Prop. A would give city some muscle

In response to “Project labor agreements are a powerful, valuable tool” (Opinion, May 18): I found it fascinating that in the first sentence of Mr. Lemmon’s response to your editorial, he mentions “bullying.”

That’s precisely what he did, at least in my opinion, to the Citizens Charter Advisory Committee to the city of Santee.

I was invited, with 10 other citizens and Mr. Lemmon, to sit on the advisory committee responsible for assisting our mayor, city manager and city attorney, with composing a city charter for Santee.

The charters of other cities were obtained, and the manager and attorney prepared packages for each of us to study and report back upon with a recommendation as to if we thought the a certain section should be included in our charter.

I was sitting directly across the table from Mr. Lemmon, whom if you have never seen him, cuts an imposing figure. He is a large person and without much imagination, the picture of a “union boss.”

When Mr. Till, our city manager, opened the discussion on PLA-related ordinances for our charter and mentioned that we could advise not to have PLA, Mr. Lemmon immediately and in a forceful voice said, “If you pass that, we’ll sue you!” Just like that.

At that time, he and his organization were locked in a lawsuit against the city of Vista because it passed a charter without the PLA provision.

I am not used to being intimidated, having spent 30 years as a policeman, yet I felt a quiver in my gut.

After a very quick deliberation, in my opinion, the committee voted not to recommend an ordinance prohibiting the PLA.

He has since spoken in front of the El Cajon City Council on the same subject as they study passing a charter.

I understand that the city of Vista prevailed in its suit. I’ve seen that other cities are leaning toward passing charters refusing to use PLAs.

The unions’ response to that was to organize their majority of our state government officials and quickly pass SB 829, which the union-friendly governor quickly signed in a very quiet ceremony. Now the state can cut off certain funds to a city which does not participate in PLAs.

If that is not bullying, intimidation, and using the government system to get their own way, I sure do not know what is.

It’s time for union bullying to stop. Remember when the Teamsters tried to threaten Pete Wilson with “we’ll shut this city down” during a labor dispute with the police officers’ association? Cities should stand up the same way Wilson did with “bring it on” attitudes. Although Mr. Lemmon is confident that SB 829 would stand a constitutional challenge, he could be wrong. He was about Vista. – Bill Howell, Santee

The U-T San Diego editorial “Vote for Prop. A – don’t let bullies win” (May 13) was spot on describing the union power grab in Sacramento.

Prop. A also forces all contractors, union and nonunion, to be more transparent in their city work.

Article source: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/may/19/letters-prop-a-prop-b/

Prop. A would give city some muscle

In response to “Project labor agreements are a powerful, valuable tool” (Opinion, May 18): I found it fascinating that in the first sentence of Mr. Lemmon’s response to your editorial, he mentions “bullying.”

That’s precisely what he did, at least in my opinion, to the Citizens Charter Advisory Committee to the city of Santee.

I was invited, with 10 other citizens and Mr. Lemmon, to sit on the advisory committee responsible for assisting our mayor, city manager and city attorney, with composing a city charter for Santee.

The charters of other cities were obtained, and the manager and attorney prepared packages for each of us to study and report back upon with a recommendation as to if we thought the a certain section should be included in our charter.

I was sitting directly across the table from Mr. Lemmon, whom if you have never seen him, cuts an imposing figure. He is a large person and without much imagination, the picture of a “union boss.”

When Mr. Till, our city manager, opened the discussion on PLA-related ordinances for our charter and mentioned that we could advise not to have PLA, Mr. Lemmon immediately and in a forceful voice said, “If you pass that, we’ll sue you!” Just like that.

At that time, he and his organization were locked in a lawsuit against the city of Vista because it passed a charter without the PLA provision.

I am not used to being intimidated, having spent 30 years as a policeman, yet I felt a quiver in my gut.

After a very quick deliberation, in my opinion, the committee voted not to recommend an ordinance prohibiting the PLA.

He has since spoken in front of the El Cajon City Council on the same subject as they study passing a charter.

I understand that the city of Vista prevailed in its suit. I’ve seen that other cities are leaning toward passing charters refusing to use PLAs.

The unions’ response to that was to organize their majority of our state government officials and quickly pass SB 829, which the union-friendly governor quickly signed in a very quiet ceremony. Now the state can cut off certain funds to a city which does not participate in PLAs.

If that is not bullying, intimidation, and using the government system to get their own way, I sure do not know what is.

It’s time for union bullying to stop. Remember when the Teamsters tried to threaten Pete Wilson with “we’ll shut this city down” during a labor dispute with the police officers’ association? Cities should stand up the same way Wilson did with “bring it on” attitudes. Although Mr. Lemmon is confident that SB 829 would stand a constitutional challenge, he could be wrong. He was about Vista. – Bill Howell, Santee

The U-T San Diego editorial “Vote for Prop. A – don’t let bullies win” (May 13) was spot on describing the union power grab in Sacramento.

Prop. A also forces all contractors, union and nonunion, to be more transparent in their city work.

Article source: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/may/19/letters-prop-a-prop-b/

Higher-education cuts

What Gov. Brown proposes if his tax increase plan fails in November:

$300

MILLION

California community colleges

$500

MILLION

UC and CSU

California’s colleges and universities are looking at fewer classes, higher student fees and layoffs unless more money can be injected into the state budget, educational leaders in San Diego and Sacramento said Wednesday.

They reiterated their plea that voters to pass Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed tax increase on the November ballot, but some questioned whether the public support would be there.

At a meeting in Sacramento, University of California Regent Bonnie Reiss urged staff to develop budget numbers that reflect the effects of deeper reductions should voters reject the tax.

“As horrible as the numbers might look to us, the better from our planning perspective to see what a conservative financial reality might look like,” she said.

As the regents were meeting, leaders of San Diego County’s five community college districts gathered locally to discuss Brown’s revised 2012-13 budget.

“It’s clearer than ever that voter approval of the governor’s tax initiative in November is the only way to avoid further dismantling of California community colleges,” Francisco Rodriguez, superintendent/president of MiraCosta Community College said at a news conference in San Diego.

Opponents of the tax increase said education cuts were being used as a cudgel in the battle over taxes.

“We’re into bullying right now,” Richard Rider, chairman of San Diego Tax Fighters, said of educators’ warnings. “They need to charge the students more, like a user fee.”

Brown this week unveiled his revised $91 billion general-fund spending plan that calls for $8.3 billion in cuts along with the tax increase to cover a $15.7 billion shortfall. Spending for UC and the California State University system would remain flat.

The tax initiative calls for increasing the sales tax by a quarter-cent for four years and hiking income taxes on a sliding scale for seven years on those making more than $250,000 per year.

He plans automatic “trigger” cuts in January if the tax measure fails. The greatest burden — $5.5 billion in cuts — would fall on K-12 schools. UC and CSU would each face $250 million in reductions, while the community college system would lose $300 million.

The cuts, if they come, would follow sharp reductions in public funding already imposed on colleges and universities as the state has struggled through a multiyear budget crisis, officials noted.

Fees have risen steadily at the colleges and universities.

The UC regents will consider boosting tuition again, by 6 percent, at a meeting in July. If approved, it would raise the cost to $12,923 a year, nearly double what it was five years ago. That does not include the cost of room and board, or campus-based fees, which average about $1,000.

UC and community college officials said it is too early to offer too many specifics on what would be cut if the tax measure fails. In general, UC officials said, there would be layoffs, delays in hiring faculty and consolidation, cutbacks and elimination of programs.

Article source: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/may/17/tp-educators-outline-dire-budget-options/

While President Obama is all about coolness, Romney is the sober grown-up. Republicans support Romney not because of his personality, but because he credibly addresses our shared critical challenges.

Mark DeMoss, president of the DeMoss Group, an Atlanta-based public relations firm, and also a member of Liberty’s board of trustees and a Romney adviser, introduced Romney. DeMoss’ late father, Arthur S. DeMoss, was a generous donor to the university in its early days. DeMoss said of Romney, “I suspect I won’t agree with Mitt Romney on everything — but I will tell you this — I trust him. I trust him to do the right thing, to do the moral thing, to do what’s best for our country. I trust his character, his integrity, his moral compass, his judgment and his perfect decency. And finally, I trust his values — for I am convinced they mirror my own.” That’s a better endorsement than some evangelicals give each other.

In an interview following the commencement, I talked with Romney about his campaign and about the recent Washington Post story that claimed he took part in a bullying incident in 1965. I wanted to know why he didn’t hit back harder at the charges and why he hasn’t challenged the Post for not delving deeper into the president’s past. Romney said simply, “That’s probably not my nature.

“We’ll see how the campaign develops over time. We may take on some of those issues, but probably our best course will be that the president wanted to turn around the economy and he hasn’t and that it is bumping along the bottom. A lot of people like him. You can’t forget the fact that a lot of people who voted for him last time I need to have vote for me this time.” When I asked him about the unfulfilled promises from previous Republican presidents to reduce the size and cost of government, it produced his longest answer: “I’m in this to get America right. I’m absolutely convinced that the future of liberty, not just for us, but for many in the world, depends on America changing its ways. And we are going to have to dramatically cut back on the scale and influence of government, or else we’re going to become a second-tier nation, unable to defend ourselves and defend our liberties and the liberties of friends around the world.

“I’ve learned it’s not just about slowing down the growth of programs, because what will happen four or eight years later is someone will just raise the growth of these programs and we’ll be right back to where we started. If you’re going to change things you must eliminate programs.” Romney says many programs that “are still good” can be sent to the states “and then grow the funding at the rate of inflation,” or in the case of Medicaid or Food Stamps, or workforce training programs, “maybe inflation plus one percent.” He predicts if structural changes are made, federal spending will be reduced to “20 percent of GDP, rather than the 25 percent it is today.” Good ideas, but not new for Republicans. The challenge will be getting them through Congress, which even when it is run by Republicans has been difficult.

While evangelical voters blew hot and cold on other GOP candidates during the early primaries, Romney’s reception at Liberty University is a sign they are slowly warming to the idea of him as president.

To read the entire transcript of my conversation with Mitt Romney, go to www.calthomas.com.

Readers may e-mail Cal Thomas at tmseditors@tribune.com.

TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

Article source: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/17/4499618/thomas-romneys-stellar-performance.html

Facebook Lover brings the spotlight to social media and addresses the current epidemic of teen bullying in America. On the heels of Facebook officially opening its stock to the public and poised to become one of the most valuable companies in the world, Breje’s new single’s storyline brings Facebook to the center stage and presents the positive side of social media in terms of how the interactive experience is based on the literary content and intent that we share with one another online.

The single and music video tells the story of a male teen who has a crush on a class mate and how this fondness is communicated through interaction on facebook, today’s most used platform for communications for youth across America.

“I hope I can show other kids my age and all ages how we have the power to stop bullying now. It starts with our intentions and our words. How we communicate and share online. If we keep our intentions and exchanges about positive messages, then we have won the battle,” says Breje.

Breje is set to appear to celebrate the single’s music video debut at Fitchburg High School, in Fitchburg, MA today at 9:00 AM and at Tobin Middle School in Roxbury, MA at 2:20 PM. Both schools served as the sites of location for the official video shoot where he brought his hometown schools and peers to be a part of the video.

Breje made his entertainment debut performing with his sisters’ band, IQ, where they soared to success opening for the Jonas Brothers, Ne-Yo and other top stars. Breje received a youth empowerment award from the City of Boston.

Breje stepped out as a solo artist with his HipHop /RB Single release, Glad We Met, which charted No. 3 on Billboard’s Hip Hop RB single sales chart and produced by multiplatinum producer Scott Storch. His charting success and momentum has garnered him top appearances on shows with Bow Wow, The New Boyz, and J. Holiday, including a tribute to Michael Jackson with the Jackson Family.

Facebook Lover is released officially by WPE Music, LLC. and distributed by Bungalo Records/Universal Music Group Dist.

Facebook Lover, The Music Video By Breje

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KueQiVf6O5k

www.brejemusic.com

Media Contact: Belinda Foster  Publicist 310 461 3700 Email belinda@awjplatinum.com

For More Information on Breje contact: Greg Hayes – 508-308-3107 Email greghs25@gmail.com Seema-    978- 833- 7766 Email: blacktyzent.sw@gmail.com

SOURCE WPE Music, LLC

Article source: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/18/4499238/bungaloumgd-recording-artist-breje.html

The press event will take place at 10 a.m. in the Zenger Room at the National Press Club, 529 14th St. N.W., Washington, D.C.

Speakers at the May 22 press conference will include Marc Stern, American Jewish Committee; Charles Haynes, Religious Freedom Education Project; Francisco Negron, National School Boards Association; Kim Colby, Christian Legal Society; and Hoda Elshishtawy, Muslim Public Affairs Council.

“Harassment, Bullying and Free Expression: Guidelines for Free and Safe Public Schools” was organized by the American Jewish Committee and the Religious Freedom Education Project and endorsed by American Association of School Administrators; ASCD; Center for Religion and Public Affairs at Wake Forest University Divinity School; Christian Educators Association International; Christian Legal Society; Hindu American Foundation; Islamic Networks Group and its affiliates; Islamic Society of North America; Muslim Public Affairs Council; National Association of Evangelicals; National Association of State Boards of Education; National Council for the Social Studies; National School Boards Association; Religion Action Center of Reform Judaism; and Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America.

According to the guidelines, students should be able to attend public schools where they are free to share their views and engage in discussions about religious and political differences while simultaneously attending safe schools that prohibit discrimination, bullying and harassment.

“While these principles are compatible in most instances, sometimes they collide,” says Marc Stern of the American Jewish Committee. “The guidelines are aimed at helping school officials balance the need for school safety with the need for free expression.”

National School Boards Association General Counsel Francisco Negron Jr. believes the guidance document will help public school officials navigate a murky area of the law. “This guidance document, the product of months of collaboration among national organizations, should help public school officials balance the First Amendment rights of students and the student safety concerns associated with peer bullying and harassment. We hope that public schools will rely on it as they make on-the-ground decisions in this area. Public schools can be a shining example of a forum in which constitutional rights are respected and cherished, and where individual dignity and safety is guarded.”

American Jewish Committee (AJC), established in 1906 by a small group of American Jews deeply concerned about pogroms aimed at Russian Jews, determined that the best way to protect Jewish populations in danger would be to work toward a world in which all peoples were accorded respect and dignity. Over 100 years later, AJC continues its efforts to promote pluralistic and democratic societies where all minorities are protected. AJC is an international think tank and advocacy organization that attempts to identify trends and problems early – and take action. www.ajc.org

Religious Education Freedom Project educates the public about the vital importance of religious freedom through events, educational programs and outreach. The project is an initiative of the First Amendment Center, a program of the Freedom Forum, and affiliated with the Newseum. The First Amendment Center’s nonpartisan work supports the First Amendment and builds understanding of its core freedoms through education, information and entertainment. The center does not lobby or litigate. www.religiousfreedomeducation.org

SOURCE The Religious Freedom Education Project

Article source: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/17/4497996/17-national-groups-to-release.html

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120510/DC05048LOGO)

They are:

• Michigan Tech
• Philadelphia University
• The University of Tennessee
• The University of Virginia
• Virginia Tech

Youth competing in Destination Imagination’s Global Finals last year said in a survey they believed DI helps them to “do better in school,” and almost half said they credited DI with helping them improve their grades.

Virginia Tech, Michigan Tech and the University of Tennessee all have interactive exhibits in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects, and the Global Finals celebration of creativity and critical thinking is being hosted on the University of Tennessee Campus in Knoxville again this year.

Philadelphia University will be the site of a special NASA space station uplink for DI students in June. NASA chose DI over six other applicants. ”At Philadelphia University, we share DI’s philosophy with our Nexus Learning approach to education – active, collaborative, connected to the real world and infused with the liberal arts – and are proud to work together with DI to prepare the innovators of tomorrow,” declared D. R. Widder, Executive Director of Innovation.

The University of Virginia is involved in research into the positive impact of DI’s problem solving challenge programs on kids involved in Head Start. Researchers at UVA in 2011 published research concluding that youth who compete in DI’s challenges are better at critical thinking and using creativity and collaboration to solve open-ended problems than kids who are not involved in DI.

Virginia Tech, in addition to being an exhibitor, will present teams with AC4P (Actively Caring for People) wristbands. The initiative is to help team members understand and combat bullying, harassment and intimidation.

“These major universities will have the opportunity to interact with some of the most creative thinkers in the world,” said Chuck Cadle, CEO of Destination Imagination Inc., a global non-profit based in Cherry Hill, NJ. “The universities are able to showcase what they have to offer potential future students, and at the same time, attract kids who have the characteristics of future national leaders.”

SOURCE Destination Imagination

Article source: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/17/4496980/schools-all-over-the-world-and.html

California’s colleges and universities are looking at fewer classes, higher student fees and layoffs unless more money can be injected into the state budget, educational leaders in San Diego and Sacramento said Wednesday.

They reiterated their plea that voters to pass Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed tax increase on the November ballot, but some questioned whether the public support would be there.

At a meeting in Sacramento, University of California Regent Bonnie Reiss urged staff to develop budget numbers that reflect the effects of deeper reductions should voters reject the tax.

“As horrible as the numbers might look to us, the better from our planning perspective to see what a conservative financial reality might look like,” she said.

As the regents were meeting, leaders of San Diego County’s five community college districts gathered locally to discuss Brown’s revised 2012-13 budget.

“It’s clearer than ever that voter approval of the governor’s tax initiative in November is the only way to avoid further dismantling of California community colleges,” Francisco Rodriguez, superintendent/president of MiraCosta Community College said at a news conference in San Diego.

Opponents of the tax increase said education cuts were being used as a cudgel in the battle over taxes.

“We’re into bullying right now,” Richard Rider, chairman of San Diego Tax Fighters, said of educators’ warnings. “They need to charge the students more, like a user fee.”

Brown this week unveiled his revised $91 billion general-fund spending plan that calls for $8.3 billion in cuts along with the tax increase to cover a $15.7 billion shortfall. Spending for UC and the California State University system would remain flat.

The tax initiative calls for increasing the sales tax by a quarter-cent for four years and hiking income taxes on a sliding scale for seven years on those making more than $250,000 per year.

He plans automatic “trigger” cuts in January if the tax measure fails. The greatest burden — $5.5 billion in cuts — would fall on K-12 schools. UC and CSU would each face $250 million in reductions, while the community college system would lose $300 million.

The cuts, if they come, would follow sharp reductions in public funding already imposed on colleges and universities as the state has struggled through a multiyear budget crisis, officials noted.

Fees have risen steadily at the colleges and universities.

The UC regents will consider boosting tuition again, by 6 percent, at a meeting in July. If approved, it would raise the cost to $12,923 a year, nearly double what it was five years ago. That does not include the cost of room and board, or campus-based fees, which average about $1,000.

UC and community college officials said it is too early to offer too many specifics on what would be cut if the tax measure fails. In general, UC officials said, there would be layoffs, delays in hiring faculty and consolidation, cutbacks and elimination of programs.

Article source: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/may/16/educators-outline-dire-budget-options/

LGBT Icon Harvey Milk would have been 82 years old next Tuesday—had he not been assassinated in 1978. In 2009, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed openly gay Sen. Mark Leno’s SB 572 designating every May 22 as “Harvey Milk Day.” The Harvey Milk Foundation and others are holding numerous events before and on that official day, including several in Los Angeles and West Hollywood.

Today, Sacramento holds the third annual Harvey Milk Day with the Harvey Milk Foundation, the California Legislative LGBT Caucus and Equality California with a breakthrough conversation at the California Museum on the implementation and benefits of Senate Bill (SB) 48, the Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, and Respectful (FAIR) Education Act. The FAIR Act, which has been threatened with repeal by the Religious Right since it was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown last year, requires public schools to teach LGBT history and the contributions of LGBT people. Though the law officially went into effect on Jan. 1, 2012, is has not yet been fully implemented or integrated into California’s public school curriculum standards, though individual schools and teachers have implemented their own programs that address LGBT history and anti-gay bullying and discrimination.

On Sunday May 20, L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Stuart Milk, founder of the Harvey Milk Foundation and nephew of Harvey Milk, will host the 3^rd Annual Harvey Milk Day of Service at Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools.

At the first commemoration in 2010, Villaraigosa pledged to honor Harvey Milk through a day of service every year to acknowledge Milk’s legacy of community engagement. This year’s We Serve LA” project—held in conjunction with Gay for Good, Enrich L.A., FAIR, Latino Equality Alliance, UCLA Family Commons, Wilshire Center Business Improvement District, principals, teachers and students from the Los Angeles Unified School District, among others—will paint commemorative canvas murals, build two sets of edible produce gardens to be used in educating parents and students alike about nutrition and sustainability, and complete a campus wide clean up at Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools.

“Both Harvey Milk and Robert F. Kennedy believed that everyone should have equal access to opportunity,” Jacqueline Olvera-Rojas, Operations Manager of the Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools, said in a press release. “Building edible community gardens on our campus is an opportunity for our families to be healthy and get involved.” (For more information on sponsorship, volunteer opportunities, or more information, please contact the Mayor’s Deputy LGBT Liaison Justin Gonzalez at Justin.Gonzalez@lacity.org or 213.978.0729. )

Also on Sunday, May 20, from 2-4 p.m., Equality California will host an event at Bite with international LGBT Advocate and Harvey’s nephew Stuart Milk, along with the slate of EQCA-endorsed candidates. Proceeds benefit EQCA PAC. Bite Restaurant, 8807 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. Phone: (310) 266-0502.

Stonewall Young Democrats is also holding an event at the home of Lisa Ling to benefit Youth Services at the L.A. Gay Lesbian Center. (Click here for more info).

The City of West Hollywood is also hosting events.

“Perhaps more than any other modern figure, Harvey Milk’s life and political career embody the rise of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights movement,” West Hollywood Mayor Jeffrey Prang said in a press release. “At a time when society forced many to lead closeted lives, Harvey Milk dared to hope for a time when LGBT people could live openly, freely, equally. So, each year we celebrate the life of Harvey Milk to remind us all to embrace our diversity, and to keep alive his vision for equal rights for all.”

Monday, May 21, at 6:30 p.m., during the regularly-scheduled West Hollywood City Council meeting, the book, “The Harvey Milk Story” will be presented to local West Hollywood-area elementary schools in the Council Chambers at West Hollywood Park, 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard. Immediately following, a Jeff Tsuji-designed Harvey Milk banner will be unveiled.

On Tuesday, May 22, at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at West Hollywood Park, 625 N. San Vicente Blvd, there will be a panel discussion entitled “Got Milk – The Collision of the Arts Social Justice in the Post-Harvey Milk Era.” The program will feature a panel discussion moderated by Tony Valenzuela, executive director of the Lambda Literary Foundation and will feature special guest speakers including actor/director/playwright Peter Paige and Jon Imparato, Director of Cultural Arts at the LA Gay Lesbian Center. Film clips from The Times of Harvey Milk will be shown, as will a student film on Milk’s legacy. A dessert reception will follow the panel discussion. Please call (323) 848-6823 to RSVP for this event. Admission is free to all events. Two hours of free parking will be available in the West Hollywood Park Parking Garage with validation.

There are numerous events in other SoCal areas, including Long Beach, Orange County—and in San Diego, the city will honor Harvey Milk by dedicating the first Harvey Milk street sign.

Article source: http://www.frontiersla.com/Blog/FrontierBlog/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10383613