An "Angel" With Only One Wing?

By Bill Meeker | 06/08/09

Angels with one wing can only fly when they embrace each other.  We have to have this huge embracing activity so we can survive collectively or die collectively. -La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid, quoted in the San Diego Union-Tribune, May 29, 2009 Madrid's words were in response to Union-Tribune reporter Helen Gao's inquiry about his attendance at the League of California Cities' recent conference on Vacation Isle in Mission Bay.  His... read more »

Lemon Grove Official Advocates for La Mesa Sales Tax Increase

By Bill Meeker | 04/04/09

When I saw Mary England's letter ("A message to shoppers on sales tax day ") in today's Union-Tribune, I was surprised to read that she is the "President and CEO, La Mesa Chamber of Commerce".  England is a sitting member of the Lemon Grove City Council.  This fact makes it all the more difficult to take her message at face value, since reads like it was written by a staffer at La Mesa's City Hall, rather than by... read more »

No Honor Among Thieves

By Bill Meeker | 04/03/09

In Anne Krueger's piece on proposed East County water rate increases in yesterday's Union-Tribune, she quoted the La Mesa Mayor's reaction: La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid questioned why Helix [Water District] is proposing a rate increase now when the district's water costs won't increase until September or January. “It will be a significant impact on residents and businesses,” Madrid said. “This is the time when you really have to... read more »

It May Be 2009, But in La Mesa, It's "1984"

By Bill Meeker | 03/31/09

Citizens of La Mesa have more cause than the sales tax to flee the "Jewel of the Hills". In addition to "tithing" to the city and state each time they make purchases, they must contend with "Big Brother" -- Mayor Art Madrid. Saturday's Union-Tribune described Madrid's plan to add an agenda item, "Set the Record Straight", to City Council meetings. This proposal would have allowed council members to... read more »

"SHOP SANTEE & SAVE"

By Bill Meeker | 03/31/09

  Sunday San Diego Union-Tribune readers were treated to a review of the state sales tax hike that is coming on Wednesday. Anne Krueger's column ("State sales tax to take bigger bite soon") reminded us that California's sales tax will increase to 8.25 percent on April 1  I would be remiss if I did not once again send my thanks to Governor Schwarzenegger, the Democrat legislative majority and, especially, the six... read more »

Republicans: Surf the Tsunami!

By Bill Meeker | 03/11/09

Regarding Bear Flag Rebel's "Tsunami Warning":San Diego's Republicans have an upcoming opportunity to join and help shape the local manifestation of the national grassroots "Tea Party" movement.  The "John and Ken" tax revolt protest in Fullerton was a follow-on to the first round of "Tea Party" events, which draw on the metaphor of the Boston Tea Party.The movement had its beginning when CNBC's Rick Santelli made his now-famous "Chicago... read more »

voiceofsandiego.org: Jacob's Jaw Drops: County Losing Billions; Pension to Require Triple the Payments

By Bill Meeker | 02/14/09

On his SLOP blog, Scott Lewis sounds off about the "bomb that County Supervisor Dianne Jacob dropped the other day in her State of the County speech."  read more »

Regulators under fire over El Cajon chemical plume cleanup

By Bill Meeker | 02/13/09

A front-page article in today's SDUT describes the bureaucratic process involved in holding water polluters accountable in California.  The case at hand is the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board's twenty-year effort to enforce the cleanup of an underground chemical plume in El Cajon.  This week, the Board deferred consideration of a $2.3 million fine in the case, which involves the Ametek facility on Greenfield Drive. ... read more »

CRP Chairman Nehring Speaks at SD GOP Meeting

By Bill Meeker | 01/13/09

At last night's Republican Party of San Diego County meeting, California Republican Party Chair Ron Nehring provided an update on the state of the RNC.  I've reconstructed the proceedings from memory, aided by my "live tweet" Twitter updates, so details may be selective.Chairman Nehring has been spending a lot of time at RNC meetings in Washington, DC, due to the upcoming elections for RNC Chair and other offices.  There are number of... read more »

In Retrospect: Proposition L

By Bill Meeker | 12/16/08

The City of La Mesa posted an announcement today on its website, reminding La Mesans that they approved Proposition L, the City of La Mesa 3/4 cent sales tax increase.  According to the County of San Diego Registrar of Voters, the measure passed 55.51% to 44.49%, with 24688 votes cast.  As a result, on April 1, 2009 the local sales and use tax will increase from 7.75% to 8.5%.Despite the recessionary economic environment,... read more »