March Against Wal-Mart To Be San Diego's Largest Ever

“We Deserve Better” March and Rally in San Diego:

A Thousand March for Change at Wal-Mart

Local Residents, Faith Leaders, and Workers Call on Wal-Mart to Stop Stampeding into San Diego’s Historic Farmer’s Market and to Bring Good Jobs to Our Communities

San Diego — Community members, faith leaders, and workers are gearing up for the city’s largest ever rally and march against Wal-Mart to call on the retail giant to meet with community stakeholders if it wants to open new stores in the city.

“We’ve seen how this company mistreats its employees and how it bulldozes over residents in a community,” said Genoveva Aguilar of Casa de Vecinos Organizados. “We don’t need Wal-Mart to come into our city, bringing poor paying jobs and destroying our cultural history.” Earlier in the spring, Wal-Mart surprised local residents and neighbors when the company partially demolished the iconic Farmer’s Market building in Sherman Heights without public notice or hearings. The permitting process that allowed the demolition is also currently facing audit over questionable political donations to city officials.

The march in San Diego is one of hundreds of marches and rallies calling for change that have been happening nationwide. Last week, Wal-Mart contracted warehouse workers in the Inland Empire and outside of Chicago went on strike in protest of unsafe working conditions and unfair labor practices.

The Saturday march will begin at Golden Hill Community Park and end at the Sherman Heights Farmers Market.

EVENT:           
Wal-Mart retail associates, warehouse workers, and community leaders will share concerns of poor working conditions and unanswered calls to meet with Wal-Mart at rally

LOCATION:     
March begins at 2590 Golden Hill Dr., San Diego, CA 92102
March ends at Sherman Heights Farmer’s Market, 21st St./Imperial Ave.

DATE/TIME:   
Saturday, September 22, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

SPEAKERS:      
Including: Congressman Bob Filner, Assemblymember Ben Hueso, San Diego Unified School Board Member Richard Barrera, San Diego Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer Lorena Gonzalez, UFCW Local 135 President Mickey Kasparian, Father Robert Fambrini, and Father Tommie Jennings

VISUALS:         
More than 1,000 marchers expected, with giant signs, musicians, marchers to participate in the largest rally ever against Wal-Mart in San Diego history

CONTACT:      
Patrick Pierce, 619-807-0850
Jorge Amaro, 202-412-4998

You can follow the march and rally on Twitter with the hashtag #stopwalmart

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Prominent Republican Businessman/Philanthropist Malin Burnham Endorses Scott Peters for Congress

San Diego – The Scott Peters for Congress campaign today very proudly announces the endorsement of prominent businessman and philanthropist Malin Burnham. Burnham, a Republican is backing Peters over Republican incumbent Brian Bilbray because he, like many other prominent local leaders, believes Peters will be a better advocate for the greater San Diego region.

“I’m happy to give Scott my endorsement because I believe he can do more for the greater San Diego community by, among other means, bringing our five Congressional delegates together to work for our common good,” said Burnham.

The announcement of Burnham’s endorsement, just two days after the campaign announced the backing of independent Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher shows the growing momentum behind the Peters campaign.

“I have enormous respect for Malin and gratitude for all he’s done and continues to do for San Diego,” said Peters.  “His endorsement is a great honor. I’m proud and grateful for his support and I look forward to building on the terrific momentum we’ve achieved this week.”

Burnham is Chairman of John Burnham & Company Insurance and Burnham Real Estate, though his reach into the greater San Diego community is far deeper. He’s served as a board member of several corporations, has chaired nine major non-profits, and founded 14 different organizations, including the Sanford Burnham Medical Research Institute, the Burnham Moores Center for Real Estate at the University of San Diego, and more recently, the Malin Burnham Center for Civic Engagement at the San Diego Foundation. He is also a world-class sailor who at age 17 he became the youngest skipper to win a World Championship. (Biography is attached.)

Burnham is the latest in a growing list of Republican business and community leaders who are backing Peters over Republican Bilbray. Other Republicans for Scott are (partial list):

Phil Blair, President/CEO Manpower San Diego and former chairman of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce;

Jeff Bowman, Former Fire Chief, City of San Diego;

Craig Irving, President, The Irving Group and former chairman, Downtown San Diego Partnership;

Ted Roth, President, Roth Capital Partners and former chairman, Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce (Democrat); and

Tom Wornham, Retired Executive Vice President, Wells Fargo & Company and former chairman, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Voter registration in the new 52nd Congressional District breaks down about 1/3 Republican, 1/3 Democrat, and 1/3 Decline to State (DTS) or independent. Peters is the only candidate in the race who has shown an ability to reach beyond his own political party and appeal to a broad spectrum of voters.

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Brian Bilbray Tries to Divert Attention from His Record in Washington.. Again

San Diego -- In response to a news release issued by Brian Bilbray today, the Scott Peters for Congress campaign issued the following statement:

“Mr. Bilbray’s sad response to our great news is to focus on a vote that happened a decade ago to distract from his failed leadership in Washington today,” said Peters Communications Director MaryAnne Pintar.

“Scott has stated repeatedly that his vote to continue the city’s 30-year bad habit was a mistake he regrets. The difference is Scott worked to fix the problem and San Diego is now considered a model for pension reform,” she said.

“Compare this to Mr. Bilbray who oversaw our nation’s credit downgrade for the first time in America’s history. His failure to act means the potential loss of 30,000 military-related jobs,” she added. “Mr. Bilbray should apologize to these families who have no idea how they’re going to weather this looming crisis.”

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Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher Endorses Scott Peters for Congress

“Peters is smart, capable, has the right experience for the job.” ~ Nathan Fletcher

San Diego – Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, who made national headlines this year when he became an independent after being a life-long Republican, today endorsed Scott Peters for Congress over Republican Brian Bilbray. Peters is running to unseat Bilbray in California’s newly re-drawn 52nd Congressional District.

Fletcher’s endorsement could have a tremendous impact in a race in which 1/3 of the voters are registered as Decline to State (DTS) or independent.

“Scott Peters is smart, capable, has the right experience, is in it for the right reasons, and he’s a good man,” said Fletcher. “Congressional dysfunction is at an all time high because of hyper partisanship. We need a leader like Scott who cares more about results than rhetoric.”

Fletcher went on to say, “If you backed me for Mayor because you want leaders who put people ahead of party politics, then I urge you to vote for Scott Peters, too.”

Peters said he was honored to have Fletcher’s endorsement. He thanked Fletcher for his service to our region, our nation, and for his confidence in Scott’s campaign.

“Nathan represents a new generation of leadership for our region,” said Peters. “He captured the imagination and respect of people from across the U.S. when he made his bold move to independence; he set a new course that will greatly influence politics in our region.”

“I’m honored to have his friendship, and his support,” he added.

Voter registration in the new 52nd Congressional District breaks down about 1/3

 Republican, 1/3 Democrat, and 1/3 Decline to State (DTS) or independent. It will be

impossible for either candidate to win with support only from voters within their party. For this reason, today’s endorsement by Assemblyman Fletcher could have a tremendous impact on this race.

Peters is endorsed by every high profile Democrat in the region, and also by high profile Republicans and business leaders, including three former chairmen of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. Independent former State Sen. Lucy Killea is also backing Peters over Bilbray.

Today’s announcement illustrates the tremendous support Peters has from across the political spectrum – Democrats, Republicans and independents. The incumbent has yet to demonstrate the same type of broad political appeal with endorsements from any high profile leaders from outside of his own political party.

The race between Bilbray and Peters has garnered significant national attention because of the extremely competitive challenge Peters has waged against the 12-year, entrenched incumbent. The highly regarded Rothenberg Political Report recently upgraded the race’s rating from “Lean Republican” based on Bilbray’s long-time incumbency, to “Pure Toss Up,” based on the strength of Peters’ candidacy.

For more information, go to www.scottpeters.com.

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One of San Diego’s Most High Profile Electeds To Announce Endorsement of Scott Peters for Congress

WHEN:     

TOMORROW, Tuesday, September 18, 2012, 11:30 a.m.

WHAT:      

One of San Diego’s most high-profile elected officials will join Peters to announce his endorsement of Scott Peters for Congress.      

In the newly drawn 52^nd Congressional District, the electorate breaks down 1/3 Republican, 1/3 Democrat and 1/3 Decline to State or independent.  It will not be won by securing the vote of only Democrats or only Republicans.

*** This very important endorsement will demonstrate the across-the-board appeal and support Peters has in his campaign to unseat long-term incumbent Brian Bilbray. It will be a tremendous boost to the Peters campaign. 

WHERE:        

Scott Peters for Congress Campaign Headquarters

4715 Viewridge Ave., Suite 150, San Diego, CA 92123

“Nuns on the Bus” Brings Fair Budget Message to San Diego Stop

Faith, Community, Labor Leaders Provide Alternative to Devastating Romney-Ryan Budget

WHAT:           

The Romney-Ryan Budget would devastate services such as nutrition assistance, early childhood education and job training that provide pathways out of poverty for millions of families. On the heels of the successful “Nuns on the Bus” tour, faith leaders in San Diego will join together with labor and community groups to speak out against the deep federal budget cuts targeting poor and middle-class families proposed by Vice Presidential candidate Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) and supported by Congressman Brian Bilbray and Mitt Romney.

EVENT:          

Speakers will present the “Faithful Budget,” which promotes comprehensive and compassionate budget principles that help lift the burden on the poor, rather than increasing it while shielding the wealthiest from any additional sacrifice. Instead of supporting further devastating cuts to vital programs like Medicare or Social Security, Congressman Bilbray will be called on to abandon his support of the Romney-Ryan Budget and to support the “Faithful Budget.”

When:     

Tuesday, September 18, 2012       

                        3:00 p.m.

WHERE:          

County Administration Center (bayside), 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101

CONTACT:    

 Patrick Pierce

619-807-0850 Cell

ppierce@unionyes.org

San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council

3737 Camino del Rio South, #403, San Diego, CA 92108

619-228-8101 Office

www.unionyes.org

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The Truth on Rep. Bilbray’s Anti-Clean Energy Voting Record

WASHINGTON – The California League of Conservation Voters and national League of Conservation Voters today responded to the latest ad by Rep. Brian Bilbray, which attempts to mislead voters on his extreme anti-clean energy, anti-environmental voting record. Bilbray’s votes earned him a horrible 17% on LCV’s 2011National Environmental Scorecard.

“Unfortunately, Brian Bilbray isn’t the first candidate running for office in California to attempt to mislead voters about his environmental record,” said David Allgood, Political Director of the California League of Conservation Voters. “But promises to protect our environment must be backed up by performance, and Mr. Bilbray’s 17% voting record is clear proof he is not the right candidate for the job.”

“Rep. Bilbray has sided Republican leaders at every turn and his votes have helped make the current House of Representatives the most anti-environmental House in history. This ad was made possible by the $225,218 in campaign contributions he’s received from the oil and gas industry throughout his career – they’re standing up for Bilbray because he’s made a career out of standing up for them,” said Navin Nayak, LCV Senior Vice President for Campaigns.

Despite the claims made in the ad, Bilbray has a record of voting against clean energy legislation that protects the environment and creates jobs, while also voting against safeguards that protect the California waters he purports to cherish. Recent votes include:

·         Bilbray voted against the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which included a 20 percent renewable energy standard; the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which included the largest investment in clean energy in U.S. history; and two other bills to extend critical tax incentives for renewable energy (the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act and the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act). [HR 2454, House Vote 277, 6/26/09; HR 1, House Vote 70, 2/13/09; HR 6049, House Vote 344, 5/21/08; HR 5351, House Vote 84, 2/27/08]

·         Bilbray has repeatedly voted to undermine clean water safeguards.  He even voted for HR 2018, a bill that would dismantle the Clean Water Act. [HR 2018,House Vote 573, 7/13/11; Moran Amdt to HR 2354, House Vote 540, 7/12/11; McKinley Amdt to HR 1, House Vote 135, 2/19/11]

The non-partisan LCV National Environmental Scorecard is a nationally accepted yardstick used to rate members of Congress on environmental and clean energy issues. For more information, visit http://www.lcv.org/scorecard.

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Paid for by the League of Conservation Voters, www.lcv.org, and the California League of Conservation Voters, www.ecovote.org, and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

On Law’s 18th Anniversary, Peters Campaign Reminds Voters of Bilbray’s Vote to Undermine Violence Against Women Act

San Diego – Today, on the 18th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act, the Scott Peters for Congress campaign called on Brian Bilbray to explain why he voted to roll back protections in the law earlier this year.

“The Violence Against Women Act was landmark legislation that dramatically increased our ability to combat domestic abuse,” said Peters Communications Director MaryAnne Pintar. “Scott believes all women deserve these protections.”

Originally enacted in 1994, the VAWA increased the ability of law enforcement agencies to protect victims of stalking, domestic violence and sexual assault. Since then, it has been reauthorized twice with bipartisan support.  On May 16, 2012, however, Bilbray voted to undermine core principles of the law by removing protections for Native American women, immigrants and members of the LGBT community.

Peters is a steadfast advocate of equal rights for all. He is endorsed by several women elected officials as well as the national Human Rights Campaign. Planned Parenthood has also endorsed him, with a 100 percent rating, for his record of standing up for women’s reproductive rights.

This is in stark contrast to Brian Bilbray who voted against equal pay protections for women, to limit women’s access to contraception and reproductive care, and to reduce the number of women protected under the Violence Against Women Act.

For more information about Scott Peters campaign to bring common-sense reform to Congress, please go to www.scottpeters.com.

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Calitics: Carl DeMaio, the next Scott Walker

By Lucas O'Conner

Cross posted from Calitics

Statewide, we're all gearing up to beat back Proposition 32, that tries to give full financial control of our elections to corporations and millionaires that have already been running amok since Citizens United came down. But down in San Diego, we're already fighting what comes next. Carl DeMaio is running for mayor with big designs on becoming a national sensation for the far right, and if he gets momentum now he just might pull it off.

Prominent state and national GOP figures are already putting on Orange County fundraisers billing DeMaio as "The Next Scott Walker," and his calling card has become the string of roadmaps and pathways that mirror Paul Ryan's Roadmap for America's Future. DeMaio knows how to become a champion for the far right, and he's executing the playbook from DC step by step.
Lucas O'Connor :: Carl DeMaio, the next Scott Walker

It's a record that should have a familiar ring to anyone who's been following the presidential race. Plucked out of college by Newt Gingrich, he worked on the Contract for America before moving on to the Reason Institute to have his work funded by the likes of the Koch Brothers and Scaife Family and fell in with the Abramoff crowd.

In a sadly familiar story, he made a personal fortune after starting companies to help the government cut jobs and outsource work, and help contractors to profit off the deals. Playing both sides of the street paid off handsomely for him.

The boldness of his hypocrisy and the things he outright makes up could almost be admirable if they weren't so damaging. Running as a fiscal conservative, he's orchestrated a new billion dollar tax payable directly to corporations. Even though voters rejected the same tax twice, he simply imposed it anyways.

He's roiled many in San Diego's LGBT community by accepting big campaign checks from some of Prop 8's biggest supporters despite being a gay candidate himself. Reportedly, the price of those donations was a promise that "he would not push the gay agenda issues" as mayor.

Now in the general election, his claims have gotten even wilder.

After posting the worst cumulative score on the League of Conservation Voters scorecard since joining the city council, he's declared himself an environmentalist based on nothing in particular.
He's attempting to reach out to San Diego's Latino community after announcing that local police should enforce federal immigration law and casting the only vote on city council defending Arizona's SB1070 racial profiling law.

And now he's announced he's pro-choice, which would be great... but big news to Planned Parenthood. Of the four leading candidates for mayor in the primary, DeMaio was the only one not rated pro-choice by Planned Parenthood.

DeMaio's gamble is that not enough people have been paying attention and the media won't push back enough for all these bizarre claims to backfire on him. He'll have millions in TV ads to make his case, and it remains to be seen whether the plan will work.

He's already spearheaded dramatic attacks on public workers, championed outsourcing, and promised that he owes favors to the developers and contractors who are bankrolling his campaign. Along the way, he hasn't hidden his plan to bring this agenda to the state level next.

If the state and national GOP is lining up to spend millions electing the next Scott Walker in San Diego, it's time to push back. You can learn much more about what's on the horizon at DirtyDeMaio, and stay up to date on Facebook and Twitter.

I'm proud to work for San Diegans for Bob Filner for Mayor 2012

A Desperate Bilbray Tries to Divert Attention from the 30,000 Military Jobs He Could Cost San Diego

San Diego, CA – Faced with what he admits is one of the biggest threats to re-election he’s ever faced, Brian Bilbray laid bare his desperation today by asking a question that was asked and answered repeatedly during the primary election.

“Brian Bilbray has voted for sequestration cuts that could cost San Diego 30,000 military-related jobs, and to charge seniors $6,400 more for Medicare so he could give tax cuts to the corporate special interests who have paid millions to support his campaigns,” said Peters’ Communications Director MaryAnne Pintar.

“Scott has made public every single source of his income for the past 12 years,” she said. “Of much greater concern to the voters is how incredibly beholden Mr. Bilbray is to the special interests that have paid millions towards his lobbying fees and to fund campaigns to support him over the past 18 years.”

During the debt ceiling debacle last summer, Brian Bilbray was part of the obstructionist Tea Party effort that caused the nation’s credit rating to be downgraded for the first time in America’s history. The resulting “sequestration cuts” he supported could cost San Diego as many as 30,000 military-related jobs.

“Rather than acting to fix this looming crisis that could devastate our economy, Mr. Bilbray’s acting like a career politician more concerned about saving his own job than about saving the jobs of 30,000 San Diegans,” said Pintar.

For the past 12 years, as a City Councilmember and Port Commissioner, Peters has filed financial disclosure statements that detail each and every source of his family’s income. His most current filing with the Federal Elections Commission is 16-pages long and was made available on line in March 2012. Peters is running to unseat Bilbray in the newly drawn 52nd Congressional District.

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Peters Campaign Launches First TV Ad of General Election

“Kids” Takes Aim at Dysfunctional Congress  

San Diego – The Scott Peters for Congress campaign launched its first television commercial of the General Election today. The 30-second spot, called “Kids” takes aim at the terrible dysfunction in Congress which has caused Congressional approval ratings to hit an all time low.

“The constant conflict and quarrelling we’re seeing from elected representatives in Washington, including Brian Bilbray, has never been worse,” said Peters. “We wouldn’t let our kids get away with behavior like this, why should we accept it in our leaders?” he said.

The ad opens with Peters saying: “Bickering. Fighting. We wouldn’t put up with this from our kids. It’s time Washington got something done.” Behind him are children dressed as House members in a mock Congressional committee room arguing and throwing paper at one another.

“It would be comical if it weren’t so sadly representative of the way our current Congress, and the incumbent, Brian Bilbray, have been conducting our nation’s business as of late,” said Peters' Communications Director MaryAnne Pintar.

“Brian Bilbray has worked in D.C. as a special interest lobbyist and congressman for decades, yet he's trying desperately to portray himself as an outsider,” she said. “He can't hide from the fact that he's part of the problem. To change Congress, we must change who we send.”

Several recent national polls show that public approval of Congress is at its lowest in history, due in large part to hyper partisanship and bickering that has caused unprecedented gridlock in Washington, D.C.

Peters is running to unseat Bilbray, a 12-year-incumbent, in the newly drawn 52nd Congressional District. To find out more, go to www.scottpeters.com.

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Statement from Scott Peters on the Anniversary of 9/11

San Diego -- On the 11th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on our nation on Sept. 11, 2001, Scott Peters, candidate for the newly drawn 52nd Congressional District, issued the following statement:

"In the midst of heated political campaigns, we tend to focus on our differences; it’s how we make our case for election and distinguish ourselves from our opponents. On this day, though, we focus not on what divides, but on what unites us as Americans, including our tremendous gratitude for the sacrifices others have made to protect our freedoms, and our heartfelt sympathy for those who lost loved one on this date eleven years ago.

"It's hard to believe it’s been that long since we all woke up to the tragedies that unfolded in Pennsylvania, at the Pentagon, and in my one-time home of NYC. But we remain vigilant and we remember still."

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Reigniting the American Dream: Building Ladders of Opportunity

Bernie Rhinerson for SD Community College Board

DCCC Releases “Not Working for You” TV Ad Targeting Congressman Bilbray for Accepting Pay Raises and Ending Medicare

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is launching an Independent Expenditure campaign TV ad hitting Congressman Brian Bilbray (CA-52) for his record of wheeling and dealing for special interests, rather than standing up for California’s middle class. As a lobbyist, Bilbray was paid $35,000 after he wrote a bill to help a company get a no-bid contract for a water sewage treatment plant. In Congress, Bilbray has voted to protect tax loopholes for his Big Oil and special interest donors while voting to raise health care costs for seniors by $6,400. The DCCC ad will begin running today.

Script of  DCCC IE Ad “Not Working for You” (CA-52)

Voiceover:      
For thirty-six years, Brian Bilbray has either been a politician, or a lobbyist.

Bilbray got paid thirty-five thousand dollars in lobbying fees, after he wrote a bill to help a company get a no-bid contract.

He’s raised thousands from Big Oil and the special interests he lobbied for

…and protects their tax subsidies, while voting to gut Medicare.

Whoever Bilbray’s working for – he’s not working for you.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is responsible for the content of this advertising.

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Brian Bilbray: Not Working for You

CA League of Conservation Voters, National LCV Action Fund Endorse Scott Peters for Congress in California’s 52nd District

SAN DIEGO – Today, the national League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Action Fund and the California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) together announced their endorsement of Scott Peters for the U.S. House of Representatives in California’s 52nd district.

In backing his congressional bid, LCV Action Fund and CLCV cited Peters’ long and accomplished record of public service in the San Diego community, leading initiatives to strengthen public health standards, protect the environment, and grow the economy by creating thousands of new local jobs.  Peters will face long-time incumbent Rep. Brian Bilbray in the general election.

“LCV Action Fund is proud to endorse Scott Peters for Congress because he has a remarkable track record as an environmental champion, he is a strong advocate for public health, and he is a proven community leader who knows how to create sustainable jobs that grow the economy,” said LCV Action Fund President Gene Karpinski. “Throughout his time as an environmental attorney, a City Councilman, and head of the San Diego Unified Port District, Scott Peters has embodied the values of sustainability and environmental protection that San Diegans cherish.”

The newly drawn 52nd Congressional District is rich in natural resources, including canyons, lagoons, open space and more than half of San Diego County’s coastline.

“As a Councilman, Scott Peters cut sewer spills to clean up the San Diego Bay and protected hundreds of acres of open space,” said Sarah Rose, CEO of CLCV. “And he accomplished these while staying focused on job creation. Particularly in resource-rich San Diego, we need leaders like Scott who can achieve this balance in order to improve our quality of life.”

Among other achievements as a Councilman, Peters banned smoking in public parks and beaches, and redeveloped local roads to protect sensitive and rare lagoon habitats.  His strong record of leadership continued as chair of the Port of San Diego – a major economic engine that produces tens of thousands of high-skill, high-wage jobs for San Diegans. Under Peters’ leadership, the Port shifted its emphasis to sustainability by reducing waste in water and energy consumption, thereby helping the environment and lowering costs. Prior to entering public service, Peters was an environmental attorney, successfully leading a Clean Water Act lawsuit against polluters that ultimately led to new water quality standards around these facilities.

In stark contrast, Rep. Bilbray has voted repeatedly to undermine the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts; against carbon pollution standards; and against wilderness and wildlife protections. He has also voted time and again to give billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies every year to oil companies that, in turn, contribute generously to his campaigns. Bilbray earned a dismal 17% score on LCV’s 2011 National Environmental Scorecard.

The non-partisan LCV National Environmental Scorecard is a nationally accepted yardstick used to rate members of Congress on environmental and clean energy issues. Based on key environmental votes in the House and Senate, it is often used by the media to quickly describe a Member’s position. For more information, visit http://www.lcv.org/scorecard.

Scott Peters is featured on LCV Action Fund’s GiveGreen website, http://www.givegreen.com, the only bundling website devoted exclusively to raising money for environmental champions and candidates.

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Paid for by the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and California League of Conservation Voters, and authorized by Scott Peters for Congress.

Assembly Candidate RJ Hernandez Hosts Obama Convention Speech Viewing Party

 Come watch President Obama Accept his Party's Nomination with friends & supporters of RJ Hernandez's Assembly Campaign at the Fish Boutique in Scripps Ranch (in the Trader Joe's shopping center) this coming Thursday night!

WHAT: 
A viewing party to watch President Obama’s convention speech

WHEN: 
5:30 to 7:30 pm on Thursday, September 6th

WHERE: 
Fish Boutique, 9842 Hibert Street Ste G-6, San Diego, California 92131

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San Diegans for Filner YouTube Ad - Leader

Sierra Club Endorses Scott Peters for Congress

San Diego – The Scott Peters for Congress campaign today proudly announced the endorsement of the Sierra Club, which has 1.4 million members across America. Peters is running in the newly drawn 52nd Congressional District against 12-year-incumbent Brian Bilbray who has voted repeatedly to undermine laws that protect our water, air and wildlife.

The endorsement means financial support from the club’s political action committee and outreach to its 12,000 members in San Diego County.

“In San Diego, where our quality of life and our economy are so tied to our natural resources, we reject the idea that we must choose between protecting our natural resources and our economic prosperity,” said Peters. “We must achieve both.”

Peters practiced environmental law before entering his career in public service. While in private practice, he successfully represented several environmental organizations in a lawsuit against a polluting shipyard, which ultimately led to new Clean Water Act standards for these facilities.

His long record of environmental accomplishments earned him the local club’s backing during previous campaigns, and if elected, he hopes to help shape national policy related to renewable energy, climate change, and clean wate. National clean water advocates Ocean Champions also endorsed Peters last month.

In stark contrast, Brian Bilbray has voted repeatedly to undermine the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts; against regulating greenhouse gas emissions; against regulating pollutants to drinking water sources; and against wilderness and wildlife protections. He’s voted for lowering offshore oil drilling safety standards, while supporting billions in subsidies to profitable oil and gas companies who have contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to his election campaigns.

For more information, go to www.scottpeters.com.

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Asian Community 2012 Candidate Forum

A nonpartisan, educational Candidates Forum will be held on Saturday, September 8th, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The venue is the Wesley United Methodist Church, the oldest Vietnamese church in San Diego, which is located in a multi-ethnic neighborhood at 54th Street and El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego 92115.  The doors to the Parish Hall open at 10:30 a.m.  This event is free and open to the public.

Five political races are included in this Candidates Forum which cover the cities of San Diego, Poway in the north down to National City and Chula Vista in the south.  Congressional District 52 candidates Brian Bilbray and Scott Peters, Congressional District 53 candidates Susan Davis and Nick Popaditch, State Assembly District 77 candidates Ruben (“R J”) Hernandez and Brian Maienschein, State Assembly District 79 candidates Mary England and Shirley Weber,  and San Diego Mayoral  candidates Carl De Maio and Bob Filner have been invited.

The program will start at 11:00 a.m. for the Congressional candidates, noon for the State Assembly candidates, and 1:00 pm for the San Diego Mayoral candidates.   Each hour will have the following format: In the first half hour the candidates will give formal opening and closing statements and answer pre-selected written questions submitted by community members.  In the second half hour the candidates will meet and greet the audience in an informal setting.  Light lunch and refreshments will be served during the half hour meet and greet time periods.

ADVISORY - Candidate Dr. Shirley Weber Hosts Obama Convention Speech Viewing Party

Assembly Candidate Dr. Shirley Weber Hosts Obama Convention Speech Viewing Party

WHAT: 
A viewing party to watch President Obama’s convention speech

WHEN: 
5:30 to 7:30 pm on Thursday, September 6th

WHERE: 
Felix’s BBQ with Soul Restaurant, 342 Euclid Ave. San Diego, 92114

WHO: 
Dr. Shirley Weber, candidate for the 79th Assembly District, friends, neighbors and supporters

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ADVISORY: Nomination Watch Party in San Diego

San Diegans to Rally As Obama Accepts Nomination 

 

The County Democratic Party is organizing a "watch party" in Kearny Mesa Thursday night as Barack Obama formally accepts the Democratic presidential nomination. Before and after the event, attendees will be signing up for volunteer shifts to walk precincts and make phone calls to local voters. News media representatives are welcome.

WHEN:
Thursday, Sept. 6 -- doors open at 5:30 p.m., Obama's speech expected at approx. 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: 
Democratic Unity Campaign Center, 8322 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Suite 202, San Diego (92111)

WHO:
Democratic activists, volunteers, and supporters from throughout San Diego County. As San Diego's senior Democratic Member of Congress, Bob Filner will be on hand to welcome guests and will be available for media interviews as a representative of the Democratic Party.

For more information, please contact Meg Mandy at (619) 288-3823 or meg@sddemocrats.org.

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San Diegans Ready to Rally at DNC Convention

 

Local "Watch Party" Planned at Democratic Campaign Office

San Diego County's sole representative on the Democratic National Committee, Jess Durfee, has left for Charlotte, N.C., for a week of DNC business meetings and speeches culminating in President Barack Obama's formal acceptance of the Democratic Party's presidential nomination next Thursday night.

Finishing his last term this year as Chair of the San Diego County Democratic Party, Durfee was reelected last month to another four-year stint on the DNC.

"I'm excited to be joining Democratic Party officials and activists as we rally to support and reelect President Obama," said Durfee. "The Republican convention this week was full of what we've come to expect from them -- falsehoods, Tea Party extremism, and rhetoric more focused on tearing down our President than lifting up our country. By contrast, I think the Democratic convention will offer a message of opportunity, inclusivity, and enthusiasm to keep America moving forward with Democratic leadership."

Durfee is a "superdelegate" along with San Diego's Democratic members of Congress, Susan Davis and Bob Filner. Out of the local delegation of 38, an additional 25 were directly elected in local caucuses this spring, and another 10 are "at-large" or "party leader" delegates. San Diegans will be available for interviews in Charlotte throughout next week.

Jess Durfee can be reached at (619) 750-5377 and followed on Twitter @ChairJessDurfee.

OBAMA ACCEPTANCE SPEECH EVENT IN SAN DIEGO

The County Democratic Party will be holding an official convention "watch party" on Thursday, Sept. 6, at 5:30 p.m. at a new Democratic Coordinated Campaign Office located at 8322 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Suite 202, in Kearny Mesa. This event is open to the media; for details, call Meg Mandy at (858) 277-3367 or meg@sddemocrats.org. 

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STATEMENT OF ASSEMBLYMEMBER TONI ATKINS ON STATE LEGISLATURE’S ADOPTION OF PENSION REFORM

Sacramento - Today I joined with my legislative colleagues to adopt AB 340, which implements a wide range of reforms designed to rein in the costs of employee pensions for state and local governments.  This balanced measure reduces pension benefits for new government employees and eliminates many of the pension-padding practices of the past, while still providing retirees with a stable, reliable standard of living in their senior years.

AB 340 represents a framework for responsible and fair pension reform.  The legislature will address additional proposed reforms in future legislative sessions. Local jurisdictions that desire to implement broader reforms have the authority to do so under AB 340.  In addition, charter cities such as San Diego are exempt from the bill, leaving Proposition B -- the pension measure recently adopted by San Diego voters -- intact.  This reform measure was supported by both the California League of Cities and the California State Association of Counties, both of which represent local governments.

A decade ago, the City of San Diego faced the consequences of having underfunded the city employee pension program since the 1980’s – unfunded liabilities that jeopardized funding for all city services.  I was a member of the City Council that ended that pattern.  As Chair of the City Budget Committee, I led the work to implement budget discipline that has resulted in fiscal stability for San Diego and a restoration of critical services for residents.

AB 340 will enable state and local governments to similarly bring pension costs under control and to demonstrate our commitment to responsibly managing the taxpayers’ money.

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ATKINS BILL PROTECTS CHILDREN FROM ONLINE PREDATORS

Sacramento -  The state legislature has adopted a bill by Assemblymember Toni Atkins to add computer technicians to the list of people mandated to report to law enforcement child pornography that they encounter in the course of their work.  On a unanimous bipartisan vote, AB 1817 was sent to the Governor, who has until the end of September to sign or veto the bill.

“We live in a digital age and it’s time to update our laws to reflect the world we live in by making computer technicians mandated reporters of child pornography,” says Atkins. “Online images last forever and each time child pornography is viewed that child is re-victimized.  My bill is about protecting those kids.”

Commercial film and photo processors are already mandated reporters under state law, but predators who sexually exploit children have evolved with the times, hiding most of the images which they create and exchange on personal computers and the Internet.  According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 9.6 million images of child pornography had been identified by 2007.  Millions more are believed to be in circulation. And it is estimated that 200 new images of children being sexually abused are circulated each day to meet the insatiable demand of the child pornography market.  A study commissioned by the United States Department of Justice revealed that 96% of those images are in digital form.

In adopting this law, California would join ten other states in designating computer technicians as mandated reporters. The bill is supported by law enforcement and a broad coalition of groups working to end child pornography and sexual exploitation.

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Bilbray Challenges Peters to Debates Peters Agreed to Weeks Ago

San Diego -- Today, entrenched incumbent Brian Bilbray, who has refused several debate requests, challenged Scott Peters to debates Peters already agreed to several weeks ago. The Peters campaign responded with the following:

“Mr. Bilbray has issued a challenge to debates we agreed to weeks ago,” said Peters’ Communications Director MaryAnne Pintar. “We’re just pleased he’s finally stepped up.”

Other organizations including the North County Chamber of Commerce, several rotary clubs, the Ocean Beach Town Council, and Voice of San Diego, have also been trying to organize debates for weeks. Peters agreed to them immediately; Mr. Bilbray has not.  The Peters campaign intends to honor these requests and calls on Mr. Bilbray to do the same.

“We look forward to comparing Scott’s record of accomplishment to Mr. Bilbray’s tenure as a member of the most poorly-viewed, ineffective Congress in history,” she said.

Pintar reminded members of the media that his campaign issued the same challenge early in the primary, and then did not show at all of them.

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Local Leaders Respond to Mitt Romney's Nomination for President

Romney's extreme views are wrong path, threaten America's middle class

WHAT:          
With Mitt Romney set to accept the Republican Party's nomination for President, Democratic Party and Labor leaders will discuss the importance of the Presidential race and the important choices facing voters in November. Every San Diegan has a stake in the outcome of elections this November, and it's important to make sure they're educated on the choice before them this year.

EVENT:         
Speakers will discuss President Obama’s successful track record of leading the country back from the Great Recession and highlight the extreme policies that Mitt Romney has adopted heading into the general election. Threats to Medicare, Social Security, the Affordable Care Act, women's health, and the ongoing economic recovery are among the concerns that must be front and center as voters examine their choices in November.

WHO:            
Jess Durfee, Chair, San Diego County Democratic Party;
Lorena Gonzalez, Secretary-Treasurer/CEO, San Diego Labor Council;
Vince Hall, Planned Parenthood Action Fund;
Sandra Diaz, San Diego Director, SEIU-USWW.
All will be available to speak with media.

WHEN:          
TODAY
Thursday, August 30, 2012
12:00 p.m.

WHERE:        
San Diego Republican Party Headquarters, 16935 West Bernardo Drive, San Diego, CA 92127

CONTACT:   
Patrick Pierce
619-807-0850 Cell
ppierce@unionyes.org

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ATKINS BILL HELPS SENIORS STAY OUT OF NURSING HOMES

Sacramento - Seniors with chronic illnesses who are eligible for Medi-Cal or Medicaid will be offered enrollment in the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) under legislation by Assemblymember Toni Atkins that was sent to the Governor today. 

PACE programs are managed care options that provide integrated care – including medical and home care, transportation, and daycare services – to seniors eligible for nursing home placement, most of whom are also beneficiaries of both Medi-Cal and Medicare.  AB 2206 would ensure that seniors are informed about their choices by requiring that information about PACE be presented whenever other enrollment options are presented.

“My bill will ensure that frail seniors are aware of this managed care program that could make the difference between living at home with their families and hospitalization,” says Atkins.  “In addition to preserving the independence and dignity of seniors, the PACE program is also a more cost effective alternative to nursing home care.”

Currently, five PACE programs operate in seven counties in California, including San Diego.

Scott Peters Tops 'Win Back the House Challenge’

Extra State Party Help Earned with Best Grassroots Support!

San Diego – The results are in: the Scott Peters campaign won the California Democratic Party’s ‘Win Back the House Challenge,’ a week-long contest held to determine which endorsed Democratic Congressional challenger in the state has the most online grassroots support! As the winner, Peters earned extra support from the state party in the form of on-line outreach and a fundraising email blast to the Party's statewide activist list.

The state party announced Peters as the winner in an email earlier today from Chairman John Burton. 

“(Scott Peters) is a great candidate who will be an outstanding representative for San Diego and our whole state,” Burton said in the email to California Democrats. “He's already got a track record of creating jobs as San Diego's first city council president, and he's completely committed to protecting Medicare and Social Security from Republican attacks,” he added. “He’s in a great position to win this race.”

The email also asked readers to support and contribute to Peters’ campaign.  

“This win shows that our supporters are as enthusiastic and energized as any other campaign in the state, and I’m very grateful to them for helping us win this,” Peters said.  “We galvanized our voters for this contest with on-line outreach and social media; we’ll do the same, and more, for Nov. 6 and look forward to another winning result,” he said.

For more information, check out Scott’s website at www.scottpeters.com. Follow him on Twitter @ScottPetersSD and @ScottPetersCA52.

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HERNANDEZ WELCOMES FORMER CHALLENGER’S INPUT ON LAND USE

SAN DIEGO – August 28, 2012 – 77th Assembly Distrcit candidate Ruben “RJ” Hernandez has invited Dustin Steiner to join his team as a Land Use Advisor following the November general elections.

“I have formally invited my former opponent Dustin Steiner to join our team, upon election to the Assembly, as Land Use Advisor to help represent San Diego's interests in that capacity in Sacramento,” Hernandez said. “I found him to be a man of professionalism and a hard worker, and I'd welcome the opportunity to work with him toward the betterment of our quality of life and the protection of our communities' interests.”

A graduate of the California public university system and business owner, Hernandez wants to bring practical solutions to the State’s management of public funds for land use.  Steiner is Chairman of the Miramar Ranch North Planning Committee and an alternate on the County Republican Party. He spent five years in Washington D.C. in the U.S. House of Representatives as staff for three members of Congress. He currently serves as the new Chief of Staff to San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Horn.  He is the
2010 recipient of the Wendell Cutting Award for Legislative Staff Member of the Year and holds a Master's degree in Public Policy from American University in Washington, DC.

Hernandez thinks Steiner’s local experience and expertise are strong complements to his own personal background and campaign platform.  He looks forward to the opportunity of working with him for the betterment of the district and state. He feels that together, they can achieve great things.

Hernande is running in a district comprised of Poway, Rancho Bernardo, 4S Ranch Rancho Penasquitos, Rancho Santa Fe, Carmel Valley, Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch, Tierrasanta, Kearny Mesa, and North and East Clairemont. Find out more about District 77 and RJ Hernandez at http://www.rjhernandez.org.

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Door-to-door transit service for Encinitas and Solana Beach begins

Encinitas, CA — A new economical, on-demand, door-to-door transportation service,     that connects riders in shared vehicles to shopping districts, medical appointments, or any other destination in Encinitas and part of Solana Beach, was officially launched at a ribbon-cutting ceremony held in Encinitas.

Solana Beach Deputy Mayor Dave Roberts, a Executive Committee member of the North County Transit District Board of Directors, spoke at the ceremony highlighting the new transportation service for area residents. Treggon Owens, President of the Mainstreet 101 Association in Encinitas, also spoke at the kickoff event.

“By being creative and thinking outside the box, we established this innovative, on-demand transit service at a great price,” Roberts said. “For only $5, passengers can travel anywhere in Encinitas and any part of Solana Beach west of Interstate 5,” he said. The Flex 374 route is a groundbreaking new service to meet the local needs of residents who need public transportation, but don’t live near a bus or train station.

“Not only is this service easily accessible and economical for the rider, but participants are doing the environment a favor by carpooling to their destination. Many of us may not take the bus because the nearest bus stop is too far to walk to. But now, with door-to-door service, we are bringing the ride to you,” Roberts added.

The FLEX Route 374 is an on-call, convenient, and inexpensive way for riders to get to shopping and other destinations in Encinitas and the western portion of Solana Beach. The service operates 4:50 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. weekdays.  For $5, passengers can travel anywhere in the route’s zone (see attached flyer for zone map).  COASTER monthly pass holders are able to use the service at no additional charge; and it is half-price for seniors or customers with Medicare and disabilities.

FLEX 374 passengers must make a reservation at least 30 minutes in advance by calling (855) 844-1454   More information is available online at http://www.gonctd.com/flex374.

STATE ASSEMBLY URGES POSTAL SERVICE TO HONOR HARVEY MILK WITH POSTAGE STAMP

Sacramento - The California State Assembly has adopted a resolution carried by Assemblymember Toni Atkins requesting that the United States Postal Service honor slain civil rights leader Harvey Milk with a postage stamp.   HR 41 recognizes Milk’s many accomplishments as a leader of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and will be added to letters from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other leaders in urging the postal service to create a Milk stamp.

“A postage stamp draws attention to important people who may not be familiar to all Americans,” says Atkins.  “Harvey Milk, who gave his life because he led the way for equality, is an ideal choice for this honor.”

Harvey Milk was the first openly gay elected official from a major city in the United States when he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisor in 1977.  Before he was assassinated in 1978, Milk encouraged LGBT people to live their lives openly as the only way to change society and achieve social equality.  In 2009, Milk was inducted into the California Hall of Fame and was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  His birthday, May 22, is recognized annually in California.  Milk was also named one of Time Magazine’s one hundred persons of the century.  Recently, a street in San Diego was renamed for Milk and the California State Senate adopted a resolution urging the Secretary of Defense to name a Navy ship after Milk.

The campaign to honor Harvey Milk with a postage stamp has been led by several community groups, including the Harvey Milk Foundation, The International Court Council, and the GLBT Historic Task Force of San Diego.

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Extreme, Tea Party-Based GOP Platform Includes Ryan/Brian Plan to Essentially End Medicare, Raise Health Care Costs for Seniors

San Diego – Today, the Scott Peters for Congress campaign urged seniors in the newly drawn 52nd Congressional District to take a hard look at the Republican Party’s extremist, Tea Party-driven national platform. Congressman Brian Bilbray is in Tampa to support the Republican National Convention proceedings, which today included formal adoption of a platform that makes the kind of overhaul in the Ryan/Brian plan to end Medicare as we know it an official tenet of the Republican Party.

“The Ryan/Brian plan will essentially end Medicare,” said Peters Communications Director MaryAnne Pintar. “It steals away from seniors the guaranteed benefit of Medicare they’ve earned over a lifetime of hard work, by turning it into a voucher system that raises health care costs for seniors by more than $6,000 per year,” she said.

“We must strengthen Medicare in order to preserve it for tomorrow’s seniors,” said Peters. “We can and must protect and preserve the Medicare guarantee and still reduce costs by making administration and overhead more efficient; that will be my focus,” he said. He added that, as a nation, we must work toward a health care system that emphasizes wellness and incentivizes prevention, and away from one that focuses on sick care and expensive procedures.

The GOP platform adopted today also rejects a woman’s right to choose, and officially adopts Rep. Todd Akin's no-choice-with-no-exceptions position on abortion, even in the case of rape or incest. Over the past five years, Bilbray has voted with Akin over 90% of the time.

This year’s platform is viewed by many as one the most extreme in recent history. In fact, in a recent editorial published in the Washington Times, Phyllis Schafly the national chairperson of the ultra-conservative Eagle Forum, praised it as the party’s “best yet.” Bilbray was a featured speaker at the local chapter of the Eagle Forum last year.

In sharp contrast, “Scott Peters is 100 percent committed to protecting and preserving Medicare for our seniors because he knows they’ve earned it and are counting on it,” said Pintar. “Scott knows, for many of our seniors, their Medicare benefit means the difference between making ends meet and poverty,” she added.

Peters is endorsed by Planned Parenthood. The organization gave him a 100% rating for his unwavering commitment to standing up for women’s rights.

For more information, go to www.scottpeters.com.

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ATKINS BILL ENSURES BEST USE OF HOUSING FUNDS

Sacramento - Legislation authored by Assemblymember Toni Atkins, which re-directs under-utilized housing funds to multi-family projects that provide homes for low income residents and reduce homelessness, was passed by the state legislature today and sent to the Governor for his signature.

AB 1951 shifts $30 million from unused funds within the Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund to the Multifamily Housing Program, a popular and successful program to build and rehabilitate rental housing that has exhausted its available funding.  The Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund was created by Prop 1C, passed by California voters in 2006.

“The foreclosure crisis, job loss, and our state’s rise in homelessness have made the need for affordable housing more critical than ever,” says Atkins.  “Californians made housing a priority when they passed Prop 1C and my bill re-directs funds that are sitting idle to where they can do the most good, increasing available resources at no additional expense to taxpayers.”

The Multifamily Housing Program, which provides low interest loans for the development of affordable rental housing, is one of the most highly utilized programs created by Prop C and there are currently no funds available in its account.  The shift in funding would allow the many affordable multifamily projects currently in development to compete for the funds and increase the availability of homes for Californians.  Affordable housing funds have been negatively impacted by the recent elimination of Redevelopment programs, which by law set aside 20% of new tax revenues generated in redevelopment areas for affordable housing.

AB 1951 is supported by the California Housing Consortium, Corporation for Supportive Housing, Housing California and Habitat for Humanity.  It has no opposition.  Governor Brown has until September 30 to sign or veto the legislation.

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