THE JACOB JOURNAL

THE JACOB JOURNAL SUMMER 2018 FALL 2016

Newsletter from County Supervisor Dianne Jacob dianne.jacob.com Serving District 2 since 1993 Cities El Cajon La Mesa Lemon Grove Poway Santee Communities Agua Caliente Allied Gardens Alpine Barrett Blossom Valley Bostonia Boulevard Campo Canebrake Casa de Oro College Area Crest Cuyamaca Deerhorn Valley Dehesa Del Cerro Descanso Dulzura Eucalyptus Hills Fernbrook Flinn Springs Granite Hills Grantville Guatay Harbison Canyon Jacumba Hot Springs Jamul Johnstown Julian Lake Morena Lakeside Mount Helix Pine Hills Pine Valley Potrero Ramona Rancho San Diego Rolando San Carlos SD Country Estates San Pasqual Santa Ysabel Shelter Valley Spring Valley Tecate Tierra del Sol Vallecitos Wynola Indian reservations Barona Campo Cosmit Ewiiaapaayp Inaja Jamul La Posta Manzanita Mesa Grande Santa Ysabel Sycuan Viejas

COURTESY OF CAL FIRE

Wildfire prep: Local Cal Fire crews conduct drills during a recent training.

Over the past 15 years, San Diego County has spent nearly a half-billion dollars to beef up rural fire protection and emergency medical services — and even more improvements are in the works. “No amount of money can change the fact that we live in a region prone to deadly wildfires, but we must continue to do all we can to safeguard people and property,” said Supervisor Dianne Jacob. “Our county today has more locally-based wildland firefighting resources in place than anywhere in the nation.” The County Fire Authority, working in tandem with Cal Fire, has added ground and

air resources, expanded preparedness programs and consolidated what had been a patchwork of rural fire agencies. Jacob encourages residents to be prepared as well by clearing brush around homes, getting rid of debris and making sure they have an emergency preparedness plan. A county survey done last year found that only half of residents were prepared to evacuate their homes within 15 minutes of a crisis, compared to 74 percent a decade ago. Only 38 percent said they have an emergency plan in case of disaster.

There’s a new tool for taxpayers eager to offer feedback on how San Diego County spends their money. The public can now post video and text responses to the county’s multibilliondollar budget by going to budget.sandiegocounty.gov . Supervisor Dianne Jacob called for the creation of the interactive tool, which lets taxpayers review revenues and expenditures by each department, and compare growth from year to year. “This is the public’s money and we need to make it easier for folks to offer their two cents about how we’re spending it,” she said. “Taxpayers now have the power to offer direct feedback right at their fingertips and make certain their voice is heard.” The county’s proposed 2018-19 budget focuses on homelessness, health and other critical needs while maintaining or improving existing services. Hearings on the $6.26 billion spending plan were recently held at the County Administration Center downtown.

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Region ramps up attack on Alzheimer’s -stone and a huge San Diego’s fight vote of confidence to end Alzheimer’s in our efforts, but disease got a big we face a tough boost recently amid road ahead as our signs that the deadsenior population ly illness and other soars.” forms of dementia The news grows are taking an escaout of the work lating toll on the of The Alzheimer’s region. Project, a countyA coalition of led initiative that brain scientists and has gained national civic leaders, inrecognition, and its cluding Mayor Kevspinoff, Collaborain Faulconer and tion4Cure. C4C has county Supervisors Dianne Jacob and Rallying the region: Civic and science leaders join the Supervisor to announce grant. brought together the region’s top research instituBy 2030, the number of local Kristin Gaspar, announced that the tions with Alzheimer’s San Diego residents 55 and older with demenfederal government has awarded a to expand the drive to find a treattia is expected to increase 36 per$1.3 million grant to Sanford Burnment or cure. cent – from more than 84,000 toham Prebys Medical Discovery InSanford Burnham Prebys anday to 115,000, according to one of stitute to advance the local search nounced that a team of scientists the studies. for a cure. has been awarded a three-year Na“Alzheimer’s disease is taking a The funding comes as the county tional Institutes of Health grant to brutal and growing toll on San Diereleased two studies showing the identify prototype drugs with the gans and we must step up the fight widening impact of dementia on long-term goal of developing a disto end this epidemic,” said SuperviSan Diego families, hospitals and ease-modifying treatment. sor Jacob. “The grant is a milehealth care economy.

East County gets downright toasty in the summer. There’s no better time than to head to your friendly, neighborhood Cool Zone. These designated gathering spots are geared toward older adults and persons with disabilities who need shelter from the summer heat. There are 117 Cool Zones in the county, each marked by a blue logo with a polar bear. They include libraries and senior centers.

The program was started nearly 20 years ago at the suggestion of Supervisor Jacob. “It’s important to remember that a lot of folks don’t have airconditioning,” she said. “And if you are older or disabled, heat-related illnesses are more likely to strike. A Cool Zone can be a real lifesaver.” They are also a great place to make friends. To find the location of a zone near you, go to coolzones.org or call 1-800-339-4661.

At the urging of San Diego ER physicians, the county is moving to install tourniquets at its facilities and encourage other agencies to do the same in an effort to boost survival rates after shootings and other traumatic events. Bleeding control kits will be placed in county buildings and parks, similar to the way that automated external defibrillators are made available. Trauma surgeons, led by Dr. Michael Sise at Scripps Mercy Hospital, say the kits could make the difference between life and death.

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A series about neighborhood issues raised and resolved in East County

Success stories in East County, we’ve got a lot of them. Among those in District 2 to recently receive county proclamations: Doug Williford He recently announced his retirement after serving several years as El Cajon city manager. He leaves behind a legacy as a team builder and forward-thinking leader.

Before

After

The problem: In a huge county, with tons of roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure, the repair of a single sidewalk might seem like something that would fall through the cracks. But when Sherry Johnson of Rancho San Diego alerted Supervisor Jacob about a cracked sidewalk on Via Picante near her home, a county public works crew was called into action. “I have macular degeneration and am afraid I might trip on

the concrete and injure myself,” she wrote in an email to a Jacob staffer. The upshot: The repair was made within days. “I’m very pleased and very impressed with how considerate (the county staff) was,” Johnson said. “It’s nice to know that our taxes do work sometimes.”

Dr. Rokay Kamay and Dr. Mahjaheen Kamay The Sharp Grossmont Hospital physicians spearheaded the creation of an endoscopy unit.

St. Madeleine Sophie’s Auxiliary The group supports the work of St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, which works with those with developmental disabilities.

Congratulations to students at Joan McQueen Middle in Alpine for recently winning the SoCal Junior Solar Sprint, a solar vehicle competition.

THE JACOB JOURNAL

SUMMER 2018

District 2 staff Jeff Collins Chief of Staff Taylor Dupont Policy Advisor Victoria Floyd Field Representative Marilu Glassman Administrative Assistant Matthew Parr Policy Advisor Alice Re Office Manager & Scheduler Steve Schmidt Communications Advisor Robert Spanbauer Senior Policy Advisor Adam Wilson Senior Land Use and Policy Advisor

I recently helped break ground in Ramona on the Schmale Family Senior Residence — a 62-unit complex that will bring more affordable housing to seniors. The county is working closely with developers to boost the housing stock for low-income seniors, veterans, the disabled and others.

Dianne Jacob Supervisor, District 2 San Diego County Board of Supervisors 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 335, San Diego CA 92101 Phone

619-531-5522 800-852-7322 Fax

619-696-7253 Email

[email protected] Website

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