LCVSD News

Please Join LCVSD at a Reception for Sherri Lightner 
Join hosts Bob Filner, Keith and Renee Kelman and the League of Conservation Voters San Diego at a fundraising cocktail reception to support Sherri Lightner, candidate for the San Diego City Council, District 1.

When: Tuesday, October 14th from 5:30 to 7:30pm
Where: K Nathan Gallery, 7723 Fay Avenue, La Jolla 92037

RSVP: 619-239-1721 or leslie@kmstrategies.net

Please see event flyer for additional event information



Re-Elect City Attorney Mike Aguirre: Fundraising Reception September 6th

Please join the League of Conservation Voters San Diego and the Sierra Club, San Diego Chapter at a fundraising reception Saturday September 6th from 5:30 to 7:30pm at the home of Don Schmidt 5536 Calumet Avenue, La Jolla, Ca 92037. 

RSVP to Francisco Manzano: Francisco@mikeaguirreforcityattorney.com or 619-546-5069

Recommended contribution of $50 - $320 made payable to: Re-Elect City Attorney Mike Aguirre

Click here for the event flyer

Join LCVSD and Chicano Democratic Association on August 30th in Supporting Chula Vista City Council Candidate Pamela Bensoussan

The event will be held from 1:00 to 3:00pm on August 30th in Chula Vista. To RSVP for the location please contact Leslie at 619-239-1721 or leslie@kmstrategies.net


May 22nd Fundraising Reception for San Diego City Council Candidate Marti Emerald

Join the League of Conservation Voters San Diego, the Sierra Club, and the region's environmental leaders this Thursday, May 22nd 5:30 to 7:30 pm at a fundraising reception for Marti Emerald for San Diego City Council. This will be one of the last opportunities to support Marti Emerald before the June 3rd primary and every dollar and vote will count!

Please join us at the new offices of Casey, Gerry, Schenk, Francavilla, Blatt and Penfield in Banker's Hill to meet Marti Emerald and hear about the critical environmental issues facing the region. 
Location: 110 Laurel Street, San Diego, CA 92101
Time: 5:30-7:30 pm

Click here for the event flyer


LCVSD Endorses Aguirre, Peters in City Attorney Contest

Press Release 
May 7, 2008

SAN DIEGO-The League of Conservation Voters San Diego announced today its dual endorsement in the June 3rd primary election for City Attorney, touting the environmental credentials and accomplishments of City Attorney Michael Aguirre and City Council President Scott Peters.

"These two candidates are strong environmental stewards who have demonstrated leadership in protecting our air, land, and water," said LCVSD President Jamie Gonzalez. "We have endorsed both candidates in previous elections and they are dedicated environmentalists in this race. Either candidate would be an outstanding advocate for San Diegans."

To view a complete list of LCVSD endorsements, visitwww.lcvsd.org/2008endorsements.htm



LCVSD Hosts City Attorney Forum May 6th

On Tuesday, May 6th the League of Conservation Voters San Diego will host an environmental forum for San Diego city attorney candidates. Michael Aguirre, Jan Goldsmith, Amy Lepine, Brian Maienschein, and Scott Peters have confirmed attendance. The event will be held at the San Diego EcoCenter for Alternative Fuel Education 4001 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego 92105 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Space is limited. Please RSVP to Jamie.Gonzalez@yahoo.com

Click here to see the City Attorney Forum Flyer

 

 

The EcoCenter is located behind Pearson Fuels, the nation's 1st Alternative Fuel Station, at the corner of El Cajon Blvd and Central Avenue, just east of I-15. There is underground parking below the EcoCenter or available street level parking next to the facility.

LCVSD Endorsed Candidates for 2008 Primary

Click here to see which candidates the League of Conservation Voters has endorsed

Press Release
April 8, 2008

League of Conservation Voters Announces

San Diego Candidate Endorsements

 

SAN DIEGO – League of Conservation Voters San Diego announced today its endorsements in several June 3 primary contests, including for the U.S. House, California Assembly, San Diego City Council, and San Diego Unified School Board.  Endorsements for San Diego mayor and city attorney are expected to be announced closer to election day.

 

Among its endorsements, LCVSD endorsed Sherri Lightner, Todd Gloria, and Marti Emerald, respectively in Districts 1, 3, and 7 in San Diego City Council races. The organization also supported John Evans and Richard Barrera for San Diego Unified School Board Districts A and D, respectively. The local LCV chapter joined the statewide California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) in giving the nod to Marty Block, chair of the San Diego Community College Board, who is running for an open seat in the Assembly's 78th District, an area that includes parts of San Diego, Chula Vista, Lemon Grove, Bonita, and Spring Valley. LCVSD has also asked CLCV and the national League of Conservation Voters to support Nick Leibham, an attorney seeking to unseat U.S. Rep. Brian Bilbray in the 50th District, which spans coastal and inland communities in North County. “Whether it is cleaning our air, defending our coastal areas, or supporting mass transit, we are hopeful that these candidates will become strong environmental leaders,” said LCVSD President Jamie Gonzalez.  “Much work needs to be done to restore our air, land, and water and we are looking to these individuals to become a new generation of environmental stewards.” 

 

Additional local, state and national endorsements are listed below: 

 

  1. U.S. House – 51st District:                              Bob Filner
  2. U.S. House – 53rd District:                              Susan Davis
  3. California Senate – 39th District:                    Christine Kehoe
  4. California Assembly – 76th District:               Lori Saldana
  5. California Assembly – 79th District:               Mary Salas
  6. San Diego County Board of Supervisors:      Pam Slater-Price
  7. Chula Vista City Council:                               Pamela Bensoussan   
  8. Chula Vista City Council:                               Steve Castenada  
  9. Encinitas City Council:                                   Maggie Houlihan
  10. Oceanside Mayor:                                           Jim Wood  
  11. Oceanside City Council:                                 Esther Sanchez   
  12. Solana Beach City Council:                            Lesa Heebner  
  13. Solana Beach City Council:                            Dave Roberts  

 

LCVSD is a chapter of the California League of Conservation Voters, which seeks to protect the environmental quality of the state by working to elect environmentally responsible candidates and hold them accountable to the conservation agenda. By being an "on the ground" voice in the San Diego community, LCVSD provides an opportunity for environmental activists to directly impact the local electoral process while promoting environmental candidates.

 

 

 

LCVSD Hosts Its First Ever Candidate Forum on Environmental Issues:

San Diego City Council District 3 Candidates Debate at February 11 Event

On February 11, The League of Conservation Voters San Diego hosted its first-ever public forum focusing solely on environmental issues for candidates running for San Diego City Council in District 3. All six candidates running for the open District 3 seat participated including Todd Gloria, Stephen Whitburn, andJohn Hartley. The forum was moderated by David Rolland (Editor of San Diego City Beat) and took place at the San Diego EcoCenter for Alternative Fuel Education, located at 4001 El Cajon Blvd.

Click here for D3 Candidate Forum flyer
Click here for D3 Enviro Forum  press release

 

 

League of Conservation Voters San Diego Amicus Letter to Support Seals in La Jolla

 (click here to read letter)


League of Conservation Voters San Diego Opposes Blackwater USA in San Diego County

Press Release - October 10th, 2007

The League of Conservation Voters San Diego opposes the proposed Blackwater USA mercenary training facility in Potrero. The proposed site is almost entirely surrounded by undeveloped public lands.

Potrero is a unique area to San Diego County with open space, mountain foothills with grasslands, oak woodlands, chaparral and wetlands, including portions of the Cleveland National Forest. The proposed 15 shooting ranges, helicopter pad, and simulated combat activities would likely produce significant environmental impacts to the rural land of Potrero. LCVSD President, Jamie Gonzalez states: "This is a huge concern for the residents of San Diego County. Allowing public lands and open space to be used for private military training is irresponsible and offensive to San Diegans."

Blackwater already maintains two large training centers in the United States. Establishing another private military base on public land is not only unfair to the Potrero community but also to rest of San Diego County.


Critical of Issa's arguments on toll road

By Bill Collins

Regarding "Easing the way for coastal commuters" (Opinion, June 28):

As president of the League of Conservation Voters San Diego, I'm writing to state that Congressman Darrell Issa, R-Vista, failed to mention that construction of the six-lane toll road would be through San Diego's popular San Onofre State Park. He complained that Rep. Susan Davis, D-San Diego, should not have taken leadership in protecting San Onofre, the fifth-most visited of the state parks, from the toll road. Her constituents use the park, and Issa, who has a sorry record on environmental protection, isn't about to stand up to the developers.

Issa claims the highway won't impair camping at San Mateo campgrounds, but who would want to camp with a noisy, polluting highway nearby? Who would be able to sleep there with pile drivers pounding the earth day and night during the years of construction?

Issa also says the toll road would benefit commuters, but new highways eventually become congested after local governments approve more developments around them. Smart developments include denser communities with convenient public transportation and services where people don't have to get into their cars for every single trip.

Unfortunately, the toll road advocates can't see any other way than more of the same, which is a recipe for continued traffic congestion. Highways have no place through parks. Bravo to Congresswoman Susan Davis.

LCVSD Signs on to Protect Rancho Guejito

The League of Conservation Voters San Diego joined others in signing a letter to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to protect Rancho Guejito, one of the most important properties in California. Rancho Guejito is located east of Valley Center.

Click here to read the letter and learn more about the importance of Rancho Guejito.

Bilbray's Record On Clean Water Isn't So Pure

By Bill Collins

Congressman Brian Bilbray's rosy article boasting of cleaner ocean water came as several San Diego beaches were closed due to the discharge of partially treated sewage.

While it's nothing new for politicians to crow about their record, Bilbray's record on beach water quality is mixed. Before I point out some deficiencies in Mr. Bilbray's history, let's note that his legislation to require states to establish water quality standards is helpful, and his bragging is appropriate.

But monitoring bacteria in water doesn't give us clean water, it just tells us when it's polluted – after the fact. Congressman Bilbray hasn't been so supportive of secondary treatment of sewage before it's emptied at our beaches where thousands of San Diegans surf and frolic daily. Does Bilbray now support a higher standard of sewage treatment?

Bilbray recently was one of just 58 members of the House to vote against the Water Quality Investment Act, which would provide federal assistance to state and local governments to control sewage overflows. Fortunately, 367 members of the House, both Republicans and Democrats, voted for the bill.

One of the first votes Bilbray cast last year was to repeal the bipartisan moratorium on offshore oil drilling. The bill, authored by now defeated Congressman Richard Pombo, was a desperate attempt by the oil companies to open up coastal oil drilling before the GOP lost control of Congress.

For some reason, the Congressman neglected to mention these votes.

Bill Collins is President of the League of Conservation Voters San Diego.

PB Man New Head of Environmental Group

Bill Collins of Pacific Beach was elected the new president of the League of Conservation Voters San Diego this past weekend.

The nonpartisan League works to elect candidates in San Diego to city, county, state and federal offices. In recent elections, the LCVSD has endorsed Donna Frye and Lorena Gonzalez in San Diego, Jim Woods in Oceanside and Rudy Ramirez in Chula Vista. The League also opposed the Miramar airport measure.

"San Diegans care about our environment, but we need to make sure that politicians give more than lip service at campaign time to protecting our bay, ocean, river and open space," said Collins.

Humberto Peraza of Chula Vista was elected Vice-president of the League.

LCVSD Urges: Vote NO on Proposition 90

The League of Conservation Voters San Diego has joined the California League of Conservation Voters to oppose Proposition 90 on the November 2006 ballot.

This initiative constitutional amendment would limit government's authority to adopt certain land use, housing, consumer, environmental and workplace laws and regulations, except when necessary to preserve public health or safety. Proposition 90 also bars state and local governments from condemning or damaging private property to promote private projects or uses.

Prop. 90 would require billions of dollars in new payments whenever a law or regulation is passed to protect our neighborhoods, control development, protect air environmental quality, restrict undesirable businesses or enact new consumer protection laws. This is because the measure contains a hidden provision that allows virtually anyone to claim that a new law or regulation has impacted the value of their property or business - no matter how far-fetched the claim - and taxpayers will be on the hook to pay the bill.

Billed as an eminent domain reform, the initiative is really an anti-government scheme promoted by those who want to roll back hard-won gains.

Proposition 90 is also opposed by the League of California Cities and is certain to be opposed by labor, consumer and environmental protection organizations.

Proposition 90 is one of the worst environmental initiatives to be on the California ballot in decades, and has directed the League to help form a diverse coalition to defeat this deceptive anti-taxpayer measure. While strongly committed to meaningful eminent domain reforms to protect single-family homeowners, LCVSD and CLCV believe Proposition 90 is a classic "bait and switch" that must be defeated.

Proponents want voters to believe this measure is about eminent domain reform, but they've hidden a trap within the fine print of the measure that would lead to huge new costs for all California taxpayers and devastate our neighborhoods and environment.

Proposition 90 was never pending before the Legislature – it was viewed as too extreme to merit consideration. Yet now it is before the voters. Don't be fooled into voting against our community's own self-interest.

The California League of Conservation Voters and the San Diego Chapter of the League of Conservation Voters urge you to vote NO on Proposition 90.


For more info
For info on environmental impacts of Prop 90


LCVSD Opposes Proposition A: Relocation of Lindbergh Field to Miramar

An Environment for a Commercial Airport?

Supporters of Proposition A - the ballot measure that would pave the way for moving San Diego's Commercial Airport from Lindbergh Field to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar- have finally admitted that joint use' of the Military Air Station with a commercial airport is simply not viable. MCAS Miramar does not provide an airspace environment that can ever be compatible with a commercial airport, and commercial airport operations at Miramar would essentially be a death-sentence for the Marine Corps Air Station.

What is getting less attention is that MCAS Miramar also provides a natural environment that can never be compatible with a commercial airport, and that commercial airport operations at Miramar would essentially be a death sentence for a rare and valuable natural resource.

The land that houses MCAS Miramar encompasses a rare ecosystem that includes over 80% of the vernal pools in San Diego County, 10 federally protected or endangered species, and 56 federal or state native species of concern'. Miramar also provides a vital wildlife and plant corridor between Torrey Pines State Reserve, Soledad Canyon, and Mission Trails Regional Park. Seventy-five percent of the Air Station remains in a natural state, a good portion of which would be paved over by the new commercial airport runways. Even the areas that wouldn't be directly paved over would be threatened due to the increased noise, runoff, and traffic.

And what about the living environment for residents near Miramar? Nearby residents have already lived with the impacts from the existing military air station. With a commercial airport, residents would be subjected to additional noise impacts, safety issues, traffic, and air quality impacts that would make for an inhospitable living environment. Residents' property values could take a hit as well.

LCVSD doesn't think we need to sacrifice the natural or living environment at and near Miramar for a new commercial airport. We urge a NO Vote on Proposition A.

Looking to the future, we think San Diego needs a thorough and honest public debate about San Diego's Lindbergh Field's capacity to meet our region's air travel needs. Too often, our region plans infrastructure assuming growth that is not consistent with the integrity of our region's environment and its residents' quality of life.

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