By Mike Allen
Photo by Scott Lagace: Santee firefighters saved the life of an unconscious woman during a July 2024 fire that engulfed her mobile home, also administering oxygen to save a cat.
March 14, 2025 (Santee) -- Santee knows it has to be better when it comes to providing fire protection to its residents, and after a sales tax-funded plan for new fire stations failed in November, its City Council made improving that essential service as its top priority.
In fairness, the Council was already focused on getting a couple of new stations to double the current number—two—to serve a population of more than 60,000.
It was building a temporary station off Olive Way where it formerly used to keep its maintenance operations, and was planning a new station in the north part of the city. Yet the Council was hoping the half-cent hike to local sales taxes would finance the improvements. Not so fast, said voters who rejected the plan.
At its March 12 meeting, the Council set building new fire stations—along with finding new ways to pay for them--as its No. 1 goal from a list of ten.
City Manager Marlene Best rattled off what the city was already doing including adding new trucks, more emergency medical personnel, completing the temporary station, designing a permanent station at the operations yard, and conducting a study for a third station in the north part of the city.
“We’re also looking at the potential for a new funding measure,” Best said. That could mean another sales tax hike or raising taxes on property owners.
The remainder of the list mirrored what the priorities were two years ago, with Best giving updates on whether goals were accomplished or what the status was. The entire five-member board made no comment about the list.
The number two priority two years ago, considering annexing West Hills Parkway and surrounding parcels, is still up in the air. Best said the Council wants to work with one property owner to ensure his project conforms to Santee’s higher standards. The fact is that this property, indeed all of West Hills Parkway, remains in the city of San Diego so whatever Santee wants could be ignored as was the case when San Diego approved the Castlerock/ now Weston development.
At No. 3, continued focus on road paving, which is always an item that generates lots of complaints, especially on West Hills Parkway.
Fourth, expand economic opportunities through a recently adopted Arts & Entertainment District. The city has a vision of turning the Town Center and its surrounding area into a village that would feature art galleries, dance studios, theaters, restaurants and bars. It also will be deciding on who will run a total of four cannabis shops in the industrial-zoned areas of the city by early July.
Fifth, a new building permit system, has been implemented so that should make it easier to get all those new galleries and theaters built faster. It also redid the city website and has a new app to make interactions with the city easier.
Sixth, continue focus on risk reductions, meaning fires, from homeless folks camping in the city, particularly in the San Diego riverbed. Best said since the city hired an outreach person two years ago, the number of encampments cleaned was 120, and 16 in the last month. She also noted that a recent count of the homeless population in Santee fell to 46 from 112 one year ago.
The seventh priority, looking for ways to improve the trails linked to Mission Trails Park, particularly at Big Rock Park, was put on the backburner, Best said, due to the fact that most of the land remains in San Diego County, not the city.
But the Council once again wants to make safety on its trails a priority and ranked it at eight. Best said among the efforts to make the trails safer is the possible adoption a video camera system, now in the testing phase, that would be monitored by the Sheriffs Department.
At No. 9 is the continued reduction in the city’s liabilities involving the pensions it must pay to retired workers, which it has been doing by making higher annual contributions to that budget expense over the last four years.
The tenth priority and one that was achieved in January was completing a development impact fee study and adopting a new set of fees charged to new development that took effect March 10.
Among the add-ons, but not officially tabbed as a priority, the Council wants to adopt a funding plan for a community center behind the Cameron YMCA. Best said a workshop on this is scheduled for April 9. The cost for the center was estimated at $50 million a few years ago.
At one point, the center was a darling project for most officials but in light of the pressures from building new fire stations, that may have to be put on the backburner too.
By Karen Pearlman
Photo via San Diego County Sheriff: Homeless encampment fire in Santee, February 2025
March 14, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) -- With an estimated one out of every five fires in San Diego County started in encampments where homeless individuals congregate, San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson has said enough is enough.
“Nobody has a right to burn my constituents’ homes down, whether they intend to or not,” Anderson said, two days after the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to update the county’s Unsafe Camping Ordinance. It would apply to property that the county owns or leases and specified areas such as parks, open space and certain public works facilities.
At their meeting on Tuesday, March 11, the supervisors voted 4-0 to empower appropriate authorities “to ensure public safety and do more than just cite repeat offenders,” Anderson said. A final draft ordinance is expected to be presented by county staff to the board in about two months, when a final vote will take place.
At that time, Supervisors will have options for changing the current ordinance.
One option includes adding provisions related to fire risk; adding protections in specific areas (including open spaces and public works infrastructure); and a notification period of 24 hours for those living in unsheltered encampments, to give them time to move personal property.
Another option is to leave the ordinance as it is, which includes enforcement to prohibit and abate illegal encampments, remove improperly stored property on public property and protect vacant property (such as the San Diego River corridor) from fire and pollution.
Currently there are several existing state and local codes that address fire prohibitions and liabilities due to careless, negligent or intentional acts. These existing codes grant enforcement authority to local law enforcement and/or fire agencies to investigate and hold individuals accountable for unlawful acts as defined in code sections.
As for the role law enforcement and other agencies would play in enforcing the ordinance, Anderson said "We expect the draft ordinance, which will be coming back to the Board in about two months, will contain more detailed information on this piece."
Anderson has been a leader in leading changes in the back country.
He said that passing an Unsafe Camping Ordinance in the county’s unincorporated communities “is a crucial step to protect all residents,” and referenced January’s Center Fire in Rancho Bernardo that burned seven acres.
San Diego's Metro Arson Strike Team reported that the Center Fire, which forced people in homes and those in a daycare center to evacuate, was started in a homeless encampment
Anderson said that more than 1,100 fires in the last 12 months were connected to homeless encampments.
In a staff report related to the ordinance, it was noted that the County has, and would continue to have, a “services-first” approach, with a goal of connecting people with shelter, food and -- where appropriate -- substance use disorder and mental health treatment.
The County’s outreach team -- The Health and Human Services Agency, Parks and Recreation, Public Works and Sheriff’s Office Homeless Assistance Resource Team -- coordinates provision of services and resources including emergency housing to people experiencing homelessness in the unincorporated communities.
The 2024 Point in Time Count identified nearly 200 people experiencing homelessness in the unincorporated county area. (This number captures unsheltered individuals only and does not include 250 households already placed in the County’s emergency housing program.)
The county’s changes to the ordinance are also connected to the June 2024 Supreme Court decision in the case of City of Grants Pass v. Johnson. T which allows local governments to enforce camping bans through citations or arrest regardless of the number of shelter beds open.
The decision overturned Martin v. Boise, a Ninth Circuit case from 2018 that held that individuals could not be cited for sleeping on public property unless they were first offered alternative shelter.
In Grants Pass, the Supreme Court upheld enforcement of local ordinances regulating camping on public property even if no shelter beds were available. Under this new guidance, the county’s existing camping ordinances could be enforced.
While all Supervisors voted for drafting an update to the county’s Unsafe Camping Ordinance, Supervisor Monica Montgomery-Steppe wants to be sure shelter space is available for anyone displaced. The County currently operates no homeless shelters, other than two safe parking areas for unhoused people living in vehicles, though plans are in the works to build sleeping cabins in Lemon Grove.
"We have a moral obligation before we put handcuffs on somebody to say, `We have a place for you to go," Montgomery-Steppe said, ECM news partner 10 News reports.
Asked if there is information on any separation of homeless encampment fires vs. fires started in migrant camps, Anderson said County Fire and CalFire have indicated that “these separate data points are not currently tracked in the unincorporated areas.”
An ECM article last year reported that at least six local fires between May 1 and June 1 were attributed to migrants or smugglers near the border, according to Cal Fire. Those fires ranged in size from less than an acre to 50 acres.
By Miriam Raftery
Photo by Anne Meador: Federal workers protest at Capitol (CC by NC-ND)
March 14, 2025 – Two federal judges have ruled that the Trump administration’s mass firing of federal workers was illegal. Both judges ordered thousands of probationary fired workers rehired, at least temporarily, though the two rulings differed on the scope of agencies affected. Combined, the two rulings order that 18 agencies immediately rehire those fired, affecting a broad range of jobs from national park rangers to Veterans’ Administration workers and many more.
The judges also issued scathing rebukes of the purge of agencies done by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and accused the administration of lying when it claimed the firings were based on performance issues, since many of the laid-off workers had extremely positive performance reviews.
U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup in San Francisco called the mass terminations a “sham.” He stated in open court, “It is sad, a sad day, when our government would fire some good employee and say it was based on performance when they know good and well that’s a lie. That should not have been done in our country.”
Judge Alsup ordered the immediate rehiring of fired probationary employees in these six departments: Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs. That lawsuit was filed by federal employees’ unions. His order lasts until whenever the case’s outcome is ultimately resolved in court, a process that could take years.
U.S. District Judge James Bredar in New York issued a broader but more temporarily order in a case filed by Democrat state attorneys general. Judge Breder’s order requires 18 federal departments to immediately rehire the fired probationary workers for at least 14 days, though he indicated he would consider a longer relief.
His order requires reemployment be offered to the fired probationary workers in these departments: Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior (which includes the National Park Service), Labor, Transportation, Treasury, Veterans Affairs, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, General Services Administration, and the Small Business Administration.
However, Bredar found the states’ failed to meet the burden of proof to show illegal firings at three other agencies, which he excluded from his ruling: the Defense Department, Office of Personnel Management, and the National Archives and Records Administration.
Judge Bredar found that the mass firings failed to provide 60 days required notice and follow other requirements, and concluded, “The sheer number of employees that were terminated in a matter of days belies any argument that these terminations were due to the employees’ individual performance or conduct...The government’s contention to the contrary borders on the frivolous.”
Bredar also found arguments from the states compelling, noting that the lack of notice left states “impaired in their capacities to meet their legal obligations to the citizens.”
Judge Alsup bristled at the Justice Department’s refusal to make acting Office of Management and Budget Director Charles Ezell available for testimony yesterday, and suggested the Trump administration’s attorneys were withholding information on who directed the mass firings.
The Trump administration has already filed an appeal in one case and will likely do so in both. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a statement after the ruling, saying, “A single judge is attempting to unconstitutionally seize the power of hiring and firing from the Executive Branch...If a federal district court would like executive powers, they can try and run for President themselves,” she sniped. “The Trump Administration will immediately fight back against this absurd and unconstitutional order.”
In fact, the hiring and firing of federal employees is dictated by federal law, which contains numerous civil service worker protections. In addition, many legal scholars have said it is illegal for the Executive branch to usurp the power of Congress, which created many of the agencies being gutted under the guise of streamlining government efficiency and saving taxpayers’ money.
Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, said he is “pleased with Judge Alsup’s order to immediately reinstate tens of thousands of probationary federal employees who were illegally fired from their jobs by an administration hellbent on crippling federal agencies and their work on behalf of the American public.”
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who led efforts to sue the Trump administration on behalf of states, issued this statement: “The Trump Administration’s callous and reckless mass firing of probationary federal employees has caused chaos and prevented these workers from providing critical services that affect the everyday lives of Americans, from offering support for veterans and farmers, to protecting our cherished national parks and public lands.”
Bonta added, “I am pleased that the federal district court has promptly granted our request for a temporary restraining order, which will block the Administration’s unlawful mass firing directive and reinstate affected employees. I, alongside my fellow attorneys general, will be closely monitoring to ensure that the Administration follows the court’s order.”
Sources:
https://www.newsweek.com/list-federal-agencies-rehire-fired-employees-2044763
https://www.npr.org/2025/03/13/nx-s1-5325694/maryland-court-fired-federal-employees-trump
https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/judge-trump-reinstate-thousands-fired-federal-workers/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=089i2Ex5Nlw
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2025/03/trump-mass-firings-doj-judge-youre-fired.html
https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/MD%20v.%20USDA%20-%20TRO%20Order.pdf
LIVESTREAMING UPDATE: For those unable to attend in-person, here are platforms where organizers plan to livestream this event:
- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/indivisiblencsd/
- TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@indivisiblencsd
- Youtube Live - https://www.youtube.com/@IndivisibleNCSanDiego
- Twitch.tv - https://www.twitch.tv/indivisiblencsandiego;
By Miriam Raftery
March 14, 2025 (Escondido) – After weeks of rebuffed requests for Congressman Darrell Issa (R-48)to hold a community townhall to discuss constituents’ concerns, activists have scheduled an “Empty Chair Town Hall” at the California Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, March 23 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The event, hosted by Dr. Allison Gill from the "Mueller, She Wrote" podcast, will provide constituents with the opportunity to voice questions and concerns they would typically address directly to their congressional representative, particularly regarding potential cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and Veterans Services.
Following recommendations outlined in the "Indivisible Guide" (indivisible.org/resource/guide), this Empty Chair Town Hall is part of a nationwide effort encouraged by Indivisible National during the congressional recess from March 13-23.
"When our elected officials refuse to engage with their constituents, democracy suffers," said Pamela Albergo of Indivisible North County San Diego. "Rep. Issa hasn't held a town hall since 2017, but the concerns of his constituents haven't gone away."
San Diego’s four other Congressional members, all Democrats, have not held live town halls in the past year, Times of San Diego recentlyreported. But Issa, the lone local Republican representative, has not held a townhall since 2017. Issa has been a vocal supporter of the Trump administration and has refused pleas from constituents to hold one, despite regular protests outside his Escondido Congressional office since Trump took office.
The event will feature a panel of five to six community leaders, including a veteran advocate, school board member, city council member and other local experts.
Each panelist will be briefly introduced by Dr. Gill, and panelists will take turns answering questions. Attendees are asked to bring their 60-second questions written on paper. Selected questioners will be invited to the front of the room to ask their question, followed by a three-minute response from a panelist.
The venue has 375 seats, which are filling quickly. Community members can register at eventbrite.com/e/darrell-issa-empty-chair-town-hall-presented-by-indivisible-tickets-1274626525249. A waiting list is also being established.
Information about livestream channels will be distributed as the event date approaches.
Members of the media are invited to attend. Rep. Issa's office has been formally invited to the event.
Indivisible North County San Diego is a grassroots organization dedicated to advocating for progressive policies and holding elected officials accountable to their constituents.
Update January 7, 2025 A GoFundMe site has been set up to help the victims' families with funeral costs, emotional support, and legal costs to pursue justice.
East County News Service
January 6, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – The victims of a fatal pedestrian crash on New Year’s Day in Lemon Grove have been identified as Nadia Charles and Junior Joseph Juste. Both 20 years old, they were cousins who immigrated here from Haiti last year in hopes of a better life in the United States, after surviving earthquakes,poverty, violence and political instability in their homeland.
The cousins were killed when two vehicles collided at the intersection of Buena Vista and Broadway shortly after 11 a.m. on January 1st. .The impact sent one of the cars into the path of the victims, who were crossing the street. Despite life-saving efforts by paramedics and deputies, both victims died at the scene.
The drivers of the vehicles and a passenger were not injured. Sheriff’s investigators say that speed was a factor in the collision.
Pastor Johny Oxeda at the First Haitian Baptist Church in City Heights said both of the young immigrants “dreamed to do more,” ECM news partner NBC 7 reports.
The cousins had planned to attend a church workshop led by San Diego Police for new immigrants on Sunday to help them adapt to the new culture in America. Instead, a Sunday church service was held to honor the memories of the two young people. A public memorial is planned for Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the intersection where they lost their lives.
By Alexander J. Schorr
Photo, left, via Grossmont Education Association: angry crowd turns back on Acting Superintendent Sandra Huezo and the GUHSD board
March 13, 2025 (El Cajon) – The Grossmont Union High School district staff and its students have been protesting the board majority’s controversial firings of teaching, librarian, and counseling positions in recent days, including student walk-outs, picketing at schools by parents and teachers, and a petition signed by more than 3,500 people opposed to the cuts. Opponents held a rally outside Wednesday night’s contentious board meeting, where 500 people filled the hall and every speaker criticized the board’s action. But their pleas fell on deaf ears, and the board chairman refused to allow a motion by trustee Chris Fite that would have reversed the vote authorizing the lay-offs.
Image, right: GUHSD board announced various restrictions including requiring tickets for board meeting and threatening to “retreat” if the audience gets “rowdy.”
Parents picket schools, students walk out in protest
On the morning of Monday March 10, teachers and GEA representatives protested outside of nine school campuses: Grossmont, Monte Vista, Mount Miguel, Granite Hills, El Capitan, West Hills, Santanna, El Cajon Valley, and Valhalla High School. This is in the wake of the Governing Board’s decision to eliminate 64 jobs in the district: This includes 9 librarians, 23 teachers, 4 school psychologists, 10 vice principals, 1 principal, 2 program specialists, and 14 support staff. The board previously cut 30 temporary certificated employees earlier this year, which includes mental health counselors and A-G requirements counselors.
Photos by Alex Schorr: Left, teachers and Representatives holding signs to oncoming traffic in protest of the GUHSD Governing Board’s decision to terminate teaching, counseling, and librarian positions. Right: Protestor holds sign demanding transparency on the Board’s decision making.
GEA members and school staff such as counselors and teachers were picketing at these key school sites before the contracted day began; they did so on public property (on sidewalks and in the front and backs of these schools) facing traffic and public crossings. Morning walking shifts went from 7:45 a.m. to 9:10 a.m., leaving 5 minutes for members to get to class where students would arrive in 15 minutes.
Students also staged noon walk-outs on GUHSD campuses to protest the firings.
GEA has 950 members. The union plans to continue protests over student safety and education concerns related to the firings, as well as the welfare of those set to lose their jobs and those still employed, who may face larger class sizes and other challenges.
Photos by Alex Schorr: Left, GEA Representatives protest Board’s cuts on faculty. Right: Sign board expressing these concerns.)
One Grossmont High School Psychologist, Katy Abruzzo, had this to say regarding the board’s latest decisions to the cuts: “It’s really disappointing that the board is, it seems like, ignoring public opinion about the layoffs, that the layoffs aren’t necessary… and our students definitely deserve more, not less.” Additionally, she stated that the “public needs to understand that the board is laying off a large number of counselors. It’s not getting as much attention as the librarians, because they were temporary positions, but the number of counselors being laid off is high. At Grossmont High School, we’re losing two out of seven, and that’s a big impact on the services that our students will be receiving, so it would be helpful if the board reconsider those positions and letting us keep those so [that] we can continue to focus on student’s mental health.”
Kristen Lopprell, a Grossmont High School math teacher, gave her comments on the Governing Board’s decisions in cutting key roles in staffing across the district. “I am out here to advocate for students to get the best education possible, and that starts with the Governing Board, [which] makes actions in their interests, not behind closed doors, not without consulting all of the many people that work to make this district. If we need to make budget cuts, ask the people who know something. Parents… weren’t even asked about what would be the easiest thing for them to eliminate. I can tell you, it is not our school psychologists, our librarians, it’s not our counselors, we need those desperately. Things are feeling really eerie out there.”
For context, Lopprell was awarded California Teacher of the Year, receiving state commemoration for her work in Sacramento; the Governing Board neglected to invite her to celebrate her contributions to Grossmont High School due to their opposition to her personal orientation. She went on to say that “for someone in a minority group who feels attacked by my board, I am so grateful that people are waking up and showing up. Please, do your research and be aware. Things are not going well for students in Grossmont Union School District.”
Photos by Alex Schorr, left and right: at Valhalla High School, teachers and psychologists wave boards and banners protesting the board's cuts to key teaching and counseling positions.
GUHSD governing board meeting draws protest and angry crow
The next evening on Tuesday March 11, a GUHSD Governing Board meeting convened at Grossmont High School in the old gym, where elected officials and students, teachers, counselors, and librarians spoke on behalf of the cuts to the district's employment.
Speaker cards were available in person at 3:30 p.m. Attendees were given a ticket to guarantee a seat; no personal chairs or seating was permitted, and those present were told via a memo on Instagram and Facebook that there would be no sitting or standing on the floor, and that those who left the building for any reason would end up forfeiting their ticket. Unlike the previous GUHSD Board Meeting at El Cajon Valley High School, where approximately 600 people showed up at the meeting in protest of the board’s decision, only 500 people were allowed in the gym. Additionally, the flyer stated that the board would retreat for brief recesses if the crowd became “rowdy.” A link to the meeting was provided as well.
Photos by Alex Schorr: left and right: students, parents, teachers, and staff protest at GUHSD campuses.
At 3:45 p.m., people were allowed in and given a ticket for participation at the meeting. A call to order was made at 4:00 p.m. by Board President Gary Woods, PhD, who stated that the meeting would reconvene at 6:00 p.m. At about 5:00 p.m. protesters marched between the gym and the science building; many were students, parents, teachers, and librarians chanting "save our staff" and "serve our students."
Photos by Alex Schorr: left: protesters of budget layoffs of credentialed teaching and librarian positions rally outside in the rain by the Grossmont High School Old Gym. Right, protesters in the audience at the March 11 board meeting.
Those present in the auditorium included agitated parents, students, teachers, librarians, counselors, and Grossmont Education Association (GEA) union representatives from Grossmont, Monte Vista, West Hills, Valhalla, Granite Hills, Santana, Mount Miguel, and El Cajon Valley high schools. The audience roared "vote them out" and "shame on you" at 5:45 while applauding Chris Fite by name, the only trustee who voted against the cuts.
At 6:06 p.m. the meeting began. Superintendent Mike Fowler spoke on a video that was shown to the audience, displaying his concerns about "strength, stability, and continuity" with the Governing Board. He stated that he will end his tenure as Superintendent due to complications with pursuing health issues.
The Governing Board meeting at Grossmont High School is the latest in a continuous resolution of the Governing Board’s decision to terminate key teaching, counseling, and librarian positions; NBC 7 News lists that 49 accredited employee positions could be eliminated, including principals, vice principals, and psychologists, as well as an 11 classified school positions, such as support personnel.
The main focus of the meeting was for speakers to express their grievances about the indifferent cuts and layoffs to librarians, teachers, and counselors across the Grossmont school district, with many contending that the Board’s promoted budget cuts were fiscally irresponsible. There was a great deal of disrespect between both audience members and key figures of the Governing Board majority; slurs and chants demanding accountability and removal were hurled at the board members. Certain Governing Board members, particularly Jim Kelly, frequently ignored the audience by looking at his phone; trustee Robert Shield scolded the audience, hinting that he could be encouraged to be transparent if the proper respect was given.
The agenda covered the more general issues of the district budget moving forward, and was written in a way to exclude, not address the issue of layoffs that concerned the speakers. This caused great unrest and massive rebukes from the approximately 500 people present.
Zahara Nuristani, a student board member, and Jodi Hostetler, the Senior Executive Assistant, outlined the rules and procedures for speakers giving public comments. Each person who received a speaker card was given three minutes to speak within a given time frame of 40 minutes total. Each person was instructed to follow the agenda items which focused on the current budget. The meeting was divided into two parts by a recess in the middle of the presentation. GEA representatives, math teachers, alumni, librarians, English teachers, and parents from Granite Hills, Mount Miguel, Valhalla, and West Hills High School gave their condemnations of the board's refusal to retract the cuts from the budget moving forward.
Here is a sampling of the many public comments:
GEA President James Messina spoke about the impact of the firings and cuts which the board deliberated on in their previous meeting in February at El Cajon Valley High School, where the board voted 4 to 1 in favor of terminating and firing key teaching, counseling, and librarian positions across the Grossmont Unified School District. “Business services have not asked for these cuts,” Messina said. “The original revenue projected for 2024-2025 was $222 million, and we ended up getting over $380 million in revenue. That’s a big difference. This is why we use deficit spending to fill [in] any budget problems we have each year, then use the 30 to 40 certificated retirees we get at the end of the year to balance the budget going forward—that’s what Grossmont’s always done. This new process of layoffs first will create [a] whiplash effect with the firing and then hiring each year to match the new budget—it will destroy all longevity or progress that Grossmont made.” He went on to warn that these unpopular cuts could open up the possibilities of the Board being sued for personal damages and liabilities with a defund in school operations.
Valhalla High School Teacher Librarian Stephanie Macceca rebuked the board for an apparent lack of transparency with their constituents: “You haven’t been responding to the emails that you have been receiving.” An individual next to her stood up holding a pile of papers of alleged printed copies of these emails, much to the surprise and anxiety of the crowd. She went on to say that there were over 1300 copies. Referencing the board's concern for budget shortfall, Macceca said that the same $2.2 million short fall on the budget is not a deficit; this shortfall is a total that is projected for over three years.” Macceca stated that after a Covid pandemic-era staffing, saying that the board was preparing to reduce the library space at each school to “one employee running the entire space. This is not an example of overstaffing, this is an example of understaffing.”
Jay Steiger, a former GUHSD candidate and bond oversight committee chair, rebuked the board. “The district has more than enough money to cover its deficits, in fact, there is enough to cover these deficits for years to come,” he maintained, directly contradicting district claims. He added that cutting 49 teachers and numerous staff in the budget is “ridiculous. There are districts around the state which are in very difficult shape—Grossmont is not only not one of them. It is far, far, far away from anything approaching danger.” Steiger referenced a justification the board made for the cuts to save money, blame of the Los Angeles wildfires for potential state cuts in education funding. “The wildfires are not going to wreck [this] educational budget… What about preparing our students for the future?”
A parent and alumni of Grossmont High School lamented, “There’s no transparency in your hirings, in your firings, and it is already impacting our students. She emphasized that mental health positions, which the board was keen to cut, is an “honorable position,” and in emphasizing with other parents whose students could not show up, said that individuals like her were “making sure that their voices were being heard” for them.
A resident of La Mesa, who referenced having a decent education at Valhalla High School, and a passionate individual who derived values in the community of her church, stated the governing board “would have voters believe that they are righteous men. These men, who bring us lawsuits and lies, but these (referencing the audience) people are righteous…these people are educators, who protect and guide our children, they are the righteous.” With religious rhetoric, she asked the audience what they should do concerning “these men,” with people shouting “vote them out.”
A student named Molly from an unnamed school campus spoke, rebuking the perspective of Jim Kelly, Robert Shield, Scott Eckert, and Gary Woods concerning the priorities of the budget, saying that “elected officials are meant to serve not only the people who voted for them, but the populations they represent… Those people are telling you that this is a mistake. Listen.”
Photos by Alex Schorr: Left: printed copies of emails to the board. Right: the Governing Board members, from left to right, Chris Fite, Jim Kelly, Scott Eckert, Robert Shield, and Gary Woods.
El Capitan High School Associated Student Body President Darby Powers stated that “budget cut related layoffs…were counterproductive.” She referenced how a “bureaucratic position was created” which ”takes money that could be put towards credentialled staff salaries.” Powers emphasized the apparent hypocrisy facing the Governing Board where they claim to be concerned with the fiscal priorities of the Grossmont School District, while creating a new chief of staff position answerable to them directly, all while maintaining the taxing task of monitoring and addressing the needs of each position left open from the results of pink slips. She emphasized that in cutting key teaching and librarian positions, students in key language programs, who worked “hard for 12 years,” would be gone, and that students would be stripped away by “these unnecessary cuts.”
Many students present in the library referenced Suzanne Sanwald, a West Hills High School Librarian, and their love and gratitude for her help and care as a mentor and parent-figure in the lives of many students at West Hills. Concerning the budget, one student stated, “I’m not going to stand here and pretend like I have all the numbers because I don’t. But you know who would help me find those numbers? The staff and librarians!”
A parent representing a senior student at Mount Miguel High School added that “libraries and school programs were all critical to student’s success. We voted to improve these programs, not to have them taken away.” She referenced the large audience turnout, and the thousands of student walkouts from the major school campuses at places like Grossmont, Granite Hills, West Hills, Valhalla, and Monta Vista. She emphasized that these cuts “are the wrong types of cuts to make at the wrong time. For the budget, please reverse your votes.”
At 6:58 p.m. Sandra Huezo, the Acting Superintendent, spoke and referenced former Board Superintendent Mike Fowler’s contributions to the board. She also surmised that, according to the Governing Board’s summation, the layoffs and cuts to teaching, librarian, and counselor positions are key to the budget because these are “overstaffed.” She referenced that “other schools in other districts” had this problem, but did not specify any figures, or schools by name. She suggested that in addition to the cuts, “these students could be served by alternative programs,” which drew a fierce verbal backlash of “no” from the crowd.
In an earlier internal memo obtained by ECM, Huezo offered details on the district’s rationale behind the firing notifications issued, which she said were not fully explained at the last meeting due to disruptions. Huezo explained that the state requires school districts to submit budgets by June 30, even though the state’s budget including education funding isn’t finalized until late June. State law requires that district’s notify full-time employees earlier, by March 15 if their positions may be eliminated, with final notices required by May 15—before state budget funds are known. Her memo saidthat the GUHSD is projecting structural deficits in the future long-term, with enrollment declining and the Calif. Legislative Analyst projecting growing state budget deficits in coming years. The district currently employees over 200 more full-time positions than a decade ago, according to her memo.
Pearl Izuka, the Interim Deputy Superintendent of business and services, added that the budget “shortfalls would continue,” unless they cut staff from schools, though she did not provide any evidence.
The majority of the audience rose up in defiance of Huezo the Governing Board, with their backs facing trustees out of rejection of the board’s reasoning. At 7:43 p.m., Dr, Woods called for a 15-minute recess. Woods along with Eckert, Shield and Kelly exited through the back door with Hezo and Administrative Assistant Denise Broadfoot.
It is important to note that the budget, which was the focus of the meeting’s agenda, makes it very clear that while a revised graph projecting a decline in enrollment, their own budget states that they have a surplus: the original prediction for the 2024 to 2025 time frame was $282 million, with a determined amount of $308 million in revenue accounted for at the beginning of this year. The projected risks to the budget are defined as stock market vulnerability, elevated interest rates, natural disasters, and immigration.
As of February 6, 2025, the Governor's budget projects a $17 billion in surplus. The risks of inflation persisting, the slowing of interest rate reductions by the federal reserves, the presence of tariffs and alterations in immigration are highlighted as the main factors for financial downturn, not how many teachers, librarians, or counselors are present at key schools in the district. Both Huezo and Broadfoot illustrated this point, but emphasized the need to save more money “in case.”
Photos by Alex Schorr: Audience displays numerous protest signs.
At 7:57 the board reconvened.
Trustee Fite, who voted against the layoffs, spoke briefly concerning the priorities of the budget. He requested that the board rescind the February 27 vote to implement the layoffs and cancel the board-created chief of staff position.
Woods stated that because the layoffs were not listed in the agenda, it was “not the appropriate time to discuss” the layoffs.
Fite fired back, “it is overwhelmingly clear that the students realize that these cuts are a danger to their education… We are not a bank,” he added. “Taxpayers give us the money to educate their kids… We can have a structural deficit for years and we would still be fine” with the present reserves, he stated, then asked other board members directly, “If we are going to try to get the maximum of students that we lost from Covid, from online charters… how on earth are we going to get those people— these students, back if we can’t outperform the charter [schools]?”
Trustee Shield stated to an angry audience, “Chris Fite’s motions are out of order because they were not on the agenda.” He continued, “I would love to be transparent— I cannot be transparent if you don’t listen.”
Board President Woods stated that “positive expressions [of the board decisions] are welcomed, negative expressions will result in a time out.” He then insulted the audience, saying they behaved “like kindergarten students.” He later retracted and apologized for the comment he made
It is worth noting that under Senate Bill 1162, employers and the elected officials must consult their constituents on matters of employment and firings. It states, “Employees who understand how their pay is determined are more likely to feel valued and respected in their roles. This leads to greater job satisfaction, reduced turnover, and a more engaged workforce. Workers are less likely to feel resentful or uncertain when compensation is transparent and justified.” Additionally, “employers, in turn, can address concerns directly, creating a more transparent workplace culture.”
The board majority acknowledged the desire of the audience to preserve key positions and jobs that they would be laying off and terminating, and despite this, created a chief of staff position which critics say was done without proper vetting, advertisement, consent or acknowledgement of the public.
Several additional public speakers aired their views.
Mohammad, a senior from Mount Miguel High School who was originally involved in an engineering program, expressed his concern for the board’s budget layoffs of faculty. He said that his school’s “counselors, teachers, and librarians face pink slips instead of our appreciation, and we refuse to stay in silence while the people who make our schools what they are, get pushed out.” He made reference to how the library is a center for work and support, adding, “We are organizing, and we will not back down.”
A Grossmont High School representative who did not give his name reminded the board that when it comes to budgets, “When items disappear, they don’t come back… We know we’re not running out of libraries, but if there is no one to take care of them, it's going to be a place that people stop going to go… The kids have to know how to find the resources.” In a rare show of empathy with the board members, he said, “I understand it's hard when you sit there and while we berate you, but it is so hard to fathom that counselors, psychologists, librarians, would be cut from schools. That’s why everybody’s here.”
An alumni from West Hills noted that with the increased risk of students “being radicalized,” especially in the age of changing media literacy and social media, “our most vulnerable students are at risk.” He empathized that librarians make education more cohesive, and without them, “our community is less safe.”
At 9:01, there was a brief outburst from one of the individuals in the audience towards Jim Kelly to “get off your phone.”
A woman asked the Governing Board rhetorically how many schools in California have certificated librarians. “You are going to tell us that we are so poor, that no one in the district, in California, is so poor as us, that are so poorly structured as our district, that they have to eliminate librarians?” She accused the board of “being fooled into destroying education” in order to gentrify the education of future students with the directive of private charter or religious schools.
Granite Hills High School Site Learning Specialist Gavin Preston criticized the board’s transparency, stating that “not responding to the emails, public comments of your constituents and hiding behind closed sessions in emergency board meetings is a dereliction of your duties as elected and public officials.” Taking aim at Shield directly, she criticized him and the board majority for not listening or responding to the needs of their electors, concluding, “Clearly, we must speak louder.”
After the speakers finished, Dr, Woods adjoined the meeting at 9:12 and members left out the back door. No additional vote was cast on the matter of the budget or concerns of the faculty layoffs or cuts.
Despite the massive protests and obvious unpopularity of the Governing Board’s recent decisions, layoffs or pink slips must by state law be sent notifying employees by March 15 if their positions are at risk of elimination for the following school year; with final notices required by May 15.
An open letter sent to California Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff
By Chuck Brown, Spring Valley
March 13, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) - The House passed legislation to fund the government through Sept. 30 and thereby avert a shutdown at the end of this week.
The measure now goes to the Senate, where Democrats must decide whether to support it and thereby hand Trump and Musk a blank check to continue their assault on the federal government.
In normal times, Democrats vote for continuing budget resolutions because Democrats support the vital services that the government provides to the American people — Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans services, education, the Food and Drug Administration, environmental protection, and much more.
These are not, nor have they been, normal times. There is more on the line this time than just the continuing of government services. Trump says `I won’t touch Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid.’ Johnson’s bill hammers away at all three – and more.
This time, the real choice Congressional Democrats face today is not between a continuing resolution that allows the government to function normally or a government shutdown. Under Trump and Musk, the government is not functioning normally – and NEVER WILL. It is not continuing. It is already shutting down.
I urge you to vote against the abhorrent legislation passed by the House of Non-Representatives. Then, perhaps there can be a bipartisan discussion.
Let’s not make E. Y. Harburg’s Poem a reality – penned in the 1960s. (He wrote the lyrics for “Somewhere, Over the Rainbow” and “Brother, Can You Spare Me a Dime”, among others.)
Should I write a letter to my congressman? So, your congressman has two ends, a thinking end and a sitting end, and since his whole success depends upon his seat – why bother friend? – E.Y. Harburg
The opinions in this reader’s 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 Karen Pearlman
Photo, left, by Miriam Raftery: El Cajon's downtown district
March 12, 2025 (El Cajon) – A new city vibe is expected to come to the more than 100-year-old city of El Cajon.
Earlier this month, the Downtown El Cajon Business Partners, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting a safe and prosperous downtown El Cajon, announced that it had hired New City America to lead a renewal effort in the area.
The group that helped revitalize Little Italy is being tapped to be executive director of the group and work to make downtown El Cajon a vibrant community hub.
The final contract – set in an original request for bid for $150,000 annually -- has not been signed yet, said Downtown El Cajon Business Partners Board Member and Treasurer Cathy Zeman (photo, right).
New City America is a nationally recognized urban revitalization firm that among other things, helped transform the Little Italy area in San Diego into a vibrant and popular destination. It did similar work in Chula Vista’s historic Third Avenue district, launching new public events and improvements.
Downtown El Cajon Business Partners is a group that is funded through a Property-Based Improvement District authorized by the city of El Cajon in 2015 to support downtown improvements via assessments made on property owners.
The Partners is a not-for-profit organization made up of local businesses and other stakeholders who want to improve the downtown area. It manages the PBID funds for about 300 parcels with a budget around $560,000 and among other things, coordinates the car show.
Once the contract is finalized in the coming weeks, New City America President Marco Li Mandri (photo, left) will serve as Executive Director of the Downtown El Cajon Business Partners.
The collaboration is expected to reinvigorate the downtown area by attracting new businesses, expanding nightlife opportunities and bringing solutions to those who are experiencing homelessness.
Chris Berg (photo, right), Board Member of Downtown El Cajon Business Partners and Marketing Manager for the city of El Cajon, said the partnership with New City America will be transformative for the city.
“Our business community has long needed a dedicated, experienced leader to unite property owners, merchants and City Hall around a common vision,” Berg said.
In the coming months, Li Mandri and the Partners are expected to engage local merchants and residents to develop an action plan for downtown, including building on the Cajon Classic Cruise.
The weekly car show in downtown El Cajon has got the green light for 2025 and will start its collective engines this Spring, though the season will be shorter than in the past.
Zeman said the show will start its collective engines starting in May.
The full 
schedule for the season is still in the works and should be completed within a few weeks. A noon meeting is scheduled to discuss the car show on Wednesday, April 9, at a site to be determined, she said.
The Cajon Classic Cruise has been a tradition along Main Street since 2001, and has become one of Southern California’s largest weekly car shows.
Photo, left by Karen Pearlman: Vintage autos on display at Cajon Classic Cruise
Every week’s three-hour show is focused on different types of vehicles -- from low riders, trucks and convertibles to Volkswagens to Mustangs and British-focused cars.
But the event has run into some scrutiny recently.
Some business owners in the downtown area have expressed concern to the city that those showing their vehicles were parking in spots that customers needed long before the shows would start at 5 p.m., and it was impacting their businesses.
“We’re trying to put some plans place so that the car show people don’t park or stage too early,” Zeman said. “Businesses don’t want to see the cars parking there at 10 or 11 in the morning.”
Earlier this month, the city of El Cajon held a workshop that addressed that and well as other complaints and concerns.
The workshop stemmed from a city staff report and related discussion October 22, 2024 that included concerns about revenues from PBID assessments, consideration of not renewing the PBID and expanding the PBID boundaries.
The October discussion also included discussion about considering another venue in the city for the car show and concern for the management of the car show.
A city staff report said that the car show “consumes between $72,000 and $80,600 of the PBID’s budget,” and added that in the past two years, the city has received a higher volume of complaints about the car show from businesses located on Main Street.
The staff report said that the city receives a quarterly sales tax report, with part of that report analyzing the downtown area. But it also noted that using sales tax as a metric to determine if businesses generate more sales tax during the car show quarters, the data showed no impact from the car show.
Zeman said the Partners are looking for ways to better monetize the car show. Auto buffs are not charged to show their vehicles at the show, and that won’t change but she said the group is looking for ways to make the event profitable.
By Miriam Raftery
March 12, 2025 (El Cajon) – Four members of El Cajon’s City Council yesterday voted to send letters of support for H.R. 1680 to its author, Colorado Republican Gabe Evans, and ask local Congressman Darrell Issa to co-sponsor the bill--even though the text of the bill has not yet been released.
The only description on the Congressional website states that the measure will “amend the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to expand the prohibition on State noncompliance with enforcement of the immigration laws, and for other purposes.” But according to Congress.gov, no text of the bill has yet been submitted to the Legislative Analyst. So we don’t know how the bill would affect immigrant enforcement locally, nor what “other purposes” might be included.
Two members of the public spoke, both opposed to the action.
Rebecca Branstetter called the bill “a pig in a poke” since there’s no text on the Congressional website yet. “If we can’t read and understand the text of the bill, we can’t know what Council is asking for in its letter to Darrell Issa.” She asked that the measure be tabled until text is available for residents and Councilmembers to review.
Stephane Cauchon also voiced opposition, calling the matter “a tempest in a teapot.” She voiced her opinion that nationally, “We’re close to a turning point” as voters lose jobs, benefits, VA services, understaffed national parks and other actions of the Trump administration. Coming on the heels of El Cajon’s recent 3-2 vote to support having police cooperate with federal immigration authorities to deport people accused or convicted of serious crimes, she said of the latest immigration proposal before the Council, “The tide is going to turn and the communities that are supporting you now will stop supporting you, and be ready to support those that have integrity.”
Two members of the City Council also voiced concerns over the lack of specifics in the bill.
“I’m very reluctant to support something that there’s no text on. It’s a blank check,” said Councilman Gary Kendrick.
Kendrick further pointed out that a letter the city just received from the U.S. Department of Justice confirms that the federal government will not indemnify El Cajon or its police officers, if the state takes legal action against them for violating SB 54, California’s law prohibiting local authorities from cooperating with federal immigration, except for undocumented persons convicted of certain serious or violent crimes.
Councilmember Michell Metschel said she watched a video by the Colorado Congressman in which he talked about “uncuffing the police and getting rid of all the illegal aliens,” not just violent criminals. “I don’t want to put my name on a letter going to a Congressman who hasn’t even written his bill yet.”
Councilman Steve Goble argued, “This is a chance to help craft the text,” noting that the city could pull its support in the future if it didn’t like the final language. He cited language in the draft letter from Mayor Bill Wells to Congressman Gabe Evans, the bill’s author, which says that El Cajon’s police chief suggests there may be over 200 “dangerous criminals” who are undocumented, living in El Cajon, as well as 52 unaccompanied minors who crossed the border, and whom the city is not allowed to check up on due to SB 54.
Kendrick suggested that the city should write a letter to state legislators asking for a “carveout from SB 54 to allow us to do welfare checks on these kids and make sure that they are safe.”
Councilmember Phil Ortiz criticized SB 54 for not allowing police to handover undocumented immigrants accused or convicted of non-violent serious crimes such as arson, battery and burglary. "It is not moral to give a free pass to all of these different crimes,” he said.
The measure passed 3-2, with Mayor Wells, Councilmember Ortiz and Councilmember Goble in support, while Councilmembers Metschel and Kendrick opposed.
By Miriam Raftery
March 12, 2025 (El Cajon) – By a unanimous vote, El Cajon’s City Council yesterday voted to adopt an ordinance prohibiting the sale of vaping or e-cigarette devices disguised as other products.
According to the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, teens are using stealth vaping products. Some are hidden in backpacks or hoodies. Others resemble flash drives, fidget spinners, pens, smart watches or hand-held gaming devices, making it easy for kids to use tobacco even in schools. Some are sold as single-use devices, making them affordable and accessible to young people.
“I received letters from each one of our local school districts asking us to do this,” said Councilman Gary Kendrick, author of the measure. In addition to tobacco, he noted, “kids are using cannabis...students are not going to be very well educated if they’re stoned out of their minds using these fake devices.”
The ordinance will impose a fine of $2,500 for a first offense by a local retailer. Subsequent offenses will result in fines and temporary license suspensions; a fourth offense will result in permanent revocation of the retailer’s tobacco license. Retailers will be entitled to due process to appeal.
Kendrick noted that the “primary goal of local government is to protect citizens, and children are the ones who need the most protection.”
The ordinance was approved 5-0.
Health and Human Services offers tips for parents and educators to help spot these clandestine devices, such as watching for hoodies or backpacks with a hose woven through the fabric, enabling the user to vape discreetly. Also be on the lookout for disposable e-cigarettes, which can’t be refilled and may resemble color pens or flash drives (thumb drives); the latter is the most popular stealth vaping device.
In 2024, 55.6% of youths using e-cigarettes reported using disposable versions that didn’t have to be hidden away at home, according to the National Youth Tobacco Survey.
The problem is widespread nationally. The survey foundthat of high school students who use e-cigarettes, 26.3% use them daily and over 38% use them 20 or more days each month, becoming nicotine dependent.
The American Lung Association has developed a free educational program that schools can use as an alternative to disciplining children found with e-cigarettes, to encourage vaping youths to quit.