Public records search by ECM finds 1,805 accidents, including 20 fatalities and 673 injuries from 2018 to the present

By Miriam Raftery

October 12, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – On Sept. 27, the La Mesa City Council voted 4-1 to ask staff to prepare a request for proposals to erect electronic billboards along Interstate 8 and potentially, other areas in the city.  The action reversed a July 25 vote, when Council rejected a similar proposal by a 3-2 vote. But after the measure was amended to assure revenues from billboards would be used primarily to fund police, firefighting and the arts, the Council majority opted to ignore concerns over public safety and approve soliciting proposals for the flashing advertising along the city's busiest freeway.

Supporters argued that the billboards would produce revenues needed by the city.

But Councilman Jack Shu, who cast the lone vote against the proposal, and other opponents argued that these flashing billboards could distract drivers, particularly near the busy interchange of I-8 and State Route 125 near Grossmont Center regional shopping mall.

How dangerous is that area already?  Council and staff failed to do their research.

To find out, East County Magazine (ECM) obtained public records from the California Highway Patrol.  Our editor requested data on accidents along I-8 east and west throughout the city of  La Mesa from  Lake Murray Blvd. on the west to  Chase Ave. in El Cajon,  since one billboard site would be near the La  Mesa/El Cajon boundary.  We also asked for data on accidents on onramps connecting I-8 and SR 125.

The data reveals that from  Jan. 1, 2018 to Oct. 10, 2023, there were 1,805 accidents in those locations.  Those accidents resulted in 20 fatalities and 673 injuries.

View South Africa video

View Zulu Nyala video

September 7, 2023  (La Mesa) –Tickets are now on sale for our “Taste of Africa” event!  The festivities will be Sunday, October 8 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center in the Arbor Room (4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa, CA 91941).

Join us for a fun-filled evening including tastes of African cuisine from local African restaurants and caterers, African dancers and drummers, DJ and dancing, speakers including wildlife conservation leader Coe Lewis of NSEFU and Assembly member Akilah Weber, Africa videos Community Champion awards, raffle, live and silent auction.

The grand prizes are six-night photo safari packages for two at Zulu Nyala - a fabulous private wildlife preserve in South Africa! Other live auction prizes include a larimar bracelet, wine basket, hand-crafted ukelele with African theme, camping gear, and more.

Our raffle and silent auction is huge with many gift certificates and gift baskets from local restaurants, stores, wineries and other vendors, as well as hand-crafted African items and more.

Suggested attire:  African themed (animal print fabric, traditional African, safari wear, or tropical)

Get tickets now! We are nearly sold out.  Questions? Call 619-698-7617

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Carol Kim, general manager,  San Diego Building and Constructionj Trades, thanks La Mesa for adopting a PLA

September 28, 2023 (La Mesa)—By a unanimous bipartisan 5-0 vote, the La Mesa Cit Council last night voted to become the first city in San Diego County to adopt a Project Labor Agreement with the San Diego Building and Construction Trades Council and associated craft unions. The PLA would apply to public construction  projects in  La Mesa with a construction value of at least $1 million.

Councilmember Colin Parent proposed approval of the PLA agreement drafted by staff after negotiations with the unions. “We’re making sure we’ll be delivering projects on time and on budget, so taxpayers get the kind of infrastructure they deserve,” said Parent, who also thanked staff and workers who showed up to testify for “standing up for your families, for each other and for working people.”

By Miriam Raftery

September 23, 2023 (La  Mesa) –On Sept. 25, the La Mesa City Council will consider a staff recommendation to adopt a draft Project Labor Agreement with the San Diego Building and Construction Trades Council and associated craft unions. The PLA would apply to public projects in  La Mesa with a construction value of at least $1 million.

PLAs are pre-hire collective bargaining agreements negotiated between construction unions and construction contractors that establish terms and conditions of employment for construction projects.

According to the U.S.Dept. of Labor’s PLA Resource Guide, PLAs are an effective tool to ensure timely completion of projects at or under budget,  provide employers with a reliable source of highly skilled workers,increase diversity and support equitable workforce development, and improve worker health and safety on the job.

Opponents of project labor agreements have argued that PLAs may increase cost by mandating union wages and restricting competition, are unfair to nonunion contractors and nonunion workers, and hinder use of employer training programs that are not union apprenticeships.

September 14, 2023 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you its 14th annual  Salute to Local Heroes dinner on Thursday,  October 5 at  Sycuan Casino Resort.

“This evening is our opportunity to come together and honor those that are dedicated to the citizens of La Mesa and our community,” says La Mesa Chamber President Mary England. “The pandemic has given us a great opportunity to see our local heroes in action. We are celebrating those that serve our community in extraordinary ways from: the La Mesa Police Department, Heartland Fire & Rescue – La Mesa, AMR Paramedics, and the Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol. During this evening we will also install our Board of Directors.”

The event will be held from 5:30 to 8:45 p.m. in Sycuan Casino Resort’s Heritage Ballroom at5485 Casino Way,  El Cajon 92019.

East County News Service

September 11, 2023 (La Mesa) -- Food connoisseurs and Italian cuisine aficionados are in for a treat! Aromi Italian Cuisine, the city's newest Italian dining sensation, is proud to introduce its authentic Italian Rigatoni Carbonara crafted by none other than Andrea Carbonaro. Drawing inspiration from family recipes and the heart of Italy, he brings a taste of his heritage to every plate.

By Miriam Raftery

September 2, 2023 (La Mesa) — From  Sept. 29 through Oct. 1, La Mesa Oktoberfest will be celebrating 50 years of Bavarian festivities in an effort to top its traditions for the past half-century.

By Kathy Carpenter 

September 1, 2023 (La Mesa) - "Silence is rest for the mind," says Masha - a thought that rings true when pondered upon. With any kind of sound, your mind engages in interpretation. Lamplighters Community Theatre in La Mesa is currently staging the uplifting comedy, "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike." For years, I resisted watching this play due to its seemingly unappealing title. I stand corrected. This production turned out to be uproariously funny and while San Diego hosts numerous humorous shows, not many prompt genuine, laugh-out-loud reactions. "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike" is an exception.

August 20, 2023 (San Diego's East County) --The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning now through 5 p.m. for El Cajon, La Mesa, Poway, Ramona, Alpine, Tierrasanta, Escondido, Santee, Lakeside and San Diego Country Estates. This is due to heavy rainfall capable of producing life-threatening flash floods.

By Jacob Pamus

Image: Rendering of a proposed e-billboard in La Mesa

August 8, 2023 (La Mesa) – On July 25, the La Mesa City Council rejected a recommendation of an ad hoc committee known as the “Digital Billboard Ad-hoc Subcommittee.” Councilwoman Patricia Dillard and Councilman Jack Shu are in this subcommittee; its purpose was to issue a request for proposals with billboard companies to build digital billboards in La Mesa.

But ultimately, Shu and Dillard shifted their stances to oppose electronic billboards.

Source: La Mesa Village Association

July 24, 2023 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Village Association (LMVA) announces that September marks the 30th Anniversary of the La Mesa Village Farmers Market (LMVFM) in downtown La Mesa, and we are inviting the community to help us celebrate. 

To celebrate 30 years, the La Mesa Village Farmers Market will host weekly giveaways starting on September 1, 2023. Weekly prizes include: $50 in LMVFM “Market Bucks” to be given away on the LMVFM Instagram page (@officiallamesafarmersmarket); 30th Anniversary canvas shopping bags will be given out by different vendors each week; free 30th Anniversary stickers available at the LMVFM information booth; and a surprise vendor-filled 30th Anniversary shopping bag to be given away on the LMVFM Instagram page. 

By Don Woods, La Mesa

Image: Rendering of a proposed digital billboard created by Clear Channel, via City of La Mesa documents

July 22, 2023 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa City Council will discuss a digital billboards proposal this Tuesday evening.

At a prior meeting, the City Council appointed Council members Pat Dillard and Jack Shu to form an “ad hoc” committee to consider a proposal by Clear Channel Outdoor Advertising company to erect a huge new, two-sided digital billboard along the north side of the I-8 freeway as it runs past the Grossmont Center shopping center. The committee has met and has now made a recommendation, which the Council will take up at its 6 p.m. meeting on Tuesday.

Item 14.2 on the Council’s Tuesday agenda says “The Digital Billboard Negotiating Ad-hoc Subcommittee recommends the Council direct staff to develop and circulate, within 30 days, a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the placement and installation of digital billboards in the City, to include: (1) a statement of facts identifying the process to authorize digital billboards; and (2) a listing of questions and concerns (for response) raised by the Digital Billboard Negotiating Ad-hoc Subcommittee”.

So instead of just discussing the proposal with Clear Channel, the ad hoc committee now wants to open up a bidding competition to see who is willing to pay the most to be allowed to erect a digital billboard. In effect, they are interested in selling the safety of La Mesa residents to the highest bidder!  

The committee’s recommendation shows a surprising lack of due diligence. It also seems to ignore a number of facts, and tries to put the cart before several horses.

East County News Service

July 17, 2023 (La  Mesa) – Spacebar Café and Wine Bistro in La Mesa hosts a comedy night on the fourth Friday each month from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

By Ken Stone,Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  La Mesa Councilman Jack Shu wore an orange shirt emblematic of the gun-safety movement. Image via Facebook

July 12, 2023 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa City Council on Tuesday night advanced a draft ordinance requiring residents to keep firearms locked away or disabled with a trigger lock unless carried by — or near — an authorized user in the home.

By Chris Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  a pilot of crashed Cessna (in blue) emerges from scene. Photo by Chris Stone

July 9, 2023 (La Mesa) - A pilot and co-pilot of a Cessna A185F suffered moderate injuries Sunday after their plane crashed into a ravine between a church and a residential area in La Mesa.