Three years ago, the motel & hotel owners in Chula Vista voted to approve an amendment to the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) of 2 1/2% (on top of the existing 10%) that persons staying in our motels/hotels would have to pay. It’s purpose was to “put more heads in beds.” All the taxed money, in turn, was given to the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce to implement.

The 2 ½% tax has raised more than $400,000 per year. After three years, there is some dissatisfaction with it. (1) The Chamber has not produced any study or facts that show it had any impact. That seems a pretty elementary thing to do, but apparently they did not or cannot do it. (2) As best as we can figure, at least 50% of these funds went to supporting Chamber people and normal operations. (3) We have been told that the MEMBERS of the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce only pay about $250,000 of dues themselves.

After recently watching four hours of brain-numbing discussion between the Chamber and our City Council, our conclusion is that the Chamber, while perhaps well-meaning in the beginning, ended up just suckering the motel/hotel owners and the City Council into a tax program which is being used primarily to support normal Chamber activities, with no demonstrated benefit to the motels/hotels. That simply is not fair to the motels/hotels. Looking at the numbers, it would appear that the Chamber members simply do not contribute enough to support their own Chamber of Commerce.

This is wrong.

Susan and Peter Watry
Chula Vista 

We must protect woman’s right to choice

Sunday is the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the U.S. This safe, legal procedure must remain available to women as part of comprehensive reproductive health care. Proposed restrictions to legal abortion care are unacceptable and are opposed by the majority of the public as well as the premiere health organizations in the U.S. and worldwide—organizations we depend on to advise us on health issues. Spending time attempting to restrict a safe, legal, and accepted procedure is not what federal and state legislators were elected to office to focus on.

Unfortunately 2012 is shaping up to be another year of extremes. Many state legislators have already signaled support for or introduced extreme legislation that will ban or restrict abortion. Legislation that will harm the health of women include “personhood” initiatives — measures to declare a fertilized egg a person — or laws that requires restrictive regulations on health centers, and bills designed to eliminate funding for family planning services, Medicaid, or Planned Parenthood health services. We must not let this happen.

Estela Blanco
El Cajon

I am sure that Bonnie Dumanis and the D.A.’s office have their priorities. Remember Diana Gonzalez, the young Latina who was beaten and raped by her estranged husband? Because the D.A.’s office failed to file CRIMINAL charges against this monster, he eventually killed Diana when she was leaving her evening math class at City College. It’s been more than one year since this tragedy occured and the killer is still on the loose!

So now the D.A.’s office has more then enough time to raid the homes of three prominent women that have served the Southbay for two decades.These board members (Ms. Quinones, Ms. Ricsa, Ms.Lopez) were elected by landside margins in the most recent elections. They have received recognition at the local, state and national levels from many organizations for their work in education. Bottom line SHUSD students excelling and improviing each year in their academics.

Two of these board members are up for relection next November. There are two “other” Sweetwater board members that didn’t raid, are they that clean? This is an attack on women of color and I hope everyone remembers this when we vote for our next mayor. I will. In the mean time, the killer of Diana Gonzalez is walking around our streets. Priorities (Please).

Ralph Sanchez
City Heights　

Today’s (Dec. 29) ruling is a victory for California taxpayers and private property rights. For far too long, California taxpayers have financed obscure government agencies that use taxpayer dollars and their power of eminent domain to benefit politically connected developers. During these tough economic times, developers should not be on the public dole while police officers and teachers are getting pink slips.

According to the independent State Legislative Analyst, California taxpayers fund redevelopment to the tune of over $5 billion a year without any reliable evidence that they create new jobs. The Alliance submitted an Amicus brief to the California State Supreme Court defending AB1X-26 and challenging the Constitutionality of AB1X-27. For additional information on our efforts to abolish RDAs, visit www.StoptheMoneyPit.com

Marko Mlikotin
The California Alliance to　Protect Private Property Rights　

Members of the San Diego Union Tribune Editor’s Latino Advisory Council

    It is with deep regret that I take this time to inform you that I, effective immediately, chose not to be a member of the Council due to the recent changes in ownership of the newspaper. While welcomed public announcements regarding journalistic and editorial integrity have been made by the new owner, Chairman & Publisher Douglas F. Manchester, I remain concerned and skeptical that forward progress in reporting news as well as editorial fairness influenced to date by the Latino Advisory Council may be short lived.

   My withdrawal from the Council is also driven by the fact that a son of mine is gay and whose life style is in direct conflict with the personal philosophy of the new owner Douglas F. Manchester as demonstrated by his open financial support for the passage of Proposition 8. Needless to say my personal philosophy and my love for my son is in direct contrast toManchester’s position regarding personal freedoms desired and enjoyed by Americans.

   I commend the work of the Latino Advisory Council on many fronts, however, much more needs to be accomplished if the Union Tribune wants to be nationally known as a first class superior newspaper that is inclusive of the journalistic needs of all communities in the region.

   I give special thanks to Mr. Jeff Light, Editor, for being open to our suggestions and taking action on our recommendations for change that bring the Union Tribune closer to the Latino community.

   My son will soon be home for a joyous family Christmas gathering and I just felt compelled to disassociate myself from the Union Tribune for the reasons stated in this communication.

   I plan to share my withdrawal from the Council with members of the Latino community.

Sincerely,
Gus Chavez

   As we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday break, I want to extend my personal gratitude for your unwavering support of your children in our schools. Your dedication and commitment are major reasons for the outstanding academic success that we have enjoyed across our system. As you may know, 93 percent of District schools have a state Academic Performance Index score higher than 800, which is the state’s goal for all schools in California. Our District has received state and national recognition due to our outstanding teachers and leaders who focus on decisions based on student needs. This year, we have a record 10 schools eligible to apply for the prestigious California Distinguished School Award.

   Academic success is one reason why our charter schools, including those with middle grades, are an increasingly popular alternative to traditional schools, such as those in the Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD). Unfortunately, our success prompted the following actions taken by SUHSD:

   • Exclusion of charter middle school students from SUHSD’s Compact for Success program with San Diego State University.

   • Exclusion of charter middle school students from this year’s winter Middle School Athletic League season.

   • Attempts to discredit charter school academic preparation of middle school students for high school.

   • Leaflet brochures highlighting Southwest Middle (ranked last among South County middle schools) as better than District charter schools.

CVESD views charter schools as an opportunity for development of innovative educational practices and believes that freedom from California Education Code restrictions can foster high academic achievement for charter students. Our District has nurtured the development of charter schools while holding them to the same rigor and accountability expected of all schools. Charter enrollment represents 17% of our 28,000 students. The expansion to middle grades started years ago and was a logical next step in the hearts and minds of charter parents who wanted an alternative to area middl schools.

   We are thankful and appreciative of the community response in support of our charter students. For, at the end of the day, charter students are students. They are your friends’ and neighbors’ children.

   With that in mind, we will turn SUHSD’s challenge into an opportunity to innovate solutions that are student based and forward thinking.

Francisco Escobedo, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Chula Vista Elementary School District

“Budget Forecast Poor for Schools, Services”

Ed Brand, Sweetwater District’s interim superintendent, proposes to ask our taxpayers to approve a third bond to build a  university, among other things.

   In the last seven years our taxpayers approved almost ONE BILLION DOLLARS in bonds for Sweetwater schools alone (Prop “BB” $187 million, Prop “O” $644 million), yet our schools are still rundown because the bond money is abused and mismanaged. But Brand wants to drive us deeper into financial trouble. Isn’t he the one who started a bank at a time when banks were failing (great timing!!!). Of course his bank went belly up and all his investors lost their money.

   Now he wants to drive us deeper in debt by building our very own “Sweetwater University.” This at a time when the State Colleges and Universities are experiencing financial problems and are increasing student fees to stay in business.

   Since Brand lives in the North County, let’s remind him that we have the following colleges and universities in the South County: 1) San Diego State University, 2) University of California at San Diego, 2) University of San Diego, 3) Point Loma Nazarene University, 4) Inter America University, 5) National University, 6) Alliant University, 7) Southwestern College, San Diego City College, 9) Grossmont College, 10) California University in San Diego.

   I will never vote for another school bond. These funds become a gold mine for superintendents and board members to hire contractors who will fund the political campaigns of board members. It’s no surprise that many contractors who were hired were not in the top three recommendations. Many also “won” the contracts by under bidding the jobs and later increasing the cost by submitting change orders (cost over-runs) costing the taxpayers millions of dollars. T

   We are in the worst economic crisis since the Big Depression. The unemployment rate is high and people are losing their homes. Brand is talking about closing one or two schools. He has assigned at least one principal to administer two schools to cut costs. They talk about layoffs and other cut backs. Brand has taken no cut in pay himself. He makes $240,000 annually and doesn’t pay one penny in property taxes in our district. He never has. He has worked more than 25 years in our district

Jaime Mercado
Mercado is a former school board member

   A few weeks ago, and after much deliberation, Presente.org made a very vocal and public demand to President Obama’s top immigration aide, Cecilia Muñoz: Stop being the voice of misinformation about policies that devastate our communities. Our decision to publicly demand that Muñoz set the record straight was a difficult one. But standing by and doing nothing while Ms. Muñoz defended the indefensible immigration policies of the Obama Administration was even more difficult.

   In response, several immigrant advocacy organizations signed a letter that mischaracterized our position and missed the essence of our argument and of the moment. Our goal in this open letter is to restate and clarify our position, and to invite any other groups or individuals who seek to advance the cause of immigrant justice to join us in holding accountable any official whose rhetoric damages the cause of dignity and justice for our communities.

   Our demand to Ms. Muñoz is that she stop mischaracterizing the actions of the Obama Administration and set the record straight about the SCOMM program. We have not called for Ms. Muñoz to resign or be fired.

   Presente.org was moved to action following Ms. Muñoz’s widely-criticized appearance in the PBS documentary “Lost in Detention,” in which she repeated the falsehood that most of the people that the Administration prioritizes through the SCOMM racial profiling program are serious “criminals.”

   The falsehood perpetuated by Muñoz has been thoroughly discredited by numerous studies like the one conducted last month by the Cardozo and Warren law schools, as well as by the administration’s own Department of Homeland Security records. Most importantly, Ms. Muñoz’s statements are disproven daily by the endless stream of tragic stories from the families of the “criminals” she says the Administration is deporting: men caught driving without a license or a broken tail light, women who call the police to report a domestic violence incident, and the rest of the non-criminal majority of people picked up, jailed and deported for non-violent offenses.

   Neither the widely-circulated letter defending Ms. Muñoz nor its signatories have contested the facts that Presente.org and others have cited as the basis for demanding that Ms. Muñoz set the record straight. In fact, some of these same defenders of Ms. Muñoz have made statements against other Obama Administration officials and departments.

   We deeply respect Ms. Muñoz’s previous work in defense of immigrants. That said, Presente.org wholly rejects the notion, suggested in the open letter defending her, that Ms. Muñoz’s past work and perceived moral compass means that she should not be held accountable for her current misstatements, and that doing so is somehow “personal.” This isn’t about personalities. It’s about leadership. When a Latina leader who has fought for immigrants then misrepresents and defends the Administration’s failed and profoundly destructive immigration policies, she sends a dangerous message to immigrant communities and to those who would continue to hurt immigrants: that Latinos believe the status quo is acceptable.

   Silence in the face of Muñoz’s statements is dangerous; Silence is not an option.

   Failure to demand from Muñoz what we would from any other elected or appointed official, in our opinion, means abdicating our responsibility as defenders of immigrants rights. So while it is difficult to criticize a longtime Latina leader, we have an obligation to step into the discomfort, and to do so boldly. Not doing so undermines our constituents, our mission and our very integrity. For this reason, we will continue calling on Muñoz to answer our demands and we invite others to join us and do the same.

Blair FitzGibbon

   I am writing to you today as a member of Immigration Voice (http://www.Immig rationVoice.org). Founded in December 2005, Immigration Voice is a rapidly growing, national grassroots non-profit organization of over 70,000 legal, highly-skilled immigrants. Immigration Voice members are committed to sensible improvements to the employment-based immigration and green card process by supporting H.R 3012 – Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act.

   The current immigration system is broken, causing hardship for high-skilled immigrants and their families – myself and my family being one of them. There are up to a million such applicants who are doomed to wait for up to 30 years to receive their green cards. This issue has been causing massive brain drain to other competing economies, which ultimately hurts U.S innovation, in addition to preventing creation of new jobs and hindering the economic recovery.

   To address this issue, which impacts American competitiveness and innovation, I would like to request you to please give adequate coverage to H.R 3012. This bill has bipartisan support in Congress, which is a significant accomplishment considering the current political climate, and will drastically reduce wait times for applicants from 30 years to less than 10 years.

   I applaud both Democratic and Republican leadership in Congress for their commitment to high-skilled immigration reform and for their support for H.R 3012. This is a great first step in the right direction. I urge your esteemed organization to kindly provide due coverage to the issue of high-skilled green card backlogs as well as H.R 3012 – Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act.

Varma Mudundi
San Diego

Waging war against ALS

   The 2012 Presidential campaign is in full swing. We read about it in this newspaper every day. Herman Cain, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, and of course President Obama. They all are fighting for their political lives. But with Veterans Day approaching on November 11, what the American public needs to hear about is the campaign our nation’s veterans are waging against Lou Gehrig’s disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). 

   More and more people are dying of this disease at a very young age. Our son was 28 year old when he passed away from ALS.

   Yes, the disease that took the life of baseball legend Lou Gehrig is striking our military veterans at an alarming rate. In fact, studies show that vets are twice as likely to die from ALS as the general public. And it doesn’t matter when or where they served in the military – home or abroad, peace or war, from World War I to Afghanistan. There is no treatment. No cure. Only death in an average of two to five years. 

   We don’t know why vets are more likely to develop ALS. But we do know that greater awareness of this campaign will help in the fight to find the cause, treatment and cure for this horrible disease. On Veterans Day, I hope this newspaper honors these American heroes and tells their story, which largely has been ignored by the media.

   I urge your readers to visit the Wall of Honor at www.alsa.org. There they will see the faces and read the stories of the veterans who are fighting ALS and those we already have lost to the disease. There they will see the campaign that has not been written about by the press. They will see the stories of people not simply engaged in a political fight, but in a fight for their lives.

Margaret Wendel
La Mesa

   The debate in Washington affects all of us here in San Diego. We are dealing with cut backs in funding for teachers, police and fire safety.

   One big way that Congressmen Hunter, Bilbray and Issa and Congress can address the escalating deficit and debt is to cut the Pentagon budget by at least $1 trillion over the next ten years. If the federal government keeps increasing spending on wars and military contractors, then there will be even less money available for other urgent priorities here in our city.

Jennifer Spencer
San Diego

Why we all occupy Wall Street

   From a social-psychological view the national manifestations on Wall Street are a result of the piano man versus cop syndrome or creativity and obedience. More simply, the protest can be described as inherent to society’s pressure valve of conflict and order. 

   So, what’s new? We have been down this road for the past ten thousand plus years. But, here’s the twist. As members of the human species, we are genetically programmed to resist. It remains a false notion to feign control since everyone squirms while led to the gallows. Some events of the 1960’s illustrate this point. America was polarized by conflict and order. Just ask Lt. Calley and Commander Loyld Bucker. As for Mr. Calley, the ringleader of the massacre at Mai Lai in Vietnam, his immoral and illegal actions were in large measure condoned by the law and order folks. This is not control. The same mentality stood silent with respect to our National Guard’s slaughter of students at Kent State. This is not control. And why was Commander Bucker vilified by the same illogical notion of law and order in regard to North Koreas’ taking of the Navy Vessel Pueblo? This is not control.

   The protesters have morally legitimate concerns just as those before them, naming Martin Luther King Jr. Bobby Kennedy and Cesar Chavez. When captains of industry and corporate giants including America’s largest banks kick us in the teeth while on our knees there evolves a natural human response. As with the US Automakers, our largest banks were saved by the federal government only to turn immorally on the same folks that saved them. This is not control. When one is powerless and consumed by injustice, we all suffer the trappings of immorality. Only the fools among us believe in order and control. When the tables are turned, we all are in the same boat. May the protesters bring justice to our great nation.

Daniel J. Smiechowski
San Diego

   Your coverage of the rise in poverty tells us that the recession isn’t over for more than 46 million poor Americans, the largest number in the 52 years the Census Bureau has been collecting poverty statistics.

   We absolutely need a job creation package to help the jobless escape poverty and climb into the middle class. Getting people back to work will help rebuild the economy and contribute the taxes that reduce long-term deficits. But we also need to protect low income programs. Slashing Medicaid, education, and other needed services will make things worse.

   I urge our members of Congress to protect low-income families by allocating the necessary funding for Head Start and child care programs to maintain existing services. I also urge them to demand that this new “Super Committee” raise revenue and protect low-income programs like Medicaid and food stamps when it starts looking for more things to defund.

Daria Flores
San Diego

Better Water Conservation Policies are Key to Helping Local Economies Thrive

   The inhabitants of Easter Island saw their way of life evaporate because they mismanaged their natural resources, thus providing a small, well- understood example of a story that has frequently played out on a much larger scale. The collapses of the Mayan, the Khmer, the Anasazi, and the Roman civilizations have been linked to urban demand for water (and food). In each case, this demand led to large-scale environmental destruction with irreversible consequences.

   It’s time to stop thinking of the water that runs through the Colorado River as simply a resource for power, agriculture, and municipalities. The river and its water are the lifeblood of states, cities, and towns throughout the Southwest. If the water stops flowing to those communities, particularly to rural communities that cater to river sports and recreational activities, the economic and cultural consequences will cripple development throughout the region.

   Why should you care? If we do not acknowledge the economic and cultural benefits we reap from the beauty of the natural wonders created and sustained by the Colorado River, we will lose them.

   Let’s not let the river dry up. Remind our leaders in Washington that keeping water in the Colorado is important to us. Visit NuestroRio.com and become part of our letter writing campaign.

Jessica Taylor
via e-mail.

   There has been a great deal of discussion on the editorial page about Assembly member Toni Atkins’ AB 499, a commonsense measure which would allow minors to consent to receive STD prevention medical care. As a physician who provides reproductive health care, I wholeheartedly support this commonsense measure.  It is unconscionable to deny medical care that prevents STDs while allowing minors to access treatment after they’ve already been exposed.

   Health care advocates like the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Health Officers Association of California, and the California STD Controllers Association all support Assembly member Atkins’ bill.

   Planned Parenthood believes that parents should be involved with medical decisions such as STD prevention, which is why Planned Parenthood has several programs aimed at fostering healthy communication between parents and teens. Most parents want to be involved in their teen’s health care and most are – that’s the good news. However, for many teens, good family communication is not possible or may actually be dangerous. That’s why California allows teens to access confidential care for contraception, pregnancy and STD medical services, mental health care, and drug abuse treatment.  We need to close the treatment gap and create greater access to prevention for young people.

Katharine Sheehan, M.D.
Medical Director
Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest

   Over the past week I have attended no less than two ‘Sliver along the Trolley’ community plan working group meeting. The first the Commercial & Imperial Corridor Master Plan – Working Group Meeting #3 and the Euclid + Market Land Use and Mobility Working Group #2 Meeting.

   I can only repeat what the community members at the first meeting  said, ‘I live and own property right along the trolley, those are pictures of my buildings you have up on the screen – was not noticed’; myself, I (the Chair of a local community planning group) and at least one other MAPA member did not get a notices until the very day of the meeting and then got a call ‘follow-up’ at about 2:30 pm asking that I attempt to show-up. It seems the current land owners are not invited to participate in the profits of redevelopment, and as there appeared to be less than 5% Latino community members at either meeting neither is the Latino Community. The clear majority at both of these meetings, City and County staff, and other employees of the governmental structures such as those involved in the development and redevelopment processes or who work for city owned corporations linked to economic development / redevelopment.

   At both meetings it was stated that some 4,000 people were ‘noticed’ of both meetings – were they noticed like me – the very day of the meetings? Clearly, the communities are not in attendances at these meetings at anywhere close to representative levels. The Governmental structures are, and it seems they all lend their support for whatever plan they are presenting;  for in the meetings it is clear that the super-majority of the time – it is the Government who is talking and saying what it is the non-presented communities  “want” and not the organic communities.  And, when the community gets so frustrated with the re-presentation of non-organic community plans as being their own, that it is driven to speak out and take a stand – what happens then? Well, it seems the community members are called rude, unprofessional…, non-professional and non-courteous and unknowledgeable.

   Why  is wrong  to cause offence, when it is clear by the conditions of our streets, our schools, our infrastructures, our economy, and the gentrification that seems to always take-place after the mechanized wheels of redevelopment have changed the landscapes of communities – have  so offended the super-majority of pre-redevelopment populations?

Gregory Morales
San Diego

Shifting our approach in Arizona

   Over a week ago, my organization, the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), along with the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and the Asian American Justice Center, announced the suspension of our participation in the economic boycott of Arizona. As was the case when NCLR initially announced our plans to join in boycotting the state in May 2010, we consulted with a wide variety of our partners, including our network of nonprofit Affiliate organizations across the country-13 of which are based in Arizona-and our sister civil rights institutions. We did not come to the decision to boycott Arizona lightly, nor do we end our participation now without careful consideration.

   In particular, we were moved to act after receiving requests from Arizona’s elected officials, business leaders, union leaders, religious leaders, and local NCLR Affiliates.They believe that this was the right time for NCLR to suspend its boycott activities in order to promote a more constructive debate around the issue of immigration. There is a concerted and growing effort in the state to foster civil and constructive dialogue—voices who represent a broader swath of Arizona than the brand of extremism that has tarnished the state.  In light of the injunction against the law, and these growing efforts committed to charting a new course, we agreed to suspend our participation in the boycott.

   Our opposition to racial profiling laws like SB 1070 is unequivocal, and the work against them continues. The record has shown that they are destructive political wedges that undermine the social and economic fabric of the communities where they are pushed through.  And because of that we understand why other organizations and allies may choose to continue to boycott the state, and we respect that decision completely.  For our part, we reserve the right to reinstate the boycott should the law be implemented, and in the meantime will continue to work with and lend our support to local partners trying to get their state back on track.

   Ultimately though, by pursuing this new course, we hope we can play a role in bringing SB 1070 supporters and opponents together to find the common ground needed to advance sustainable solutions to fix our broken immigration system. We look forward to working together with all Arizonans – and Americans – of good will to seek real, lasting solutions that are consistent with our nation’s most fundamental values and principles.

Janet Murguía
President and CEO of the National Council of La Raza

Sweetwater District Elections Process explained

   The Sweetwater Union High School District voted 3-2 to initiate a change of the district’s election system to by-trustee area elections for the 2012 board election. Board members Pearl Quinones and Bertha Lopez opposed the change.

   To date, the Sweetwater District—in partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education—has conducted three levels of study to help determine the next steps in the process. The three levels have included a review of 2010 Census data and a legal analysis of voter areas.

   In passing the resolution to change the election process, the district will now move forward in retaining a demographer and legal counsel to determine preliminary trustee areas. Those suggestions will be brought to the community in a series of public meetings to be held throughout the district. All community input must be obtained before February, 2012, when the board will vote on final trustee areas to submit to the County Committee. (San Diego County Office of Education serves as the County Committee)

   Education Code 5020 requires the County Committee to seek voter approval of changing the election process. Part of the resolution passed Monday night also includes the request for a waiver of the voter approval requirement in order to give the district the ability to place the new trustee areas on the November, 2012 ballot. Public input will be received on the waiver request and voted on by the board in November, 2011. The district is seeking the waiver because of the cost for a separate election and the uncertainty of the outcome. If voters did not approve the change in election process, the district would still be at risk of a lawsuit under the California Voting Rights Act.

   At-large elections, such as the current system in Sweetwater, have been subject to challenge under the California Voting Rights Act.

Lillian E. Leopold, APR
Director, Grants and Communications
Sweetwater Unified High School District

   Do you remember the movie Stand and Deliver? In this movie based on a true story, Jaime Escalante challenges his students to a higher level of achievement. He teaches them to reject society’s expectations of failure. And when they actually achieve a miracle through hard work, the inevitable happens. They are accused of cheating! There is no proof, just an assumption that Mexican minorities can’t possibly score this high. Escalante believed that his students’ intelligence was doubted because of their  racial and economic status.

   The same thing is happening in National City today! Granger, National City Middle and Sweetwater High have improved tremendously. All our students are working hard and thriving. All you have to do is visit any one of our schools to see the transformation . Unfortunately,  the Union Tribune published an article on September 4th insinuating that Sweetwater could have cheated (Mid-Testing Classes Aided Sweetwater Gains). There was no proof that Sweetwater cheated, but one anonymous tip was enough for them to smear the reputation of students and teachers, who in my opinion are moving mountains. The UT’s “Watchdog” article was racist and the reporting was lazy. Who is watching over the UT? The Mayor and Chief of Police of National City believe in us. They have told us that our program is changing a community. One of the most notorious gangs no longer exists because they have fewer students to recruit. Our schools should be celebrated not demeaned.  Who will tell our story?

Maria Elena Galleher
Teacher at Granger Junior High School, National City

   When did protecting the wealthy become our overriding civic virtue? Are tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires really more important than the health and development of our children? 

   The truth is anti-poverty programs work. For example, a new study shows that people enrolled in Medicaid are healthier, happier and better able to afford health care. The Head Start program has been shown to improve the lives of at-risk children, who become healthier, more educated and more productive adults. Despite these successes, these and other critical programs face billions in cuts.

   As deficit reduction negotiations (hopefully) progress, Congress and the President need to guard against massive cuts to programs that help millions of low-income and working Americans make ends meet.

   I urge our San Diego representatives in Congress to only support a deficit reduction plan that includes new revenue from those best able to afford it while also protecting low-income Americans from falling deeper into poverty.

Daria Flores
San Diego

   What the City says about Community Inclusion in Redevelopment – is that what the community wants, or what they want to give us? It seems that the claimed Community Inclusion is not so. Last night, I attended the working group meeting for Market-Euclid Village Master Plan. The same historically oppressive schemas in Southeast San Diego arose; the single Latino representative was limited to only speaking three times during the entire meeting while one of the many Black community representatives dominated the majority of speaking time by working group members. Presently, the Latino represents some 43% of City Council District 4, 53% of the population in the Diamond Business District, and some 67% of the population in SEDC sphere of influence, and yet one single Mexican is all the city seems to need to claim community inclusion of a majority population. Or is this the entire city and the current power elite of City Council District 4 wants, out of the single largest population South of Eight?

   An example of shutting out the Latino Community Voice is the Voice that asked, that interjected the fact that motions to have measures to issue truly durable and sustainable development were made part of the community plan. In 2009 the both the Encanto Community Planning Group (ECPG) and the Southeastern Community Planning Group (SECPG) passed motions requesting on site gray-water recycling, storm water capture, storage and use systems, and photovoltaic/renewable energy systems be part of all building plans presented. From what I heard from both the Chairman of the ECPG and the SECPG – thus far not one project has been presented that fit what these communities have been demanding all this time. Exactly why this is, could it be that the people who have governmental power in this barrio do not want to include, as clearly they have failed to represent, the Latino Majority? From what I heard and saw – for developers and for the city planners, the idea of building value into the community is not a worthy idea. A five or seven year cost recovery cycle is just too high a price too much of a values added investment for these ‘all outsider’ city planners, at least in an area which community equity and equality seemed to be always talked about, but never realizable.

   The community attendees all raised items that have redundantly resonated through previous development meetings. Neglect of the community seems to occur because what the redevelopers seem to want does not coincide with what the community needs and avoiding significant items such as improving the wealth balance of the current residents is consistent with what has historically happened to communities like this. Impoverishment is a decision to neglect and development usually tries to exploit the poor communities for the benefit of capital. Only active community involvement and persistence of those whose voice is sought to be silenced must shine through for the redeveloping communities to actually attain some progress.

Rafael Bautista
San Diego

Time to look at the leadership at SUHSD

   Thank you La Prensa for shedding light on the issue of the SUHSD superintendent and the boards lack of leadership. I have been attending board meetings for the past 7 months and have been pleading with them to at least look into the allegations. I have sent e-mails and still no response.

   So I wanted to thank you for getting the word out and for this community to think about the students again and restore our district.

Maty Adato
Chula Vista

   East Lake High School parents were refunded the money they paid for their children to participate on track and field sports team last month. Parents paid $135 for their children to play on the Otay Ranch High School basketball team and may request refunds. That happened because students may not be required to pay any fees to participate in school activities in California public schools because of the state Constitution.

   Even as a bill to insure a free public education winds its way through the California legislature, students are being charged illegal fees in San Diego County. Ricardo Lara introduced AB165, which clarifies that students do not have to pay school fees. This law from the court case of Hartzell v. Connell will be in the Education Code to protect students.

   Parents have the right to question why are they are being asked to pay a fee. Just before school started, San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Bill Kowba called a press conference to announce he would put an end to illegal fees. Yet, parents and students have paid illegal fees this school year. Parents have been required to purchase the school’s physical education uniforms, mandatory school uniforms, pay for International Baccalaureate exams, school planners, uniforms for sports teams, instrument rental fees, calculators, graph paper, clay for ceramics courses, field trips, science supplies, health insurance, graduation caps and gowns, and other fees. Currently, school sites are requiring students to pay for sports physicals from $20 to $60 to try out for sports next year. There are specific exceptions which permit students fees. Sports physicals are not on the list of exceptions. As a parent, I know how it feels to tell my children they cannot participate in a school activity because of the costs. Many parents this year did not know their children could go on field trips even if they could not pay. That includes the senior activities and the 8th grade trips. The schools must sign a form that all children who wanted to go on the field were allowed to go even if they did not have the money to pay for the field trip.

   While the San Diego Unified School District has posted the Fees Guidelines, no written notice has been sent to parents. Families without computers have limited access to the information that their children have the constitutional right to a free public education. Moreover, the Governing Board, the San Diego Unified School Board of Education has failed to properly approve allowable school fees such as transcript fees. No school has the authority to charge fees that the Governing Board has not approved. It has approved fees for bus transportation, food served to students, and the 10 cents fees for copies. Those are legal fees. Yet, if a student graduates from Serra High School, that student will have to pay $5 for a transcript forever in the future while a University City High School student at must pay $2 for the same service.

   The California legislature’s Assembly Education Committee passed AB165 on April 27, 2011 so it keeps moving forward to become Education Code. It was amended to include that School Boards must hold public hearings regarding unlawful students’ fees starting next year. That includes charter schools and alternative schools. Parents will be able to bring a complaint about illegal fees and if the fee is determined to be illegal, all parents will receive a refund with interest. In addition to school districts, boosters, foundations and other parent fundraising groups would be prohibited from imposing fees on students. The complaint can be anonymous. This is important because it is intimidating for parents when the teachers request the money.

   AB165 states:  “A school district, school, or other entity working under the supervision of, or in coordination with, a district or school shall not impose a pupil fee for participation in educational activities.”  Mandatory fundraising by students and mandatory purchase of spirit packs are practices that would have to cease. AB165 is not a new law but will just make it easier for the public to find and read it. Existing law prohibits student fees to include pencils, paper, ASB cards, locks, lockers, sports letters, school uniforms, team uniforms, instrument rental fees, and other fees associated with educational activities.

Sally Smith
San Deigo

Estimado Editor:

   Aunque la propuesta consolidación entre AT&T y T-Mobile ha recibido mucha atención en la prensa, un asunto que no ha recibido suficiente atención es la manera en que la combinación de ambas redes tecnológicas beneficiará a los consumidores, especialmente los consumidores latinos.

   El servicio mobil, ya sea telefónico o para transmitir información por escrito, es un gran método de comunicación entre la comunidad latina. Los latinos somos más propensos que la familia típica estadounidense a tener teléfono celular con acceso al internet y video.  Ademas, los Latinos enviamos más mensajes de texto que ninguna otra raza o etnicidad. El servicio mobil es útil para personas que no tienen la privacidad o los recursos para comunicarse personalmente con sus seres queridos. Tal tecnología tambien ayuda a los empresarios latinos quienes dependen del servicio mobil para comunicarse con sus clientes y socios de negocio.

   Es significativo que a largo plazo esta unión entre AT&T y T-Mobile accelerará la difunción de la tecnología conocida como “4G” (la tecnología más avanzada que existe) a más residentes del país, incluyendo a los latinos que ya contamos con una población de más de 50 millones en Estados Unidos. Se estima que el 95 por ciento de la población del país tendrá acceso a esta tecnología; actualmente, solo el 80 por ciento de la población la tiene. Esto significa que los consumidores de las comunidades difíciles de alcanzar, y muchas comunidades minoritarias o de bajos ingresos, que en muchos casos no tienen acceso a la ‘banda ancha’, podrán recibir los mismos servicios que hoy en día solo están disponibles en sitios de mayores recursos económicos o en ciudades grandes.

   Aunque es possible que el impacto de esta consolidación puede tener un impacto negativo en el número de trabajos actuales de ambas compañías, el rápido desarrollo de la nueva red combinada entre las dos compañías implicará nuevos empleos. AT&T sigue siendo la única compañía de telecomunicación que ofrece representación de sindicato a sus empleados.

   Finalmente, aunque no se puede con certeza confirmar que los precios para el consumidor resultarían más económicos para el servicio telefónico, la consolidación de ambas empresas es buena para la competencia en la industria de telecomunicación. La gran mayoría de consumidores todavía podrá elegir entre tres o cuatro empresas para su servicio de comunicación, dependiendo de donde viva. Siempre y cuando siguan varias opciones para que el consumidor escoja su plan y precio favorito, esta consolidación, la propuesta consolidación entre At&T y T-Mobile puede beneficiar a la comunidad latina.

   Es casi seguro que esta consolidación sea aprobada. Ahora es el momento de abrir las puertas de comunicacion con AT&T y formar relaciones para asegurar que tal cambio traiga beneficio actual a la comunidad latina.

   Atentamente,

Luz Herrera
Assistant Professor
Thomas Jefferson School of Law

   If you attended the [re-districting] meeting last night (April 19) at the Malcolm X Library – tell me, was not the behavior of those holding political and economic power in City Council District 4 not illustrative of institutionalized racism?

   Was not the super-majority of those in attendance representational of the group that is about 1/2 the size of the Latino Population in City Council District 4? Did not the super-majority of that vastly over-represented group make nasty, mean, attacking statements/expression, saying things intended to force political power to remain focused in their own hands alone, hands that have long held a disproportion and repressive to the Latino level of influence over SEDC and City Council District 4 elected officials? Where not the majority of what very few Latinos who dared to face such verbal attacks in public (made by those who have long held power in City Council District 4) not speaking more often than not of community unity and inclusion at levels reflective of our populations? And, where is the political leadership of our communities, why have they allowed such a condition of repression to remain in place and unchallenged for so many years?

   And where are the elected citizen representatives, why have they all seemingly ‘stood idly by’ for so many years – supporting such conditions of exclusion and oppression by not actively correcting, at the very least, the representation and rates of inclusion on the boards and committees with memberships/community representatives over which he himself hold influence if not control.

Gregory Morales
San Diego

Praise in the handling of the credit card issue at Sweewater

   I have been following your news coverage on Sweetwater Union High School District over the past month, especially the recent story about Superintendent Jesus Gandara’s district credit card. As a Montgomery High School graduate, I want to personally recognize the district trustees and the superintendent for their accountability, ownership of recent mistakes and transparency in regards to this issue. Throughout this process they have been open to public criticism and have responded professionally.

   Secondly, the superintendent’s outreach efforts should not be taken for granted. As a local businessperson, I understand the importance of maintaining these relationships and how they are certainly essential to effectively running the district. Any school district needs to nourish support of its political and community leaders, of which Jesus Gandara has been masterful.

   This district and its leaders aren’t perfect, but they are unquestionably bringing positive results to SUHSD.

A graduate of Montgomery High School, a South County resident and a supporter of Sweetwater Union High School District,

Ken Hall

   A bridal shower that I hosted for my daughter has come under scrutiny recently for no other reason, I believe, than to further some people’s political agendas. It was a beautiful event to celebrate a milestone in my daughter’s, and my family’s, life. Many of those in attendance have come to know my daughter, Elizabeth, in the five years since I, and my family, were introduced at Sweetwater High when I was named Superintendent. As Elizabeth so eloquently stated at her shower, “Five years ago we arrived among strangers. Today, we are among friends.”

   People in the community may not know that the Gandara family has a strong family tree, with roots in Texas and California. My father was born in Los Angeles, but raised his children in Texas. His brothers were born in Texas, but raised their children in California. So not surprisingly, bridal shower guests included many of the California Gandaras—with family coming from all over Southern California to join in the celebration. The Sweetwater community has become part of our family, and we have become a part of this community. I have not shared this with the community before, but one of my wife’s siblings now lives in the South Bay.

   Although there were 80 people attending the shower, I appreciate that some would wonder why two of those in attendance were district vendors. Again, I consider them friends, and they received work in our district because they successfully completed the public bidding process.

   I realize that as superintendent of the largest secondary school district in California my actions will be evaluated by the community. But I am also a husband, father and grandfather. I have been very blessed with a loving wife, wonderful children and healthy grandchildren. I am proud of Elizabeth and my future son-in-law. That is why this celebration was so meaningful to me. And that was why I wanted to share them, and our family’s happiness, with our community.

Jesus Gandara, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Sweetwater Union High School District 

Estimada comunidad de La Prensa,

   Un festejo de anuncio nupcial que yo ofrecí recientemente ha llegado bajo escrutinio por ninguna otra razón, creo yo, más que para promover las agendas políticas de algunas personas. El evento fue una maravilla para celebrar una etapa muy importante en las vidas de mi hija y nuestra familia. Muchas de las personas que asistieron han llegado a conocer mi hija, Elizabeth, en los cinco años desde que yo y mi familia fuimos introducidos en la preparatoria Sweetwater High School cuando fui nombrado como Superintendente. Como Elizabeth con tanta elocuencia explicó durante la celebración, “Hace cinco años llegamos como desconocidos. Hoy, estamos entre amigos.”

   Personas en la comunidad quizás no saben que la familia Gándara es de un gran árbol genealógico, con raíces en Texas y California. Mi papá nació en Los Angeles, pero crió a sus hijos en Texas. Sus hermanos nacieron en Texas, pero criaron sus hijos en California. Sin ninguna sorpresa, los invitados del festejo incluyeron muchos de los Gándaras de California—con miembros de familia visitando de todas las regiones del sur de California para asistir a la fiesta. La comunidad de Sweetwater ha llegado ser parte de nuestra familia. No he compartido esto con la comunidad de antemano, pero un hermano(a) de mi esposa ahora vive en la comunidad de South Bay.

   Aunque habían 80 personas quienes asistieron a la fiesta, puedo entender que alguien se pregunte porqué dos de esas personas son negociantes con el distrito. Igual que los demás, los considero amigos, y ellos han tenido negocio con el distrito porque participaron, al igual que los demás negociantes, en el proceso público de pujas.

   Estoy consciente que, como Superintendente del distrito escolar de secundaria más grande de California, que mis acciones serán cuestionadas por la comunidad. Pero también soy un esposo, un padre, y un abuelo. He sido bendecido con una esposa quien me ama, hijos buenos, y nietos saludables. Estoy orgulloso de Elizabeth y de mi futuro yerno. Esa es la razón por la cual esta celebración fue tan significativa para mí. Y es la misma razón por la cual quería compartir el momento y la felicidad de mi familia con nuestra comunidad.

Jesus Gandara, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Sweetwater Union High School District

   Marzo del 2003 George W Bush inicia la invasión al pueblo de Irak, 28 de marzo del 2003, tres marins, llegan a la puerta de mi casa en Escondido para informar que Jesús Alberto Suárez del Solar había caído en combate y muerto como un héroe al recibir un balazo en la cabeza por el enemigo apenas el día anterior 27 de Marzo, lo cual resultó una mentira, ya que descubrí que mi hijo no murió de un balazo de fuego enemigo, sino por una bomba de racimo que el mismo ejercito americano había plantado el día anterior.

   Estas fechas y hechos cambiaron por completo mi vida y la de miles de seres humanos, ya hace 8 años de esto, pero parece que apenas han pasado 8 días de aquellas nefastas noticias, hoy, en Marzo del 2011 ya son mas de 4400 soldados americanos muertos en aquellas tierras de oriente, miles de familias destruidas, y miles de niños iraquíes huérfanos, sus hogares destruidos y su nación esclavizada.

   Hoy en 2011 con un presidente demócrata que prometió la paz y prosperidad tanto para USA y para el pueblo de Irak, se vive la peor crisis política y económica en los últimos tiempos en suelo americano y el pueblo de Irak no ha podido encontrar la paz ni la democracia que tanto se les prometió.

   Aquí en suelo estadounidense se vive una guerra tan cruel, mortal y real como la de Irak, una guerra en las calles de las comunidades hispanas, donde vivimos los migrantes, somos hoy acosados día tras día por la migra, la policía y por políticos ultraderechistas que crean leyes racistas con tal de verse favorecidos por los votos blancos racistas creando un ambiente de terror en las calles, en los hogares y centros de trabajo, poniendo un miedo en los rostros de los niños y jóvenes de piel morena, pero eso si, continúan cortejando a los estudiantes en sus centros escolares por medio de reclutadores militares con promesas de dinero de status migratorio y mil y un mentiras más.

   En estos 8 años he vivido muchas historias que sería muy largo relatar aquí, pero me he dado cuenta que hay amigos reales, amigos de ocasión política y enemigos encubiertos dentro del movimiento por la paz y la justicia social, ustedes se han dado cuenta que he desaparecido del lente de las cámaras, de las plumas de los periódicos, ¿por que? No por que no haya continuado en mi lucha contra el reclutamiento militar y por el fin de la guerra con el regreso de las tropas a casa, no, sino por que organizaciones y personas mal llamadas líderes me han boicoteado , pero yo continuaré en la lucha con aquellos que sí confían en mi y que creen que esta lucha no tiene perfil político ni afiliación partidista.

   En 8 años he visitado cientos o quizás miles de escuelas através del mundo tratando de convencer a los jóvenes de que la milicia y la guerra no es la respuesta para la paz ni para superarse en la sociedad, y continuaré haciéndolo en  aquellas escuelas donde sea invitado. Hemos realizado varias actividades tratando de llamar la atención de la comunidad, hicimos caminatas, ayunos, plantones, etc., y se que logramos despertar algunas conciencias entre los mas vulnerables, los jóvenes. Y eso para mi ya es un triunfo.

    Desgraciadamente hoy se viven tiempos muy difíciles en el mundo entero, hay problemas económicos severos , Japón esta en crisis de desastre nuclear muy peligrosa; Libia con una guerra civil cruenta, y así varios temas roban la atención de los medios y hacen a un lado las muertes, la destrucción del hombre por el hombre en las guerras inventadas por USA.

   Hoy a 8 años del inicio de la masacre en Irak, de la muerte de mi hijo Jesús y la de más de 4400 jóvenes americanos y la de miles de inocentes Iraquíes. Hoy se inicia otra aventura bélica de USA en Libia en nombre de la democracia y la paz, ¿coincidencia o reincidencia? por eso pido al pueblo echar una mirada a su interior y preguntarse, ¿vale la pena vivir así? ¿Vale la pena tanta sangre derramada? ¿Vale la pena hacer la vida imposible a los migrantes? ¿Vale la pena cerrar escuelas y despedir maestros para tener dinero para armas nucleares?

   Las respuestas están en nuestras acciones hoy, no mañana!!!! Digamos BASTA y actuemos en consecuencia!!!

Fernando Suarez del Solar,
Founder & Director Guerrero Azteca Peace Project

   Mark Day’s February 18 article, “The Brisenia Flores Murder: Why the U.S. Media Buried the Story,” contains a glaring factual error that needs to be corrected.

   In the article, Mr. Day states that convicted murderer Shawna Forde had served as a spokesperson for the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). That assertion is patently false. At no time did Ms. Forde ever serve as a spokesperson for FAIR. Furthermore, Ms. Forde has never had any association with FAIR. None. She was never an employee, a volunteer, an activist, or even a member of the organization.

   Ms. Forde, who has a long history of lying, misrepresented herself as a spokesperson for FAIR in an appearance on a television program in Yakima, Washington. In writing the article, Mr. Day did not call FAIR to verify that information.

   Mr. Day’s other misrepresentations about FAIR’s record, while false and repeatedly refuted, are his opinions. The issue of whether Ms. Forde ever had any association with FAIR is a matter of indisputable fact. No association of any kind ever existed.

Dan Stein
President, Federation for American Immigration Reform 

Mark Day Responds:

Who is Dan Stein and What is F.A.I.R.?

   After my piece on how the media buried the story of the murder of Raul Flores and his nine-year-old daughter Brisenia by Minuteman Shawna Forde was published (La Prensa, Feb. 18), editor Dan Muñoz received a response from Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (F.A.I.R.) (see preceding letter)

   Stein’s letter, disavowing any connection between F.A.I.R. and Forde, was also sent to the Huffington Post and other media outlets.

   It is understandable that F.A.I.R., a staunch foe of undocumented immigration, would not want to be associated with a convicted murderer who purportedly spoke on its behalf.  What is curious is how and when Forde assumed the role of a F.A.I.R. spokesperson for herself, and how long it took F.A.I.R. to disavow any connection with her.

   The incident that Stein refers to in his letter was a panel discussion that took place on Nov. 14, 2006 in Yakima, Washington and was later broadcast on KCTS-9 in Seattle, a PBS station, to a viewing public that covered most of Washington State. Clips from the program have also been widely viewed on Youtube: (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErqCmLiWQj8 )

   Though Forde represented herself as a F.A.I.R. spokesperson in Yakima in 2006, it took almost three years before F.A.I.R would distance itself from Forde when she was arrested and charged with murder on June 12, 2009.

   In the KCTS-9 program, Forde parroted F.A.I.R.’s main talking points: Illegal immigrants are law breakers who degrade our society, cost us millions of dollars, and in the wake of  9-11 they are viewed as possible terrorist suspects. Moreover, protecting our borders is a key priority for our national security.

   Forde was not originally selected to speak at the Yakima event, said Enrique Cerna, who moderated the forum for KCTS-9. “Actually, it was a pilot from Mercer Island, Washington, but he was called to work at the last minute and had to cancel.  Someone else asked Forde to fill in for him.”

   At no point, Cerna told La Prensa, did F.A.I.R. contact him or other producers at KCTS to disassociate itself form Shawna Forde as its spokesperson.

   Ira Mehlman, F.A.I.R’s national media director told La Prensa that his organization had never heard of Forde until she was arrested.  “In any case,” he added, “neither she nor anyone else would have been authorized to speak for us.  We can recommend speakers, but they don’t formally represent F.A.IR.  But we never recommended Shawna Forde.”

   F.A.I.R. also blasted the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) on its website for suggesting that a relationship existed between F.A.I.R and Shawna Forde, and called SPLC statements on the issue “vicious smear tactics and a disgraceful attempt to exploit the murder of a nine-year-old for self serving purposes.”

   In 2007, the SPLC designated F.A.I.R. as a hate group based on extensive research on the group’s alleged racism and relationships with white supremacists.

   F.A.I.R. also claimed that its record of advocacy for immigration enforcement was responsible and that F.A.I.R. “categorically repudiates all acts of violence,” stressing that immigrations “must always be treated with respect and dignity.”

   But many are asking whether or not Stein and F.A.I.R. serve the same purpose as hate-oriented radio hosts and propagandists who egg on extremist elements with talk of “invasions from Mexico.” Stein once asked during F.A.I.R.’s television program Borderline, “How can we preserve America if it becomes 50% Latin American?”

Congressman Brian Bilbray

   Locally, one of F.A.I.R.’s strongest supporters is Congressman Brian Bilbray (R-Solana Beach.), who serves on their advisory board and earned $300,000 as a F.A.I.R. lobbyist. Last year he announced that illegal immigrants can be spotted by the shoes they wear. This led a group of activists to deposit hundreds of shoes at his office.

   The activists asked for an apology for Bilbray’s statement. He refused, saying, “Just because I disagree with you doesn’t mean I’m a racist.”

   Currently, there is a growing number of hate crimes against immigrants because of this toxic environment, oftentimes inflamed by the statements and radical policies of some political figures. Recently, Virgil Peck, a Kansas state representative, told the legislature that one solution to the immigration problem would be “to shoot these immigrating feral hogs from a helicopter.”

The Minute Men

   When Shawna Forde spoke at the Yakima immigration forum in 2006, she was introduced both as a spokesperson for F.A.I.R. and as a member of the Minutemen.

   Dan Stein, writing in the Arizona Star, staunchly defended the Minuteman Project and its vigilante tactics. “President Bush and the Congress would do well to pay attention to the Minutemen’s message,” Stein wrote. “Citizens are tired of the selective enforcement of our nation’s laws.”

   Although several Minutemen groups quickly distanced themselves from Forde after she was arrested, she retained close ties to Jim Gilchrist’s Minuteman Project, based in Orange County, Calif., until her murder trial began in Tucson.

   As Scott North, a reporter with the Everett (Washington) Herald told La Prensa, “Shawna Forde never left the dance. She just changed partners.” In her career as a border vigilante, Forde represented Minuteman groups based in Washington, Arizona, and California before forming her own group, the Minutemen American Defense (MAD).

   North wrote that when she was expelled from the Washington state Minutemen, Forde joined forces with Chris Simcox and his Minutemen Civil Defense Committee in Arizona. She was later expelled from the group.

   In 2008, Jim Gilchrist of the Minuteman Project named her border coordinator for his organization, calling Forde “one tough lady.”  But after her arrest, Gilchrist removed any references to Forde in his website and staunchly rejected any accusations that he showed bad judgment in promoting and defending her to the end.

   Ultimately, it was two Minutemen that Forde met with at a Colorado truck stop that proved to be her undoing. They contacted the F.B.I when Forde invited them to participate in a home invasion robbery of a suspected drug trafficker.

   Their testimony at Forde’s trial was critical and helped jurors convict her of the Flores’ murders in Arivaca, Arizona.

Mark Day can be reached at: mday700@yahoo.com

   As a minister who has long followed the work of Planned Parenthood, I am dismayed at the latest attempt to curtail funding for the outstanding work it performs in communities across America in hundreds of clinics. Eliminating family planning programs would result in millions of women across the country losing access to such basic healthcare as cancer screenings, contraception, HIV testing and counseling, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and annual exams.

   Over the years I have been impressed that Planned Parenthood “walks the talk” by being on the frontline of promoting reproductive and sexual health. Millions of women have at one time or another depended on this organization to help them avoid unintended pregnancies and obtain quality medical care and information. When families want to have children, Planned Parenthood is there to be supportive and guide mothers-to-be along every step. 

   Clergy from all faiths have long supported a woman’s right to make key decisions about when or whether to bring a child into the world. Planned Parenthood has long championed the rights allowed by the law of the land. This is consistent with the principle at the heart of many faiths that “God alone is Lord of the conscience.” Anti-birth control elements in Congress want to severely curtail funding to Planned Parenthood as part of their assault on a woman’s freedom to make choices consistent with her conscience. It is part of a tidal wave of restrictions that seem to be occurring all over the globe by regimes that think they can make points by closing women’s clinics and sending their clients back to practices of birth control associated with the 19th century, if not the16th century.

   In the United States right now, it is estimated that half of the pregnancies that occur are unplanned. There is also the fact that forty nations have a lower risk of maternal death than the United States. How ironic that  short-sighted political interests would now put forth legislation to hamstring the work of Planned Parenthood at a moment when the most vulnerable in society, women and children, could be severely harmed. Planned Parenthood is the only medical provider that many women are able to see in the course of a year. Their doors are open regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. In their zeal to restrict abortion services, state and federal politicians don’t seem to realize (or care) that defunding Planned Parenthood would likely have the opposite effects than they desire. Unintended pregnancies would skyrocket due to lack of reproductive services available to poorer women. Their first contact with medical care, most likely delayed, would come by an increase of emergency room visits, whose costs would ultimately be laid at the door of state and federal agencies. Or, many women would simply not seek the care that insures a healthy pregnancy. 

   I hope that the American people will see the blind ideology  parading as careful policy planning for what it is: expedient opportunism by enemies of family planning to make an attack on Planned Parenthood and women’s health. They do so under the umbrella of bringing social service costs down and trying to control deficit spending. But make no mistake. This legislation to eliminate funding for the largest provider of reproductive health care in the United States is nothing less than an attack on the fundamental right of women to control their fertility. It is a right that is longed for in dozens of other countries ruled by oppressive regimes.  Let us not march backward into a time when women’s health was taken lightly.  Please join people of faith and other dedicated citizens in speaking out against the current rush of legislation attempting to move the clock back a hundred years. 

(The Rev.) Stephen J. Mather
Coronado 

Reyes running  for County Supervisor

   Hi my name is Rudy Reyes. I ran for county supervisor in 2008 and plan on running again this next election year. I understand that California; as a state, will be redistricting. My concern is with the county board of supervisors being allowed to redistrict their own areas. Realizings that each supervisor is going to be allowed to nominate one person to redraw their area. This seems to be defeating the point of eliminating our state of political lines, if the politicians are the ones really redrawing their own districts. Understanding that this isn’t the case in the other seats at larger level politics. Although at a county level it seems we are “putting the fox in charge of the chicken house” by having county supervisors redraw their own political geographic domains.

Rudy Reyes

   As National City community members with a history of community involvement and school volunteerism, we have serious concerns with the deteriorating relationship between the National School District’s School Board and its teachers. As of this afternoon, February 3rd, the teachers will strike against the National School District to get a fair contract.

   Since the School Board voted to start the school year without a contract with their teachers, the situation has only grown worse. The Board has let negotiations stalemate and is now preparing to hire temporary employees to cover classes during a strike by the teachers. Evidently, the Board is willing to let the students of National City be taught by unqualified teachers. The Board will grant “Emergency” credentials to people who cross the picket lines.

   Our biggest worry is that the students will stop learning and even regress while Instructional Aides and inexperienced replacements staff overcrowded classrooms which will amount to nothing more than babysitting. Statewide test scores and future funding may be jeopardized. All of this seems unnecessary. Some parents have expressed their fear for their students’ safety. We agree. This is a very real worry any parent would have. We think the School Board should show leadership and resolve the contract issues immediately.

   Our state’s economic downturn has affected all school districts. All teachers know that there is a need to modify workplace rules and sometimes their wages. But what is happening here is different. The School Board has demanded things not seen in any of the neighboring districts. These demands, these contract takeaways, have the look of a union-busting agenda. There has been a concerted attack on the teachers’ contract unlike in other districts in our area. We are concerned that this lack of fairness has become the culture in the District office.

   The teachers have tried to compromise on work days and on conditions. As in any business, a deal must be made so that there can be the opportunity for new success. In this case, the preparation of our students for middle and high school is the sign of success, and first and foremost this depends on students being in school as many days as possible with the teachers who know them. If the School Board has the money to keep the children in their classrooms, then they need to spend it on this priority. Non-economic issues can be taken off the table to allow the school year to go on uninterrupted. Other frivolous expenditures must be cut, but not school days. A short-term contract would also benefit everyone involved.

   We think that this School Board has relied on a staff of newly hired, inexperienced administrators and an outside lawyer who strongly dislikes fair contracts, and perhaps workers in general. These people get paid whether there is a peaceful and collegial workplace or not. They have put up a shield for the Board members who are avoiding the hard work of dealing with their teachers in a respectful and professional manner. It is not appropriate to grind an axe of anti-labor sentiment in our working class community. One thing to note is the fact that all of the School Board members have received the endorsement of the SD Democratic Party and labor in past elections. Rosie Alvarado, in particular, deserves special scrutiny because her husband works for US Congressman Bob Filner and their purport to be good Democrats in our community. Board member Liz Vasquez was recently elected with the Democrat’s and Labor’s endorsements and with financial help from Juan Vargas. All of the NC school board members are rejecting the Democratic Party’s values when they carry out contract negotiations as they have.

   It is time for the National School District School Board to be engaged with the negotiations and resolve these issues with a spirit of cooperation. It is not a case of winning or losing or looking better after an argument. The time for complacency by the Board is over. The organization and community should be spared anymore pain.

   Many people have a teacher they will never forget. The teachers of National City have been asked to do their jobs under difficult conditions and have always more than surpassed expectations, truly serving the community as all good educators do. Residents and parents should contact the School Board members and ask, “What are you doing to ensure our students will have their teachers in the classroom everyday?” The time has come to settle this contract dispute fairly for everyone involved.

Brian Clapper and Ted Godshalk