Surprise. San Jose’s Mayor Chuck Reed announced he’s running for re-election. This time around Reed plans to fix the economy, really bring Sunshine to local government, and keep you safe (translation – more Police?). Also hitting the ground in the re-election zone are Councilmembers Pete Constant, Sam Liccardo, and Madison Nguyen. (Although you may not get that impression from their web presence: Liccardo is up and running, but Constant is asking volunteers to walk precincts (in 2006) and Nguyen is still celebrating not getting thrown out of office.)
The 49ers are hoping a citizen-backed ballot initiative will have them finding their way to Santa Clara. Composed of Santa Clara’s power elite, Santa Clarans for Economic Progress now faces a confused City Council to explain why their way is better. 49ers spokesperson Lisa Lang scoffed at accusations the 49ers were trying to skirt any review process saying the move put them “on a surer path to know what the voters really want.” It looks like there could be two measures that are pro-pro football in June in Santa Clara.
The San Jose City Council will be sharing text messages received during Council meetings, if colleagues agree with Mayor Chuck Reed. For future reference, Watch Dog texts look like this “Woof.”
A tale of two bills… San Jose Assemblymember Joe Coto is hoping the Assembly Education Committee members will agree that tying teacher incentives to student performance and closing failing schools are good. So far, his bill is hung up for changes… Palo Alto’s State Senator Joe Simitian fared better, his geeky bill flew through with committee support.
The Merc’s Editorial Board sends props to the East Side Union High School District Trustees after taking steps to keep an eye on the money with an Audit Committee. Editors want you to know you have until today to get your application in for this fun gig.
(Former) County Counsel/ Justice Department Deputy Assistant Attorney General Ann Ravel receives another “Atta-girl” from Watch Dog. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said Ravel’s lawsuit against big pharmaceutical companies was right on and ordered 10 of them to stop overcharging local clinics serving the poor.
Joy Alexiou, spokesperson for the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, was happy to announce $2.6 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money would be headed to a San Jose clinic for the homeless.
Because you didn’t have enough fun with water rationing before… The Santa Clara Valley Water District wants you to keep those lawns brown until next Summer. (Outgoing) Board Chair Sig Sanchez offered “we’re facing another season of water supply uncertainty.”
InnVision the Way Home tried for a second time to give away a fancy Silicon Valley home. Grand prize winner/San Jose resident Dale Swanson didn’t get a house in the hills but did walk away with an extra $100,000. Third times a charm?
More janitorial news… (Former) Los Altos Christian School janitor James Carroll heads to the pokey for a year after his kiddy porn conviction. Pissed off parent Lisa Maxe said parents filed numerous complaints and were really pissed when Carroll was spotted working on campus after his arrest.
Creekside dwellers in Morgan Hill are pissed about project delays stopping the flood. Army Corps of Engineers spokesperson J.D. Hardesty said we’d “love to do this project” but the money ain’t there. Call your Congressional reps…
Gilroy Councilmembers heard from pissed off residents about vicious dogs before they added police chief Denise Turner’s “teeth” to dog laws. People with biting pooches watch out, your dog could be heading to doggy hell if deemed “vicious.”
West Valley-Mission Community College Chancellor John Hendrickson sends a request your way: Tell State Senator Elaine Alquist and Assemblymember Ira Ruskin the economic turnaround depends on community colleges and they need money to make it real.
Protect San Jose’s Beat Cop dishes on Cops Care Cancer Foundation fun times at NASA this weekend for kids combating cancer.
San Jose Insider Pete Campbell wants the fed’s to show us the money before snagging San Jose’s old City Hall to use as a courthouse.
And then there is this tid-bit: former Cindy Chavez campaign manager Justin Schall has found his way into another community's blogosphere... Lehigh Valley, to be exact. This isn't particularly nice, but it does reference San Jose Revealed, so we thought we'd post it.
Showing posts with label nguyen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nguyen. Show all posts
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 10.19.09: Mayor Reed doesn't feel much like dancing...
The (apparent) Word of the Week in San Jose is Sunshine. And Mayor Chuck Reed is apparently joining in with Jonathan Edwards in singing, "Sunshine go away today, I don't feel much like dancing..." San Jose’s Sunshine Reform Task Force, created by Mayor Chuck Reed as a call for open government, saw its final recommendation for open Police records (apparently) squashed by the Mayor’s Rules Committee. Sunshine Chair/ Protect San Jose’s Ed Rast seemed unable to use his statistical prowess to convince his blogging-buddies that Sunshine was good. The Merc’s Editorial Board calls the Tuesday meeting a “major test of San Jose’s commitment to open government…” The Mayor's antagonists (unsurprisingly) on this issue are Councilmembers Ash Kalra, Nora Campos, and Kansen Chu, which Councilmember Sam Liccardo also coming down closer to the side opposite the Mayor. This should be interesting...
And if limiting Sunshine sounds like something Mayor Chuck Reed would be against (but seems to be for), then safeguarding gambling would certainly be something Mayor Reed would be against... right? Wrong. It's funny how $14 million a year to the General Fund can sway a Mayor's position...
A passionate San Jose Councilmember Madison Nguyen is what the Merc’s Scott Herhold misses in the tragic Police shooting of mentally ill Daniel Pham. Nguyen told Herhold she didn’t cede leadership to colleague Kansen Chu because she owes San Jose Police, but rather because the shooting happened in Chu's District. Hmmmm....
Keeping up with local elections, the Merc’s Editorial Board sends props to Cupertino Council candidates Mayor Orrin Mahoney, Housing Commissioner Mahesh Nihalani, and Recreation Commissioner Darcy Paul.
And while there are politics happening this month, the much more interesting stuff will happen next year... the Merc’s Internal Affairs calls Deputy District Attorney Jeff Rosen “the real McCoy” in Rosen’s efforts to oust District Attorney Dolores Carr after Rosen hired political consultant Leo Briones. IA also reports Supervisorial wannabe/ Mayor Mike Wasserman landed in (a little) hot water after posting photos of people not endorsing him.
Before the San Jose Flea Market closes the doors permanently, a festive 50th anniversary is planned according to the Merc’s Sal Pizarro. Also celebrating a golden anniversary the American GI Forum with Damian Trujillo, dinner, and dancing. Perhaps even dancing WITH Damian Trujillo...
For all your governmental Watch Dog pleasure, the week to come…
And if limiting Sunshine sounds like something Mayor Chuck Reed would be against (but seems to be for), then safeguarding gambling would certainly be something Mayor Reed would be against... right? Wrong. It's funny how $14 million a year to the General Fund can sway a Mayor's position...
A passionate San Jose Councilmember Madison Nguyen is what the Merc’s Scott Herhold misses in the tragic Police shooting of mentally ill Daniel Pham. Nguyen told Herhold she didn’t cede leadership to colleague Kansen Chu because she owes San Jose Police, but rather because the shooting happened in Chu's District. Hmmmm....
Keeping up with local elections, the Merc’s Editorial Board sends props to Cupertino Council candidates Mayor Orrin Mahoney, Housing Commissioner Mahesh Nihalani, and Recreation Commissioner Darcy Paul.
And while there are politics happening this month, the much more interesting stuff will happen next year... the Merc’s Internal Affairs calls Deputy District Attorney Jeff Rosen “the real McCoy” in Rosen’s efforts to oust District Attorney Dolores Carr after Rosen hired political consultant Leo Briones. IA also reports Supervisorial wannabe/ Mayor Mike Wasserman landed in (a little) hot water after posting photos of people not endorsing him.
Before the San Jose Flea Market closes the doors permanently, a festive 50th anniversary is planned according to the Merc’s Sal Pizarro. Also celebrating a golden anniversary the American GI Forum with Damian Trujillo, dinner, and dancing. Perhaps even dancing WITH Damian Trujillo...
For all your governmental Watch Dog pleasure, the week to come…
- San Jose’s City Council keeps busy with discussions of outsourcing city employee jobs, more on campaign finance, gambling, and limiting (or expanding) Sunshine.
- The Santa Clara County Office of Education School Board considers charter schools and test results.
- The East Side Union High School District also focuses on sunshine with a solar project.
- The Cupertino High School plan is on the table for the Cupertino High School District.
- San Jose Unified School District gets the lowdown on (swine) flu shots and budget transfers.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 4.3.09: Supervisors staying (sports) relevant...
In case you missed it…Watch Dog posted breaking news yesterday, Planning Commissioner/Shirakawa Staffer Xavier Campos is facing a formidable challenger if he hopes to take his sisters seat on the San Jose Council dais next year…Oh yeah, and if you read Watch Dog regularly, you would have seen the hints dropped a while ago.
Gilroy Dispatch reporter Chris Bone is hot on the trail of a very complex story involving millions of dollars, shady deals, and violence. Local developer Chris Cote has interests in South Africa, a development in Gilroy, owes millions to the bank and workers, was beaten nearly to death last year, and fears the assailant will return. There’s a lawsuit against school trustee Denise Apuzzo, destroyed bloodstained documents, and Superior Court Judge Socrates Manoukian. Bone does his best to lay out the timeline and the story.
Next week, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors will act on a proposal requesting MLB Commissioner Bud Selig to clear up the San Jose/Giants pesky territorial rights problem and help the A’s find their way to San Jose. (This is the third story in a month about Supervisors trying to stay relevant in the South Bay sports landscape...49ers/Raiders at the fairgrounds were the first two...)
County Supervisor Don Gage is cheering for an alternate route for California’s High Speed Rail – down the middle of U.S. 101. Union Pacific spokesperson Zoe Richmond chimes in saying, “we get skittish when there’s talk about putting our trains next to trains that are light, fast and carry passengers.”
Local public pools have to dump out the water in their pools in order to install a device to prevent little folks from getting trapped in public pools. Although the law took effect in 2007, folks have chosen a drought year to start dumping hundreds of thousands of gallons of water. Susan Siravo with the Santa Clara Valley Water District calls the dumping “significant.” Dan Anderson, with Campbell’s Scuba Pool Repair, says they can do the work without dumping the water.
Silicon Valley is again seeing a star heading to D.C.. The Obama Administration has tapped Foothill-DeAnza Chancellor Martha Kanter for Undersecretary of Education. The Merc’s Editorial Board cheers the selection and calls community colleges the neglected middle child of American education.
The California Department of Education has called nine area schools exemplary with the “distinguished school” award. Here are the Distinguished Schools, by city:
The Merc’s Editorial Board lends support to Morgan Hill’s Measure A suggesting the measure will help create a walkable community with the added benefit of allowing young people and empty nesters an ownership opportunity.
While we’re in Morgan Hill…
There’s a battle brewing in Morgan Hill over the Chamber of Commerce’s desire to move the popular Friday Night Music Series. Business owners complain moving the event to a closed location will seriously decrease their foot traffic. Downtown merchant/Chamber member Patty Curtis has started a petition to stop the move. Chamber President Chris Giusiana said the $1,500 cost to hold the event downtown was a challenge while the new cost for using the amphitheatre is unknown.
Also in Morgan Hill…
The City’s Parks and Recreation Committee will host a public workshop on the increasing costs for sports fields. Count on increased heart rates at the meeting, but not because there’s any exercise on tap.
Operation Prom Dress is in full swing. Send your new or gently used prom dresses. Councilmember Madison Nguyen is collecting them at City Hall, with other collection boxes at the Cambrian Branch Library and the Mayfair Community Center.
It’s a frat party unlike any other. Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity brothers from the late ‘50’s are saying farewell to brother Bob Saunders who’s been given 3 months to live. From around the state and country old frat boys and their sorority sisters descended upon San Jose for the last hurrah. Thanks to the Merc’s Joe Rodriguez we have an inside seat.
Urban blight junkie/Metro/San Jose Insider Gary Singh joined marchers along the Cesar E. Chavez walkway last week and shares his discovery of San Jose’s “hidden gems” along the route.
Gilroy Dispatch reporter Chris Bone is hot on the trail of a very complex story involving millions of dollars, shady deals, and violence. Local developer Chris Cote has interests in South Africa, a development in Gilroy, owes millions to the bank and workers, was beaten nearly to death last year, and fears the assailant will return. There’s a lawsuit against school trustee Denise Apuzzo, destroyed bloodstained documents, and Superior Court Judge Socrates Manoukian. Bone does his best to lay out the timeline and the story.
Next week, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors will act on a proposal requesting MLB Commissioner Bud Selig to clear up the San Jose/Giants pesky territorial rights problem and help the A’s find their way to San Jose. (This is the third story in a month about Supervisors trying to stay relevant in the South Bay sports landscape...49ers/Raiders at the fairgrounds were the first two...)
County Supervisor Don Gage is cheering for an alternate route for California’s High Speed Rail – down the middle of U.S. 101. Union Pacific spokesperson Zoe Richmond chimes in saying, “we get skittish when there’s talk about putting our trains next to trains that are light, fast and carry passengers.”
Local public pools have to dump out the water in their pools in order to install a device to prevent little folks from getting trapped in public pools. Although the law took effect in 2007, folks have chosen a drought year to start dumping hundreds of thousands of gallons of water. Susan Siravo with the Santa Clara Valley Water District calls the dumping “significant.” Dan Anderson, with Campbell’s Scuba Pool Repair, says they can do the work without dumping the water.
Silicon Valley is again seeing a star heading to D.C.. The Obama Administration has tapped Foothill-DeAnza Chancellor Martha Kanter for Undersecretary of Education. The Merc’s Editorial Board cheers the selection and calls community colleges the neglected middle child of American education.
The California Department of Education has called nine area schools exemplary with the “distinguished school” award. Here are the Distinguished Schools, by city:
- San Jose: KIPP Heartwood Academy, Sierramont Middle, Joaquin Miller Middle, Lincoln High, and Union Middle
- Cupertino: Homestead High
- Gilroy: Gilroy High (Watch Dog guesses that reviewers visiting Gilroy High who were treated to a food fight didn't allow that to influence their decision...)
- Los Altos: Egan Junior High
- Saratoga: Saratoga High
The Merc’s Editorial Board lends support to Morgan Hill’s Measure A suggesting the measure will help create a walkable community with the added benefit of allowing young people and empty nesters an ownership opportunity.
While we’re in Morgan Hill…
There’s a battle brewing in Morgan Hill over the Chamber of Commerce’s desire to move the popular Friday Night Music Series. Business owners complain moving the event to a closed location will seriously decrease their foot traffic. Downtown merchant/Chamber member Patty Curtis has started a petition to stop the move. Chamber President Chris Giusiana said the $1,500 cost to hold the event downtown was a challenge while the new cost for using the amphitheatre is unknown.
Also in Morgan Hill…
The City’s Parks and Recreation Committee will host a public workshop on the increasing costs for sports fields. Count on increased heart rates at the meeting, but not because there’s any exercise on tap.
Operation Prom Dress is in full swing. Send your new or gently used prom dresses. Councilmember Madison Nguyen is collecting them at City Hall, with other collection boxes at the Cambrian Branch Library and the Mayfair Community Center.
It’s a frat party unlike any other. Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity brothers from the late ‘50’s are saying farewell to brother Bob Saunders who’s been given 3 months to live. From around the state and country old frat boys and their sorority sisters descended upon San Jose for the last hurrah. Thanks to the Merc’s Joe Rodriguez we have an inside seat.
Urban blight junkie/Metro/San Jose Insider Gary Singh joined marchers along the Cesar E. Chavez walkway last week and shares his discovery of San Jose’s “hidden gems” along the route.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Morning News Round-Up – 3.5.09: Santa Clara County Raiders?
Santa Clara County Supervisor George Shirakawa, Jr. continues his “quixotic quest" to toss the County’s plans for housing at the fairgrounds in order to bring pro football to San Jose. The Supervisor, referred to by the Merc. as “burly” (and by Watch Dog as Grand Poobah), met with Raiders Chief Executive Amy Trask and Finance Director Mark Badain. Rumors that Shirakawa has abandoned his Supervisorial post to negotiate a coaching job for Eddie Garcia are unfounded.The failed recall effort against San Jose Councilmember Madison Nguyen is over...save the spin. The Merc. digs in with local wonk/SJSU political science Professor Larry Gerston and spinmeister/failed campaign manager Andre Charles. The Editorial Board offers up an opinion that it is time to move on and hopes Nguyen does indeed reach out to her opponents. San Jose Revealed also assesses the results and declares there was never any doubt about the outcome.
So much for the Smoke Police. Over 175 Santa Clara County residents complained about winter fires on Spare the Air days. Fewer than 35 firebugs received warnings. No one was slapped with a fine. Bay Area Air Quality Management District rep Kristine Roeselius said fines weren’t the focus, the goal is air quality improvement. The number of people wanting Spare the Air days email alerts doubled between September and November to 100,000.
Los Altos School District Trustees have proposed cutting their budget $2.3 million in response to the draconian budget from the State Legislature. They’ll be waving goodbye to 18 teachers and 28 support staffers.
Los Altans will be happy to know a second suspect has been arrested for the brazen November robbery of Harold’s Jewelry. The two suspects were both already in jail at the Elmwood Correctional Complex. Police warn there are other suspects still at large and hopes for a dramatic Hollywood style car chase remain.
Mountain View NIMBY’s have coughed up $346 to appeal placement of the Day Worker Center nearby. Opponents to the center include Brad Kellar who wrote "Please protect our neighborhood property values!" Appellant Vince Racifi worries the center will distract police from the growing gang problem.
There is (apparently) a big-time power outage in Palo Alto this morning. Crews are "scrambling" to get folks back online...this is the type of problem that the Utilities Department should be handling, rather than this type of problem with Federal law enforcement agents...(thank you Watch Dog San Mateo...)
Looks like the American Chemistry Association/plastic bag lover Manny Diaz has successfully convinced the Santa Clara County Recycling and Waste Reduction Commission to ignore plastic bags. The Commission had proposed charging consumers for “single-use” bags. According to Commission member/Mountain View Councilmember Ronit Bryant they’re hoping education will drag consumers away from plastics. Really?
California Lottery officials took over as undercover cops to ferret out local retailers separating lottery winners from their tickets. Owners (or employees) from Jerry’s Market on Main in Milpitas along with Mercado y Carneceria Moreno, 4th Street Bowl, and Guru’s on N. 13th have lost their lottery contracts and could head to prison. Alex Traverso with the California Lottery wants to send a message to would be scammers “…we’re coming after you...”
Sal Pizzaro, the Merc’s man about town, fills us in on San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed’s dinner plans in Washington, D.C. where he met with SJSU President Jon Whitmore and former San Jose Mayor/Congressman/U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norm Mineta. Pizzaro muses over the selection of a bi-coastal chain restaurant for the dining luminaries.
The Merc’s Mr. Roadshow, Gary Richards, has received loads of queries asking whether BART does know the way to San Jose. Math and farm animals collide in questions about counting unhatched chickens and the weak tax projections.
The suicide death of SJSU/Sigma Chi’s Gregory Marcel Johnson, Jr. has grief stricken parents calling for a deeper investigation. The Metro’s Jessica Fromm covers all sides of the story. Mission City Lantern sends props to Metro for their coverage.
Metro/San Jose Inside’s Fly digs a little deeper into Saratoga/San Jose/Santa Maria Senator Abel Maldonado’s (conceited) demands in exchange for his support to pass the budget. Apparently the “outrageous” proposal to spend $1 million on office furniture by Controller John Chiang was just a tad less outrageous than Maldo wants us to believe. Maldonado dramatically tosses darts at former Assemblymember Fred Keely and waves his arms.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Morning News Round-Up – 3.4.09: It’s a Nguyen-Win!
(Sorry about the obvious title. Too easy...) Now, onto Nguyen News Round-Up:
San Jose Councilmember Madison Nguyen survived the recall and won by more than 1,200 votes. Congrats Madison, sorry Andre Charles...
The Merc.'s Scott Herhold reminds Nguyen, and her supporters, that she is partially to blame for having stepped into the mess that landed her in a recall election. Herhold calls out Supervisor George Shirakawa, Jr. (Grand Poobah) as a loser in this battle for remaining “neutral”...
San Jose Inside blogged live from Nguyen’s Police Officers' Association celebration, numerous mentions of raucous noise but no details about who was there and what was being said away from the microphone…
San Jose Revealed received (and posted) Tweets from the streets of San Jose – most seem to be from no on recall volunteers. Revealed called the race at 8:19 pm, sending a dig at the yes on recall team for creating so much turmoil.
Mission City Lantern sends a warning to recall fans…Nguyen could be on the war-path…
And other news...
Sales tax revenues are down, no surprise there. A VTA Workshop last week painted a bleak picture for the BART to San Jose timeline and shocked VTA Boardmembers, according to President Liz Kniss.
Gilroy’s City Council has taken a stand against housing, or so it would seem from the funding denial at this week's Council meeting. Councilmembers Dion Bracco, Craig Gartman, and Bob Dillion denied purchase of 50% stake in South County’s Cannery Project – effectively leaving empty downtown properties. Councilmembers Cat Tucker and Peter Arellano, along with Mayor Al Pinheiro supported the project but without Councilmember Perry Woodward the proposal died a painful death.
In sporting news...His Hairness met with the 49ers yesterday to see if he could woo...
Composting has created a Task Force situation in Palo Alto. The normally non-controversial need to do the right thing split the City Council and drove them to fill a Task Force with vocal advocates on both sides. Former Councilmember/park advocate Emily Renzel stands staunchly against composting in the new Byxbee Park while Palo Alto’s Community Environmental Action Partnership member Bryan Long supports a smaller park if it means saving the planet.
Los Altan Dana Nachtman will have her documentary “Witch Hunt” on display at San Jose’s Cinequest this week. Nachtman, a journalist and mom, followed the saga of working-class men and women accused (and wrongfully convicted) of child molestation in the early 80’s. (Sounds like a film our local DA's office should take a look at...)
And on the local blog/website front...
Watch Dog wrote previously about the Los Gatos Observer not being updated since new ownership (Virtual Valley/Metro) took over. In a weird twist to that story, this note now appears by ousted Observer Editor Alastair Dallas. Does he still have the password?
San Jose Councilmember Madison Nguyen survived the recall and won by more than 1,200 votes. Congrats Madison, sorry Andre Charles...
The Merc.'s Scott Herhold reminds Nguyen, and her supporters, that she is partially to blame for having stepped into the mess that landed her in a recall election. Herhold calls out Supervisor George Shirakawa, Jr. (Grand Poobah) as a loser in this battle for remaining “neutral”...San Jose Inside blogged live from Nguyen’s Police Officers' Association celebration, numerous mentions of raucous noise but no details about who was there and what was being said away from the microphone…
San Jose Revealed received (and posted) Tweets from the streets of San Jose – most seem to be from no on recall volunteers. Revealed called the race at 8:19 pm, sending a dig at the yes on recall team for creating so much turmoil.
Mission City Lantern sends a warning to recall fans…Nguyen could be on the war-path…
And other news...
Sales tax revenues are down, no surprise there. A VTA Workshop last week painted a bleak picture for the BART to San Jose timeline and shocked VTA Boardmembers, according to President Liz Kniss.
Gilroy’s City Council has taken a stand against housing, or so it would seem from the funding denial at this week's Council meeting. Councilmembers Dion Bracco, Craig Gartman, and Bob Dillion denied purchase of 50% stake in South County’s Cannery Project – effectively leaving empty downtown properties. Councilmembers Cat Tucker and Peter Arellano, along with Mayor Al Pinheiro supported the project but without Councilmember Perry Woodward the proposal died a painful death.
In sporting news...His Hairness met with the 49ers yesterday to see if he could woo...
Composting has created a Task Force situation in Palo Alto. The normally non-controversial need to do the right thing split the City Council and drove them to fill a Task Force with vocal advocates on both sides. Former Councilmember/park advocate Emily Renzel stands staunchly against composting in the new Byxbee Park while Palo Alto’s Community Environmental Action Partnership member Bryan Long supports a smaller park if it means saving the planet.
Los Altan Dana Nachtman will have her documentary “Witch Hunt” on display at San Jose’s Cinequest this week. Nachtman, a journalist and mom, followed the saga of working-class men and women accused (and wrongfully convicted) of child molestation in the early 80’s. (Sounds like a film our local DA's office should take a look at...)
And on the local blog/website front...
Watch Dog wrote previously about the Los Gatos Observer not being updated since new ownership (Virtual Valley/Metro) took over. In a weird twist to that story, this note now appears by ousted Observer Editor Alastair Dallas. Does he still have the password?
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 3.3.09: "...a never-ending battle to limit their presence..."
“Judgment Day Comes for San Jose Councilwoman” so proclaims the Merc. as the brouhaha comes to a close for San Jose’s Madison Nguyen. Campaign workers on both sides are no doubt chugging the caffeine in preparation for a long day. Watch Dog will do live updates as soon as the polls close, check in here for the latest news. San Jose Revealed is also ready for the Little Saigon madness to end and shares a series of cranky email messages received since Friday’s post...
District Attorney Dolores Carr has jumped on the story about Mexican American Community Services Agency's (MACSA) serious financial irregularities related to a Charter school it runs. Carr said her office would investigate and that, "...the allegations appear very serious..." Yesterday, a story broke about MACSA's possibly illegal embezzlement (borrowing?) of funds from their teachers at a MACSA Charter School in Gilroy. Enrique Palacios, the Gilroy Unified School District Deputy Superintendent of Business Services, sounds pissed and called the financial irregularities "...a moral issue..." MACSA’s CEO, Olivia Soza-Mendiola, shot an angry Letter to the Editor of the Gilroy Dispatch saying it was the State's fault MACSA “borrowed” the funds. Ben Anderson shot right back in a Dispatch Editorial calling Soza-Mendiola’s ambivalence troubling and a poor example to the young people MACSA serves. Watch Dog will have more on this later...you will not want to miss the San Jose connections to this story...
If you need a day-worker, Mountain View is your town...at least that is the fear of those who oppose approval of the day-worker permit issued recently. “The Day Worker Center has to wait until the council takes action before they do any work on the site..." said City Zoning Administrator Peter Gilli.
The Merc’s Scott Herhold dedicates his column to his NIMBY Hanchett Park neighbors angst over the possible move to San Jose by Lew Wolff’s A’s and the high speed rail approved by voters in November.
Speaking of high-speed rail NIMBYs...
NIMBY negativism looms large in Palo Alto about high-speed rail. Rod Diridon, Sr. told Palo Alto’s City Council yesterday that it would have been helpful had they spoken up before the measure passed in November. You think? Normally cheerful Palo Altans marched on City Hall chanting and waving protest signs. It is untrue that the protest signs read: NIMBY's FOR SLOW TRAINS.... Councilmember Larry Klein, hopeful the state will undo what the voters did, said, "Laws do get changed. That's what our legislature is for, that's what the initiative process is for, and that's what the courts are for, in some cases." Really Larry, you are going to rely on the California State Legislature to help you out? Good luck...
On San Jose Inside's Fly cruises local habitat’s – after discovering City Hall’s resident falcons were unavailable on the Falcon Cam, Fly headed to Guadalupe River Park & Gardens for an Audubon Society lecture. While at the lecture, Fly notes the Police Department and Water District sweeps have cleaned out the Park's homeless encampments. “It’s a never-ending battle to limit their presence...” Park staffer Linda McCabe says. Ironically, San Jose Revealed says the same thing about San Jose Inside...
San Jose is getting into the energy business and hopes to install the largest solar power array on City lands and is looking for proposals. You have until March 23 to get your request in.
Watch Dog’s favorite cobbler, Paul Cruz, is retiring after 49 years of keeping San Joseans footwear in good working order. Chances are this workaholic will still be helping friends out with their leather needs. (Insert your leather needs/ball gag joke here: _____________)
District Attorney Dolores Carr has jumped on the story about Mexican American Community Services Agency's (MACSA) serious financial irregularities related to a Charter school it runs. Carr said her office would investigate and that, "...the allegations appear very serious..." Yesterday, a story broke about MACSA's possibly illegal embezzlement (borrowing?) of funds from their teachers at a MACSA Charter School in Gilroy. Enrique Palacios, the Gilroy Unified School District Deputy Superintendent of Business Services, sounds pissed and called the financial irregularities "...a moral issue..." MACSA’s CEO, Olivia Soza-Mendiola, shot an angry Letter to the Editor of the Gilroy Dispatch saying it was the State's fault MACSA “borrowed” the funds. Ben Anderson shot right back in a Dispatch Editorial calling Soza-Mendiola’s ambivalence troubling and a poor example to the young people MACSA serves. Watch Dog will have more on this later...you will not want to miss the San Jose connections to this story...
If you need a day-worker, Mountain View is your town...at least that is the fear of those who oppose approval of the day-worker permit issued recently. “The Day Worker Center has to wait until the council takes action before they do any work on the site..." said City Zoning Administrator Peter Gilli.
The Merc’s Scott Herhold dedicates his column to his NIMBY Hanchett Park neighbors angst over the possible move to San Jose by Lew Wolff’s A’s and the high speed rail approved by voters in November.
Speaking of high-speed rail NIMBYs...
NIMBY negativism looms large in Palo Alto about high-speed rail. Rod Diridon, Sr. told Palo Alto’s City Council yesterday that it would have been helpful had they spoken up before the measure passed in November. You think? Normally cheerful Palo Altans marched on City Hall chanting and waving protest signs. It is untrue that the protest signs read: NIMBY's FOR SLOW TRAINS.... Councilmember Larry Klein, hopeful the state will undo what the voters did, said, "Laws do get changed. That's what our legislature is for, that's what the initiative process is for, and that's what the courts are for, in some cases." Really Larry, you are going to rely on the California State Legislature to help you out? Good luck...
On San Jose Inside's Fly cruises local habitat’s – after discovering City Hall’s resident falcons were unavailable on the Falcon Cam, Fly headed to Guadalupe River Park & Gardens for an Audubon Society lecture. While at the lecture, Fly notes the Police Department and Water District sweeps have cleaned out the Park's homeless encampments. “It’s a never-ending battle to limit their presence...” Park staffer Linda McCabe says. Ironically, San Jose Revealed says the same thing about San Jose Inside...
San Jose is getting into the energy business and hopes to install the largest solar power array on City lands and is looking for proposals. You have until March 23 to get your request in.
Watch Dog’s favorite cobbler, Paul Cruz, is retiring after 49 years of keeping San Joseans footwear in good working order. Chances are this workaholic will still be helping friends out with their leather needs. (Insert your leather needs/ball gag joke here: _____________)
Monday, March 2, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 3.2.09: A Nickname is Born...
The final days leading up to the biggest day San Jose Councilmember Madison Nguyen’s career are filled with precinct walking and calloused dialing fingers. Tomorrow at 8 p.m., one way or another, papers will be recycled, old coffee cups thrown away, and sleep will come in more than a few hours at a time. San Jose has seen 5 recall elections before now, only one was successful. "We were hopeful that she would understand the Vietnamese community better," volunteer My Phuong Le said in between (Yes) calling voters Sunday, "because that's her background." We will be blogging live on Tuesday night as the results come in...whatever the results, Andre Charles is putting his new resume together...
As Nguyen's date with the recall nears, it looks like Silicon Valley/Santa Maria State Senator Abel Maldonado will avoid a recall. Former Congressman/Former Assemblymember Ernie Konnyu is choosing not to harass Abel Maldonado via recall. (Konnyu is fond of other kinds of harassment, though.) But as Konnyu eases up, GOP leaders aren't going to. The State Republican Party has decided that they are going to withhold campaign dollars from Maldonado and the other five Republicans who voted for the budget package. Maldonado said his party “…is down in the dumpsters, and it's wrong to do this." Truer words have rarely been said...
The Merc’s Internal Affairs continues to muse over San Jose Councilmember Nora Campos’ ambitious goals for higher office. (They are still writing that story?) Campos aims to expand her meet and greets outside Assemblymember Joe Coto’s Assembly District to include the entire City – covering her bases for his seat and Mayor Reed’s.
In other Internal Affairs news, Supervisor Liz Kniss opted for the title President over Chair saying she could have chosen Grand Poobah. Supervisor George Shirakawa did not say, "She really couldn't have chosen Grand Poobah, because I'm the Grand Poobah...I even have the hat..." And with this story, a new nickname is born for the County's newest Supervisor...
As scrutiny increased on the San Jose Police Department, the questionable arrest rates curiously plunged in December and January. ACLU's local Director Skyler Porras said it was, "an alarming confirmation of the sheer number of wrongful arrests" that were occurring. Police Chief Rob Davis had a different spin saying he was pleased the "changes we have made" were having a "positive impact." That is quite a different tune than Chief Davis was singing last year...
Speaking of fun drunken times…Internal Affairs ferreted out four downtown clubs that offer the biggest challenges to San Jose Police Chief Rob Davis: WET, Miami Beach Club, Vivid, and Motif...if anyone reading this blog has ever gone to one of these places, hit me up so we can roll together...
And the Drunk Task Force is still talking drunks in San Jose…City Manager Debra Figone ordered Police Chief Rob Davis to release 200 police reports to the Drunk Task Force for review. "We consider access to the information to actually identify the problem as a fundamental piece of our charge," said ACLU’s (always quotable) Sklyer Porras. "There is no point in sitting at the table to combat symptoms without getting at the disease."
Someone on the Merc’s Editorial Board was feeling particularly sassy this weekend when they wrote, “The great crossing guard panic of San Jose.” The Merc. Ed Board is critical of Councilmembers Pierluigi Oliverio and Pete Constant for frightening parents and education leaders when they claimed the crossing guard budget was being cut. Just as entertaining was the Rules Committee meeting where they feigned ignorance over the furor they helped create.
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission voted to give Santa Clara County $90 million of the $490 million in Federal money. The funding is a relief because the State has cut funding said VTA spokesperson Jennie Hwang Loft adding, "Losing a few million dollars is one thing. When you start getting into double digits, that's a whole other scenario."
Los Altos Planners are mulling over the results of polling data in order to narrow the scope of a bond measure for their new Civic Center. In November, voters head to the polls to decide how much they are willing to tax themselves for a City Hall. Assistant City Manager James Walgren is confident sufficient funds are available for one facility and plans to survey voters again in the summer. Any chance Los Altos wants to relocate their City Hall to 801 N. First Street in San Jose? We hear there is an empty building there...
Watch Dog congratulation Mountain View for joining Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, and San Jose on the Bicycle Friendly Community list of California’s bike friendly cities.
Mountain View Police arrested community leader/soccer coach Pedro Carbajal for sexually assaulting female relatives under the age of 14. Police spokesperson Liz Wylie said they are “not looking for victims” among the Amigo League teams he coached.
And while we are on the topic...
Gilroy High math teacher (Morgan Hill resident) Alberto Gomez Vicuna, Jr. heads to court in San Jose this week. According to Deputy DA Ray Mendoza Vicuna, Jr. is a very, very bad man and faces up to 10 years in prison for having sex with a 14 year old San Jose girl he met on the social networking site Tagged.com. Vicuna had over 100 female friends on the site. Mendoza is concerned there may be more victims. Pissed off parent Jeannie White said, "If they have a pedophile on school grounds, I want to know if they're not doing a good enough background check."
Gang members in Gilroy High started an oatmeal fight which escalated to a battle that included 30 police officers in riot gear and shotgun wielding CHP officers and the arrest of 7 students. While the students were entertained, Principal James Maxwell was not because he was hosting reviewers from the California School Recognition Program for a possible award. (Was it an award for the most gang members at lunch?) Maxwell sighed, "Every couple of years you get a riot like this, and a lot of kids think this is a big joke, but it's not..."
Breaking news this morning in San Jose: A body was found on the 680/McKee off-ramp early this morning. Officer Jermaine Thomas said, "This was an apparent hit-and-run, and the pedestrian was dragged after the collision.'' Yikes...
It’s going to be a race now as to who is more pissed off: the Spansion employees who got rudely ditched last week (while the bosses got raises) or the ones who learned Sunday that their employer was filing for bankruptcy. Former Chief Exec Bertrand Cambou pledged Friday to return his $403,000 severance check because “my heart is broken” seeing his old team let go without severance. Current Chief Exec John Kispert said Chapter 11 made sense because it provides the company “the most effective means to preserve our market position and to maintain customer confidence."
As Nguyen's date with the recall nears, it looks like Silicon Valley/Santa Maria State Senator Abel Maldonado will avoid a recall. Former Congressman/Former Assemblymember Ernie Konnyu is choosing not to harass Abel Maldonado via recall. (Konnyu is fond of other kinds of harassment, though.) But as Konnyu eases up, GOP leaders aren't going to. The State Republican Party has decided that they are going to withhold campaign dollars from Maldonado and the other five Republicans who voted for the budget package. Maldonado said his party “…is down in the dumpsters, and it's wrong to do this." Truer words have rarely been said...
The Merc’s Internal Affairs continues to muse over San Jose Councilmember Nora Campos’ ambitious goals for higher office. (They are still writing that story?) Campos aims to expand her meet and greets outside Assemblymember Joe Coto’s Assembly District to include the entire City – covering her bases for his seat and Mayor Reed’s. In other Internal Affairs news, Supervisor Liz Kniss opted for the title President over Chair saying she could have chosen Grand Poobah. Supervisor George Shirakawa did not say, "She really couldn't have chosen Grand Poobah, because I'm the Grand Poobah...I even have the hat..." And with this story, a new nickname is born for the County's newest Supervisor...
As scrutiny increased on the San Jose Police Department, the questionable arrest rates curiously plunged in December and January. ACLU's local Director Skyler Porras said it was, "an alarming confirmation of the sheer number of wrongful arrests" that were occurring. Police Chief Rob Davis had a different spin saying he was pleased the "changes we have made" were having a "positive impact." That is quite a different tune than Chief Davis was singing last year...
Speaking of fun drunken times…Internal Affairs ferreted out four downtown clubs that offer the biggest challenges to San Jose Police Chief Rob Davis: WET, Miami Beach Club, Vivid, and Motif...if anyone reading this blog has ever gone to one of these places, hit me up so we can roll together...
And the Drunk Task Force is still talking drunks in San Jose…City Manager Debra Figone ordered Police Chief Rob Davis to release 200 police reports to the Drunk Task Force for review. "We consider access to the information to actually identify the problem as a fundamental piece of our charge," said ACLU’s (always quotable) Sklyer Porras. "There is no point in sitting at the table to combat symptoms without getting at the disease."
Someone on the Merc’s Editorial Board was feeling particularly sassy this weekend when they wrote, “The great crossing guard panic of San Jose.” The Merc. Ed Board is critical of Councilmembers Pierluigi Oliverio and Pete Constant for frightening parents and education leaders when they claimed the crossing guard budget was being cut. Just as entertaining was the Rules Committee meeting where they feigned ignorance over the furor they helped create.
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission voted to give Santa Clara County $90 million of the $490 million in Federal money. The funding is a relief because the State has cut funding said VTA spokesperson Jennie Hwang Loft adding, "Losing a few million dollars is one thing. When you start getting into double digits, that's a whole other scenario."
Los Altos Planners are mulling over the results of polling data in order to narrow the scope of a bond measure for their new Civic Center. In November, voters head to the polls to decide how much they are willing to tax themselves for a City Hall. Assistant City Manager James Walgren is confident sufficient funds are available for one facility and plans to survey voters again in the summer. Any chance Los Altos wants to relocate their City Hall to 801 N. First Street in San Jose? We hear there is an empty building there...
Watch Dog congratulation Mountain View for joining Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, and San Jose on the Bicycle Friendly Community list of California’s bike friendly cities.
Mountain View Police arrested community leader/soccer coach Pedro Carbajal for sexually assaulting female relatives under the age of 14. Police spokesperson Liz Wylie said they are “not looking for victims” among the Amigo League teams he coached.
And while we are on the topic...
Gilroy High math teacher (Morgan Hill resident) Alberto Gomez Vicuna, Jr. heads to court in San Jose this week. According to Deputy DA Ray Mendoza Vicuna, Jr. is a very, very bad man and faces up to 10 years in prison for having sex with a 14 year old San Jose girl he met on the social networking site Tagged.com. Vicuna had over 100 female friends on the site. Mendoza is concerned there may be more victims. Pissed off parent Jeannie White said, "If they have a pedophile on school grounds, I want to know if they're not doing a good enough background check."
Gang members in Gilroy High started an oatmeal fight which escalated to a battle that included 30 police officers in riot gear and shotgun wielding CHP officers and the arrest of 7 students. While the students were entertained, Principal James Maxwell was not because he was hosting reviewers from the California School Recognition Program for a possible award. (Was it an award for the most gang members at lunch?) Maxwell sighed, "Every couple of years you get a riot like this, and a lot of kids think this is a big joke, but it's not..."
Breaking news this morning in San Jose: A body was found on the 680/McKee off-ramp early this morning. Officer Jermaine Thomas said, "This was an apparent hit-and-run, and the pedestrian was dragged after the collision.'' Yikes...
It’s going to be a race now as to who is more pissed off: the Spansion employees who got rudely ditched last week (while the bosses got raises) or the ones who learned Sunday that their employer was filing for bankruptcy. Former Chief Exec Bertrand Cambou pledged Friday to return his $403,000 severance check because “my heart is broken” seeing his old team let go without severance. Current Chief Exec John Kispert said Chapter 11 made sense because it provides the company “the most effective means to preserve our market position and to maintain customer confidence."
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 2.24.09: Will the real Andre Charles please stand up...
Recall Update: the Santa Clara County Registrar’s office has received more than 7,100 absentee ballots. Councilmember Madison Nguyen’s Campaign Manager, Melanie Jimenez, is confident these are mostly Nguyen supporters saying, "This is really indicative of what we've been seeing from the beginning. The residents of District 7 do care about this election. Madison has represented all of the district." Nguyen’s opponents are equally confident with spokesman Andre Charles (this Andre Charles or this Andre Charles?) indicating their goal is to bring a non-traditional audience to the polls. Either way, it’s all over Tuesday, March 3 at 8 p.m. Word on the street is that both poll-watching parties will be in Little Saigon...
Speaking of Andre Charles...Presuming it is the latter and not the former Andre Charles -- does that mean the same people are working for and against the recall?
Santa Clara County Water District Director Sig Sanchez has made a career of service with nearly 29 years on the Board. The newest Director was appointed after Director Greg Zlotnick was hired by the District – without any public discussion. Today the Board (finally) considers term limits. Assemblymember Joe Coto is loudly insisting that before he pushes a bill that would allow all to stay on the Board, reforms are required, including: a revolving door policy on employment, travel approved in public, and some transparency – but no term limits. A report released by District Counsel Debra Cauble likely provided some relief – term limits require voter approval, which requires the (unmotivated) Board to place a measure on a ballot. In this disastrous economy it should be easy for the Board to cry fiscal responsibility and avoid an election, preventing a public decision. Largely out of view public agencies are the ones you really must watch (dog) out for...
The Gilroy Dispatch’s Ben Anderson pops off on the (dys)function of the Water District’s Board of Directors – complaining that the three and a half hours he spent at a meeting last week was worse than a root canal, worse even than a fundraiser for under water basket weavers. Anderson’s very funny piece skewers Director Sanchez and those who shower praise upon the Board.
The Santa Clara County Recycling and Waste Reduction Commission will discuss a 25 cent fee on plastic bags Wednesday. Commissioner (Gilroy Councilmember) Cat Tucker says that while she understands the need to reduce waste, the economic disaster will keep her from voting for the fee. The American Chemistry Council must be very proud, lobbyist Manny Diaz is convincing Commissioners not to follow the lead of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Australia, Ireland, Italy, South Africa, Taiwan, and even China banning plastic bags. Most markets in Europe have charged shoppers wanting a bag for decades. (Watch Dog will get back to Manny Diaz anti-environmental crusades sometime this week...)
The Merc’s Editorial Board wants to hear from the two Silicon Valley Republicans hoping to take up residence in the Governor’s tent: How would you have balanced the budget? Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner gave a rehash of Schwarzenegger’s 2003 no-tax pledge at the GOP convention over the weekend. Schwarzenegger has said about anyone thinking the budget can be balanced without raising taxes, "… has not really looked at it carefully to understand this budget or has a math problem and has to get back, as I said, and take Math 101."
Tonight we party for tomorrow we pay penance…Translation: It’s Mardi Gras! Let loose your inhibitions – just not in downtown San Jose. San Jose Police are gearing up for mayhem while hoping that the trend over the past two years for well-behaved reveler’s continues. San Jose Downtown Association Communications Director Rick Jensen said, "I think this negative perception is becoming an unfortunate self-fulfilling prophecy. To us, Mardi Gras is just like every other night of the year, a great place to be in downtown San Jose." Mr. Jensen, meet Chief Davis. Chief Davis, meet Rick Jensen...
Morgan Hill’s City Council is hoping a do-over works out better for them. (With Councilmember Larry Carr conferenced-in and Marby Lee absent) The Council decided Friday at a special meeting to place a re-worded (and previously defeated) Measure H on the ballot in May. Councilmember Greg Sellers said, "It would truly be a huge setback downtown if this measure failed." Sellers left off the last word in that sentence...again...
San Jose Union School District’s Dartmouth Middle School is being honored as one of three California in the “Schools to Watch” program by the (awkwardly named) National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. District Superintendent Jacqueline Horejs says students, "…spend the first months afraid of being pushed into a garbage can at lunch. But the moment students enter Dartmouth, they belong and they are cared for." Horejs credits Dartmouth Principal, Carole Carlson, for creating an atmosphere of curiosity and support. (Watch Dog's middle school years were more garbage can and less belonging...)
The Gilroy School Unified School District is calling: You owe us $6 million. The District wants to mail property owners a corrected tax bill because they just discovered the Measure J tax was left off the last two tax bills -- big oops. County Supervisor Don Gage disagrees and hopes the District will let the County loan them money and then next year taxpayers would receive a tax bill (temporarily) doubling the Measure J tax. Because nothing says I love you like a double-sized tax bill...Still unknown is whether it’s even legal to send an amended tax bill. Trustees Denise Apuzzo and Francisco Dominguez said they were looking forward to hearing details at this week's meeting.
Today, the Mountain View City discusses high speed rail, environmental sustainability, and clean power. No word if Manny Diaz will be advocating burning plastic bags for energy.
The trial of accused San Jose cop-killer DeShawn Campbell got underway Monday, nearly 8 years after his arrest for the death of Officer Jeffery Fontana. On day one, defense attorney Edward Sousa made the dramatic announcement that Campbell’s friend, Rodney McNary, had shot Fontana. Prosecutor Lane Liroff countered with statements from friends of Campbell who said he’d confessed the shooting.
Mountain View’s thriving Castro Street was the scene of a racially motivated attack early Saturday morning. 4 suspects have been arrested for attacking Hindi-speaking visitors. The victims were approached by two women who mocked them and said they did not belong in America, the attackers followed up by punching one of the women. The attackers are suspected of being involved in hate crime shooting that took place earlier. A roving band of bigots...how nice.
Speaking of Andre Charles...Presuming it is the latter and not the former Andre Charles -- does that mean the same people are working for and against the recall?
Santa Clara County Water District Director Sig Sanchez has made a career of service with nearly 29 years on the Board. The newest Director was appointed after Director Greg Zlotnick was hired by the District – without any public discussion. Today the Board (finally) considers term limits. Assemblymember Joe Coto is loudly insisting that before he pushes a bill that would allow all to stay on the Board, reforms are required, including: a revolving door policy on employment, travel approved in public, and some transparency – but no term limits. A report released by District Counsel Debra Cauble likely provided some relief – term limits require voter approval, which requires the (unmotivated) Board to place a measure on a ballot. In this disastrous economy it should be easy for the Board to cry fiscal responsibility and avoid an election, preventing a public decision. Largely out of view public agencies are the ones you really must watch (dog) out for...
The Gilroy Dispatch’s Ben Anderson pops off on the (dys)function of the Water District’s Board of Directors – complaining that the three and a half hours he spent at a meeting last week was worse than a root canal, worse even than a fundraiser for under water basket weavers. Anderson’s very funny piece skewers Director Sanchez and those who shower praise upon the Board.
The Santa Clara County Recycling and Waste Reduction Commission will discuss a 25 cent fee on plastic bags Wednesday. Commissioner (Gilroy Councilmember) Cat Tucker says that while she understands the need to reduce waste, the economic disaster will keep her from voting for the fee. The American Chemistry Council must be very proud, lobbyist Manny Diaz is convincing Commissioners not to follow the lead of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Australia, Ireland, Italy, South Africa, Taiwan, and even China banning plastic bags. Most markets in Europe have charged shoppers wanting a bag for decades. (Watch Dog will get back to Manny Diaz anti-environmental crusades sometime this week...)
The Merc’s Editorial Board wants to hear from the two Silicon Valley Republicans hoping to take up residence in the Governor’s tent: How would you have balanced the budget? Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner gave a rehash of Schwarzenegger’s 2003 no-tax pledge at the GOP convention over the weekend. Schwarzenegger has said about anyone thinking the budget can be balanced without raising taxes, "… has not really looked at it carefully to understand this budget or has a math problem and has to get back, as I said, and take Math 101."
Tonight we party for tomorrow we pay penance…Translation: It’s Mardi Gras! Let loose your inhibitions – just not in downtown San Jose. San Jose Police are gearing up for mayhem while hoping that the trend over the past two years for well-behaved reveler’s continues. San Jose Downtown Association Communications Director Rick Jensen said, "I think this negative perception is becoming an unfortunate self-fulfilling prophecy. To us, Mardi Gras is just like every other night of the year, a great place to be in downtown San Jose." Mr. Jensen, meet Chief Davis. Chief Davis, meet Rick Jensen...
Morgan Hill’s City Council is hoping a do-over works out better for them. (With Councilmember Larry Carr conferenced-in and Marby Lee absent) The Council decided Friday at a special meeting to place a re-worded (and previously defeated) Measure H on the ballot in May. Councilmember Greg Sellers said, "It would truly be a huge setback downtown if this measure failed." Sellers left off the last word in that sentence...again...
San Jose Union School District’s Dartmouth Middle School is being honored as one of three California in the “Schools to Watch” program by the (awkwardly named) National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. District Superintendent Jacqueline Horejs says students, "…spend the first months afraid of being pushed into a garbage can at lunch. But the moment students enter Dartmouth, they belong and they are cared for." Horejs credits Dartmouth Principal, Carole Carlson, for creating an atmosphere of curiosity and support. (Watch Dog's middle school years were more garbage can and less belonging...)
The Gilroy School Unified School District is calling: You owe us $6 million. The District wants to mail property owners a corrected tax bill because they just discovered the Measure J tax was left off the last two tax bills -- big oops. County Supervisor Don Gage disagrees and hopes the District will let the County loan them money and then next year taxpayers would receive a tax bill (temporarily) doubling the Measure J tax. Because nothing says I love you like a double-sized tax bill...Still unknown is whether it’s even legal to send an amended tax bill. Trustees Denise Apuzzo and Francisco Dominguez said they were looking forward to hearing details at this week's meeting.
Today, the Mountain View City discusses high speed rail, environmental sustainability, and clean power. No word if Manny Diaz will be advocating burning plastic bags for energy.
The trial of accused San Jose cop-killer DeShawn Campbell got underway Monday, nearly 8 years after his arrest for the death of Officer Jeffery Fontana. On day one, defense attorney Edward Sousa made the dramatic announcement that Campbell’s friend, Rodney McNary, had shot Fontana. Prosecutor Lane Liroff countered with statements from friends of Campbell who said he’d confessed the shooting.
Mountain View’s thriving Castro Street was the scene of a racially motivated attack early Saturday morning. 4 suspects have been arrested for attacking Hindi-speaking visitors. The victims were approached by two women who mocked them and said they did not belong in America, the attackers followed up by punching one of the women. The attackers are suspected of being involved in hate crime shooting that took place earlier. A roving band of bigots...how nice.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 2.23.09: Never a dull day in the DA's office...or at San Jose City Hall
Life at the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office gets better and better. Last year, Prosecutor Marc Buller accused a Valley Medical Center nurse of lying about the existence of medical exam videotapes. This year, District Attorney Dolores Carr said she would release the tapes which could put sexual predators back on the street (from trials as long as 17 years ago). The hubbub isn’t over yet. Carr accuses VMC’s Dr. David Kerns of causing the problem for not "… consulting the District Attorney's Office," while defense attorney Lawrence Gibbs says the DA’s office still has a legal problem because they knew the tapes existed. In legal terms, it looks as if the circumstantial evidence is mounting...this time, against the Prosecutors...
Questions are swirling, legal action is in the works, and Councilmembers are snapping at each other...but it looks like the San Pedro Urban Market (a.k.a. The McEnery Plan) will move forward this week. Former Mayor/registered lobbyist Tom McEnery hopes to open a public market in 2010 with $6 million in grants and loans from San Jose. Councilmember Nora Campos has launched a new (potential Brown Act violation) salvo saying she received a voicemail message from her colleague Sam Liccardo who hoped she would set aside partisan politics during the plan's initial consideration...Interesting how Campos didn't bring this up when her opposition to the plan failed to kill it. Perhaps she hopes it will now?
Armageddon is how the California Transit Association describes the outcome from the (long-delayed) budget resolution in Sacramento. VTA alone is facing cuts of $50 million. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission does not see any BART to San Jose dollars coming from their pockets, so local hopes are pinned on Federal stimulus dollars.
San Jose’s (one-school) Luther Burbank School District received a mild slap when a long-awaited second audit was released a year after it was ordered. Fernando Elizondo, the District's Interim Superintendent said, "We need to eliminate the sloppiness and tighten down the ship." You'd think keeping track of money and running a tight ship would be easier when a District only has one school...but perhaps not...
Fremont residents squawked loudly about the "Fremont" A's. So loudly, in fact, that the plan seems close to dead. The neighborhood grumpiness (and NUMMI's grumpiness) is causing Oakland A’s owner Lew Wolff to rethink his plans to move to Fremont. San Jose A's?
Joint Venture: Silicon Valley announced the formation of the Silicon Valley Climate Prosperity Council on Friday with San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed at the helm. The Merc’s Editorial Board celebrates Silicon Valley’s new color saying, “A green agenda crossing city lines and promoted by private and public sector leaders can put Silicon Valley in a better position to recover.”
The Merc.'s Mr. Roadshow/Gary Richards let readers cut loose on angry man Grant Paulson who grumpily attacks Senator Joe Simitian’s cell phone law via a well-viewed billboard on 101. Our sister blog, Watch Dog San Mateo has more on the East Palo Alto billboard.
Speaking of Watch Dog San Mateo...
Ah, lifestyles of the rich and famous…the Merc’s Patty Fisher fills us in…Sun Microsystems Scott McNeely sheepishly admitted he hadn’t bothered getting permission before building his private, blimp-like ice rink in the hillsides above Palo Alto. It looks like Ms. Fisher reads Watch Dog San Mateo, because they wrote a (really funny) piece about the ice rink last week...
The Merc.'s Internal Affairs caught Mount Pleasant School District Superintendent George Perez hopping mad. Perez cut loose about the recently approved budget saying, "It's a crime and a sin what they are doing to public education.”
Hunger striker/freedom fighter Ly Tong has turned up in Orange County splattering red paint on a photo exhibit. He really sounds like a swell guy.
On tap for local elected officials this week:
Watch Dog note to Los Gatos Observer: How about some news? Or at (the very least) some more frequent Tweets...
Questions are swirling, legal action is in the works, and Councilmembers are snapping at each other...but it looks like the San Pedro Urban Market (a.k.a. The McEnery Plan) will move forward this week. Former Mayor/registered lobbyist Tom McEnery hopes to open a public market in 2010 with $6 million in grants and loans from San Jose. Councilmember Nora Campos has launched a new (potential Brown Act violation) salvo saying she received a voicemail message from her colleague Sam Liccardo who hoped she would set aside partisan politics during the plan's initial consideration...Interesting how Campos didn't bring this up when her opposition to the plan failed to kill it. Perhaps she hopes it will now?
Armageddon is how the California Transit Association describes the outcome from the (long-delayed) budget resolution in Sacramento. VTA alone is facing cuts of $50 million. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission does not see any BART to San Jose dollars coming from their pockets, so local hopes are pinned on Federal stimulus dollars.
San Jose’s (one-school) Luther Burbank School District received a mild slap when a long-awaited second audit was released a year after it was ordered. Fernando Elizondo, the District's Interim Superintendent said, "We need to eliminate the sloppiness and tighten down the ship." You'd think keeping track of money and running a tight ship would be easier when a District only has one school...but perhaps not...
Fremont residents squawked loudly about the "Fremont" A's. So loudly, in fact, that the plan seems close to dead. The neighborhood grumpiness (and NUMMI's grumpiness) is causing Oakland A’s owner Lew Wolff to rethink his plans to move to Fremont. San Jose A's?
Joint Venture: Silicon Valley announced the formation of the Silicon Valley Climate Prosperity Council on Friday with San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed at the helm. The Merc’s Editorial Board celebrates Silicon Valley’s new color saying, “A green agenda crossing city lines and promoted by private and public sector leaders can put Silicon Valley in a better position to recover.”
The Merc.'s Mr. Roadshow/Gary Richards let readers cut loose on angry man Grant Paulson who grumpily attacks Senator Joe Simitian’s cell phone law via a well-viewed billboard on 101. Our sister blog, Watch Dog San Mateo has more on the East Palo Alto billboard.
Speaking of Watch Dog San Mateo...
Ah, lifestyles of the rich and famous…the Merc’s Patty Fisher fills us in…Sun Microsystems Scott McNeely sheepishly admitted he hadn’t bothered getting permission before building his private, blimp-like ice rink in the hillsides above Palo Alto. It looks like Ms. Fisher reads Watch Dog San Mateo, because they wrote a (really funny) piece about the ice rink last week...
The Merc.'s Internal Affairs caught Mount Pleasant School District Superintendent George Perez hopping mad. Perez cut loose about the recently approved budget saying, "It's a crime and a sin what they are doing to public education.”
Hunger striker/freedom fighter Ly Tong has turned up in Orange County splattering red paint on a photo exhibit. He really sounds like a swell guy.
On tap for local elected officials this week:
- San Jose’s City Council will consider ordering nightclub owners to help pay for the Police and try to make downtown more inviting.
- Sunnyvale’s City Council will revise the ethics code for elected and appointed officials, taking away a Board Chair’s ability to punish said officials and making sure Councilmembers know they have to listen to public speakers. Really?
- Mountain View’s City Council will hear a midyear budget report on Tuesday. That should be fun...
- Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors Subcommittee on Children, Seniors, and Families will talk about the changing child welfare system Thursday. The passage of the State budget should be helpful to that cause...except it isn't...
- Fremont Union High School District Trustees will hear a budget update and consider setting a cap on enrollment on Tuesday.
- San Jose Unified School District will attempt to figure out who to fire to make next years budget.
Watch Dog note to Los Gatos Observer: How about some news? Or at (the very least) some more frequent Tweets...
Friday, February 20, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 2.20.09: The budget, something (else) for Kevin Skelly to talk about...
For local school Districts the State budget approval was a mixed blessing. A sigh of relief it was over, followed by cursing when the severity of budget cuts looming in front of them was understood. Karen Fuqua with San Jose Unified said they will begin notifying nearly 400 teachers and all administrators that they might not have a job next year. Even though the budget is getting cut in education, on the bright side of things, Palo Alto Unified's Superintendent has something else to talk about other than this bone-headed stuff he said...the Merc. Editorial Board sees a silver-lining, which is a bit ironic since their silver lining (open primaries) was put there by a guy they took to task yesterday...
San Jose Revealed had some fun with San Jose Inside/Metro’s Fly story about the Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins/Cindy Chavez sightings. In a series of blurbs Revealed fills us in that the Chamber is hiring a policy wonk and paints Councilmember Nora Campos as a Knight in shining armor.
Mission City Lantern wasn’t so pleased with San Jose/Santa Maria Senator Abel Maldonado calling Abel a dimwitted extortionist. Tell us how you really feel, James.
Embattled San Jose Councilmember Madison Nguyen has raised over $250,000 to fight the recall battle while her opponents have raised less than half that. The recall proponents report having roughly $10,000 more in the bank than Nguyen’s camp with less than 2 weeks left before election day. Nguyen’s supporters are in full force, even Mayor Chuck Reed was pounding the pavement over the weekend.
Morgan Hill’s Police Department must have been following Watch Dog’s coverage of skyrocketing drunk arrests in San Jose. Not wanting to be left out they released a report that their drunk arrests doubled in the past 2 years. Chief Bruce Cumming says having more police resources have helped increase tossing the tipsy in the hoosegow. "Our officers are more assertive about (public drunkenness) than perhaps they were three or four years ago," said Cumming. San Jose Police Chief did not say, "See, everyone hates drunk people..."
Gilroy taxpayers alerted the School District that they weren’t being taxed. (What?) Yep, taxes that have appeared on annual bills for 35 years went missing, causing the District to scramble to figure out how to pay a $5.3 million bond payment due later this year. "We don't know what happened. We're still working through that. All we know is that the tax didn't make it to the taxpayers, but the why and the how - we're not there yet," Deputy Superintendent of Business Services Enrique Palacios said. In the meantime, watch dog Tom Newton is pissed the district met behind closed doors when the problem became known.
The Morgan Hill Times is pleased to announce a move to a bilingual web presence. Si desea leer el periódico en español, haga clic aquí. Watch Dog is (not) next, unfortunately...
The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office has asked for another delay in the trial of Armando Suazo Ochoa, who last year decided to run over two men with whom he’d been fighting. The DA’s office is still waiting for the Coroner’s report, nearly 4 months since the second victim died. (Wise guy, Ben Field did not say, "Who needs a Coroner's report to go to trial?...")
Homeowners, if you get a letter from Los Angeles Company Property Tax Reassessment – don’t fall for it. So says Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone who calls the letters “outrageous.”
It is perhaps one of the saddest stories of the year. Vanessa Geronimo started fearing school when she was only in kindergarten, she was often crying from the brutal teasing of classmates. In third grade she was skipping 20% of her classes, by the time she got to 7th grade she went to school 2 or 3 days a year. The Alum Rock School District tried everything, to no avail. Vanessa’s parents Jayvee Geronimo and Carol Reynoso will serve jail time for contributing to her delinquency. Deputy District Attorney Lois Baer said, "It's tragic. But she's essentially a fifth-grade dropout, and the parents haven't followed through at all.''
San Jose Inside has a new guest columnist, Steve Borkenhagen, of the very yummy Eulipia, posts a plea of support for the proposed public market (a.k.a. McEnery-ville). Borkenhagen is apparently a fan of McEnery’s as well as the Pike Place Market (Seattle) and Chelsea Market (New York).
San Jose Revealed had some fun with San Jose Inside/Metro’s Fly story about the Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins/Cindy Chavez sightings. In a series of blurbs Revealed fills us in that the Chamber is hiring a policy wonk and paints Councilmember Nora Campos as a Knight in shining armor.
Mission City Lantern wasn’t so pleased with San Jose/Santa Maria Senator Abel Maldonado calling Abel a dimwitted extortionist. Tell us how you really feel, James.
Embattled San Jose Councilmember Madison Nguyen has raised over $250,000 to fight the recall battle while her opponents have raised less than half that. The recall proponents report having roughly $10,000 more in the bank than Nguyen’s camp with less than 2 weeks left before election day. Nguyen’s supporters are in full force, even Mayor Chuck Reed was pounding the pavement over the weekend.
Morgan Hill’s Police Department must have been following Watch Dog’s coverage of skyrocketing drunk arrests in San Jose. Not wanting to be left out they released a report that their drunk arrests doubled in the past 2 years. Chief Bruce Cumming says having more police resources have helped increase tossing the tipsy in the hoosegow. "Our officers are more assertive about (public drunkenness) than perhaps they were three or four years ago," said Cumming. San Jose Police Chief did not say, "See, everyone hates drunk people..."
Gilroy taxpayers alerted the School District that they weren’t being taxed. (What?) Yep, taxes that have appeared on annual bills for 35 years went missing, causing the District to scramble to figure out how to pay a $5.3 million bond payment due later this year. "We don't know what happened. We're still working through that. All we know is that the tax didn't make it to the taxpayers, but the why and the how - we're not there yet," Deputy Superintendent of Business Services Enrique Palacios said. In the meantime, watch dog Tom Newton is pissed the district met behind closed doors when the problem became known.
The Morgan Hill Times is pleased to announce a move to a bilingual web presence. Si desea leer el periódico en español, haga clic aquí. Watch Dog is (not) next, unfortunately...
The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office has asked for another delay in the trial of Armando Suazo Ochoa, who last year decided to run over two men with whom he’d been fighting. The DA’s office is still waiting for the Coroner’s report, nearly 4 months since the second victim died. (Wise guy, Ben Field did not say, "Who needs a Coroner's report to go to trial?...")
Homeowners, if you get a letter from Los Angeles Company Property Tax Reassessment – don’t fall for it. So says Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone who calls the letters “outrageous.”
It is perhaps one of the saddest stories of the year. Vanessa Geronimo started fearing school when she was only in kindergarten, she was often crying from the brutal teasing of classmates. In third grade she was skipping 20% of her classes, by the time she got to 7th grade she went to school 2 or 3 days a year. The Alum Rock School District tried everything, to no avail. Vanessa’s parents Jayvee Geronimo and Carol Reynoso will serve jail time for contributing to her delinquency. Deputy District Attorney Lois Baer said, "It's tragic. But she's essentially a fifth-grade dropout, and the parents haven't followed through at all.''
San Jose Inside has a new guest columnist, Steve Borkenhagen, of the very yummy Eulipia, posts a plea of support for the proposed public market (a.k.a. McEnery-ville). Borkenhagen is apparently a fan of McEnery’s as well as the Pike Place Market (Seattle) and Chelsea Market (New York).
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 2.17.09: Soggy Biking Edition...
In case you were on lucky enough to be on vacation yesterday and missed our Morning News Round-Up, check out yesterday's goings on here. The real highlight of the day, however, was the national attention Assemblymember Joe Coto's blanket and sleeping habits received...
The Merc.’s Editorial Board is calling for San Jose Police Department to release reports on drunk arrests, no doubt making the Drunk Task Force, Councilmember Nora Campos, and the ACLU very happy. While at the same time, making this guy very nervous...Watch Dog has been covering the ever tipsy story on skyrocketing arrests of Latinos in San Jose here, here, and here.
San Jose/Santa Maria Legislator Senator Abel Maldonado is enjoying his time in the catbird seat and issued a list of demands in exchange for his Republican vote on the State budget proposal. Maldonado’s list includes eliminating partisan primaries, stopping Legislator paychecks (when the budget is overdue), and refusing raises when the State runs a deficit. Colleague/San Jose Senator Elaine Alquist has released a list of projects in Santa Clara County that will be affected if the Governor keeps his promise to stop funding if there’s budget agreement today. No wonder Coto couldn't stand to watch this rerun...Maldando will cave and be a big hero...
Santa Clara County Supervisor Ken Yeager thinks the County may have too many cars in its garage and has started an audit saying, "I was concerned that the County was purchasing a lot of automobiles, and I wanted to make sure everyone who is assigned a car needs one." High time too. It’s been nearly three decades since an audit was done of County vehicles. There are currently 144 county employees who have “take-home” cars, including Yeager’s colleague Supervisor Don Gage. I guess a 12-year job at over $100k isn't enough for Gage, he wanted the car too...
At least Supervisor Gage drives his County car...According to an informal survey by the Merc’s Mr. Roadshow Gary Richards, Gage drives solo from Gilroy to San Jose in a GMC SUV but takes light rail from County offices to events in downtown San Jose. Gage must have worried when he received the call from Mr. Roadshow as he said, "Please be nice to me. I am responsible for many key transportation projects completed under budget and ahead of schedule in South County." Check out the story to see how other local leaders get to work...
The Amgen Tour of California will zip through town today as cyclists race out of San Jose on their way to the Central Valley amidst buckets of rain. Cyclist/cancer survivor Lance Armstrong tweeted a request to move the race to April, had a bike stolen, and crashed with a photography motorcycle. The Merc’s Ann Killion covers the race in all its dripping glory.
Local Legislator’s continue dealing with the Great Recession. Around the Valley meetings are in full swing after a wet three day weekend:
Pizzaro also lets us know that when we see him out and about this week he won’t be covering local stories, he’s taking a one-week furlough imposed by the Merc. because times are tough.
Watch Dog Weather Report: You might be thinking, as you slog through rising puddles, that all threats of drought imposed sanctions are over. Not so fast. So far this season we’ve received about 8 inches, according to Santa Clara Water District spokesperson Susan Siravo, "This doesn't get us out of the woods yet. We need eight inches plus of rain [more] to get us to where we need to be." Let's hope that those 8 inches don't all fall today...
In spite of the wet weather, San Jose’s rare peregrine falcon’s have returned to City Hall. Clara and Carlos will again be on the City’s webcam giving you the opportunity to be a 24-7 voyeur. The Merc notes that anyone interested in helping to support the San Jose City Hall falcons and the work of the Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group may do so by making tax deductible donations by check or online.
The Morgan Hill City Council is considering a 2% utility hike to help ease their budget woes. Measure G on last year's ballot failed miserably. Councilmember Marby Lee said of the failure, "I think part of it may be the public didn't trust us to use the money for what we said it would go for." Y'think? This week council will consider a June or November ballot measure.
Hoping to drag an East Bay sports team South, Morgan Hill property/business owner Julie Borina Driscoll sent letters to the Board of Supervisors and the Oakland Raiders urging them to consider Morgan Hill as their new home. Supervisor Don Gage suggested that Morgan Hill might not be the best solution and offered that conversion of (County owned) Hellyer Park in South San Jose is a better idea. Morgan Hill Councilmember Greg Sellers said having the Oakland A’s in Morgan Hill would be a “dream come true” but wondered about the fiscal impacts saying, "If it would cost the community money, I don't think it would be appropriate right now." Especially given the proposed 2% utility tax hike being considered...
Nearly 35 years ago Gilroy was embroiled in “Sewergate” after news broke that City Administrator Jay Baksa’s predecessor and other top-level employees had orchestrated and covered up sewage dumping into a local creek after two years of heavy rain overwhelmed the system. The State imposed a building moratorium on Gilroy. This year, the Morgan Hill/Gilroy South County Regional Wastewater Authority received the Plant of the Year Award from the California Water Environment Association. Gilroy’s Public Information Officer Joe Kline reports Gilroy is now poised to grow. He didn't say, "We need more outlets...a lot more outlets..."
The Merc.’s Editorial Board is calling for San Jose Police Department to release reports on drunk arrests, no doubt making the Drunk Task Force, Councilmember Nora Campos, and the ACLU very happy. While at the same time, making this guy very nervous...Watch Dog has been covering the ever tipsy story on skyrocketing arrests of Latinos in San Jose here, here, and here.
San Jose/Santa Maria Legislator Senator Abel Maldonado is enjoying his time in the catbird seat and issued a list of demands in exchange for his Republican vote on the State budget proposal. Maldonado’s list includes eliminating partisan primaries, stopping Legislator paychecks (when the budget is overdue), and refusing raises when the State runs a deficit. Colleague/San Jose Senator Elaine Alquist has released a list of projects in Santa Clara County that will be affected if the Governor keeps his promise to stop funding if there’s budget agreement today. No wonder Coto couldn't stand to watch this rerun...Maldando will cave and be a big hero...
Santa Clara County Supervisor Ken Yeager thinks the County may have too many cars in its garage and has started an audit saying, "I was concerned that the County was purchasing a lot of automobiles, and I wanted to make sure everyone who is assigned a car needs one." High time too. It’s been nearly three decades since an audit was done of County vehicles. There are currently 144 county employees who have “take-home” cars, including Yeager’s colleague Supervisor Don Gage. I guess a 12-year job at over $100k isn't enough for Gage, he wanted the car too...
At least Supervisor Gage drives his County car...According to an informal survey by the Merc’s Mr. Roadshow Gary Richards, Gage drives solo from Gilroy to San Jose in a GMC SUV but takes light rail from County offices to events in downtown San Jose. Gage must have worried when he received the call from Mr. Roadshow as he said, "Please be nice to me. I am responsible for many key transportation projects completed under budget and ahead of schedule in South County." Check out the story to see how other local leaders get to work...
The Amgen Tour of California will zip through town today as cyclists race out of San Jose on their way to the Central Valley amidst buckets of rain. Cyclist/cancer survivor Lance Armstrong tweeted a request to move the race to April, had a bike stolen, and crashed with a photography motorcycle. The Merc’s Ann Killion covers the race in all its dripping glory.
Local Legislator’s continue dealing with the Great Recession. Around the Valley meetings are in full swing after a wet three day weekend:
- Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors will get a report from Acting County Executive Gary Graves with an update on the budget, including staffing impacts and year-end projections for the general fund. This won't be good...
- Santa Clara Valley Water District hears from staff regarding water supply and possible drought restrictions. Ironic, since it has been an incredibly wet week...
- San Jose’s City Council will look at budget corrections, changes to an arts stabilization fund, and new fees for parking violations. Now in real person speak: "corrections" mean things aren't going well, "changes" mean there isn't enough money to stabilize the arts, and "new fees" mean hold on to your wallets...
- Santa Clara's City Council will discuss a grant for police equipment...
- Sunnyvale’s Council considers changes to their sign code...
- The every-entertaining Alum Rock School District Trustees are still talking about lawyers, as in, who to keep/fire/hire.
- Campbell Union School District looks at their strategic plan, facility needs, and talks contracts with the teachers. Again, in real person speak: discussing contracts means the contracts are going to get contracted...
- Cupertino Union School District Trustees meet with the Cupertino Educational Endowment Foundation Board to discuss instructional technology, the budget, and the parcel tax...
- Los Altos School District looks at the parent survey results and hears about proposed budget cuts.
Pizzaro also lets us know that when we see him out and about this week he won’t be covering local stories, he’s taking a one-week furlough imposed by the Merc. because times are tough.
Watch Dog Weather Report: You might be thinking, as you slog through rising puddles, that all threats of drought imposed sanctions are over. Not so fast. So far this season we’ve received about 8 inches, according to Santa Clara Water District spokesperson Susan Siravo, "This doesn't get us out of the woods yet. We need eight inches plus of rain [more] to get us to where we need to be." Let's hope that those 8 inches don't all fall today...
In spite of the wet weather, San Jose’s rare peregrine falcon’s have returned to City Hall. Clara and Carlos will again be on the City’s webcam giving you the opportunity to be a 24-7 voyeur. The Merc notes that anyone interested in helping to support the San Jose City Hall falcons and the work of the Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group may do so by making tax deductible donations by check or online.
The Morgan Hill City Council is considering a 2% utility hike to help ease their budget woes. Measure G on last year's ballot failed miserably. Councilmember Marby Lee said of the failure, "I think part of it may be the public didn't trust us to use the money for what we said it would go for." Y'think? This week council will consider a June or November ballot measure.
Hoping to drag an East Bay sports team South, Morgan Hill property/business owner Julie Borina Driscoll sent letters to the Board of Supervisors and the Oakland Raiders urging them to consider Morgan Hill as their new home. Supervisor Don Gage suggested that Morgan Hill might not be the best solution and offered that conversion of (County owned) Hellyer Park in South San Jose is a better idea. Morgan Hill Councilmember Greg Sellers said having the Oakland A’s in Morgan Hill would be a “dream come true” but wondered about the fiscal impacts saying, "If it would cost the community money, I don't think it would be appropriate right now." Especially given the proposed 2% utility tax hike being considered...
Nearly 35 years ago Gilroy was embroiled in “Sewergate” after news broke that City Administrator Jay Baksa’s predecessor and other top-level employees had orchestrated and covered up sewage dumping into a local creek after two years of heavy rain overwhelmed the system. The State imposed a building moratorium on Gilroy. This year, the Morgan Hill/Gilroy South County Regional Wastewater Authority received the Plant of the Year Award from the California Water Environment Association. Gilroy’s Public Information Officer Joe Kline reports Gilroy is now poised to grow. He didn't say, "We need more outlets...a lot more outlets..."
Monday, February 16, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 2.16.09: Where's Maldo? Edition...
"Where's Maldo?! Where's Maldo?!" -- this was the anxious question overheard at the Governor’s Sunday breakfast. The Governor’s aide was referring to Silicon Valley (and Central Coast) State Senator Abel Maldonado who was giving noncommittal comments about support for a proposed solution to the budget disaster. Maldonado, whose District includes Saratoga and Santa Maria (and a long, thin strip of coast in between) first stubbornly held to the Republican stance – no new taxes. By Sunday Maldonado was “open” to finding a solution to the budget crisis. For those FOA (Friends of Abel) and FOA (Foes of Abel), you'll remember that he was the lone Republican to vote for the budget in 2007 -- firmly entrenching himself as a go-to Republican vote when things get tough for the Governor.
Supervisor George Shirakawa, Jr. is not supporting embattled San Jose Councilmember Madison Nguyen in her recall election. Nor is he supporting the recall. Unbelievably, Shirakawa's spokesperson Andrea Flores Shelton says “he remains neutral.” In politics, Watch Dog will note, sometimes "neutral" doesn't really cut it. In this case, you are either supporting Councilmember Nguyen (anti-recall) or you are not (pro-recall). Neutral (and Shirakawa) fall into the pro-recall camp here. Perhaps that's why Nguyen seemed a little baffled saying she’d spoken with Shirakawa throughout his campaign for Supervisor and that "His name has been on our web site for six months or so, and nobody called us before to tell us to take it off." Shirakawa's name is off of Nguyen's site now, but some interesting folks are on it...like Willie Brown and Supervisor (?) Blanca Alvarado...
The Merc.’s Internal Affairs reports the flurry of campaign websites and finance accounts being launched for former eBay chief/Gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman opened by folks not on the Whitman team. Tom Hall, who bought the sites said he would have given them to her if she’d asked and said he’d done it because “…it was kind of funny.” Perhaps Whitman would be willing to bid for the domains?...
Also from the Merc.’s Internal Affairs, Congressman Mike Honda could be (?) considering a run for Mayor against San Jose’s incumbent Mayor Reed. "Rep. Honda has been urged to run and is honored by the support...his plan is to stay in Congress..." said Honda's spokeman however...Councilmember Nora Campos is also being named as possible opponent to Reed (or a replacement for Assemblymember Joe Coto.) Coto has already stated his intention to run for termed out Senator Elaine Alquist’s seat in 2012, but the Metro had a recent piece that also has Coto considering a run against Reed...Watch Dog predicts nobody runs against the Mayor, Campos will run for Coto's seat, and Coto will run for Alquist's seat. We know we aren't breaking any new ground with those predictions -- but we think there is more noise than action in the anti-Reed camp.
And speaking of Assemblymember Joe Coto. What kind of leadership can we expect from him during his run for State Senate? Well, he was caught napping (check out the photo) following extended hours at the State Capitol trying to wrap up the budget crisis. Speaker Bass had the Sergeants-at-Arms confiscate car keys to prevent sleepy Legislators from escaping. Apparently this is how the largest State in the Union is supposed to operate...
San Jose Councilmembers Pete Constant and Pierluigi Oliverio are hoping to take tobacco settlement money away from non-profits (that, in part, help stop kids from smoking) to pay for the City’s crossing guards over the next three years. Oliverio suggested, "...we could have a crossing guard with a vest that says: 'Don't Smoke!'" Margo Leathers Sidener, President of Breathe California of the Bay Area, said, "The purpose [of the settlement] was to reduce the damage and burden on our communities that tobacco brings and prevent that from happening in future," and is distressed that the Councilmembers are hoping to skirt the spirit of the settlement agreement. She also (apparently) doesn't think Oliverio's beard is as funny as everyone else does...
We wrote last week about a Morgan Hill school official looking to a higher power for funding help...Well, it looks like Morgan Hill Unified Deputy Superintendent Bonnie Tognazzini heard from her higher power as Legislators propose giving schools a five year waiver allowing them to decide whether to pay for summer school or sports, adult education or assisting gifted students. Essentially, allowing local school districts to spend their money how they want and need. . A good idea from Sacramento? Say it ain't so.
Palo Alto Unified's Superintendent Kevin Skelly is feeling the pain for saying some kids (African-American/Latino) can’t compete with other kids (white/Asian). Merc. columnist Patty Fisher gave him a sympathetic hearing over the weekend saying, “I fear, however, that in his effort to mend fences and keep his job, he has abandoned the straight talk and joined the feel-good chorus.” Skelly apologized saying "As I have listened, reflected, and learned, I can understand why people would feel this way. And I am sorry that I gave this impression. We are committed to excellence for all our students, no matter their background." This issue has started a big debate on the Palo Alto Weekly's comment's page...(but not as big as this issue did...)
Sunnyvale Councilmember/Attorney/Naval Officer/Super Hero(?) Otto Lee is in the news again. This time for a patent infringement case (from a few years ago) in a Philadelphia Federal court. The normally mild-mannered and cheerful Lee was referred to as arrogant when he testified on behalf of the defendants stating a "cease and desist" letter was an "eat s--- and die" letter. Too bad Lee doesn't use that language at Sunnyvale City Council meetings -- they would be a lot more exciting...
Cupertino Planning Commissioner Lisa Geifer found out from a Merc. story on Thursday that City Councilmembers Mark Santoro and Gilbert Wong wanted her dismissed for “insubordination.” Wong and Santoro moved the Council meeting to a different building, away from the cameras which normally record meetings, to discuss Geifer's removal. One small problem for Wong and Santoro, they were in violation of State's open meeting laws. Mayor Orrin Mahoney said the incident was “not our finest hour” and Councilmember/VTA Board President Dolly Sandoval called it an injustice. Santoro said, "[Geifer] basically refused to do what the Council had asked and chose to do something else instead." Geifer didn't respond saying, "I am sending Santoro an 'eat s--- and die' letter..."
Mountain View officials are considering charging sports leagues and others for using Mountain View's fields. Community Services Director David A. Muela is proposing fees of $1/hour for the use of City playing fields and projects the City could collect $20,000 annually. Muela originally wanted a $2/hour fee but the Parks and Recreation Commission cut that to $1 with Commissioner Gary Griffith opposed and saying "these programs are the hardest hit for our youth."
The teenager rushed to Valley Medical Center on Thursday after being exposed to toxic fumes died Friday. (Remember, this caused VMC to be shut down for a while with a toxic smell...) Police are still trying to figure out why he had open containers of hydrogen sulfide in his room. This is pretty nasty stuff, according to Wikipedia.
And we finally learn the results of the much-anticipated Mission City Lantern survey about banning plastic bags. James says that his readers oppose it 2 to 1. Watch Dog guesses that is not a statistical analysis, but rather, three people voted and the vote was 2 to 1. (Sorry James, we couldn't resist...)
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 2.12.09: The electric car hum you hear is Tesla (officially?) leaving town...
Well, there was a good news/bad news Tesla story yesterday which we wrote and commented on. The good news is that the San Carlos-based electric car manufacturer is getting a huge $350 Federal loan to build a manufacturing facility. The bad news is that in early February the New Mexico Business Weekly reported that the company was in "late stage" negotiations to move the (previously slated for San Jose) manufacturing plant there...
San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed is probably not distressed at the unwanted back-to-back cross-country flights to D.C. after all. While there with 5 other California Mayors he saw the Senate and House approve the $789 billion stimulus plan. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer promised the bill would be friendly to urban areas and get some highway funding immediately in the works. Reed said, "We'll all be coming back on the parochial stuff." Don't sound so excited about it Mayor Reed...(Reed + Stimulus = Strange Bedfellows in a Sentence)
San Jose Inside/Metro’s Fly was there (or at least a former reporter was) to see SF Mayor/Gubernatorial hopeful Gavin Newsom’s introduction by Mayor Chuck Reed before Reed dashed off to D.C. (for a photo op?) The Chronicle got in on the Newsom/San Jose action too...
San Jose Councilmember Rose Herrera apparently got cold feet on the Constant-Oliverio bandwagon and yesterday suggested the tobacco money/crossing guard discussion could wait for the larger budget discussion. Again missing a quorum, the Rules Committee (Pete Constant) was unable to push the item forward to Council.
Archbishop Mitty High’s Assistant Soccer Coach/Santa Clara Sporting Coach Ricardo Sanchez, Jr. is accused of molesting two young teenage girls during his volunteer days. Mitty Principal Tim Brosnan put Sanchez on administrative leave (and let parents know after the Merc. published a story). Santa Clara Police Lt. Phil Cooke asks anyone with info to call (408) 615-4826 and notes they are also looking for additional victims.
There will be one less Deputy District Attorney to prosecute the Coach, however. That's because Judge Pat McElroy with the State Bar wants Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Ben Field stripped of his right to practice law for 4 years saying Field "abused his prosecutorial power,'' in his unethical approach to putting sexual predators behind bars. District Attorney Dolores Carr wants to read the 67 page ruling before talking about the case. Field was putting away some pretty horrible people...he just couldn't the rules apparently.
And...
Gilroy Magazine founder Sunny Pappu Kavil was facing charges of child molestation, assault, and sexual battery before Monterey County DA Glenn Pesenhofer said there wasn’t enough evidence. Kavil’s Bishop, Ben Griffin, helped ensure Kavil was innocent saying, "I have interviewed (Kavil) for his honesty, keeping the Ten Commandments and I can swear that he can be trusted for what he says.” Because the Church does such a good job of preventing sexual assault.
Between Santa Clara County’s (sometimes) overzealous prosecution of sex offenders and Monterey’s lack of prosecution, it would appear victims may need to videotape their rapists to see them behind bars.
The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board declared 26 areas “trash-impaired” and in violation of the federal Clean Water Act. Last year, volunteers pulled 125 tons of garbage out of local creeks, including 15,000 plastic bags. David Lewis with Save the Bay said "… actions have not been taken to reduce the trash, so there have to be tougher regulations." San Jose Environmental Services Deputy Director, Melody Tovar, said "We recognize that trash in our creeks is a significant and complex problem. And we understand that it affects the vibrancy of our City's creeks. But we're concerned about the expense." So, save your town some money – pick it up and make sure it gets to the recycle or garbage bin. No word from the American Chemistry Council's local lobbyist...
San Jose Police are back in the news with another Taser death. A man in his 20’s died yesterday after having been Tasered when officers were trying to take him into custody. This isn’t the first Taser-related death in San Jose and it’s likely to add to the mounting legal costs of this non-lethal (?) tool. Officer Enrique Garcia said the man, who was in an Eastside backyard, “resisted and got into a violent struggle with our officers.”
The Merc.’s Editorial Board says San Jose Councilmember Madison Nguyen behaved foolishly during the Little Saigon uproar but that is not enough reason to recall her. The Merc. wants you to vote no on the recall calling it an act of vengeance and suggests a healthy challenge in next year’s election would be the grown-up response. Unforunately, grown-up responses haven't been the norm in this fiasco...
San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed is probably not distressed at the unwanted back-to-back cross-country flights to D.C. after all. While there with 5 other California Mayors he saw the Senate and House approve the $789 billion stimulus plan. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer promised the bill would be friendly to urban areas and get some highway funding immediately in the works. Reed said, "We'll all be coming back on the parochial stuff." Don't sound so excited about it Mayor Reed...(Reed + Stimulus = Strange Bedfellows in a Sentence)
San Jose Inside/Metro’s Fly was there (or at least a former reporter was) to see SF Mayor/Gubernatorial hopeful Gavin Newsom’s introduction by Mayor Chuck Reed before Reed dashed off to D.C. (for a photo op?) The Chronicle got in on the Newsom/San Jose action too...
San Jose Councilmember Rose Herrera apparently got cold feet on the Constant-Oliverio bandwagon and yesterday suggested the tobacco money/crossing guard discussion could wait for the larger budget discussion. Again missing a quorum, the Rules Committee (Pete Constant) was unable to push the item forward to Council.
Archbishop Mitty High’s Assistant Soccer Coach/Santa Clara Sporting Coach Ricardo Sanchez, Jr. is accused of molesting two young teenage girls during his volunteer days. Mitty Principal Tim Brosnan put Sanchez on administrative leave (and let parents know after the Merc. published a story). Santa Clara Police Lt. Phil Cooke asks anyone with info to call (408) 615-4826 and notes they are also looking for additional victims.
There will be one less Deputy District Attorney to prosecute the Coach, however. That's because Judge Pat McElroy with the State Bar wants Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Ben Field stripped of his right to practice law for 4 years saying Field "abused his prosecutorial power,'' in his unethical approach to putting sexual predators behind bars. District Attorney Dolores Carr wants to read the 67 page ruling before talking about the case. Field was putting away some pretty horrible people...he just couldn't the rules apparently.
And...
Gilroy Magazine founder Sunny Pappu Kavil was facing charges of child molestation, assault, and sexual battery before Monterey County DA Glenn Pesenhofer said there wasn’t enough evidence. Kavil’s Bishop, Ben Griffin, helped ensure Kavil was innocent saying, "I have interviewed (Kavil) for his honesty, keeping the Ten Commandments and I can swear that he can be trusted for what he says.” Because the Church does such a good job of preventing sexual assault.
Between Santa Clara County’s (sometimes) overzealous prosecution of sex offenders and Monterey’s lack of prosecution, it would appear victims may need to videotape their rapists to see them behind bars.
The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board declared 26 areas “trash-impaired” and in violation of the federal Clean Water Act. Last year, volunteers pulled 125 tons of garbage out of local creeks, including 15,000 plastic bags. David Lewis with Save the Bay said "… actions have not been taken to reduce the trash, so there have to be tougher regulations." San Jose Environmental Services Deputy Director, Melody Tovar, said "We recognize that trash in our creeks is a significant and complex problem. And we understand that it affects the vibrancy of our City's creeks. But we're concerned about the expense." So, save your town some money – pick it up and make sure it gets to the recycle or garbage bin. No word from the American Chemistry Council's local lobbyist...
San Jose Police are back in the news with another Taser death. A man in his 20’s died yesterday after having been Tasered when officers were trying to take him into custody. This isn’t the first Taser-related death in San Jose and it’s likely to add to the mounting legal costs of this non-lethal (?) tool. Officer Enrique Garcia said the man, who was in an Eastside backyard, “resisted and got into a violent struggle with our officers.”
The Merc.’s Editorial Board says San Jose Councilmember Madison Nguyen behaved foolishly during the Little Saigon uproar but that is not enough reason to recall her. The Merc. wants you to vote no on the recall calling it an act of vengeance and suggests a healthy challenge in next year’s election would be the grown-up response. Unforunately, grown-up responses haven't been the norm in this fiasco...
Friday, January 23, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 1.23.09: The NUMMI A's?
There is an update today on the Councilmember Madison Nguyen recall election. The story focused primarily on Nguyen and her efforts to stay in office -- raising lots of money, walking precincts, making phone calls, putting up signs, etc., etc., etc. One thing worries Watch Dog: she has underestimated the pro-Recall folks a number of times during this long nightmare. She underestimated how strongly people felt about Little Saigon initially. She didn't think the Little Saigon folks would get enough signatures on the ballot for a recall. In a recent Metro article, she admitted as much, saying, "I never thought it would get to this point..." In today's story, she may be making the same mistake saying, "I don't see anyone walking precincts for the other side...I don't see signs." Please, please, please Madison -- don't think that no signs and no precinct walkers on the other side mean you are going to skate through this. The Recall Madison folks have raised over $100,000. That is a huge sum of money and they are waiting to spend it...
Meanwhile, San Jose Revealed takes a shot at the folks who are building Vietnam Town and provide some context to those developers and Madison's recall...
The airport is building a cool new facility...but that's just about the only good news coming out the place. Airlines are cutting back...and apparently the airport wants to join in the fun by cutting staff. That means that when the new place opens up, there may be no planes and dirty bathrooms...
A serial bank robber struck in Saratoga on Inauguration Day. The robber is suspected of robbing 8 other banks in the Bay Area...he is described as a white guy, 5'9" to 6', 200 pounds, with gray hair -- which narrows down the search to just about every dude in Saratoga...
Oh no. Fremont's NUMMI manufacturing plant will stop giving tours in February. The actual manufacturing at NUMMI has already slowed down...but could the halting of public tours signal the beginning of the end for NUMMI? And if that is the case, are the A's licking their chops at that enormous piece of land?
State Senator Joe Simitian thinks the State budget crisis might be close to an end...according to his interview with the Palo Alto Weekly...don't bet on it...have you ever known the folks in Sacramento to do something on a timeline that is predictable?
We know that the Community Hospital of Los Gatos is closing in April as Tenet hastily leaves town. What we didn't know, until now, is when the new folks, El Camino Hospital of Mountain View, were going to re-open. It looks like it may be a while, perhaps until Fall, to get things up and running again.
Pete Campbell at San Jose Inside has a closer look at the Convention Center expansion idea. His best line about the expansion plans: "...the City of San Jose places itself in the tenuous position of placing a big, three-layered bet that the economy will recover, trade and convention shows will continue at healthy pace, and the bookings lost during 2009-2012 will return to San Jose..."
The Morgan Hill City Council will meet this weekend to discuss 2009 goals and review 2008 accomplishments. They will also meet in a joint session with the Gilroy City Council. If you think this sounds like garlic-infused fun, they head out Saturday morning to the El Toro Room at the Community and Cultural Center on Monterey Road. Please be sure to bring your own ideas and your own ephedrine, because Watch Dog will not share...
Meanwhile, San Jose Revealed takes a shot at the folks who are building Vietnam Town and provide some context to those developers and Madison's recall...
The airport is building a cool new facility...but that's just about the only good news coming out the place. Airlines are cutting back...and apparently the airport wants to join in the fun by cutting staff. That means that when the new place opens up, there may be no planes and dirty bathrooms...
A serial bank robber struck in Saratoga on Inauguration Day. The robber is suspected of robbing 8 other banks in the Bay Area...he is described as a white guy, 5'9" to 6', 200 pounds, with gray hair -- which narrows down the search to just about every dude in Saratoga...
Oh no. Fremont's NUMMI manufacturing plant will stop giving tours in February. The actual manufacturing at NUMMI has already slowed down...but could the halting of public tours signal the beginning of the end for NUMMI? And if that is the case, are the A's licking their chops at that enormous piece of land?
State Senator Joe Simitian thinks the State budget crisis might be close to an end...according to his interview with the Palo Alto Weekly...don't bet on it...have you ever known the folks in Sacramento to do something on a timeline that is predictable?
We know that the Community Hospital of Los Gatos is closing in April as Tenet hastily leaves town. What we didn't know, until now, is when the new folks, El Camino Hospital of Mountain View, were going to re-open. It looks like it may be a while, perhaps until Fall, to get things up and running again.
Pete Campbell at San Jose Inside has a closer look at the Convention Center expansion idea. His best line about the expansion plans: "...the City of San Jose places itself in the tenuous position of placing a big, three-layered bet that the economy will recover, trade and convention shows will continue at healthy pace, and the bookings lost during 2009-2012 will return to San Jose..."
The Morgan Hill City Council will meet this weekend to discuss 2009 goals and review 2008 accomplishments. They will also meet in a joint session with the Gilroy City Council. If you think this sounds like garlic-infused fun, they head out Saturday morning to the El Toro Room at the Community and Cultural Center on Monterey Road. Please be sure to bring your own ideas and your own ephedrine, because Watch Dog will not share...
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