Saturday, April 14, 2012

Fire Fighters and Progressives Support Scott Peters for Congress!

From the Peters campaign:


San Diego, CA -- The momentum continues to build for the Scott Peters campaign. Late last week, Scott's campaign for the new 52nd Congressional District earned two more important endorsements: The San Diego City Fire Fighters and Progressive San Diego.

“We support Scott because of his steadfast commitment to public safety, and to the brave men and women who risk their lives to serve and protect -- he’s never let us down,” said Frank DeClercq, President, Local 145, International Association of Fire Fighters. “He has always been fair, tough and effective, and we know he’ll be an outstanding U.S. Representative.”

Peters was also endorsed last week by Progressive San Diego, a non-profit advocacy group that works “to create a more equitable and sustainable society in the San Diego region.” In an announcement of its endorsements, the organization said Scott earned their support because he is “guided by deeply held progressive values that will serve his constituency well on the issues he will have to confront on the federal level.”

“I am very grateful to the Fire Fighters and Progressive San Diego for their confidence in me,” said Peters.  “Support from organizations like these is what makes for great grassroots campaigning which is instrumental to our success. I thank both of these organizations; their support means a lot to me.”

Last week the campaign also earned the endorsement of the 60,000-member California Chapter of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiLUNA).

Go to this link to see a video about how Scott, as a City Councilman, worked with the community to repair Fire Station 13. And go to www.scottpeters.com for more information about Scott and his campaign to get Congress working again.

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Nat’l New Democrat Coalition, CA Labor Federation Back Peters for Congress

From the Peters campaign:

Nat'l New Democrat Coalition, CA Labor Federation Back Peters for Congress


He’s the Only Candidate in CA52 With the Broad Support Needed to Beat Bilbray

San Diego, CA -- The national New Democrat Coalition, a group of 42 House members from across the United States, has endorsed Scott Peters in the race for the 52nd Congressional District, his campaign announced today. The coalition works to promote a “common-sense” Democratic agenda that focuses on job creation, education reform, and energizing the U.S. economy. Its California members are Susan Davis (CA-53), Karen Bass (CA-33), Laura Richardson (CA-37) and Loretta Sanchez (CA-47).

 “We are proud to endorse Scott in his bid for Congress,” said Rep. Joe Crowley, New Democrat Coalition Chair.  “Scott has a common-sense style of leadership and a proven record fostering economic growth and competitiveness. He is the perfect fit, and we look forward to welcoming him to Congress and the coalition in November."


Peters was also endorsed this week by the California Labor Federation which promotes and defends the interests of 2.1 million workers and their families. This statewide endorsement makes Peters the recommended candidate to the national AFL-CIO, and is based upon the recommendation of the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council. Last week, Peters was also endorsed by Progressive San Diego, making Peters the only candidate in the race for the 52nd Congressional District with support from Democrats across the party spectrum, which is critical to winning this new swing district.

“Voters are tired of political extremists who make a lot of noise, but can’t build consensus and get things done,” said Peters. “That’s what they’d get by electing Brian Bilbray or the other Democrat in this race. Particularly during times of economic uncertainty, the voters are eager for reasonable, common-sense leaders who put jobs and people first and partisan politics last.”

The newly drawn 52nd Congressional District is a classic swing district - a third Republican, a third Democrat and a third other.  It supported candidate Obama by 12 percentage points in 2008, but also candidate Meg Whitman by eight points in 2010. It is impossible for any candidate to win this seat without broad-based support across party lines. Since he was the first Democrat elected to represent City Council District One, Peters has consistently drawn support from across the political spectrum. He is the only candidate in this race with meaningful support from progressives, moderates, labor, business and independent San Diegans who care more about results than pure party politics. 

For more information about Scott Peters for Congress, go to www.scottpeters.com.

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Thursday, April 12, 2012

San Diego City Firefighters IAFF Local 145 Endorses Sid Voorakkara for State Assembly

From the Voorakkara campaign:


San Diego, CA — Workforce program director Sid Voorakkara’s campaign for Assembly today rolled out an exclusive endorsement from the San Diego City Firefighters IAFF Local 145.

The San Diego City Firefighters IAFF Local 145 is the largest association of firefighters in Assembly District 79, representing over 800 city firefighters.

“Sid Voorakkara is the clear choice for State Assembly,” said Frank De Clercq, President, San Diego City Firefighters IAFF Local 145. “Sid understands the challenges our firefighters face everyday and is committed to the safety of our families and neighborhoods. He is an intelligent, common sense leader who has always put forth smart solutions and has a proven ability to bring people together to get results. Sid will be an outstanding member of the legislature and we are committed to supporting him in every way we can.”

Support from firefighters organizations is highly sought after. Winning an exclusive endorsement gives Voorakkara’s already surging campaign yet major jolt of momentum. In recent weeks, Voorakkara has enjoyed a series of major victories on the campaign trail. In late March, campaign finance reports, which are a key indicator of a campaign’s strength, showed Voorakkara in a commanding position over all opponents. Since then Voorakkara has announced major endorsements from the California Nurses Association, SEIU California State Council, and the California League of Conservation Voters. In addition, the campaign has marshaled an aggressive grassroots operation, having contacted over 7,000 voters in the district.

“I am honored to have earned the support of the San Diego City Firefighters,” said Sid Voorakkara. “The service they provide our community each and everyday is invaluable. In the State Assembly, I will fight tooth and nail to support these brave men and women and help them keep our families safe.”

Sid Voorakkara is running for the California State Assembly District 79.

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Sid Voorakkara is a nonprofit director and workforce program manager with extensive experience in improving the quality of life for underserved individuals and communities by bringing people and organizations together to improve healthcare access, job training and employment opportunities. For almost seven years, Sid has worked for The California Endowment, a private, statewide health foundation that makes grants to organizations and institutions that directly benefit the health and well being of the people of California. Working closely with high schools within the 79th Assembly District, San Diego’s hospital and community clinic systems, and numerous immigrant and refugee organizations, Sid has improved healthcare access for San Diego’s most vulnerable citizens and provided opportunities for students to pursue high-growth, high- wage jobs. Sid created the San Diego Workforce Funders Collaborative, which leverages philanthropic resources with government and the private sector to get San Diegans the training they need for today’s job market.


Pala Band of Mission Indians Endorse Dave Roberts for Supervisor

From the Roberts Campaign:

(San Diego, CA)  Today, the Pala Band of Mission Indians has announced their endorsement of Third District County Supervisor candidate Dave Roberts.

"San Diego County needs elected officials like Dave Roberts who understand the importance of working with tribal communities in mutually beneficial ways," stated Tribal Chairman Robert Smith.  "We are pleased to offer him our endorsement as someone who will take the time and effort to listen to our issues and concerns."

The Pala Band of Mission Indians is located in northern San Diego County. The tribe is very active in charitable programs from the environment to education. Members live on a 12,273-acre reservation.

"I am very proud to receive the endorsement of the Pala Band of Mission Indians," said Dave Roberts.  "They are an extremely important part of our County's history, and I look forward to having the honor of working with them.

Roberts launched his campaign for Third District Supervisor on January 10, 2012, and the primary election is on June 5, 2012.

Dave Roberts is a two-term councilmember and Deputy Mayor of the City of Solana Beach. He is a past chairman of the San Dieguito River Valley Park Joint Powers Authority and helped lead the efforts to rebuild the park when over 60 percent was destroyed by the 2007 fires.  He has received the endorsement of the Sierra Club, the League of Conservation Voters and the Friends of the San Dieguito River Valley.

For more information about Dave's campaign for the Board of Supervisors, visit his web site at www.DaveRobertsForSupervisor.com.




Cal Labor Fed Endorsements

From Cal Labor Fed:


United States Representatives in Congress
49  Jerry Tetalman (D)
50  No Endorsement
51  Juan Vargas (D)
52  Scott Peters (D)
53  Susan Davis (D)

United States Senator
Dianne Feinstein (D)

California State Assembly  
73  No Endorsement
74  No Endorsement
75  No Endorsement
76  No Endorsement
77  Greg Laskaris (D)
78  Toni Atkins (D)
79 DUAL: Shirley Weber (D)/Sid Voorakarra (D)
80  Ben Hueso (D)





Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Newsom endorses C.A.S.E.





Earlier today, we announced our strong endorsement of the CASE Act -- because California needs to fight back against human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of women and children in our state.

Simply put, it’s time for California to do the right thing for our girls and women. It can be difficult to believe that slavery is going on right now in this state, but there is no denying that human trafficking is a reality. The CASE Act will help us protect our kids online, and give women who have survived being trafficked access to key services so they can have a second chance at life.

That’s why we are strongly endorsing the CASE Act -- it’s time to take a stand and say that we won’t tolerate the sexual exploitation of children by human traffickers. And you can play your part by adding your name to our efforts:

Please forward this email to five friends right now -- urge them to visit www.CASEAct.org so they can get involved and help us reach One Million Strong Against Human Trafficking!

In California, many vulnerable women and young girls are held against their will and forced to sell their bodies. The victims are often girls as young as 12 who are sexually exploited for the financial gain of human traffickers. They are afraid for their lives and abused – sexually, physically, and mentally.

We cannot allow women and children in California to be trafficked online or on our streets. The CASE Act will help prevent these horrific crimes by increasing penalties against human traffickers and online predators, and requiring convicted sex traffickers to register as sex offenders.

California must lead the nation in protecting women and children from the despicable criminal enterprise of human trafficking -- and by passing the CASE Act, we will.

Please help us spread the word about this vital initiative by forwarding this email to your friends today -- then share it on Facebook and Twitter!

Human trafficking is said to be one of the fastest growing criminal enterprises in the world -– and it is taking place right here in our own backyard. We can’t let this continue, which is why we strongly endorse the CASE Act and will be working for its passage this fall.

Thank you,
Gavin Newsom and Jennifer Siebel Newsom




San Diego Firefighters Endorse Mat Kostrinsky for City Council District 7

From the Kostrinsky campaign:

San Diego Firefighters Endorse Mat Kostrinsky for
City Council District 7


San Diego, CA – April 12, 2012 –Local firefighters have voted to endorse Mat Kostrinsky for San Diego’s 7th District City Council seat.

“We support Mat because he believes in making public safety a priority for the residents of the 7th District, a district that has been ravaged by two historic fires in the recent past,” said Frank De Clercq, president of San Diego City Firefighters Local 145, referring to the 2003 and 2007 wildfires that swept through the region.

The latest endorsement marks the third time in recent weeks that a public safety group has opted to back Kostrinsky in his bid to represent a redrawn district that includes Tierrasanta, Mission Valley, Linda Vista, Serra Mesa, Allied Gardens, Grantville, Del Cerro and San Carlos. San Diego police and lifeguards had earlier voted to endorse the candidate.

The firefighters union represents some 800 San Diego firefighters.

“Crime and public safety is a concern of everyone in every neighborhood, and I am committed to doing everything I can to ensure that San Diego has the best police and fire departments in the state,” Kostrinsky said.

Kostrinsky grew up in the San Diego communities of San Carlos and Del Cerro.  He attended Pershing Middle School, Patrick Henry High School and graduated from San Diego State University.  Mat and his wife, Jen, a family practice physician, are raising their two children in the same neighborhood where Mat grew up. For more information , visit www.Mat4CityCouncil.com.
The 7th District is currently represented by City Councilwoman Marti Emerald, who is running to represent the newly created 9th council district.



An Open Letter To Wal-Mart

From the Labor Council:




An Open Letter to Wal-Mart


Aaron Rios
Senior Manager for Public Affairs & Government Relations
Wal-Mart
aaron@walmartsandiego.com

To Wal-Mart:
Upon hearing of Wal-Mart’s plan to open a store in Logan Heights’ and Sherman Heights’ iconic Farmer’s Market building on Imperial Avenue between 21st and 22nd Streets, we as community; residents, non-profit organizations, faith, and labor leaders began the process of soliciting the community's input on the proposed store. As part of that process, we have compiled a list of priorities for prospective business partners.

On March 29th, we met with Wal-Mart and its consultant to deliver the community’s expectations. We specifically asked that these commitments be addressed in a legally binding community benefits agreement.

The community’s list of priorities includes local hire, affordable health benefits, traffic mitigation, safety improvements, and investment in community programs. All of the issues included are considered vital commitments to meeting the needs of local residents and important for any large retailer interested in being a partner in the success of our community. We believe that the only way to truly commit to those priorities is with a legally binding agreement with the community.

Wal-Mart has asked us to be given until April 12th to review this request and provide a response to community leaders. Wal-Mart’s history does not suggest it is willing to partner with communities in this fashion, but we remain steadfast in our belief that if Wal-Mart is serious about its promises to this community, there should be no problem with making those promises legally enforceable. We look forward to Wal-Mart’s response and to working together on an agreement that makes the community a full and equal partner in their new Sherman Heights store.

Wal-Mart’s ultimate decision this week will guide us going forward. This is a community that deserves real business partners and the respect that comes with a legally binding agreement. We'll help this community stand up for what we deserve. It's now up to Wal-Mart to choose to be that partner.

Signed,
Casa de Vecinos De Organizados
Center on Policy Initiatives (CPI)
Empower San Diego
Environmental Health Coalition (EHC)
Father Robert Fambrini, Pastor, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Logan Heights
Historic Barrio District CDC
Ironworkers Union, Local 229
Justice Overcoming Boundaries (JOB)
Laborers Union, Local 89
Logan Heights Neighborhood Council
Occupyrcorner San Diego
Raza Rights Coalition
San Diego Labor Council
Save Our Barrios Committee
Sherman Heights Community Center
Sherman Heights Neighborhood Council
UniĆ³n del Barrio
United Domestic Workers
United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 135
United Service Workers West
UNITE-HERE, Local 30


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San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council
The San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO represents more than 192,000 union workers in the region and advocates for an economy with more jobs, better jobs and better lives for all workers in the region - union and non-union.

www.unionyes.org





Monday, April 9, 2012

Good morning

From the internet today: