East County News Service
May 1, 2026 (San Diego County) — In a show of bipartisan collaboration aimed at addressing the needs of one of San Diego County’s most underserved regions, District 2 Supervisor Joel Anderson hosted Board Chair Pro Tem Paloma Aguirre from District 1 (South County) this past week for an extensive tour of East County, including the backcountry.
The day-long journey provided both supervisors a firsthand look at the diverse landscape of East County’s sprawling District 2, ranging from the urban corridors of El Cajon to the rugged Mountain Empire.
The tour served as a reciprocal follow-up to a December visit when Aguirre hosted Anderson in the South County, looking to reinforce a partnership focused on closing resource gaps.
The visit included a trip to Jacumba Hot Springs for lunch and a stop at the controversial Jacumba energy project, the JVR Energy Park.
Anderson sent out an email that outlined the tour, which began in El Cajon, visiting the Magnolia Safe Parking Site and the El Cajon Crisis Stabilization Unit, two cornerstones of the County’s strategy to address homelessness and behavioral health. The visit also highlighted the revitalization of El Cajon’s Main Street, showcasing how local economic activity is rebounding through targeted investment.
Moving into Lakeside, the focus shifted to the intersection of environmental health and public safety. The supervisors inspected San Vicente and Los Coches Creeks, where the county is navigating complex challenges related to homelessness and long-term creek maintenance. They also checked the progress at Lindo Lake, a community landmark currently undergoing restoration to improve infrastructure and recreational access.
The itinerary also included more isolated reaches of the county. In Descanso, the leaders met with local fire and library staff to discuss the unique hurdles of providing emergency services and educational resources to rural residents.
The conversation turned to regional security and tribal relations during stops in the Mountain Empire and Campo, according to Anderson. The supervisors discussed border coordination and the necessity of maintaining strong partnerships with tribal nations to ensure the needs of unincorporated communities are not overlooked by the central government.
The tour concluded in Jacumba Hot Springs with a working lunch at Long Shadow, where the supervisors discussed rural economic development and the potential for infrastructure projects to unlock new jobs in the far reaches of the county.
sDespite their districts sitting on opposite ends of the county, both supervisors emphasized that their constituents face strikingly similar obstacles.
“I’m so appreciative of Chair Pro Tem Aguirre taking the time to walk through the communities that define District 2,” Anderson said. “These are areas where County decisions have a real and daily impact, from public safety to homelessness to infrastructure. Working together, we can continue to make sure nobody gets left behind.”
Aguirre echoed the sentiment, noting the economic potential hidden within these underserved areas.
“District 1 and District 2 may be on opposite ends of our County, but we share a common goal: ensuring our most underserved communities become hubs of economic opportunity,” Aguirre said. “By working together across district lines, we are building a resilient framework that supports workers and small businesses from the coast to the backcountry.”
A veteran of the California State Legislature, Anderson, an Alpine resident, has represented the East County for decades. His tenure on the Board of Supervisors has been defined by seeking ways to help those experiencing homelessness, a focus on veteran service, and advocating for the unique infrastructure needs of unincorporated and rural communities.
Aguirre, who previously served as the Mayor of Imperial Beach, is known as a dedicated advocate for environmental justice, particularly regarding the Tijuana River Valley. She champions social equity, affordable housing and coastal preservation.