By Miriam Raftery
March 29, 2025 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Councilmember Laura Lothian will host a town hall community discussion on a battery storage facility proposed on El Paso St. The town hall will take place Wednesday, April 9 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Brew Coffee Spot, 6101 Lake Murray Blvd.
Heartland Fire Chief Brent Koch, Heartland Acting Fire Marshall Rebecca Winscott, and La Msa Director of Community Development Lynette Santos will also participate in the discussion.
Battery storage facilities are key to expanding renewable energy production such as wind and solar energy, enabling power to be utilized even when the sun doesn’t shine or the wind doesn’t blow.
But lithium ion battery storage facilites have also sparked fires, most notably a fire at a large battery storage site in Otay Mesa, where some nearby businesses had to evacuate for two weeks.
La Mesa City Manager Greg Humora has said that the proposed La Mesa site would be smaller and compartmentalized, with other safeguards to reduce fire risk, as ECM reported.
But the La Mesa site is directly adjacent to homes, with shopping and businesses also close by, raising concerns from residents and property owners over potential negative impacts.
The town hall is an opportunity for area residents to ask questions and learn more.
Program to promote sustainable transportation
Source: City of La Mesa
Image by raju shrestha on Pixabay
March 24, 2025 (La Mesa) - The City of La Mesa is introducing a pilot E-Bike (Electric Bike) Incentive Program, designed to encourage biking as a primary mode of transportation for those who live and work in La Mesa. As transportation remains the largest contributor to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in the city, reducing car trips will help create cleaner air and a healthier community.
Funded through a grant from San Diego Community Power, the City has partnered with two local bike shops to offer point-of-sale discount vouchers to make purchasing an approved e-bike more affordable. By reducing upfront costs, the City aims to provide residents and employees with a healthy, convenient, and sustainable alternative to driving — making it easier to commute, run errands, and explore La Mesa. Applications open on March 26, 2025, at 12 p.m. and close on April 14, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. The City is offering two tiers of vouchers:
- $1,200 for Income-Qualified applicants
- $800 for Standard applicants
To be eligible, applicants must be 18 years or older and either live in La Mesa or work for a business within the City. Approved applicants will be required to complete a mandatory virtual e-bike safety class before receiving their voucher.
Applications can be submitted online or in person at City Hall. Due to limited funding, vouchers will be awarded through a scoring and random selection process, prioritizing the first 150 applicants. Higher scores will be given to those who plan to use their e-bike frequently for commuting or errands within La Mesa.
To support safe riding, the City is partnering with the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition to offer a series of free bike safety and educational events throughout 2025. The first session, “All About E-Bikes,” will take place on March 27, 2025 at 6 p.m., a virtual course covering e-bike types, safety tips, details on the incentive program, and more.
To register for the class, visit San Diego County Bicycle Coalition's website.
For more information on the E-Bike Incentive Program, eligibility requirements, and educational opportunities, click here.
“It could happen, at any water system in the United States. The systems were not designed for what we what we witnessed in L.A.,” says Helix Water District general manager Brian Olney, though Helix has taken steps to reduce risk
By Karen Pearlman
March 20, 2025 (La Mesa) -- The city of La Mesa is being proactive on educating residents on emergency situations for water needs in case of out-of-control wildfires such as the January blazes that devastated Los Angeles County. Concerns about fires and lack of water to fight them led to elected officials in the city of La Mesa to have Helix Water District share insight and information about protection in a presentation at the March 11 City Council meeting.
Reports are still coming in, but the fires earlier this year in Los Angeles are thought to have caused an estimated $250 billion in total damages, with more than 18,000 homes and structures destroyed. While the fires were aided by drought conditions, low humidity, a buildup of vegetation and hurricane-like winds, part of the equation also included local infrastructure issues, troubles tapping into water, and empty fire hydrants and reservoirs.
“I know there’s been a lot of confusion after the fires and a lot of questions about what goes on,” said Helix Water District General Manager Brian Olney (photo, right). “Are we prepared? Yes, we’re prepared for what we know can happen.” He added, “The events in in Los Angeles obviously really put some visuals and some things into our minds about what really happens in a water system, and ‘Can that happen here with us?’ I think it opens us up to have really healthy discussions about ‘What are the expectations?’ and ‘What can a water system survive?’”
Olney explained that fire hydrants can run out of water during high demand. He said while the systems are designed to meet current standards, urban wildfires’ demands “far exceeds whatever was expected or possibly anticipated in terms of the design of that system.”
Most urban water systems are not designed to fight wildfires, he said. Urban water systems are designed to meet normal and peak demands, and provide water to fight fires for two to four hours.
He said when several fire trucks are hooked up to a fire hydrant to put out fires at several homes, the system can manage that for multiple hours at a time, “but when you have 50 fire hydrants that run into a neighborhood and they’re hitting every fire hydrant in place, there’s no chance that there will be enough water left in that system.”
Olney said some homeowners who leave their homes during a fire turn on their irrigation systems, putting added demand onto the system, overwhelming and outpacing the pumping capacity designed into the systems.
“So could this happen in La Mesa?” Olney asked. “Yes, it could. It could happen, at any water system in the United States. The systems were not designed for what we what we witnessed in L.A.”
La Mesa City Councilmember Patricia Dillard (photo, right) asked Olney about protection needs, especially concerning some of the more hilly areas of the city.
“We definitely have the capacity to go out and we can turn valves, we can isolate systems, we can turn water off in an area that doesn’t need the water, and kind of focus it,” Olney said. “We can isolate certain things, but we currently don’t have technology installed in our system where we can shut off an individual house in that area and not to have all the water just go to the to the fire hydrants. “There is some technology that exists out there that does allow you to shut off individual homes, but it’s quite expensive and so we’re not quite down that path yet.”
Olney said the district is in touch with local fire chiefs from Heartland Fire, Lakeside Fire Protection and San Miguel Fire districts. “We’re not only working them on a daily basis to let them know what we’re doing in our system, where we’re taking things out of service so they would have kind of reduced flow, but we’re also working with them on ideas,” Olney said. ‘How do we improve the communication?’ ‘What information do they need moving forward to help these types of responses?’”
He said the fire districts are aware that Helix can provide data in real time of where there might be issues in the water system, and can direct them to another part of the system that has capacity to help them plan on what resources they need.
“We absolutely can have crews out in the field and we can manipulate areas of the system to kind of redirect water where we need it so that it is there,” he said, adding that the Helix crews and firefighters can open and close the 16,000 valves and 6,600 hydrants in Helix’s water distribution system.
While Helix Water District hasn’t been tested in fight major wildfires, other water agencies in San Diego County have. Several faced issues in losing portions of their water system, running out of water during the major wildfires that hit the region in 2003 and 2007.
As part of its strategy to keep that from happening, Helix “has shared resources agreements with all the municipalities and water agencies so we can share people, equipment, emergency response mechanisms,” Olney told the Council.
He said Helix has a direct link to San Diego Gas & Electric, and also stays ahead of things like power outages. Its system can be backed up and run either through stationary or mobile power generation systems. The district has installed diesel-powered, backup generators at critical sites.
City Council member Laura Lothian (photo, right) said she thought one of the most shocking stories from the L.A. fires was the empty Santa Ynez Reservoir, a 117-million-gallon water resource near Pacific Palisades that was under renovation and empty when the fires ripped through the region.
She asked about the amount of water that would be available at Lake Jennings and Olney said the district keeps 75 days’ worth at minimum. He said that currently the reservoir is holding about 130 days’ worth of water.
“We’re not going to run out of water in terms of putting water into the system,” he said. “All the water in there is what we’ve purchased to put in there so it’s completely manipulated and managed by the district itself.”
The district has invested and continues to invest in diverse, reliable water supplies to ensure that the region has the water it needs. Its water comes primarily from the Colorado River and the state water project in Northern California as well as Lake Jennings, the El Capitan Reservoir and Lake Cuyamaca. Its water suppliers also include the Carlsbad Desalination Plant and the Emergency Storage and Carryover Project.
Helix Water District is the second largest water utility in the county, serving more than 275,000 people in La Mesa, Lemon Grove, El Cajon and other areas in the county.
Eligible low-income residents aged 55, older may receive funds for housing
Source: City of La Mesa and Jewish Family Services
March 21, 2025 (La Mesa) – The City of La Mesa and Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) are launching the City’s first-ever Older Adult Rental Assistance Program, assisting seniors aged 55 and older who are at risk of homelessness. The program, operated by JFS, will provide 40 participants with a $500 monthly housing subsidy paid directly to their landlords for 12 months and individualized case management. Applications are being accepted beginning the last week of March. Priority will be given to applications filed by April 4.
According to the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, nearly half of unhoused Californians are 50 and older, and more than 41% are experiencing homelessness for the first time in their lives.
"With many seniors on fixed incomes challenged by increasing expenses, this program serves as a vital lifeline,” said La Mesa Mayor Mark Arapostathis. “The program will help rent-burdened older adults in La Mesa maintain housing stability and financial security, allowing them to age in place with dignity.”
Applicants must be 55 and older and reside in the incorporated area of La Mesa with a household income at or below 50% of the city’s median income. They must be currently spending at least half of their income on rent or be at risk of losing their housing. Their landlord must also be willing to participating in the program. Priority will be given to heads of household who are 65 and older and households with incomes at or below 30% of the area median income.
Working closely with the City of La Mesa, JFS will provide monthly case management, creating individualized plans and assessing each participant’s needs at the end of the program.
To apply and learn more, visit www.jfssd.org/our-services/older-adults/la-mesa-older-adult-rental-assistance. Or call (858) 637-3217.
JFS staff are also available to answer questions, help determine eligibility and begin the application process during the following office hours, with appointments required:
- March 24, 1 to 4 p.m.
- March 26, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- March 27, 4-7 p.m.
Individuals can call 619-667-1322 to reserve a 20-minute appointment. All sessions are hosted at the La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center located at 8450 La Mesa Blvd.
“We look forward to partnering with the City of La Mesa to run the Older Adult Rental Assistance Program. There is a great need for programs like these as studies show the number of older adults accessing homelessness services has more than doubled in the last seven years,” said JFS COO and incoming CEO Dana Toppel. “At JFS, we run a number of programs dedicated to supporting older adults’ health and well-being to assist them as they age in place with dignity. We are looking forward to continuing that mission through this innovative program in La Mesa.”
In addition to JFS’s On the Go rideshare, Fix It home modification, meal delivery, congregate dining and day center programs for older adults throughout San Diego County, the agency operates a privately funded Older Adult Rental Assistance Subsidy Pilot through its Center for Jewish Care. The pilot supports 27 Jewish participants at risk of homelessness with a $360 per month subsidy paid directly to their landlords for 12 months.
About Jewish Family Service of San Diego – Moving Forward Together
Founded in 1918, Jewish Family Service (JFS) is one of San Diego’s most impactful nonprofit agencies – providing resources and support to over 105,000 people every year. Through integrated services, the organization empowers people of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds to overcome challenges, set goals, and build more stable, secure, and connected lives. JFS is committed to helping individuals and families move forward, while developing innovative strategies to break cycles of poverty and strengthen our San Diego community.
By Miriam Raftery
March 18, 2025 (Mt. Helix) – You’re invited to join the 100th anniversary celebration of Mt. Helix Park with a Roaring ‘20s themed party on April 12 from 4:30 - 8 p.m. in the Mt. Helix Nature Theater. Enjoy delicious appetizers and dinner from Bekker's Catering, followed by dueling pianos and dancing under the stars. Beer, wine and soft drinks are included as well.
All tickets include shuttle service to and from the parking lot, entertainment, appetizers, dinner, dessert, beer, wine, and soft drinks.
Ticket Price: $125 Single - $1,250 Table of 10
Optional add-on VIP Valet from the Top: $50 per car
Buy tickets at this link: TICKETS
The 501(c)(3) Mt. Helix Park Foundation was formed by community members to save the historical amphitheater and nature preserve in 1999. Governed under the original Yawkey Family Trust from 1925, the Foundation does not receive government funds, and the board of directors, in partnership with volunteers and our two staff members, works year-round to raise money to cover expenses and ensure the park will remain free and available to future generations.
By Michael Howard
Photo: La Mesa City Councilmember Lauren Cazares speaking at the January 28, 2025 city council meeting. Courtesy of City of La Mesa
February 21, 2025 (La Mesa) – Citizens of La Mesa are speaking out about the appointment of retired Battalion Chief Dave Hardenburger to the Community Police Oversight Board (CPOB) last week when, without the proper notice and ignoring eligibility requirements, the City Council voted 5-0 to place him on the oversight body during the January 28, 2025 council meeting.
“You have flaunted, dodged and disrespected the rules set forth by the Community Police Oversight Board (CPOB) that is in place to serve your community,” Mairs Ryan wrote during the public comment portion of the Council’s next meeting. “Shame on you,” she admonished the Council before signing her name.
Photo, right: attendee Andy Trimlett of the February 11, 2025 La Mesa City Council meeting speaks out against an appointment to the Community Police Oversight Board. Courtesy of City of La MesaAccording to California code GOV 54974, the Council is prohibited from appointing new members to boards without first providing notice for at least 10 days, presumably to allow others to apply. While it is unclear whether the law applies to any vacancy or specifically only unscheduled vacancies, following this rule can prevent the appearance of collusion. That’s when agreements are allegedly made outside of the prescribed official process, which, whether actually true, or only having the appearance of being true, can have the same effect.
After the appointment of Chief Hardenburger on January 28, the City Council met on Tuesday, February 11 for its bi-monthly, regularly scheduled Council meeting. Public comments from in-person speakers kicked off when Andy Trimlett got right to the point, saying the La Mesa City Council is beginning to build a reputation.
“The city of La Mesa is starting to get the appearance that their hand-selecting people for the oversight board,” he accused the Council members.
“There are people that are showing up here who don’t even come to an interview, and they are getting selected,” Andy C continued. “This has happened more than once,” he claimed. “What does that say about us as a community?” he asked the Council.
Photo, left: Gene Carpenter speaks out against latest Community Police Oversight Board appointment during February 11, 2025 La Mesa City Council meeting. Courtesy of City of La MesaBut it’s not just the appearance of collusion that has drawn attention to the appointment. Also at issue is Chief Hardenburger’s recent retirement as Fire Captain for the city of La Mesa and his role as Battalion Chief. The city’s statute that outlines the requirements for placement on the CPOB restricts public safety officers from appointment to the board for five years once they’ve left public service in that role.
According to Chief Hardenburger’s social media accounts, he reports retiring as Fire Captain in 2023, and is listed as an active Battalion Chief, both of which designate him as ineligible according to the La Mesa city municipal code.
East County Magazine reached out to Mayor Mark Arapostathis and City Attorney Glenn Sabine for comment, but neither returned email or phone calls.
The outrage of the Council’s move appeared widespread. Longstanding citizen activist Gene Carpenter spoke, visibly upset from the podium Tuesday about the issue.
“I want to thank you Mayor, and you, Patricia Dillard, Assistant Mayor, for not doing your job,” he rebuked them both pointedly.
Mayor Arapostathis and Assistant Mayor Dillard made up the subcommittee who put forth the recommendations for the Council to vote for appointments to the CPOB on January 28. The pair did not pass along an application from Janet Castaños, who co-founded the CPOB and has acted as both Chair and Vice Chair since 2021.
Even the other City Council members seemed surprised when the nomination was announced. Newly elected City Council member Lauren Cazares, before voting to approve the appointment of Hardenburger, expressed her bewilderment.
Speaking of Hardenburger’s nomination, she said, “[That] one is tricky. I was not aware that there were two [nominations] until this evening,” she said before going on to praise nominee Castaños.
Photo, right: retired Fire Captain and current Battalion Chief Dave Hardenburger, recently appointed to the Community Police Oversight Board amid citizen outcry. View an interview with Battalion Chief Hardenburger during a fire at a local nursing home in this video.“Before we vote on this, I just wanted to thank Janet,” the councilmember stated, noting Castaños wasn’t present, but continued anyway.
“She’s really been an asset on that board,” Cazares declared.
Castaños, in an email to supporters, raised these objections.
“I was designated by the Helix Charter High School administration to serve as their representative, The newly selected member was not. submitted all the necessary paperwork and letters from the high school administration by the imposed deadline. The newly selected member did not.I was invited to present myself at the prior city council meeting to allow the council to know more about me and to ask any questions, The newly selected member was not.The Helix High administration did not know of the newly selected member's application nor did they send any letter identifying this person as their designee on the CPOB.”
Castaños told ECM that she has reached out to the City Attorney with her concerns.
SOURCES
California Legislative Information. (n.d.-a). California Code, GOV 54974. Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=54974.&lawCode=GOV
California Legislative Information. (n.d.-b). California Code, PEN 830.37. Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=830.37.&nodeTreePath=5.5.6&lawCode=PEN
City of La Mesa. (n.d.-a). Chapter 2.30—COMMUNITY POLICE OVERSIGHT BOARD | Code of Ordinances | La Mesa, CA | Municode Library. Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://library.municode.com/ca/la_mesa/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT2ADGO_CH2.30COPOOVBO
City of La Mesa. (n.d.-b). City Council—February 11, 2025. Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://pub-lamesa.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=75ab4db9-9693-40b1-a774-2d4919e05c4f&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English&Item=9&Tab=comments
LinkedIn. (n.d.). Dave Hardenburger | LinkedIn. Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-hardenburger-29904878/
Public Comment. https://pub-lamesa.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=75ab4db9-9693-40b1-a774-2d4919e05c4f&lang=English&Agenda=Agenda&Item=9&Tab=attachments
Source: City of La Mesa
February 20, 2025 (La Mesa) - On Wednesday, March 5th, the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you to join them at the 10th Annual Spring Fling Business Expo. This special evening will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott San Diego El Cajon, 141 N. Magnolia Avenue in El Cajon between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. There will be raffles and business vendors who will offer free door prizes that evening.
The Chamber thanks the event sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor – U.S. Bank
Premier Sponsor – Kirk Paving, Inc.
Printing Sponsor – AAA Imaging
Friendship Sponsor – Lily’s Manufactured Homes
Supporting Sponsors – Amanda Hammett Insurance & Financial Services – State Farm, California Coast Credit Union, Feeding the Flock SD and Mattia & Yousif Law.
You will meet Chamber member business owners showcasing their business services. To date, businesses signed up include: AAA Imaging, Amanda Hammett Insurance & Financial Services--State Farm, California Bank & Trust, California Coast Credit Union – La Mesa, Carrie Smedley Photography, Deano’s Pub, Deliberately Adopted Floral & Design, Express Blinds & More, Feeding the Flock SD, Foothills Art Association, Dave Lemox -Bridlewood Medicare Insurance, La Mesa Lion’s Club, La Mesa Park and Recreation Foundation, La Mesa Rotary, Lemon Grove Media and Communications, Local Umbrella Media, Mattia & Yousif Law, Miracle Youth Productions, Nightwalker Caverns & Escape Room, North Island Credit Union, Orange Theory Fitness, Preplan CA, San Diego Community Power, San Diego County Credit Union, Spa Piel, St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, Stills by Hill, Sungarden Terrace Retirement Community, Sunset Finishing Door & Trim, The Montera Senior Living, UCSD Health, U.S. Bank and Westmont of La Mesa.
The evening will be captured by Chamber photographers – Carrie Smedley Photography and Sandra Small Photographer who will be aided by social media partner, Lemon Grove Media & Communications.
Join the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce for this fun-filled evening that begins at 5:30 p.m. and ends at 7:30 p.m. Order your tickets at: www.lamesachamber.com.
By Mary England, La Mesa Chamber of Commerce
Photos courtesy of Carrie Smedley Photography
February 19, 2025 (La Mesa) -- The owner of Aromas of India Bar and Grill, Dinesh Shah, made history in La Mesa at the February 5 grand opening of his newly renovated restaurant, located at 5270 Baltimore Drive. Dinesh and his staff offered complimentary dinners to the public and La Mesa Chamber of Commerce guests for three hours from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., which has never been done in the Chamber’s history and possibly never in the La Mesa business community’s history. The robust marketing plan generated over a thousand reservations for the evening and brought hundreds and hundreds of people to La Mesa to savor this new restaurant.
Guests were advised when they RSVP’d that parking was non-existent and public transportation or another form of transportation would be needed to attend. The lines of eager guests began to form at 4 p.m. By 5 p.m., the line traversed all the way up Baltimore Drive. The wait did not dampen the mood of the guests, who were excited to serve themselves and choose from the eight different menu items that were offered: chicken tikka marsala, naan, vegetable samosas, basmati rice, vegetable egg rolls, mixed vegetable curry and dal makhani.
Chef Prakash and his team did a remarkable job of preparing the food for the evening, as well as refilling the serving dishes as needed. While guests waited outside to take their turn at the buffet tables, Indian dancers provided entertainment for their pleasure. Inside the restaurant while dining, guests were entertained by jazz musicians, making the entire evening a memorable experience and totally delightful.
“We are thrilled to have this new Indian restaurant in our city,” says Mary England, president of the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce. "Dinesh Shah and his staff produced a first-class evening that entertained hundreds of people and introduced them to his menu. He took a vacant building and totally remodeled it into a showpiece that includes a new bar and a tasteful inside and outside dining area. We are grateful for his investment in La Mesa and for providing jobs, a great menu for locals and visitors and for stimulating our local economy.”
Due to the crowd, the Chamber held several ribbon cutting activities and photo opportunities beginning at 6 p.m. that captured the family members, the management team of the restaurant, the elected officials, the La Mesa Chamber, Miss La Mesa Samantha Luevano and Miss La Mesa Teen, Jaeden Roy and other friends to celebrate this historic moment. Presentations were made to Dinesh and his family and team by Jason Wiecz representing Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, La Mesa City Council members Laura Lothian, Lauren Cazares and Genevieve Suzuki and the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce. We were thrilled to have the Honorary Consul General and Honorary Consulate of Nepal; Rishi P. Dhakal travel to join us for this momentous occasion.
This new addition to the dining landscape in La Mesa offers an additional opportunity for locals and guests to savor Indian spices and flavors while dining in a modern fine dining atmosphere. The motto of Aromas of India Bar & Grill is “Dine Like Royalty” and you certainly will. Stop in and enjoy a delicious meal, while supporting a new La Mesa business and welcome owner Dinesh Shah to La Mesa! For take-out orders or to contact the restaurant call 619 439-6072.
Dinesh also offers catering services for 100 to 2,000 people, so keep that in mind when you are planning your next business or family get-together.
You can visit their website to view the menu and other facts at aromaslamesa.com.
Developing story
By Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Jewish World, a member of the San Diego Online News Association
Photo: Roz Allina, second from left, at a Sisterhood luncheon at Sheldon’s Service Station in La Mesa hours before her death. (Photo: Sue Cherlin)
February 12, 2025 (La Mesa) - Hours after attending a birthday gathering for Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s Sisterhood members who were celebrating their February birthdays, Rosalyn Allina and her husband James — Roz, 77, and Jim, 79 — were killed in a chain-reaction freeway accident.
California Highway Patrol reported that the Allinas’ car, a 2004 Toyota, either was “traveling at a slow speed or was stopped” in the third lane of the four-lane eastbound Interstate 8 near the Lake Murray Boulevard/ 70th Street exit around 7:18 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10, when they were fatally struck from behind.
The county coroner reported that the Allinas were seated inside their apparently broken-down stationary sedan with its lights off when their car was hit. The resulting four-car pileup prompted the eastbound lanes of the freeway to be closed for several hours. Debris was scattered all over the roadway.
Jim Allina was driving Car #1. The CHP reported that a 34-year-old female from San Diego with a 4-year-old passenger was in Car No. 2, a 2016 Dodge. Car #3, a 2017 Kia, was driven by a 63-year-old female from El Cajon. Car #4, a 2017 Mercedes, was driven by a 30-year-old male from El Cajon.
Jim Allina was pronounced dead at the scene despite efforts of witnesses and paramedics to revive him and Roz, City News Service reported via KNBC Television. The California Highway Patrol reported that Roz Allina was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead by medical personnel. The driver and passenger of Car #2 were taken as a precaution to Sharp Grossmont Hospital. Car #3’s driver sustained minor injuries. Car #4’s driver sustained no injuries.
The CHP commented on Tuesday, Feb. 11, that “this is an ongoing investigation; it is unknown at this time if drugs and/or alcohol were a factor in the crash.”
Both Roz and Jim were retired; she as a licensed clinical social worker and he as a dealer in European antiques. Cailin Acosta, assistant editor of San Diego Jewish World and editor of the newsletter for Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s Sisterhood, said that Roz had been a Sisterhood board member for many years.
“Roz was in a mahjongg group that met every Friday at 12:30 p.m. until ‘time was up,'” Acosta said. “Roz was always happy to host and always said she would ‘provide the junk.’ She would put out candy and cakes for us to nosh on.”
At Monday’s Sisterhood luncheon, Roz wrote a “happy birthday” message to Acosta’s 12-year-old twins, CeCe and Alex. “I did not think this would be the last time I would see her. … The Lake Murray/ 70th Street exit is the one we take to get home from the I-8 freeway. This will be emotional and we will probably not take this exit for a while.”
Bea Goldberg, a former Tifereth Israel Synagogue congregant and a friend of 40-years standing, reported from her home in Orange, California, that Jim was an inveterate walker around his La Mesa neighborhood. Goldberg and the Allinas joined for lunch last week at an Orange County restaurant.
Roz was originally from Columbus, Ohio; Jim was from the San Francisco Bay area, Goldberg said. A daughter, Lori Laskey, lives in Riverside County.
Tifereth Israel Synagogue, in the San Carlos neighborhood of San Diego, on Tuesday sent its congregants news of the Allinas’ death. “At this time, we have no further information to share. We will let you know once details become available. Our deepest condolences to all those who mourn Roz and Jim.”
By Alex Schorr
Photo,Left to Right: Dr. Gary Woods (President, Area 3 Trustee), Robert Shield (Vice President, Area 4 Trustee), Scott Eckert (Clerk, Area 2 Trustee), Jim Kelly (Member, Area 5 Trustee), and Chris Fite (Member, Area 1 Trustee).
February 9, 2025 (El Cajon) – Teachers, parents, and community members leveled sharp criticism of the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) board of trustees during a special budget workshop meeting on February 6. Numerous speakers objected to the board’s creation of a costly new chief of staff position and waiving of board policies to do so, after the board majority earlier voted to lay off numerous employees, including many teachers.
The first quarter of the meeting was dedicated to the Governing Board Budget. This involved showing where school funding comes from (sales tax, corporation tax, and personal income tax). California Governor Gavin Newsom developed a state budget while the district simultaneously project
ts its own. In May, the Governor’s budget will be reviewed again, while the district budget will be adjusted and adopted sometime in June.
The Governor's proposed budget includes an education budget that invests in core instruction and learning. It also provides continuation for and protection of Proposition 98, which gives mandatory minimum funding for schools while eliminating “one-time funding.” Additionally, one-time funding was illustrated as having an impact on CTE program services, mental health, and chromebooks.
Photo, right: Deputy Superintendent of Business, Pearl Lizuka, introducing the Education Budget for GUHSD and the necessity of Proposition 98.
A staffer’s presentation at theGUHSD workshop illustrated that the greatest risk to Proposition 98 is declining enrollment. The presentation referenced the Local Funding Control Formula (LCFF), which revolves around the use of a Base Grant per ADA, stating that all English learning programs would be provided a 20% cut in funding. In addition to the GUHSD budget, a number of concerns could impact the state budget,including anxiety over stock market vulnerability, elevated interest rates, delayed tax deadlines, and federal policies centered on harsh immigration enforcement.
The podium was opened to public comment before the Board voted on agenda item D1, approval of a new job description for Chief of Staff, and D2, which waives board policies that allows them to accomplish D1.
James Messina, President of Grossmont Education Association (GEA), the district’s teacher’s union, asked, “What are we doing here?” He listed all laws and policies being broken if the Board voted to approve D1 and D2. He mentioned that the new position, if created or hired at all, is something that the Superintendent should be concerned with, not the Board members. Messina continued, stating that GUHSD used to be the envy of the county and that the board was ruining their reputation.
Additionally, Messina stated his concerns in a letter to GEA: “As GEA President, I would hope GUHSD would want to get the best possible candidate for this position, but it seemed more important to fill this position as soon as possible. This position was not flown in EdJoin for prospective applicants to see, [therefore] no applications to screen. GUHSD did not create a hiring panel for introduction level interviews. Finalists were not sent to the Superintendent for 2nd/3rd interviews. All of these steps were skipped and the Governing Board just appointed an employee for the new position. These actions of the Governing Board remove all transparency, go against past practice, GUHSD Governing Board bylaws, and GUHSD Board policies (BB 9900, BP4311).”
Other speakers included parents, teachers and community members stressing a lack of support and that in spite of this, the Board wants to add a new salaried position, which the governing board members have appointed all by themselves without going through the process of vetting, interviews, or the proper hiring processes.
Matthew Norris emphasized an undermining of trust, with Gavin Preston stating that the governing board members manufactured an emergency. Bonnie Price said the board trustees are degrading the quality of education in her district. It was emphasized that the most important job of the board is to annually assess how to make education better for the students, and that it was not clear how this new Chief of Staff position would do this.
Speakers from Monte Vista and Granite Hills high schools illustrated that the Board fired a number of people last year including at least ten teachers, stating that the budget required it. Yet suddenly this year, the Board acquires the money to hire a Chief of Staff who is essentially taking on the role of the fired individuals.
Multiple speakers accused board members of either sidestepping the legal process or downright ignoring it. These speakers brought attention to the fact that this would unnecessarily cost money and public trust.
Only two board members addressed concerns raised by speakers.
Trustee Jim Kelly gave this response. “I'm sure everyone’s minds are made up, and speaking as a 32 year board member, I can tell that this position is needed,” he stated. He indicated that the GUHSD bureaucracy needs to have better communications with the public: “the administration does a really good job at looking after itself, protecting itself, and filtering information that goes into the board,” adding that sometimes the board learns information later that might have resulted in a different decision if known earlier. “We come for one meeting a month, normally...and we’re flying blind,” he asserted, adding, “I have seen sometimes people come up to me saying they are afraid to talk to board members.”
Trustee Chris Fite said hiring the Chief of Staff in this manner would undermine the public trust. We don’t need this position,” said Fite,”and this is not the way we should be doing business.”
In the end, Dr. Gary Woods (President, Area 3), Robert Shield (Vice President, Area 4), Jim Kelly (Area 5 Trustee), and Scott Eckert (Clerk, Area 2) voted in favor of the new Chief of Staff Position, with Chris Fite, (Trustee, Area 1) voting no.