The Santee Magazine - V06.2 - Fall 2017

SANTEE

Gene Chubb

Paving a Legacy

Santee’s Seniors: Our Honored Citizens

Fall Events with the Santee Chamber

Staff Notepad... $$$$ $$$$ $

Kristen Dare and Chamber Staff

Every great business must be in constant motion. I love the hustle and bustle we experience in our own office while we prepare for large events throughout the year.

I especially love hearing from Santee Chamber members on their business progresses; from their expanding customer base, added services to their extended store hours, they all make endless changes to keep up with their demands. It signifies change, and in most cases, growth.

As our Chamber grows in membership, it allows me to look back at those who have helped set us up for said success. These individuals were business owners, entrepreneurs, elected officials, corporate managers, philanthropists, and volunteers among many things, but mainly they were leaders. These leaders were all willing to donate their time and talent to the betterment of our local economy to help our community flourish. The leaders of yesterday play a vital role in Santee as we know it today. From what I’ve seen, we have a lot to be thankful for.

Our staff may have decades of Santee residency among us, but we still have so much to learn as we mostly are categorized as “young adults”. I recently learned of the transportation agency in Portland, Oregon and how they refer to their senior population as “Honored Citizens”. This is a more accurate adjective for the Chamber and how we view these individuals as well. We honor those who have paved the way in our local area of commerce, and much more. This issue is a small nod in their direction, as we have geared much of the content for what we hope pertains to their lifestyle.

Thanks to all of Santee’s Honored Citizens for all you have contributed to our town, and all you have yet to give.

8 Black Ties in East County

12 Santee Over The Line is Back

29 High School Standouts

7 Senior Money Savings Guide

9 Caring Neighbors

11 Coming to Santee Lakes

15 Gene Chubb

From the Office of the Mayor

John Minto Mayor City of Santee

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of founding father, Roy Woodward on July 9th. Roy was a key figure in Santee’s incorporation drive and was elected twice to the city council, first in 1980 and again in 1986. Rest easy Roy, we will carry on your dream for Santee.

It has been a busy seven months since taking office. We dealt with the record rains of January and February, which led to minor flooding and storm drain, (corrugated metal pipe) failure. We acted and most of the repairs have been completed.

We completed a three-day strategic planning session where short- and long-term goals were set. We then held two public budget hearings that matched the strategic goals. The one-year budget was approved and I am happy to report the budget is balanced.

Vice Mayor Ronn Hall, City Manager Marlene Best, Economic Development Director Pam White and I attended a convention of the International Council of Shopping Centers in May. We had more than a dozen meetings with developers and operators from the hotel and theater industry.

Theater operators had until July 25th to submit proposals. Council members Rob McNelis and Brian Jones will join staff to review the applications and make recommendations to the council to adopt an operator. My goal is to have a plan brought before the city council prior to the end of the year. Let’s cross our fingers. I look forward to reporting the news in the next issue of the magazine.

The summer was jumping with a variety of wonderful events… to name a few, the Summer Concert Series, the Santee Salutes Fourth of July celebration and just around the corner is the ever popular, Santee Bluegrass Festival. Check the city website for details.

As always, have a great Santee day.

Lisa Bridges

Mike Clinkenbeard

Kristen Dare

Michael Edwards

Marcia GinnTofflemire

Rick Griffin

John Hossick

Lydia Howie

Laura Koval

John Minto

Mark Muir

Marc Paksima

Sandy Pugliese

Terry Rodgers

Susanne Stephens

Publisher Santee Chamber of Commerce

Santee CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

10315 Mission Gorge Road • Santee, CA 92071 619.449.6572 SanteeChamber.com

2017 Officers

Mike Clinkenbeard, Chairman of the Board Farmers Insurance – 619.442.0415

Darlene Fenn, Chairman-Elect

C.O.H.R Consulting – 858.518.3702

Tim Staump,1st Vice Chair-Elect

Staump Productions – 619.888.7445

Kyle Whissel, 2nd Vice Chair-Elect Whissel Realty – 858.699.3895

Joe Mackey, Treasurer XL Security – 619.247.4918

Bobbie Jo Lewis, Secretary Walmart – 619.449.7900

Robert Lloyd, Interim CEO Lloyd’s Collision – 619.448.8768

2017 Directors

Travis Alegria Sharp Business Systems – 619.258.1400

Pat Chambers Toastmasters – 619.561.2839

Kristine Costa Waste Management – 619.596.5100

Virginia Hall

Keller Williams Realty – 619.258.8585

Chris Jarrell U.S. Bank - 619.401.3303

Robert Jensen San Diego Christian College - 619.201.8700

Erick Lundy Lundy Insurance – 858.408.1404

Dan O’Brien O’Brien Insurance – 619.449.9075

Marc Paksima

Re/Max Hometown Realtors - 619.992.6397

Jim Peasley

Padre Dam Municipal Water District – 619.448.3111

Sandy Pugliese

Sharp Grossmont Hospital – 619.740.4406

Barbara Ryan

Santee School District – 619.258.2304

Warren Savage U.S. Naval Sea Cadets – 619.258.1478

Office Staff

Kristen Dare Liz Shank General Manager Membership Director

Lydia Howie Roberta Daniel Intern Office Assistant

Chairman’s Message

Mike Clinkenbeard 2017 Chairman of the Board Santee Chamber of Commerce

It seems hard to believe that we’re already in August. 2017 is flying by. Please remember YOUR Santee Chamber is here to serve you. Check out our website for the calendar of events. We have many business networking opportunities, educational sessions, and of course, our terrific community wide events.

The Chamber is coming off of our very successful ‘Santee Street Fair’ on Memorial Day weekend. Tim Staump and his team did a great job planning and organizing our signature community event. Thank you Tim! Next up is our Black Tie Gala coming in September. It’s unique for East County and will be an evening of good music, good food, and great friends. I’m also pleased to announce that the Chamber will be bringing OTL back to East County. It will be a family friendly event for beginners as well as experienced players and will be held at Town Center Park East on Sunday October 22nd. More details on both events can be found later on in this magazine, or on the Chamber website.

Living and owning a business in Santee gives me a deep appreciation for the people, places, and businesses of our great community. It’s a special place to raise a family or to work. This is a city of which we can all be proud. I know it’s not perfect, but I also know our city officials and community leaders are all working diligently to make and keep it the great place it is. I believe the Santee Chamber has a part in achieving that goal.

Please remember the Chamber is here to help businesses grow and prosper but in addition we also want to help our overall community continue to be the wonderful place it is.

Call the Chamber office if we can help you in any way. SHOP and save!

Expanding Programs for Santee Seniors

Santee’s population is getting older, a trend that is expected to continue over the next 30 years.

The graying of Santee is one of the key findings of the city’s recreation master plan update, a 2016 study and analysis aimed at helping the city customize its recreation programs to meet residents’ current and future needs.

Population projections by the San Diego Association of Governments show that, by the year 2050, Santee residents from ages 60 to 69 will increase 57.1 percent. Residents from ages 70 to 79 will rise by 124 percent and those 80 and older will grow by 206.1 percent.

In response, the city this summer expanded the number of days and activities of its Santee Seniors 55-plus Program. The city is organizing more “Out and About” excursions for seniors, including a Nov. 16 trip to Old Town San Diego and a tour of the Mission Valley River Trail on October 19. The city also partners with the county library and local businesses to spice up programming with movies, lectures and tours.

“Our core group of seniors really loves to go outside and explore greater San Diego and the things it has to offer,” said James Northum, a recreation coordinator who has overseen the city’s program for 2 ½ years. “We always welcome new seniors to the group to come and enjoy the fellowship and the activities we offer.”

The goal is to foster friendships, networking opportunities and lifelong learning experiences. Hence, the city’s marketing slogan is “Get Involved. Stay Connected. Be Active.”

One of the challenges is crafting activities that are interesting and physically accessible to those from 55 to 85, a 30-year age range.

“We’re always searching for a balance of activities that are appropriate for seniors who are active as well as those with mobility issues,” said Northum.

The city’s solution is simple: mix it up. Seniors are enticed to try their luck at bingo, view a movie or attend a cooking demonstration. They’re also offered adventurous outings such as hiking a local nature trail or day tripping on the Green Line trolley to downtown San Diego.

Once a month, the group meets for a potluck breakfast at the Santee Teen Center at Santee Lakes. There’s also an annual trip by charter bus to a popular Southern California attraction such the Welk Resort Theater or the Huntington Library.

The city offers low-income seniors discounted fees for these trips, which are subsidized by funds raised by the Santee Parks and Recreation Committee.

“I like it because we’re in the company of people our own age and we can discuss problems or ideas with people who understand, “said Zena Pillow, a retired nurse who participates and volunteers for the city’s program.

The city’s demographic trend has caught the attention of Santee Mayor John Minto, who has proposed building a multi-use community center that would include recreation space for teens and seniors.

“With the prospect of a senior center in our future, it makes sense to expand and fine-tune our programming,” Northum said.

Information about Santee Seniors 55-plus is available online at Santeerec.com or by calling James Northum at (619) 258-4100 ext. 120 TSM

– Terry Rodgers, Santee Community Services

– Photos courtesy of Terry Rodgers, City of Santee

$eniors $aving Money

Businesses offering Discounts to Santee’s Honored Citizens*

No points charged on a reverse mortgage.

10% off, not including combos or specials. Carlton Oaks Country Club

Chick-Fil-A

Free small drink with purchase. Chili’s (60+) 10%

Cuyamaca Animal Hospital.............................(65+) No charge to join reward program, members get 5% back.

Denny’s

Discounted Senior Menu. Einstein Bagels

10% Express Tire

10% above cost (Discount also varies on the type of work). Fire House Subs

10% Go Car Wash

5%

Goodwill (55+) 10%

Great Clips ..............................................................(65+) $14 dollar hair cuts.

Grocery Outlet (55+) $3 off $30 or more before tax, excluding alcohol or dairy products.

HD Barber Shop

Hook’d Bait and Tackle

IHOP

$2 off a hair cut.

10% off the bill. Does not apply to the Senior Menu.

Jack in the Box (55+) 50 cents off any drink.

Jerry’s Heating & Air Conditioning INC (65+) 10%

Jimmy’s Family Restaurant (55+) Discounted Senior Menu.

KFC ..............................................................................(55+) Free small drink with purchase.

Kohl’s .........................................................................(60+) 15% off on Wednesdays, and 10% off all other days of the week.

Lloyd’s Collision & Paint Center (55+) Discount varies on the work.

Mary’s Donuts (55+) 10%

McDonald’s (65+) Free small coffee or drink with purchase.

Micheal’s (55+) 10%

Moose’s Barber Shop (65+) $2 off a hair cut.

MTS (60+) Discounted passes up to half off.

Rain Water Systems (65+) 10%

Ranch House Restaurant ...............................(55+) 10%

Rodeway Inn (60+) 5%

Roger Daniel’s Alignment & Brake (55+) Does anything to help out the Senior community.

Ross (55+) 10% off on Tuesdays.

Royal Auto Center (65+) 10%

Russell’s Plumbing (60+) 10% off labor, up to $50.

Salvation Army (65+) 15%, not on top of other store sales.

Santee Lakes (60+) Discounted Annual Parking Pass and Daily Fishing Permit.

Skechers ..................................................................(55+) 10%

Smog N Tags .........................................................(50+) Discount varies on the work.

Sport Clips (65+) $18 dollar cuts. $23 with a wash.

Sprouts (65+) 10% off certain Sprouts vitamins.

State Farm (55+) 5% with a Mature Driving Certificate.

Statik Electric Inc. (65+) 10% off labor.

Subway (60+) 10%

Sunset Roofing Company (55+) Discount varies on the work.

Supercuts (65+) $15 dollar hair cuts. $19 with a wash.

Taco Bell ..................................................................(65+) 10%

The Cupcake Store INC (55+) 10%

The Omelette Factory (55+) Discounted Senior Menu.

Walgreens (55+) 20% off on first Tuesday of the month, excluding prescriptions.

Wendy’s (55+) 10%

* All discounts are subject to change.

BLACK TIE GALA

Caring Neighbors

Helping Seniors and those with Disabilities to be Independent

Caring Neighbors works to keep low-income seniors and adults with disabilities living independently in their own homes.

As people age or have a disability it’s difficult to keep up their home….the home they love, close to the neighbors they know and trust, and the neighborhood they are familiar with.

That’s where Caring Neighbors, a program of Lutheran Social Services of Southern California can help. We’ve been in Santee since 2009 performing minor home repairs such as fixing leaky faucets, installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, repairing creaky porches and stairs... just to name a few.

We also reach beyond that to yard clean up, light house work, organizing... just about ANYTHING to help our residents to remain independent and stay in their homes. Not only are we making repairs, we are engaging the seniors in socialization and giving them resources for other services that could be helpful in staying independent.

All this is at no cost to our recipients!

How? All labor is provided by our volunteers and most materials are donated or sold at reduced cost by our generous local partners. We are also supported through grants and monetary donations.

Do you need help with repairs?

Just meet these qualifications:

• senior (60 years) or adult with disabilities

• City of Santee homeowner

• Low-income according to HUD guidelines

Suzanne Stephens is the Caring Neighbors program coordinator. She can be reached at our office on Fridays, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Carlton Hills Lutheran Church, 9735 Halberns Boulevard, Santee 92071

Or, leave a message at 619.448.1888 any day, as messages are forwarded regularly.

We are proud to be of service in the Santee Community for the last 8 years!

Our Demand for Services is Great!

We are in desperate need for volunteers!

Are you or your group looking for volunteer opportunities in your community?

Do you want to be a part of making our community better?

Do you want to help others stay independent in their homes?

Caring Neighbors has worked with many schools, churches, businesses, service organizations, and youth groups, giving them the opportunity to engage with others who need a helping hand.

If you would like us to make a presentation to your group, please give us a call at 619.448.1888.

TSM

PAPA’s Back in the House

A Dynamic Vision for Santee Lakes

Using Recycled Water for State-of-the Art Recreation: Past, Present, and Future

Although we may tend to think of Earth in terms of the land we live on, Earth is a watery place. About 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water and only 0.3 percent of our fresh water is accessible.

In 1959, the most pressing issue in Santee, California was wastewater disposal. Our city was faced with two alternatives: sign a 40-year contract and pipe the wastewater 20 miles to a treatment plant or recycle the water through a treatment process. The Padre Dam Municipal Water District (formerly the Santee County Water District and Rio San Diego Municipal Water District) chose the latter option and became pioneers in water recycling. As a result, seven beautiful lakes were created as part of the process and in 1961, Santee Lakes Recreation Area opened to the public. Today, the stateof-the-art Ray Stoyer Water Recycling Facility upstream of Santee Lakes feeds the seven lakes with 1 million gallons of recycled water per day and creates another 1 million gallons per day for irrigating local parks, schools and landscapes through 32 miles of irrigation pipelines.

Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve is an award-winning, 190-acre park destination offering camping, fishing in year-round stocked lakes, boating, recreation and a beautiful environment perfect for bird watching and picnics. As one of San Diego County’s most successful parks, its incorporated, sustainable use of recycled water has put the Santee Lakes in a position to envision an ever growing and evolving park at a time when many Southern California parks suffer from a diminished water supply. By covering all its operation costs through park user fees, the park is also financially self-sustainable; very rare for a park system! It continues to serve as a model of conservation, sustainability, and tax-free recreation for over 750,000

the creation of a Dynamic Vision Plan to help pave an increasingly more successful path forward and showcase what a sustainable park of the future could be in Southern California and the United States. The Dynamic Vision Plan for Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve is the first significant step in strategically planning the Park’s future. Creating this 20-year vision will serve as an idealized picture of the possibilities for our park and campground. At the same time, this vision will allow for flexibility in the market as well as changes in tourism, public interest, funding, trends, and technology. The Dynamic Vision Plan will serve to engage the community and stakeholders, empower and motivate employees, and ensure Santee Lakes remains a premier destination.

To enhance this already successful park, Preserve staff assembled a team of consulting firms including a project manager, architect, landscape architect, civil engineer, and video production company to assist in creating the Dynamic Vision Plan. The plan is composed of conceptual building and site plans and 3D modeling to visually communicate design concepts. By envisioning the possibilities of the park space as they relate to future expansion, the team worked to redesign sections of the park for added amenities, improved park vehicular and pedestrian circulation, increased site functionality and added additional parking. Amenity and event spaces were critical to sustainable growth as they in turn would generate the revenue to financially support future projects and increasing operational needs. Through careful site analysis and programmatic development, the design team conceptually designed and modeled portions of the park to include:

• Remodeled park entrance

• West side landscape, pedestrian safety and parking improvements

• Playground shade structures

• Upgraded campground WI-FI

• Landmark water tower

• General store, coffee bar and grill area renovations

• Large dining deck with lake view

In 2015, Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve sought

• Administration and Events Center remodel – continued on page 34

Why Scammers Target Seniors

Scams Targeting Seniors

• The Grandparent Scam

• Sweepstakes and Lottery Scams

• Telemarketing Scams

• Fraudulent Anti-Aging Products

• Counterfeit Prescription Drugs

• Investment Schemes

• Door-to-Door Solicitations

• Internet Fraud

• Homeowner/Reverse Mortgage Scam

• Work at Home Scam

* Identity Theft

• Legal Documents Scam

• Home Repair Contractor Fraud

• Funeral and Cemetery Scams

Ways to Protect Yourself

Be aware that you’re at risk to strangers and those closest to you.

• Do not isolate yourself - stay involved.

• Always tell solicitors: “I never buy from or give to anyone who calls or visits me unannounced. Send me something in writing.”

• Always have a second line of defense at your front door, like a locked screen door or a security chain guard.

• Change your online password quarterly.

• Shred all receipts that contain your credit card number.

• Sign up for the “Do Not Call” list at 1-888-382-1222 and the “Opt Out Mailing” list at 1-888-567-8688.

• Use direct deposit for benefit checks.

• Obtain a credit check on yourself at least 2-3 times a year.

• Screen your caller ID for ‘private’ or ‘unknown’ callers.

• Never give your credit card, banking, Social Security, Medicare, or other personal information over the phone unless you initiated the call.

• Be skeptical of all unsolicited offers.

• Use a credit card instead of a debit card. Credit cards offer more protection in terms of compensation for fraudulent purchases.

• Change your passwords online if a computer has been infected with a virus.

• If you are having difficulty keeping track of your finances, hire a reputable fiduciary or professional to handle various aspects of your affairs. A public guardian may be appointed conservator by the Probate Court when no other alternatives are available.

• Charity Scams

• ‘Free Lunch’ Seminars and other Freebies

• Healthcare/Medicare/Health Insurance Fraud

• Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or Other Government Agency Scams

For information on victim assistance, call 619-531-4041 or www.sdcda.org/helping/elder-abuse

– Information courtesy of County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency

with Marc Paksima

I was given the honor of interviewing Mike Finch at RCP Block & Brick, the son of one of its founders Marvin Finch. Marvin was known for was how well he treated others… well, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree! His son Mike proved to keep Marvin’s legacy living on, and the RCP staff could easily testify to the same. Let’s learn a little more about Mike and his role at the iconic Santee business.

Q: Who inspires you in your life and why?

Mike: Marvin Finch. Just how he treated people. I would say Pope Francis... how he values human life.

Marvin came back from Germany after being in the service and met 2 other guys. Started RCP and went from there. Humble beginnings are the best.

Q: Where do you see the company a year from now?

Mike: Continuing to develop the staff so they can treat our customers well. Develop the young workers. We have a Chairman’s Club that consists of workers at RCP that have been there for 25+ years. A lot of the members went to Santana High School.

Q: RCP currently has 6 locations.

Santee, Chula Vista, Encinitas, Escondido, Lemon Grove and Murrieta How many more would you guys like to have in the future?

Mike: We’re happy with where we’re at. We’re always looking to make neighborhoods better.

Q: With RCP being a family-owned business, are there any funny stories that other family-owned businesses can relate to?

Mike: Life repeats itself. You can see yourself in the next generation. Sometimes we have to let someone else besides their parent be their coach (regarding the young workers).

Q: What is RCP’s philosophy towards its clients?

Mike: It’s always been customer first. It’s kind of like the chicken and the egg. What came first? The chicken or the egg? So the customer obviously. The need came first for the product and that’s how dad got into it.

Q: What does RCP stand for?

Mike: Revolutionized Concrete Product. Or Really Cool People.

My time with Mike at RCP was valuable. I left encouraged that there are still husbands, fathers and sons who know what the true meaning of business really is. It’s family. I learned a lot from Mike. He’s full of anecdotes and wise sayings. Thanks, Mike.

Till next time!

– Marc Paksima, RE/MAX

Building a Legacy Block by Block, Brick by Brick

You don’t have to search very far in San Diego County to find an iconic structure built with mate-rials manufactured by RCP Block & Brick.

Petco Park, the Padres’ ballpark, as well as Santana High School Stadium and Edgemoor Hospital in Santee are just a few.

“We supply the San Diego County market,” said Gene Chubb, a longtime Santee resident who cofounded the building materials firm with Marvin Finch in 1966. Today, the firm has more than 200 employees and annual gross revenues of approximately $50 million.

Chubb has a solid reputation, not only for his company’s concrete products but also for his stature in the Santee community. No job was too big or too small. The company even built dugouts for the local Little League and donated its massive trucks for newspaper drives and parades.

Moving from La Mesa in 1981, Chubb built his home on Inverness Road, where he still resides. He remembers purchasing his lot near the Carlton Oaks Golf Course from the late Roy Woodward, one of the leaders of Santee’s cityhood crusade that resulted in the city’s incorporation in 1980.

Although Woodward urged him to run for City Council, Chubb felt more comfortable joining the Chamber of Commerce. He would serve as president of the business organization in 1987 and 1991.

Reminiscing over his early years in business, he reckons that persistence, passion and luck played equal roles in the company’s success. “You want the business to succeed and it drives you,” he said. “In the early days, we weren’t smart enough to know we were broke. We just kept plugging and plugging. And we made a fine business out of it.”

When Chubb and Finch moved their fledgling manufacturing operation to Santee in 1956, they didn’t have a clue the property they were leasing next to the San Diego River contained a motherlode of premium

sand. They discovered their good fortune after sending a sample to be tested. “We self-taught ourselves the ins and outs of manufacturing,” he said. “We stumbled into luck.”

For 60 years RCP mined the sand along the river near their plant off Magnolia Avenue until it was depleted. “There’s very little of this top-quality sand left in the county,” he noted.

The Santee plant produced its last block in January 2016, and the site was cleared and graded to make way for a residential development. The company anticipated the transition and moved its manufacturing in 2004 to a 20-acre site in Otay Mesa. The firm’s corporate headquarters remains in Lemon Grove.

When he isn’t tending to his beloved blocks and bricks, Chubb donates his talents to the Santee Lakeside Rotary Club and serves on the Board of the East County Boys and Girls Club. He’s also a board director for the CaliforniaNevada Masonry Assn., a trade industry group.

He was named Santee Chamber of Commerce’s Honorary Chairman for 2016 at their Black Tie Gala last year.

Cement may run in his veins, but business is part of his DNA. As senior vice-president of RCP, he is a hands-on executive who most days makes his rounds visiting RCP’s fleet of eight retail stores to perform quality control checks and kibitz with employees. Retirement is not in his vocabulary.

“I still have the drive,” he said. “I want our employees to have that same pride in our products that I have always had.”

RCP is actually an acronym for “Revolutionized Concrete Product.” There was nothing revolutionary about the products the company made, it was simply a fanciful marketing slogan. The firm abandoned the phrase after customers kept scratching their heads.

“We got tired of telling people how to spell ‘revolutionized’,” he said. TSM

A Walk Back in Time with the

Santee Historical Society

original RCP Santee Sales Office in 1970.

Remember this? RCP Block & Brick supplied the blocks to build the AMC movie theater, formerly located in the Vons Pavilion Shopping Center at Mission Gorge and Olive Lane. It was demolished nearly 20 years ago. SanteeHistoricalSociety.org Email

RCP has supplied products to Santee establishments including Egdemoor Hospital, The Cameron YMCA, Walgreens, retaining walls at Sky Ranch, and most recently, the Omelette Factory Center.

Society 619-449-2024

The

RCP today.

SanTree Day 2017

making a DiFFerenCe in our Community sinCe 1891

• Approximately 300,000 children have attended schools in Santee School District.

• Santee School District is the largest employer in Santee with 791 employees.

331 (42%) of these employees also live in Santee.

Santee School District Board of Education and Superintendent Baranski Making a Difference in Our Community

Santee School District Staff Making a Difference in Our Community

Santee School District website

Hill Creek PePPer Drive PriDe aCaDemy rio seCo syCamore Canyon

Providing Daily Transport of Our Students

Sacramento Legislative Visit

Santee School District Foundation Grants Enrich Students’ Lives

During the 2016-2017 school year, the Santee School District Foundation awarded $25,500 in grant funds to all schools in the District. These funds provided students with opportunities to participate in exciting and innovative learning experiences.

The innovative grants of $2500 and $5000 were made available to teachers and schools through a competitive application process; the Santee School District Foundation funded applications that extended above and beyond the core curriculum. Examples of these innovative grants included:

• Lego and Code! at PRIDE Academy

• Learning Habitat at Sycamore Canyon

• Mural Project at Carlton Oaks

• Arts in our STEAM School at Chet F. Harritt

In addition to the innovative grants, school and program grants of $1000 and $500 were awarded to each school including the Alternative Home School and Santee Success Programs. This funding supported the following programs: robotics and coding, 3D printing, an online reading program for younger children, STEAM community outreach to Lantern

Crest seniors, dance instruction, online reading materials, technology and pedometers, and science workshops at Birch Aquarium and Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

The Foundation was created in 2002 and is composed of volunteers from business and education backgrounds. The Foundation contributes funds to the school district to support literacy, art, technology, and school grants. In recent years, nearly $200,000 has also been contributed specifically to technology. Funds are generated through Foundation fundraisers: Santee Golf Classic, Santee Aloha 5K Fun Run, Art Show, and Legacy Pavers and donations. The Foundation is committed to providing ongoing grant opportunities to support student citizenship and leadership in the community.

The Santee School District Foundation has been very excited to see students so actively engaged in such motivating and inspirational projects and looks forward to offering continued grant opportunities for the students of Santee School District. TSM

The Jillianne Nicole Swenddal

Fund has been established to honor and memorialize Jillianne, who died on April 10, 2017 in the prime of her life. The family wishes to honor her memory with an annual scholarship toward college expenses, to a deserving student in Jillianne’s name.

Memorial Scholarship

To donate, please visit www.SanteeFoundation.net or mail contributions to:

Santee School District Foundation

Attn: Jillianne Nicole Swenddal Fund

9625 Mission Gorge Road • Suite B2-PMB333 Santee, CA 92071

Santee Library’s Senior Activities Calendar

SEPTEMBER

2 1:00 pm Mah Jongg for beginners: Learn the basics of American Mah Jongg from experienced players.

6 9:00 am Ukulele for beginners: Kevin Rones gives expert instruction to learn the basics of playing the ukulele.

7 8:45 am Chair Yoga: Certified instructor Lois Schenker leads you through a series of gentle stretches.

8 9:00 am Yarn Circle: Socialize and share project advice with knitting and crocheting enthusiasts.

12 8:45 am Zumba Gold: Certified instructor Jo Eager leads this low-impact aerobic workout.

13 11:30 am Paper Arts: Professional crafters help you create a beautiful paper creation; all supplies provided.

14 8:45 am Chair Yoga: Certified instructor Lois Schenker leads you through a series of gentle stretches.

15 10:00 am Breakfast & Books: talks for book lovers; enjoy refreshments as library staff share their favorite books.

16 1:00 pm Mah Jongg for beginners: Learn the basics of American Mah Jongg from experienced players.

19 8:45 am Chair Yoga: Certified instructor Lois Schenker leads you through a series of gentle stretches.

21 8:45 am Qi Gong: Certified instructor Linda Dochterman leads this class to gather and circulate internal energy.

26 8:45 am Chair Yoga: Certified instructor Lois Schenker leads you through a series of gentle stretches.

28 8:45 am Qi Gong: Certified instructor Linda Dochterman leads this class to gather and circulate internal energy.

30 1:00 pm Mah Jongg for beginners: Learn the basics of American Mah Jongg from experienced players.

OCTOBER

3 9:00 am OASIS Lecture (free): Cortez and the Aztec Empire with Frank Newton, PHD.

4 9:00 am Distracted Driving: learn about the dangers as you test your reflexes in a simulator.

5 8:45 am Chair Yoga: Certified instructor Lois Schenker leads you through a series of gentle stretches.

7 1:00 pm Mah Jongg for beginners: Learn the basics of American Mah Jongg from experienced players.

9 10:00 am Know the 10 signs: Early Detection Matters: Learn the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease, hear from people who have the disease, find out how to recognize the signs in yourself and others.

10 8:45 am Zumba Gold: Certified instructor Jo Eager leads this low-impact aerobic workout.

11 11:30 am Paper Arts: Professional crafters help you create a beautiful paper creation; all supplies provided.

12 8:45 am Chair Yoga: Certified instructor Lois Schenker leads you through a series of gentle stretches.

13 9:00 am Yarn Circle: Socialize and share project advice with knitting and crocheting enthusiasts.

14 1:00 pm Adventure on the Pacific Crest Trail: Dana Law shares 14 years of adventures walking the Pacific Crest trail. 16 10:00 am The Basics: Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s: Learn about detection, causes, risk factors, stages and treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease.

17 8:45 am Chair Yoga: Certified instructor Lois Schenker leads you through a series of gentle stretches.

19 8:45 am Qi Gong: Certified instructor Linda Dochterman leads this class to gather and circulate internal energy. 20 10:00 am Breakfast & Books: talks for book lovers; enjoy refreshments as library staff share their favorite books. 21 1:00 pm Mah Jongg for beginners: Learn the basics of American Mah Jongg from experienced players. 24 8:45 am Chair Yoga: Certified instructor Lois Schenker leads you through a series of gentle stretches. 26 8:45 am Qi Gong: Certified instructor Linda Dochterman leads this class to gather and circulate internal energy.

FREE Smoke Alarms for Seniors

Did you

Did you know that having a working smoke alarm in your residence decreases your chances of dying in a house fire by 50% percent? Yet, thousands of seniors throughout San Diego County live in homes without a working smoke alarm.

Throughout the year, the Burn Institute, community volunteers and members of the fire service take part in a collaborative effort to install FREE lifesaving smoke alarms for qualified seniors in San Diego County.

To qualify for the Burn Institute’s Senior Smoke Alarm Program, seniors must be 62 years or older, own their own home and live within San Diego County.

The Burn Institute’s Senior Smoke Alarm Program is available to seniors year-round. Installations are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Slots fill-up quickly — call now to sign up for your installation! Austin Duran, 858-541-2277 ext. 13 or smokealarm@burninstitute.org TSM

6 Things Seniors (And Everyone Else) Should Know About Their Insurance

As you reach the age when you’re thinking about retirement, it’s important to review your insurance program. You should make sure you have the proper protection for your changing needs while also getting the best value for your insurance dollar. Here are 6 things you should know to help make sure you don’t have any gaps in coverage and to help get all the discounts available.

Auto Insurance; one of the primary factors used by insurance companies is miles driven annually, check with your insurance agent to make sure your estimated mileage is updated, especially when you retire, fewer miles per year = lower premiums. Many insurance companies offer a substantial discount to drivers that complete a mature defensive driving course either in person or online. The discount can be as much as 10% and the course can be good for up to three years.

Home Insurance; whether you own a house, condo, or mobile home, you should review your policy to make sure your structure is adequately covered for rebuilding or replacement at current replacement. You should also make sure you have enough coverage to replace your personal effects like clothing, electronics, and furniture, as well as jewelry, artwork, and other collectibles.

Liability Protection; you’ve worked hard to earn your possessions and to save for retirement. Now is not the time for an unfortunate accident to have a long lasting effect on your standard of living. Adequate liability protection

is even more important when you’re close to retiring or once you have retired. Most agents recommend liability limits that provide enough protection to cover the equity you have in your property, the money you have in savings and retirement accounts, and future income of at least 10 years. One way to provide enough coverage that is very cost effective is with a personal umbrella policy.

Life Insurance; even though your kids are out of the house and you have your mortgage paid way down or paid off completely, you still will have final expenses when you pass away. If you are leaving someone you love behind, you won’t want to leave them with a financial burden. You should have enough life insurance protection to pay off any credit cards, mortgages and other loans, medical bills, and the cost of your funeral. Many insurance companies offer a policy for seniors that does not have any medical requirements. So even folks with health issues can still leave a little something behind for their loved ones.

This is not an exhaustive list of insurance you may need, but it is a good place to start. It’s highly recommended that you consult with your personal insurance agent to make sure you don’t get surprised if disaster strikes and that you are getting all the discounts to which you’re entitled.

Mike Clinkenbeard is an agent with Farmers Insurance and has operated Clinkenbeard Insurance Agency along with his wife Marla in East County for over 35 years. For more information, Mike can be reached at 619-442-0415.

Passing the Test: Baranski Named New Superintendent

After conducting a national search which included candidates from several states in the nation, the Governing Board of the Santee School District selected Kristin Baranski as Superintendent.

Mrs. Baranski served as the Director, Curriculum and Assessment in the school district. She began her career teaching Language Arts to 7th Grade students in Schaumburg, Illinois, then came to Santee as Vice Principal of Chet F. Harritt, Rio Seco and Hill Creek schools. She served as Principal at two schools in the Santee School District, Chet F. Harritt School and Carlton Oaks School.

Mrs. Baranski is completing her doctoral studies in Organizational Leadership at Brandman University, Irvine. She earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Administration at National-Louis University and her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at Southern

Academic Achievement

The Santee School District Board of Education recognizes students who achieve academic excellence during the school year and were chosen to participate in their Academic Achievement Award Competition.

The Academic Achievement Award Competition focuses on the areas of writing, speech and mathematics; students are required to write a literature response essay, give a speech, and take a comprehensive algebra test. The student who excels in these areas is selected as the Academic Achievement Competition winner!

The Santee School District Board of Education is proud to announce the 2016-2017 Academic Achievement Award recipient is Andrew Gallagher of Carlton Oaks School.

On June 6, 2017, the Santee School District Board of Education proclaimed Andrew Gallagher as the 2016-17 Eighth Grade Academic Student of the Year and the City of Santee proclaimed June 7, 2017 as Andrew Gallagher Day!

Congratulations, Andrew! TSM

Illinois University. In addition, Mrs. Baranski served in the Educational Leadership Development Program at the University of San Diego as a supervisor of administrative credential candidates.

“Kristin was selected as our finalist from an outstanding field of candidates, including sitting superintendents and assistant superintendents from across the nation. Her credentials and 18 years of administrative experience in the District will be a tremendous asset in providing leadership as the District continues to grow and focus on supporting students and staff,” said Barbara Ryan, 2016 Board President.

The Board addressed contract approval and appointment of the new Superintendent at its December 20, 2016, regular meeting. Mrs. Baranski began her duties as Superintendent on February 1, 2017. TSM

A Hole in One... Really !!!

Michael Edwards hit a five wood for a 186-yard hole-in-one winning $10,000! It occurred at the second annual SanTee Golf Tournament hosted by the Santee Chamber of Commerce. The shot took place on Sycuan’s Par 3 12th Hole over water where Walmart of Santee was sponsoring the odds.

Michael and his wife Cheryl live in Chula Vista and he is a retired gang detective for the San Diego Sheriff’s Department. The day before the tournament, he received a biopsy report showing aggressive cancer of the prostate. An MRI showed it had spread outside the prostate. Michael said, “It’s like the good Lord is putting golf on hold for a while, but here’s a parting gift.”

Just The Boys

Grossmont Healthcare District’s Herrick Community Health Care Library Serves East County Residents

The Grossmont Healthcare District operates the Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, a comprehensive consumer health library that is open to the public and specializes in providing reliable health information on-site and online.

The Herrick Library, which opened in 2002, is located at 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa. The library’s collection totals about 3,000 items including books, magazines, newsletters, pamphlets, DVDs, computer databases, and its website with extensive links covering all major health topics. Ten computers are available for public use. The library also offers two small meeting rooms that are available to community-based, nonprofit organizations for health-related workshops and meetings.

“The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Herrick Library is a tremendous community asset that is available to anyone who wants to access a broad array of healthcare resources and to gain a greater understanding of medical conditions and options,” said Nancy Greengold, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Sharp Grossmont Hospital. “For hospital patients and their families, the library is a valuable resource that provides current health information and research.”

A 2012 Pew Research Center poll found that 1 in 3 American adults have used the internet to try to diagnose

themselves or a loved one. With thousands of sites offering free health information, it can be difficult for people to know which resources are accurate and reliable. To this end, the library staff provides patrons with reference and research assistance for their health or medical questions.

Regular library hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays through Fridays, and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. For more information about the library, phone (619) 825-5010 or visit www. herricklibrary.org. Like us on Facebook, www.facebook. com/HerrickLibrary, or follow us on Twitter, https:// twitter.com/HerrickHlthLib.

The Grossmont Healthcare District is a public agency that supports various health-related community programs and services in the East Region. Formed in 1952 to build and operate Grossmont Hospital, GHD serves as landlord of Sharp Grossmont Hospital, including ownership of the property and buildings on behalf of local taxpayers.

The District is governed by a five-member board of directors, each elected to four-year terms, who represent more than 500,000 people residing within the District’s 750 square miles in San Diego’s East County. For more information about GHD, visit www. grossmonthealthcare.org. TSM

Free Health Education and Screening for Seniors

Sharp Grossmont Senior Resource Center offers free health education and screening programs, information and referral to seniors and their families on health services, community resources, caregiver programs and more. Regularly scheduled programs include health lectures, caregiver classes, monthly blood pressure checks, free health screenings, and more. Flu shots are offered to high-risk adults at various community sites.

The Senior Resource Center is proud to sponsor the Grossmont Mall Walkers. The Vial of Life, a medical information card, is distributed for free. Referrals are offered to community services such as home care, home delivered meals, emergency response systems, transportation and more. Programs are offered through the Senior Resource Centers are free and available to anyone in the community.

www.sharp.com/services/seniors/resource-centers.cfm

619.740.4214

Free Fitness in Santee

The Feeling Fit Club in Santee is a free functional Fitness Program for older adults focusing on aerobic endurance, strength, flexibility and balance to maintain independence.

They meet 10:30 to 11:30 am, Tuesday and Thursday, at the Carlton Hills Evangelical Lutheran Church, 9735 Halberns in Santee.

Sponsored by San Diego County, call 858.495.5500 for more information.

Santee’s High School Standouts

G.P.A: 4.4167 – West Hills High School

Varsity Sport: Competitive Swim (CIF State level)

Extra Curricular Activity: CAST (College Area Swim Team)

Danielle knows all about sacrifice with having only 2 weeks off from swim the entire year. Her academics and high school & CAST (College Area Swim Team) swim teams keep her busy but she still finds time for her family and friends. She especially looks up to her older sister who is a competitive swimmer at RICE University. Danielle wants to earn an athletic or academic scholarship to either an East Coast college or RICE University.

She has a few goals for the upcoming school year. She wants to improve her PR time for swim while maintaining her G.P.A. She is good at making this sound easy.

Some of her many achievements include receiving the high score she was working for on the A.P World test. She has also qualified for C.I.F State meets through her competitive swimming.

With all of her hard work and dedication I know that she is on her way to achieving her dreams of traveling the world, spending more time with her friends and family and sleeping in.

G.P.A: 4.324 – Santana High School

Varsity Sports: Water Polo (Goalie), Tennis Extra Curricular Activities: Academics League, Robotics Club (Team Leader), Engineering Program

Jonathan has a drive for success and for not letting his teammates down. He is an engineer at heart and is on his way to living out his dream of becoming an Aerospace Engineer for Space X. Finding out that his favorite child hood toy was Legos, I realized that he was made to design.

He has a supportive mom who played tennis and a supportive dad who is a retired Captain for the Santee Fire Department.

He can speak fluent Spanish and wants to travel abroad through UC Irvine to Germany. I’m sure he’ll pick up a few German words while there.

Jonathan is a man with a plan. His motivation for his high G.P.A and achievements in sports has a lot to do with setting himself up for success in his future. Some of his achievements include 24 saves in one game in the Rancho Bernardo Invitational for water polo, winning regional in Las Vegas in the FRC (First Robotics Competition). Since his team won in Las Vegas they got to attend the FRC in St. Louis with 23 other countries. TSM – Marc Paksima, RE/MAX

Danielle Nowaski

Jonathan Huson

Santee Solutions Coalition

Opioid Addiction... a National Epidemic

Prescription drug misuse and abuse can happen to anyone!

The opioid addiction epidemic sweeping the nation is a complex issue, but you can take meaningful steps to help prevent this tragedy in Santee. Here are some important points to keep in mind that can prevent loved ones from becoming victims of addiction and/or overdose.

Never take prescription medications that are not specifically prescribed for you!

• Using prescription medication without the proper diagnosis specific to your condition and physiological make-up can be life threatening. Family and friends may have good intentions, but taking medication that isn’t for you can lead to abuse, addiction, and even accidental death.

• According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), prescription drug abuse-related emergency department visits and treatment admissions have increased significantly across the nation. Here in San Diego County, prescription drug overdoses are the leading cause of preventable death overdoses in the county.

Misuse can lead to drug abuse!

• Follow your physicians’ instructions when taking medications. Talk to your doctor FIRST before increasing or decreasing dosage. Taking too many pills in a short period of time can have a toxic result.

• Never mix alcohol with pain medication and tranquilizers. Doing so puts you at greater risk of overdose or becoming a victim of a crime.

• Misuse and abuse of powerful pain killers like opioids can lead to illicit drug use like heroin when access to doctorprescribed pain pills is no longer an option. Drugged driving is a big No-No!

• DUI is not just alcohol impaired driving. Driving under the influence of prescription or OTC medications can also lead to DUI. Don’t drive while taking any medication that affects your ability to operate a vehicle safely and responsibly: it’s against the law and puts you and others in danger.

• Keeping unused medications in your home is an invitation for curious teens to experiment and abuse or for intruders to steal to support their current drug habit.

• Be considerate of our environment and animals living downstream: Don’t flush unused medications down the toilet or throw away in the trash. Not all who sort through trash are looking for recyclable items.

• Dispose of all unused prescription drugs quickly and safely in the prescription drug drop box located in the lobby at the Santee Sheriff station Monday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm... no questions asked!

To learn more on preventing prescription drug abuse, please visit SAMHSA www.samhsa.gov/prescription-drugmisuse-abuse/specific-populations and the San Diego County Sheriff www.sdsheriff.net/prescription-drugs/ index.html

What to do when Prescription Drugs are no longer needed?

Safe and proper disposal can be made at the Santee Sheriff’s Station

8811 Cuyamaca St., Santee

The Sheriff’s Department also hosts prescription drug “Take Back” days.

To find out further dates and locations of when these take back days occur, please visit the Sheriff’s Department website.

For information please visit our Web site: http://www.sdsheriff.net

Is the Santee Chamber

Relevant to the Senior Community?

Surprised at such a question? Well don’t be. When Santee Mobilehome Owners Action Committee, Inc. (SMOAC) President, Buddy Rabaya suggested almost 3 years ago that we join the Santee Chamber, he had strong resistance. SMOAC has been in the Santee community for over 25 years protecting the Rent Stabilization Ordinance. However, one of the original members and then board member stated, “Why should we join, they can’t do anything for us?” She was in her late 80’s and felt this would be a waste of money and time. Unfortunately, most of the other members thought the same thing of our Santee Chamber.

However, when Buddy Rabaya took over as President, he wanted to do more than just protect our mobilehome space rents. Thus, also protecting our investment and equity in our mobilehomes in Santee. If the space rents are too high, then the value of a mobilehome resale value can be greatly reduced and possibly eliminated. Nine of the twelve mobilehome parks in Santee are age restricted or Senior Communities.

However, this year Dustin decided to make a donation each month and SMOAC would match to hold free Quality of Life events. What resulted was in January, Meadowbrook received free pizzas and bottled water during a bingo game. February, New Frontier held a Valentine’s ice cream social with decorations and roses. March, Hawaiian Village held a tea party with finger foods, tea and live string music. April, Greenbrier and Mission Del Magnolia (with the help of a few other sponsors) gave families over 200 free Easter Baskets with lunch and games. May, we held an Information and Health Fair with over 50 businesses who gave information out on healthcare, fire, safety, and a slew of money-saving opportunities. June, we were in Mission Gorge Villas and did a Hawaiian dinner with prizes.

SMOAC

Buddy wanted to help out our residents and Santee community by forming a partnership with our local businesses. His background as a businessman and college trustee led him to the belief that our local businesses could use our help and we could definitely use their help with our NEW Quality of Life initiatives for SMOAC.

This is where things get interesting, TDT Construction, A.K.A. Dustin Trotter decided he too wanted to make a difference in the community. Dustin is the reason SMOAC now does School Donation Drives each year to help families and students kick off the school year with a head start. It started with only 50 and as of last year reached over 300 students.

Is the Santee Chamber Relevant to the Senior Community

Surprised at such a question? Well don’t be, when Santee Mobilehome Owners Action Committee, Inc. (SMOAC) President, Buddy Rabaya suggested almost years ago that we join the Santee Chamber, he had strong resistance. SMOAC been in the Santee community for over 25 years protecting the Rent Stabilization Ordinance. However, one of the original members and then board member stated, “Why should we join, they can’t do anything for us?” She was in her late 80’s felt this would be a waist of money and time. Unfortunately, most of the other bers thought the same thing of our Santee Chamber.

What we learned was that over the course of three years, the Santee Chamber was not only relevant, but the good will and philanthropy of many local Santee businesses created value to seniors and families in countless ways. Moreover, it kept monies in Santee from shopping at our local retail stores and diners with their discretionary income. This has been a win-win partnership for both. The Santee Chamber has always been relevant but now in tangible ways through productive partnerships.

However, when Buddy Rabaya took over as President, he wanted to do more just protect our mobilehome space rents. Thus, also protecting our investment equity in our mobile-homes in Santee. If the space rents are too high, then the of a mobilehome resale value can be greatly reduced and possibly eliminated. of the twelve mobilehome parks in Santee are age restricted or Senior Communities.

Now with a Santee Community Center in the works, we hope that the Quality of Life of our seniors in the mobilehome parks will be improved with similar partnerships with the City of Santee serving as a model of how a local non-profit teamed with local business can improve the lives of many. We will continue to enhance our community not only in our mobile home parks but in our city of Santee. If you too would like to partner with SMOAC, please let us know and we would be happy to find opportunities to help our community together. SMOAC92071@gmail.com or www. SMOAC.org TSM

Buddy wanted to help out our residents and Santee Communities by forming nership with our local business. His background as a businessman and college tee led him to the belief that our local business could use our help and we could nitely use their help with our NEW Quality of Life initiatives for SMOAC.

This is where things get interesting, TDT Construction , A.K.A. Trotter decided he too wanted to make a difference in the community. Dustin is the reason SMOAC now does School Donation Drives year to help families and students start off school year with a head It started with only 50 and now last year reached over 300 students.

However, this year Dustin decided to make a donation each month and SMOAC would match to hold free Quality of Life events. What resulted was in January Meadowbrook getting free pizzas and bottled water during a bingo game, February, New Frontier holding a Valentine’s ice cream social with decorations and roses, March Hawaiian Village holding a tea party with finger food, tea and live string music, April Greenbrier and Mission Del Magnolia with the help of a few other

– Photos courtesy of John Hossick

Santee Walmart

Proudly serving the community for more than 20 years

The Santee Walmart opened its doors in 1993 and, two decades later, is honored to continue serving Santee residents and visitors alike as an integral part of the community.

Walmart is proud to support many local organizations, including the Santee Girls Softball ASA, the Boys and Girls Club of East County, the Santee Food Bank and Santee Chamber of Commerce, and participate in local events like the Santee Street Fair.

Walmart understands that when we work together, we all live better.

Protecting Ratepayers from MWD

If you wonder why your water bill keeps rising, look no further than the Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. More than half of the cost of our water at the San Diego County Water Authority is for paying MWD, whose water rates have doubled over the past decade. That has forced local water providers such as the Water Authority and its 24 member agencies (including the Padre Dam Municipal Water District) to raise their rates significantly.

MWD’s rates have ballooned due to numerous questionable fiscal decisions. That’s why the Water Authority has launched an education campaign called “Stop the Spending!” to demand fiscal restraint and accountability at MWD.

The problems at MWD are numerous and serious:

• MWD overcharged Southern California water users $847 million between 2012-2015, above and beyond its budget. Of that, San Diego County was overcharged $189 million, and Padre Dam ratepayers were overcharged $4.8 million.

• MWD overspent its budget by $1.2 billion from 20132016 due to buying islands in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta ($175 million), funding a flawed turf replacement program ($350 million) and other decisions. To make matters worse, MWD purchased the islands without appraisals. It’s hard to imagine a public agency disregarding due diligence like that.

• MWD authorized $900 million in unplanned borrowing in recent years to help cover its overspending.

MWD claims these schemes are necessary, but the agency’s own data shows existing programs and projects can meet projected water demand under all hydrological conditions assessed through 2040 in its latest Urban Water Management Plan. Despite sufficient supplies, MWD is proposing to spend billions of dollars to develop additional infrastructure, which would waste ratepayer dollars and likely strand major assets – driving water rates higher.

One of MWD’s fundamental flaws is significantly undercounting local supplies being developed by water agencies across Southern California. In fact, a study commissioned by the Water Authority shows that MWD is only accounting for less than 10 percent of the local water projects that are in the full design stage with funding, or are in the advanced planning stage with certified environmental documents.

MWD’s unrealistic projections mean that the agency grossly overstates how much water customers will purchase from MWD – and then it uses faulty figures to justify more spending.

Besides our efforts to “Stop the Spending!” at MWD, the Water Authority is in court seeking to recover hundreds of millions of dollars in charges we believe MWD illegally imposed on San Diego County ratepayers in recent years. In June, an appellate court ruled in favor of the Water Authority on several key issues. It said MWD breached its contract with the Water Authority, undercounted the Water Authority’s rights to MWD water supplies by approximately 100,000 acre-feet per year, and collected tens of millions of dollars in illegal charges. However, the

court reversed a lower court ruling that MWD must base its rates on the costs it actually incurs in providing its various services. That has significant statewide implications, and the Water Authority is planning to seek review of that issue by the California Supreme Court. If we prevail on this question, it could save ratepayers countywide as much as $7.4 billion over 45 years.

These efforts to protect San Diego County’s economy and quality of life require perseverance on behalf of – and with the strong support of – our region’s ratepayers, business leaders and elected officials. After years of defending local interests, we remain determined to achieve legal rates and sound fiscal decision-making at MWD.

Learn more about “Stop the Spending!” at www.MWDFacts.com.

TSM

– Mark Muir, Board Chair San Diego County Water Authority

Santee Lakes

– continued from page 11

• Campground redesign including adult heated spa, family pool , concert/ performance amphitheater, bocce ball and sport courts

• Yurt cabin village

• Expanded fishing docks

• Lakeshore Loop upgrade

• Relocated and expanded Spraypad

A visual representation of the design can be found on the Park’s website: santeelakes.com and on our YouTube channel.

The recycled water project and Santee Lakes has received worldwide attention and continues to attract visitors in the field of water reuse and reclamation. Padre Dam Municipal Water District is continuing the pursuit of water recycling through the Advanced Water Purification Demonstration Facility. This facility takes recycled water and treats it further, using advanced water purification steps, with the end product being water so clean that it is near distilled quality! The goal is to expand that treatment process to create 2,000 to 3,000 acre feet of drinking water per year.

Dynamic Vision Plan Project team:

– Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve: Laura Koval, Director of Park and Recreation - www.santeelakes.com

– Project Management: Consolidated Building Systems, Inc. (CBSI) www.cbsisandiego.com

– Architecture: Platt/Whitelaw Architects, Inc.- www. plattwhitelaw.com

– Landscape Architecture/ 3D Modeling: In-Site Landscape Architecture, Inc. www.insitelandarch.com

– Civil Engineering: Nasland Engineering – www.nasland. com

– Laura Koval, Director of Park and Recreation

For more information about

please check the following

Community Resource Guide

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