Amelia Simpson (far right) has worked as the border environmental justice campaign director and grant writer for EHC since 2002. We asked her about her 13-year-and-counting journey with the organization. This is what she had to say.

What was EHC like when you began?

I started as EHC's Border Environmental Justice Campaign director. Magdalena, now the director, was the community organizer at the time, and she did an amazing job. She organized our Tijuana Community Action Team - there were two groups at first that called themselves "los grupos de Nena [Magdalena]."

Soon after I came on, we rented a little house in Colonia Chilpancingo and turned it into a meeting space. They chose the new name Colectivo Chilpancingo Pro Justicia Ambiental. Most of the same women are still active today along with many new women. Many of their daughters and sons are in the Jóvenes Pro Justicia Ambiental Youth Group organized by Aníbal.

They're the next generation of environmental justice activists in Tijuana.

What brought you to work with EHC?

I was working as a Mexico specialist with Amnesty International when I heard about EHC's opening for a director in the border region. I saw EHC as an organization that defended human rights in Mexico, like Amnesty, and I was very happy to be hired.

What do you enjoy most about working with EHC?

The most exciting thing is having the opportunity to be with the community; the opportunity to get to know people, hear their stories and work together to make changes that truly matter.

Do any milestones stand out most to you?

The campaign to clean up the American-owned Metales y Derivados maquiladora assembly plant was a tremendous achievement for the community. Not only was the neighborhood protected at last from the dumping of 42,000 tons of toxic waste, but the effort also brought together supporters from both sides of the border, including community residents and government agencies. This was an unprecedented collaboration to address a serious human rights violation.

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As we launch a new year I want to thank you for the incredible work you do for environmental justice. EHC is an amazing team of board, staff and community leaders and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with all of you and I am inspired by you every day.

As I think about the coming year and my own new year's resolutions I'm reminded (again) of Don Miguel Ruiz's Code for Life – The Four Agreements - which seems like a good way to start the new year!

• Be impeccable with your word - Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.
• Don't take anything personally - Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.
• Don't make assumptions - Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.
• Always do your best - Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

Happy New Year!

Diane

Congratulations are in order for latest graduates of our SALTA leadership-training course. SALTA (Salud Ambiental, Líderes Tomando Acción – Environmental Health, Leaders Taking Action) is a nine-session program that provides skills training on organizing, advocacy, power, and media relations. Since 1995, more than 1,500 Community Leaders have graduated from SALTA including EHC staff members Rodrigo, Tuann, Aurora, Maria Sagura and Monique.

This SALTA course is the first ever to be taught in three different languages: English, Spanish and Vietnamese. 

“Each time I facilitate a SALTA session I am amazed and inspired by the community leaders who attend. This session was no different,” says SALTA facilitator Sarah Furman. “These women and men take hours out of their lives each week to learn how to make their communities healthier and more united - something that doesn't go unnoticed by EHC staff and members. Because of these community leaders we continue to be a strong voice and force in the San Diego region, improving our communities one action at a time.”

Student and EHC staff Aurora Zabish was equally inspired, "I liked seeing that there are people in the community that care enough about their communities to participate in a training like this." 

Associate Director Leticia Ayala comments, “SALTA empowers community members by sharpening their skills as leaders and organizers. With those abilities developed, we can take action to build power and win justice in our neighborhoods so that our communities are a clean and healthy place to live, work and play.”

But SALTA is not just a leadership-training course. It is also designed to motivate community leaders to take strong and direct action for environmental justice. Ayala says, “One of SALTA’s key goals is to help all residents to see themselves as community leaders and then make a pledge to join our cause. They can use their own power and the power of their communities collectively to move and influence decision makers. After SALTA, these leaders can create the real change we all want in our neighborhoods.”

Your passion for environmental justice made Barrio Live! a wonderful event. The afternoon began with a fully packed bus and a guided tour to environmental justice sites around San Diego.

First we first stopped in National City to see where the community will get 201 affordable housing units and easy trolley access without destroying Paradise Creek and this beautiful open space.

We drove through the Port of San Diego to learn how pollution directly affects air quality and asthma rates of children in neighboring communities and how we can work together to make the Port a healthy neighbor.

We got off the bus in Cesar Chavez Park to hear Policy Advocate Kayla Race explain how low-income communities feel the most significant impacts of climate change. Kayla says, "This is about reducing pollution while creating healthy communities and a healthy economy."

The tour ended at Strozzi’s SoCal Italian with almost fifty attendees and staff enjoying appetizers, drinks and each others’ company.

David Alvarez joined the party to talk about how, with the help of EHC and dedicated community members, Barrio Logan will continue to move forward building safe and healthy neighborhoods, beginning with a Barrio Logan Community Planning Group.

Thank you to all who attended our Barrio Live! tour and mixer. We appreciate your involvement and enthusiasm in achieving climate justice and #healthyhoods for all.

View more photos of the tour on our Facebook page.

The San Diego City Council will be choosing two new City appointed members to the San Diego Port Commission today. EHC's 30 years of working with with the Port and representing our members who live in communities adjacent to the Port tidelands gives us an important perspective on these appointments. Port Commission decisions have a direct impact on the health and well-being of all residents who live near the San Diego Bay.

EHC supports appointments of Sid Voorakkara and Rafael Castellanos to the Port Commission. Mr. Voorakkara's considerable experience in job creation and public health make him uniquely qualified to ensure the Port acts consistent with community health. Mr. Castellanos' expertise in real estate transactions will be invaluable to ensure more green and sustainable business practices at the Port.

We believe San Diego Port Commissioners should have experience in green practices so that the Port grows and operates in a way that protects the health of neighboring community residents. They must have a commitment to public and worker health and safety, protecting San Diego Bay, and to making the Port a regional leader in energy policy.

Specifically, the community is looking to the Port to support projects and planning to offset negative impacts of Port operations on neighbors in Barrio Logan and passage of an effective Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Plan. These actions are crucial to meeting environmental and health goals of an exemplary Port. Sid and Rafael should surely be in line with these goals.

EHC opposes the appointment of Richard Vortmann based on the legacy of pollution he was responsible for as the President of NASSCO for over 20 years. During Mr. Vortmann's tenure, NASSCO fought efforts to clean up toxic sediment and fought regulation of water and air pollution from its leasehold without consideration of the impacts on the health of neighboring communities. His legacy is not one that the City Council should allow to be continued at the Port.

We’ve said time and time again, and I’m sure you’ve heard from everyone else, that this election is one of the most important elections in many years. Sure, we can all make the statement, but where are the facts?

We’ve got them right here.

EHC’s map shows the influence of our communities of color. A majority of communities south of I-8 have a majority of voters of color.

For instance, in the City of San Diego, 63% of voters of color live south of I-8, while in National City, 68% of all voters are voters of color.

These facts and our map show that if voters in our communities get out and vote on Election Day, we can be the margin of victory to pass propositions and elect a mayor that foster healthy communities. 

With that in mind, we ask you to please get out and vote and use our EHC Voter Guide to ensure your vote protects the health of your family and community. We only support state propositions that support healthy communities, clean air and environmental quality.

Our EHC staff and community members put together a message for voters out there, young and old, to encourage everyone to participate in this election. Watch, vote and tell us you voted on our Facebook Page. Show our region that the communities of color south of I-8 are the margin of victory and should be considered as some of the most powerful communities in San Diego.

Election day is Tuesday, November 6. EHC is out working hard to get our communities out to vote. When you do get ready to head to the polls, here are a few tips to make your day successful:

1. Read up on propositions and candidates. EHC has a voter guide, listing the state propositions we support to help continue our mission to keep our communities and environment healthy.

2. Know your polling location. If you don’t know your polling location, visit the San Diego County Registrar of Voters to find out where you vote. Also remember that the polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Plan accordingly to make sure you have time to get out and vote.

3. Lock in a babysitter or work with other parents to trade times where you can vote and help watch your friends kids.

4. Know your voting rights. Each voter has a set of rights available to him or her. For instance, if you are not on the list of registered voters or someone asks for your ID to vote, there are options. Before you go, read the rights every voter has in California.

5. You can take a sample ballot of even the list of candidates printed in the paper with you into the polling locations. You can even bring in an endorsement list, just as long as that item you have does not contain any campaign advertisements.

6. If you need help voting, you are allowed to have a family member, a friend or caregiver in the booth with you to assist you.

7. If you are unsure about something on your ballot, ask for assistance from an election official. Do not be embarrassed to ask for help.

8. Don’t feel rushed. Take your time when you enter the voting booth.

9. Be prepared to stand in line. There is a good chance you will be standing in line at some polling locations in order to vote.

Remember, you can always contact EHC if you have any questions by calling (619) 474-0220 or email Franco at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information. Make sure you get out to vote and encourage your neighbors to do the same.

After digging into recent statewide polling from the California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV), EHC found that more San Diego Latino voters support environmental initiatives including renewable energy and protecting the environment to create jobs than the rest of California.

Our Latino population in San Diego County is growing. That also means we have a growing number of environmentally conscious voters that can make big impacts in the upcoming election.

The statewide data show this about San Diego Latino voters:

• 94% agree that we can protect the environment and create jobs
• 82% consider themselves “conservationists”
• Over 90% support energy conservation and renewable energy
• Over 80% feel that pollution is threatening their family’s health

These results show that our communities will have an overwhelming voice in how the environment is considered at the polls this election.

We already knew this. Our Voter Empowerment team and our Community Action Teams meet and talk with community members on a regular basis. We’ve been doing this work for over 30 years. Here’s what else we know - no matter where you live, how much you make or what color your skin is, we should all care about clean air, water and energy in our neighborhoods – especially at the ballot box.

Because we know our communities care about the health of their neighborhoods and environment, every person at EHC is working around the clock to educate voters and get them out to vote. We’re making sure “environmentally friendly” is the magic word voters think about when they’re making choices on November 6.

Please make sure you get out to vote on November 6 and check out the EHC Voter Guide for info on propositions we support. Your Vote. Your Voice.

 Yesterday, former presidential candidate and Senator, George McGovern died at the age of 90. McGovern will be remembered for his compassionate values and his fight for a better quality of life for everyone.

In the midst of our current contentious election we've lost this great leader who gave his life to social justice and human rights and who said on many occasions: “I will go to my grave believing that the country would have been better off if I had been elected instead of Richard Nixon.”  It was not an immodest statement – merely factual for anyone who then lived through the continuation of the Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal and assaults on civil rights.   

I volunteered for the McGovern presidential campaign that year in 1972. By the time I returned home from precinct walking and poll watching on election night, it was all over. McGovern had only won in Massachusetts and the District of Columbia. It was considered the worst presidential election loss in history.  But, despite the loss, an entire generation of activists was inspired to keep working for justice. This was my first time to be highly involved in a political campaign, starting my future fighting for healthy communities. 

Today we have a new generation of activists working to elect leaders, who share McGovern’s passion for justice for all people. Our current generation of young people, families, moms, dads, are all continuing to fight for some of the same things that were fought for in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Summarizing his views on many issues in his 2011 book, the last of twelve written, he said, “Be compassionate. Put government to work to help the less fortunate. End hunger. Spend more for education. Protect the environment.”

Let’s show our compassion for our neighbors and communities and work hard until November 6 on today’s campaign, 40 years after McGovern’s devastating loss. We cannot look back on this election as a lost opportunity – let’s recommit ourselves in these last days to elect candidates who will carry on his legacy.

Si se puede!

Did you know that the last day to register to vote is October 22? Or, that you don’t have to have an I.D. in order to cast your vote?

It’s very important that you know your voting rights before you go to the polls on November 6, because unfortunately, not everyone is aware of them.

It’s been said before, but this election is one of the most important in our history as a community and an environmental justice organization. EHC would like you to go to the polls feeling excited that you’re doing your part as a citizen – and comfortable knowing the rights you have as a voter. EHC is working hard to make sure that everyone who can vote does vote, because our communities are key to supporting environmental justice in San Diego.

For instance, you may not know what to do if you show up to your polling place and find that you’re not on the voter list. What are your options?

• First, ask the poll worker to check again. There are a lot of names on that list, so a quick double check is always helpful.
• Secondly, call the voter registrar to make sure that this is the correct polling location for you. This just takes a few minutes by calling 1-800-345-VOTE (8683).
• Finally, ask for a “provisional” ballot. This allows you to vote at any location, so long as you’re a registered voter.
  

Additionally, here are a few key dates you should know about before the election:

• October 22, 2012 at midnight is the last opportunity to register to vote in the November 6 election. If you haven’t registered or don’t know if you’re registered, you can do this online at www.sdvote.com.
  
• October 30, 2012 is the last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot, which allows you to send in your ballot through mail, if you’d rather not go to the polls.
• November 6, 2012 is election day. The polls are open from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. You can find your polling place at www.sdvote.com.

Check out the ACLU of San Diego’s Voter Rights Guide to follow simple instructions to help you make a difference on November 6 or download the Voter Rights Postcard.

For more in-depth information, visit the ACLU of California’s Voter Rights page.