January 2025

Calls, e-mails and letters to your elected officials often do make a difference.  It’s important for public officials to know how the people feel about important issues and votes. It’s vital to let our elected members know that we are keeping an eye on how they vote – and will hold them accountable at election time if they ignore the will of the people!

When contacting officials, your efforts are most apt to be successful if you are polite, keep comments brief, include a bill number if you can, and add a pertinent example (for instance, “Please support increased funds to treat wounded veterans so we can help people like my cousin, Joe, an Iraq war veteran who needs state-of-the-art treatment to help his recovery from a brain injury.”)  

Be aware that letters mailed to Congress or the U.S. Senate can be delayed weeks or even months because of screening mail for Anthrax.  So it’s best to contact your federal officials by e-mail, phone, or fax.  Be sure to mention that you are a constituent who lives in his or her district.

Not sure which districts you’re in, or who your elected officials are? 

Type your zip code here to find out!  www2.sdcounty.ca.gov/rov/Eng/Edistrict_query.asp

Below are listings for your U.S. Senators, Congressional representatives, State Legislators, and County Supervisors.  

To find out who your other local elected officials are (such as school board or city council members), just type in your address at this site from the San Diego County Registrar of Voters: 170.213.238.101/rov/Eng/Edistrict_query.asp. 

To find your state legislator, visit  http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/.

U.S. SENATE

Alex Padilla (D)

E-mail:  https://www.padilla.senate.gov/contact/contact-form/

Washington D.C.: Phone (202) 224 - 3553, Fax (202) 224-2200

San Diego: Phone (619) 239 - 3884; Fax (202) 228 - 3863

San Diego office:  600 B St., Suite 2240, San Diego, CA 92101-4604

Website: https://www.padilla.senate.gov/

Diane Feinstein (D)

E-mail:  https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/e-mail-me

Washington D.C.:   phone (202) 224-3841; fax (202) 228-3954          

San Diego:  phone (619) 231-9712; (619) 231-1108 fax

Website: https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

San Diego’s Eastern Region includes all or portions of 5 Congressional districts:

49th district – Mike Levin (D)

E-mail via this link: https://mikelevin.house.gov/zip-code-lookup?form=/contact/request-an-appearance

Washington:  Phone:  (202) 225-3906

Oceanside:  Phone (760) 599-5000

District office:  2204 El Camino Real Suite 314, Oceanside, CA 92054

Website: https://mikelevin.house.gov/

50th district – Darrell Issa (R)

E-mail: https://hunter.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

Washington D.C.  Phone: 202-225-5672

San Marcos: Phone: (760) 304-7575 

District office:  570 Rancheros Dr. Unit 250, San Marcos, CA  92069

Website:   https://issa.house.gov/

51st district -  Juan Vargas (D)

E-mail:  https://vargas.house.gov/contact

Washington D.C.:  Phone: 202-225-8045 Fax: 202-225-2772

San Diego:  Phone: 619-422-5963 Fax: 619-422-7290

District office:  333 F Street, #A, Chula Vista, CA 91910-2624

Website: http://vargas.house.gov/

52nd District -- Scott Peters (D)

E-mail:  http://scottpeters.house.gov/contact

1201 Longworth Office Bldg. Washington, DC 20515

Phone: 202-225-0508 

District office: 4350 Executive Drive Suite 105, San Diego, CA 92121

Phone: 858-455-5550

Website: http://scottpeters.house.gov/

53rd district:  Sara Jacobs (D)

E-mail:  https://sarajacobs.house.gov/contact/

Washington: Phone: (202) 225-2040; Fax: (202) 225-2948

San Diego:  Phone: (619) 280-5353

District office: 2700 Adams Avenue #102, San Diego, CA 92116

Website: https://sarajacobs.house.gov/

Don’t know who your Congressional representative is? 
Type in your zip code at this link to find out:  www.house.gov/writerep 
Or check this map at the San Diego Registrar of Voters:  
www.co.san-diego.ca.us/voters/Eng/maps/Cust-Rdy_Assembly.jpg

CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE

San Diego’s Eastern region includes portions of 4 California State Senate districts.  Not sure who your Senator is?  Check this map: http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/voters/Eng/maps/SenatorialSDCountyMap.jpg

36th District – Pat Bates (R)

E-mail: link available on website

Sacramento:  Phone: (916) 651-4036 Fax:  (916) 651-4936   

Encinitas:  Phone:  (760) 642-0809          Fax: (760) 642-0814

District Office:  169 Saxony Road, Suite 103, Encinitas, California  92024

Website:  https://bates.cssrc.us/

38th District –  Brian Jones (R)

E-mail: https://jones.cssrc.us/e-mail-senator

Sacramento:  Phone: 916-651-4038, Fax: (916) 651-4938    

El Cajon:  Phone: 619-596-3136, Fax: (619) 596-3140         

District Office:  500 Fesler Street, #201 El Cajon, CA 92020

Website: https://jones.cssrc.us/

39th District – Toni Atkins (D)

E-mail: http://sd39.senate.ca.gov/contact

Sacramento:  Phone: (916) 651-4039     Fax: (916) 651-4939

San Diego:  Phone:  (619) 645-3133     Fax  (619) 645-3144

District Office:  1350 Front Street, Suite 4061, San Diego, CA 92101

Website: http://sd39.senate.ca.gov/

40th District – Ben Hueso

E-mail: Assemblymember.Hueso@assembly.ca.gov

Sacramento:  Phone: 916-651-4040       Fax: (916) 651-4940

Chula Vista:  Phone:  619-409-7690       Fax: 619-409-7688

District Office:  303 H St., Suite 200 Chula Vista, CA 91910

Website:  http://sd40.senate.ca.gov

CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY

San Diego’s Eastern Region includes portions of seven California State Assembly districts. Not sure who your Assembly member is?  Check this map:  http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/voters/Eng/maps/AssemblySDCountyMap.jpg

71st District – Randy Voepel (R)

E-mail:  http://arc.asm.ca.gov/member/AD71/Default.aspx?p=email

Sacramento:  Phone:  916-319-2071                  Fax:  (916) 319-2171      

Santee:  Phone:  619-258-7737                            Fax:  (619) 258-7739

District Office:  8760 Cuyamaca Street Suite 201, Santee, CA 92071

Website:  https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/

75th District – Marie Waldron (R)

E-mail:  http://arc.asm.ca.gov/member/AD75/?p=email

Sacramento:  Phone:  916-319-2075    

Escondido:  Phone: 760-480-7570    

District Office:  350 W. 5th Ave., Ste. #110, Escondido, CA 92025

Website: https://ad75.asmrc.org/

76th District – Tasha Boerner Horvath (D)

E-mail:  https://a76.asmdc.org/contact-tasha

Oceanside:  Phone: (760) 434-7605

District Office:  325 Carlsbad Village Drive, Suite A-2, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Website:  https://a76.asmdc.org/

77th District – Brian Maienschein (R)

E-mail:  https://a77.asmdc.org/contact-me

Sacramento:  Phone: 916-319-2077, Fax: (916) 319-2177   

San Diego:  Phone:  (858) 675-0077

District Office:  12396 World Trade Dr., #118 San Diego, CA 92128

Website:  http://arc.asm.ca.gov/member/AD77/

78th District – Christopher Ward (D)

E-mail:  https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.php?district=AD78&inframe=N

Sacramento:  Phone:  916-319-2078   Fax: (916) 319-2178

San Diego:  Phone:  619-645-3090      

District Office:  1350 Front St., #6054 San Diego, CA 92101

Website: https://a78.asmdc.org/

79th District – Akilah Weber (D)

E-mail:  https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.php?district=AD79&inframe=N

Sacramento:  Phone:  916-319-2079       Fax:  (916) 319-2179

San Diego:  Phone:  619-531-7913           Fax:  (619) 531-7924

District Office:  1350 Front St., Suite #6046 San Diego, CA 92101

Website:  http://asmdc.org/members/a79/

80th District – VACANT

COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Not sure who your Supervisor is?  Check this map:  www.sdcounty.ca.gov/general/bos.html

1st District: Nora Vargas
E-mail:  District1community@sdcounty.ca.gov
Phone: (619) 531-5511
Website:  https://www.supervisornoravargas.com/

2nd District:  Joel Anderson
E-mail: joel.anderson@sdcounty.ca.gov
Phone: (619) 441-4327
Website: http://www.supervisorjoelanderson.com/

3rd District:  Terra Lawson-Remer
E-mail:  Terra.Lawson-Remer@sdcounty.ca.gov 
Phone:: 619-531-5533
Website:  https://www.supervisorterralawsonremer.com/

4th District: Nathan Fletcher
E-mail: Nathan.Fletcher@sdcounty.ca.gov
Phone:  Phone: 619-531-5544; Fax: 619-531-6262
Website:www.supervisornathanfletcher.com

5th District:  Jim Desmond
E-mail:  Jim.Desmond@sdcounty.ca.gov 
Phone:  Phone: 619-531-5555
Website:  www.supervisorjimdesmond.com

CITIES IN EAST COUNTY

Visit these websites to find current elected officials and their contact information:

El Cajon   https://www.cityofelcajon.us/your-government/city-council/city-council-contacts

La Mesa https://www.cityoflamesa.us/Directory.aspx?did=11

Lemon Grove https://www.lemongrove.ca.gov/city-hall/city-council

Santee http://cityofsanteeca.gov/government/city-council

By Laura Preble, El Cajon

October 28, 2024 (El Cajon) -- As a 20-year veteran of Grossmont Union High School district (West Hills and Monte Vista High School), I want to strongly urge East County voters to elect Jay Steiger and Chris Fite to the school board.  

The incumbents running have done numerous things this year to make the district unsafe and unworkable. They do not deserve to be re-elected. First, they eliminated all of the TOSA (teacher on special assignment) positions at the district level. As a person who worked with students and teachers directly, I can tell you that these TOSA staff were instrumental in making sure students and teachers kept up with the latest technology, both hardware and software.  Eliminating these positions ensures that teachers won’t be able to use new technology nor troubleshoot problems, and therefore students will miss out. These incumbents chose NOT to listen to employees who directly work with students, opting instead for ‘cost savings’ that no one can seem to explain. 

They also TOTALLY ELIMINATED the district School Safety department. In an era when school shootings are all too common, why would these board members think getting rid of comprehensive safety planning is a good idea? The School Safety department is integral to the safety and well-being of employees and students, and for anyone in a position to make that decision to choose to just get rid of it is puzzling and troubling. I have huddled with students in lockdown because of the threat of gun violence.  We’ve had two deadly gun violence incidents at our schools. I absolutely cannot understand the reasoning behind this decision, other than perhaps the trustees are hoping to decrease enrollment and lessen the number of employees? 

Please vote for Jay Steiger and Chris Fite for Grossmont Union school board. We need board members who care about our teachers and our kids.

The opinions in this editorial reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

January 16, 2025 (San Diego) -- Recent brush fires in Southern California have proven January is extremely dry. But there’s a different dry in January. Dry January is an annual challenge that encourages people to give up alcohol for the entire month. It has gained widespread popularity in recent years as individuals look to kickstart their year with a focus on health, detoxification, and self-care. Originating as a campaign by Alcohol Concern in 2013, it has grown into a global movement, with millions of people participating each year.

The benefits of taking part in Dry January are far-reaching. Abstaining from alcohol for a month can help reset the body, improve sleep quality, boost energy levels, and even lead to weight loss. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on one’s relationship with alcohol and assess whether drinking habits need adjustment in the long term. Whether you want to take a break from the habit or simply explore how life feels without alcohol, Dry January provides a supportive environment for positive change.

In addition to the health benefits, Dry January also highlights the importance of mental clarity and mindfulness. With alcohol-free events, social gatherings, and support networks becoming more common, participants are encouraged to engage in activities that nourish the mind and body without the need for alcohol.

How to Make the Most of Dry January

• Plan ahead for social occasions by researching alcohol-free alternatives or mocktail recipes.
• Track the physical benefits you’re experiencing, such as improved skin, better sleep, or more energy.
• Join a Dry January challenge or community group to connect with others for support and encouragement.
• Reflect on your drinking habits and consider whether making long-term changes could benefit your health.
• Experiment with new hobbies or activities that don’t revolve around drinking, such as yoga or learning a new skill.
• Set personal goals for the month, such as reducing alcohol consumption long-term or simply enjoying life without alcohol.
• Reward yourself with small treats when you hit milestones, like one week or two weeks of sobriety.
• Use this month as an opportunity to educate yourself about the effects of alcohol on the body and mind.
• Share your journey on social media to inspire others and raise awareness about the benefits of sobriety.
• Explore new alcohol-free brands and enjoy discovering new flavors and drinks.

*Note: The information in this article was compiled from various sources. These suggestions are not a complete list of every preventative or loss control measure. The information is not intended to replace additional safety manuals or the advice of another qualified professional(s). We make no guarantee of results from use of this information. We assume no liability in connection with the information nor the suggestions made.

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East County News Service

December 18, 2024 (Washington D.C.) -- Today, legislation authored by Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) to place 172 acres of land in East County, San Diego into tribal trust for the Jamul Indian Village passed the House and heads to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law, after a companion measure authored by Senator Padilla previously passed in the Senate.

The Jamul Indian Village has sought for years to bring tribal members back onto their ancestral land – so they can raise their families, carry forward their culture, and add to their history,” said Rep. Issa. “This is the right thing to do, and it empowers not government, but individuals, to take new charge and best care of their lives. This Fee-to-Trust bill provides that opportunity, securing Jamul’s land, preserving its sacred sites, and protecting Kumeyaay traditions for generations to come. My thanks to Senator Padilla and Congressman Vargas for their support in pushing forth this important legislation.” 

Find resources for refugees throughout San Diego County by clicking this link. Many services are available including help with resettlement, immigration, education, jobs, literacy, healthcare, and much more. 

You can also find an interactive map here.

Find a resource guide for migrant workers,immigrants and refugees here.

By Miriam Raftery

Times of San Diego and Voice of San Diego contributed to this report

Photo by Chris Stone, Times of San Diego: Nora Vargas at a 2022 rally

December 20, 2024 (San Diego)—In an announcement that surprised even her staff, San Diego County Supervisors’ Chair Nora Vargas today announced she will step down January 6 at the end of her term, despite winning reelection in November with 62.5% of the votes.

“Due to personal and security reasons, I will not take the oath of office for a second term,” Vargas said, Times of San Diego reports.

Vargas has drawn vitriolic and criticism from conservatives and racist remarks over her advocacy for equity and support for immigrants, including her recent measure urging the Sheriff not to cooperative with federal authorities on mass deportation efforts under the incoming Trump administration. (The Sheriff has said she is required to follow state law, not county policy on the latter.) But she has also drawn opposition from allies after recent disputes with labor groups and concerns from residents who feel she hasn’t done enough to address the sewage crisis in the Tijuana River and from Spring Valley residents opposed to sleeping cabins for homeless people in their community, a project which Vargas later withdrew. 

She is also the target of legal claims alleging that she and her staff discriminated against prospective employees,including blocking Michael Vu, county administrator and former registrar of voters, from being named the county’s chief executive officer. Vue claims Vargas sought to appoint a Hispanic or black candidate instead. Vargas denies these claims.

The County’s first Latina Supervisor has faced a flurry of hateful comments online as well as abusive remarks at public meetings. She called a recess at the most recent Dec. 10 meeting due to screaming audience member. Voice of San Diego reports that Vargas has said she has had death threats and other extreme harassment.  “I have stalkers. I have people who harass me on phones,” she said during a recent board discussion on changing meeting rules to prevent disruptions.

In a statement, Vargas said, “It has been my honor to serve in public office during unprecedented times,” adding that her priority has been to ensure that “everyone can be seen, heard and have a chance to thrive.” She considers her proudest accomplishments to include leading disaster response and recovery efforts such as after last January’s floods, working to keep communities healthy during the pandemic, and working to assure that government serves all members of the public.

Vice Chair Terra Lawson Remer voiced appreciation for Vargas’ service and assures that “the work and new direction of the county will continue moving forward...advancing our agenda to uplift all communities.”

That may prove challenging, however, since Vargas’ unexpected departure will leave the board split with 2 Republicans and 2 Democrats for the second time in two years.  In 2023, then Chairman Nathan Fletcher resigned amid allegations of sexual harassment of a Metropolitan Transit System staffer.  He denied those claims, but admitted to an alcohol problem and entered a treatment program.

The remaining four supervisors are expected to discuss at the January 7 meeting whether to appoint a replacement, which may prove difficult given the partisan split, or to call for a special election to let voters choose the next supervisor.

Chula Vista Mayor John McCann has already announced he will seek the seat. Other potential candidates include Assemblyman David Alvarez, Chula Vista Councilmember Carolina Chavez, Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre, and San Diego Councilmember Vivian Moreno.

As for her future, Vargas says in her statement that she will remain “committed to continuing the fight for equity, justice, and human rights—just in a different capacity.”

Her decision not to serve her next term is deeply troubling if due to death threats and harassment as she has indicated, something no public official should have to endure.  Whether or not other factors influenced her decision, announcing a resignation due to severe harassment  also has the disturbing potential to embolden disturbed individuals to launch racist personal attacks or threaten harm to other elected officials--actions that have no place in a free society.

East County News Service
January 6, 2025 (Santee) – Jordan Marks, San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk (ARCC), has announced that early appointments are now available for civil wedding ceremonies between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.  Couples can book their Valentine’s Day appointments for marriage licenses and ceremonies at one of four ARCC offices, including Santee, Chula Vista, San Marcos and the San Diego Downtown ARCC headquarters at the County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego. The Downtown location also offers indoor ceremony rooms or a picturesque, outdoor marriage arbor on the waterfront. The ARCC Santee branch office in East County is located at 10144 Mission Gorge Ave.

The ARCC office is responsible for issuing marriage licenses, birth and death certificates, as well as registering business names and recording all legal real estate documents. On average, the ARCC office provides nearly 25,000 marriage licenses and performs more than 11,000 weddings annually.

However, Valentine’s Day is historically one of the busiest and most popular days of the year for same-day marriage licensing and civil ceremonies, according to Marks, a countywide elected official who serves as county commissioner of civil marriages in his role as San Diego County ARCC.

“Valentine’s Day 2025 will be extra special this year because it falls on a Friday, allowing for a weekend of fun for the newlyweds,” said Marks. “Happiness begins here at my County Clerk Office for hundreds of couples looking to tie the knot on this unforgettable day. I highly encourage couples to make their Valentine’s Day 2025 appointment now, using my award-winning online booking system to secure their reservation for love on this highly-sought-after day.”

Cost for a non-confidential marriage license is $129. Cost for an ARCC staff member to perform the ceremony is an additional $107. Ceremonies can be conducted in English or Spanish.  To make an appointment, visit www.sdarcc.gov, or call (619) 237-0502.