Morning News Round-Up -- 1.25.10: Santa Clara First Monday...

We'll do Santa Clara first today...

The Chronicle, one of the Bay Area's newspapers not in bankruptcy proceedings (yet), loves to chime in on South Bay sports stuff. Above all, the paper is uber-protective of the 49ers. So it is no suprise that the Chroncle's spin on a letter sent from the National Football League to the City of San Francisco about the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard is a positive one. The NFL told San Francisco that four really major things need to be done in order for the NFL to even consider allowing the 49ers to be in Hunters Point (assuming the Santa Clara thing falls through): a bridge over Yosemite Slough (which environmentalist are going to sue over), a new interchange off of 101 (which likely has a massive pricetag), adequate parking near the stadium (which the Board of Supervisors will never allow), and public transit infrastructure improvements (there is no public transit anywhere near this part of Hunters Point). A less "hometown" paper could write that the letter from the NFL to San Francisco could be construed as a letter siding with the 49ers and their quest to be Santa Clara-bound...

The City of Santa Clara is about to be served with a federal lawsuit by union carpenters saying that the City violated the union's free speech when it made them take down their banner outside a Citation Homes office. The sign wasn't so nice, but that isn't the point -- the City is claiming that the union violated the sign ordinance. This could get even more interesting... stay tuned.

It is good that the Merc is dedicating dozens of column inches (and a reporter) to what the rides will be named next season at Great America. For your information, Nickelodeonrides are out, Peanuts rides are in... with that information in your brain, go have a productive day.

Here's another San Francisco-related story that will have people in Silicon Valley scratching their heads... SFO is going to offer free Wi-Fi. Et tu SJC?

Could the DA Dolores Carr please go one week without doing something that lands her in the news? Well, obviously not. This time, she is instructing the prosecutors in her office to boycott a sitting judge and to not bring cases before him. Ironic, since Dolores Carr was once a judge. This item has yet to appear on Jeff Rosen's "The Case Against Dolores Carr..."

The Merc's Internal Affairs puts their hands on a letter that Mayor Chuck Reed and Councilmember/ Assembly Candidate Nora Campos sent to the good folks trying to figure out what to do with the Mexican Heritage Plaza. Essentially, the letter says that the City wants to stop subsidizing the place -- or at least subsidize it less -- or at the very least have a game plan to get the Mexican Heritage Plaza towards self-sustainability. (IA can't resist reminding everyone that Reed and Campos "...rarely agree on anything...")

Watch Dog apparently missed this Dolores Carr story a few weeks back -- but lucky for us, Watch Dog readers on on the case. (Thanks for the email...) You remember that Dolores Carr's office is looking into potentially illegal financial practices and misappropriation of funds by MACSA in running a Gilroy-based Charter School... well, the DA's office is conveniently waiting until June to decide about whether or not to bring charges. It isn't just Watch Dog wondering if this is politically motivated procrastination on the part of Dolores Carr... the Gilroy Dispatch does too. Here is why it might be political: Carr would like to get a certain group's endorsement for her re-election campaign in June... this certain group has a favorite candidate running for City Council in June who used to be in charge of operations at MACSA... if she buries the charges until then, perhaps this favorite City Council candidate rides into office, Carr gets the endorsement, and everyone wins, except voters, of course.

Pat Dando at the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce penned an opinion piece for the Merc talking about reforming the City's pension boards... an idea that Watch Dog can't remember her ever talking about during her decade or so on the City Council when she could have actually done something about it...

Speaking of Pat Dando... sort of:

Last week's Supreme Court ruling about campaign finance got the Merc Editors writing. They would like to see a disclaimer on corporate ads similar to the Presidential disclaimers, saying something like: "I'm John Smith, CEO of Big Oil, and I approved this message." Can you imagine that on the local level? A piece of mail from the Chamber's Political Action Committee calling Cindy Chavez the devil-incarnate with a little photo of Pat Dando on the back saying, "I'm Pat Dando, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, and I approved this message..." that would be interesting.

San Jose Inside continues in its quest to be the only local publication (print or online) to be covering the bankruptcy of the Merc's parent company. Late last week the rolled out Lou Alexander, the Advertising Manager for the Merc for 20 years to comment...

Remember the grand plans for North San Jose -- sort of another tax-generating downtown with high density housing close to jobs and transit options... well, things are moving at a different pace than anticipated, but Target is coming.

The economy has been tough for most, but good for Safeway. In addition to their new downtown San Jose addresss, they are eyeing the old (bankrupt) Mervyn's on W. Hamilton in Campbell.

There was a small-plane crash somewhere in the Santa Cruz Mountains on Saturday... but a search hadn't turned up survivors, or the plane, as of Sunday morning.

In the circular world of the local blogosphere, Mission City Lantern comments on our comments about a story on the blog over at the Santa Clara Weekly. And for your information James, we do read the Weekly blog, it just isn't always that good... no offense. The last time we wrote something from the Weekly's blog, the publisher was defending the Broom Closet Modelling Agency...

There was another suicide on the train tracks in Palo Alto over the weekend.

The Palo Alto High School Principal Jackie McEvoy will be retiring at the end of the school year. According to the news account in the Palo Alto Weekly, McEvoy is retiring for "personal reasons" which alway sounds fishy (or eggy) to Watch Dog... if you don't get the eggy reference, read the story.

There was an old-fashion liquor store robbery at gun point in north Gilroy on Saturday night... In an unrelated crime story in Gilroy, a dude jumped into a patrol car, started driving in reverse, and hit a police officer. Officers shot the man (after using pepper spray, batons, and a Taser...) Sounds like a busy weekend at the Gilroy PD...

Morning News Round-Up – 1.04.10: The Brownstein Report...

Starting the New Year on a high note. San Jose’s controversy mired pension systems board heard the bad news about more retiree overpayments and one retiree not receiving enough. Oops.

The Merc sends props to two new years day babies.

Sunnyvale’s (rotating) Mayoralship is turning into a catfight. Councilmember/Community Administrator Ron Swegles issued a surprise statement saying the “critical issues” facing Sunnyvale (almost) require a “full-time mayor… I think I have more time” than fellow candidates Vice Mayor Melinda Hamilton and Mayor/Retiree Tony Spitaleri.

(rotating) Mayors are also on the minds of Palo Alto’s City Council as they welcome newcomers and elect the new Mayor.

Palo Alto wants to keep its geek-chic and proposes becoming a living laboratory exploring wages. Neil Struthers, CEO for the Building and Construction Trades Council, argues offering a “prevailing wage” doesn’t come with hidden costs and (probably) looks forward to the experiment.

Parents are hoping active courtship will bring Summit Preparatory Charter High to San Jose’s Eastside. Summit CEO Diane Tavenner calls it “wonderful” that parents are pushing and sends a reminder the competitive process continues.

Match fancy new Taser International CopCams with police accused of excessive force, sue Ferrari for not changing your life, and give Working Partnerships’ Bob Brownstein his own, very special, report are among the Merc’s Scott Herhold’s 2010 kickoff.

The Merc’s Joe Rodriguez kicks off the new year on a positive note. Former Teatro Vision director Raul Lozano’s career change helps put food into the yards of Eastside residents. With friends like the Health Trusts Fred Ferrer and Poncho Guevara from Sacred Heart, Lozano is well on his way.

Rough kick off to the new year in San Jose. Two dudes landed in the hospital after a knife fight. After the burning death of a homeless man was ruled murder, San Jose’s 2009 murder toll reached 28.

Thanks to the Merc, government watchers have a list of options this week…

• The County’s Juvenile Justice Systems Collaborative appoints a group to review the disproportionate number of kids of color landing in juve. Funny, this sounds familiar…
• San Jose City Council’s Rules and Open Government Committee looks at ways to push biofuels, makes appointments and offers changes to public meeting rules.
• Santa Clara’s Historical and Landmarks Commission considers a property tax break in exchange for a historic building.
• The Los Gatos Union School District digs into an audit report.
• Sex (education) is on the minds of the Milpitas Unified School District trying to fill the Sex Ed Advisory Committee.

Protect San Jose adds a new name to their blogroll, Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney/Candidate Jeff Rosen pens his opposition to the open grand jury and offers it’s the District Attorney’s job to decide whether to prosecute an officer following the use of deadly force. Strong words for a Police Officer Association blogger.

Mission City Lantern pokes Santa Clara Councilmember Jamie MacLeod to dish on meetings with Santa Clara Plays Fair.

Morning News Round-Up – 12.31.09:It's time to reflect...

The year’s end is a good time for reflection, and we plan to reflect on the habits of our local elected officials… next year.

Gilroy’s personal pot shop is really, this time, facing the music. The City Council approved, for a second time, calling in the legal beagles to head to court with MediLeaf.

The pesky Taser ruling this week has police in Palo Alto looking to define what “reasonable” means before releasing the zap. Police Chief Dennis Burns says “what we want… is a clear policy where everyone understands when it’s appropriate…” (former San Jose) Los Altos Police Captain Andy Galea (seems to) agree saying he still needs to “analyze” the ruling.

The Merc’s Editorial Board calls on San Jose police to keep track of who uses force calling it necessary to help officers. Assistant Police Chief Daniel Katz says the department agrees with the Merc (sort of) and is planning on counseling for officers with a zap-happy hand.

Pissed off developer John Mozart is suing Mountain View arguing affordability fees are an “illegal tax.”

The rotating Mayoralship changes hands in Mountain View on Tuesday when Councilmember Ronit Bryant (assumes she will) take the reins from outgoing Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga. Bryant aims to be Mountain View’s “Green Mayor” for a year.

Also aiming for green-ness… Los Altos plans to lower gas emissions and no, they don’t mean ditching your favorite restaurant. The ambitious (little) town plans on an 80% reduction by 2050.

Palo Alto’s naked California Avenue will get a little love from volunteers in the opening days of 2010. Volunteers hit the streets to start replacing trees. If you want to join the California Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project email or call Sharon Kelly, (650)964-6110 or visit Canopy on the web.

The Merc welcomes a new voice to the Opinion pages with Sami Monsur, a neighborhood leader in downtown San Jose. Monsur asks for changes to San Jose police shift rotations calling them a deterrent to building relationships of trust and respect within communities.

Caltrain called a temporary halt to trains this morning following a(nother) fatal train vs. person incident.

The Merc’s Scott Herhold closes the decade with a touching reminder of the fragility of life and a gentle reminder to carry the pink dot.

A paramedic, (former) drunk drivers and victims band together in Gary “Mr. Roadshow” Richards New Year’s Eve message – take a cab, get a designated driver, ride the bus or a train when you head out tonight for your last night of drinking debauchery in 2009.

Protect San Jose has no comment on the Merc’s call to count but does want to see you on the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Train.

San Jose’s $100 million deficit drove San Jose Insider Pete Campbell to a Wall Street Journal story calling on American cities to rethink the way they do business.

Mission City Lantern throws a bone to 49ers foes and suggests they should break $100 before fundraising for 2009 is over.

A big Watch Dog Woof for tonight’s revelry, we’ll see you next year.

Morning News Round-Up – 12.30.09: The busted edition…

The Governator continues to make his mark on the judicial scene in Santa Clara County. Schwarzenegger adds 6 new Superior Court judges bringing his appointments to nearly 2 dozen. Welcome to the bench Julia Emede, Maureen Folan, Ronald Toff, Daniel Nishigaya, Jesus Valencia Jr., and Theodore Zayner.

Misdemeanor + Broke = Guilty?

San Jose police were watching this week as the U.S. Court of Appeals restricted the use of Tasers. City Attorney Rick Doyle shrugged saying San Jose police already used Tasers only as a “reasonable” level of force under “some immediate threat.” The attorney for San Jose State student Phoung Ho disagreed.

Count on seeing more of the San Jose Conservation Corps, at least $160,000 more.

The Merc’s Editorial Board looked past the uproar over Alum Rocks closing of Pala Middle School to see new schools and opportunities. Editors send props to Superintendent Jose Manzo for accepting the charter school competition.

Life is filled with opportunity. For example, Gary “Mr. Roadshow” Richards knows before you got your first DUI you (probably) offered the police 87 other opportunities.

Busted. Frances Stewart is behind bars accused of stealing $100,000 from the Silicon Valley Community foundation flexible spending accounts. Translation, Stewart skimmed employee health care money.

San Jose police are looking for Jennifer Bautista as a “person of interest” in the brutal death of Alviso’s Norma Leticia Martinez. If you have information, call the San Jose police at (408)277-5283.

Protect San Jose gives themselves year-end props and wants to hear from you before making improvements. Reader suggestions to the Police Officer Association bloggers include a more active politicking along with advertising in the local paper.

San Jose Insider Danny Wool jumps into the Tech Museum fracas with a rehash of the Merc story.

Brian Darby gets a little (un)love from Mission City Lantern.

Morning News Round-Up – 12.29.09: Still time for your 2009 scandal...

The San Jose Conservation Corps also exits 2009 with an embarrassing story. Seems a city audit uncovered overcharges of nearly a half million. San Jose City Attorney Rick Doyle said it was due to “a lack of financial management” and “decentralizing” city departments would “get better results.”

San Jose police are investigating the brutal murder of Alviso’s Norma Leticia Martinez. While police don’t believe this is a hate crime, shopkeeper Jose Lujan said of the beating “that’s a lot of hate. Nobody deserves that.”

When San Jose High’s Matt Blea returned home from the hospital, the Merc’s Scott Herhold took pen to paper to call for reforms. Herhold calls on the California Interscholastic Federation to step in with “tough new protocols” preventing kids from getting back into the game after serious injury.

Also closing 2009 with reflections, the Merc’s Joe Rodriguez puts a gentle touch on some of the year’s traumas. With reflections from 90-year-old Quaker Ian Thiermann who went back to work after Bernie Madoff stole his life savings, muralist Frank Torres who suffered a gang beating for his art and Khmer Rouge survivor Sophany Bay whose interviews with other victims are used in court proceedings a world away, Rodriguez puts a hopeful close on 2009.

The Merc’s Editorial Board is pissed the wealthy in Silicon Valley aren’t stepping up to feed the hungry. Second Harvest Food Bank has seen donations drop 20% and demand rise nearly 40%. So, step it up, people.

Busted. Some good news for the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s REACT Task Force. Pascal Chaubard won’t be using Craigslist to scam discount seeking travelers for a while.

And just when you thought 2009 could end without another scandal… Seems nepotism remains alive and well in San Jose. Tech Museum President, Peter Friess, and the board. Hired Friess’ wife to “spruce up” the Tech’s image for a nice $400,000.

Protect San Jose has uncovered a “disturbing trend” from the Mercury News, reporters are digging around in court records. Incoming Police Officers’ Association President George Beattie suggests blog responses might not be worth his time.

Mission City Lantern uncovers a new spin for the anti-49ers team. Environmental racism.

Morning News Round-Up – 12.22.09: Shaken, not stirred...

Jed York pissed off a few folks when he said he’d rather go to Oakland than Hunters Point – if the 49ers don’t land in Santa Clara. Former 49ers president/Lennar-Hunters Point consultant Carmen Policy said he was “speechless” after reading San Francisco’s Matier and Ross.

Don’t hold your breath for that property tax break anytime soon. Santa Clara County Tax Assessor Larry Stone says between staff cutbacks and the mountain of appeals, well think molasses…

Good news for outdoor fans. San Jose’s Mount Umunhum is getting some help from the Feds. Congressmember Mike Honda wrangled the Fed “earmark” and is hopeful trails will open in 2 years.

Racist computers? HP doesn’t think so but is taking the accusation seriously according to spokesperson Mark Budgell who wasn’t laughing when he saw the laughter filled video.

Autism aides for the Mountain View – Whisman School District will enter the new year with fewer benefits and hours after negotiations this month.

Mountain View police busted a 14-year-old boy for an “angry” toss during a football game. No dish on details, yet.

Tis’ the season for those pesky DUI checkpoints. Palo Alto police busted 16 drivers for not reading the paper before enjoying the holiday nog.

After your nog you might need a taxi instead of the bus… The creaky economy is taking a toll on bus lines. VTA officials announced plans to decrease service to help close a $70 million gap.

Mission City Lantern sends props to the 49ers for belief in a “true and ethical democracy” and calls out holiday heros. If you didn’t get props you may have received a dirty turnip. Is that like a dirty martini?

Morning News Round-Up – 12.21.09: It's all about moving...

Following last week’s baseball self-importance… The San Jose/(San Francisco) Giants are stamping their feet in anger with San Francisco attorney Todd Smith as chief grump for a nine page letter filled with arguments against the (San Jose) A’s moving to town. Sportswriter Mark Purdy says the Giants (apparently) think San Jose is filled with “totally stupid… rubes.” Santa Clara County Tax Assessor Larry Stone wiggled the knife for Giants President Larry Baer with the news Bud Selig’s committee was meeting with officials in San Jose. According to the Merc’s Internal Affairs Stone and Baer were sharing 49er’s owner Jed York’s suite for a little football…

Valley Medical Center’s executive director, Michael Skehan, is leaving in search of a Master’s Degree. County Supervisor Liz Kniss suggests it’s not the “blistering” audit but “being second or third in command.”

San Jose’s Strong Neighborhoods Initiative will feel the hit from the State’s $75 million money grab. Redevelopment Agency executive director Harry Mavrogenes said of the 84% budget cut in SNI “everybody is getting the same kind of cutback.”

The Merc’s Internal Affairs dishes former South Bay Labor Council “apparatchik” Phil Bump keeps up with some local news in his New York blog. On an (un)related note, Watch Dog really misses the snarky blog Bump didn’t have a hand in, their domain name is up for grabs… IA follows GOP gubernatorial wannabe/former eBay CEO Meg Whitman through courtroom proceedings where it’s looking more like Whitman has a little Jekyll and Hyde action.

The next time you get busted in San Jose, look for the EarCam. Some of San Jose’s finest will carry ear mounted cameras to record all “contact with a person.” The first 18 are provided by Taser International (pissed their friends in blue get bad press?), if San Jose police fully outfit the cost could run $4 million plus roughly $1.7 million yearly. Silicon Valley DeBug’s Raj Jayadev wasn’t so impressed suggesting “we can’t solve our problems with a new piece of gadgetry.”

The Merc’s Scott Herhold gets his Year in Review out early with a note that it’s all about following the money, studying the past and keeping an eye on the kids.

How many times do you need to hear it… Don’t bring things that go bang home from the war…

Protect San Jose is giddy with success declaring they are Movin’ On Up. Don’t worry, PSJ promises not to rest on their laurels…

Mission City Lantern outlines one of the Top 10 of 2009… The 49ers.

Morning News Round-Up – 12.09.09: the No Problem zone...

Santa Clara’s City Council received bad news while they approved the 49ers environmental impact report, the happy folks at Great America will sue. Adding to the confusion were different community groups offering a voter initiative to avoid environmental reviews. 49ers spokesperson Lisa Lang said the team “is not prepared” to talk about going directly to the voters.

With 200 pissed off college employees watching, Trustees for the San Jose/Evergreen Community College District ditched (immediate) plans to lay off 106 people. An investigation into District finances uncovered (suspected) financial abuse by Chancellor Rosa Perez. (now) Retiring Chancellor Perez will temporarily be replaced by Vice Chancellor Jeanine Hawk.

Calling conventioneers response an “overreaction” San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed joined colleagues in sending Team San Jose back to the drawing board to fix the problem of pissed off (San Francisco) Teamsters and conventioneers. Councilmember Sam Liccardo expressed dismay over the problem saying “didn’t anybody say to you… ‘Hey, this could be a problem’?”

There’s a new Chancellor coming to town. Foothill-DeAnza Community College District has selected Arizona’s Rio Salado college president Linda Thor to fill the hole created when Martha Kanter heard the siren call of the Obama Administration.

Palo Alto Unified School District Trustees had a busy night. A mail-in ballot is (likely) on tap to increase parcel taxes to an annual $598. Trustee Barb Mitchell said bluntly not receiving voter approval would mean the loss of 95 teachers. Teachers or taxes...

The Merc’s Editorial Board wants to see the sun shine on arbitration hearings between the city of San Jose and unions. Mayor Chuck Reed adds hearings in the dark might be illegal and a violation of the Brown Act.

When you head out to grab a bite today, local elected officials will gather for a memorial service recognizing the 67 men and women who died living on the streets this year. The annual EHC LifeBuilders memorial service is open to the public.

San Jose Insider/Santa Clara County Board of Education Trustee Joseph DiSalvo wants all jailed kids to learn to FLY. Fresh Lifelines for Youth offers kids alternatives and saves taxpayers 10 times the money it costs to run the program, according to DiSalvo who had his eggs served with FLY graduate testimonials.

Mission City Lantern posted their top ten ways to prevent Santa Clara Councilmember Jamie McLeod from becoming the next Mayor. Including are such gems as asking McLeod’s friend/Campbell Mayor Evan Low to declare her “uncool” and preventing seniors from voting.

PoliticonValley notes San Jose’s Mayor Chuck Reed joined Councilmembers Sam Liccardo and Madison Nguyen to create an “unconventional” approach to keeping homeowners from being tossed on the streets.

Morning News Round-Up – 11.10.09:

San Jose Redevelopment Agency chief Harry Mavrogenes took a beating Monday afternoon when County Executive Jeff Smith said the Agency is “so highly leveraged they cannot pay off their bills or even their operating expenses…” Smith was joined by Councilmember Sam Liccardo who hoped his cautionary tone might prove to be “off-key.” No doubt, Mavrogenes was thinking the same thing...

The Santa Clara Open Space Authority is breathing a sigh of relief, and keeping nearly $30 million from an “illegal assessment.” The agency now gets to figure out how to spend the ill-gotten gain, open some of that open space, hire a few rangers, build trails or purchase more parkland. Maybe Taxpayers Association Doug McNea could look somewhere more interesting next time...

Sporting a new t-shirt Morgan Hill resident/Medical Marijuana dispenser Batzi Kuburovich stands proudly next to Gilroy's shiny new medical marijuana dispensary. Councilmember Cat Tucker was pissed the dispensary opened in “blatant disregard” to the law and council decisions. We’re happy we now know where to go to get our doctors note for pot…

San Jose Insider/San Jose Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio was mighty pissed last week when colleagues ditched his idea to open labor negotiations for popcorn eating entertainment. Oliverio hopes to increase taxes on the city’s gambling joints and adding a pot tax for good measure.

The Merc’s Scott Herhold talked (government staff) layoffs with a friend over the weekend and offers a few ideas of his own for cost savings. Don’t let folks with skin in the game decide who pays their retirement shortfall (police and firefighter pension trustees – that would be you), don’t send San Jose economic geek Paul Krutko to Portugal – send him to Palo Alto, and, when you see your lawsuit going down in flames – stop throwing money at it (Santa Clara County’s “ludicrous” GIS battle).

Ooops. The Santa Clara Valley Water District is in a little hot water of its own. A trial began Monday that could have the district providing refunds to thousands of water drinking fans. Great Oaks Water Company hired forensic accountant Thomas O’Rourke to track the dollars collected and follow their flow.

If you love your Whole Foods you’ll be happy to hear construction is underway again in Almaden Valley. Sadly, if you live in San Jose’s Rose Garden, you have to wait for construction to resume – Blossom Hill has priority.

Mountain View High’s principal Keith Moody overcame tough odds and was a football star before his passion for education kicked in. Last month Moody was inducted into the Syracuse Hall of Fame.

Hoofers around Mountain View will be happy to hear MV wants to hear from you. Google maps are helping online walkers tell the city what works and what doesn’t.

Mission City Lantern sends a love note to Watch Dog with a reminder that Stanford trounced the Ducks. OSU Beavers bested the Cardinals. (Watch Dog (mistakenly) read the Mission City headline “Stanford Defeats Oregon…” with a giant beaver and was (apparently) too hung over to remember which wildlife was present.)

Morning News Round-Up – 10.15.09: In celebration of the grouch...

Taxi deregulation has arrived in Mountain View… Mountain View’s City Council doesn’t want “… market regulations…” for taxis and is hoping statements taken under oath will keep taxis insured and running smoothly.

Not everyone is a fan of the 2 year mayor, Mountain View’s Council Procedures Committee voted down changes to the annually rotating mayor-ship. Councilmember Mike Kasperzak wants to ditch rotating mayors making the mayoral privilege an elected one.

If Police Officer Association President Bobby Lopez has his way Dr. Rajiv “Dr. No” Das will lose a good chunk of his annual salary because Das insists on police and firefighters getting paperwork from personal physicians. San Jose Councilmember Sam Liccardo suggests “… a doctor of any significant competence is not going to be any more lenient.”

Local (Republican) gubernatorial wannabe’s Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina can’t catch a break on those “spotty” voting records. Republican political consultant Sean Walsh suggests the tech millionaires settle on an explanation and move on. Guess he didn’t like Whitman’s (various) reasons or the fact this story shows up again, and again and again…

The Merc’s Editorial Board sends props to Assemblymember Joe Coto for pushing reforms at the Santa Clara Valley Water District, in exchange for a bill District boardmembers wanted…

Thanks to the generosity of two families, 125 people will have beds to sleep in this winter. The Merc’s Editorial Board sends props to Joe and Michele Costello and for Ajay Shah and Lata Krishnan for keeping EHC LifeBuilders beds open.

According to the Merc’s Scott Herhold, while office porn is “offensive and unprofessional” trying to ban it will be as effective as Prohibition. Herhold suggests better management might have prevented Julie LeBlanc’s ostracism and the pain San Jose is feeling with that $200,000 check.

Protect San Jose’s Kathleen Flynn invites you to join her in San Jose’s City Hall to oppose the “small but vocal minority…” dragging around statistics about the high arrest rates, per capita, while “..racial profiling, and unfairly targeting minorities.”

Mission City Lantern reports there may be more than 15 minutes of fame for a Lantern favorite – Philip Bump. According to Mission City, Bump’s predilection for posting might have been a problem in the jury box.

A Watch Dog woof to grouches of Silicon Valley...

Morning News Round-Up – 9.22.09:

You remember this story, former San Jose Police Officer/Santa Clara County District Attorney investigator Sandra Woodall smashed her car into parked cars and injured a teenager. Collegial courtesy (allegedly) caused San Jose Police Officers Will Manion and Patrick D’Arrigo to look the other way after Woodall's visit to the neighborhood bar for a post-rehab celebratory drink (allegedly) impaired her driving. San Jose Police Chief Rob Davis let the other shoe drop this week, he wants to fire Manion and D’Arrigo.

California hopes to snag $1.28 billion in federal funds to bundle with Prop 1A funds for Caltrain expansion and moving High-speed rail at high speed to Northern CA.

It’s a little anti-climatic - the Palo Alto City Council approved a change over to (formerly interim) Police Chief Dennis Burns who hopes to “lead the organization in a fair and ethical way.” A slap at former boss/predecessor Lynne Johnson?

De Anza community college is at the “…bottom of a funnel” according to spokesperson/former Merc reporter Becky Bartindale so they shut the doors on more than 8,000 students hoping to beef up their accounting, chemistry and writing skills.

The Merc’s Editorial Board offers San Jose the chance to step out from the crowd and become a leader – ditch the bag. Likening the demise of the plastic bag to getting cigarettes out of restaurants, Merc Editors offer it could be increasingly painful to keep the bag (along with (possible) federal sanctions).

Earthquakes/A’s owner Lew Wolff isn’t caught by surprise often so when Soccer Silicon Valley President Don Gagliardi rattled off SSV’s good deeds even Wolff was impressed according to the Merc’s Sal Pizarro. State Senator Joe Simitian and San Jose Councilmember Nora Campos will be in San Jose to discuss State reform with Joint Ventures Silicon Valley and the American Leadership Forum.

San Jose Insider/San Jose Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio was not happy with his colleagues last week when they ignored his request to kill a “Shared Room Occupancy” proposal in his neighborhood. Watch Dog is hopeful Oliverio meant “Single Room Occupancy” in his collegial spanking.

Mission City Lantern slaps a favorite, Jamie McLeod, and celebrates a win by the San Francisco/(future Santa Clara?) 49ers.

Protect San Jose's Tuesday numbers guy, Ed Rast, wasn't up and running by post time, the Friday forum landed two comments over the weekend.

Morning News Round-Up – 9.17.09: This website is too busy to show the webpage…

The Merc’s site is very popular today. Before the site got hit (an attack or just really popular?) we pulled a few tidbits from the Merc’s headlines. Hope this is not a sign of things to come...

Most of the gubernatorial hopefuls hit Silicon Valley for an (un)cheery discussion of California’s gloomy state of affairs along with their pitch to be the next leader.

“Our job here is not to go on strike,” according to Service Employees International Union representative Brian Ward as negotiations with the city of Palo Alto stretched long into the night. Councilmember Pat Burt called allegations of “hiding” money “silly” and said they were “red herrings” that were distracting negotiations.

Plastic bags are on their way out the door in Palo Alto. While most of the environmentally conscious town’s markets gave up the bits of flotsam before being asked a few will end use tomorrow. The American Chemistry Council could be heard grumbling as they toted off with their reusable bag filled with goodies from Piazza’s.

Gilroy’s City Council is sending police and planning staff to investigate the joys of medical marijuana.

Gilroy schools received an uneven report card. All but two schools were inside the 700 range. Mount Madonna and (former) charter school El Portal Leadership Academy stumbled along in the 500’s. El Portal is best remembered as the site of stolen teacher funds as the Mexican American Community Services Agency (MACSA) “borrowed” money…

Here’s some (un)cheerful news to read at breakfast – if you’re stuck on the railroad tracks with a train hurtling towards you, jump out and run in the direction of the train at an angle. This after Santa Clara County employee Chuck Issacson was killed when his car was pinned between cars.

Mission City Lantern offers up a new name for the lobbyist firm of Saggau and DeRollo, bada bing… And, pokes fun at Watch Dog for a tardy post, thanks for the kind words in spite of the late posting, James.

Protect San Jose’s Beat Cop offers that annoying helicopter hovering over your home should be heard as the swooping of the hawk looking for prey, while keeping you safe from rodents.

Morning News Round-Up – 9.7.09: A Political Carr Crash…

The dish according to the Merc’s Internal Affairs…

• District Attorney Dolores Carr stuffed her pointy toes in her mouth – again. Seems the DA won't be opening up the Grand Jury for the police shooting of a mentally ill Vietnamese man.
  
• State Senator Joe Simitian wasn’t snubbed. The Senator said leaving his water-loving self out was merely sound political maneuvering.
  
• San Jose’s Redevelopment Agency will not be pouring drinks at the Caravan.
  
• Republican/gubernatorial wannabe Steve Poizner tied fellow Republican/gubernatorial wannabe Meg Whitman to the entertaining Mr. (Van) Jones Leaves Washington saga. On an (un)related note, no word if Jones will return to his old gig…

The Merc’s Scott Herhold dishes another Dolores Carr story. Hoping no one would notice, the District Attorney’s office released the news late Friday afternoon that she was tossing the murder of Vahid Hosseini into the lap of Attorney General Jerry Brown. This after Hosseini’s widow uncovered a big no-no, (husband) Carr created a major conflict of interest in this potential death penalty case...

These folks had to enjoy the long weekend filled with (crashing) Carr news…

Disastrous Economy + 8 Years Red Ink = San Jose City Council Oversight?

Not an A’s fan, U of Maryland economics professor Dennis Coates said the “novelty effect” of a new baseball stadium wouldn’t last. San Jose’s chief development officer, Paul Krutko, countered saying city costs would be so low it wouldn’t be San Jose’s problem.

Gavilan College is pissed. A little annexation, paving a golf course and dorms caused Gilroy planners to declare Gavilan a developer – not a governmental agency. This is a problem because developers have to fork over extra bucks for city services. Expect a redux next year…

In 2005 San Jose’s Ambassador’s Lounge was the site of a shooting spree that landed co-owner E-40 in hot water. Over the weekend a young man was shot in the garage while upstairs in the convention center E-40’s latest gig was in full swing. Police Sgt. Ronnie Lopez says SJPD is investigating “whether or not this was related to the show.”

Meanwhile, no one was shot at San Jose’s Tapestry Arts Festival.

The Merc’s Editorial Board takes a peek at the new lives of former Agnews Developmental Center residents. Verdict: the developmentally disabled can live in neighborhoods more cheaply and receive top care. The editors cheer on private investment in green tech as Venture capitalist Vinod Khosla builds a $1 Billion clean/green tech fund.

Silicon Valley Reads takes on a controversial read with Michael Pollan’s “In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto.” Health Trust CEO Fred Ferrer helps and won’t be grabbing a double-double, extra fries on the way to the January kickoff. The Merc’s Sal Pizarro also dishes there’s wine and jewelry from State Senator Elaine Alquist and Assemblymember Jim Beall at Korks for Kids.

It’s a short week for government watch dogs…

• Santa Clara County’s Finance and Government Operations Committee does a double take on the county’s vehicle fleet following a critical audit.
  
• The Santa Clara County Juvenile Justice Systems Collaborative Case Systems and Processes Work Group (mouthful much?) tries to move kids from jail to court faster.
  
• Those fun loving Elections Commissioners in San Jose noodle over ditching anonymous complaints. (Whistleblowers watch out)
  
• San Jose’s City Council talks parks and recreation.

Mission City Lantern’s James Rowen is sharing a cuppa with Santa Clara Councilmember Jamie McLeod. Legislators for (and against) State Senator Elaine Alquist’s 49er/SB43 are called out. Party poopers Tom Ammiano and Fiona Ma said no.

San Jose Insider Eric Johnson tried to kick off Rants and Raves over the long weekend, as of Monday there were no takers. Ouch. Insider/San Jose Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio spanks General Plan colleagues and invites you to “the scariest film” at Sundance. No, not this…

Morning News Round-Up – 9.4.09: For your holiday weekend pleasure...

Depending on who you believe the A’s finding their way to San Jose could be a (financial) field of dreams or field of schemes. San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed is showing his dreamy side hollering “Play Ball!” San Jose Inside reiterates…

Congressmember Anna Eshoo welcomed both sides of the healthcare debate declaring she understood the passions constituents felt. Eshoo shared there are three elements of the legislation she helped write and none were about destroying the system.

Mountain View’s (retired diplomat) David Straub keeps hanging with the cool kids. Straub was part of President Bill Clinton’s dramatic rescue of journalists held captive in North Korea.

John Masakazu Tashiro, a purchasing specialist for Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, had a really sweet gig – until someone figured out those 81,000 index dividers were like the Emperor’s new clothes. A million bucks later, Tashiro finds himself on the wrong side of pissed off, high powered attorneys.

State Senator Elaine Alquist is doing the happy dance. In the midst of the financial crisis while State legislators are snarling their way through each day – the 49er bill made it to the top of the pile and got its positive Assembly vote.

Campbell is a cool place to hang and the mother-daughter team of Lorraine Laden and Crystal Mangiameli are hoping to keep the doors open on Pleasures of the Heart for years to come. Even Mayor Jane Kennedy wants to keep them saying “I don’t see where they’re a problem… I don’t want to see them go away.” Don’t tell (carpetbagger)/Congressional wannabe/porn king Larry Pegram, pleasure makes him blush.

Speaking of libraries… The economic crisis has people flocking to Santa Clara County libraries to use the internet. So many that library internet surfing is more like playing in the kiddie pool than hitting Mavericks. Help is on the way, librarians’ hope, with tech tweaking courtesy of the Joint Powers Authority.

Maybe Google can lend a hand to the librarians dilemma as part of the WiFi upgrades they have up their sleeves for Mountain View. Improved surfing for the 19,000 users is on the mind of Google tech Karl Garcia.

Two more murderous souls were busted for the death last month of Kristina Harris Perkins at San Jose’s Alum Rock Lightrail station. Behind bars are Eddie Manuel Rivera and Gregory Alan Lopez, investigators still won’t dish details on why Perkins was attacked.

San Jose’s San Tomas Convalescent Hospital is big trouble. The State Department of Health slapped them with a “AA” citation for the death of Hannah Lesser after a tv and dresser fell on top of her.

It’s Open Forum Friday at Protect San Jose. Send your juiciest tips and Labor Day tricks on over…

Mission City Lantern (doesn’t) talk about Bill Gissler because he’s “irrelevant” and “could have been great, except he was not very good.”

Morning News Round-Up -- 8.12.09: Ditch Twitter and cell-phones...

It's National Vinyl Record day...

San Jose’s City Council seems to have wrapped up the 2006 election, at least the finances part. In spite of dire warnings from their beloved City Attorney Rick Doyle and Mayor Chuck Reed who said “…we’ll be giving a gift to lawyers… and we’ll lose,” the Council retains its “soft money” cap…

Foothill-De Anza Trustee/Incumbents Pearl Cheng and Bruce Swenson got a walk on the election this year. You have till Monday if you want to duke it out to replace Hal Plotkin.

3 Meetings + Pilgrims Haven + 104,503 square feet = 37 new retirees in Los Altos Hills

San Jose’s Biblioteca Latinoamericana replaced the alleyway where Lavonna McLaughlin was murdered 15 years ago. Yesterday Deputy District Attorney Jeff Rosen painted a picture of the era as the trial for her accused killer started quietly in a Santa Clara County courtroom.

Firefighters halted a wildfire that started at Recology Pacheco Pass before it hit the methane pipes. Parent company, Norcal Waste Systems, breathed a sigh of relief but now worries over how the fire started.

Gary “Mr. Roadshow” Richards received an inbox full of email from grumpy backseat drivers. Easy people, the police asked for the warning about Cell-Phone Tuesday. You may now return to dangerous driving.

The Merc’s Sal Pizarro dishes… the yummy stuff is on order from local restaurateurs for Sunnyvale’s Saturday Jazz (green and line free, nice), Second Harvest Food Bank welcomes new CEO Kathryn Jackson, Spamalot lovers can whet their appetites at the Starlight presentation of “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” last, but not least Happy Birthday Jack Aberle of San Jose State University’s Biz Admin.

Speaking of big birthdays… Los Gatos’ Betsy and David Fullagar’s 2007 birthday safari and growing friendship with Alweet Hlungwani set them on a journey that resulted this year in a library for the Makuleke tribe of South Africa.

Tweet this… That painful roller coaster ride is shut down for 2 months while engineers scratch their heads and the Twitverse keeps yakking. Stuck upside down for hours, Dominic Angel told his friends “gravity is not our friend right now.”

The Philip Bump/Revealed saga is a source of never ending fun for Mission City Lantern. An advisor to New York Public Advocate candidate Eric Gioia, Bump is getting a little West Coast love on the East Coast blogs.

Fan of students/San Jose Insider/Santa Clara County Board of Education’s Joseph DiSalvo has a few suggestions for parents checking out the neighborhood school.

Protect San Jose has joined the ranks of the anonymous blogger for a mildly comprehensible rundown on why San Jose should ditch CQ Press rankings, as the FBI did in 2004. According to CQ, they’re patiently waiting for the FBI to figure out what to use.

Morning News Round-Up – 8.7.09: And you thought you had problems...

Watch Dog breathing a deep sigh of relief... The folks at Customer Service were servicing today.

Now back to the rug for a well deserved belly rub and a nap...

Yep, those modified Caltrain horns were awfully loud, think chainsaw. Caltrain CEO Michael Scanton was joined by Deputy CEO Chuck Harvey in doing the defensive dance explaining why they piss off residents, at least for a while. Board Chair/Supervisor/(future) Gilroy Mayor Don Gage joined the defense.

San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed hits the big time today with CNBC chatting about Silicon Valley leading the way out of recession...

Parents with Padres Unidos have defined the necessary criteria for their next School District Superintendent: Latino, but, “not just any Latino.” Board President Don Moody said “their hearts are in the right place… I respect their opinions…” offering he plans on thinking about the children’s needs.

Mental Health advocate Robin Salak hopes her threats to Psycho Donuts will get those crazy names off the charts saying darkly “If [owner Jordan Zweigoron] doesn’t do what we want …” Meanwhile, psycho Kipp Berdiansky turned in his straight jacket leaving psycho Jordan Zweigoron holding the bag and the blog.

If you’re angling for that Honorific today is the deadline to get your papers filed for City Council and school district races in November. So far Sunnyvale’s incumbents (and the open seat) heard some chatter but no one wants to run, yet…

Speaking of elections…

Foothill-DeAnza Trustee hopefuls are now online after the League of Women Voters suggested it would be helpful. You have until August 17 to join Joan Barram and Richard Bernhardt on the list…

San Jose brothers Kulbir and Amritpal Dhaliwal are back in the news, busted in San Mateo for lying and drunk driving. Sweet kids…

San Jose Parks Manager Matt Cano hopes the city’s new Greenprint will balance promises with delivery. San Jose wants to hear from you before raising the cost of those golf lessons.

The sparkly new courthouse in Morgan Hill will join the ranks of the furloughed, along with all other courthouses across the State. So, if you have jury duty, you can now join your doctor on the links every 3rd Wednesday…

Morgan Hill’s Redevelopment Agency will be fixing the 101/Tennant interchange, without benefit of Federal Stimulus bucks.

Farmer Andy Mariani says of his stone fruit (no, not stoned fruit) orchard it would all “be houses sooner or later… In the meantime, we’re just trying to survive.” As the pressure to pave over agricultural lands grows. Richard Barberi added “people who live in town love their farmer’s markets… But that’s all gone if farming’s not allow to happen in this valley.”

A big Watch Dog Woof to all the local seniors kicking butt at the Olympics…

Santa Clara County Tax Assessor/Jazzman Larry Stone ditched his sax to pay for grad school but not his love of music. Stone leads the way for tonight’s kick off of the annual At&T San Jose Jazz Festival in downtown San Jose according to the Merc’s Sal Pizarro. San Jose Metblogger Matt Bruensteiner is also all over the weekends musical offerings.

The Merc’s Joe Rodriguez takes us inside the life of East San Jose’s Father Son team of Rudy Contreras Sr & Jr. Senior headed deep into gang territory before turning his life around, Junior just returned from war.

Stanford law professor John Barton was hit while riding his bicycle last month. The University announced the respected teacher died as a result of his injuries. No word on the driver who killed him… Condolences.

San Jose Inside cares the San Jose Mineta International Airport was named 2008 Airport of the Year by the Air Line Pilots Association… And that was before the new terminal started to open.

Mission City Lantern bids a (not so) fond farewell to San Jose Revealed, complete with poem. James also shares the sad news of one very confused porpoise who made his way from the Bay up San Tomas Aquino Creek before dying of injuries suffered in transit.

Morning News Round-Up – 8.6.09: Get the lint off those breath mints…

No kidding, today is National (Minty) Fresh Breath Day…

Congressmember Anna Eshoo put her foot down letting Hangar One keep its toxic siding a little longer. Mountain View City Manager, Kevin Duggan, is hopeful but not holding his (minty) breath, yet.

Guadalupe Cabrera Miranda was busted on his way to a grievance hearing after his son told the cops he was worried about Dad’s mental stability... oh, and the gun Pops was packing. Anticipated crimes, must be the preponderance of psychic cops that allows San Jose Police to clear the streets with “attitude” arrests.

The 49ers team offices have resided quietly in Santa Clara, now their sweetheart deal is dragging them into discussions on the teams (anticipated) southbound move. Vice Mayor Jamie Matthews says it’s not fair to say the 49ers pay roughly your mortgage annually – after all you suck up city services while they generate money.

Gilroy’s mischievous tow-truck family is heading to court with over 150 charges against them for a range of nastiness. Vincent Cardinalli Sr. represented himself during the preliminary hearing with a little coaching from Judge Gilbert Brown – including the advice to get an attorney…

California’s Superintendent of Public Education, Jack O’Connell landed in San Jose just in time for a union march on the Alfred E. Alquist State Building protesting $18 billion in education cuts. Local labor maven Cindy Chavez was (apparently) not on the scene as “penny” postcards were delivered to Assemblymembers Jim Beall and Joe Coto along with State Senators Abel Maldonado and Elaine Alquist.

It’s official, (former) Los Altos Councilmembers and Planning Commissioners won’t be volunteering at City Hall. Former Mayor Jim Thurber called the official ban an insult and illogical. No doubt these guys agreed...

Oops, that was a Past Due notice… Comcast is coughing up $100,000 in overdue fees to Los Altos…

San Jose has stayed largely unfluoridated, until that darned Tooth Mobile started promoting kids health. “We can never drill our way out…” of crummy teeth according to Health Trust CEO Fred Ferrer.

Just for fun, the Merc’s Sal Pizarro points out Friday in San Jose will be hopping. The Jazz Festival kicks off (complete with the CEO Jam showing off), South First Fridays has artist Jose Arenas unveiling a new work, and San Pedro Farmers Market gives you the chance to embarrass yourself in a pie eating contest.

San Jose Inside surfed the net to share the news that Santa Clara County will need to cough up a whopping huge check to bail the State out.

Mission City Lantern pokes at Philip “Revealed?” Bump and shares a ditty featuring San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed. On an (un)related note… The web wizards helping Working Partnerships haven’t bothered with updates since former leader Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins announced her departure…

Morning News Round-Up -- 8.5.09: Really, no pressure but...

Paris in Palo Alto courtesy of developers “…getting up there” is the goal for a revamped Lytton Plaza. Goodby “flying saucer” benches, hello game tables. Donor/Developer Le Levy used his two minute council time to sing a happy tune.

No singing here on day one of post vacation meetings...

Accusations of fraud and deceit erupted while emotions ran high during San Jose’s City Council do-over discussion of the Education Park Library quagmire. Former Public Defender/Councilmember Ash Kalra espoused expertise on steel subcontractors while declaring he had not been pressured by any group. For your reading pleasure, a steel subcontractor expert/lobbyist report from folks not pressuring Kalra. San Jose Inside has a take on the do-over, this time not relying solely on the Merc’s rendition.



Speaking of San Jose’s City Council…

Former Independent Police Auditor Barbara Attard received a little more than the coffee & chocolate parting gift when San Jose’s City Council swapped her $250,000 loan for the condo deed yesterday. No word if they’re renting to the next IPA…

Liquid gold won’t be oil in the future, it’s water. Well under way to reusing wastewater is a $55 million pilot project with the Santa Clara Valley Water District, San Jose and Santa Clara hoping following in the footsteps of Orange County… Still, pretty high on the ick factor…

Really, Saratoga does want those Federal stimulus dollars… A documentation screw-up had Councilmember Howard Miller saying “Oops, we caused an ambiguity, let's throw this thing back out there,” talking about getting those shovel ready projects underway.

Gilroy’s City Council will be holding on to binding arbitration, for now. A contentious meeting ended with an unhappy Gilroy Chamber of Commerce CEO Susan Valenta sitting in the audience. Police Officer Association President Mitch Madruga previously accused the Chamber of “irrelevant flame-fanning.” Doubtful this battle is over…

Palo Alto’s homeless Council candidate had his (first) day in court fighting the city’s sit-lie ordinance. Victor Frost is hoping free speech and a heart condition let him keep his campaign on track.

Go green, save money and spend your travel bucks at home. HP and Cisco systems hope the crashing economy will help push video conferencing over the top.

The Merc’s Sal Pizarro bids a fond farewell to retiring Superior Court Judge Catherine Gallagher who’s now headed for a post-retirement mediation career at JAMS. Pizarro also dishes the Democratic glitterati were in full force at a fundraiser for Georgia Congressmember John Lewis hosted by his buddy Congressman Mike Honda.

A Silicon Valley staple since 1954, Lupretta’s Deli will be closing the doors in Saratoga’s Village. Daryle Lupretta is looking for new digs with a kitchen… and, lot’s of foot traffic. Watch Dog has paws crossed the ravioli’s reappear soon.

Around the blogosphere…

• Mission City Lantern lashes out against ‘Letters from Silicon Valley’
• San Jose Revealed remains incommunicado (complete with broken site – again), in spite of yesterday’s tempting San Jose City Council meeting…
• Kathleen Flynn issues a throwdown to advocates of open police records declaring on Protect San Jose “…read about the woman who murdered her child, ate her brain, tore her face off, and then tried to kill herself. I rest my case.” Watch Dog invites advocates on all sides to talk.
• San Jose Metblogger Matt Bruensteiner shares photos from his neighborhood National Night Out including cops as kiddy rockstars and tightrope walking Northsiders.