Santee Events

10/18/2026

Yes on Y

Each day our firefighters respond to our calls for HELP … but when are WE going to respond to THIER call to HELP 🤔

10/18/2026

10/17/2026

THE SIGNS ARE THE ISSUE. WHY MAKE IT ABOUT ME?

On October 14, I was taking pictures of campaign signs on Magnolia. That’s it. I was documenting what I saw during this Measure Y campaign. Tony Shepherd crossed the street toward me, and now he’s portraying the situation online as though I was following him and trying to silence Santee citizens.
That is not how I experienced it.
Let’s get something straight: photographing campaign signs and asking questions about campaign spending and transparency is not an attempt to silence anyone. It’s part of being an engaged citizen.
Tony and others are free to oppose Measure Y. That’s their right. But I also have the right to support it, document what’s happening, and ask questions about the claims being made.
My concern is the amount of campaign material appearing throughout Santee, the claims being made about Measure Y, and the need for transparency about campaign spending and contributions. Those are legitimate public concerns, and they deserve factual answers—not personal accusations.
I’ve chosen to block people on my own pages when the constant negativity and personal attacks take over the conversation. That isn’t silencing anyone. It’s setting boundaries on my own social media.
This election should be about Santee’s future, our roads, our infrastructure, and the facts about Measure Y—not turning residents into personal targets for asking questions.
You can disagree with me. You can vote NO. But please keep it factual and respectful.
Let’s bring this conversation back to the issues that matter to Santee.

10/17/2026

✨ Legacy Joint Chamber Mixer! ✨

The Santee Chamber of Commerce and La Mesa Chamber of Commerce teamed up for a fantastic joint evening mixer at Lantern Crest Senior Living! Guests walked the red carpet, enjoyed delicious appetizers, and took home some great raffle prizes.
We also got an exclusive sneak peek at The Heritage Steakhouse, the incredible new spot located on the 6th floor! With stunning top-floor views, gorgeous art deco decor, and amazing dishes prepared by Executive Chef Meredith Manée, it is a fantastic addition to East County. We even got a tour of the beautiful resident rooms—everything is done to perfection! 🥩✨
Thank you to everyone who came out to network and support local business! 📸
👇 Check out the photo highlights below, and see the first comment for the link to the full photo gallery!

📍 Lantern Crest Senior Living
🤝 Santee Chamber of Commerce & La Mesa Chamber of Commerce

10/15/2026

My non-agenda speaker slip

Mayor Minto and Councilmembers Koval, McNelis, and Trotter,
I want to take a moment tonight to express my appreciation for the four of you who voted to put Measure Y before the voters of Santee. I recognize that this is an important decision, and I respect your willingness to address the long-term needs of our city.
I grew up in Santee. I remember when our roads washed out, when driving down certain streets could scrape the bottom of your car, and when potholes could leave you with a flat tire. I also remember the concerns about emergency response for families living in the eastern and northern parts of our community.
Those memories are personal to me. I’ve watched Santee grow and change, and I don’t want us to take the progress we’ve made for granted.
Today, we face a choice about what kind of city we want to leave for the next generation. Measure Y is proposed to help fund road repairs, aging infrastructure, storm drains, fire protection, paramedic services, and other city needs. The city estimates it could generate approximately $14 million annually for ten years.
I understand that people are concerned about taxes. Those concerns deserve respect. But I also believe we must look honestly at the cost of maintaining a growing city and what happens when necessary repairs are delayed.
I am disappointed that Vice Mayor Ronn Hall voted against placing this measure on the ballot. I believe our residents deserve the opportunity to decide whether this investment is right for Santee.
To Mayor Minto and Councilmembers Koval, McNelis, and Trotter: thank you for allowing the voters to make that choice.
I am concerned that if we don’t find a way to maintain our infrastructure and services, we risk losing some of the progress that generations of Santee residents have worked hard to achieve. I don’t want to see us return to the difficult conditions many of us remember.
Santee is my home. I remember where we started, I care about where we are today, and I want us to protect our future.
Thank you for your time and for serving our community.

10/15/2026

Great meeting tonight

10/14/2026

This election isn't about red vs. blue—it's about Santee.
I am deeply moved seeing our local leaders—Mayor John Minto, Dustin Trotter, Laura Koval, and Rob McNellis—unite across party lines. As dedicated Republicans, they understand that city governance isn't about national politics; it’s about making sure our streets are paved, our neighborhood parks are safe, and emergency services arrive fast when you call 911.
What Measure Y Means For Us:
✅ YES on Y: Keeps tax dollars local to fund neighborhood safety, police and fire protection, road maintenance, and essential city infrastructure so Santee can continue to thrive.
❌ If It Doesn't Pass: We face the painful reality of budget shortfalls that threaten public safety resources, infrastructure repairs, and the quality of life we enjoy in Santee.
Santee deserves campaign integrity, real solutions, and leadership that puts residents above politics.
Join me in supporting local solutions and real results. Vote YES on Measure Y!

10/13/2026

🔍 Fact-Check Time! Let’s audit the numbers together. 📊
From street resurfacing funds to council compensation, here is the truth behind the budget claims.
✅ YES ON Y | One Cent. Ten Years. Local Control.
SUMMARY & FACT-CHECK BREAKDOWN
1. City Budget Breakdown
Claim: Santee has a $72M operating budget plus $22M in capital funding for a total of $84+ million. [Misleading]
Fact: The City of Santee’s annual operating budget across all funds is $72 million. Restricted funds (like Gas Tax, EMS, and Flood Control) can only be used for specific mandated expenditures and are not general spending money.
2. Street Maintenance Funding
Claim: Only about $2.4M is spent for street resurfacing (2.9% of income). [False]
Fact: 74% of capital project revenue comes from restricted sources (development fees, gas tax, grants, etc.). The City spends 100% of its TransNet and Gas Tax revenue directly on street maintenance.
3. Employee Compensation
Claim: City employees gave themselves a 9% pay raise plus sweet perks. [False]
Fact: Employee compensation targets the median among San Diego County cities. Employees received standard 3% cost-of-living adjustments for the last two fiscal years, and Santee has the fewest employees per 1,000 residents among all 18 incorporated cities in the county.
4. City Council Pay
Claim: Councilmembers gave themselves a pay raise. [Misleading]
Fact: Councilmembers receive $23,804.62 per year ($1,983.72/month), excluding benefits. An independent Salary Setting Advisory Committee recommended larger pay increases, but the Council declined them, approving only standard cost-of-living adjustments aligned with general city staff.

10/13/2026

Over 24 million views on Google Maps! 📸 total shock!
Capturing our local businesses, community spots, and favorite places has always been a passion of mine. Knowing that these photos are helping millions of people navigate, explore, and discover new places is so rewarding. Thank you all for the love and support! ❤️🙌

10/11/2026

Discover the Untold Story of the "Zoo Lady"! 🦍📚
Join author Sandee Bonura for a special presentation on Belle Benchley and the fascinating history of how she helped build the iconic San Diego Zoo!
📅 When: Friday, October 16 at 2:00 PM
📍 Where: San Carlos Branch Library (7265 Jackson Drive, San Diego)
🎟️ Admission: FREE!
Enjoy a fully illustrated talk featuring rare archival photos and historic footage of the zoo, followed by an author book signing.
Bring a friend—all are welcome!
Learn more at sandrabonura.com