A Sudden School Board Resignation, 'Town Hall' Recap, High School Hoops

At La Mesa-Mount Helix Patch, we know that in your busy lives there may be some stories that you can't read about the day they happen. With the "Week That Was" column, we'll provide a roundup of the most important stories of the week.

The commmunity was able to come out and speak to the La Mesa City Council and staff last week, as the city hosted a pair of town hall meetings. The city reps answered questions raised by concerned citizens. Most of the questions dealt with traffic, and public safety issues. Panhandling, and the presence of proposed new 7-Eleven also drew the curiosity of many residents.

Sidewalks and Panhandling Among Issues Raised at Town Hall Meeting

Penny Halgren, who had served on the La Mesa-Spring Valley school board for 18 years, gave her resignation Tuesday night at the board meeting. Saying it was "a little out of the blue," Superintendent Brian Marshall thanked Halgren for her service. The board must now decide between two options for how to find her replacement: a special election, or an appointment. Which do you think is the best option? Vote in our poll now.

Penny Halgren Quits LMSV School Board to Follow Heart to Arcadia

Saying that the American Lung Association focuses on the "low hanging fruit," when giving its tobacco policy grades for state municipalities, Mayor Art Madrid responded to the City of La Mesa earning an "F" grade.

Mayor Madrid on Offense Over La Mesa Earning ‘F’ for Tobacco Policies

Reports and analysis are still to be done on the Park Station project near the downtown Village, but the city has begun collecting input from residents by way of a La Mesa Community Survey, which was recently made available online. The mixed use project would see an 18-story highrise come to La Mesa.

‘La Mesa Community Survey’ Circulated by Park Station Project Managers

In hometown hoops action, Helix defeated Grossmont in the first meeting of the crosstown rivals. See the awesome photo gallery.

Highlanders Dominate Hillers in First Crosstown Hoops Showdown

Sticking with sports, both local and national news last week had us clamorng for your opinion. Check out these three polls and let us know what you think of the following topics: Is Mike McCoy a good hire for the San Diego Chargers as head coach? Is Lance Armstrong's admission of PED use good or bad for the sport of cycling? Are hoax's, like the one reportedly done to Notre Dame linebacker Manti T'eo, easier to pull off in the internet age?

Poll: Can New Chargers Coach Mike McCoy Take Bolts to the Super Bowl?

Poll: Would Lance Armstrong Admission of Doping Change the Culture of Sport?

Poll: Are Media Hoaxes Easier to Pull Off in the Digital/Internet Age?