Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 133
There is a lot going on in our country right now, but I wanted to note that the San Diego Border sector is still seeing large numbers of illegal immigrants. U.S. Border Patrol facilities in the San Diego region are at 150% capacity, with more than 1,500 migrants in custody as of Tuesday morning, July 16. I also wanted to inform you of a disturbing meeting that took place recently. Two whistleblowers discussed their experiences working at the Pomona Emergency Intake Site. They... Full story
San Diegans will soon see and hear a new San Diego County media campaign designed to raise public awareness about human trafficking. This educational campaign includes radio announcements, outdoor billboards and digital media to inform children, youth and their peers on how to protect themselves from exploitation. It was part of an effort I led last year to educate our students about the signs of human trafficking. By arming our students with information about the tactics... Full story
I wanted to take a moment to recognize some exceptional residents in North County whose dedication, resilience, and service have enriched our community. These individuals and groups have made North County an extraordinary place to live, and we are proud to present the 2024 State of North County award winners. Eric Weirather, the band director for Rancho Buena Vista High School, has been a guiding force in music education for 28 years. Eric’s unwavering commitment continues to... Full story
Last week's Supreme Court decision affirming cities' authority to ban camping on public sidewalks marks a significant victory for common sense. This ruling is paramount for the safety and well-being of our community and for restoring the lives of those suffering. It's time for the city and county to restrict all sleeping on sidewalks. Enabling addicts to continue using is not compassionate. We wouldn't allow our friends or family members to spiral into addiction without...
A few weeks ago, I stood shoulder to shoulder with small business leaders and parents, united with the same message: the gas tax must be stopped. On July 1, the gas tax is set to increase by an additional 2 cents per gallon, bringing the total tax burden to a staggering 59.6 cents per gallon. We are already grappling with the highest gas prices in the nation, rising utility costs, skyrocketing housing expenses and an overall escalating cost of living. Government should be... Full story
Last week, we held our State of the North County event, and it was great to see so many people who make our region unique. For those who couldn't attend, I'd like to share the key points from my address, which outlined our shared vision for a prosperous and thriving North County. This vision isn't just an aspiration; it's a collective mission that requires each of us to contribute our unique talents. Together, we are a powerful force for positive change. Our potential is... Full story
I wanted to give you an update on the current situation at our border and its broader implications for our country. Last week, reporter Bill Melugin spoke with a Turkish man who had illegally crossed into Jacumba, California, along with a group of other Turkish men. He revealed that he paid $10,000 to a cartel for assistance and expressed shock at how easy it was to cross the U.S. border without encountering any resistance. He warned that Americans should be "worried" about... Full story
I wanted to update you on our critical efforts to ensure the safe removal and responsible management of spent nuclear fuel from the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. The importance of this cannot be overstated. Safe and responsible management of spent nuclear fuel is essential for protecting public health, safeguarding our environment, and ensuring a secure future for future generations. While the spent nuclear fuel at SONGS is currently being stored safely, this is only... Full story
Over the coming weeks, the County of San Diego will actively seek community input, deliberate, make adjustments, and ultimately adopt the 2024-2025 budget. This is one of the most important times of the year because it is crucial that we spend taxpayer dollars effectively while maintaining a healthy financial state through strong operating reserves. I firmly believe that this money belongs to the community, not the government, and it must be used wisely to improve the lives... Full story
A few months back, I wrote about the state of California's ill-conceived plan to charge electricity based on income. Thanks to our collective outcry, that proposal was rightfully defeated. However, our voices were not heard loud enough, as the state has now introduced a similar flawed scheme. The California Public Utilities Commission has approved an additional $24 monthly charge on most electricity bills, amounting to a staggering $288 in new fees annually. This imposition... Full story
As you know, we're facing a critical situation with soaring gas prices, escalating energy and utility costs, out-of-control housing expenses, and relentless inflation driving up the prices of goods and services. Many of our fellow Californians, including seniors on fixed incomes and hardworking families, are finding it increasingly difficult to afford even the most basic necessities. With these challenges, it is inconceivable that the State of California is once again moving... Full story
I am thrilled to share a significant milestone achieved at this week's board meeting: the approval to purchase Green Oak Ranch. This marks a pivotal step towards addressing the pressing issues of homelessness, mental health, and addiction in San Diego County. As many of you are aware, homelessness, mental health, and addiction continue to pose profound challenges in our community. Despite our collective efforts, the 2023 Point in Time Count revealed a 22% increase in... Full story
San Diego is the new epicenter for migrants and illegal immigration. Last week alone, Border Patrol apprehended 9,000 illegal border crossers within the San Diego sector, including 206 Chinese nationals. This surge in illegal crossings has propelled San Diego to the unfortunate position of leading all nine southern border sectors in April, a trend unseen since the 1990s. Since Oct. 1, the San Diego sector has witnessed a staggering 214,855 apprehensions, representing... Full story
Last week, I stood alongside the Mayors of Carlsbad, Vista, and San Marcos and the Deputy Mayor of Oceanside to address a pressing concern that affects us all: illegal immigration and maritime smuggling. Just this past Saturday, another incident unfolded as a boat raced into our shoreline, endangering surfers, swimmers, and our community. Ten individuals disembarked, fled into a Carlsbad neighborhood, and were whisked away in an SUV. What's deeply troubling is that we do not... Full story
I wanted to share some good news regarding our ongoing battle for fair electricity rates. You may recall the recent uproar surrounding the proposed changes to the fixed rate portion of our SDG&E electric bills. Many of you joined me in expressing concern about the unfairness of tying this fee to household income rather than actual electricity usage. Your voices were heard loud and clear, and I am thrilled to report that our pressure has made a difference. Thanks to the... Full story
The issue of homelessness is not just about lacking shelter; it's about individuals grappling with mental illness. In our pursuit of solutions, it is crucial to recognize that a significant portion of the homeless population is affected by Serious Mental Illness (SMI), with estimates suggesting that 21% fall into this category. Placing individuals with SMI in environments ill-equipped to meet their needs not only undermines their potential for success but also poses risks to... Full story
A few weeks ago, we made a significant stride by expanding our proactive tree planting program in the unincorporated area. The Board of Supervisors allocated $2 million towards procuring around 4,000 trees from various vendors. Alongside tree acquisition, these funds will be utilized for essential tasks such as removing dead or diseased trees and installing watering systems and necessary equipment. These trees are scheduled to be planted between spring and winter 2024. In the... Full story
I recently held a meeting to discuss the transition from SDG&E to Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) in our region. This initiative, led by the Clean Energy Alliance, aims to provide cleaner and potentially more affordable energy options for our communities. San Marcos and Escondido have adopted CCA and Vista and Oceanside are set to join on April 1. Residents need to know that they have the option to opt out if they prefer to stay with SDG&E. This opt-out provision ensures... Full story
The chaos at our border has reached alarming levels, with over 90,000 border encounters in San Diego alone in the past five months. This surge is not just a matter of numbers; it's a symptom of a system failing to enforce the laws designed to protect our nation's borders. The Federal Government's failure to effectively enforce immigration laws has tied the hands of Border Patrol agents, exacerbating the crisis we are witnessing. Despite having clear laws in place, we are... Full story
As a supervisor for San Diego County, I've had the opportunity to witness firsthand the alarming situation at the Iris Avenue transit station, where Border Patrol agents are dropping off thousands of migrants. In just the past 16 days, over 11,000 migrants have been released at this site, adding to the staggering total of over 108,000 migrants dropped off in San Diego County since last September. The scene at the transit station is one of controlled chaos. As the Border... Full story
Earlier this week, I stood as the lone dissenting voice against looking into a Long-Term Migrant Transfer Site and Respite Shelter in San Diego. My decision stems from a deep concern about the implications of supporting such a facility in our community. I refuse to be complicit in perpetuating a failed and broken immigration system. Accommodating the overflow of individuals crossing the border unlawfully is not a sustainable solution. Rather than addressing the root causes of... Full story
During our Jan. 23 Board of Supervisors meeting, we delved into the details of Proposition 1, which is on the March ballot. I want to provide a recap of our discussion. I expressed reservations about Proposition 1's approach despite recognizing some potential benefits. The proposal seeks to rearrange funds from the county and give them to the state. This reallocation would decrease funding to our county, as highlighted by the analysis from the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's... Full story
The County of San Diego is on the brink of depleting the $6 million in local tax dollars utilized to fund transportation and other items for migrants entering the country. I have consistently opposed using local funds for federal responsibilities, as I firmly believe that local tax dollars should not be used to compensate for federal ineptness. These funds should have been directed toward tackling urgent issues within our county, such as homelessness and public safety. The... Full story
A few months ago, I brought to your attention the concerning proposal in California regarding a socialistic approach to electricity pricing based on income. This plan aimed to charge households fixed rates for electricity, irrespective of their actual consumption, with charges varying according to income levels. It was met with understandable outrage from many. I want to provide an update on the plan and your collective efforts for speaking out. Your pushback has not gone... Full story
It has already been a wet winter, with more rain expected. Witnessing the impact of the recent storm on our region, we are determined to minimize potential damage. I wanted to give you information to help prepare you for the next time a storm arrives. The County Office of Emergency Services urges everyone to take proactive steps by devising a plan, assembling an emergency go-kit, and staying informed through alerts. Here’s what you can do. · Have a go-kit to keep necessary it... Full story
