La Mesa Courier, September 25th, 2020

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 8 Sept. 25 – Oct. 22, 2020

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Books stay open where theaters close. Page 9

INSIDE

THIS ISSUE

✓

Decision

2020

City Council incumbents, new candidates share views Alessio highlights her experience, political independence in reelection bid

B NEWS Musician mayor’s supes run

By JEFF CLEMETSON | La Mesa Courier

a lot of the tenor of the politics in La Mesa for the good,” he said. “I really hope La Mesans continue to want to have a Democrat on the council to push for the values that we together have.”

Kristine Alessio is running for her third term on La Mesa’s City Council. Although she began her tenure in 2012 as a Republican, she left the party in 2017 citing what she described as an unwillingness by the GOP to call out President Trump’s use of insults and threats and its unwillingness to confront racism and prejudice. Her experience on the Council and her status as an independent is one she hopes voters will view as an asset.

“I’ve enjoyed serving the residents of La Mesa. I’m from no political party. I think that you need a candidate that can bridge these

SEE PARENT, Page 16

SEE ALESSIO, Page 14

Vaus touts experience running Poway in bid for county seat. Page 2

La Mesa City Council member Colin Parent (Courtesy photo)

B ART Acrylic master

Parent discusses his first term on council

By JEFF CLEMETSON | La Mesa Courier

In 2016, Colin Parent was the first Democrat to be elected in the city of La Mesa in a long time.

“I’m very proud of that and I also think the fact that I got elected as a Democrat changed Annette Cirillo is Foothills Art Association’s October featured artist. Page 9

B EDUCATION Lakeside to foothills

Grossmont High’s earliest years were formative, but not as local. Page 10

B ALSO INSIDE

Opinion Politics Food & Drink Business Directory Classifieds Puzzles

6 6 13 18 19 19

Council member Kristine Alessio

Durden jumps into race with unity message

(Courtesy photo)

Papenfuss running to be ‘voice of people’

By JEFF CLEMETSON | La Mesa Courier

By JEFF CLEMETSON | La Mesa Courier

La Mesa City Council candidate Allan Durden is “a big proponent” of the U.S. flag and as such he wants people of all races and political affiliations to fly it proudly.

“I call it a new flag – not because of the way it looks, but the meaning and what it represents,” he said.

“People have told me that Black Americans want to break the flag. That’s nonsense. We are the flag. You’re the flag no matter how you honor it — be it a salute, hand over your heart or taking a knee. The flag has got to stand for all of us. No one tells me how to honor my God, no one should tell me how to honor my flag — but honor it. I believe that.

Mark Papenfuss wants to bring “the voice of the people” back to La Mesa City Council.

“I feel that voice has been missing for quite some time,” he said.

Papenfuss was born and raised in Los Angeles and moved to SanDiego in 1993 to go to school at SDSU and local technical schools, eventually earning a SEE PAPENFUSS, Page 17

Allan Durden (Courtesy photo)

“When one side uses the flag against another side, I think that’s absolutely terrible because you have one side that’s telling us you’re SEE DURDEN, Page 15

Mark Papenfuss (Courtesy photo)

B CONTACT US Editorial (858) 270-3103 x130 jeff@sdnews.com Advertising (951) 296-7794 hfine@sdnews.com www.sdnews.com San Diego Community Newspaper Group

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NEWS Vaus points to Poway record in District 2 race Sept. 25 – Oct. 22, 2020

La Mesa Courier

✓

Decision

2020

By JEFF CLEMETSON | La Mesa Courier

Steve Vaus is banking that his record leading the city of Poway will convince voters on Nov. 3 that he is best to represent District 2 on the County Board of Supervisors.

The District 2 race is one of the tightest in the county. In the March 3 primary, Vaus garnered 31% of the vote, just 3.5 percentage points behind former state senator Joel Anderson — a nearly even split with the remaining votes going to Democrat-backed Kenya Taylor (26.7%) and longshot candidate Brian Sesko (8%).

Both candidates tout their conservative bona fides in the deeply red district, while promising bipartisan compromises and solutions if elected to the seat currently held by termed-out Dianne Jacob. The outcome of the race may come down to which candidate can attract Democratic voters or can peel away conservative support from the other. Vaus believes he can do both because of the work he has done as mayor of Poway — a record he said he is “most proud” of.

AN UNCONVENTIONAL ROAD TO POLITICS Vaus was born in Los Angeles, but moved with his family to

a Black Angus cattle ranch in Oregon when he was a toddler.

“That shaped my life,” he said.

“When you got to get up at the crack of dawn to feed the cattle before you go to school, you learn something about hard work. And that has served me well.”

After high school, Vaus attended Eisenhower College in Seneca Falls, New York. While he was away, his parents returned to Southern California, settling in San Diego. When he graduated, he left the cold and snowy East Coast and moved back west.

Vaus’ first job after college was working for an organization that provided residential care for troubled youth — a precursor for his future life as a public servant.

“I have a heart for that social service aspect of the job,” he said.

However, Vaus also had a heart for music and soon pursued a career as a singer and songwriter.

“That had always been a passion of mine,” he said. “I wanted to try my hand at it and ended up getting the highest awards in the industry and being reasonably successful.”

Vaus credits the work ethic he learned growing up on a ranch for propelling him in the music industry. He also credits hard work for his success in politics — a profession he found himself in after leading a recall effort of a former Poway City Council member.

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“Ten years ago, I couldn’t find Poway City Hall on a map,” Vaus said, after reading about a City Council member involved in a scandal, he decided to take action.

“I was really ticked off that this person could abuse the power of her office like that and the council had no ability to get rid of her,” he said of his successful recall effort. “And so I discovered I was pretty good at this kind of stuff and two years later I ran for City Council and I won. Two years after that I ran for mayor and won and I think we’ve gotten some important things done in Poway.”

POWAY AND SANDAG

Vaus said the secret to his success as mayor of Poway is “being accessible.”

“I’ll never forget a couple years in, once I became mayor, I got a letter from a little girl that they needed a stop sign in her neighborhood. She was worried about her friends being safe from cars,” he said. “And I just went down and knocked on their door — the look of shock on her mother’s face that the mayor would show up at the door.

“We’re all elected to be public servants,” he continued. “But far too many people in office focus on the public part — I prefer to focus on the servant part. I had all the public acclaim back in my

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Poway Mayor Steve Vaus (Courtesy photo)

entertainment days, I’m here to serve the people.”

As proof of Vaus’ record of serving the people, he points to a list of Poway’s strengths as a city — raked as safest in the county; ranked best to raise a family; safe roads; and strong fiscal standing with paid-down pension obligations and significant reserves.

“Right now we’re building a brand new senior and community center. It’s been talked about for 20 years. we’re finally getting it done and we’re paying cash,” he said, adding that the city recently completed a revitalization of its downtown and also has added around 490 acres of open space.

“All together, I think that offers a great blueprint for the rest of the county,” he said. “Being a supervisor is like being a super mayor.

Day in and day out I’m taking care of the people here in Poway and that’s what you got to do as supervisor.”

TRANSPORTATION

In addition to being mayor of Poway, Vaus is also chair of SANDAG, having been voted by fellow members unanimously in 2018.

Transportation issues are of major concern to District 2 residents, especially in the back country. Vaus said he would continue the “balanced” approach he has taken as SANDAG chair if he is elected to board of supervisors, by promoting mass transit in urban areas and funding roads in rural areas.

SEE VAUS, Page 3

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NEWS

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Vaus

allow businesses and churches to operate in outdoor public spaces.

Poway also started program where city purchased 100 picnic tables to loan to restaurants while restrictions are in place.

“After we get through with the pandemic, all the picnic tables can go into our parks,”

“Once she turned 18, they couldn’t keep her any longer in the treatment facility, so they CONTINUED FROM Page 2 just turned her out and she wasn’t At SANDAG, Vaus said he has ready for that,” Vaus said. “She already prioritized roads projects didn’t have the ability to take care in District 2. of herself. She lived a rough and “Twenty years ago SANDAG tumble life in the streets at times. made commitment to widen We can do better than that. We road from Ramona to Lakeside have to do better than that.” to four lanes. That’s been ig- HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS Vaus said he thinks the counnored,” he said. “I was able to With fires currently threat- ty has taken important strides in lead a coalition of Democrats and ening homes in District 2’s back dealing with mental health and Republicans to reprioritize the country, Vaus said it is import- gives credit to Supervisor Nathan expansion of the 67 and comple- ant for the Board of Supervisors Fletcher who helped start a protion of the 94/125 interchange; to listen to locals and especially gram to fund putting homeless improvements or expansion to fire departments before approving into hotel rooms in the unincorthe 52 and improvements or ex- any new housing developments in porated areas of the county. pansion to the 78.” the district.

“Homelessness doesn’t respect Vaus said the coalicity boundaries and tion has budgeted $90 we need to treat it that “[My sister] didn’t have the million to start the way,” Vaus said. “Look work. at Lamar Park out in ability to take care of herself.

Spring Valley. It gets When it comes to She lived a rough and tumcleaned out and tons urban area, Vaus said ble life in the streets at times. of trash and tents rethere needs to be more options, but added that moved but they keep We can do better than that. We coming back because he sees a challenge have to do better than that.” there isn’t anywhere getting people back on mass transit because else to go.”

—POWAY MAYOR STEVE VAUS of the pandemic. One Although the county way to meet the counprogram is a “glimmer ty’s transportation goals, he said, “You got to listen to your com- of hope,” Vaus said, there is still would be to encourage telecom- munity planning boards. You got work to be done. muting by exploring countywide to make sure something fits with “It’s a now problem and it’s a broadband WiFi — a proposition the character of the communi- longer-term problem. Let’s get he added could also solve distance ty and isn’t going to present fire them into those hotel rooms, but learning issues for families that challenges,” he said, adding that we need to solve the longer-term lack internet connection. he is against developers using the problem of transitional housing “We got a lot of opportunities to ballot initiative process to circum- and then permanent housing, but do big things, we just got to make vent locals stopping developments I think we’re headed in the right sure they are the right big things,” in their backyards. direction.”

One plan he said he would look he said.

“I worry about when these things go to the ballot,” he said. at would be to repurpose counCOVID RESPONSE “Should someone in San Ysidro be ty-owned buildings into homeless When it comes to dealing with voting on whether or not a new shelters. the pandemic, Vaus said he sup- project goes in Fallbrook? I don’t Ideas like that will take building ports being cautious about re- think that’s appropriate. Are folks support from across the county opening because he doesn’t want going to take the time to really and across the political spectrum. to see mandatory shutdowns understand what the challenges Vaus said he is poised to do just again. are, what the problems are? No, that and pointed to his endorse“What the county is doing right that’s going to come down to an ments, which include mayors and city council members past is they’ve been acting very fact- advertising war.” based. We can’t have rules and Vaus said he sees housing op- and present from both sides of regulations that are like a light portunities that “make a lot more the aisle, as well as fire and law switch – on, off, on, off,” he said. sense” along the I-15 heading enforcement associations.

“I know it’s frustrating to a lot north, rather than in East County.

“I think it’s because they all of people, but safety has to come know that as supervisor I would first.”

MENTAL HEALTH, put people before politics and I’ll Vaus said Poway was one of the HOMELESSNESS get things done,” he said. “I’m first in the county to offer small One of the biggest issues facing driven by people, not by politics. business long-term loans. the county — the homeless cri- I’m not endorsed by a political “That has been incredibly help- sis — is a personal one for Vaus. party, I’m endorsed by people.” ful to our small businesses,” he When he was a teenager, his —Reach editor Jeff Clemetson at said, adding that Poway was also older sister was diagnosed with jeff@sdnews.com. one of the first to adopt a plan to schizophrenia.

Sept. 25 – Oct. 22, 2020

La Mesa Courier

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NEWS La Mesa approves police oversight, new non-police services Sept. 25 – Oct. 22, 2020

La Mesa Courier

By KENDRA SITTON | La Mesa Courier

La Mesa City Council moved forward with police reforms in a special meeting on Sept. 5. In a 3-2 vote, the council approved the plan for hiring an independent police auditor and forming a community police oversight board.

In a unanimous vote, the council also approved the HOME (Homeless Outreach and Mobile Engagement) Program which involves social workers and mental health providers respond to non-emergency calls regarding homeless people instead of police officers.

OVERSIGHT REFORM

A year since a task force was formed to create a board for citizen oversight of the La Mesa Police Department, the City Council approved the policy the task force crafted that would hire an independent police auditor and create the board.

The vote was divided, with Council members Kristine Alessio and Bill Baber voting against the proposal. The two lawyers pushed to move the vote an additional two weeks so there would be time to meet with Police Officer’s Association (POA).

A few hours before the meeting the POA requested a “meet and confer.” Outside council said the POA did not have grounds to request the potentially arduous process because the legislation does

not affect POA members’ employment. Instead, the proponents of the board want to discuss the issue and reach a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in “good faith.” If the POA makes a successful case to city staff and counsel that a meet-and-confer conference is needed, then that could be agreed to, they said. Alessio and Baber worried that without the meet and confer, the city will be open to a lawsuit from the POA. “Being a lawyer, I don’t want to be sued,” Alessio said.

Others worried that the last-minute request from the POA was a way to run down the clock and delay long-promised reforms.

Without knowing whether the issue will be resolved through a discussion or the more official meet and confer process, the council voted to move forward with the reform they have promised was in the works for years.

Whether through a discussion, meet and confer or a lawsuit, the city needs to reach an agreement with the department about how the auditor will have access to the department’s records, files and personnel. According to the task force that spent months researching whether subpoena power is important, many cities are able to have police oversight based on an MOU and the additional power is unnecessary.

The auditor will take over the bulk of the investigative work

with volunteer board members able to craft recommendations for the police chief based on the auditor’s findings. Some incidents will automatically be referred to the auditor, including officers causing serious injuries and shootings.

Since La Mesa has been rocked with controversy over incidents that did not involve serious injury, including the harassment and arrest of Amaurie Johnson earlier this year, the board can also look into other incidents due to their role as an overall policy advisor.

People can also make complaints directly to the board or auditor rather than the department about incidents involving the police.

The committee will also have the ability to look at events from before the committee was formed, which could be helpful in making policy recommendations based on the history of the department as well as seeing if certain complaints are part of an ongoing pattern. Alessio questioned the efficacy of this but the other three council members approved the ordinance as is.

The task force came to the conclusion that in a general law city, the committee would not have more power if it was created via a ballot measure or via the city council, so it was put before the council as an easier method of approval. Although it may not be as permanent as a ballot measure, a new ordinance is in place to bring

an independent auditor and citizen oversight to La Mesa after years of calls for change from the community.

HOME PROGRAM

The City Council approved a program have social workers respond to non-emergency calls regarding the homeless instead of the police.

“Homelessness is not a crime, it’s a social issue but the police department responds to it,” said Acting Chief Matt Nicholass.

Currently, police respond to all calls regarding the homeless even if the individual is not believed to be a threat to themselves or the public. Police responses have the potential to use force disproportionately and escalate a situation.

Police would still respond to calls deemed dangerous but non-violent requests would be handled by a team with better mental health training who could de-escalate the situation and provide counseling.

Many cities have similar programs. Nicholass and other city staff members visited Eugene, Ore., home of one of the longest running crisis response teams in the nation that responds to substance abuse, mental health and homelessness issues.

The county recently approved a similar pilot program that would dispatch mental health professionals to non-violent psychiatric calls. However, it covers the

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entire public and does not focus on homelessness specifically.

In La Mesa, the new program will focus solely on homelessness with the potential to expand in the future.

There are two phases to the program. The first would be to expand homeless outreach through People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) with one-time funding from the regional Task Force on Homelessness while awaiting funding approval from the state that would give over a million dollars over five years.

Pending approval, in the second phase, the program would move in-house which will let the program adapt to meet city needs.

The total one-year cost is expected to be around $218,000.

Initial funding would come from a Community Development Block Grant and through the CARES Act. Later funding will come from the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) with La Mesa Police Department supplementing $30,000 through AB109 Public Safety Realignment. Costs could go down in future years because the program will have purchased a vehicle and training costs will decrease.

The social workers who will be a part of the HOME team could connect homeless individuals with services and even take them to medical appointments. The team is not limited by jurisdiction so could respond to calls that stem from the CalTrans “no man’s land” and connect homeless people to services and appointments outside of city limits.

Nicholass spoke in favor of the program because it would free up police resources to respond to actual emergencies, improve response times for emergency and non-emergency calls and cut costs for the police department.

The new program was approved unanimously.

—Reach contributing editor Kendra Sitton at kendra@sdnews.com.

NEWS BRIEFS HEART OF HELIX GOES VIRTUAL On Sept. 26, the Mt. Helix Park Foundation will hold its annual fundraiser event online.

The HeART of Mt. Helix event will will feature live music and games and will be free to join.

VIP tickets will also be offered, starting at $150. VIPs will receive a catered delivery from local restaurants, while enjoying the online festivities from home. All the money raised goes to funding maintanence of Mt. Helix Park, an historic outdoor amphitheater and nature preserve built in 1925.

Mt. Helix Park does not receive government funding and relies solely on community donations SEE NEWS BRIEFS, Page 7

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Sept. 25 – Oct. 22, 2020

La Mesa Courier

1621 Grand Ave., Suite C San Diego, CA 92109 (858) 270-3103 LaMesaCourier.com Twitter: @LaMesaCourier EDITOR

CONTRIBUTORS

Jeff Clemetson x130 jeff@sdnews.com

Connie Baer Lynn Baer Pat Boerner Dianne Jacob Linda Michael Jennifer Osborn Jake Sexton Mitch Wagner Julie White

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Kendra Sitton x136 Tom Melville x131 Dave Schwab x132

WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA Jeff Clemetson

ADVERTISING CONSULTANT Heather Fine x 118

PRODUCTION MANAGER Chris Baker x107 chris@sdnews.com

BUSINESS CONSULTANT David Mannis

ACCOUNTING

PUBLISHER

Heather Humble x120 accounting@sdnews.com

Julie Main, x106 julie@sdnews.com

OPINIONS/LETTERS: La Mesa Courier encourages letters to the editor and guest editorials. Please email submissions to jeff@sdnews.com and include your phone number and address for verification. We reserve the right to edit letters for brevity and accuracy. Letters and guest editorials do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or staff.

SUBMISSIONS/NEWS TIPS: Send press releases, tips, photos or story ideas to jeff@sdnews.com.

For breaking news and investigative story ideas contact the editor by phone or email.

DISTRIBUTION: La Mesa Courier is distributed free the fourth Friday of every month.

COPYRIGHT 2020. All rights reserved.

LA JOLLA

POLITICS / OPINION Dems to host down ballot candidate forum News from your County Supervisor

By MITCH WAGNER

Join the La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club for an informative in-person Zoom get-together Wednesday Oct. 7, with a rundown of candidates on the ballot in November. We’ve invited about 35 candidates to speak to our members, with each of them getting just two minutes to make the case why you should vote, volunteer and support them.

We’ll start with our usual 6:30 p.m. informal discussion, with programming starting at 7 p.m. Get the Zoom details at lmfdems.com/links.

Kicking things off: A brief review of all the state propositions on the ballot, from our own Sean Quintal, vice president for laws and legislation, delivering

clarity and simplicity to guide your informed vote.

Then come the candidates!

We’re expecting an aspirant army from key Congressional and local races.

We’ll kick things off with Todd Gloria and Barbara Bry, running for San Diego Mayor, and the two Democrats vying for Susan Davis’ old seat in the 53rd Congressional District, Sara Jacobs and Georgette Gomez.

These two races epitomize the change in San Diego from a solid Republican town to a major Democratic city. Neither race has ever had two Democrats in the November runoff. We do now. Winner take all. We’ve grown up. We’re blue.

We’ll hear from Ammar Campa-Najar, who’s running against Republican Darrell Issa for the 50th Congressional District seat vacated by convicted felon Duncan Hunter Jr.

Liz Lavertu will provide an update on her campaign for the 71st Assembly District seat, as well as Tim Nader in his quest to be elected to the San Diego Superior Court Bench as Judge for Seat 30.

We then plan a quick review of important, but frequently overlooked, down ballot races for city councils and school boards. All of these jurisdictions hire staff, spend taxpayers’ money, set policy, and have substantial influence on the quality of our lives. Democrats have rarely run for these seats in the past, nor have they worked to establish governing majorities.

That’s changing.

Raul Campillo will review his plans to become only the second Democrat to hold the San Diego City Council District 7 seat which encompasses a substantial portion of our members’ SEE LMFDC, Page 7

Republicans: volunteer and vote

By PAT BOERNER

As we approach the election in less than 60 days, it seems appropriate to consider the words of a very wise man.: “When personal attacks replace honest debate, no one wins.”

Unfortunately we are witnessing these attacks every day and are seeing that the result is further division in our communities. Now is the perfect time to practice civility and treat others with respect. Stand up for your convictions but do it with dignity, and remember to listen to others and seek to understand their viewpoints. We, as Republicans, believe we can present our conservative principles with logic and clarity and do not need to resort to disparaging others.

We are all aware of the violence, riots, looting and lack of respect for law and order that are taking place all over the country. Is this really what we want? President Trump supports our police, and wants us to feel safe in our own communities. When there is an incident that needs to be investigated, it will be done swiftly, fairly and justly.

When we vote in November let us stop and think who has done the most for minorities in terms of higher employment rates, creating opportunity business zones, prison reform and fairness in educational opportunities. President Trump is clearly the winner and the strongest candidate to carry this momentum for the next four years.

On Saturday, Oct. 17, 5–9 p.m., Republican Women of California San Diego County is featuring nationally recognized speaker Leo Terrell at the Legacy Resort Hotel and Spa in Mission Valley. Terrell, a “Walk Away Democrat” is featured frequently on Fox News and shares why he switched parties and became a Trump supporter. He is a civil rights attorney, teacher and radio host. For ticket purchase and more information please go to RWCSDC.org.

Instead of our usual lunch meeting at the Brigantine La Mesa, Republican Women of California-Navajo Canyon will be hosting a Zoom meeting Oct. 13. Carl DeMaio, host of “DeMaio Report” on New Radio 600 KOGO from 3–6 p.m. will be the featured guest speaker.

DeMaio served on San Diego City Council and is chairman of Reform California which wages campaigns against tax

increases and advocates for government reforms. During the Zoom meeting he will address the various measures on the ballot including SB731.

GOTV stands for “Get Out The Vote” and is probably the most important action for Republicans to remember. We cannot win if we do not vote.

You are urged to value your right to vote and take the responsibility seriously. The 2020 election could change our country and head us down a path of socialism. If you don’t vote, you cannot complain later about the changes that occur – and they will occur.

Become an active volunteer to help support and elect the candidates that will preserve our freedom, respect our constitution and maintain law and order. Please consider joining Republican Women of California-Navajo Canyon. For more information visit our website RWCNavajo-Canyon.org and check us out on Facebook at Republican Women of California Navajo Canyon. For more information on our activities or membership please contact Waskah at waskahwhelan@aol.com.

—Pat Boerner writes on behalf of Republican Women of California-Navajo Canyon.

Letters TRAVEL PLANS?

I will never go to Chicago or Illinois State.

I will never go to New York City or New York State.

I will never go to New Jersey State.

I will never go to Washington D.C. I will never go to Minneapolis, Minnesota.

I will never go to Portland, or Oregon.

I will never go Seattle or Washington State.

I will never go to Kenosha or Wisconsin State.

I will never go to San Francisco.

P.S. Are all Black people drug dealers or thieves?

Yes or no? Are all cops racists? Yes or no?

—Randy Swanson, La Mesa

Dianne’s Corner

By DIANNE JACOB Get ready: My heart goes out to those who lost their homes and other property in the recent Valley Fire. Just know that the county is doing all it can to help.

At my request, the county has agreed to waive permit fees for those looking to rebuild houses and other structures that were damaged or destroyed in the disaster.

The fire was a warning shot for what we may face in coming weeks. Early fall is when we typically have our biggest wildfires, like the deadly firestorms of 2003 and 2007.

Making sure you’re prepared for a disaster has never been more important.

I can’t say it enough: Put together a go-kit, download the SDEmergency app and sign up for reverse 911 notifications – known as AlertSanDiego — at readysandiego.org.

Helping our economy: My BOS colleagues recently joined me in approving $4.1 million in federal grants to 254 small businesses in my district.

The list includes more than 80 restaurants and about 50 salons, barber shops and other personal grooming businesses.

Many small businesses in East County continue to struggle as we all confront a public health crisis with no immediate end. These grants are another way the county can directly support neighborhood businesses that are the backbone of our economy.

So many are in serious need, and these grants put a priority on those most impacted since the start of the pandemic.

Helping our economy – and seniors: The county’s Great Plates initiative is now even greater.

We recently expanded the food-delivery program to ensure that more seniors in need, along with the disabled, receive meals. We also moved to increase the number of participating restaurants.

For more information, call county Aging & Independence Services at 800-339-4661.

—Dianne Jacob represents District 2 on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

For questions, suggestions or feedback, call 619-531-5522 or email dianne.jacob@sdcounty. ca.gov.

sdnews.com

LMFDC

CONTINUED FROM Page 6

neighborhoods in Del Cerro, San Carlos, and Allied Gardens.

Colin Parent and Jack Shu will discuss their efforts to turn the La Mesa City Council into a governing majority for Democrats, which would be another first. And we’ve asked Tyra Fleming and Abu-Bakr Al Jafri to update us on their races to turn the La Mesa-Spring Valley School Board blue.

We plan to hear from Sammatha Hurst in her quest to win a seat on the Santee City Council District 4.

The team running in Lemon Grove is led by Raquel Vasquez working to be re-elected as mayor supported by David Arambula and George Gastil for City Council and Yahaira Preciado and Cheryl Robertson for Lemon Grove School Board — a complete sweep for Democrats in Lemon Grove.

We’ve asked Stephanie Harper and Estela De Los Rios to speak about their efforts to win seats on the El Cajon City Council. And we plan to hear from Monica Hinton and Stacie Hoover about their quest to make a difference on the Cajon Valley School Board.

There are many more races to consider. Please take a look on the San Diego Democratic Party County website sddemocrats.org/candidates and the Registrar of Voters website sdvote.com. And vote blue – no matter who!

—Mitch Wagner writes on behalf of the La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club.

Sept. 25 – Oct. 22, 2020 POLITICS / NEWS La Mesa Courier Plan to convert Holiday Inn News briefs into housing for homeless nixed

7

CONTINUED FROM Page 4

By KENDRA SITTON | La Mesa Courier

At the La Mesa Mayor and City Council’s request, San Diego County Board of Supervisors withdrew an application for millions of state funds to convert a Holiday Inn in La Mesa into permanent supportive housing for homeless. During the vote on Tuesday, Sept.

22, the motion passed in a 3-2 vote with Supervisors Dianne Jacob, Jim Desmond and Kristin Gaspar voting to pull the application while Supervisors Greg Cox and Nathan Fletcher voted to move forward with the application.

The shuttered hotel at 8000 Parkway Drive is in a commercial area. The county and partner Affirmed Housing Group’s application included 139 units for homeless people and people at-risk of becoming homeless due to COVID-19. It would have included wrap-around services for the residents and 24/7 security.

Many of the elected officials who opposed the project said it was due to the process involved with the application, not the merits of the

site. The county, not the city involved, approved the application before it was voted on by the city.

“I really have difficulty with the process. The need is there. Absolutely the need is there,” said Supervisor Jim Desmond.

This was partially due to the short timeline of the Homekey Program because it was funded through the CARES ACT. All funds must be spent by Dec. 30, 2020.

According to a County Health and Human Services staff member, the state announced the existence of Homekey funds on July 22, 2020. The county looked at several sites but only one proved viable. The City of La Mesa was informed of the county’s intent to develop the site on Aug. 12 and the application was sent the following day.

With the grant application deadline a few weeks after the program was announced, the county did not plan to hold community meetings until after the funds were officially awarded in October.

La Mesa Mayor Mark Arapostathis contested this

timeline, explaining that the developer only contacted one City Council member, not the entire City Council. It was then that the city manager reached out to the county, not the other way around.

The county voted on the program on Sept. 15. In response, La Mesa City Council held a special meeting on Sept. 21 and voted to request the county to withdraw the application.

“This project was imposed on us,” Arapostathis said.

The mayor said even the city’s homelessness task force is on the record opposing the project. He also said during the meeting, around 160 residents spoke and only 14 were in favor of the project.

The next day, the county agreed to La Mesa’s request to pull the application.

“Here we have a chance to respect local control,” Supervisor Dianne Jacob said. “We’d be hypocritical not to honor the wishes of the City of La Mesa.”

The decision means the area will lose out on $19 million in Homekey funds.

—Reach Kendra Sitton at Kendra@sdnews.com.

for upkeep, improvements, and free community programming.

“More than ever our nature preserve and historic Park has become absolutely vital to our community for mental health, nature exploration, family bonding, play, exercise, Community events and more. As we approach the 100th anniversary, we have a deep need to raise funds for several large restoration projects. We also hope to have enough money to continue our free community programming and events in 2021. We do not receive government funding and this annual event is how we survive,” said Krista Powers, executive director of the Mt. Helix Park Foundation.

For more information, to make a donation or to purchase tickets, visit bit. ly/3iYoHdp or call 619-741-4363.

LOCAL CHORUS HIRE NEW DIRECTOR The California Note Catchers, a ladies four-part harmony chorus based in La Mesa, is excited to announce they have hired Katie Taylor as their Pro Tem Zoom Director.

Taylor lives in New York and has an extensive musical background. She is the music and theatre director for PK – 12 and has won several gold medals with her chorus that she directs as well as many honors for her quartet. She also produces custom vocal learning tracks that the California Note Catchers have used.

SEE NEWS BRIEFS, Page 14

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Sept. 25 – Oct. 22, 2020 BOOKS / ART La Mesa Courier sdnews.com 9 Movies on hold, but their books are not Featured Artist: Annette Cirillo

By JAKE SEXTON

Remember going to the movies?

You and your family could go out for a night of romance, explosions and overpriced snacks, and enjoy yourselves in a room packed full of strangers, mask-free. Good times.

While it’s true that a lot of this entertainment has moved to home video or streaming services, many upcoming films are on hold until both theater and production conditions are safer. So how about getting the jump on these postponed movies by reading the books that they’re based on!

“Death on the Nile” is an Agatha Christie mystery in which her popular Belgian detective Hercule Poirot is faced with the murder of a wealthy heiress while he is on a vacation cruise in Egypt. Suspects, motives and alibis abound, while Poirot must use his keen mind and ridiculous mustache to find the culprit(s).

This new movie version of the story is serving as a sequel to 2017’s “Murder on the Orient Express,” also directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh. And like that film, our gaggle of suspects is played by an all-star cast: Gal Godot, Annette Bening, Armie Hammer, Letitia Wright, Russell Brand and more. The film is currently scheduled to come out in theaters in October, but the book is available at the library (as are the book and movie versions of “Orient Express”).

Frank Herbert’s sci-fi epic “Dune” was published in 1965,

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and is one of the highest-selling science fiction novels of all time.

In the distant future, the planets of an intergalactic empire are held together by a drug called melange (or “the spice”), which allows swift travel through space. The spice is only found on the desert planet of Arrakis, and as our story begins, the family of House Atreides is entrusted to oversee this planet for the emperor. The family is betrayed and massacred, and our protagonist Paul Atreides must flee for his life. Paul joins with the native inhabitants of Arrakis, becomes a trusted leader in the group, and they begin a rebellion against imperial rule to control the spice themselves. The story involves sci-fi weapons, court intrigue/backstabbing, mystical powers, and giant alien beasts.

The novel was turned into a confusing movie in the 1980s, and is being remade as a pair of films with popular actors Timothée Chalamet, Josh Brolin, Zendaya and Jason Momoa.

“The Nightingale” is Kristin Hannah’s 2015 novel about the Nazi occupation of France during World War II. It’s the fictional

story of two estranged sisters and the ways in which they resist. Older sister Viviane struggles to raise her daughter and survive difficult economic times while also trying to rescue Jewish children. Isabelle begins working with the French resistance to find Allied airmen who’ve been shot down and helping them to escape and return to the fight. A movie version is scheduled for release in late 2021, starring actresses who are real life sisters, Elle and Dakota Fanning.

Have you missed the library?

You are now able to visit us in person on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Our hours will be 10 a.m.–12:30 pm and 1:30–4 p.m. The midday closure allows for thorough cleaning of public spaces within the buildings. And walk-up door-side service, where you can pick up items that you have requested online, will happen on Mondays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-4p.m.

—Jake Sexton is a librarian at the La Branch of the San Diego County Library. Visit the library at 8074 Allison Ave., or online at sdcl.org.

Annette Cirillo, a second generation San Diego artist, is the Foothills Art Association’s October Featured Artist. Her artwork will be featured on the Foothills website and at the Foothills Gallery in La Mesa.

Cirillo’s creative process is the product of her 30-year career as a cosmetologist, crafter and artist. Currently, her passion is painting acrylic on canvas.

“I have had some training in the art world, but most of my expression is self-taught,” she said. “Through experimentation of styles and color, with the use of my favorite acrylic paint, I love to splash color on canvas, spray it with water, manipulate the canvas and watch the color and pattern drip, blend, move

(Courtesy photos)

and develop into something very unique. I appreciate the individuality of each piece as it unfolds before my eyes.”

Describing her artistic method, Cirillo said, “From abstract to detail, I love to see the creative process come to life before my eyes. Color allows expression in so many ways.

From fantasy of an individual’s unique style, to displaying your dream in vivid color, I enjoy each project as it develops into a finished piece of art. I have taken several local art classes but enjoy experimenting in my own ‘she shed.’”

See more of Cirillo’s artwork on the Foothills website at foothillsartassociation.com and on her website at annettecirillo.com.

—Linda Michael writes on behalf of the La Mesa Foothills Art Association.

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EDUCATION Grossmont High’s Lakeside years shaped future Sept. 25 – Oct. 22, 2020

La Mesa Courier

Foothiller Footsteps

By CONNIE and LYNN BAER

Over 100 years ago on Sept. 13, 1920, students began their first day of school at Grossmont High School in Lakeside, where classes were held for its first two years. Wait, Lakeside? Yes, Lakeside. The cover of the first two commencement programs state “Grossmont Union High School, Lakeside, California”.

El Recuerdo School Bus, 1922

In the early 1900s, East County students commuted to San Diego by train or by horse and buggy to further their secondary school education at more “sophisticated” institutions such as Russ High School (later San Diego High School). East County residents had two small rural high schools, El Cajon Valley Union High School in east El Cajon and Riverview Union High School in Lakeside, but it soon became apparent that the community needed a larger facility, one better equipped to handle the educational needs of the students.

In the latter part of the year 1919, a new high school for the area was proposed and seriously considered. It was agreed by most people that a new school was needed, but the location for the school was a hotly debated topic. The residents of each grammar school area felt that their location was the ideal one for the school.

On July 12, 1920, a formal proposal was approved for the new school, and on Nov. 5 of that year, the $110,000 bond for the school easily gained voter approval.

The decision was readily made for the school’s location when Ed Fletcher, for a fee of $10, donated the land for the new school —14 acres at the foot of Grossmont — and also provided granite blocks from his quarry to be used in the construction of the school. This generous donation provided more than enough land to build the proposed school, plus room for future expansion.

On Sept. 13, 1920, Grossmont Union High School enrolled its first students. But as the new campus was being built, the Riverview building in Lakeside became Grossmont’s first home for two years, from 1920 until the end of the 1921-22 school year. The first graduation class of Grossmont Union High School numbered 37 students.

Those first two years were memorably captured in the GHS’s yearbook, which has been named El Recuerdo for 100 years. The first faculty numbered 11, two of

Class of 1921 from postcard (Photos courtesy GHS Museum)

whom, Carl Quicksall and Ethel Prosser, became GHS education pioneers.

2020 Hall of Honoree Carl Quicksall in September 1920 taught math and science in the new school — Grossmont. His calm leadership and kind and wise demeanor inevitably led to his being named the second principal of GHS in the 1924-25 school year. During his 20 years as principal, from 1924-1944, Carl oversaw or created Boys Federation, Circle G, and the California Scholastic Federation chapter. He

also served as a freshman or senior advisor to numerous classes over those years. From 1935-1937, as principal, he oversaw the WPAfunded dramatic expansion of the campus with the construction of the Manual Arts Building, the two-story classroom wing of the “Castle,” and the AuditoriumGymnasium (the Old Gym).

A not her 2020 Ha l l of Honoree is education pioneer Ethel Prosser, who began as an English and History teacher and SEE FOOTHILLER FOOTSTEPS, Page 11

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EDUCATION sdnews.com What Helix is virtually able to do

Helix Highlights

By JENNIFER OSBORN

Over the past few months, the unfortunate theme has leaned toward, “Here are all the things we haven’t been able to do.” With the start of a new school year, it’s as good a time as any to look at all the things we are able to do, and the efforts that have been made to continue to move forward.

First, while instruction at Helix High School is in 100% distance-learning format, teachers are finding ways to provide meaningful assignments, and are able to meet online with students who need more information, additional support, or just have a question answered outside of class. Helix Academic Coaches are also available for one-on-one online tutoring sessions. Students meet with their Grade Level Team every Monday for Advisory — a time for the team to provide information for all students in the same grade level.

Helix National Honor Society (NHS) is still going strong, even with social distancing and online learning. More than 50 students meet on Zoom each week to discuss scholarship and leadership opportunities and plan the year.

October events will include the creation of a new YouTube channel called “Read with a Scottie.”

Helix NHS students will be reading children’s books for families and teachers to watch. NHS students will also be live Zooming with elementary school classrooms to read and promote literacy. This is in place of their annual “Read with a Scottie” booth at Oktoberfest. Books will be donated

Foothiller Footsteps CONTINUED FROM Page 10

influenced countless students from 1920-1952. In 1921, she was the first yearbook advisor and in 1922 was a driving force in the creation of the GHS Alumni Association. In 1925, Miss Prosser was named Dean of Girls, a position she held until the late 1940s. In 1926, she helped to establish the Circle G — Grossmont’s honor society for high achieving and involved students. The indefatigable Miss Prosser also served as a class advisor from the 1920s through 1951, English Department Chairman, and even directed drama productions in the 1920s.

As the 1925 El Recuerdo states, “No matter what time or occasion, Miss Prosser is always ready to listen with interest and patience to our many problems, and with a kind smile and encouraging

to local schools and children at lunch pickup sites around La Mesa and nearby neighborhoods.

Beyond academics, staff is providing opportunities for students to participate in other activities.

In performing arts, the Helix Dance program is putting together a virtual dance performance.

The Highland Players (theater group) will produce “Clue” — all cast members will be in different locations, and the performances will be streamed live. The Vocal Music program is working on a virtual performance, and is exploring opportunities for virtual competitions, as well as ways to collaborate with choir alumni for additional performances.

The Speech & Debate team has participated in several online competitions, and has an entire season of virtual tournaments scheduled.

The SADD Club (Students Against Destructive Decisions) is meeting weekly to continue to promote leadership and community involvement. This is a student lead group and offers opportunities for community service hours.

Student leaders in ASB have planned a Fall Spirit Week where students will show their participation using online platforms, using themes like “Mask Monday” and “Flannel Friday.”

Helix’s ASPIRE program has been providing after-school activities for more than 10 years, and they won’t be stopped by a worldwide pandemic! Several activities have been able to adapt to the distance-learning environment and meet at least weekly so students can continue to participate.

Students are participating in a creative writing group twice a week, with the hopes of creating a mini-magazine of student work.

The Tap Club meets via Zoom, as does the Anime Club.

The AC E (A rchitectu re, Construction, and Engineering)

program members meet weekly, and every other week, the Helix ACE Mentors meet with the students virtually from 3–4 p.m.

Then from 4–5 p.m. they attend a virtual presentation from an ACE Industry Professional. On the alternate weeks, students learn basic Computer Assisted Design (CAD) skills via an online platform. The group will work on the project virtually through Zoom using all the same computer tools they used in the past.

In addition, some activities were built for this environment. The ESports program is offering opportunities for students to participate in online gaming, having partnered with Laveen Elementary School District in Phoenix.

Students sign up to participate in custom Fortnight games, and games are played in duos (teams of two) and squads (teams of four).

The last event had more than 100 participants. The ESports advisor is looking to host Fortnight and Minecraft tournaments through the San Diego County Department of Education.

Helix administration and staff are looking forward to the time when students can safely return to campus. Currently, Helix administration is developing protocols for small groups of students in “cohorts” (defined groups where the members remain consistent) will be allowed on campus to receive in-person academic support.

The goal is to gradually increase the number of students served on campus over time, keeping the health and safety of students and staff as the primary focus, using guidance from public health and county officials. We hope to see conditions improve so we are able to add more opportunities for more students to be on campus as time goes on.

words, gives us just the right advice.”

Her spirit of loyalty, cooperation, enthusiasm, and kindness pervade the school today.

Grossmont would not be what it is today without her.

The firm foundations laid during GHS’s first two years in Lakeside are evident today in Grossmont High School’s continued commitment to academic excellence and to the well-being of its students.

awarded $6,500 in senior scholarships; our goal is to dramatically increase that amount in 2021 and for the future.

Visit the GHS Educational Foundation website and donate to this historic scholarship fund at foothillerfoundation.com using the gold donate button or write a check payable to GHS Educational Foundation and mail to GHS Educational Foundation, P.O. Box 1043, La Mesa, CA 91944. On the check memo, please indicate “scholarship fund.”

To learn more about GHS, past and present, visit the GHS Museum website at foothillermuseum.com. Due to the coronavirus and our move into our larger museum space, the GHS Museum is currently closed, but we are checking our emails at ghsmuseum@guhsd.net and our phone messages at 619-668-6140.

BECOME PART OF OUR HISTORIC CAMPUS In honor of our historic 100 Years of Excellence Celebration, the GHS Educational Foundation is sponsoring a scholarship fundraising program. Each $100 for 100 years donor will have his or her name or family’s or business’ name engraved in a 2-by-4-inch gray tile, which will be displayed on a wall near the front of the school.

In June 2020, the Foundation

Sept. 25 – Oct. 22, 2020

La Mesa Courier

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Sept. 25 – Oct. 22, 2020

La Mesa Courier

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‘Dine Diego’ month replaces Restaurant Week Dine Diego hits the San Diego scene this fall for a blowout month of dining deliciousness. The onetime-only Dine Diego event will run Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 and will feature a diverse line-up of top San Diego eateries showcasing their safe dining offerings for alfresco, to go and in-house promotions.

Dine Diego takes the place of San Diego Restaurant Week for 2020 in an effort to support the unique and timely needs of the San Diego restaurant industry that is facing dynamic and ongoing challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the month-long Dine Diego, diners can expect over 300 participating restaurants to choose from that span across the county from the South Bay to East County and to the borders of Oceanside and Fallbrook to the north.

Dine Diego invites restaurant goers to take advantage of the region’s sunny weather and local restaurants’ new expanded patios and curbside tables made available under emergency orders due to the pandemic. For diners looking for takeout, the SanDiegoRestaurantWeek.com website has a searcheable database of takeout options.

More than just a meal, Dine Diego invites participants to

play. SanDiegoRestaurantWeek. com hosts an interactive bingo-style game board with dining options and the opportunity to win a San Diego staycation package. Participants are invited to snap and post a photo eating out or picking up food to go and complete five in a row, submit to a “game board” to be entered to win. Posting a photos on Instagram, follow i ng @SDRestau ra ntWk and the restaurants posted about, using the hashtag #52WeeksOfDineDiego in posts will increase the odds of of winningj52 gift certificates to San Diego restaurants.

Game Board and Year of Dining winners will be announced on Oct. 15 to close out the month of Dine Diego and diners are encouraged to enter multiple times to increase their chances.

Tickets are not necessary for Dine Diego dining, but reservations are recommended. Visit SanDiegoRestaurantWeek.com for more information.

Restaurants interested in participating should contact sdrw@ calrest.org. All restaurant participation and membership fees have been waived and restaurants have the flexibility to highlight their current in-house promotions, specials and offers.

Sept. 25 – Oct. 22, 2020

La Mesa Courier

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NEWS

Sept. 25 – Oct. 22, 2020

La Mesa Courier

News briefs CONTINUED FROM Page 7

Alessio CONTINUED FROM Page 1

The California Note Catchers have been meeting weekly on Zoom. For more information about the chorus, visit californianotecatchers.com.

something is set upon you and you don’t understand it, you feel disenfranchised,” she said. “I think it was transparent, but it wasn’t explained very well.”

Although some single-family residences will build ADUs, neighborhoods are unlikely to see other kinds of housing built in them. Alessio said the city is currently prepared to meet its housing requirements without endangering single-family neighborhoods, which she attributes to a well-zoned general plan.

“So as we grow, it’s already been determined in our last general plan where that will be and what it will be.,” she said. “We’re built out so it’s unlikely to be single-family homes other than the one Phair company project. It is most likely to be multi-family and all-incomes and there are areas — whether they are mixed-use zone or residential business zone — that are already zoned for that and good to go.”

She added that La Mesa is fortunate for having good planning, which brings security for neighborhoods because there aren’t arguments over changing zoning.

polarized camps and I’m probably the best person to do it,” she said.

Alessio was born and raised in La Mesa. She currently works as an attorney in her family’s real estate development business. Before being elected to the BANNER PROGRAM TO City Council in 2012, Alessio START EARLY OCTOBER served on the La Mesa Planning The La Mesa Village Association Commission for 10 years, a nat(LMVA) has announced that they ural fit for her, she said, because are coordinating the installation her law practice mostly deals of lamp post banners along La with land use issues.

Mesa Boulevard between Acacia She ran for City Council in 2012, she said, because Dave and 4th Street in the heart of downtown La Mesa to further Allen stepped off the council and asked her to run for his seat. promote the city of La Mesa, local downtown businesses and events “I saw it as a logical extension as well as bring additional beauof the Planning Commission betification to the Village. cause so much of what La Mesa deals with are land use issues and how we’re going to grow, what we’re going to do with housing, maintenance of single-family neighborhoods, all the above,” she said.

Alessio was re-elected in 2016 and hopes to serve a third term if elected this year — a final term, she pointed out, because she helped institute term limits FARMERS MARKET for the city before she was even When the Friday Night elected to office.

Farmers Market moved from the Civic Center parking lot to La ADUS AND HOUSING Mesa Boulevard, Alessio was the In March 2019, Alessio voted most outspoken critic of the move, in favor of new ordinances for although she said she was only accessory dwelling units (ADUs). opposed to the day and time of Although there was some push- the market, not the market itself. back against the ordinances, Supported farmers market for (Courtesy LMVA) which streamlined the process years.

There will be a total of 42 banfor building and loosened the re“I like the idea of it,” she said, ners attached to the decorative strictions on ADUs, she stands by adding that her preference lamp posts located along La Mesa her vote, explaining that ADUs would be a Sunday morning Boulevard featuring three difare good for homeowners, good market in the Village. “It was ferent banner themes, including for the housing crisis and provide primarily the restaurants who general downtown messages such a housing alternative for an ag- were in opposition to it and I thought, ‘They’re investing in as the city’s “Dine|Shop|Explore” ing population. campaign, the various LMVA Alessio said the resistance to our neighborhood with employevents such as the La Mesa Classic the ADU ordinance was because ees, with this with that, they Car Show, and finally, local busithere wasn’t enough public edu- need to have a voice.’” ness banners. cation about the issue.

Alessio stands by her vote, even The LMVA will be responsible “I think a lot of the worry about thought there was a lot of public for the banner design, developthe ADUs was lack of understand- support for keeping the market ment, and maintenance. ing, and that’s a valid criticism going. Alessio added she was dis“Our goal for the lamp post of the Council,” she said. “We mayed by people who reacted to banners is twofold,” said Teri should have done a better job ex- businesses that were opposed to Favro, LMVA chair and owner of plaining the ordinance, explain- the market by posting fake Yelp Amethyst Moon. “First, we want ing how ADUs are allowed, what reviews and urging boycotts. to further beautify La Mesa Village happens with ADUs, all of that.”

“That’s not right. That kind of Alessio said that although the mob intimidation,” she said. with tasteful and colorful banners along the boulevard. Second, we Council could have done a better want to showcase the many attrijob at getting the information CIVIL DEFENSE butes that make the Village such about the ADU ordinance out to In the wake of the protests that a special place to dine, shop and residents, the process in adopt- turned into riots, Alessio was an explore in order to further brand ing the ordinance was a trans- early member of a group called La awareness and draw business to parent one.

Mesa Civil Defense, which some our downtown community, which “Not [enough] information was critics described as vigilantism. is needed now more than ever with out there to allow people to digest Alessio defended the group and the ongoing restrictions from what the ordinance was, what others that formed in the wake COVID19 the past six months.” state law was, what we were do- of the riots as a normal reaction ing with it. So I think that criti- to the kind of destruction the city SEE NEWS BRIEFS, Page 18 cism is valid. When you feel like experienced.

“I think when something really tragic happens in your city and people are frightened, they form Serving La Mesa into groups and they want to do for 30 Years! what they feel the police are unCommercial/Residential Lic. #882763 Interior/ Exterior able to do due to lack of manpowFully Insured Property Management er,” she said.

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“I admire that in a person,” she said. “Of course, you don’t want to be aligned with people who say weird things like ‘BLM are terrorists,’ but in any group you’re going to have some nutballs. I think I can be criticized for it but I think under the circumstances it was normal and reasonable.”

Alessio said that the groups formed in reaction to the La Mesa protests have gone on to do other work like rescuing people and animals during the recent wildfires, and added that people on both sides are too caught up in painting the other side as all bad and themselves as all good.

“And it’s just not that way,” she said. “If you’re afraid and you’re afraid that your business or home is going to be burned — arson and everything — and you’ve experienced what we experienced in La Mesa, I can see why people want to form [a group] just in case the police can’t handle it.”

POLICE OVERSIGHT

City Council, you could get rid of it completely,” she said.

COVID RESPONSE

Alessio said the city has done a good job to responding to the needs of people, residents and business owners during the pandemic — her one critique being that the city was a little slow to open up sidewalks for outdoor dining. Moving forward, she said the council needs to give the city manager leeway to do things quickly, rather than wait for council votes to act.

The next major action the city should take, she said, is mortgage relief.

“Because right now you’ve got evictions allegedly stayed by the CDC and they were stayed by the state, but you got landlords that have to pay mortgages and homeowners that have to pay mortgages and as we move forward through this mess, the next group due for some relief may be mortgage holders,” she said, adding that the money for such a program would have to come from the federal CARES Act program.

Alessio added that she prefers to prioritize federal money the city may get for rent-aid programs and supporting local businesses over providing for city programs and employees.

Managing future city budgets, she said, will take a lot of know how because the city already operates on a lean budget that relies heavily on sales tax revenues “I think it’s going to be an incredible challenge which is one of the reasons I decided to run for reelection,” she said. “The first two years, the way I see it, of the next four are going to be damage control from COVID. That is going to be a difficult challenge that the city is going to need to rise to and we’re going to need consistent, calm leadership with an understanding of the facts on the ground to do that.”

As of now, Alessio said, none of the city’s programs will be put on hold.

“Lots of things, like the MacArthur Park Plan, are already funded. The money is in separate pots, you just can’t take one to another,” she said.

But if the economic fallout from the pandemic persists, managing the budget will be a “tremendous challenge” requiring hard choices. Alessio said her priorities would be to continue funding safety as well as infrastructure and maintenance.

If the economy rebounds quickly, Alessio said the city should concentrate on building parks; creating a Downtown specific plan and a Civic Center plan that includes a library with a joint use performance area and meeting space.

She also said the city should fund El Cajon and University Boulevard corridors revitalization and make La Mesa less “Village-centric” by promoting events in other neighborhoods.

At the Sept. 15 City Council meeting, Alessio voted against adopting the proposed citizen oversight plan presented by a task force that wrote it. She said she was worried the Police Officers Association would sue the city because the task force did not “meet and confer” with them when creating the plan.

“I support the idea of an oversight board. I would have rather of had it worked out in advance with the Police Officers Association than now lawyers being involved and now potential lawsuits because this is the last thing the city needs,” Alessio said. “We also don’t want to be a city where the police feel there is no confidence in the elected officials and they don’t have a say.

It’s a difficult thing to go through.

You want accountability for the police. You want some form of independent review of actions that they take, but you don’t want to demoralize the police force by ignoring their voice. And that was my main problem about how it was handled.”

Besides, the risk of lawsuit and the process in creating the oversight plan, which Alessio said “alienated” police, another issue she has with the plan is that it has too broad a scope for people to make complaints about officer conduct.

“I do believe [oversight] should be for use of force, for discharge of weapons, any allegations of racism, but there needs to be some happy medium for who’s going to take reports from someone saying ‘I’m mad just because I got a ticket,’” she said.

Alessio said she plans to introduce tweaks to the plan at the second reading before it goes to a final vote, and if the issues aren’t resolved with the plan now, there are other avenues to change it later.

“Because it has not gone on the —Reach editor Jeff Clemetson at ballot, if you had a whole new jeff@sdnews.com.

NEWS

sdnews.com

Durden CONTINUED FROM Page 1

not a patriot and another side telling us you’re a racist that’s crazy,” he continued. “I think in La Mesa if we can just agree on that that may bring us a little closer together.”

Durden’s unity message for his campaign for a City Council seat — his first run for public office — is directly tied to his experience growing up Black in La Mesa.

LOCAL ROOTS

Durden’s family moved from Houston to La Mesa in 1976. His father — a coach for the Houston Oilers — took a position with the San Diego Chargers.

The family chose moving to La Mesa over Kearney Mesa because Durden’s brother was a basketball player and wanted to go to Helix High where Bill Walton went.

The family experience racism immediately.

“I didn’t know it at that time, I was 5 or 6 years old, they had a petition to get us out of Mt. Nebo,” Durden said. “We learned this 10 years after we moved here because we had a friend that lived next door.”

In addition to the racism by some of his neighbors, the Durden family also went through the tragedy of losing Durden’s older brother who was murdered by teenager trying to steal his phone.

“Even with all those things, we decided to stay [in La Mesa]. We wanted to stay,” he said. “I still

live in the neighborhood today where I grew up.”

D u r de n at t e nde d D a le Elementary, La Mesa Junior High and then Helix High where he followed in his father’s footsteps and played football, eventually getting a scholarship to the University of Arizona, before bing drafted to play for the Detroit Lions in 1985.

At the University of Arizona, Durden’s football accolades included being named All Pac-10, All American, and was also inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame. Off the field, he earned a BA and a Charter Leadership Fellow Designation in financial services, which is the field of work he has been in since leaving pro football.

“My expertise includes team leadership, operations management, strategic management and I’ve partnered with a lot of corporate leaders and business owners helping them achieve their goals as well,” he said. “I’ve represented La Mesa as a student-athlete, a business leader and I look forward to representing [the city] as a City Council member.”

RACISM AND A RUN FOR OFFICE Durden is a political newcomer who said “one particular incident” spurred him o run for City Council.

“I was down at the Vons shopping center the day after the riots and I was watching people clean up and kind of assisting here and there and a lady came up to me … and she asks me ‘Why are so many minorities moving into La Mesa?’”

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Durden shared. “I said, ‘Wow, OK. How long have you been a resident of La Mesa?’ She said, ‘I’ve been a proud resident for 25 years.’ And I said, ‘Wow, that’s great. Well I’ve been a resident of La Mesa for 45 years, does that mean you moved into my neighborhood?’ And she was appalled and kind of stomped off. That kind of made me think I got to do something about this.”

Other incidents followed.

Durden and his wife — who is white — were recently profiled by people taking their pictures and writing down their license plate while driving home by “guys in yellow vests,” he said.

“Any one of these issues could have validated my family leaving, but we decided to stay. I keep on emphasizing that because I want people to know,” he said. “I grew up in La Mesa. My friends are here, I raised my family here and all I know is we got to get better together. This is ridiculous.”

Durden blames the profiling on outside agitators coming into the city he doesn’t see racism in La Mesa getting any worse from when he was young and his neighbors tried to petition for his family to move.

“Where I live it’s becoming more diverse,” he said. “I just think we need to turn that corner and have a council that is representative of the community.”

Durden describes himself as “totally liberal” but points out that he has many conservative friends.

“I love my friends. We can have an argument, have a discussion, but we can also have a beer,” he said.

Sept. 25 – Oct. 22, 2020

La Mesa Courier

POLICING IN LA MESA

Durden does not harbor a lot of criticism for La Mesa Police and pointed out that the city has an excellent safety record — ranked 66th in the state for safety.

“So police in La Mesa have not done a bad job. I think our crime rate is really low and our violent crime rate is even lower,” he said.

In looking for a new chief to replace outgoing Chief Walt Vasquez, Durden said the city should look for experience.

“But I don’t think we want a big city police chief,” he added. “I think we need a police chief who will listen to the people, listen to the recommendations of the oversight commission, that will work with the people.”

Durden said he is not an ardent proponent of defunding police outright, but he did suggest that the new chief should “maybe” look at directing some of the department’s budget funds to other agencies to relieve officers from some of their duties.

“They wear hats for psychology.

They wear homeless hats. They got mental health hats. They’re just not trained for that,” he said.

“So if we can just allocate some of that money to get them some help, I think we’ll be just fine.”

COVID RESPONSE

Durden said he supports the city’s move to open sidewalks to help businesses to help them stay operating during the pandemic. He is also in favor of mask mandates.

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When it comes to where the city should spend money to deal with economic fallout from the coronavirus, Durden favors increased funds for social services like providing meals to children while they are not in school.

“It’s going to be difficult. The business owners definitely need their money because we need business owners to thrive, but we have some community people that need money to live. So that balance is going to very difficult,” he said.

HOUSING

Helping La Mesa’s most vulnerable is also a priority for Durden when it comes to housing policy.

“I am a person that believes in affordable housing,” he said. “I believe we have spaces in La Mesa where we can build affordable housing — whether it be close to the trolley on Amaya, or close to the trolley on Spring Street. I don’t know how affordable it would be to build Downtown. That is not affordable.

I don’t want a huge Downtown. I want the Village vintage, keep it the way it is. I want it to grow but I don’t want it to grow up.”

Durden’s idea of growing the Village is to build up all the commerce areas in La Mesa and consider them all part of the “Village” — not just the area around La Mesa Boulevard and Spring Street.

“Other than that, I have no agendas other than to keep the city safe,” he added.

—Reach editor Jeff Clemetson at jeff@sdnews.com.

16

Sept. 25 – Oct. 22, 2020

La Mesa Courier

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NEWS Parent CONTINUED FROM Page 1

Parent’s 2016 election victory to the City Council was his first run for public office, although he had been involved in politics for some time.

His first “real job” in politics was working for Gov. Jerry Brown’s 2010 campaign and following that he worked in the governor’s housing and community development office “While there, I was really focused on affordable housing and economic development policy,” Parent said.

After working in Sacramento, Parent returned to San Diego where he got a job on the San Diego Housing Commission before leaving to join local transportation safety advocate group Circulate San Diego as policy council where he worked on promoting safe routes to school and other safety policies for pedestrians. Parent took over as executive director of Circulate in 2017.

FARMERS MARKET

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Because of his extensive background pushing for pedestrian-friendly cities and walkability, it is unsurprising that Parent views his vote to bring the La Mesa Farmers Market to the center of the Village, and subsequent votes to keep it there, as one of his accomplishments in his time on the City Council.

“It was a surprise to a lot of voters that it was controversial,” he said. “It was a surprise to me too, because every Friday night I would go out there and see thousands of people having a good time, enjoying their neighborhood and being a part of the La Mesa community.”

Parent said most businesses in the Village supported the market, and only a “relatively small group” was “not happy about it but had influence over some council members.”

The eventual vote that kept the market in the Village was not without controversy, however.

The La Mesa Village Association lost its control over the market — and the money it was getting to promote the Village businesses.

Parent said he ultimately voted for keeping the market even though it meant the LMVA losing its main funding source because it was “made clear” to him by other council members that the only way to get enough votes to keep the market was to take control away from the Village Association.

“My strong preference was to continue the contract with the Village Association and to keep the business community in the driver’s seat of that event, but I could not get two other votes to do that,” he said.

Because the Council looked for alternatives as a compromise to the Village businesses’ dispute over the market and requested proposals from other market managers to move the market, Parent said he introduced a program

— the Village Enhancement Fund — as a way to counter the possibility of the market moving elsewhere.

“At that time when I saw applications that were coming in, I knew there was a very real possibility the Council would not move forward with the Village Association’s bid,” he said.

“When I proposed the Village Enhancement Fund, it was to hedge against that possibility to make sure that no matter what happened with the Farmers Market, there would still be some revenue that the business community would have access to put on events and promote the Village.”

“We do need to have more homes in La Mesa — and I think people agree with that — but there are a lot easier places to do that than on public land that is currently being used by a lot of important businesses,” he said, adding that sites like the old police station lot where a housing project is already in motion or the underutilized Civic Center parking lot are much better choices for development.

“Those are areas where we should be having talks,” Parent said. “The Allison Avenue lot which is actually pretty well utilized? That shouldn’t be a priority for new apartments.”

ADU VOTE

POLICE OVERSIGHT

Similar to his support the farmers market, Parent sees his support for the city’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance as taking a popular position, despite pushback from a minority of critics.

“What we have in La Mesa is a small group of people who want to maintain economic and racial exclusion in their neighborhoods and are extremely incensed that their neighbors might be able to invest in their own property to create a new rental unit,” he said.

“It is a weird, troubling thing in La Mesa that you have this small group of really angry people trying to fight against new homes and new opportunities for home owners.”

To Parent, these kinds of blocks to housing are a continuation of the historical practice of red-lining — a practice residential communities have used to exclude minorities.

“Is it true that the people arguing about this are waking up in the morning thinking about how to be racist? No. But is it informing their perspective? Yeah,” he explained.

In the year since the ADU ordinance was adopted by the city, there have been over 100 applications to build, Parent said — a number he points to to prove the program’s popularity.

“When you’re looking at a dozen people who don’t like it versus 100 people who have clearly decided they’re going to benefit from it, that to me is a good indication of a public policy success,” he said, adding that the city’s projections show that 5% of property owners will ultimately take advantage of the ordinance and build an ADU. “That’s not going to solve the housing crisis, but nor is it going to have any large impact to any neighborhood,” he said.

CITY-OWNED PROPERTY

On Aug. 11, the City Council met with developers who made an offer to purchase the Allison Avenue parking lot. Although by state law, real estate negotiations are required to be held in closed session, any actions by the city has to be reported and nay decisions must be ratified at a public meeting. Despite rumors to the contrary, Parent said it is unlikely that the parking lot will be sold.

On Sept. 15, Parent voted in favor of adopting a Citizen Public Safety Oversight Commission in La Mesa. The proposed citizen oversight was in response to publicized incidents involving La Mesa Police use of force on Black residents. Before the vote, Parent explained why he supports citizen oversight of police.

“My view is, I’m grateful for members of law enforcement who put themselves at risk trying to defend our communities,” he said.

“But I also feel — and think most La Mesans feel — that we should expect some accountability for people that are put in positions of significant responsibility.”

Parent said he hopes the oversight board will help create accountability in a way that is constructive and not “based around demonizing any individuals or departments of city government.”

He added that oversight won’t solve all the problems but in an “important piece of the puzzle to rebuilding trust in community around law enforcement.”

To rebuild trust in law enforcement, Parent also sees a need for public engagement in hiring a new police chief. LMPD should also approach its assessment of its actions before and during the Black Lives Matter protests with “humility” and realize that it did things wrong, he said. At the same time, protesters need to respect the law and other people’s property.

“Peaceful protests are good — they’re part of what makes America America. We should protect and cherish those things,” Parent said. “But violence, threats of violence, public disorder, those things are totally unacceptable regardless of who is responsible.”

COVID RESPONSE

In describing La Mesa’s handling of the coronavirus crisis, Parent said, “We’ve had some ups and downs.”

He pointed to the city being overly cautious in closing down parks earlier in the pandemic.

“In some ways that’s good because we’re learning and we shouldn’t be afraid of changing course if we have new information,” he said.

The city’s biggest mistake, he said, is in its use of CARES Act SEE PARENT, Page 17

sdnews.com

Papenfuss

mayor and the city council should be the ones that make the CONTINUED FROM Page 1 decisions and make the calls so I would support a change in the degree in internet and informa- charter to reflect that,” he said.

When it comes to hiring a new tion services and has remained in that field of work ever since. This police chief, Papenfuss said he is Papenfuss’ first run for public wants a chief who is open to workoffice, although he said he has ing with the oversight committee been watching politics and re- and the city council and is “community focused.” searching the issues closely.

“I don’t like where the direction of the city is going. I felt like the COVID RESPONSE people were not being listened to,” Papenfuss is less critical of the he said of his reason for entering city’s response to the COVID panthe La Mesa City Council race. demic, which he said has been Papenfuss specifically pointed good, pointing out that La Mesa to the issue of the farmers market must comply with county and where he said polls showed a ma- state guidance on dealing with it. jority of people supported the mar“I understand people want more ket on La Mesa Boulevard but the freedoms, they want less rules city council “dragged their feet” and restrictions,” he said. “I get over solving the issue. that, but at the same point and “And we almost lost the farmers time we need to be responsible. market because of certain inter- We need to take steps to protect ests city council had and that was people as much as we can.” very frustrating to me,” he said.

Papenfuss said the city allowing The ADU ordinance was anoth- for dining areas to be extended er issue he said a “vast majority” outside onto sidewalks is an exof people opposed to it, but was ample of a good policy because it still passed by the council. helps businesses and still offers “Those two things were frustrat- some protection to people. ing to me because I felt the city “It’s a very hard line to navigate council was doing its own thing because you don’t want to go to and not listening to the people,” far one way or the other,” he he said. “I think the city council said. “If you go too far with the should listen to the people.” protections, you really hurt the businesses, but if you go too far POLICING IN LA MESA the other way it can really hurt Papenfuss also shared his crit- some people. But I do think the icism for what he describes as city is doing everything they can the council’s inaction on police in this situation.” matters. He cited a report that In dealing with the coming ecoLMPD had well over 100 use of nomic and budget fallout from the force complaints against officers pandemic, Papenfuss said the city over a four-year period, but only a needs to shelve “pet projects” like handful garnered any discussion MacArthur Park and fund help for or action. He said La Mesa Police businesses and public safety “I think we really need to focus could have taken these reports more seriously. on the safety of the community “After the Helix incident, the — the first responders of the city. city council and the mayor made Things like that really need to be a very strong stance that we can’t the focus,” he said. talk to the police, we can’t tell the police what to do. So we didn’t talk GROWTH to them, we didn’t meet with them Papenfuss also shared some — and I don’t like that response,” ideas he has for economic growth he said. “I think, even if you can’t in the city. He said he would use tell the police department what the success of the farmers marto do, you could still take owner- ket to bring people into the city ship of and have a conversation and would like to get businesses with the police — sit down with outside of the Village involved the police chief and say, ‘These are by making space for them to our concerns. What are you doing have booths. He added that loto address these? This is what we cal businesses should be able to would like to be looked at.’ And access money from the Village that wasn’t done.”

Enhancement Fund (which he dePapenfuss has similar concerns scribed as the city’s “fun fund”) to about the proposed citizen over- offset the cost of offering coupons sight committee. to visitors.

“I definitely support the overTo bring new businesses into sight committee, but at the end the city, Papenfuss would like to of the day if they can’t tell the see lower startup fees and taxes.

“Because anything you lose uppolice what to do, then if you go by the city council’s logic, then front, you’re going to make up in what’s the point?” he said. “But I the long run from tax revenue,” support it because, if nothing else, he said. it brings more attention to the poOne area of growth Papenfuss lice force. It brings more account- wants to see slowed down is ability. It brings more responsibil- housing. ity and it brings up the questions I “I am opposed to the direction think need to be asked.” the city is going in allowing these Papenfuss said he would sup- large apartment complexes, and port a move to make La Mesa a I do not agree with the deals that charter city to give more teeth to are being made for these developers,” he said. oversight.

“To me, the city council should be the ones with the power. The SEE PAPENFUSS, Page 18

NEWS Parent

Sept. 25 – Oct. 22, 2020

La Mesa Courier

17

wants to look after our most vul- of the economic troubles from nerable and we want to prevent COVID. CONTINUED FROM Page 16 people from falling into home“We need to make sure that lessness and we want to treat we’re not cutting our developfunds. The city’s initial proposal people with compassion,” he said ment services so tightly that no was to use all the money for city “I was able to get a little compas- one can get a permit application costs or some relief to businesses. sion out of my colleagues but not to open a new business,” he add“I think both those things are what I think is a fair amount.” ed. “We need to make sure that good to spend money on but we With the economic uncer- if someone wants to come to the were completely missing any di- tainty caused by the pandemic, city and create jobs, a tax reverect support for our most vulner- Parent sees City Council budget nue generating business, we’re able residents,” he said. discussions on the horizon. in a position to say yes to them.”

“We’re in a position where we Parent proposed spending an Parent said his other priorities equal amount on businesses and do have pretty substantial oper- if he is elected to the next City renters behind on payments, but ating reserves, so we don’t have Council will be implementing ultimately only managed to get to make really hard choices right the Climate Action Plan and exsome money for at-risk residents, away, but we do got to look to the panding bike lanes and pedestriwith the lion’s share going to lo- future,” he said. an safety. cal businesses.

Parent said his spending pri“Budgets are really expressions orities are public safety and —Reach editor Jeff Clemetson at of values and I think Mesa Community any program helps get out jeff@sdnews.com.

20SDG16502_Mylar BalloonLa Safety__SD Newsthat Network__RUN: Sept 2020__4C__Trim: 6.1” x 10.96”

BALLOONS AND POWER LINES SHOULD NEVER PARTY TOGETHER.

The way we celebrate these days has changed. But one thing hasn’t.

Though metallic foil balloons seem harmless, they can actually be dangerous around electric power lines. The metal in the balloons can cause the line to arc and spark. So keep balloons securely tied down or weighted when outdoors. Always deflate and dispose of them when the party’s over. And when we all return to our normal celebrations, think about using festive rubber or vinyl balloons instead.

Get more tips at sdge.com/safety

Follow us on: © 2020 San Diego Gas & Electric Company. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

20SDG16502_Mylar Balloon Safety_SDCommNwsNtwk_6.1x10.96.indd 1

8/24/20 10:16 AM

18

BUSINESS & SERVICES / NEWS

Sept. 25 – Oct. 22, 2020

La Mesa Courier

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CONTINUED FROM Page 17

He said the large-scale housing plans put a strain on not only parking, but on schools as well.

“La Mesa already has a much higher than average class size and these new large apartment complexes will only make this worse,” he said.

“I think we need to protect our children and give them as much opportunity as we can for them to succeed and overcrowding our local schools more than they already are is not a good thing.”

Papenfuss is also against selling any city-owned property, and that he is “disappointed with certain members of the council who are doing everything they can to sell off cityowned land.”

“I’m not a politician,” Papenfuss concluded. “I don’t have the obligations of career politicians. I don’t have big corporate donors. I don’t have people I have to listen to when it comes time for voting. I’m a citizen who wants to do the best I can for the city and I have the ability to listen to the people of La Mesa.”

—Reach editor Jeff Clemetson at jeff@sdnews.com.

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News briefs CONTINUED FROM Page 14

The business banners will be available to “rent” in 3-month increments. Rental of the banners will be on a first come, first serve basis to LMVA member businesses, and coordinated by the LMVA Village Improvement Project Committee. Complete information about the banner program and the application process can be found on the LMVA website at LaMesaVillageAssociation.org.

“The revenue generated from the flagpole banner program will be used for future LMVA sponsored events as well as promoting the downtown Village businesses year-round,” added Wes Troy, LMVA co-chair and general manager at La Mesa Lumber & Hardware.

The LMVA is projecting to have the flagpole banners installed by the beginning of October 2020.

For additional information about the LMVA, or to become a member, visit lamesavillageassociation.org, email info@lamesavillageassociation.org, or call 619-343.2460

FREE VIRTUAL PLAY

The Grossmont College Theatre Arts Department is premiering a free virtual performance of “Hope at the End of the World,” opening at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, with the link active until Nov. 1 for anytime viewing.

The play focuses its themes on events that are surrounding our world now, along with universal themes of love, growth as an individual and as a community, and finding joy through difficult times.

Visit bit.ly/2Evtfco.

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sdnews.com

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La Mesa Courier

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49. Secondary school 51. __ student: learns to heal 52. Regarding 54. Highly excited 56. Mainly 60. Thin, narrow piece of wood 61. Cakes 62. Biomedical nonprofit 63. Dried-up 64. One who is symbolic of something 65. Body part 66. Muslim ruler 67. Women from Mayflower 68. Notes

CLUES DOWN 1. Not us 2. Helper 3. Bleat 4. Type of chair 5. Jr.’s father 6. Necessary for certain beverages 7. Hillside 8. Dutch painter Gerrit __ 9. Gave a new look 10. Ancient Greek City 11. Confidence trick 12. Type of fund 14. From an Asian island 17. Malay boat

20. Western Australia indigenous people 21. Cluster on underside of fern frond 23. You need it to get somewhere 25. The woman 26. It may be green 27. Makes less severe 29. One from Beantown 30. Cavalry sword 32. Metric linear unit 34. Hawaiian dish 35. Yokel 37. Dissuade 40. Mutual savings bank 42. __ Caesar, comedian

43. Primordial matters 47. We all have it 49. Hermann __, author of “Siddhartha” 50. Historic MA coastal city 52. Shady garden alcove 53. Small amount 55. Horse-drawn cart 56. Nocturnal rodent 57. Spiritual leader 58. Air mattress 59. Speaks incessantly 61. Auction term 65. Atomic #62

20

Sept. 25 – Oct. 22, 2020

La Mesa Courier

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