confirmed death at the scene from blunt force trauma.

By Billy Ortiz

View our video adventure on Lakeside River Park, where an East County community has reclaimed a former sand mine site to create trails, habitat, and a place of beauty to enjoy the riverfront--and scroll down to learn more about this unique environment.

December 5, 2010 (Lakeside) --Growing up in Lakeside, California, the San Diego River has been a big part of my life. Although I’ve only experienced the full force of the river two times in the late 70’s and early 80’s, it has always fascinated me and captured my imagination.

By Miriam Raftery

December 4, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Californians Aware (CalAware), the nonprofit center for public forum rights, has advised state associations representing most local government agencies that their members may be subject to short notice lawsuits for common violations of California’s open meeting law, the Brown Act.

Naming ceremony scheduled for Dec. 9

December 4, 2010 (Lemon Grove)--The Navy Band Southwest Brass Quintet, balloons, dignitaries--and legions of fans--will welcome Rosemary Putnam, doyenne of the Friends of the Lemon Grove Library, on Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. at the Lemon Grove Library, 8073 Broadway, for the gala Rosemary Putnam Naming Ceremony.

December 4, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire Authority in partnership with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) will be holding its annual Fill The Boot Drive to raise funds to battle this debilitating disease. Locations and times of East County locations where you can help “fill the boot” with donations are listed below:

By Miriam Raftery
December 3, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The tragic death of Santee resident Bryson Lukacik points up the importance of knowing the danger signs following a head injury--and when to get treatment. 

Lukacik suffered a head injury while snowboarding but didn’t tell family members at first. He became disoriented and had a lump on his head before disappearing from a cabin in Big Bear where he and his family were vacationing. His body was found in the snow this morning.
 

If you or someone you know suffers a head injury, here are guidelines on what to watch for—and when to seek medical help.

December 3, 2010 (San Diego) – International Jewish rock star Josh Nelson will perform at a “Hanukkah Rocks” concert at the Temple Emanu-El, 6299 Capri Drive in the College area of San Diego. The event will be held Sunday, December 5 at 5:30 p.m.