Not a ton of news, but what the news lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quantity...
After the drama of previous San Jose City Council meetings last night was calm when the bail bonds issue came back around. Councilmember Sam Liccardo asked colleagues to support a 22 month moratorium, residents talked about moving ahead with “real work,” and a unanimous vote gave residents their wish. Pro-bailbonds/anti-moratorium champion Councilmember Pete Constant, after attending the afternoon session, was home due to illness. (Spies tell us he was not absent from Facebook all day, however. Thank you for the email Spy #1.)
And… San Jose’s Club Wet is closed for the next month in an attempt to fix their ongoing problems with stabbings and fights.
The previous two stories (bail bonds and Club Wet) share a lobbying firm. Today is a hell-of-a news day for Saggau & DeRollo...
“The community deserves a DA with integrity and ethics,” said Deputy District Attorney Jeffrey Rosen after filing papers to replace integrity challenged (?) District Attorney Dolores Carr next year. San Jose Inside’s Fly poked at Rosen for spelling errors and suggests it’s the Merc’s fault Rosen is running.
East Side Union High School District wanted a foundation really bad. So, they hired “the thickest Rolodex in the valley” according to (former) Trustee/ Supervisor George Shirakawa, Jr. -- (former) Vice Mayor/labor leader Cindy Chavez. When asked if Chavez earned her (nearly) $80,000, (former) Trustee Shirakawa shrugged “… that is a question for [Superintendent Bob Nunez]…” Ok, but the thick Rolodex produced some pretty thin results -- according to this story.
Because once is not enough, Protect San Jose’s Kathleen Flynn doubled her column, literally. Flynn is worried about the Governor's early release proposal, apparently San Jose is the intended relocation zone. {Editors note: we have corrected Kathleen's name and added a second link to the story. It appears can be too much of a good thing.}
San Jose Insider Jessica Fromm goes into details as San Jose’s City Council rolls out the red carpet for the San Jose A’s.
Showing posts with label bail bonds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bail bonds. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 9.14.09: Welcome to Club Wet, here's a card for Bad Boys
If you were online and reading Watch Dog this weekend, you probably saw a post from Friday evening about Club Wet's latest and greatest. It includes a YouTube video, so you should probably check it out if you are trying to ease into your Monday morning without doing any real work -- but turn down the volume. (We thank San Jose Inside for being on top of all things Wet.) The Merc followed up with a story on Saturday about the Club. We are especially fond of the quotes of Club Wet's lobbyists/ spokesmen Tom Saggau:
Speaking of bail bonds, the issue is back and it looks like a 22-month moratorium for new bail bonds will be voted on. The Merc's Editorial Board chimed in supporting the moratorium and called it a "gift" to bail bonds operations. (They also call out the aforementioned lobbyists...)
(Former) Mayor Tom McEnery is moving forward with plans for his Urban Market hoping San Jose’s (already struggling) restaurateurs will help with mini-eateries. The Merc’s Sal Pizarro reports more than a little eye-rolling at the thought of expansion during the economic crisis.
and, speaking of (receiving) anonymous complaints… San Jose’s Elections Commission isn’t interested in hearing from anonymous whistleblowers unless they use the phone. (Former) Mayor Tom McEnery’s 20 “unintentional” paperwork screwups pissed off Commissioners and McEnery neighbors.
Proving nepotism runs strong in San Jose, Councilmember Nora Campos hopes to hand the keys to her office to brother Xavier in San Jose’s 2010 council race. The Merc’s Internal Affairs checked with Campos about the little problem of embezzlement charges facing former employer MACSA to learn the former Chief Operations Officer didn’t get involved in day-to-day operations. (If that is true, we love the ironic job title Campos had...) IA also dishes local judges are refusing furlough days. No doubt the folks making a lot less than the judicial $170,000 would like to do the same. Also in the news, the Boots (Del Biaggio) heading to prison pulled out all the stops with everyone from Catholic Bishops to San Jose Redevelopment Agency staff writing “he’s a nice guy who made a boo-boo” letters to lessen the sentence. Finally, the Van Jones leaves D.C. story won’t end with a return of former labor leader Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins.
The economic crunch continues to pound public libraries. The Santa Clara County Library shut down a third of their computers leaving (unemployed) web-surfing wannabe’s in the lurch when the demand for high intensity data shot up.
For government Watch Dogs, this week is full of fireworks… thank you Merc.
"...No one was hurt, no one was arrested..."Flashback: Remember, these quotes below that followed a stabbing at Club Wet made by Saggau's partner, Dustin DeRollo, not so long ago
"...every once in a while, people act inappropriately..."
"...It was one individual bad apple that spoiled the barrel..."We bring this up because the firm of Saggau and DeRollo is in the paper again today... but not about Club Wet, about bail bonds. We wonder if Saggau and DeRollo hand out Bad Boys Bail Bonds cards inside the Club...
"...We don't think this was preventable..."
Speaking of bail bonds, the issue is back and it looks like a 22-month moratorium for new bail bonds will be voted on. The Merc's Editorial Board chimed in supporting the moratorium and called it a "gift" to bail bonds operations. (They also call out the aforementioned lobbyists...)
(Former) Mayor Tom McEnery is moving forward with plans for his Urban Market hoping San Jose’s (already struggling) restaurateurs will help with mini-eateries. The Merc’s Sal Pizarro reports more than a little eye-rolling at the thought of expansion during the economic crisis.
and, speaking of (receiving) anonymous complaints… San Jose’s Elections Commission isn’t interested in hearing from anonymous whistleblowers unless they use the phone. (Former) Mayor Tom McEnery’s 20 “unintentional” paperwork screwups pissed off Commissioners and McEnery neighbors.
Proving nepotism runs strong in San Jose, Councilmember Nora Campos hopes to hand the keys to her office to brother Xavier in San Jose’s 2010 council race. The Merc’s Internal Affairs checked with Campos about the little problem of embezzlement charges facing former employer MACSA to learn the former Chief Operations Officer didn’t get involved in day-to-day operations. (If that is true, we love the ironic job title Campos had...) IA also dishes local judges are refusing furlough days. No doubt the folks making a lot less than the judicial $170,000 would like to do the same. Also in the news, the Boots (Del Biaggio) heading to prison pulled out all the stops with everyone from Catholic Bishops to San Jose Redevelopment Agency staff writing “he’s a nice guy who made a boo-boo” letters to lessen the sentence. Finally, the Van Jones leaves D.C. story won’t end with a return of former labor leader Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins.
The economic crunch continues to pound public libraries. The Santa Clara County Library shut down a third of their computers leaving (unemployed) web-surfing wannabe’s in the lurch when the demand for high intensity data shot up.
For government Watch Dogs, this week is full of fireworks… thank you Merc.
- The County Board of Supervisors discusses passing the State’s cutbacks on to foster care and AIDS prevention.
- San Jose’s City Council hears a debate between experts about San Jose A’s bringing a pretty penny and (finally) concludes the long discussion about bail bonds moratoriums.
- Figuring out whether there are enough textbooks is on tap at the Fremont Union High School District.
- County pockets could become part of the City of Monte Sereno and the Monte Sereno City Council reviews a hazard mitigation plan.
- The Franklin-McKinley School District talks test results.
- During the economic disaster, and with schools losing State money hand over fist, the Santa Clara County Office of Education reviews policies on Board compensation, benefits, and travel.
- The Campbell Union High School District gets an update on the strategic plan. Wonder if this economic crisis was predicted 3 years ago.
- Superintendent Bob Nunez is the discussion at the East Side Union High School District... again.
- Hearing about test results and studying student enrollment, attendance areas and transportation is in the works for the Mountain View-Whisman School District.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Club Wet Goes to City Hall...
You will all be happy to know that Club Wet is back... (bad grammar and all...) We recommend taking some extra safety precautions if you plan to go dancing there, however. What the hell are we talking about? Well, you may remember a story from last week about a series of stabbings at downtown San Jose's Club Wet. We thought we'd share some info that came to us thanks to some non-Club Wet-going 18th Floor workers...
Last weekend, Club Wet's representative (a.k.a. lobbyist) Dustin DeRollo said, with regards to the latest stabbing, that:
"...It was one individual bad apple that spoiled the barrel..." andBetween all the stabbings and increased attention their (weak) security has been receiving, Club Wet has known for some time that it was in trouble. So much trouble, in fact, they hired a lobbyist two months ago. (See lobbyist filing below.)
"...We don't think this was preventable..."
Just to recap:
- Club Wet had problems with security and stabbings for at least six months.
- Instead of doing something about their security, they decide to do something about their image at City Hall.
- Club Wet hires a "high-priced" lobbyist to spin away the Club's problems rather than improving security to actually address the problem.
Well, for all you astute observers, this is the same lobbyist (and lobbying firm) that works for the bail bonds shops in town. Remember, these guys have big clout with some folks on the City Council, as pointed out by Merc. columnist Scott Herhold: "...The lobbying firm of Saggau-DeRollo and their clients have given generously to councilmembers: As a group, they gave $10,000 to helping Madison Nguyen beat recall, $3,400 to help elect Rose Herrera..."
So, is Club Wet going to get as warm a reception at City Hall as the Bail Bonds seem to get? Or, will Club Wet be seen as the bad apple spoiling the downtown nightlife barrel...
Club Wet's Lobbyist Filing
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 5.19.09: Election Day = Fight Night
It is quite possibly the least exciting election day in history today... so go vote? That's what the Governor wants you to do, even though he is out of town...
He did make one last Silicon Valley pass yesterday, however. He stopped in San Jose to share the stage with San Jose Police Officers Association leader Bobby Lopez. Lopez said the state’s “budget roller coaster” was a “threat to public safety.” Schwarzenegger faces an uphill battle, Elma Rosas with the Santa Clara County Registrar’s office said they expect only 40% of voters to show up.
It’s (apparently) going to be Fight Night at San Jose City Hall. "High-priced lobbyists" Tom Saggau and Dustin DeRollo are hoping to get rid of regulations on bail bonds operators. In the other corner, Councilmember Sam Liccardo (and neighborhoods) are seeking rules on location and hours. The Merc’s Scott Herhold, talking to bail bondsman Tedd Wallace says “there is money to be made.” Also in Herhold's column is this gem: they are also trying to increase business by having the County cut Pre-Trial Services... (This issue has been burning up Watch Dog's email... thanks, tipsters.)
San Jose Councilmember Sam Liccardo lent his literary skills to the Merc., writing an opinion piece calling for wage reductions to save jobs and City services. Liccardo is going to be in the firing line today: first from the bail bonds folks, now with the City's unions. Liccardo praised local labor for creating a national model for children’s health insurance and neighborhood development and asks leaders to now help develop a plan to save jobs and services during the economic crisis.
The Mexican American Community Service Agency (MACSA) is back in Gilroy news. Gilroy Unified School District trustees are considering pulling the plug on MACSA’s El Portal Leadership Academy pointing to MACSA’s embezzlement and El Portal’s academic failure. Trustee Tom Bundros accused MACSA of not taking responsibility and making excuses.
Santa Clara County District Attorney Dolores Carr wants to take over victim-advocacy services, removing the services from the non-profit FACES. She’s facing a fight from retired Judges Len Edward and LaDoris Cordell along with other high profile names including San Jose Police Chief Rob Davis, former Vice Mayor Frank Fiscalini, and County Supervisors. Cordell pointed out the DA’s office is currently facing its own problems which will take “substantial time, resources and energy to remedy.”
Pacific Grove developer Bill Cusack hopes to tear out 60 acres of cherry trees and replace it with 349 affordable homes for seniors in Gilroy. Gilroy’s housing plan didn’t make the state happy and left Gilroy without access to the states affordable housing money. Councilmember Bob Dillon wants to check the proposal out “because we've gotten so much grief over our housing element - maybe this'll make them shut up."
Morgan Hill’s Measure A supporters are pissed about an 11th hour negative campaign aimed at defeating the downtown development proposal. Former Mayor and Measure A Committee Chair Dennis Kennedy called the negative campaign misleading and Councilmember Greg Sellers said it was disingenuous. Welcome to campaigns in Morgan Hill...
Mountain View is basking in the glory of Forbes Magazine’s declaration: Mountain View is the best place to live in the Bay Area, for a small city. Forbes said Mountain Views drawback includes a lack of restaurants, to which City Manager Kevin Duggan said “imagine how we would be rated if they figured out we did have plenty of restaurants.” Watch Dog does heart Castro Street.
San Jose Insider/County Board of Education Trustee Joseph DiSalvo wants local schools to follow President Obama’s goal of reducing “unwanted pregnancies.” DiSalvo wants to start with high-quality sex education pointing to Alaska Governor Sarah Palin’s pregnant 17 year old daughter as justification.
Big surprise, the economic crisis is driving people to their local libraries. Los Gatos Library Director Peggy Conway has seen a 31% increase in people walking through the doors. Seventeen year old Jose Garcia was drawn to the free internet, he’s looking for rims for his car.
Peninsula Open Space Trust is taking advantage of the crumbling economy. New Cities Development Group bought South San Jose’s Rancho San Vicente in 1998 hoping to exploit the booming economy. Today, POST announces purchase of the 966 acre ranch in a game of connect the park dots.
The Grandma scammer has been hitting Silicon Valley hard. San Jose Grandmother Beverly Avery got a call from a scam artist last summer using the same line who scammed Palo Alto grandparents out of $11,000. Avery is embarrassed and hopes her story will protect others.
He did make one last Silicon Valley pass yesterday, however. He stopped in San Jose to share the stage with San Jose Police Officers Association leader Bobby Lopez. Lopez said the state’s “budget roller coaster” was a “threat to public safety.” Schwarzenegger faces an uphill battle, Elma Rosas with the Santa Clara County Registrar’s office said they expect only 40% of voters to show up.
It’s (apparently) going to be Fight Night at San Jose City Hall. "High-priced lobbyists" Tom Saggau and Dustin DeRollo are hoping to get rid of regulations on bail bonds operators. In the other corner, Councilmember Sam Liccardo (and neighborhoods) are seeking rules on location and hours. The Merc’s Scott Herhold, talking to bail bondsman Tedd Wallace says “there is money to be made.” Also in Herhold's column is this gem: they are also trying to increase business by having the County cut Pre-Trial Services... (This issue has been burning up Watch Dog's email... thanks, tipsters.)
San Jose Councilmember Sam Liccardo lent his literary skills to the Merc., writing an opinion piece calling for wage reductions to save jobs and City services. Liccardo is going to be in the firing line today: first from the bail bonds folks, now with the City's unions. Liccardo praised local labor for creating a national model for children’s health insurance and neighborhood development and asks leaders to now help develop a plan to save jobs and services during the economic crisis.
The Mexican American Community Service Agency (MACSA) is back in Gilroy news. Gilroy Unified School District trustees are considering pulling the plug on MACSA’s El Portal Leadership Academy pointing to MACSA’s embezzlement and El Portal’s academic failure. Trustee Tom Bundros accused MACSA of not taking responsibility and making excuses.
Santa Clara County District Attorney Dolores Carr wants to take over victim-advocacy services, removing the services from the non-profit FACES. She’s facing a fight from retired Judges Len Edward and LaDoris Cordell along with other high profile names including San Jose Police Chief Rob Davis, former Vice Mayor Frank Fiscalini, and County Supervisors. Cordell pointed out the DA’s office is currently facing its own problems which will take “substantial time, resources and energy to remedy.”
Pacific Grove developer Bill Cusack hopes to tear out 60 acres of cherry trees and replace it with 349 affordable homes for seniors in Gilroy. Gilroy’s housing plan didn’t make the state happy and left Gilroy without access to the states affordable housing money. Councilmember Bob Dillon wants to check the proposal out “because we've gotten so much grief over our housing element - maybe this'll make them shut up."
Morgan Hill’s Measure A supporters are pissed about an 11th hour negative campaign aimed at defeating the downtown development proposal. Former Mayor and Measure A Committee Chair Dennis Kennedy called the negative campaign misleading and Councilmember Greg Sellers said it was disingenuous. Welcome to campaigns in Morgan Hill...
Mountain View is basking in the glory of Forbes Magazine’s declaration: Mountain View is the best place to live in the Bay Area, for a small city. Forbes said Mountain Views drawback includes a lack of restaurants, to which City Manager Kevin Duggan said “imagine how we would be rated if they figured out we did have plenty of restaurants.” Watch Dog does heart Castro Street.
San Jose Insider/County Board of Education Trustee Joseph DiSalvo wants local schools to follow President Obama’s goal of reducing “unwanted pregnancies.” DiSalvo wants to start with high-quality sex education pointing to Alaska Governor Sarah Palin’s pregnant 17 year old daughter as justification.
Big surprise, the economic crisis is driving people to their local libraries. Los Gatos Library Director Peggy Conway has seen a 31% increase in people walking through the doors. Seventeen year old Jose Garcia was drawn to the free internet, he’s looking for rims for his car.
Peninsula Open Space Trust is taking advantage of the crumbling economy. New Cities Development Group bought South San Jose’s Rancho San Vicente in 1998 hoping to exploit the booming economy. Today, POST announces purchase of the 966 acre ranch in a game of connect the park dots.
The Grandma scammer has been hitting Silicon Valley hard. San Jose Grandmother Beverly Avery got a call from a scam artist last summer using the same line who scammed Palo Alto grandparents out of $11,000. Avery is embarrassed and hopes her story will protect others.
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