Other items in this column include
*Political bytes
*Tips for dog owners
*Jewish American Heritage Month
*Recommended reading
*In memoriam
SAN DIEGO — Practically every day that it rains, sewage from Tijuana overflows into the United States and out to the Pacific Ocean in the vicinity of Imperial Beach. This dangerous situation now will be addressed by a $300 million appropriation to the Environmental Protection Agency, it was announced Tuesday by California’s two U.S. Senators, Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris, as well as by San Diego County’s four-member congressional delegation of Susan Davis, Mike Levin, Scott Peters and Juan Vargas.
The elected officials, all Democrats, released a joint statement, which said: “San Diegans have suffered too long from the regular flow of raw sewage into our country from Mexico. With the full $300 million, the EPA can now lead a comprehensive and coordinated effort with the local community to build much-needed wastewater infrastructure for the region. The health and safety of California’s border communities must be a top priority for everyone involved. We will continue to work with local communities, the state and federal agencies to finally bring some relief to San Diego County.
“This is a positive step toward alleviating cross-border sewage spills affecting California. Our work, however, is far from over. In the best interest of the general public, we must continue taking meaningful action towards addressing transboundary sewage flows from flowing into the United States.”
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Political bytes
*Marni von Wilpert, a deputy city attorney and candidate in the 5th Council District, says an independent watchdog is needed to make certain $248 million in federal coronavirus relief funds are spent properly. She explained “We’ve seen the damage a lack of oversight has had with millions of small business owners locked out of the Paycheck Protection Program. We can’t let the same mistakes happen with San Diego’s emergency relief funds. With local businesses on the brink of collapse and residents at risk of losing access to vital city services, it’s urgent that we put COVID-19 relief funding to work getting San Diegans back on their feet.” Von Wilpert, a Democrat, is opposed in the technically non-partisan 5th District Council race by attorney Joe Leventhal, a Republican.
*State Sen. Brian Jones (R-Santee) called on Gov. Gavin Newsom today to reopen all houses of worship, including synagogues. He stated: “The shutdown orders that you and numerous other governors have issued are beginning to be challenged, modified and overturned in state after state.” He quoted a legal memorandum from Liberty Counsel, which concludes: “The government is not empowered to command under criminal or civil penalties religious worshipers when and how they should worship. Indeed, this sacred right preexisted government and therefore supersedes any dictates such government may issue. These rights are protected by both the Constitutions of the United States of America and every state constitution, and are also protected by federal and state laws.”
Tips for dog owners
Gary Weitzman, DVM, is the president and CEO of the San Diego Humane Society. Noting that dog parks and beaches are reopening in San Diego County, he offers the following tips for dog owners who want to bring their pets along.
–“Make sure your dog is current on all vaccinations before taking him out in public. This will help keep your dog and others healthy. Parvo is more prevalent during the summer when the weather is warm. Keeping up on your pet’s vaccinations can help reduce their risk.
–“Not all dogs are social butterflies. Always keep an eye on your dog to gauge whether he’s starting to feel uncomfortable.
–“Always bring plenty of water with you.
–“Remember that dogs must be leashed in public areas, unless you’re inside a designated off-leash park or beach. Not only is it the law, it’s for everyone’s safety. Pay attention to posted signs, because some parks in San Diego have designated off-leash hours.
–“Be careful of asphalt temperatures! A 75-degree San Diego day can cause pavement to heat up to 95 degrees or more!
–“Never leave pets alone in a car. You know why. It simply gets too hot, too fast.”
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Jewish American Heritage Month
San Diego’s very own Dr. Jonas Salk is today’s honoree for Jewish American Heritage Month. The Endowment for Middle East Truth (EMET) notes he discovered the vaccine for polio and later “leveraged his sterling reputation to establish the Salk Institute for Biological Research in La Jolla, California, which has since produced numerous Nobel Prize winners of its own.” In recognition of this honor to Dr. Salk, we have posted the video above produced by UC San Diego.
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Recommended reading
*Columnist Diane Bell of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes that the inventor of the popular game, Candy Land, the late Eleanor Abbott, was the daughter of an employee of the Baranov jewelry store downtown. Now, children’s book writers are hoping to find some people who knew Ms. Abbott and can relate something about her life.
*Daniel Pipes on Jewish Websight explains his opposition to Israeli annexation of Judea and Samaria at this time.
*Dorian de Wind in The Moderate Voice compares the impact the Spanish Flu had on U.S. military forces during World War I with the effect of the coronavirus on the peacetime military today.
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In memoriam
* Jill Suzanne Steiner, 68, died Tuesday, April 28, Am Israel Mortuary announced. Graveside funeral services were conducted May 5 by Cantor William Tiep of Temple Solel at the Mount Sinai II Jewish Lawn of El Camino Mortuary, 5600 Carroll Canyon Road, San Diego.
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Donald H. Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com. Free obituaries in memory of members of the San Diego County Jewish community are sponsored on San Diego Jewish World by Inland Industries Group LP in memory of long-time San Diego Jewish community leader Marie (Mrs. Gabriel) Berg.