In this Issue... Page September Meeting Recap 2 Oktoberfest in La Mesa 3 Kamala Harris and Project 2025 4 Presidential Debate 5 Candidate Mark Gracyk 6 Candidate Brenda Miller 7 Candidate LaShae Sharp-Collins 8 CADEM Voer Protection Team 9 Hi Go Teamers! 10 CA Alliance for Retired Americans 11 Volunteers for Harris Needed 12 Local Measures for Nov. Election 13 Project 2025 14 Arizona Canvass for Kamala 15 September Meeting Photos 16 Board Members 17
June 7 7 PM MEETING La Mesa Community Center 4975 Memorial Drive (social time begins at 6:30)
The progressive VOICE voice
The Progressive Voice is the monthly newsletter of the La Mesa - Foothills Democratic Club, serving the communities of La Mesa, Mt. Helix, San Carlos, Del Cerro, Allied Gardens, and the SDSU and other East County areas since 1984.
OCTOBER 2024
La Mesa City Council Meetings Tuesday, October 8, 6:00PM Tuesday, October 22, 6:00PM Link for live stream available at: cityoflamesa.us/247/City-Council
General Meeting held on September 4, 2024 at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa 91942 Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM by President Tina Rynberg. Tina announced the passing of Eric Hereford and the meeting was dedicated to him. The agenda was approved by vote of acclamation. Merrill announce that a table was set up in the corner of room with many political items to sell Merrill asked for volunteers for the Oktoberfest. There are five democratic clubs who contributed to the booth at the event. Merril explained that this year it would be a retail booth not a political booth but it will be selling t-shirts and swag. Please email Merrill at mynlacat@gmail.com for more information and to sign-up to volunteer. Oktoberfest is October 4, 5 and 6th, 2024 Rosamond asked members to write postcards for Az. Bundles of 25 postcards with script and addresses were distributed to tables. Tina relayed her experience at the DNC. There were not enough seats for delegates and how she was able to finally get a seat. Chris Pearson announced that there would be a Celebration of Life for Rebecca Taylor on Friday, September 6th at the Marina Village Conference Center at 5:00 PM. He wrote an article about Rebecca in the September Newsletter about this remarkable woman. He remembers Eric Hereford and how he was dedicated to the democratic party in San Diego. Chris' experience at the DNC and how he was impressed by the Republicans who spoke at the DNC. Please go to the September Newsletter for Youtube of these Republican speeches. He repeated a quote by Stephanie Grisham-Trump told her that it doesn't matter what you say but say if it is said enough and people will believe it. Trump’s lies are planned. At the DNC Chris asked a reporter from NewMax if they would interview him and they refused. He thanked Senator Chris Coons from Delaware for his loyalty to President Biden. Chris hopes one day Senator Coons would write a book. He compared the speech of President Obama to American Shakespeare. Chris advised the members and guests to take the advice of Michelle Obama and Kamala Harris-DO SOMETHING. Tina remembered a quote-NOT ALL OF US CAN DO GREAT THINGS. BUT WE CAN DO SMALL THINGS WITH GREAT LOVE.” — MOTHER TERESA Tina announced that GO-Team emails went out and she asked members and guests to volunteer. Candidates: Heather Ferbert running for San Diego City Attorney. Heather is Chief Deputy City Attorney for the City of San Diego. Heather believes that the San Diego City Attorney should be a lawyer who has experience in Municipal Law. Heather's background is Housing and Homelessness. Heather started practicing 17 years ago working for the San Diego Housing Commission. The position of City Attorney prosecutes misdemeanors. And they are Civil Lawyers for the City. Heather has worked on the buffer zone which protects women trying to access reproductive healthcare clinics from protesters. Heather also worked on preventing homelessness during the epidemic. For more information about Heather’s campaign go to https://www.heatherferbert.com/ Seth Smith and George Gasti- Candidates for Lemon Grove City Council. There are two seats open for the Lemon Grove City Council. Seth is the Chair of the Planning Commission in the city of Lemon Grove and on the Planning Commission for 6 years. Seth is an Architectural Designer and Project Manager. Seth and Geroge’s goal is to update the general plan of Lemon Grove. The last update was in 1996. Currently there are two Republicans running for Lemon Grove City Council. George requested that members and guests join the Go-Team and canvas in Lemon Grove for both candidates For more information go to https://votesethsmith.com/ http://georgegastil.com/ Lauren Cazares and Genevieve Suzuki Lauren and Geneive are running for La Mesa City Council. There are two open seats for the La Mesa City Council. Their opposition is Kristine Alessio and Shawn Townsend. Lauren stated that if 50 walked and knocked on 50 doors, that would be 2500 votes. Genevieve is a Family Attorney. Geneive has two children, a 15 year old and 9 year old. Genevieve's passion is the parks and Library in La Mesa. Lauren stated that La Mesa needs a strong City Council-issues are the Grossmont Mall which will be redeveloped and the climate action plan. We need to keep La Mesa BLUE. For more information go to https://laurencazares.com/ https://www.suzukiforlamesa.com/ Tina reminded members and guest of the Republican deceptive tactics in the past with mailers stating the these Republicans were Democrats Tina will speak about Go-Team in the October 2, 2024 meeting. And there was a sign-up sheet for volunteering. Tina asked guests- please sign up for membership to the LMFDC Lauren Cazares informed the group of the Election Protection Alliance launched by Amy Reichart to monitor ballot boxes. She plans to hide cameras at ballot drop offs and polling places. She is recruiting volunteers to intimidate voters at polling places and ballot drop off. All of this is illegal and violates the voters Bill of Rights in California. Lauren is asking volunteers to help write to the Secretary of State and the FPPC about this illegal action by Amy. This is a very serious action. Several emails were sent to members about the revision of the Bylaws. A motion to pass the revision of the bylaw was made by Mirian Plotkin and seconded by Trinity Dubrow. The motion was passed by the members by acclamation. Dr. Brenda Miller-Grossmont Healthcare District Zone 3. Brenda was a community nurse for over 25 years. Brenda’s dissertation on the discharge instructions. Brenda was an admission nurse. Brenda’s research revealed that patients do not read their discharge instructions. Brenda’s first job was working at Grossmont Healthcare. Fundraiser at Rosamond’s home and Brenda will be discussing healthcare. Meeting adjourned at 8:05 PM For video of the meeting please go to: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDUN5PP9Zji3WcTlBfM6wwQ Rosamond Trujillo-Blevins, Secretary/Assistant Treasurer La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club
September Meeting Recap by Rosamond Trujillio Blevins
Oktoberfest in La Mesa by Merrill Perry
Dear Friends, The dates for the annual La Mesa Oktoberfest will soon be upon us and our club needs volunteers to man our booth. This year we will be selling t-shirts and political swag. Yes, this is unusual but, this year we had to purchase a retail spot, so we thought we would take advantage of that fact. Volunteers are asked to take three-hour shifts for the following dates and time: Friday, 10/4/24 4p- 7p and 7p - 10p (2 shifts) Saturday, 10/5/24 10a-1p; 1p-4p; 4p-7p; 7p-10p (4 shifts) Sunday, 10/6/24 12p-3p; 3p-6p; 6p-9p (3 shifts and includes breakdown) Additionally, we need help setting up the booth and setting things out. We generally start set-up at 10am and finish within 2 hours. Chairs, water, and shade will be provided along with a very good time!!! Please email me at: mynylacat@gmail.com Happy Trails, Merrill Perry, Events Coordinator La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club
Kamala Harris and Project 2025 Kamala Harris did a great job at the presidential debate (CNN reports that 67% of Americans believe that Harris won)- where she slyly and eloquently mentioned Project 2025 in her responses. Once again, Trump stated he has “nothing to do with Project 2025”, honing in on the lie that himself and other radical conservatives are not associated with the playbook. According to Google Trends, the search history on Project 2025 spiked on September 11th, 2024 (the day after the debate). According to a NYU publication, during the 90 minute debate, about 900% more searches regarding Project 2025 than there had been prior to the debate. The NYU publication reported that most Project 2025- related queries were in the swing state of Pennsylvania with Connecticut and Massachusetts following behind. While Trump continues the claims that he has no connections to the Heritage Foundation, CBS News was smart enough to complete the research and released an Article at the end of August that matched the similarities of Project 2025 and Trump’s past and future policies. CBS News Identified that at least 270 proposals in Project 2025’s Mandate For Leadership that matched Trump’s previous policies and his current campaign promises. 170 match Trump’s current campaign promises (either online or in speeches), 80 are policies from his previous administration, and 21 are both. There are about 464 additional policies that do not match policies exactly to Trump’s words. Additionally, 28 of the 38 authors of project 2025 were previously employees in the Trump Administration. Continue telling others more about Project 2025- as we near the election, the unfavorability of the plan rises. According to a YouGov poll in August, of those who know extensively about Project 2025’s proposals, 46% found it to be unfavorable. Our work to spread the word and share concern is becoming increasingly important. Trinity Dubrow Board Member at Large La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club
Kamala Harris and Project 2025 by Trinity DuBrow
(Did The Shift From Biden to Harris Make a Difference? Yes!) Harris won the debate but it’s still going to be a close election. Our message is the same based on what Kamala and Michelle said at the DNC: “Do Something.” Please, do whatever you’re comfortable doing to help elect Kamala Harris as the next President of the United States. The same for every down ballot Democrat. Please. Don’t wait. It all matters, especially in close elections. Rusty Hicks is the Chair of the California State Democratic Party. He was live on local TV after the debate with a Republican County Party Chair. Rusty, in one of the better summaries of the debate, commented on Harris and Trump stating: “She’s qualified, she’s prepared, looked Presidential, and gave specifics about a new way forward.” “He looked unfit and unhinged.” A really nice part of this interview is that this is a civil, calm exchange of views by opposing political parties. That’s what we need to get back to after Trump loses. America is clamoring for elected leaders who work across the aisle to get results for constituents. Take a look (8 minutes). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3jSsjk19h0 Some polls suggest that Republican voters think that the economy was better under Trump than it is under Biden. That’s false. Look at your own 401k for proof. I have a 401k. It tanked when Trump was President and soared under Biden. That’s one selfish, personal reason why I’m voting for Harris instead of Trump: I want to continue the economic prosperity we have under Biden. The economy fell off a cliff and cratered under Trump. Vote for Harris if you want a strong economy. Vote Harris if you want to protect your 401k. There’s a big jump in enthusiasm with the shift from Biden to Harris. You can see it and feel it not just at the DNC but as it continues to build across the country. We need to do our part. Help elect Harris President. We’re all better off. Here’s the site for Common Power, they send teams to canvass in Dem low turnout neighborhoods in swing states: https://commonpower.org/becomeavolunteer I'm New! Start Here. — Common Power commonpower.org Chris Pearson, VP-Political Action La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club
Presidential Debate: Take Two by Chris Pearson
A vote for me, Mark Gracyk, is a vote for fair and stable water rates and safe clean water for you and your family. As your elected director at Helix Water District for the past 8 years, I have taken this elected office seriously, standing up for our community and voting against unjust and unnecessary rate hikes. In fact, I voted this summer to reduce our rates in the face of wholesale increases. Under my leadership as Board President during the pandemic of 2020, we suspended water shutoffs and rate hikes. I made sure that everyone in our community would have access to water regardless of their financial situation. At HWD we are leading the industry with our advanced water purification and fleet electrification projects and by lowering our greenhouse gas emissions. My vision as director is a financially secure, environmentally sustainable future and one that is prepared for climate uncertainty, drought and emergencies. I am endorsed by the San Diego County Democratic Party, numerous Democratic Clubs and many Democratic elected officials and candidates. I am a proud Union member of AFGE, my wife is a member of CSEA, and I am endorsed by the San Diego Labor Council and other unions. A strong middle class supports our businesses and community and is anchored in union values. My family and I have been deeply involved in our community for over 25 years. We have served our schools, sports leagues, and churches. I appreciate your past trust in me Mark Gracyk; Army veteran, Cuyamaca College and SDSU graduate, water professional and HWD Director. It would be an honor to earn your vote again and I will not let you down. Please visit my website www.mark4hwd.org for more information, for a lawn sign, to donate or volunteer. Thank you. Mark Gracyk
Candidate Mark Gracyk, Helix Water District by Katie Sigeti
Candidate Brenda Miller, Grossmont Healthcare District Board
I am Nurse Brenda Miller, PhD, RN, and I am running for the Grossmont Healthcare District Board of Directors Zone 3. After over 40 years as a nurse, I am the only candidate who truly understands how to meet our most pressing health needs. I have lived and worked in the healthcare world. As a Community Health Nurse for 25 years, I worked with other professionals from various backgrounds to close healthcare gaps for many underserved East County patients. As a Hospital Supervisor, I advocate for high-quality care that patients and families deserve every day. Now, I am running to continue this work on the Board by providing affordable, efficient, and compassionate care to East County communities. I am deeply committed to our district, and I am ready to show up for our community in partnership with the Grossmont Board. I am a wife, mother and grandmother and I have lived in San Diego County for over 2 decades, and I proudly own a home in La Mesa. I am widely trusted by the people most impacted by the Board’s decisions – patients, nurses, and doctors – and known for my tireless dedication to high-quality, patient-centered care. I am ready to strengthen the partnership and collaboration between Sharp Grossmont Hospital and the Board of Directors to meet our long-term health needs. Freedom Fund Dinner 2024 “Celebrating 105 Years of Excellence: Stronger Together, Encouraging Dreams, & Enriching Lives.” The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) San Diego Branch will host its annual Freedom Fund Dinner on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Diego – Mission Valley, located at 7450 Hazard Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92108. to “ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination Don’t miss out on this special event - mark your calendars now! Brenda Miller, PHD, RN info@votenursemiller.com www.votenursemiller.com
Candidate Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins, Assembly District 79
Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins was born and raised in AD 79, and, as a single mother of two, is raising her children in the district. She truly understands the needs and demands of the communities of 79th. She graduated from Lincoln High School and attended San Diego State University where she received a Masters in Education with an emphasis in Multicultural Counseling, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. She has taught at SDSU as an adjunct professor for fourteen years and is a member of the California Faculty Association. As the Community Engagement Professional for the San Diego County Office of Education, LaShae oversees the development and implementation of learning programs that positively impact 500,000 students across 42 school districts. LaShae is the only candidate endorsed by the Democratic Party, Planned Parenthood, Sierra Club California, the California Teachers Association, the California Medical Association, the California Nurses Association, and over 120 other individuals and organizations. lashaeforassembly.com For six years, LaShae was on the Board of Planned Parenthood and has been advocating and protecting women and LGBT persons’ rights to access the healthcare they need. California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, Senator Toni Atkins, Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber, the current AD 79 officeholder, have endorsed Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins. As the nine-year District Director for Dr. Shirley Weber when she represented the 79th, LaShae created and led the task force that brought accountability to school funding which saved taxpayer money. She expanded early childhood education, and ensured low-income students get the food they need to thrive. LaShae was integral to improving financial support systems for middle-class families and passed legislation to curb violence to all communities of color. In the Assembly, LaShae will champion the repair or replacement of leaking gas fixtures in older homes for AD 79 and across the state. A Stanford study found small methane fuel leaks from older gas appliances and fittings in homes built from the 1950s through the 1990s. Most homes in AD 79 were built during that 50 year period. Methane exposure is cited in a plethora of medical conditions, including asthma and Alzheimer’s which is why LaShae finds methane exposure inside the home urgent, especially for children and seniors because it is about small exposures over a long time. It is also urgent for our environment. Methane leaks, multiplied by millions of aging housing units and structures across the state, is a substantial punch into our atmosphere. NASA scientists estimate methane is responsible for 20% to 30% of climate warming. La Mesa City Councilmember Patricia Dillard, and Helix Water Board Members Mark Grayck and Andrea Beth Damsky have endorsed her. LaShae will fight for accessible mortgages and affordable rents because LaShae believes children and grandchildren should be able to afford to live near their parents in a clean home environment with a quality education for every student. Dr. Sharp-Collins was presented with the Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate Distinction Award and she has been endorsed by California High School Democrats. Vote LaShae Sharp Collins for Assembly lashaeforassembly.com
Candidate speeches and picnic
California Democrats are leading the resistance against Donald Trump and the out-of-touch right-wing agenda of the Republican Party that aims to remake this country in a MAGA image. As part of our effort to protect our fundamental freedoms and to help and protect ALL voters, the California Democratic Party is once again kicking off the Nation’s most extensive voter protection program. The California Democratic Party has been protecting the rights of all voters and ensuring that every vote counts through our Voter Protection Program since 1992. The CADEM Voter Protection Team will continue to ramp up efforts to ensure that, despite the hurdles and challenges the Trump MAGA Republicans are using to deter voters, the Team is ready to counteract voter disenfranchisement in all corners of the State. We will also continue to ensure that every vote counts in California! To that end, we are launching promotions and recruiting volunteers for CADEM Voter Protection Hotline Operators and Volunteer Attorneys. We want ALL California communities to know that the CADEM Voter Protection Team takes its mission very seriously. We need your help to reach more California voters to participate in this effort and understand how the CADEM Voter Protection Team will help every voter! SIGN UP AND JOIN THE CADEM VOTER PROTECTION TEAM NOW! NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. Voter Protection Team Hotline Operators If any California voters have questions or encounter issues related to elections and voting, our CADEM Voter Protection Hotline Operators will take calls from voters who call 1-877-321-8683(VOTE) until the polls close on Election Day! CADEM Voter Protection team will need to ramp up this effort from Thursday, October 17, 2024, to the Election, Tuesday, November 5, 2024, until the polls close by recruiting and training volunteer operators who will be ready for the job! CADEM Voter Protection Hotline Operators will answer calls from all voters who call into the hotline to give guidance and assist voters, and will: Assist any voter, regardless of the candidate or the political party they support. We are a safe place for voters to get assistance or report any voting-related issue or incident; Not engage in any act of voter suppression or dissuade any voter from voting; Not challenge voters or ballots in the Democratic process; Assist in helping voters find information on polling locations, Early Votes Centers, how to track their ballots, and by providing voters with information about the candidates listed on their ballots. No prior experience is necessary to be a CADEM Voter Protection Volunteer Operator. Prior to all call center shifts, all volunteer operators will receive technology training for the remote call center system. Our Voter Protection HotLine Operators will be trained to: Assist voters with voting-related questions regarding the Election: Review and provide ballot measure information Provide access to the CADEM Endorsement Look-Up Tool for endorsements of the California Democratic Party Report and troubleshoot election-related issues or incidents such as: Lack of Bilingual assistance Asking for Identification from voters who are not flagged on the roster as needing to show ID Asking for proof of residency or citizenship Refusing to issue Provisional Ballots Polling Place/Vote Center workers allowing electioneering within 100 feet Refusing to allow assistance to those in need Provide voter protection resources and training to Democratic campaigns, county central committees, Clubs/Organizations, activists, and allied/partnered organizations. CADEM Voter Information Pages California Secretary of State Election Page Voter Protection Team Volunteer Attorneys Our mission is to recruit hundreds of trained volunteer attorneys who will be dispatched around the state to handle questions and field potential voter disenfranchisement issues. Since 1992, CADEM has worked tirelessly to protect the rights of all voters across the state. We believe that every vote counts and should be counted! In addition, our volunteer-powered Voter Protection Hotline simultaneously serves as a clearinghouse for all election issues. Now more than ever, we NEED our Democratic Party Clubs to help! California is also leading the electoral path to wrestle back control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Getting to 218 Democratic seats in the House means winning 7 competitive seats in California in some of the most hotly contested races in the country, from Orange County to the Inland Empire to the Central Valley. While Trump and MAGA Republicans have an ambitious laundry list of unconstitutional and authoritarian “tasks” with the goal of undoing all of our progress, CADEM is taking a stand and ramping up efforts to counteract voter disenfranchisement in making sure voting is accessible to ALL Californians. Again, please send this SIGN UP AND JOIN THE CADEM VOTER PROTECTION TEAM NOW! Many thanks for considering my request. Sincerely, Emma Harper (she/her/hers) Director of Operations California Democratic Party emma@cadem.org | Cell: (916) 949-3868
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CADEM Voter Protection Team
NEWSLETTER
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Hi Go Teamers! by Tina Rynberg
Well, the consequences couldn't be higher. We need all hands on deck to elect Democrats up and down the ballot, from Kamala and Tim, to city councils, fire boards, water boards, and school boards (among others). Please let me know if you will be able to participate this time around. Also, please note how many doors you can walk (50 or 100 is the usual choice) or your entire precinct. Please tell us whether you'd prefer to walk your home precinct or another. Lastly, let us know if you're comfortable using Minivan. There are many advantages to using Minivan vs. a paper list. However, if you really really need a paper list & we can arrange it. Alternatively, if you would rather call through your list, please let us know. If you'd like further training, please let me know & I'll take care of it. I anticipate having a "review" training and handing out lists & door hangers on October 2, 2024 at the La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club meeting at 6:30 p.m., 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa, CA. If you can't attend that meeting, we'll make arrangements when convenient for you. Please respond as quickly and completely as possible. The party can't order door hangers until we know how many we need! Please know that I want this to be a great experience for you, and if you have any questions or concerns you can call or email me anytime. Vote blue no matter who! Tina Rynberg, Go Team East County Regional Director (619) 985-7151 treehugger1309@yahoo.com
California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) 2
Who We Are The California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) is a statewide nonprofit organization that unites retired workers and community groups to win social and economic justice, full civil rights, and a better, more secure future for ourselves, our families, and future generations. CARA is the official state affiliate of the Alliance for ReƟred Americans, www.retiredamericans.org. What We Do The California Alliance for Retired Americans Board is building a statewide network of hundreds of organizations for the purpose of educating and informing its membership, the public, and elected officials about issues that affect the wellbeing of California’s older adults. CARA is working towards the advancement and achievement of just and equitable living conditions for seniors within the state and the nation through legislative advocacy consistent with the educational and charitable purposes of an advocacy organization exempt from federal taxaƟon under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Who We Serve As an umbrella organization for more than 275 affiliated groups, CARA serves a combined membership of over 950,000 Californians. Its broad-based coalition includes senior centers, tenant associations, retired public employee organizations, trade union retirees, and a variety of other agencies and associations. CARA Action Teams (CATs) The CARA CATs are the local action centers for CARA. We share important information on key CARA issues and plan local strategies on these issues. Most of the CARA Action Teams (CATS) have regular monthly meeting dates and locaƟons. San Diego (Hybrid): 3rd Tuesday of the month @11:00am-1:00pm, at the United Domestic Workers of America, UDW/AFSCME Local 3930. 4855 Seminole Dr, San Diego, CA 92115. Call Tish Leon @714-401-8312 and/or Pam Rood @ 619-866-5185. Issues CARA works on a variety of issues every year – at the state and national level, and locally too, through our CARA Action Teams (CATs). Every year at the CARA Convention, our delegates and members vote to prioritize our issues for the coming year. We do our work in a variety of ways: through educational forums, town hall events, rallies, direct meetings with key decision makers, press briefings, legislative and administrative advocacy, and electorally (we do not endorse candidates, but we do take positions on some statewide ballot measures). For more information regarding membership, educational forums, and our position on statewide ballots, please contact: Tish Leon lety.leon1951@gmail.com or @ Yesenia Cuevas ycuevas@californiaalliance.org
Volunteers for Harris Needed!
Dear San Diego Kamala Organizers, Thank you to everyone who came to our kickoff this Saturday. We are very excited to be organizing this office and for your participation. That said, we do not yet have access to the office every day - the access is still being arranged. So, please wait to come in for your shifts until the office keys are procured. I will send you an email as soon as we have ongoing access to the office. If you know of someone who would like to volunteer at our office, please have them fill out this form, so that we can inform them when we are ready to roll, with the activities they wish to do! https://forms.gle/Whb2tXY8oLpzA7Hg6 We need your help to staff the office, so we can be open from 10am - 7:30 pm from now until the election. Here is a link to the calendar, where you can sign up for two-hour shifts where you can man the office: https://calendar.app.google/6PRRfQMRBG24drei9 Please fill out the times when you are available to help! If a shift is taken, you are still always welcome to come by the office to assist. I am asking people to fill out the calendar so that we are sure we have coverage, but the more the merrier. Here are the activities are planned at the office: Distribution of Kamala Harris Yardsigns, Window Signs, Buttons and stickers Predictive Dialer Calls to Swing states Text Banks to Swing States Postcards to Swing State Local Door-to-Door Canvassing for Kamala and Local-Endorsed Candidates Local Phone Banking for Kamala and Local endorsed candidates Please let us know if there is another ongoing activity we should be offering. Please let us know if there is an event that you would like to host at the office and when! Thank You, Cynara 619-208-0567
Local Measures for November 5 Election
CITY OF LA MESA Majority – Required to pass L Measure Protecting La Mesa Essential Services Without Increasing Tax Rates. To continue funding for La Mesa city services, such as keeping parks/recreation/ community facilities safe, clean and well maintained; fixing potholes/ maintaining streets; and providing rapid 9-1-1 emergency response/ fire protection/ paramedics/ crime prevention, shall the ordinance renewing City of La Mesa’s existing ¾% sales tax be adopted at the current rate (no increase), continuing $12,000,000 annually for 20 years, with independent oversight, audits, and all funds locally controlled? CITY OF LEMON GROVE Majority – Required to pass T To provide funding for city services in Lemon Grove, such as keeping local streets, sidewalks, storm drains, parks, community facilities safe, clean, and well-maintained; fixing potholes; providing fire protection, paramedic, police, and 911 emergency response; traffic management; addressing homelessness; and removing graffiti/trash; Shall City of Lemon Grove's ordinance establishing a one-cent sales tax be adopted, providing $5,957,000 annually for 10 years, with citizen oversight, independent audits, and all money locally controlled? CITY OF SANTEE Majority – Required to pass S Shall the measure amending the Santee Municipal Code to enact a half cent sales tax for fifteen years to support fire protection and emergency response facilities and services in the City of Santee, be adopted? CAJON VALLEY UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT 55% Required to pass W With funds that cannot be taken by the State, shall Cajon Valley Union School District’s measure to repair or replace leaky roofs, pipes and plumbing; update inefficient heating and cooling systems; and renovate classrooms be adopted, authorizing $280 million of bonds with average levies below $27 per $100,000 of assessed valuation (raising $15 million annually) while outstanding, legal rates, citizen oversight, state matching funds eligibility, audits, full public disclosure of spending and no estimated increase in current tax rates? Bonds – Yes Bonds – No LEMON GROVE SCHOOL DISTRICT 55% Required to pass CC SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY BOND. With funds that cannot be taken by the State and spent elsewhere, shall Lemon Grove School District’s measure to ensure disabled access and expand science, technology, coding, robotics, engineering, arts, and math classrooms and labs be adopted, authorizing $30 million of bonds with legal rates, average levies below $25 per $100,000 of assessed valuation (generating $1.8 million annually) while outstanding, citizen oversight, audits, no funds for administrator salaries and full public disclosure of spending? Bonds – Yes Bonds – No EE LEMON GROVE REPAIRS BOND. With funds that cannot be taken by the State and spent elsewhere, shall Lemon Grove School District’s measure to replace leaky roofs and plumbing; update aging electrical and inefficient heating and cooling systems; and improve security systems be adopted, authorizing $30 million of bonds with legal rates, average levies below $25 per $100,000 of assessed valuation (generating $1.8 million annually) while outstanding, citizen oversight, audits, no funds for administrator salaries and full public disclosure of spending? Bonds – Yes Bonds – No SANTEE SCHOOL 55% Required to pass NN With funds that cannot be taken by the State and spent elsewhere, shall Santee School District’s measure to replace leaky pipes and plumbing; repair inefficient heating and air-conditioning; update emergency communications; and improve school security be adopted, authorizing $30.62 million of bonds with legal rates, audits, average levies below $12 per $100,000 of assessed valuation (raising $1.8 million annually while outstanding), citizen oversight, full public disclosure of all spending and no estimated increase in current tax rates? Bonds – Yes Bonds – No
There are many reasons for veterans to be concerned about Project 2025. Trump has claimed that he never read it and doesn’t support it, but that really doesn’t hold water: dozens of former Trump Administration staffers are involved in the Project, and to be honest; it fits in line with Trump’s authoritarian style. The first issue is that Project 2025 will cut almost 50% of federal jobs during the first year of a Trump term. While many people, including myself, support smaller government, axing 50% of a workforce that is made up with a huge number of veterans is intolerable. One of the benefits provided to veterans is preferred hiring status when applying to government jobs. This is an important benefit that allows veterans to continue serving the community and country. Eliminating these jobs would exacerbate an already crisis-level national veteran poverty and homeless problem. Next is the proposed cuts to the VA Medical System. As many vets are aware, VA hospitals are already problematic. Staffing, funding cuts and even closure of VA hospitals are the last thing that should be considered as Gulf War vets approach middle age and their needs will only increase. America spent over 20 years at war in the Middle East. Regardless of the justifications and politics of those wars, our soldiers and marines went when called, and we owe them the care we promised them when we sent them to fight. Every Administration over the next generation should be committed to increasing VA funding. Project 2025 will also seek to reduce or deny VA Disability benefits. It is frankly terrifying to myself and others that the benefits we fought for, deserve and rely on can and will be eliminated by the stroke of a pen. Thousands of veterans rely on these monthly benefits to keep themselves fed and off the streets. The system is already overwhelmed: there are reddit pages and websites full of vets with visible, obvious service-related disabilities that are constantly denied benefits from a faceless, unaccountable bureaucracy that will only become crueler and more uncaring under Project 2025 guidelines. A final consideration is retention and enlistment, which are at all-time lows. This may not be much of a consideration to an 18-year-old deciding on next steps. However, as that person approaches their second or third enlistment, realizing that the VA Benefits that they were told about when being recruited are constantly under attack and may not even exist when they leave the service becomes a factor when deciding whether to leave or to take their valuable (government funded) experience to the civilian sector. Like any other employer, the military needs to make continuing service attractive, or the best and brightest will leave, and the personnel we are left with are the ones with no other options. There are many veterans in Congress, and I am dismayed that Tom Cotton, Dan Crenshaw, et.al., are not standing up and denouncing Project 2025 and it’s impact on their veteran brothers and sisters. Ken Peterson, USN (Ret)
Project 2025
Board Members at Large
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The La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club represents the communities of San Carlos, Del Cerro, Santee, La Mesa, Mt. Helix, Allied Gardens, College Area, Casa de Oro, and other nearby communities. Monthly meetings of the La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club typically feature office holders, candidates for office, community leaders and subject matter experts.
Tina Rynberg President
About the Club...
Janet Castanos Trinity Dubrow
OFFICERS President: Tina Rynberg Vice President, Membership: Katie Sigeti Vice President, Political Action: Chris Pearson Vice President, Programming: Brenda Miller Secretary: Rosamond Blevins Treasurer: Gene Mullaly Assistant Treasurer: Rosamond Blevins Special Events Coordinator: Merrill Perry Past President: Linda Armacost
La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club Claude and Beverly Cassirer, Founders