By Barbara Zaragoza
Right Wing ‘Rebel Alliances’ in Imperial Beach
Before the elections, Imperial Beach residents received unsigned election fliers in their mailboxes. The fliers asked people to join “Rebel Alliances” and contained debunked conspiracy theories about Hillary Clinton. Vincent Farnsworth at the San Diego Reader reported here.
Border Residents and a Trump Presidency
Residents and employees at the U.S.-Mexican border feel jittery after Trump’s election, especially since Mexico is the U.S.’s third largest trade partner. What’s more, calls for “Build a Wall” baffle some of us because — here’s what Border Field State Park looks like today:
(Photo by Barbara Zaragoza)
Bill Clinton built a wall in 1994 made of military landing mat. Then, George W. Bush built a second wall in 2008, with triple fencing in some areas.
- Sandra Dibble at the Union Tribune reports that many local organizations are making sure binational relations remain strong.
- She also followed up and reported that a a federal panel has concluded a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer was justified when he used a taser on a man at the San Ysidro Port of Entry who died.
Chula Vista
- Aldi discount grocery store is set to open today at 40 N. Fourth Avenue. (NBC 7 News)
- Francisco Terriquez received 3 years probation and a $66,299 fine for income tax evasion. Terriquez rented out storage units in Otay Mesa and from there shipped a drug called sibutramine to health stores. (The drug was taken off the U.S. market in 2010.) Terriquez failed to report approximately $503,930 in income from the drug business, according to the U.S. Attorney. (Chula Vista Star News)
- Steve Padilla (D) and Mike Diaz (R) are your new council members, Chula Vista. They will also be the first to provide representation within specific districts rather than the city at large. Steve Padilla will represent District 3, arguably the most up-and-coming part of the city, which consists of Southwestern Community College and hopefully a brand new University in the future. Diaz will represent District 4, which is often considered the poorest part of Chula Vista. The Chula Vista Star News has more about the candidates.
- Mary Salas thanks Chula Vistans for their overwhelming support of Measure P, which increases our sales tax by a half cent in order to provide infrastructure repairs. (Chula Vista Star News)
- Sharp Health Care began construction of a $244 million hospital tower in Chula Vista. The facility will add 138 private patient rooms to serve South County. (Times of San Diego)
National City
- Charter school Beacon Classical Academy was forced to move after the fire marshal shut down the building on November 3. The school operates out of a church and has 190 students, but fire code violations means yet another problem for Beacon. Recently, the district found that Beacon’s students were failing to meet their English and math standards. Christine Huard at the Union Tribune has more.
- Mayor Ron Morrison gave a state of the city address, praising NC for infrastructure improvements, public art projects and the Paradise Creek Affordable Housing Project. (San Diego Union Tribune)
The Border Needs You
Tomorrow, November 19, Border Angels will open the door between San Diego and Tijuana at Friendship Park so deported families can hug their children. The event begins at noon. Transportation from the Border Field State Park parking lot to Friendship Park is available at 11 a.m.
The Otay Chamber of Commerce thanked those who supported Haitian migrants in Tijuana. With help from the International Community Foundation, they raised more than $20,000, distributed to both the Casa del Migrante and Proyecto Salesiano in Tijuana. The funds provide daily living services, including lodging, meals and basic medical services. If you would like to donate as well, follow this link.
Trump said on 60 Minutes in an interview with Leslie Stahl that a fence was OK in some areas. The talk about a “mighty wall” will prove to be so much BS, but it got him elected.