Trash, gambling, and Democrats

It’s second call for San Diego Democrats and their annual convention at the Pala Casino next month. The sign-up deadline was extended to September 12 to drum up business. “We’ve just confirmed California Assembly Speaker John Pérez as a featured speaker for the Friday dinner on October 4, joining State Controller John Chiang. And on Saturday, October 5, we expect some vigorous campaigning and discussion of the mayoral election in San Diego, which has been set for November 19. A host of breakout sessions and candidate appearances will round out the experience.”

Pala is the sprawling Native American casino fighting the big Gregory Canyon trash dump proposed nearby by Nancy Chase, whose daughter Molly was hired as protocol officer by fallen Democratic mayor Bob Filner. Last year Pala used a political committee with GOP Texas Tea Party connections to funnel $30,000 into a direct-mail piece for Democratic county supervisor Dave Roberts, who opposes the trash plan.