Citizens’ Oversight Advocate, Blackwater Foe Enters Congressional Race

Ray Lutz, advocate for citizen oversight and activist who fought with the community against Blackwater expansion in San Diego, took out nomination paperwork and paid fees today to formally declare his candidacy for the the 52nd Congressional District, encompassing most of East San Diego County.

Lutz responded to an overwhelming response to the “Draft Ray Lutz for Congress” campaign, only active for a couple of weeks and resulting in a landslide of support from the community, even with residents still hard-pressed by the economic meltdown. “I feel like George Bailey, surrounded by friends and neighbors as they try to cover the lost check at the bank,” Lutz said.

 Meg Whitman Announces San Diego County Steering Committee

Meg Whitman, Republican candidate for Governor, announced her San Diego County Grassroots Steering Committee. The group will help recruit volunteers and mobilize voters throughout San Diego County.

San Diego County Steering Committee:

Lee Adams; Mike Cully; Matthew Crimi; Amber Downer; Ernest Ewin; Karen Hernandez; Lindsey Hughes; Alexander Mandel; Tom Mitchell; Derrick Roach; Michael Rosen; Clinton Soffer; and Patrick Walsh.

 Run Women Run and CALIFORNIA LIST Present California Women Candidate Forum

Thursday, March 18 in San Diego

Run Women Run and CALIFORNIA LIST will host a landmark Candidate Forum spotlighting California’s leading women candidates for state office.  

Meet California women who are making history: Janice Hahn, Lieutenant Governor; Toni Atkins, State Assembly District 76; Kamala Harris, Attorney General; Crystal Crawford, State Assembly District 74; Mary Salas, State Senate District 40.

Location: Proflowers/Provide Commerce headquarters, 4830 Eastgate Mall, San Diego, 92121. Free Parking. Wine, Beverages & Snacks

 Join us to wish Assemblywoman Mary Salas A Happy Birthday

Support Her Campaign for State Senate At a Reception, Friday, March 19, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. ChulaVistaWomen’s Club, 357 G Street, Chula Vista, 91910. To RSVP or for more information Contact Jane at (619) 421-9303

 El Correo Hace Fácil el Voto Desde Casa

El Registro Electoral del Condado Envía Tarjetas Postales Entusia-mando a la Gente para que Vote por Correo.

Usted puede recibir una tarjeta postal del Registro Electoral en unos cuantos días.

Las tarjetas postales están siendo enviadas mañana a electores inscritos, y tienen información acerca de cómo ser un elector de voto por correo permanente.

“Para muchas personas, votar por correo es más conveniente, la boleta electoral les es enviada a casa, y después de votada ellos pueden ya sea, enviarla de vuelta por correo o llevarla a nuestra oficina o a algún lugar de votación,” dijo Deborah Seiler, del Registro Electoral del Condado de San Diego.

Si a usted le gustaría permanentemente votar por correo, solamente siga las instrucciones en la tarjeta postal y envíe de regreso la sección perforada.

Para verificar el estado de su inscripción de elector o para obtener más información acerca del voto, visite www.sdvote.com. 

 National City elected officials, community leaders call for adoption of new Westside Specific Plan 

Plan will help make Old Town National City a safer, healthier, thriving community

WHEN: Monday, March 15 @ 11 a.m. WHERE: Casa de Salud Recreation Center, 1408 E. Harding Avenue, National City, CA 91950

City officials will join community leaders to call for the adoption of the Westside (Old Town) Specific Plan. If adopted, this plan will bring new vitality and hope to a neighborhood that for decades has suffered from an inconsistent pattern of planning that has diminished the quality of life for residents.

In an interest to resolve the conflicting land uses, community members worked with the City Council to develop a plan to comprehensively address environmental and land use issues, leading to a plan that reflects residents’ aspirations for their community. The National City Council will take its final vote on the Specific Plan on Tuesday, March 16.

The Old Town community is a textbook example of how incompatible mixed use zoning leads to community instability. Industries in and around the neighborhood emit 23,000 pounds of air toxics each year, some of which are linked to diseases like asthma, cancer, and reproductive illness. About 70 percent of the reported toxics come from auto body shops. More than 20 auto body shops operate near homes and schools in the 100-acre neighborhood.