By Jonathan Goetz

October 27, 2011 (El Cajon)--The City of El Cajon may become another in a string of cities to remove itself from the safeguards of state law and give “supreme authority” in municipal affairs to the city council. The measure is touted as a cost-savings step. But in some areas, charter city status has led to abuse and even fleecing of taxpayers—notably in Bell, California.

La Mesa couple makes gift in memory of late daughter, treated at UCLA

October 27, 2011 (La Mesa)--Thomas and Nadia Davies of La Mesa have committed $2 million to the UCLA Department of Neurosurgery in memory of their late daughter Alfonsina (Nina) Q. Davies and in honor of Dr. Paul Crandall, the UCLA neurosurgeon who ended her epileptic seizures.

Nadia Davies was named San Diego County Teacher of the Year in 1992. She and her husband later served on the Grossmont Union-High School Board through turbulent times.

By Miriam Raftery

“This is a shame and an embarrassment.” – La Mesa Councilman David Allen, former San Miguel Firefighter

“These are wickedly difficult decisions…decisions no fire chief wants to have to make.” – Chief August Ghio

Updated October 28, 2011; originally published October 27, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Over objections of an overflow crowd of more than 100 community members and firefighters, the San Miguel Fire (SMF) District board voted last night to leave only a two-man medical crew at its rural Dehesa station. 

October 28, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflecting all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views.  Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

·         Senate blocks vote on jobs bill (CNN)

·         Obama’s housing rescue plan: Up from underwater (Los Angeles Times editorial)

·         U.S. economic growth up (BBC)

·         Euro zone deal sparks rally on Wall Street (Reuters)

·         Rate on 30-year fixed mortgage falls to 4.6 percent (San Diego Union-Tribune)

·         Medicare’s 2012  premium increase is less than expected (CNN)

·         The craze for flat taxes: Republican candidates are competing to race to the lowest point (London Economist)

·         Flat-tax renews fight on `trickle’down’ economics (Associated Press/San Francisco Chronicle)

·         Skeptical scientist ends up confirming climate change (Washington Post)

·         Federal contracts study says privatization isn’t cheaper (Sacramento Bee)

·         Disasters strain FEMA resources (USA Today)

·         Exxon Mobile profits soar 41% (money.cnn.com)

·         Ron Paul to “eventually” end all student aid (RawStory)

·         Occupy tensions high after vet’s skull fracture (CBS News)

WORLD    

·         7.2 mag quake hits turkey; 217 dead (CBS News)

·         Girls given equal rights to British throne under law changes (CNN)

·         Rainbow of religious leaders join Pope for peace (Fox News)

·         Israel, Palestinians agree on step toward new talks (CNN)

·         Bangkok residents flee as floods threaten dikes (Reuters)

Nothing but the Truth!

By Will Power

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 4^th, 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. 

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.

By Ginny Grimsley

Insider Secrets From A Human Resources Veteran

October 27, 2011 (San Diego)  -- You may have aced Intermediate Accounting, but you didn’t count on getting lost on the way to your first big job interview. So you arrived late and flustered, chugged a restorative cup of coffee in the reception area, and then offered your interviewer a sweaty handshake.

 Employee award recognizes John Thomas’ many contributions to department

Update October 27, 2011 at 12:50 p.m. -- The fire's spread has been stopped at 15 acres or less, Cal-Fire spokesperson Roxanne Provaznik confirms.  "The Incident Commander has released  one strike team of engines, three water tenders, and all aerial firefighting equipment, except for one helicopter," she said. Firefighters will be committed for several more hours mopping up any remaining hot spots.

 October 28,  2011 (San Diego's East County)--East County Roundup highlights articles on top regional and state issues of interest to East County and inland San Diego County, published in other media. This week’s top Roundup headlines include:

LOCAL

·         Grossmont District board, others, debate district map (San Diego Union-Tribune)

·         Route 78 between Escondido and Ramona to close [for repairs] (San Diego Union-Tribune)

·         Innovative idea comes to San Diego: converted parking meters will raise money for homeless (CityBeat)

·         Power industry: Still no answer as to why big blackout occurred (KPBS)      

·         Goldsmith’s airpark investment led to a potential conflict of interest (CityBeat)

STATE

·         California board approves cap and trade on climate emissions (Sacramento Bee)

·         Labor balks at Jerry Brown’s pension plan (Sacramento Bee)

·         Gavin Newsom wants ‘pattern interrupt’ on higher education, jobs (Sacramento Bee)

·         California prison layoff notices begin downsizing process (Sacramento Bee)

·         Plastic water bottle makers sued by  California over green claims (Los Angeles Times)

·         State Senate approves bill for National Guard oversight (Sacramento Bee)

By Miriam Raftery

October 26, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) –East County Magazine writers and photographers took home 13 awards in the San Diego Press Club’s ”Excellence in Journalism” competition—including seven first-place awards.  ECM has won a total of 46 journalism awards since opening our doors in 2008. 

"I'm proud of our winning team, which includes professional journalists, interns, and community volunteers we've helped train as citizen journalists," said editor Miriam Raftery.  "It's inspiring to see their dedication and hard work recognized by San Diego Press Club."  Residents interested in volunteering to receive training as a community volunteer are encouraged to e-mail editor@eastcountymagazine.org.  

Scroll down for highlights, plus a full list of winners and links to view the winning stories and photos.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Dennis Richardson

Updated October 27, 2011 (Lakeside) -- Andrew Richard Welch has been arrested and charged with the murder of his wife.

According to Lieutenant Larry Nesbit with the San Diego Sheriff's Homicide Detail, Welch "contacted staff at the front counter of the Santee Sheriff's Station and stated he believed he had killed his wife in the home they shared."  

 
By Joel A. Harrison, PhD, MPH

 Arnie Levine aims to raise funds, attract walkers for November 4 event at Del Mar Fairgrounds

By Brian Lafferty

Last year I lost my mother to breast cancer. This column is the second of a four-part series about loss and grief from an Autistic’s perspective.

October 27, 2011 (San Diego) – At my alma mater, The Winston School, I was blessed to have a fine P.E. teacher and softball coach. On one of my toughest days he gave me a piece of sage advice. He told me, “If you worry that something bad is going to happen, chances are it’s not going to happen.”

October 25, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Due to elevated fire danger with extremely dry conditions, a no-burn proclamation issued by Cal-Fire remains in effect in all state responsibility lands within San Diego and Imperial Counties.

In addition to suspension of open burning, use of campfires are restricted to within established campfire facilities in established campgrounds open to the public.

October 25, 2011 (Julian) -- On Monday, October 31 at 6 p.m., Jeremy’s on the Hill California Style Bistro teams up with Witch Creek Winery to host a four-course Wine Pairing Event featuring local produce and ingredients. 

Guests are invited to wear Halloween Costumes (if they dare….) and prizes will be awarded.

October 25, 2011 (La Mesa)--Two suspects, armed with a “stun-gun, robbed Aliberto’s Taco Shop located at 7819 El Cajon Blvd. on October 24. The suspects got away with an undisclosed amount of cash, according to La Mesa Police.

Police received a call around 12:10 a.m.that a robbery had just occurred. An employee reported that one suspect approached the counter of the business and ordered a burrito. A short time later the second suspect entered the business. One suspect then pulled out a “stun-gun” and ordered the employee to the back of the business. The suspects then got behind the counter and took the cash drawer out of the register. Both suspects fled southbound on foot. The employee was not injured.

By Buck Shott

October 24, 2011 (La Mesa) -- In light of recent robberies that have occurred in the City of La Mesa and in San Diego County, the La Mesa Police Department is hosting a Robbery Forum for business owners and employees working in La Mesa. The forum will provide information about robberies and how the police department can work with its business partners to address these crimes.

October 24, 2011 (San Diego)-- C.U.R.E. AFRICA (Communities United Reviving East Africa) is a San Diego State University student organized project created on August 28, 2011 by Mohamed Ahmed and Yousef Abraham in partnership with Phi Beta Sigma and Somali Student Union.

C.U.R.E. AFRICA has taken the initiative to raise awareness and money on campus and within the larger communities to help the millions of starving children in East Africa affected by famine conditions.  An event on campus tonight seeks to increase awareness and public support to help save lives. 

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.

By Miriam Raftery

October 23, 2011 (El Cajon) – Dressed in mini-skirts, love beads, Letterman jackets and other nostalgic garb, approximately 300 guests turned out to celebrate Grossmont College’s 50th anniversary gala last night.

 
The world was rapidly changing when the college first opened its doors in 1961 on the campus at Monte Vista High School. (The next year, a bond measure funded construction at today’s location.) Back in 1961, John F. Kennedy had just been elected president, succeeding Dwight D. Eisenhower. The Beatles rocketed to fame. America launched its first man into space and the President vowed to put a man on the moon within a decade.

October 24, 2011 (San Diego) – Several East County participants have informed ECM that Occupy San Diego supporters will march to San Diego City Council’s meeting tomorrow morning, Tuesday October 25, to present a resolution supporting the protests. Afterwards, a protest at a Federal Reserve banker’s roundtable meeting in San Diego is planned.

The public can sign a petition asking Council members to support peaceful demonstrations by Occupy San Diego. The movement is protesting big banks and corporate influence on government that supporters believe are hurting the interests of "99 percent" of Americans. A similar resolution has been adopted by the Los Angeles City Council in support of Occupy Los Angeles.

October 23, 2011 (Rolando) --  San Diego Police are investigating the stabbing of Hien Nguyen. The incident took place at Cafe Bien, located at 5389 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego in the Rolando area, on October 20.