A Brief Report on East County Recovery as of November 1, 2007              

We are describing a complete loop of Highway 94. 

Starting at the Cuyamaca College Campus (our first time here), we were greatly impressed with the scope of the operation. ALL of the major players are present (FEMA, SBA, Veterans organizations, insurance companies, San Diego Police Theft and Fraud Unit, IRS, health care providers).

We also spoke with the Red Cross crew just setting up with a truck full of supplies.  I spoke briefly with the driver and asked where they’d come from.  The answer? Florida. 

Next stop: Jamul. We met with Gary Musser, Sr. Pastor of the Jamul Community Church. He confirmed what we had heard about a melding of the church and the local Kiwanis group – a very positive thing in our view. We spent well over an hour passing on the do’s and do not’s of fire recovery.   Judy Marshall was the main speaker on this stop.

Next stop: Dulzura.  We made a brief stop at the community center, a small but well stocked center.  Parking is a major problem, and thus cut our visit short. 

Next stop: Barratt.  WOW!  What a busy place!  Bulldozer stacking burned out trailer frames like so much cord wood. Haul off dumpsters are in short supply as they were in the Cedar days. Traffic is under police direction. Blackwater had not yet arrived on the scene.

Next stop: Potrero – has been told to stand by for shut-down, but by the end of the visit they had been told to stay open through the weekend. Change is the only thing that seems to be constant. Supply levels are definitely down from our last visit, but no shortages were reported. They continue to feed 3 hot meals a day to approximately 200 people per meal.

Next stop: Campo – shut down is nearly complete. The last of the stores are being loaded into trailers for transfer to Potrero or Barrett.  The dining hall is now decorated for the Saturday night spaghetti feed to raise funds for and celebrate the accomplishments of their local fire team.