From Big Picture to Specifics

By Kristin Kjaero and Miriam Raftery

In part two of this series on election races in La Mesa, East County Magazine spotlights incumbent Ernie Ewin.
For this series we asked all candidates the same set of questions on local issues, with an open invitation to bring up anything else they would like to discuss at the end of the session. We want each candidate to speak for themselves.

New jobs include many slated for East County;
Cedar Fire survivor also calls for stronger fire protection and improved emergency notification in region

By Miriam Raftery
 
August 30, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Most candidates only talk about creating jobs. But Mark Hanson (D-Lakeside) aims to hit the ground running if elected to fill the open 77th Assembly seat vacated by Joel Anderson, who is running for State Senate.
 
“I’ve already met with over 200 companies around the country, and I’ve identified 32 who have committed to bring green manufacturing jobs to California,” he told East County Magazine, adding that his plan includes a facility in Boulevard to manufacture parts for wind turbines. “Those companies will generate 2,200 jobs within the next two years.” Asked to name a few of the firms, he listed these:

September 1, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-California) will debate her Republican opponent, Carly Fiorina, tonight at 7 p.m. The debate will be carried live at 7 p.m. by KGTV Channel 10 News.
  
Both candidates call for job creation but have conflicting strategies for how to achieve economic growth, with Fiorina supporting tax cuts for corporations to create new jobs, while Boxer focuses on tax incentives for small businesses as well as stimulus inevestments in infrastructure and sustainable industries to put Americans back to work.

Calls provision allowing school lunch equipment purchases "wasteful spending"

August 31, 2010 (Washington D.C.) – Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-El Cajon) , a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, voted against sending H.R. 5504, the Improving Nutrition for America’s Children Act, to the full House for consideration. 

The bill aims to make school lunches more nutritious and get junk food out of schools. The goal is to improve children's health and cut down on childhood obesity, a national epidemic.  From 1980 to 2009, childhood obesity in America has tripled--and poor nutritional habits are largely to blame. In California, 30.5% of all children are obese, putting them at higher risk of diabetes and heart problems later on.

Public invited to meet elected officials and candidates

August 26, 2010 (La Mesa) –Instead of its annual convention, San Diego's County Democratic Party is hosting a free campaign kickoff and rally from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 29 at Harry Griffen Park in La Mesa. Members of the California Legislature as well as candidates for Congress, State Senate, Assembly, and local races will be at the event, which includes a potluck picnic and entertainment.

SAN DIEGO – Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) announced today that the Legislature passed SB 503 to improve oversight of state bond funds. The bill now heads to the Governor for his signature.

“California taxpayers have a right to know that the bond monies they have approved for housing, transportation, and other projects are being spent efficiently and appropriately,” Kehoe said. “This good government bill will ensure strict accountability of state funds and I urge the Governor to sign this measure into law.”

Candidate’s troubled past leads to new beginnings

By Kristin Kjaero and Miriam Raftery

In part one of this series on election races in La Mesa, East County Magazine spotlights Mayoral challenger Laura Lothian.

August 27, 2010 (La Mesa)--Currently a successful real estate salesperson for Windermere Pacific Coast Properties in La Mesa, Laura Lothian is challenging incumbent Mayor Art Madrid in the November election. Her qualifications include serving on the La Mesa Parking Commission, on the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and as a member of the Village Merchant’s Association and La Mesa Historical Society. She has been endorsed by Councilwoman Ruth Sterling.

August 23, 2010 (Sacramento) – Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon) announced today that his AB 1506, a measure that would require the state to accept its own IOUs in payment for state taxes or fees, has passed both houses of the Legislature and is now on the Governor’s desk.

August 26, 2010 (San Diego) – Supervisor Ron Roberts has been in office during two of the worst wildfires in San Diego history in 2003 and 2007, serving as Chair of the Board of Supervisors during the 2007 firestorms. But his opponent, challenger Steve Whitburn, has won the coveted endorsement of the San Diego Firefighters Association.

“We believe Stephen is the right choice for Supervisor because he will fight to make our communities safe,” said Frank DeClercq, president of the San Diego City Firefighters.

 
August 25, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- After 11 days of fasting, Democratic Congressional Candidate Ray Lutz announced Monday that after founding a new national organization (Debate for Democracy) to carry on the fight for congressional debates in districts nationwide, he will end his fast. eat. Libertarian candidate Michael Benoit has also resumed eating.

Amid budget gridlock, Governor proposes taxing services statewide

August 25, 2010 (Sacramento) – Assemblyman Marty Block (D-Lemon Grove) today warned that while the budget is stalled in the Legislature, students cannot receive the funds distributed through the Cal Grants program.

Mayor, Council candidates to participate on panel Thursday, September 16
 

August 25, 2010 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce has invited all candidates running for mayor and city council to share their views in a free public forum on Thursday, September 16 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa. Thus far, both of the  mayoral candidates and five of the six Council candidates have accepted the Chamber's invitation. They are:
 

August 24, 2010 (Sacramento)-- Assembly Bill 1844, Chelsea's Law, passed the California State Senate today by unanimous vote. The measure, carried through the Senate by Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth, (R-Murrieta) was authored by Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher (R-San Diego). The bill aims to strengthen protections for California children from violent sexual predators.

August 23, 2010 (Sacramention)--Assemblymember Marty Block (AD-78) announced today that AB 184 has cleared the Legislature and is now awaiting action by the Governor. The bill prevents the California Department of Education from requiring school districts to repay the state for Special Disabilities Adjustment funding that they received in the last fiscal year and already used to teach special-needs students in their classrooms.

August 23, 2010 (El Cajon) – Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon) has announced plans during the Congressional recess to tour over a dozen San Diego area businesses representing a wide variety of industries, in order to hear directly from local job creators about the challenges of today’s economy.
 

By Miriam Raftery

August 22, 2010 (El Cajon ) – Two Congressmen and four local lawmakers fielded questions from the audience Friday night, trading quips and barbs on topics ranging from healthcare to gay marriage. The occasion was the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce’s annual “Politics in Paradise” event in the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College, where the weather was sultry and the politics even hotter.

 
Candidates are “hungry for debate” with Rep. Duncan Hunter
 
East County News Service

August 22, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) –Ten days into a hunger strike, Democratic Congressional candidate Ray Lutz has become the topic of national news coverage, including an interview Thursday on CNN . Lutz and Libertarian candidate Michael Benoit are holding the hunger strike to draw attention to Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon) refusing to debate them until after absentee ballot voting has begun.  In San Diego, 60% of voters cast absentee ballots last election.
 
At Friday night’s “Politics in Paradise”, the two candidates joined dozens of supporters in a protest outside the event where Hunter and other elected officials participated in a public forum, but challenger candidates were not included. Hunter has claimed his legislative schedule precludes him from returning to his district for a debate prior to October.

By Buck Shott

August 19, 2010 (San Diego's East County) – The races are on for mayor and council positions in East Couny. Two local mayors’ seats are up for reelection in November. Both face challengers vying for the leadership spots in El Cajon and La Mesa. In addition, a pack of contenders is vying to run for council seats in East County’s cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, and Santee. Here's the lineup: 

August 18, 2010 (Sacramento) -- Assemblymember Marty Block (AD-78) announced today that his AB 2314 has been signed by the Governor. A bipartisan measure overwhelmingly approved by the Legislature, this legislation makes it easier for disabled veterans to receive a special property tax exemption available to them by extending the time frame for filing a claim.

 
August 19, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- It may be the hottest political show of the season. On Friday, the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual “Politics in Paradise” event, giving the public an opportunity to hear from top elected officials. This year, confirmed participants include Congressional representatives Duncan D. Hunter (R-El Cajon) and Bob Filner (D-San Diego), as well as State Senator Denise Ducheny (D-San Diego), Assemblyman Marty Block (D-Lemon Grove), and Supervisor Dianne Jacob.
 

The bipartisan lineup includes some of San Diego’s most influential and powerful legislative leaders. Ducheny chairs the Senate budget committee in Sacramento. Block chairs the Higher Education committee n the Assembly. Filner chairs the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Jacob, with decades of experience, has previously chaired the County Board of Supervisors. Hunter, a first-term Congressman, is a member of the House Armed Services Committee that his father formerly chaired.

Bans county and city officials from letting relatives use cars or credit cards
 

August 17, 2010 (Sacramento) – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed Assembly bill 1399 into law. The measure, authored by Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon), prohibits local elected officials from allowing family members to use publicly owned vehicles or credit cards.

 
East County News Service
August 19, 2010 (Santee) – “It’s hard to imagine that it has been 30 years,” said Pat Hurley, president of  the Santee Democratic Club, which was founded the same year that Santee was incorporated, 1980. To celebrate, the Club is hosting a picnic at Santee Lakes (Lake 1, Space A) on Sunday, August 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
 
“We will be joined by our candidates for Congress, State Senate, State Assembly and Santee City Council,” Hurley said. “This is a great opportunity to meet these dedicated candidates, hear what they have to say and ask them questions about issues important to you.”

 
Challenger accuses Rep. Hunter of dodging early debates; Hunter wants to wait until Congress is in recess--after absentee ballots have been mailed

 
By Miriam Raftery

August 12, 2010 (El Cajon) – In the 52nd Congressional District, Democratic candidate Ray Lutz is dishing up a new campaign tactic: a hunger strike. He hopes to convince Rep. Duncan D. Hunter to participate in a series of debates before absentee voting by mail begins. “Until Hunter steps up to the plate, I’ll be stepping away from the dinner plate,” Lutz said in a press release.

August 5, 2010 (San Diego) – The San Diego City Council voted 6-2 in a special session Wednesday to let voters decide whether the City should have a temporary (five year) half-cent increase in sales tax. The “Reform before Revenue” measure, proposed by Councilmembers Donna Frye and Todd Gloria, will require that key pension and financial reforms be met before the tax increase would take effect. 

Hunter representative defends vote on cost, transparency issues

August 3, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Ray Lutz, Democratic candidate for the 52nd Congressional district, slammed incumbent Rep. Duncan D. Hunter (R-El Cajon) for voting against the Tribal Law and Order Act HR 725), calling it a “vote protecting rapists.” President Barack Obama signed the bill into law on July 30, as ECM previously reported.

The measure allows tribal councils to prosecute criminals including rape victims when the defendant is an outsider and the U.S. Department of Justice has declined to prosecute.  A study by Amnesty International found that one in three Native American women is raped during her lifetime; 86% of those rapes are committed by non-native men, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
 

By Buck Shott

August 4, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – This week, our Political Wrangler brings you the lastest from those smoke-filled rooms in Washington and San Diego.  Amid pressing world issues, which of your U.S. legislators has a bill to ban marijuana brownies?   Who is drawing fire for cozy ties to tobacco lobbyists after backing a cigar club for legislators? Which Congressman is fighting to make it easier to send cigarettes to our troops?  Did a certain Supervisor break the law in doling out $80,000 in taxpayer money to a special interest group?

East County News Service

August 1, 2010 (Sacramento)--Assembly Bill 1506, the "IOU Taxpayer Protection Bill" authored by Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon) will be heard on Monday, August 2 in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

“As the State's cash flow situation continues to deteriorate, California is once again in danger of issuing IOU's to its businesses and citizens. AB 1506 will protect taxpayers from the state's forced borrowing,” Anderson said.

July 30, 2010 (Washington D.C.) – Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-El Cajon), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, today highlighted a report by the bipartisan Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) Independent Panel, which calls for increasing the Navy to a 346-ship fleet and expanding America’s focus to prepare for threats in the Western Pacific.

July 29, 2010 (San Diego's East County) – “This is destructive...It’s sabotage,” said Ray Lutz,  Democratic challenger to the 52nd Congressional seat. Lutz was reacting to Senate Republicans' filibuster of the Small Business Lending Fund Act, which would create a $30 billion lending fund for small businesses.  The bulk would be used to help community banks and credit unions start lending money again to local businesses.

Republican Congressman Duncan D. Hunter, Lutz’s opponent, voted no on the measure in the House June 17--four days after telling local business leaders that he shared their concerns over the need to help community banks and credit unions free up funds to lend to small businesses.

July 28, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will host its second annual “Politics in Paradise” event on August 20 from 6-9 p.m. at the Water Conservation Garden. The bipartisan program provides voters in East County with the opportunity to hear from legislators representing them in Washington, in Sacramento, and at the County level. 
 
The evening will allow guests  to pose questions to representatives and hear their opinions on hot button political issues and current events. Legislators confirmed to attend so far include Congressmen Duncan Hunter and Bob Filner, Assemblyman Marty Block, and Supervisor Dianne Jacob. More RSVPs are expected.