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Thomas Weller in one of the bathrooms in his home in El Cajon (Photo by Karen Pearlman)
By Karen Pearlman
Aug. 7, 2025 (El Cajon) – Thanks in a large part to the efforts of a local philanthropic nonprofit, The San Diego Highwayman is on the road to better times.
Though he is now retired, Tom Weller -- known as “The Highwayman” for his decades of volunteer work helping stranded and displaced motorists along freeways throughout San Diego County – was assisted by the East County Posse in the place where he needs it most – the house he shares with his wife, Patty, and rescued dog Sadie Mae in El Cajon.
The 77-year-old Weller -- who says it’s still hard for him to ask others for help (even as he has spent much of his life helping others) -- earlier this year reluctantly shared a dire need for several major home repairs.
Through the urging of friends, Weller has had a GoFundMe page fundraiser in which people from around the county have been donating money to help defray the cost of his home’s roof leaks, broken showers and other bathroom plumbing fixes -- with needs that go beyond aesthetics.
But late last month, Ray Neder, president of the East County Posse, and Greg Brown, chairman of the East County Posse, told Weller to hang onto the community funding efforts for any future challenges.
The group then put together a small posse of its own, with roofers, contractors and others in construction and remodeling businesses to attend to the needs of the house Weller calls “Goose Creek Ranch.”
Brown said, “We told him, ‘Tom, it’s time for us to pay you back. You keep your GoFundMe money -- we’ve got this.’”
The East County Posse first heard about Weller’s needs through reporting by Jeff Zevely of Channel 8, the CBS affiliate in San Diego.
Brown said he grew up in East County and knew about Weller helping with broken-down vehicles and stranded motorists, and had seen his vehicle around town for years.
Weller spent five decades helping close to 10,000 stranded motorists along all stretches of freeways across San Diego County, until health issues forced him off the road in 2017.
All that’s left now is a few more fixes in a bathroom in Weller’s bedroom, which will be done on Aug. 19, Weller said.
Three roofing companies, a simulated marble contractor, plumbers, and suppliers all donated their time and materials. ABC Supply, AVL Roofing Inc. & Waterproofing, Extreme Roofing and Davis Roofing all pitched in as did California Crafted Marble, Inc./CAL Custom Manufacturing, LLC.
The estimated $30,000-plus project was completed for just $8,500.
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Weller (right, in front of his home that is being fixed by the East County Posse, photo by Karen Pearlman) said there is no way he could afford to fix his home on his fixed income.
“I’m very, very grateful for the things that were done,” Weller said. “They were necessary, and neither my wife or I are working anymore, so we would have just had to live with it if they hadn’t done it for us.”
About the Posse
Now nearing its 20th year of existence as an official nonprofit, the East County Posse is a unique grassroots volunteer organization with no overhead, no office and no paid staff.
It’s powered solely by what Neder calls “a desire to do good” — and a strict vetting process that ensures their help goes to those working hard to lift themselves up.
The East County Posse is comprised of just 100 members. Other officers on the board include Tim McDougal, Patti Alvarez, Bill Bodenstadt, Dean Peterson and Bob Davidson.
The East County Posse’s mantra is simple: “A hand up, not a handout,” Brown said.
The Posse operates with an internal appropriations committee that reviews each request for help. Not all the applications it gets are approved. Some are declined — not out of judgment, but because the team is selective about supporting those who show commitment to bettering their own lives.
But when the need is real and the effort is evident, the Posse goes all in.
At one time, the group assisted a Boy Scout who had grown up in the foster system. For his Eagle Scout project, the young man wanted to give foster kids duffel bags instead of the trash bags many are forced to use when moving between homes.
“He knew what that felt like,” Brown said. “So we funded 300 bags, and that project spread nationwide. The County adopted it. The Boy Scouts flew him around the country to speak. And that young man ended up at Stanford.”
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(Left: Tom Weller in front of his El Cajon home while a group of workers organized by the East County Posse fix the roof, photo courtesy East County Posse)
he group in just one day also built a daycare center and administrative hub at the East County Transitional Living Center, which helps individuals experiencing homelessness and also helps people with addictions get their lives back.
The Posse’s Reach
The Posse’s reach spans hundreds of miles and impacts thousands of lives — with work often accomplished in mere days.
In Santee, when a military family with two disabled children needed their cramped home retrofitted for wheelchair access, the East County Posse didn’t just modify the bathroom. They gutted and rebuilt the entire house in three weeks — wider doors, new roof, flooring, kitchen and even a redesigned landscape, thanks to others who joined in when they saw the work unfolding.
“We don’t advertise. We don’t ask for donations,” Neder said. “But when people see what we’re doing, they want to be part of it.”
That spirit showed again when the Posse returned to ECTLC to build not one but two 3,000-square-foot dorms — one for 48 single men, one for 48 single women.
In what Brown calls their “Trench to Pour in 24” campaign, they raised $550,000 through community events and built the structures for a fraction of that — thanks again to all-volunteer labor and donated materials.
One of the buildings was framed, plumbed and ready for inspection in under five hours, Brown said.
“There were so many people helping that we caused a traffic accident from drivers trying to see what was going on (from along Interstate 8),” Brown said.
Funding with Purpose
The East County Posse holds just two fundraising events each year — a popular East County Night Out dinner and a large golf tournament at Steele Canyon Golf Course in Jamul.
The East County Night Out event was held March 29 at Viejas Casino & Resort. This year’s 16th annual golf fundraiser is set for the morning of Friday, Oct. 10.
Combined, the events raise enough to support dozens of major projects annually, Brown said.
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(Photo, right: Workers organized by the East County Posse get to work on Tom Weller's roof in El Cajon. Photo courtesy East County Posse)
Unlike many organizations, there are no emotional appeals, donation envelopes or fundraising speeches, Neder said.
“We believe in people,” he said. “We think everyone wants to be part of something meaningful. You just have to give them the chance.”Despite the massive scope of the Posse’s work — helping thousands of people, building structures in record time, creating life-changing experiences for families and children — the group stays under the radar.
“I don’t want accolades, I don’t want my name in lights,” Brown said. “I just want to do what’s right. My goal is to live a life of purpose. And I think everyone has that in them."
You can learn more about the East County Posse and help their efforts at https://www.eastcountyposse.net/.
By Karen Pearlman
Photos courtesy of Legalize Ferrets
Photo: Pat Wright with a ferret friend
March 18, 2025 (La Mesa) -- Eight years after persuading the city of La Mesa to become a sanctuary city for ferrets, Pat Wright is on a mission next to legalize ferret ownership statewide.
Wright and his nonprofit group, Legalize Ferrets, have attained a key milestone in the quest to remove domestic ferrets from the state’s list of restricted species.
Wright said the California Fish and Game Commission has officially accepted the Legalize Ferret petition for a regulation change along with a comprehensive set of exhibits to back it up, and that the case will be heard at the commission’s meeting, held over the course of two days next month.
At the CFGC April 16 and April 17 meeting, Wright said the group will decide whether to move it forward for further consideration at its two-day meeting in June, set for June 11 and June 12.
The biggest challenge for the group since its start two decades ago has been overcoming bureaucratic inertia, Wright said.
“Fish and Game has resisted change for decades, largely due to internal bias rather than science,” Wright said. “We need the Commissioners to act independently rather than defer to the outdated position of their staff. Another challenge is ensuring that our petition is evaluated based on scientific evidence and legal precedent, not politics or misinformation.”
Legalize Ferrets began in 2005 as a way to fight back against the state of California’s ban begun in 1933 led by a push from lobbyists in the agriculture industry on the animals being imported, sold, bred or possessed.
The organization started because of limited progress in legalizing the animals in the state. Then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2004 vetoed a ferret amnesty bill.
The main reasons given for ferrets being allowed as companion animals has been said about the concern over them escaping and forming invasive groups that could threaten native wildlife.
Photo, right: Huey the ferret
A 2022 report from the California Fish and Wildlife Scientific Journal said that “the impacts of ferrets upon native wildlife and ecosystems, agribusiness, and human health and safety were compiled from a thorough review of the published literature and the analysis of four surveys of U.S. state agencies...
“Results highlight two primary concerns: the ferret can easily escape confinement, and could impact native bird populations, as do feral cats; and human safety concerns, especially with infants, because of the proclivity of the ferret to bite.”
Wright called the acceptance of the group’s petition by the CFGC “a significant milestone.”
“In the past, our efforts to legalize ferrets were often dismissed outright without serious consideration,” he said. “This time, we have forced the Commission to acknowledge our petition under the Administrative Procedures Act (APA), meaning they are legally required to respond. This is the closest we've ever been to getting a fair hearing on the issue.”
Wright said the APA requires government agencies to follow due process when making or changing regulations.
“This time, they can't just brush us off without a legitimate response,” he said. “We believe our petition is ironclad, backed by legal and scientific evidence proving domestic ferrets do not belong on the prohibited species list. However, we also know how creative they can be when it comes to dismissing us.”
Wright said the group’s strongest evidence includes the legal definition of domestication, that state law defines a domestic animal as one that has been selectively bred under human control for generations.
He said ferrets have been domesticated for more than 2,000 years and are recognized as domestic in every other U.S. state and country worldwide.
Wright also said the animals do not pose an environmental threat, that peer-reviewed studies and state wildlife agencies across the country confirm that feral ferret populations have never been established in the U.S.
As for public safety, he said, “Ferrets are no more dangerous than cats or dogs. Bite statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other agencies show that ferrets are responsible for far fewer reported injuries than common pets.”
Additionally, a federally approved ferret rabies vaccine exists, “countering the outdated argument that ferrets pose a unique rabies risk,” he said.
Opponents of ferret legalization have cited concerns about ecological risks and public health, but Wright counters those arguments with legal and scientific data, including:
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has never provided evidence that domestic ferrets can survive in the wild; and Wright said that unlike wild mustelids (such as weasels and minks) domestic ferrets lack survival instincts, hunting skills and camouflage.
Wright said the CDC has never issued a public health warning about ferrets despite their legal status in nearly every state and that ferret bites account for less than 1% of all reported pet-related injuries.
If the Commission moves forward, it will begin the formal rulemaking process, and if the petition is rejected in June, Wright said Legalize Ferrets will pursue legal action under the APA.
“The Fish and Game Commission cannot ignore our rights to petition for a rule change,” he said. “If necessary, we will take this matter to court to force them to follow the law.”
For now, ferret advocates and supporters can help push this effort forward by submitting public comments, contacting state legislators, spreading awareness and donating to Legalize Ferrets.
By Miriam Raftery
February 20, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The County-run safe parking site on Magnolia in unincorporated El Cajon, one of two East County sites set up to help homeless people living in their vehicles, is temporarily closed for renovations. The improvements will include picnic and meeting areas, a dog run, improved bath and shower areas, and permanent structures to house staff offices,
“The site is anticipated to reopen in summer 2025,” says Fernando Lopez, group communications officer for San Diego County’s Health and Human Services Agency. “People experiencing homelessness and their vehicles are currently being served at Bancroft Safe Parking,” which is located in Spring Valley.
The El Cajon site opened in 2022. The Bancroft site opened in August 2024 and has space for 27 cars to park overnight, starting at 5 p.m. The site has security, along with clean restrooms, hot showers, a small kitchen and a dog run for people with pets. Dinner and breakfast are provided.
The lot is operated by County contractor Dreams for Change.
Those in the program are also paired with a Dreams for Change case worker to help them find housing options.
Gillie and Henry drove their black sedan onto the County’s Bancroft Safe Parking site in Spring Valley in January and since then, they say they have been able to breathe a sigh of relief.
The couple spent months staying at various shelters or sleeping in their car on the side of the road, after increased rent and a job loss forced them out of their long-term rental apartment and into their vehicle.
“No matter how we tried to keep our boat afloat, it was impossible,” Gillie explained, County News Services reports. She says being at Bancroft Safe Parking “makes a whole world of difference to know that at five o’clock, we can come here, we get a shower, there’s a heater, there is coffee, oatmeal for the morning. It’s a relief.”
Gillie and Henry were referred to Bancroft Safe Parking by a County Office of Homeless Solutions outreach worker.
“Safe parking lots provide people with a place to park and sleep for the night, without the risk of being towed or asked to move,” said Dijana Beck, Director of the County Office of Homeless Solutions. “Participants also have support to get things like documents in order, reunifying with family and of course finding a more permanent housing solution.”
The goal is to help the families, couples, and other people find more stable housing. Pets are welcome, too. On average, residents stay at Bancroft Safe Parking between three to six months.
For Gillie and Henry, their wait is over as they move into a studio thanks to support from the program.
The County’s Bancroft and Magnolia Safe Parking sites are part of County’s broader efforts to expand emergency housing options for people experiencing homelessness in the unincorporated communities.
Next up, the County aims to open Troy Street Sleeping Cabins in Lemon Grove in 2026.
Learn more about programs and resources on the County’s Office of Homeless Solutions website.
East County News Service
February 10, 2025 (Lemon Grove) - On Saturday, February 1, the spirit of community and compassion was on full display as Lemon Grove nonprofit organizations joined forces at Treganza Park for a heartfelt fundraiser supporting fire relief efforts in Los Angeles. Over $2,100 was raised, according to a press release from organizers.
With little time to plan, a remarkable coalition of local groups stepped up to make the event a success. Among those who contributed their time and efforts were the Lemon Grove Lions Club, Lemon Grove Forward (Women’s) Club, Lemon Grove Improvement Council, Revitalize Broadway, Lemon Grove Happenings, Lemon Grove Soroptimist, Lemon Grove Historical Society, Lemon Grove Fire Department, Lemon Grove volunteers, and GC Lemon Grove. Adding to the day’s uplifting atmosphere was the talented DJmigz, who generously donated his time to provide music and keep spirits high.
“This collaborative effort showcased the power of community action, proving that when neighbors come together, they can make a meaningful difference—even on short notice. Lemon Grove’s nonprofit organizations unwavering generosity and unity continue to shine as a beacon of hope for all of us,“ the release concludes.
By Mimi Pollack
Photo, left: Lauren Botticelli and Alf
August 11, 2024 (La Mesa) -- Nine years ago, I wrote an article on the all-breed dog rescue, the Animal Pad, which was then headed by Rebecca Weinrib and Stephanie Nisan. A lot has changed since then, and this non-profit dog rescue based in La Mesa has really grown as it continues to save the lives of many dogs. TAP (The Animal Pad) rescues dogs from other shelters, dogs that are owner surrendered, and dogs from various [and sometimes perilous] situations in Tijuana and Baja California.
Nisan and Weinrib have passed on the torch, with Nisan remaining on the Board of Directors. The present Executive Director and woman of many hats is the formidable Lauren Botticelli, who came in seven years ago. In addition, in 2020, TAP acquired a physical building on Avocado Blvd to run the day-to-day operations and house a kennel for up to 40 dogs.
Botticelli has numerous responsibilities as the only salaried person. She leads the day-to-night operations, and she does a lot of their social media. She is the hands on “take care of the dogs” person at their facility in the evening. She is also effective at public relations and building a community. This dedicated dog lover has her own dogs tattooed on her arm!
However, because TAP rescues many more dogs than they can keep at their kennel, they need volunteers and fosters. Botticelli is very good at recruiting many loyal volunteers who work side by side with her. Even her parents are volunteers! I met them the day I volunteered last month. I signed up to transport four puppies to an adoption event and I had to go to their home to pick them up. Her parents did such a good job of fostering and socializing the puppies that they all have been adopted.
TAP’s dedicated volunteers are the backbone of this rescue operation as they help in many ways. First, many of them foster these dogs until they find a permanent home. They also help with transportation to vet appointments, adoption events, and keeping everything running smoothly both in and out of the facility. TAP volunteers have a special page on Facebook to connect and find out about different events and coordinate together. This non-profit is good at working cohesively, which in turn has helped to save many dogs.
The day I visited the facility, the first dog I met was Momo (Photo,right), who looked like a little Koala bear. Momo was dropped off by his foster, vet tech Randi Koziorowski. She told me that Momo had been rescued from Tijuana and was picked up in very bad shape as he had been attacked and badly injured. Thus, he was reactive and very fearful.
Koziorowski was the vet tech at the clinic where Momo was brought in and although she already has a dog of her own, she volunteered to take care of him. She told me she took him home and spent a lot of time working with him to help him overcome his fears. When I met him, he was much calmer. He let me pet him and did not try to bite me. Momo is so cute that it is only natural to want to pet him, and thanks to his patient foster, he is now more trusting, and will soon be ready for adoption.
The second dog I met was Depp [think Johnny] who only had one eye. Depp (photo,left) was part of a group of dogs that TAP rescued from the Bahamas. In the Bahamas and parts of the Caribbean, they call these mix-breed dogs “potcakes”. Depp also came in very fearful, but Botticelli herself worked with him, and this potcake has slowly been coming out of his shell. He shyly greeted me.
The last dog I met on my visit was a cute little white terrier mix named Alf. Alf was rescued 15 minutes before he was going to be put down at a shelter in the Los Angeles area. They thought nobody would adopt him because of a bad cough. TAP stepped in and brought him to San Diego where he was treated and is now healthy and waiting for his forever home.
TAP is always looking for fosters and volunteers and they welcome people of all ages and abilities.
One volunteer who stood out was Dani Levin who has been with TAP for five years. She is considered like the “Human Resources” person and director of the volunteers. She heads the Facebook volunteer group [with 1.8 thousand members] and makes sure there are no communication issues amongst the volunteers. She is also known for her warm and friendly personality who goes above and beyond to help.
Thanks to the executive director and all the volunteers in precise roles, TAP is a well-oiled and effective non-profit that has rescued thousands of dogs since its inception 13 years ago.
Finally, there is a delicious way you can help. San Diego Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove has teamed up with TAP and Puesto Mexican Restaurants. From now until October 2nd, if you buy a Joe’s Adobada taco, the proceeds will go to TAP.
For more information, the website is The Animal Pad | Dog Rescue in San Diego and Southern California
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.
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.