I am a San Diegan through and through, born and raised here. I have lived along the coast of our beautiful County, centrally near the College area and now in East County, in the lovely town of Alpine. I moved here for the open spaces and quiet the hills of the Cleveland National forest provide, but not to be isolated. This community is important to me.
As someone relatively new to the community I was an observer at first; taking it all in as I shopped at Albertsons and dined at Panda Machi (RIP), listening and watching how my neighbors waved as we drove past each other, how the restaurant was full of local regulars and the busyness of the only large grocery store available for miles. It wasn’t until I started to work at the Alpine Library that I became more truly a member of the community. I got a closer look and interacted more regularly with the people who chose to live here in Alpine and the back country of our sprawling county. I also got a sense of who cared about access to information and a place to engage in their community and valued the last of our precious free third spaces.
I truly love working in the libraries of East County. I found so much joy and purpose working at the Alpine Library, getting to know the community, greeting people when they came in, learning their names, helping them find a book or free library event to attend. I also enjoyed the staff and getting to know them, many of whom have lived in Alpine and the back country their entire lives. I learned from them so much of the history of Alpine, where the old library used to be and how hard it has been to see the population grow so much, not wanting to lose the small town feel they so enjoyed. I started a Writers’ Workshop at the library and gleaned even more from the talented and creative people whom shared about what is important to them and what they value. I relish the small town feel here, where everyone knows each other and someone can often expect to run into their neighbor, kids teacher or dentist in town.
It took me a little longer to become more civically engaged in our community as it was harder to find people with a political openness that was not brash or overt. I wanted to create a space for us to gather and talk about what matters to us and to our town. An avenue to be involved and support the changes we wanted to see here. We have been meeting as a small group for only about five months and I already feel more connected to my community and neighbors knowing I have kind, caring and thoughtful people all around me.
When, earlier this month, the No Kings coalition announced they would be launching a “Vote Early” campaign, I was all in and excited to see what we could plan and execute out here in our small town. We are a small but mighty group of people who care about upholding our democracy and will be out on the streets on Oct. 17 encouraging everyone to vote and vote early! I believe in the right to vote and the power of our voice. I believe we have a civic duty to participate in our democracy. Democracy is for the people, by the people so as the people of this country we have a voice and it is our vote. We also have the freedom to assemble thanks to the United States Constitution, we enjoy the First Amendment and we want to maintain that right as well as our right to vote, and have free and fair elections.
If you too believe in our right to vote and for free and fair elections and want to encourage your neighbors to use their voice and vote then join us on Oct. 17; we will come together as a community and show our support for our democracy. If this your first time or millionth time at an event like this you are wholeheartedly welcome.
Please join us on Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. on the corner of Tavern Road and Alpine Boulevard on the sidewalk in front of Chase bank. You can find more details and sign up on Mobilize at: https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/1032217/.
JANINE RIVERA
Alpine