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Local representatives grilled about economy
By Christy Scott
The Alpine Sun
ALPINE — There are bright spots, but
the effects of the national economy are trickling down to the
local level, East County elected representatives said Thursday
night in Alpine. Federal, state and local representatives
addressed current hot issues during audience questions at the
10th Annual “An Evening with Your Elected Representatives” in
the impressive Viejas DreamCatcher Lounge.
“The trickle down affect of what’s happening nationwide
and statewide is about to hit the county level,” said county
supervisor Dianne Jacob. “When the state cuts — we cut… And we
may be facing cuts that are going to hit home hard.”
About 120 people listened intently after dinner to the
panel’s responses at the event, presented by the Alpine &
Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the
Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians.
“We are resilient,” San Diego County Treasurer-Tax
Collector Dan McAllister said in response to an economic
question. “We’re starting to see signs of life in the real
estate market.”
He said he’s optimistic, because of two consecutive
months of lower foreclosures and defaults in the county. The
region could start climbing out of the economic frustrations in
the middle of next year, McAllister said.
Other representatives also were questioned about the
economy, as well as such key topics as the state budget impasse;
wildfire protection, and a high school for the Alpine area.
Congressman Duncan Hunter, State Senator Dennis
Hollingsworth, State Assemblyman Joel Anderson, and San Diego
County Supervisor Dianne Jacob; Director August Caires of the
Padre Dam Municipal Water District; President Bill Garrett,
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board;
President James Stieringer, Grossmont Healthcare District Board;
President Larry Urdahl, Grossmont Union High School District
Board; President Ann Pierce, Alpine Union School, and President
Martin Marugg, Alpine Fire Protection District Board, also
answered other questions during the event.
As master of ceremonies, Herb Cawthorne of the Viejas
Enterprises community relations department presented the
questions to the panel. Although there were often light-hearted
moments, the economy was clearly a concern.
Hunter, who opposed the recent U.S. $700 billion
banking bailout package, said he and many community bank leaders
don’t think most major banks would have failed without the
money.
“The underlying problem is property values,” and a tax
credit for home buyers would help stabilize the country’s market
more quickly, he said.
Asked about projected county revenues and the impact of
the state budget on the county, Jacob said the economy’s
trickledown effect is about to hit the county budget.
The county’s annual property tax revenue increase is
down to almost 2 percent this year, instead of the usual 6
percent, Jacob said. She said sales tax revenues “are way down.”
“We’re fiscally sound” and taking measures to lessen
the economic impact, the county supervisor added.
She noted that the national Standard & Poor’s firm has
given the county a triple A credit rating.
Jacob also highlighted several successful projects in the Alpine
area, including the new sheriffs station on Alpine Boulevard,
the purchase of a site for the new Alpine Library and the
expedited construction of a traffic signal near Albertson’s,
which is due to begin construction in December.
The question of when Alpine will get a high school went
to Urdahl, who said he shares the frustration of Alpine area
residents over the failure of an earlier bond measure,
Proposition H, to provide a high school for this area.
There is a chance to fix that now by passing the $ 417
million Proposition U, he said.
“Alpine will get a high school providing Prop U
passes,” Urdahl said. “No prop U — no high school in Alpine. I
hate to be the bearer of that sort of news, but that’s just the
way it is.”
Anne Pierce spoke about issues within the Alpine Union
School District regarding declining enrollment. This year AUSD
has seen a 15 percent decrease in enrollment numbers, seriously
reducing the amount of ADA monies for the district.
“If things continue on this track, by 2010 we will have
to cut about $1 million from the district budget,” Pierce said.
AUSD currently operated on an approximate $20 million annual
budget.
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