Morning News Round-Up -- 3.12.09: More Former Mayors in the News...

Baseball is back in the news…Mayor Chuck Reed and Company settled on an April 7 public meeting about bringing the A’s to San Jose. The decision followed input from the A's to San Jose Study Group Co-Chair Michael Mulcahy...and residents for and against a little springtime action. Metro’s Erin Sherbert weighs in on the growing excitement about the A’s. So does the Baseball San Jose blog...

The Merc’s Scott Herhold dedicates his space to musings over the Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins/Cindy Chavez shuffle at the South Bay Labor Council -- the impact to the Labor movement, to City Hall, and to local politics overall. (Herhold also mentions another Former Mayor in his piece...bringing the week's total of San Jose's Former Mayors mentioned on Watch Dog to 2, Former Mayoral Candidates remain at 3, and Current Mayors at 1.)

San Jose Inside/Metro’s Fly has been cruising Facebook (again) and found San Jose Councilmember Pete Constant's Chief of Staff, Jim Cogan, once again expressing an opinion in opposition to his boss. High on the list of all time best lines, Fly accuses Cogan of “performing rhetorical backflips” to explain his support of an anti-Internet filter group ‘Books Not Filters’. (There is no truth to the rumor that Constant is searching for his ball gag for Jim...)

San Jose Inside blogger/Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio blogs that those who “choose to live outside” (i.e., homeless) are here because San Jose is unable to put a border around itself. Tough talk for a guy with a guaranteed job…

The Merc’s Editorial Board puzzles over the "layoffs" at San Jose’s City Hall. Expect a loud (obvious) response from San Jose Revealed...

The San Jose Medical Center closed its doors in 2004, with neighbors in an uproar over the loss of a downtown hospital. The Merc’s Editorial Board lends its support to a Gardner Family Health Network urgent care facility to replace at least some of the medical services for San Jose’s growing downtown. A few obstacles lay in the path of making this real – most notably the former SJMC owner HCA who is not likely to support a competitor. (HCA also runs/owns Regional Medical Center...)

San Jose’s Elections Commission is irritated by the anonymity of a complaint against former Mayor/lobbyist Tom McEnery. (Former Mayor count is now at 3 for the week...) Chairman Fred de Funiak is irked that Commission rules allow for anonymous sources but is unwilling to change those rules in the middle of the McEnery complaint. Attorney James McManis points out the complaint is based on public information...

McManis is busy these days...

James McManis is pleased to see the end of the decade long gambling lawsuit. His client, Bay 101 and San Jose’s other gambling paradise, Garden City, will be able to remain open 24 hours. Gamblers must, however take a mandatory 4 hour bet-free break. One wonders exactly how that will be enforced…

San Jose Revealed uncovers the insecurities that San Jose struggles with: does anyone know the way to San Jose, does anyone really care? Revealed poses questions about San Jose’s political relevance both State- and nation-wide while wondering when San Jose Mayors will get press for something other than being a stiff, a philanderer, a criminal, or all three.

Saratoga Mayor Chuck Page calls it a victory in the making. The Council has asked staff to examine Saratoga's permitting process with an eye towards decreasing the number of eyes that have to review. Will Saratoga NIMBYs still be allowed to oppose permits?

Warning to anyone living near a Caltrain line: an improvement project will be keeping you up at night, at least temporarily. Eventually the rail grinding project will decrease the noise but for now anyone hoping to sleep between 10 pm and 4:30 am better get earplugs.

A suspicious package in Palo Alto down the street from a Jewish day school caused the school's evacuation. The make-shift package was made to look like a bomb and carried with it a menacing note...That is a scary story...

So is this...Sunnyvale as beach front property? The Pacific Institute has released a report identifying Alviso, along with hazardous dump sites, power plants, sewer plants, and communities around the Bay as being in danger as sea levels rise. Jim Wunderman, CEO of the Bay Area Council, recommends moving at high speed to resolve the problem. (Watch Dog San Mateo laments the possible loss of a blog-buddy during the rising tides...)

The City of Palo Alto and Stanford University don't always get along. Although neighbors and inextricably linked, land-use and taxes and traffic and housing cause all kinds of disputes. Take the proposed new hospital Stanford would like to build. Palo Alto is concerned about the impacts to roads, housing, etc. The City of Palo Alto and Stanford officials are set to meet to discuss the hospital and other Stanford-expansion projects in 3 days...in a thinly-veiled move to make the hospital look better to residents (and perhaps to the Palo Alto City Council as well) -- Stanford released a report yesterday pointing out that the hospital expansion would add $18 million in revenue to the City of Palo Alto...

Morning News Round-Up – 1.12.09: Manny Diaz for Secretary of Commerce?

Watch Dog San Mateo was way ahead of the City of San Jose in sniffing out recycling pilferers...But San Jose wants you on the hunt as well. San Jose leaders plan to stop would-be thieves from stealing recycling/money from the pros by asking you to turn in scavengers. Add this to your list of things the City wants you to patrol for. The list now includes watching to see if your neighbors are lighting a winter fire or an any other way are violating City codes. Perhaps we should all ask Mayor for a pay increase. Or at least a bonus to our pensions...

East Side Union High School District appointed Eddie Garcia for his second (unelected) stint on the Board. This is not a surprise -- it was a done deal a long time ago. What is surprising is the appointment was unanimously supported. Trustee Frank Biehl had originally supported Barbara Boone but gave in when three of his colleagues indicated support for Garcia. (Frank Biehl...a profile in courage...) Garcia faces yet another election in 2010, if he loses that one who will be there to get him re-appointed? Don't worry about Mr. Garcia though, he has landed a plum job as Supervisor George Shirakawa's Chief of Staff at the County. (Care to guess what a Chief of Staff at the County makes?) So, Garcia has Shirakawa to thank for this paycheck and his unelected political office -- the George and Eddie Show continues...

San Jose’s City Council will discuss a dollar for dollar match of Redevelopment funds with money from area hotels hoping to cash in on an expansive new convention center. With a little luck, the famously ugly blue tent will disappear along with the old library. The first City Council meeting of the year will also welcome newcomers Ash Kalra and Rose Herrera. Planning Commission Chair Jim Zito says of his former colleague "[Kalra] was well-informed, diligent, and did his research well." Zito's nice words about Kalra come in pretty stark contrast to the stories about Herrera in the past few weeks: first she hires then fires a staffer, then she puts the (apparent) kibosh on her former opponent's dream of becoming a Planning Commissioner...it sounds like she'll fit in fine on the 18th floor...

The Merc’s Internal Affairs heard from former Congressman Tom Campbell – coming clean to say, yep, he’s considering a run for the Guv’s seat. His two biggest challengers right now for the Republican nomination include eBay's Meg Whitman and Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner – along with their giant pocketbooks. Just some inside baseball stuff -- Meg Whitman leaked her possible run for Governor in an AP story that was covered State- and Nation-wide. Perhaps Campbell should think about a larger platform to make such announcements. Internal Affairs is widely read...but...

Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio may have been feeling a little saucy last week when he told the Merc. he would not be speaking with attorney James McManis about the McEnery as lobbyist saga and called the complaint a joke. McManis told the Merc.’s, “I don't think Pierluigi Whatever-his-name-is is serving the city by making cracks like that." McManis didn't go on to say, "...and his beard is weird..."

Internal Affairs also dishes on recommendations by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) of prominent Latinos to fill the Cabinet shoes of embarrassed New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson when he had to withdraw his bid to be Obama’s Commerce Secretary. Among the locals nominated by LULAC is Hector Ruiz, whose claim to fame having been fired after driving AMD into the ground. IA was also a little mystified to see "Manny Diaz" listed until they realized it wasn’t San Jose’s own on again/off again politician/lobbyist.

Santa Clara University is celebrating the success of alumni Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano and former Congressman Leon Panetta (a.k.a. Leo McGarry) as President-elect Obama taps them to head to D.C. with the administration.

The Merc.’s Patty Fisher jumps into the political tug-of-war over Moffett Field's Hangar One. The Navy says preservationists can keep it – after they strip it bare of walls leaving only a giant exoskeleton behind. The new landlord, NASA, sent Deputy Director Lewis Braxton a note to say that unless the hangar was in use-able condition, NASA didn’t want any part of it – and that restoration was part of the deal. The costs are dizzying with $30 million to tear away the old siding and possibly $15 million to get something else installed. If only there was someone who had local knowledge of the issue, held an elective office, and had a connection to the Navy...

Violence is erupting around San Jose. A hostage situation in Councilmember Judy Chirco’s District ended late Sunday night without injuries. In Councilmember Kansen Chu’s North San Jose District, two people were stabbed at a mobile home park. Perhaps downtown is the safest place to be...with the number of arrests and all...

Around Silicon Valley, elected officials shake off the last vestiges’ of the holidays and begin the New Year with a vengeance. San Jose’s City Council will review the $1 billion dollar losses in pension funds, attempt to correct chronic deficits, and review a cost-benefit analysis for the Convention Center. Sounds like fun... New Supervisors Dave Cortese and George Shirakawa, Jr. take their seats for the first time and Liz Kniss takes the helm as Board Chair.

Tenet Healthcare, which is operating Community Hospital, has given Los Gatos residents until April 10 to use the hospital and emergency room. After that, the doors close until the new owner, El Camino Hospital moves in June 1. The Town's Mayor Mike Wasserman said of the temporary closing, "My concern is that the residents of Los Gatos know what's going on and where to go in an emergency." The El Camino Hospital District Board will meet Wednesday to talk about the acquisition, and perhaps an early opening?

Proving it’s never too late to give bad news, the Morgan Hill Times reported yesterday the Salvation Army was burglarized nearly two weeks before Christmas losing bicycles, food, and toys intended for needy families. Really? You are running a story a month late?

Morning News Round-Up -- 11.16.09: Untrusted Trustees...

East Side Union High School District has a “line of troubles” and a “string of scandals” according to the Merc’s Editorial Board. They call on Trustees to do a national search for a “charismatic, ethical, reform-minded” Superintendent to replace their most recently disgraced leader. There’s also a hint of what incumbent Trustees 2010 election could look like with this Editorial pointing to the Board's own scandals. (Don't say we didn't warn everyone...)

Back in the news… Are kids committing adult crimes old enough to serve adult sentences? Santa Clara District Attorney Dolores Carr is staying out of the public eye while the Supreme Court weighs in on a case that could affect her chances to send teenagers to jail forever in the Halloween attack on children.

San Jose Police busted two teens, 15 and 16, for the murder of Santa Teresa High sophomore Michael Russell. While the names of the kids are kept under wraps, students and parents figured it out and scoured their MySpace pages looking for clues to the senseless attack.

The Merc’s Scott Herhold shines a light on pressing reader questions over the return of medical services to downtown San Jose. Herhold’s guess as to the biggest risk “a suburban-style clinic with parking and fence” could do in chances for “an intelligent urban mix of homes and shops,” with a medical clinic.

Patience is a virtue and it pays well. Cargill Salt dickered with the IRS for 6 years over how big a tax break they should receive for sale of the salt flats. Pesky environmentalists aside, Cargill walks away with a cool $100 million tax break.

The Merc’s Internal Affairs reports District Attorney Dolores Carr couldn’t help getting chummy with pal/ contributor/ attorney Jim McManis. In spite of the recent hot water Carr got in over her relationship with McManis, Carr was sharing cocktails with chum him. We wonder which one of McManis' clients are going to get a deal this week...

IA also notes the 2010 races are heating up as Gilroy Councilmember Peter Arellano jumps into the crowded pool of contenders for Supervisor Don Gage’s (termed out) seat.

IA has the hots for opposing San Jose City Council aspirants, Don Rocha and Jim Cogan. IA calls this a “swoon-inducing contest.” Watch Dog has to wonder how folks would respond to such language if the two candidates were women...

The final Environmental Impact Report for the (proposed) 49ers Santa Clara stadium popped up late Friday afternoon, just in time for a little light weekend reading. According to Assistant City Manager Ronald Garratt, traffic and parking were – of course – the big issues. Garrett suggests you need an actual game day to see if the planning worked.

San Jose Unified School Districts chief nurse Melinda Landau is heading to downtown San Jose with a basket of swine flu shots for kids. San Jose Unified is the only District shooting for mass inoculation. According to District Superintendent Don Igelesia’s District-wide inoculation is Landau’s “mission.”

Los Gatos molester Del Colegrove is heading to jail – until 2063. Busted for molesting a 16 year old, Colegrove was also accused of molesting the girl’s older sister 20 years ago.

Editors at the Mountain View Voice wonder if their City Council considered the conflicting message sent when they ok'ed a freeway accessible shopping mall at the same time setting aggressive goals for greenhouse gas reductions. The Voice suggests a shopping mall might be a better idea downtown with a park and housing on their new found land next to the Stevens Creek Trail.

Morning News Round-Up -- 12.7.09: A White Monday!

Mayor Patricia Mahan is confident colleagues on the Santa Clara City Council will “make it to the next big thing” by approving the 49er's Environmental Impact Report this week and move toward a June 2010 election. Planning Commission Chair Teresa O’Neill says there shouldn’t be a problem with the EIR, it’s only one of “five pieces (that) are missing.” The City of Santa Clara seems pretty good at closing the deal... not so much for the team.

The Merc’s Editorial Board points to foul-ups in an agreement with local Teamsters that left San Jose conventioneers dealing with Teamsters in San Jose and San Francisco. San Jose’s chief development officer, Paul Krutko, hopes the City Council will ask Team San Jose to “reconsider” the agreement and do better marketing to address negative publicity. San Jose Inside (via the Business Journal) reports the Mayor is ready to ditch convention expansion plans altogether...

The High-Speed Rail won’t be heading underground in San Jose, according to Rod Diridon. Willow Glen activist Jean Dresden wants to know why it’s so difficult, pointing out “BART is already underground.” Maybe San Jose should have joined NIMBY’s to the North in that pesky lawsuit.

An attorney representing one of the San Jose Police Officers involved in the Taser-happy arrest of San Jose State student Phuong Ho took time to share an opinion on Protect San Jose. Terry Bowman suggests Silicon Valley residents need to learn to “listen like kindergartners” to avoid being Tasered. Bowman says officers are ok being disliked but being ignored is another matter… Can you imagine the PR campaign from the Police Department letting folks know that they should listen to Police Officers like we are all kindergartners? That's not patronizing at all...

The Merc reports Campbell Mayor Evan Low isn’t Campbell’s youngest Mayor ever (Rusty Hammer holds that distinction), but he is the youngest Asian-American and youngest gay mayor, ever. Low laughs off critics worried he plans to “push the gay” agenda pointing out there isn’t “a gay pothole or a straight street sign.” Watch Dog still maintains that he is Silicon Valley's coolest mayor too...

Gilroy is mourning the loss of 15 year old Sarah Botill following her apparent death from alcohol poisoning. Botill and friends (apparently) smuggled vodka to drink at the home of (former) Gilroy Councilmember/ Supervisor Don Gage’s policy aide Roland Velasco. Gilroy has rules that try to prevent underage drinking with penalties for hosts and parents – Velasco championed those rules addressing loud parties. (Apparently) The rules don’t apply because this was not a loud party, just one where a kid died.

Things are heating up in Mountain View. Hundreds of people showed up to vote in the neighborhood association election of officers. Write-in candidates opposing redevelopment of Minton’s Hardware took 3 seats kicking off what should be an interesting/ongoing NIMBY debate.

The Merc’s Internal Affairs was funny this weekend...

• Santa Clara District Attorney Dolores Carr’s hubby hired Carr contributor/ buddy James McManis to represent him when the bank came calling with “sticky” questions over what pillow talk revealed about the Hosseini murder. Neither the Carrs nor McManis would dish to IA… shocker.
• (Former) East Side Union High School Superintendent Bob Nunez got a little love from teachers following his ouster. They also gave him an ironic gift of a coffee card...
• We learn that campaign managers for GOP gubernatorial wannabes Poizner/ Whitman stuff envelopes.

A hiker in Milpitas made a grisly discovery, a body in an abandoned vehicle.

Yes, it is likely you’ll see the white stuff, (real) snow that is, on the mountains to the East and West this morning.

Local government watchers will have to rack up the miles hopping between meetings this week. Thanks to the Merc for agenda-watching…

• San Jose’s City Council meets to consider use of force problems (?) and look at customer satisfaction measureables
• San Jose’s Elections Commission is all about the money when they look at adjusting the voluntary spending cap and pay-to-play restrictions.
• Among school districts… taxes are on the minds of Los Altos School District... Fremont Union High School District (even though they just lost a parcel tax election)... The Palo Alto Unified School District looks at April 6th for their parcel tax... and the Milpitas Unified School District also wants a parcel tax next year...
• Just to be different, Los Gatos Union School District hears what the public had to say about a possible bond measure.
• Not talking about taxes…The Santa Clara County Office of Education Board meets to consider a review of alternative education programs and improvements... The San Jose Unified School District elects new officers and certifies an interim budget report... District demographics are on tap for the Cupertino Union School District... The East Side Union High School District considers the paperwork to bring Don Moser on as interim Superintendent (without coffee privileges) and creation of a district election system for trustees... Alum Rock School District considers school closures... Officer elections are on tap at the Mountain View-Whisman School District... Santa Clara Unified School District considers flexibility on class-size reduction following the loss of their parcel tax... Enrollment is on the minds of Campbell Union School District Trustees as they consider school-site capacity.

This is fun: Congresswoman Eshoo opposes the Afghan troop surge. But don't worry, she is working on other important issues in DC -- like making sure your TV isn't too loud during the Snuggie commercials. Seriously.

Morning News Round-Up -- 12.15.09: Big night for the San(ta Clara) Francisco 49ers...

The San(ta Clara) Francisco 49ers kicked some serious Cardinals' ass last night. Seven Cardinals' turnovers helped San(ta Clara) Francisco's cause as well... We're not here, to start no trouble, we're just here to do the Santa Clara shuffle... (Mission City Lantern doesn't miss a beat...)

Speaking of new stadiums... the Chronicle's man in Oakland, Chip Johnson, does his best to boost Oakland Mayor Ron Dellum's plans to keep the A's in Oakland -- and not with out some needling of San Jose. Like this: "...the chances that Wolff and San Jose city officials will prevail in their attempts to move the team are slim..." Really? I suppose Chip Johnson and Ron Dellums are closer to Major League Baseball owners than Lew Wolff (a Major League Baseball owner). Johnson's piece also states the obvious -- that is may be too little too late -- when he writes: "...It's a complete turnabout for Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums who in early 2007, shortly after taking office, dismissed any notions that the team would remain..." So perhaps Lew Wolff's non-embrace of Oakland is because it comes three years too late...

The Merc Editorial Board gives an atta-boy to Mayor Chuck Reed for punting San Jose's Redevelopment budget talks to February until things can be ironed out on several fronts: the State's money grab, perhaps the Teamsters' thingy, and some other stuff too.

Scott Herhold provides some perspective on the death of teenager Sarah Botill in Gilroy from a night of drinking. Herhold concludes that this is no ordinary story because, "...She was the daughter of a firefighter. She died after drinking at the home of an ex-councilman. And she had a few swallows of beer that night at the home of a cop..." More details about the case from the news side of the house at the Merc and the Dispatch as well...

The Merc's Mr. Roadshow describes some details about the proposed BART-to-Silicon Valley line and how some traffic delays can already be tied to BART's eventual construction...

Speaking of trains... more and less. Apparently High-Speed Rail tickets might be a little bit more expensive than originally planned (and sold to voters) and the ridership numbers may be a little less. Oops... Watch Dog would still pay a pretty steep price to not have to fly into LAX ever again. It might be a good place to get a haircut, but it is a bad place to fly in to. It is safe to assume that the higher fees and lower ridership are not what 200 folks in Mountain View were most concerned about when they attended a High-Speed Rail meeting...

This week the Merc called Steve Poizner's Gubernatorial campaign "anemic" and then late yesterday a story posted that went further into detail about what the rumor-mill in Sacramento is churning out. Poizner may not spend the $15 million he is putting in for some time and all the money that is being put into the race by Whitman and Poizner may mean that San Jose's Tom Campbell is backing out of the race, to which Campbell's press secretary says: "People can talk and conjecture all they want, but there's no change..." Of course, Campbell's press secretary did confirm that supporters are encouraging Campbell to run for Senate instead... because nothing could go wrong with a Campbell Senate bid... (36.6%)

More bad news for the Santa Clara Unified School District and Wilcox High School. Just as the Broom Closet Modeling Agency flap has died down, the Santa Clara Police are forwarding to the District Attorney their findings of their investigation into whether the Wilcox High Principal knew a teacher was known for having sex with students before he was arrested for (you guessed it) having sex with a student... now the District Attorney Dolores Carr needs to review the findings and decide if she wants to take on a high-profile rape case... where have we seen this before? We can only hope two things in this case: 1. that Jim McManis isn't the defense attorney for the Principal, and 2. that the DA's husband isn't working for the victim's (victims'?) families in some way...

To light or not to light... that is the question (at the Ann Sobrato high School football field in Morgan Hill). One complication -- the football field is actually in San Jose ... and within the City's greenbelt. San Jose Councilmember Ash Kalra, who represents the part of San Jose that would be impacted had this to say: "I'd certainly be open to discussing it. I don't want to close any doors to the interest the community may have to try to find a way to make it happen. But under the current zoning, it just won't work." Oh well... perhaps there is a high school in Dillon that will share their Friday Night Lights...

They are going to pave "paradise" (Palo Alto Bowl) and put up a "parking lot" (for a new hotel and townhomes)...

San Jose Councilmember Pete Constant joins Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio this week on San Jose Inside talking about the City budget. San Jose's new blogging duet...

Morning News Round-Up -- 4.30.09: Candidate Campos Gets a Challenger...

Hot off the presses, Roy Avila KICU’s Community Affairs Representative, has tossed his hat in the ring to replace outgoing Assemblymember Joe Coto. Avila will be hosting a campaign kickoff meeting on Cinco de Mayo at the very un-Cinco de Mayo 180 Restaurant and Fondue Lounge in Los Gatos. Avila's first political mistake is having his kickoff event in Los Gatos, outside the Assembly District -- especially at a place like the 180 Lounge... this will be one party not to miss... No word yet from Councilmember Nora Campos... but perhaps she'll swivel her sites from bashing Mayor Reed to bashing Avila.

Unless you live under a rock, you know Swine Flu mania has hit the world. Santa Clara County’s Dr. Sara Cody declared a local state of emergency but is not ready to cancel the large May Day immigration march or shut down all schools. Health officials point out that while 150 people have died in Mexico and 1 in the US, the plain old flu kills 36,000 Americans annually. Santa Clara County now has 4 confirmed cases. Morgan Hill Councilmember Perry Woodward took off for Cabo San Lucas with his family before the CDC issued travel precautions, he reports Cabo remains a party scene. (An elected official admitting he is part of a "party scene" sounds pretty dumb...)

San Jose Insider Pete Campbell demands all San Jose’s Councilmembers dish on the closed door proceedings surrounding Chris Constantin’s brotherly love. Campbell receives support from another Insider, Silicon Valley De-Bug’s Raj Jayadev who posts a letter sent to City Attorney Rick Doyle asking for public records related to the Independent Police Auditor fiasco. Mayor Reed has to be happy the Swine Flu arrived.

The Merc’s Sal Pizzaro dishes that neither the economy nor the Swine Flu are stopping this weekend’s big festivals. The GI Forum’s Letetia Rodriquez said it’s the Forum’s duty to step up and host the 27th annual Cinco de Mayo festival at Discovery Meadow. This time without controversial City funds. Over at San Jose History Park the annual Greek Spring Festival Elliniki Protomayia will have you sipping ouzo and kicking up your heels.

San Jose’s Mayor Chuck Reed couldn’t have been happy to read the biotech firm AnaSpec was ditching San Jose to set up new, bigger, digs in Fremont. Anita Hong, AnaSpec’s President, called the new digs “functionally and aesthetically light-years beyond our San Jose facility.”

Santa Clara is the first in the County to say no to big box retail (yes, Wal-Mart, that means you). Vice Mayor Jamie Matthews called it a “moral imperative” and Rev. John Sullivan said “superstores make a race for the bottom.” The Building and Construction Trades Council’s Neil Struthers supported the ban saying big box stores were “predatory” retailers. Mayor Patricia Mahan and Councilmember Will Kennedy opposed the measure worried the ban would affect the City’s ability to draw new retailers.

Steve Jobs will have to wait to demolish the historic 14-bedroom home in Woodside. The Woodside Town Council (or COWncil) delayed their action on Tuesday night. The meeting was running late, and folks in Woodside need to get to bed early. Mark your calendars for May 13th...

The Palo Alto Planning Commission said no to a $50 million project on El Camino last night, even after the developers promised to save JJ&F Market.

The Merc’s Editorial Board declares the anonymous complaint filed against former Mayor/lobbyist Tom McEnery an abuse of power and a vendetta against a friend of current Mayor Chuck Reed. The Merc calls for changes to rules designed to protect whistle blowers declaring anyone rich enough to hire attorney James McManis free of fear of retaliation from McEnery. This will send Revealed to the moon...

The Merc and Los Altos Town Crier send recommendations for the May 19 special election... a lot of yeses and one no...

Dude… that pot was $10 million down the tubes. Santa Clara County Sheriff’s were destroying a “marijuana garden” when they stumbled across San Jose resident Othoniel Rivas Buelna. Buelna sits in the pokey on $1 million bail.

The Los Altos City Council held a last minute special meeting to approve a revised plan for housing. The revisions helped make sure Los Altos complied with State law, always a good thing. Though Councilmembers were wary about increasing height limits, City Manager James Walgreen clarified they only had to “consider” height limits – not actually do anything about them.

Campbell’s Planning Commission put off a “contentious” decision for a 24 hour service station mini-mart, again. Commissioner Bob Alderete urged colleagues to make sure they had all the details when the issue returns for a third time.

If you’ve been wondering what the heck road was being built over 280, let the wonderment cease. Mr. Roadshow shares the news that the iconic white flyway is for pedestrians and cyclists with the hope that as many as 265,000 will wave at the carbon spewing vehicles below annually. John Brazil, head of San Jose’s pedestrian program calls it a landmark and Cupertino’s public works director, Ralph Qualls, calls it spectacular.

It could have been your worst nightmare, school lunch ladies from 4 different school districts gathered to cook – and assigned a “mystery” ingredient to make the dish more intriguing. This was no nightmare, this was the Iron Chef cookoff for the women who put food on your kids plates – and not a man to be seen behind the stove. Franklin-McKinley’s Elvia Ho and her team took home the grand prize for a little N’Olean’s gumbo.

Santa Clara High is struggling with mixed feelings. School nurse Eileen Bowden saved the life of Coach John Rahbar after he collapsed during practice, then she collapsed and died before arriving at the Valley Medical Center.

NASA Ames has offered over 400 employees cash to ditch their jobs by the end of June. Can Watch Dog get in line...

San Jose Revealed landed safely in Los Angeles to take a potshot at Republican Steve Mullen who took the reins of the local GOP last year. Revealed pokes fun of Mullen’s credentials, a failed attempt at school board and volunteer treasurer for the failed assembly race of Virginia Chang Kiraly before pointing out his party counterpart received an award from the Dalai Lama.

Morning News Round-Up – 10.13.09:

Peninsula residents met with High-Speed Rail Authority experts to review the over/under/through options to move those 100 mph trains from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The anti-roller coaster requirement takes all the fun out of transitions between grades and is giving some residents headaches. You still have time for an “Alternative Analysis” meeting tonight in San Francisco. San Jose resident Larry Ames was pleased to see his curvy high-rise proposal on the chalk board…

Mountain View was planning for a rainy day when they bought up small bits of land and identified it as possible parklands. Their rainy day has arrived and those crusty old apartment buildings will soon make way for small parks and playgrounds along Mariposa and Del Medio Avenues.

Los Gatos’ Mayor Mike Wasserman finally ‘fessed up. Yes, he is running to replace Supervisor Don Gage. The Mayor announced he’s running on a cost-saving platform, after all, he is a tax preparer.

The Palo Alto Daily News has made their choice for City Council: Larry Klein, Corey Levens, Gail Price, Leon Leong and Dan Dykwel.

The Merc’s Editorial Board is fed up with the political wrangling preventing downtown San Jose from building a new urgent care center. “… each day of delay is a further shame” in the 5 years since San Jose’s downtown hospital was closed, according to the Merc and there’s no better time than the present to jump start replacement.

Paul “not a doormat” McCauley thought he was doing a favor when he moved a billboard sporting van for the owner of “Hassle Free Process Service.” The Merc’s Scott Herhold reports McCauley is the one facing the hassle and legal beagle Jim McManis stands to benefit from McCauley’s lapse in judgment.

Kudos to Voodoo Lounge owners David Powell and Tony Beers for pulling the plug on homophobic musicians Buju Banton, according to the Merc’s Sal Pizarro. Also tops on the Pizarro list of good, the InnVision homage to 007, complete with “shaken, not stirred.”

Protect San Jose sent props to MADD on passage of the breathalyzer ignition switch for first-time drunk drivers…

From previous San Jose Council meetings we know Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio’s thoughts run through the gutters (Library content filters anyone?), now we learn he’s dragged the rest of his body through the gutter during a sewer tour.

Palo Alto thieves made off with Gamble Gardens froggy and are politely asked to return both the frog and his lilypad says Executive Director Vanessa Roach.

As the first of the Winter storms hits, look forward to flooding and crashes on local roadways. Sounds like a good day for racking up some tele-commute time.

Gary “Mr. Roadshow” Richards dishes on good eats, police-style, for food-lovin’ road warriors. Best advice, look for those patrol cars in the parking lot when hitting your neighborhood eatery.

Morning News Round-Up – 1.9.09: Trustee (or trusty?) Garcia?

Before we begin with the Round-Up...does anyone know how the conversation went last night when Eddie Garcia was re-appointed to the East Side Union High School District Board? Just wondering...

It pays to receive a City pension in San Jose. Seems the pension system has been paying a bonus to retirees over the past few years, which doesn't seem to be a problem when the pension fund is exceeding expectations. But now the fund is losing money...so it's a bit different. Pensioner/Pension Board Overseer/City Councilmember Pete Constant said, "Multiple millions may have been distributed in error." To make up for his (apparent) poor oversight of the funds, Pete Constant may be showing up at your door asking for a refund. The last time the City made the overpayment goof, men and women serving in the military were faced further financial challenges coming home and had to pay back the City.

Late last year, County Prosecutor Marc Buller flatly denied any knowledge of videos from sexual assault interviews. Buller went so far as to use the damning “…not being truthful…” in accusing a Valley Med nurse who made the videos known. The DA’s office is now letting official spokesperson Nick Muyo sheepishly admit that the nurse is no longer being accused of lying. At risk are hundreds of convictions of pervs who assault children. Don't worry, San Jose Revealed is on the case...

It was only a matter of time before former Mayor Tom McEnery popped off on the public brouhaha that he is at the center of related to the Peralta/McEnery plan. Thursday, McEnery filed his own legal demand to force Councilmember Nora Campos to spill the beans on the identity of the secret complainer that started this thing. According to complainer John Doe’s lawyer, James McManis "… as far as I know, John Doe and Nora Campos wouldn't know each other if they passed each other on the street." She may not recognize him or her on the street, but she certainly knows what John Doe looks like online...

San Jose Unified has been installing fake grass in an effort to save water and save money. The parents at Trace Elementary have launched an all out war to, “keep plastic out of the Rose Garden.” Apparently no one thought to study the health or environmental consequences of the synthetic stuff. Really? State Senator Abe Maldonado says, "Blood, sweat, skin cells, and other materials can remain on the turf because the fields are not washed or cleaned. It's like playing on a giant used Band-Aid. I'm not against turf, but I want to make sure that it's totally safe for kids. The parents at Trace have a right to raise concerns.” Super Senator Maldonado to the rescue!

The Morgan Hill budget discussion sounds more like a corporate “cafeteria” style benefits plan, and probably is just as confusing. Councilmember Marby Lee wants to stop layoffs. Mayor Steve Tate along with Councilmembers Larry Carr and Greg Sellers want to dip deeper into reserves. Tate and Carr want to protect environmental services. They haven't said, "Ok, put everything into the hat and we'll pull stuff out as a way to decide what to cut and what to keep..." They still sound more sophisticated about the budget than our State Legislature...

Gilroy may be getting its Ta-Ta’s after all. The Gilroy Planning Commission has recommended approval of Ante Bilic’s topless bar. It’s now up to the City Council to make the final decision. 19 year old Roy Lopez is excited saying, "You can't do anything these days without getting into trouble. It would be something to keep us out of trouble." Sounds like a good strategy for the proprietors-to-be, have a 19 year old making the case for a topless club...

San Jose Revealed is giddy with excitement over next weeks’ Elections Commission meeting in San Jose. The issue is the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber's PAC (COMPAC) actions in 2006. After a lengthy court battle, the Chamber CEO Pat Dando and former Chamber-turned-Silicon Valley Leadership Group VP Bob Hines will likely get a public (well, closed session) spanking from the City. (Calm down Councilmember Constant, Watch Dog is talking about a metaphorical spanking...)

San Jose Inside’s Fly wasn't surprised that failed-San Jose Council candidate Pat Waite wanted to be on the Planning Commission. Fly was surprised (and so was everyone else) that Waite received support from Madison Nguyen for his bid. Hey Madison, it probably isn't great form to welcome your new colleague's old nemesis to spend more time in City Hall. Imagine if someone invited Linda Nguyen to the Planning Commission after Madison beat her for City Council. I'm sure Madison would have been pleased with that scenario...

Morning News Round-Up -- 4.27.09

In case you missed it Friday, San Jose’s Mayor Chuck Reed ‘fessed up to f’ing up the Independent Police Auditor selection. Reed isn’t going down alone, he’s taking Councilmembers Nora Campos and Pete Constant with him saying they reviewed all the applications as well as agreeing with him on the final four and final two. Constant and colleague Pierluigi Oliverio back the Mayor saying the Chris Constantin brother-on-the-force-conflict-of-interest wasn’t a big deal. Another closed meeting this week will let the fighting colleagues battle it out in private…

Surprise, it’s not easy finding $2 million for sports when schools are failing… East Side Union High School District Trustees aren’t raising the money they need and (apparently) aren’t telling District athletes the sports programs are in trouble. Board President Patricia Martinez-Roach is staying optimistic in the face of failed fundraising attempts through prayer. Associate Superintendent Alan Garafalo said raising the needed money is like “…changing water into wine.”

The Merc’s Internal Affairs is playing follow the bouncing legislators, again. If John Garamendi wins Ellen Tauscher's Congressional seat the Governator would appoint Garamendi's replacement. Senator Abel Maldonado is getting misty eyed at the thought of ditching the cranky Democrats to become the next Lt. Governor. IA also investigates the drama of the $720,000 pizza maker purchase by San Jose Unified School District. The pizza maker was a hot topic for ABC 7’s Dan Noyes, but IA’s own investigation is not as exciting...

Michael Kaiser, with the National Cyber Security Alliance, chastises local school districts for not preparing students for online safety. Kaiser says sending kids online without preparation is like leaving a playground full of rambunctious youngsters unsupervised and hoping for the best.

Santa Clara Police Chief Stephen Lodge says he doesn’t have enough police on call should the 49ers find their way South. Lisa Lang, spokesperson for the 49ers, promises taxpayers won’t be on the hook for the new officers. Mission City Lantern calls it a touchdown.

Santa Clara County health officials are bracing for a Swine Flu breakout. The first (possible) case is in the Sacramento area and with plenty of Silicon Valley travelers returning home from Mexico it’s only a matter of time before the world wide panic arrives. Before you feel feverish, keep those hands washed and cover your mouth when you sneeze.

Going solar in Silicon Valley can be pricey, depending on where you live. Monte Sereno and Los Altos Hills want solar so badly there are no city fees. Solar panels in Cupertino can set the well meaning homeowner back a hefty chunk of change. Kurt Newick, the Sierra Club’s local watch dog, snooped to find the most solar friendly cities.

Last call at the Los Gatos Brewing Company took on a whole new meaning when the fireplace didn’t keep the fire contained. No one was hurt, more importantly, the beer survived.

Former Mayor/lobbyist/Sharks ticket holder Tom McEnery called it an exoneration of the “tissue of lies and half truths” filed against him while Anonymous’ legal beagle James McManis said the independent evaluators report was confirmation of McEnery’s guilt. San Jose’s Elections Commission reviews the report, and 20 recommended violations, this week. San Jose Revealed slaps Anonymous for silly mistakes and slams the investigation team for violations of the “smell test.”

San Jose had its eighth murder Sunday when a young man was found stabbed to death outside a 24 Hour Fitness.

The Toon Goons were busted by San Jose’s finest for leaving their toon tags all over downtown. Downtown Association director Scott Knies said the teenager taggers were hitting the downtown hard, pissing off anyone who had skin in downtown buildings. Knies promised the Downtown Association promised to be “more relentless than the taggers.”