Bullies’ behavior must be addressed

Re: Mean Girls (story in your Aug. 26 issue). I can relate to the issue of bullying in elementary school. My three daughters attended Solana Santa Fe and I am one of the co-founders of the SSF sixth grade Jubilee musical production. In 1998 my oldest daughter was in 6th grade and was being bullied by a group of boys. I was at a loss as to how to help her when an opportunity fell into my lap and I was invited to create the Jubilee. I jumped at the project for reasons that were entirely personal. Working with the sixth graders would allow me to observe what was going on and, if necessary, to subtly provide protection for my daughter. I continued the project for 12 more years, the last three of which I simultaneously earned a master’s degree in social work. The Jubilee is a wonderful team building experience for sixth graders and incidents of bullying were extremely rare. But I can say with absolute sincerity that when they did occur they were addressed immediately and with zero tolerance. The problem is that for some of the children, sixth grade came too late.
Julie Norby and her staff make great efforts to cultivate a culture of kindness and respect among the students. “Caught you Being Good” tickets, class meetings, the Value of the Month and the Friday morning assemblies all help to promote positive behavior. When my middle daughter went to a private school in 8th grade she was appalled at the mean and cliquish behavior she observed. She wrote a letter to the principal and cited her experience at SSF as something that her new school should strive for.
With all of that being said what I learned as a mother, social worker and Jubilee director is that as long as interventions are primarily focused on helping the victim cope rather than addressing the bully’s behavior, nothing will change. Schools need to use the approach utilized by law enforcement with domestic violence offenders. This may sound dramatic but the analogy works. In both cases the victims have a relationship with their perpetrators and are often powerless to escape them. They are often reluctant to report offenses for fear of worse retaliation. With DV the crime is punished without the victim’s involvement. Every report of bullying should be investigated and action should be taken on a case by case basis against the bullying child. Group interventions do not work with individual cases of bullying. Individual interventions might include taking testimony from witnesses, bringing the parents in to address the bully’s behavior, punishment, suspension, community service or, in some cases, recommendations for counseling. Bullying behavior can be a symptom of emotional problems. It is dysfunctional and as long as schools do not address it directly, assertively and individually, they will be impotent in solving the problem.
This is not an indictment of Solana Santa Fe or Julie Norby. Thankfully, real bullying is more the exception than the rule. And teachers are not police officers. But until they can figure out a way to wear both hats where bullying is concerned, the problem is likely to continue.
Shelle Wisdom

LIVESTRONG is an
invaluable organization

I was diagnosed with cancer in 2006 at age 31. All three times I've fought the disease, LIVESTRONG, the foundation created by Lance Armstrong, was there to provide a shoulder of support and incredible services. LIVESTRONG offers survivors and their families a community, a chance to contribute meaningfully to the fight against cancer and a means to support others facing the disease. It provides things no other organization does. I believe in the LIVESTRONG mission, and the bedrock of empowerment, education and change it is bringing to the world. We mustn’t let Lance’s personal battles interfere with the mission. To me, LIVESTRONG is more than an amazing organization that helps cancer warriors like me; LIVESTRONG is a mantra and now a major part in how I live my life.
Julie Westcott

Evidence shows early school start times detrimental to teens

Regarding earlier school start times approved for this fall (Aug. 19 issue), the review of teen sleep patterns research was excellent. Early morning times have long been an issue in the San Dieguito School District, particularly at Torrey Pines High School as noted by board member Barbara Groth. She stated "...Years ago, when we wanted to push Torrey back an hour to 8:15 a.m., we had a room full of students saying you can't do this to us."
The truth is that "room full" numbered only 15 kids. Historically, many thousands of students at Torrey Pines suffered for 20 years with the unhealthy 7:15 a.m. start time, until they and their parents demanded change.
Parents realized we had something in common...our adolescents struggled with continual fatigue due to starting their school day so early. We joined together and spent two years talking with administrators and surveying the school community. We learned about research that confirmed what we already knew. Doctors (also parents) spoke, strongly urging the board to take heed of the science. Five-hundred parents signed a petition. The vote was unanimous for the compromise from our desired time of 8:15 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.
The reason so few community members resisted earlier times this fall is clear: in recent years students' natural sleep patterns have been accommodated with later morning arrivals. Now, a growing body of evidence shows that earlier start times contribute to increased depression, increased drug use, lower grade point averages, and higher teen car crash rates. The new start time of 7:40 a.m. at Torrey Pines and La Costa Canyon High Schools is too early and ignores the research. Athletics and transportation are factors to consider, but we must not allow schedules to creep back to the point that students will again start their school day asleep at their desks.
Jean Quinn

Reason for Cielo Farmers’
Market failure lies elsewhere

Reading Matt Liebowitz’ article “Fresh Start for Cielo Farmers’ Market” raised some red flags and more than a few hackles for me.
The allegation that Cielo’s first market failed “by mismanagement” is preposterous. The person recruited by Jeff Meints and Jen Acitelli to organize the market has been managing our hugely successful farmers’ market in Escondido for years. The level of attention to quality and detail, and the integrity with which every element of the Escondido market is conducted is certain indication that reason for the failure of the first Cielo market lies elsewhere.
The other question is why a reporter would waste words dwelling on a past failure when presented with a brief opportunity to publicize a positive new addition to the community.
Something is spoiled at Cielo Village and it’s not the fruits or vegetables. We’ll be eagerly watching to see how fruitful their new market is.
Thora Guthrie
Escondido

A Voice for Teens

Five tips for incoming high school freshmen

By Ben Gotfredson

As the summer slowly dwindles away and school draws near, the last thing any high school student is thinking of is your first day back in the confines of a school. With the exception of one group of students: the incoming freshman. Entering their new school is a thought that preoccupies incoming freshman for the entirety of August, if not longer. Entering high school is a necessary evil that every teenager must go through in order to enjoy the perks of high school. As I approach my senior year, I realize how clueless I was at that age. If only there was someone who could have given me some clues, just pointed me in the right direction when it came to what to expect in high school. This is where I can be of some assistance. I’ve made a short list of five things that I wish someone told me when I was entering high school, and I hope this list helps give the incoming freshman an idea of what to expect while entering the new environment that is high school.
1. Upperclassmen are a lot more intimidating in a group then they are individually.
If you have a question or need to talk to an older classmate, try to pull them aside from their friends before you ask it.
2. Never get a zero on a homework assignment. It will kill your overall grade in that class and it’s usually the difference between an “A” or a “B.”
3. Don’t put your homework off till Sunday night. Waiting till Sunday night will pretty much guarantee that your assignment is done poorly. And spreading an assignment out over the weekend takes a lot of the stress out of the equation.
4. Befriend your teachers. You’ll never win in an argument against a teacher, so arguing is just ensuring that your name will be on the detention list. Also talking back to your teacher has a strange ability to lower your test grades, seeing how it’s that same teacher who you called out in front of the entire classroom who is grading your tests.
5. Check out your teachers syllabus and see what that particular teacher puts an emphasis on.
If your teacher makes short essays worth 40 percent of your grade, then it’s not only common sense to turn in all your short essays, but also to make sure they’re all quality.
Ben Gotfredson will be a senior at Cathedral Catholic High School in the fall. He will be writing a column from a teen’s perspective for this newspaper throughout the year.

One View: The 18-million-member legislature

By Gordon Clanton

North Coastal Columnist
The word democracy comes from a Greek word meaning “rule of the people” or “power to the people.” Pure democracy would be impractical. If everyone must vote on every question, important decisions could not be made. In practice, therefore, democratic governments are representative democracies. Voters elect representatives to a legislature empowered to make political decisions on behalf of the people.
Except, of course, in California. We Californians govern ourselves directly via ballot measures. Frustrated by perceived failures of elected representatives, California voters constitute a slumbering but volatile legislature of about 18 million members. Making law by the ballot box is a crude process, easily manipulated by corporate interests and likely to produce unintended consequences — and endless lawsuits.
Come November, voters will be asked to settle some big issues.
Prop. 18 would authorize the state to sell bonds to pay for new reservoirs. Polls show that only one-quarter of voters are aware of the proposition, with more supporting than opposing it. Prop. 18 is opposed by the Planning and Conservation League and other environmental groups. They argue that the measure encourages dam building but lacks a meaningful conservation element.
Prop. 19 would legalize marijuana for personal use by persons 21 and older and allow the state to tax its sale. Polls indicate a close race. Republicans oppose the measure by 2-1. Democrats support it by 15 percentage points. Nonpartisans are split. Apart from possible income from taxing pot, the state would benefit from reduced costs for law enforcement, courts, and prisons.
Prop. 23, sponsored by Big Oil, would undo California’s 2006 landmark law (AB 32) to control greenhouse gas emissions linked to global warming until unemployment falls below 5.5 percent for a year. This has happened only twice in 11 years — and is unlikely to happen any time soon. Polls show voters aware of the measure opposing it by 10 points.
Prop. 25 would allow a simple majority vote of the legislature to pass the state budget, while retaining the requirement of a two-thirds vote to raise taxes. The measure also would suspend the pay of lawmakers, if they fail to pass a budget by the deadline. This measure is badly needed to relieve the gridlock in Sacramento. The two-thirds rule allows the Republican minority to block budgets that have majority support in the legislature and among the people of California. Almost two-thirds of voters support Prop 25.
Gordon Clanton teaches Sociology at San Diego State University. He welcomes comments at gclanton@mail.sdsu.edu.

The kids are alright?

I read with interest two articles in the July 8, 2010 issue of the [Rancho Santa Fe Review]; one on CCA students (“Possession of alcohol bars seven Canyon Crest students from graduation ceremony”), and the other on the status of cheating in our schools ("Schools Tackle Growing Practice of Cheating With Mixed Success"). The two articles have something in common, and the quote Ms. Sutton used to begin the second story illustrates it quite clearly. The fact is, we as parents, along with our schools, send mixed messages when it comes to teaching our children to respect the difference between right and wrong.
The student, whose name and quote appeared in the TPHS 2002-2003 yearbook, stated that he never cheated off stupid people because he wanted to go to UCLA. Will anyone actually be surprised when this young man and others like him end up in business and government jobs where the effects of cheating don't just hurt classmates or a school, but hurt us as a society?
It isn't just the schools that are letting our children down when they don't (or can't, for threat of lawsuit) enforce meaningful consequences for cheating and other serious infractions. The fault lies with our community, for not insisting on it. Even worse, when our own children are personally involved, often times we embrace our perception of extenuating circumstances and bring in whatever big guns are needed to make sure our kids bear as little responsibility or consequence as possible. It's no wonder students end up confused and losing respect for how serious these issues really are.
School is the bridge between the shelter of childhood and the moral responsibility of adulthood, and it provides a golden opportunity for our children to learn there is a big difference between the two. Rather than impeding and discouraging our schools from following through with consequences, we would be doing our children and society a much greater service by allowing and encouraging schools to teach our children there are repercussions and accountability at every turn. The lessons are at times painful, but the absence of the lessons leads to far worse.
Kim Perl, M.D.

Prescription drug abuse a serious problem

By Pam Slater-Price

Chairwoman, San Diego County Board of Supervisors
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, more than one in five teenagers admits to abusing prescription drugs, such as Ritalin, Xanax or OxyContin.
The national trend supports what officials with the Oxy Task Force of San Diego County see locally as a rising prescription drug epidemic among young adults.
To reduce that supply, Sheriff Bill Gore and I partnered in putting forward a countywide ordinance to install 22 prescription drug drop-off boxes, unanimously approved by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors on June 22.
These boxes will provide a safe, “no questions asked” option for residents to get rid of these addictive and potentially fatal drugs. The Sheriff’s Department expects to have the receptacles installed by the fall.
The need for these drop boxes is great. At our most recent prescription drug Take Back Day, San Diego County Sheriff’s officials collected more than 2,500 pounds of drugs from residents countywide for destruction — more than a metric ton of drugs from homes.
But now comes the hard part. With such a plentiful drug supply, we must seriously address a twofold problem: access and education.
“Some people may falsely believe that prescription drugs are safer than illegal drugs,” said Howell Wechler, Ed.D., M.P.H., director of the CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health.
Overcoming this belief is one problem we are dealing with locally.
In San Diego County, prescription drug-related deaths shot up 67 percent from 2005 to 2009 in San Diego County, according to data from the San Diego medical examiner’s office. In fact, the data shows that prescription drugs were involved in roughly 40 percent of the top 10 drug-related overdose cases.
This swift increase resulted in the formation of the Oxy Task Force, originally formed in 2008 to address the abuse of OxyContin, a prescription painkiller containing a potent dose of the synthetic opiate oxycodone. When abused, the euphoria-inducing drug mimics a heroinlike rush and highly addictive qualities.
We hope to get ahead of the problem. Without limited staffing, the task force has and will continue to make educational presentations to schools, PTAs, community councils and more.
These drop boxes should help reduce the easy access to drugs in the home. Together with the community, we are working to educate the public on the dangers of prescription drug abuse.
To learn more about drug prevention and treatment resources in San Diego County, call the toll-free hotline (877) 662-6384. Visit the Oxy Task Force’s Facebook page by searching for “Oxy Task Force.”
Pam Slater-Price represents San Diego County’s 3rd District and is a member of the Oxy Task Force of San Diego County. Follow her @PamSlaterPrice.

Thank you for article on heroin use in high schools

Thank you for writing your article titled “Heroin use on the rise in local high schools” in the last issue. You got the story right...this is exactly what we see in our substance use treatment program.
As as a local resident for the past 25 years, and parent of a 19-year-old who has seen her friends die, get into treatment or continue to use drugs, I would like for all families to know the truth about alcohol and drugs. I am a therapist and co-owner of an alcohol and drug treatment program in Sorrento Valley and for the past several years, treating teens over 18 and adults. I applaud you for bringing more attention to this growing problem.
We see the patterns of use exactly as you describe and as these kids get into their 20s it is so much more difficult for them to get off and stay off of the drugs, let along have the esteem and peer network to begin a road of recovery. Their families need help to save these kids.
We decided in 2010 to develop a teen curriculum based on the latest evidence-based approach to help the younger teens in our community, and we have recently opened two types of adolescent programs. One program, is a six-session Early Intervention Program (ages 12-17) for substance users who are not yet addicted and their parents. The other, an Intensive Outpatient Program (ages 13-17) , is eight weeks, and is for teens who have been assessed to meet criteria for substance dependence. Both programs include family education.
Thank you again for the work you put into this article. These young beautiful children are worth every effort.
Judy A. Saalinger, PhD., MFT, CAS
Executive Director
LASTING RECOVERY
CARF Accredited Programs
6046 Cornerstone Court W. #113
San Diego, CA 92121
858-453-4315
www.lastingrecovery.com

San Diego Junior Theatre presents “Disney’s My Son Pinocchio: Geppetto’s Musical Tale”

The San Diego Junior Theatre will present “Disney’s My Son Pinocchio: Geppetto’s Musical Tale” as its kick-off to Summer in Balboa Park.
The show opens at the Casa del Prado Theatre in the park on July 2, and runs through July 18. Performances are at 7 p.m. on Fridays, and at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. There will be an ASL-interpreted performance on July 17. The storyline explores the relationship between the aging toymaker and his puppet Pinocchio as the latter learns to be a real boy and the former finds out what it’s like to be a true father.
With music by Grammy Award winner Stephen Schwartz, audiences will hear a score of new songs in addition to the animated film classics “When You Wish Upon a Star” and “I’ve Got No Strings.” The show is directed by Teri Ang, a San Diego Junior Theatre alumna.
This production is recommended for all ages. Tickets are $8-$14 at (619) 239-8355 or Juniortheatre.com
San Diego Junior Theatre has embarked on its 62nd season with nine productions at their sites in Balboa Park and La Jolla. A private, non-profit organization, Junior Theatre is dedicated to providing ages 4–18, an opportunity to experience theatre arts through innovative classes, camps, performances and outreach programs.

Slater-Price’s ‘Ticketgate’ scandal = Need for a gift ban

By Steve Danon

Local investigative reporters have done an excellent job in exposing how San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Pam Slater-Price has funneled millions of taxpayer dollars from the Neighborhood Reinvestment fund to the San Diego Opera, Old Globe and other arts groups in return of thousands of dollars worth of free gifts and tickets. Their coverage has created transparency on her motives and attention to her problem.
While Slater-Price has steered public funds to those art organizations, she has voted to eliminate the Critical Hours Program which provides after-school activities that keep children off the street and out of trouble. In addition, she has voted to cut positions in the sheriff’s, district attorney and probation departments. With one in nine San Diego County residents out of work, it is increasingly clear to reset county spending priorities.
These gifts have attracted the interest of the news media and the public because it appears that Slater-Price has sought and received personal benefit, and the recognition of a private philanthropist, through the expenditure of these public funds. Her failure to disclose these gifts only compounded the problem, leading many to conclude that she tried to hide these exchanges in violation of law and to prevent public scrutiny and accountability. That is why the State of California’s Fair Political Practice Commission is conducting a full scale investigation on gifts she has received going back to 2006.
This scandal is not just one of hubris, but of self-aggrandizement. Slater-Price should ask organizations which have provided her with personal recognition for contributions of public tax funds to correct their records and public displays to recognize “San Diego County Taxpayers” as the true benefactors of their organizations. This is a serious breach of law and public trust that must be addressed.
To restore public confidence and transparency, Chairwoman Pam Slater-Price should show some leadership and call for gift ban from any organization that receives public funds from the County’s Neighborhood Reinvestment Program. The perception that she has been distributing public funds for the purpose of receiving gifts and personal recognition damages public trust in County government. In a spirit of good faith, Pam Slater-Price should not personally benefit from allocating taxpayers dollars and should call for a permanent gift ban and should not further accept any gifts of value.
Steve Danon is a former member of the board of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association and is a candidate for the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, District 3 in 2012.

Solar systems should be mandated where possible

In February, my wife and I placed our home of 12 years on the market, a functional 5 .5-acre horse property. In 2006, we had taken advantage of a state-backed rebate program, purchased a $150,000 solar system and received a $45,000 rebate. The system was installed on the barn roof with a southeast exposure and went online in November 2006. At first it reduced the monthly energy bill drastically, then two years ago SDGE initiated their "net metering" program which pays solar system owners more for peak hour production and we haven't paid an electric bill since, in fact, we run a credit. The credit has been as high as $1,100 and is currently $550. SDGE will start paying us next year, 2011, for our excess production which goes out into the grid.
Although permitted with the state, county and SDGE ,and inspected at every stage, the unit had not been permitted by the Art Jury. I paid the fees and filed for their permit. They inspected the installation in March 2010 and issued a letter demanding that I either block it with trees or remove it by May 6. This is in direct violation of state law AB 2473, which is very specific about promoting and encouraging the use of solar systems statewide. They [the ARt Jury] have since issued a permit and now want to conduct a landscape inspection and I'm fine with that having planted a row of poplar trees where they wanted them. However, any solar engineer will tell you that even minor shading of a solar array decreases the efficiency of the entire unit and is not advised.
We continue to be at odds with the Art Jury over this issue though we are optimistic. After all, one cannot help but be familiar with the massive oil spill in the gulf and the cry for clean energy. I feel strongly that instead of prohibiting these installations that they should be mandated where possible and that they, like computers, will become more efficient, less obtrusive, less expensive, and perhaps even in colors. For now, however, 96 solar panels on a barn roof look just like 96 solar panels on a barn roof. Looks good to me and I like getting the energy statement each month which says "Do not pay, this is a credit."
Tim Saltonstall

Health care changes, part II

By Deana Carter and Robert Hertka, M.D.

As mentioned in our last editorial regarding the Health Care Changes, all (legal) Americans will be taxed — individuals who purchase government health insurance, individuals who do not purchase government health insurance, and small and large businesses. This week’s column will focus on the changes and taxes to companies, industries and the economy due to the new health law.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates the cost of health care expansions to be $940 billion over 10 years (2010-2019). However, this figure excludes: $41.6 billion in mandatory education spending in the reconciliation bill, more than $70 billion in discretionary spending included in the Senate bill, $93.9 billion in related mandatory health spending in the Senate bill, $50.3 billion in mandatory health spending in the reconciliation bill, bringing the total cost in the bill’s first 10 years to $1.2 trillion.
Costs to the economy are expected to double the $1.2 trillion estimate since the major provisions of the law will not take effect until January 1, 2014, meaning the bill uses 10 years of revenue to pay for six years of coverage. The Senate Budget Committee estimates that the total spending over 10 years of full implementation (2014 -2023) will exceed $2.4 trillion.
More than 130 prominent economists signed a letter to the White House stating that the health care bill will raise taxes by almost $500 billion over 10 years, in order to offset payments to finance the government health insurance. A significant portion of these taxes will be falling on small business owners. Additionally, this will limit new investment and job creation for California. The same economists also said that the law will increase the cost of health coverage because of the new taxes and its damaging effects on the economy.
Prescription for higher taxes for businesses:
•All business owners must comply or be taxed: The bill requires business owners to provide government health insurance or else pay steep fines. The mandates are expected to raise $28 billion from taxes over ten years.
•Insurance Industry executives’ salaries will be capped at $500,000, raising $600 million from new taxes.
•Pharmaceutical Industry: The bill will increase the annual fee within the budget window to $4.2 billion in 2018, and increases the taxes to $2.8 billion annually for drug makers.
•Medical Device Manufacturers: The bill will change the annual fee with a set dollar amount to an excise tax on medical device sales at 2.9 percent of the price of the device, delayed until 2013. This results in an annual fee on medical device makers rising to $3 billion.
•Increased Fees on Health Insurers: The bill will delay the effective date on the net premiums for the insurance company tax from 2010 to 2014, and increase the annual tax on insurance companies to $14.3 billion in 2018, increasing thereafter annually based on premium growth.
Changes for the economy:
•Tens of billions in unfunded mandates in the form of a massive Medicaid expansion will compel all states — except Nebraska — to dedicate more scarce taxpayer resources to fund government-run health coverage in their states — or alternatively to drop Medicaid entirely.
•Federal funding of insurance policies that cover elective abortion - and an unprecedented federally managed plan that will cover elective abortion procedures have been approved.
•Decrease in high-cost plans excise tax: This bill delays the effective date of the high-cost plans tax from 2013 to 2018, raises the thresholds for what qualifies as a high-cost plan to $10,200 for singles and $27,500 for families. The bill would include a carve-out for multi-employer plans that generally cover unionized firms.
•New Medicare HI tax on investment income: The bill will impose a 3.8 percent tax on investment income for singles earning over $200,000 and families earning over $250,000. The bill will exempt active income from certain business ownership stakes and expenses and distributions from retirement plans. These thresholds are not indexed for inflation, so an ever increasing number of Americans will become subject to these investment and wage taxes over time.
•Flexible Spending Accounts: The bill will delay the effective date of the $2,500 cap on flexible spending accounts from 2011 to 2013.
•California — which is already facing a $20.7 billion deficit — will be required to add millions of new enrollees to Medicaid and will cost the State another $2 to $3 billion. This will lead to program cuts and tax increases at the State level.
The rising costs of health care will affect your financial decision-making and portfolio, whether you are an individual or business owner.

Voting is always a privilege

By Nick Dieterich, RSF resident

Voting is always a privilege — only, however, if you have thoroughly researched the candidates and propositions can you make an informed decision. Otherwise, don’t vote.
Mailers, paid for by the candidates, often convey that they are the “official” recommendation of a political party. Polls are all over the place depending on how the questions are asked, the size of the polling sample, and who is being asked. Is one party or interest group weighted more heavily than another, thus skewing outcomes?
From my extensive and documented research I suggest the following information as a lifelong supporter of candidates and causes that promote liberty and the Constitution: The race for U.S. Senate is an extremely important one.
Carly Fiorina: Supported Stimulus bill as McCain’s financial advisor (see http://bit.ly/3wmucd) (Boxer agreed);
•Supported the Wall Street & TARP bailouts (see http://bit.ly/1G8qR0, http://bit.ly/igQJM) (Boxer agreed);
•Called Sen. John Kerry’s Cap & Tax bill “praiseworthy” (Boxer agreed);
•Supported Sonia Sotomayor for Supreme Court (11/23/2009- Boxer agreed);
• Criticized Arizona immigration law (before giving luke warm support- Boxer agreed);
• Wants to tax the Internet, both incoming & outgoing saying it “needs regulating the wild, wild web” (7/7/2000- Boxer now touting this idea too);
WE’D HARDLY MISS BABS; CARRY ON CARLY.
•Voted six times in adult life. Too busy (circumventing US law &) selling HP technology to Iran?;
•Praised Muslims’ philosophy & history (on 9/26/2001);
•Is a Foundation board member of the World Economic Forum along with George Soros, Van Jones and Andy Stern of SEIU/ACORN. Birds of a feather??
http://investing.businessweek.com/businessweek/research/stocks/private/board.asp?privcapId=10961503
• Is for a majority of “elected representatives” to be women; “27%” is not enough. Quotas? Race? Gender? Age? Net Worth? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPI-z5G1YCA&feature=player_embedded
• Is endorsed by Olympia Snow, Susan Collins, and other establishment people.
• Fiorina is a “Governor Arnold”/McCain Republican in name only. Don’t be fooled.
Tom Campbell supported Prop 1A which would have extended for two years (and into infinity?) the Largest Tax Increase in U.S. history. It lost 2-1 in nearly every county. (Stay in touch with the folks, Tom.) He also favored increasing the gas tax by 32 cents a gallon. Mr. Campbell who holds a doctorate in economics said, “What really benefits me is my focus on economics; It’s the economy stupid.” Chuck DeVore thinks it’s the excessive spending and taxing.
Chuck DeVore has no such deviations from conservative orthodoxy. He is endorsed by Tom McClintock, Mark Levin, iCaucus & Tea party groups, Sen. Jim DeMint and his Senate Conservative Org., and 60% of California elected Assembly and Senators.
Composite Polling as of May 26:
Fiorina 39.3% - Boxer 45.5%
DeVore 38.5% - Boxer 46.3%
Campbell 39.5% - Boxer 46.3%
(http://polltracker.talkingpointsmemo.com/contests/geo/CA)
Remember that up to 36 percent of those voting in the Republican primary are still undecided. (http://www.ppic.org/content/pubs/survey/S_510MBS.pdf)
California League of Conservation Voters have given DeVore out of 100 a rating of five. The Sierra Club of California out of 100 has given him a zero. Based on a point system with points assigned for [being] a supporter of or in opposition to Planned Parenthood affiliates of California's position, Planned Parenthood gave him a zero.
Earlier this year Glenn Beck met with Chuck DeVore and asked, “Can you go in to Washington and not lose your soul?” DeVore: “Well, you follow the Constitution -- it's really not a very big book... [with its] Preamble, [and] the Declaration of Independence as the mission statement of government. [T]hat government exists to ensure [our] inalienable rights [and our ability to] pursue them. Not to try to give them to us with money borrowed from China.”
With respect to Israel, look no further than to Chuck DeVore. As he has outlined in a recent position paper, DeVore will continue his strong support for the nation of Israel; through his backing of a MOU between the U.S. and Israel. (The MOU, in effect through at least 2017, is a $30 million military aid package using U.S. defense contractors and technologies.)
Please give every consideration to Chuck DeVore for this election. The stakes in this primary could not be higher. We, the people, are making strides at evoking a restoration of our nation. DeVore believes, as do I, that “it’s vitally important to America’s future that we get Barbara Boxer out of the Senate... but just as important is replacing her with a true conservative who will faithfully hold strong to the Founding Father’s vision of a limited government.” Please vote informed and your convictions. Remember, PRIMARIES do matter!

RSF Library support needed

I have just finished reading the April 1 issue of the Rancho Santa Fe Review and I raise a big toast to all the ladies in our community. Never have I seen so many beautiful women in once place having their pictures taken doing so many good things for their communities.
And, hey, I know beautiful women when I see them and we have a bunch of them right here in River City, er, Rancho Santa Fe. I should know — I was happily married to a beautiful gal for 52 years and I think I should qualify as a connoisseur.
So, here's a cool toast to all you ladies who create this beautiful atmosphere for the men in our town. May your beauty never end!
Dale Nelson

Bilbray’s Chief of Staff seems uninformed on The Jubilee Act

In reading John Horn's article concerning the rally held outside the Solana Beach office of Congressman Brian Bilbray, which was sponsored by Jubilee San Diego (RSF Review, April 8) it is clear Bilbray's Chief of Staff, Steve Danon, does not know the history of The Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation (HR4405).
The Jubilee Act passed the House of Representatives in 2008 with an overwhelming majority bi-partisan vote and also passed the Senate Foreign Relations committee. Although it was scheduled for a "Unanimous Consent" vote in the Senate it was not brought to the floor for a full vote due to the presidential elections, which was also the fate of many other bills. The Bill was re-introduced on December 17, 2008, again with strong bi-partisan support. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), the Bill's lead sponsor was joined by Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), and Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL). There are currently 30 co-sponsors of HR4405, Democrats and Republicans.
The Jubilee Act cancels debt of impoverished countries, prohibits harmful policies on debt cancellation, mandates transparency and responsibility in lending from governments and financial institutions, and calls for a U.S. audit of debts resulting from illegitimate lending. Here are some facts about debt cancellation:
More than one billion people are living on less than a dollar a day, but are forced to pay $100 million per day to wealthy countries for debt service. Their citizens go without health care, education, adequate housing, access to clean water, and other vital needs.
Debt cancellation allows countries to access their own resources for poverty eradication and nation building.
Many nations have re-paid their debts: From 1970 - 2002, Africa received $540 billion dollars in loans and paid back $550 billion in principal and interest and yet Africa remains today with a debt of $295 billion due to skyrocketed compound interest.
Poverty is a major security concern (former Secretary of State, Colin Powell said that poverty was a top National Security concern).
Anti-Corruption/Transparency/Accountability — The Jubilee Act ensures debt relief dollars are put towards measurable poverty alleviation.
The Jubilee Act encourages greater transparency and oversight of the IMF and The World Bank from donor countries and those countries receiving loans.
The resources of the poor nations paying western financial institutions debt interest often double whatever aid is given to poor countries, which in part supports the USA economy.
For every $1 in aid provided to the world's poorest nations, those same nations pay back to western financial institutions $2.30 in interest only on their debts.
Working in partnership with foreign governments and by effective lobbying of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), The World Bank and the United States Congress, JUBILEE USA NETWORK, a nonprofit agency, has been responsible for debt elimination in 28 countries.
The cry of the former President of Tanzania, Julias Nyerere, "Must we starve our children to pay our debts?" is not heard in Solana Beach, but is heard in the impoverished countries around the world. Mr. Danon infers that debt relief for these countries will have a negative impact on our citizens, this is not true. Furthermore, the support of the 68 Republicans who voted for the Jubilee Act in 2008 attests to the fact that the costs to the United States government for debt cancellation is minimal.
The above information could have been discussed with Mr. Bilbray but he has refused to meet with representatives of Jubilee San Diego at any time during the past four years. However, passage of the Jubilee Act is expected to happen in the House within the coming weeks.
It is time for Congressman Bilbray to recognize that he is an elected member of the House of Representatives and has an obligation to meet with his constituents to discuss their concerns and to be accurately informed as to pending legislation. (Ref. www.jubileeusa.org)
Margaret Gooding
Public Relations / Media Chair
Jubilee San Diego

Important to plan ahead for a child’s summer

By Dr. Keith Kanner

Planning ahead for a successful summer is important for the mental health of the child and parent alike. Many parents wait until the very last minute to schedule activities for their child, creating problems with scheduling and camps filling up quickly. Another common pitfall is either allowing the child free reign about their summer activities or, on the other hand, the parent micromanaging the activities of their child’s summer.
Parents need to both ask themselves what they believe is in the best interest of their child over the summer, as well as consulting with their child to determine their understood needs as well. Ideally, summertime should be a balance between scheduled activities and play for the child. Time should be scheduled for activities such as camps, academic remediation if necessary, and plenty of time for rest and play with friends. Summer is also a time to try new skills that often cannot be attempted during the school year because of too many time constraints (i.e. taking up a musical instrument). Finally, summer is also an important time for families to spend time together on vacation or merely enjoying each other’s company.
Referencing activities, the attentive parent should be the one to introduce the concept of a balanced summer to their child and then discuss options with them allowing the child some choice in the type of scheduled activities they will participate within. (i.e. the type of camp they may attend; a type of sport to learn). Children and adolescents are not capable of doing this alone. Once determined, it is important to find programs which are organized, have a low staff to camper ratio, have good reputations, and are importantly, fun.
Balancing fun camps and activities with some academic or artistic activity helps keeps the child’s mind in learning shape and often makes the transition back to school in the fall an easier transition. Research shows that a scheduled and balanced summer also leads to higher self-esteem, greater productivity, less anxiety and opposition, and more harmony around the house. Parents following these recommendations are less anxious as well.
Key Points:
1. Parents: Introduce the concept of a balanced summer
2. Plan out activities in advance and put on a schedule
3. Give some choice in picking the type of activities to do
4. Find programs with good reputations and low staff/camper ratios
5. Plan academic remediation if necessary
6. Don’t forget about family time
Dr. Kanner is a certified and licensed clinical child, adolescent and adult psychoanalyst with a private practice in Rancho Santa Fe. In addition, he is the host of San Diego 6 Television’s award- winning show Your Family Matters, which airs weekly as part of the morning news and also on the San Diego Living Show. Recently, he has joined EXTRA Hollywood as a host of “Life Changers” where he is among the “Top 25 American Doctors” giving advice to a national audience. His focus is on child, adolescent and parenting mental health. Dr. Kanner’s column and show can also now be found on San Diego News Network: www.sdnn.com.

Moving on

As most of you already know, in December 2009 we merged the CMC papers – the Rancho Santa Fe Review, Carmel Valley News and Del Mar Village Voice - into MainStreet Media, owners of the La Jolla Light, Del Mar Times and Solana Beach Sun.
At the time of the merger I sold my interests in our three papers to the new company and decided I would stay in my role as publisher through 2010. After three months of blending the culture of two companies into the new company (MainStreet Communications) it became very obvious to me that I saw the world differently than my new partners. I decided I would step down as publisher earlier than originally planned.
As a 25-year Rancho Santa Fe resident when I bought these papers in 2004 I truly believed the Rancho Santa Fe Review was a community treasure – it still is! My parting wish is that the new owners treat the Review and the Carmel Valley paper with the same level of editorial honesty and support that these two papers have had during our ownership going forward.
I’ll be keeping an office at the Fairbanks Village Plaza (suite 3-13) and will remain on the new company’s board of directors for the balance of the year.
I wish you all a prosperous and successful 2010!
Dex Allen

Time for a refresher on personal safety

With the sad story about the disappearance of the Poway teenager in the news over the past week, we (this newspaper group) thought it would be a good time for a refresher on safety and security matters. And it’s not just about our children. Everyday, we potentially put ourselves in situations where harm could come, whether it’s crossing the street, jogging at the beach or on local trails, or getting out of the car at the mall.
While we live in a community relatively free of crime, it’s good to occasionally review the world around us and to remind family members and coworkers about safety tips.
The list of tips that the San Diego Sheriff’s Department shows on the Community Outreach section of its Web site at http://tinyurl.com/yatq3tr is enough to make you want to lock your door and never go out again. But, taken as basic information, it’s a good refresher.
It may seem obvious to know where your children are or to never leave your child alone in a vehicle or store. But what about having updated information files on your children or being aware of people they don’t want to be with and why?
Then there’s the whole world of the Internet and social networking — and for all of us, the threat of identity theft.
Remind your children and teens that if they’re somewhere that they feel they are in danger from a stranger or even feel like they are in danger from something they’ve done (like drinking too much or thoughts of suicide) that they should call 9-1-1.
One tip that may not be on the list for is to let the family know that our fire stations may be another safety zone. While there may not always someone there if they’re out on a call, just the fact that it is a public place may act as a deterrent to a criminal.
Also, not to raise alarms unnecessarily, but it is important to remember that the state Department of Justice is required by law to post information about the whereabouts of registered sex offenders. (It’s not a surefire list and the Web site makes it clear that “not all sex offenders have been caught or convicted” — and it doesn’t include information on all convicted sex offenders.)
A quick review shows there are none registered at Rancho Santa Fe addresses. To find out details, go to www.meganslaw.ca.gov.
Sometimes a little information can go a long way toward avoiding an unwanted predicament.

Considering term limits for county supervisors

By Gordon Clanton

In June, voters will be asked to consider term limits for county supervisors.
I am generally opposed to term limits. They rob the public of expertise that comes with experience. They devalue public service, encouraging a cynical view of politics. They greatly expand the influence of corporate lobbyists. Term limits are unnecessary: If elected officials do a bad job, voters can replace them.
Legislative term limits, approved by California voters in 1990, encourage job-hopping among the politically ambitious. They create anxiety among members of Congress that termed-out state legislators will come after their jobs. Term limits are a major source of the costly dysfunction in Sacramento.
But I may make an exception to my opposition to term limits, because races against incumbent supervisors are nearly impossible to win.
Financing a challenger's campaign is difficult, because most donors (other than developers and builders) simply do not care.
The enormous size of the districts, roughly the same as a congressional district, means a successful challenger must do lots of very expensive mail and TV advertising to create name identification. Incumbents almost always have much more money than challengers — in part because of big contributions from developers and other special interests.
Most San Diego County voters live in one of 18 incorporated cities, so they don't think much about county government. If you ask average voters what stake they have in county services, you'll be lucky if they come up with animal control and senior vaccinations. Try running a campaign on that platform!
The best argument for term limits for supervisors is the entrenched incumbent board. All five are white in an increasingly diverse county. All five are Republicans, although the city and now the county of San Diego have Democratic pluralities.
Predictions? Two incumbent supervisors will be re-elected, and term limits will be approved.
Ron Roberts (District 4, downtown San Diego, 16 years on the board) faced two potential challengers, Assemblywoman Lori Saldana and San Diego school board member Sheila Jackson, but both dropped out. Roberts had more than $100,000 cash on hand compared with $17,000 for Saldana. Do the math.
Bill Horn (District 5, North County, 16 years in office) has raised almost $100,000. His strongest challenger, Vista Councilman Steve Gronke, has about $2,000 on hand. Horn, long considered developer-friendly, supports the proposed Merriam Mountains development.
Even if the initiative passes, all the incumbents will be eligible for two more four-year terms. So they are more likely to be taken out by age, illness, boredom or affluence than by this ballot measure.
Gordon Clanton teaches sociology at San Diego State University. He welcomes comments at gclanton@mail.sdsu.edu.

Those afraid to speak out send wrong message to children

Re: The story titled “Investigation continues into scene of underage drinking at RSF party house...”
I’m saddened, angry and ashamed that my neighbors don’t have the courage to step forward and teach their children the same, and by their example, to take responsibility for any part they played in this disaster. We are all in danger, and our children. But “for the grace of G..d” we would all be there and we know it.
Heidi Farkash

I-5 construction project:
Oppose ‘grotesque’ expansion of freeways

Many people are confused by projects Caltrans has completed along the I-5 corridor in San Diego and what remains. Caltrans has already completed three major projects: the widening to 23 lanes in "The Merge," the Route 56 flyover to southbound I-5, the “auxiliary” lanes between Lomas Santa Fe and Via de la Valle and the Lomas Santa Fe bridge reconstruction. Still on the agenda is the 20 mile I-5 widening project ("The Big Enchilada") from Del Mar Heights Road north to Van de Griff and the flyover from southbound I-5 to eastbound Route 56 and from westbound 56 to northbound I-.5
The Environmental Impact Report for the 20 mile widening project (first proposed in 2001) will soon be released, no sooner than March 26. This project is estimated to cost over $1 billion and take 20 years to complete. It was authorized by SANDAG using funds from the TransNet sales tax. It is said to meet future growth needs in the North County (vastly overstated by SANDAG at the time) and to "prevent gridlock." It would take the present 250,000 vehicles per day and increase that load by about 50 percent. Caltrans has not released the design, but I believe they would like to expand to 16 lanes from Del Mar Heights all the way through Solana Beach into southern Encinitas, followed by 14 lanes into Carlsbad and 12 lanes from Carlsbad to Camp Pendleton, where they expect to add 2 HOV lanes across the Marine base in the near future.
It is hard to know where to begin the objections that many of us have to both of these proposed projects, but let me try: 1) You can not escape gridlock by "pouring my concrete": just look at Los Angeles. 2) Residents living near the present freeway are assaulted by noise and air pollution that I believe violates present California and U.S. EPA limits. 3) Jack Hegenauer and the Clean and Green team of Solana Beach have made the assessment that 60 percent of the Greenhouse Gases generated in our city come from traffic on I-5, which CalTrans wants to expand by 50 percent, in violation of state law AB232. 4) Twenty years of construction in the North County will result in 20 years of gridlock: is this all for the sake of our descendants? 5) Kevin Costner had it right "If you build it, they will come!" Every freeway expansion in world history has lead to increases of traffic, leaving things no better off.
Please join with me, with members of P.L.A.G.U.E. and all clear thinking citizens in opposing this grotesque expansion of our freeways. It is time to get smarter about transportation and not rely on thinking from the 1950s.
Steve Goetsch