Ah, the Civil Grand Jury, that upstanding tattle-tale. They came out with a report that stated the obvious: Cities Must Rein in Unsustainable Employee Costs. San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed was quick on the draw with a response agreeing that cities must rein in unsustainable employee costs...
With all the fun happening in San Jose's City Council District 5 race, it is easy to forget that there is another tight race on the other side of town for the San Jose City Council District 9 (Judy Chirco's seat)... Jim Cogan is very, very upset (apparently) with the way he is being treated by the newspapers in town and wrote about it on Protect San Jose. He even gets a little Sara Palin folksy on us by using the phrase "darn right" three times in one paragraph...
There a few challenges swirling about the baseball stadium EIR approved by the San Jose Planning Commission last week. The naysayers include the San Jose Sharks (jerks), Stand for San Jose a.k.a. the San Francisco Giants (bigger jerks), and a nearby resident (probably not a jerk)...
You may have heard/ read/ seen/ been in traffic yesterday because of a certain head of state that was in Fremont visiting your $535 million investment (loan guarantee) in Solyndra...
Breath a deep sigh of relief San Jose/Evergreen Community College District fans... they have a new chancellor and a new opportunity to right the ship, hopefully... Note to new chancellor: Let's try to keep the expensive oversees travel in check...
The Mercury News isn't done yet with their June 8th recommendations, and today's isn't going to make the local folks (or the close-to-local folks) very pleased. They endorsed State Senator Gloria Romero for State Superintendent over Assemblymember Tom Torlakson and former Franklin-McKinley Superintendent Larry Aceves.
The Santa Clara County Housing Authority seems to have lost much of its electronic data because of a computer glitch. The cost to replace that information = $600,000 and probably a string of bad stories about poor oversight, etc. And perhaps a story or two about what the Housing Authority actually does might be nice...
Showing posts with label civil grand jury. Show all posts
Showing posts with label civil grand jury. Show all posts
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 9.3.09: Mr. Pegram goes to Washington?
Most Gilroy schools are celebrating. California High School Exit Examination results were posted. Gilroy winners include Gilroy High with 81% and 80% of students passing Math and English respectively. At the bottom of the barrel the beleaguered MACSA-managed El Portal with less than 45% of students passing math and English. Ouch. Maybe if the folks running the schools paid the teachers instead of embezzling, test scores would go up...
Porn king Larry Pegram has a new adventure in store for unsuspecting voters. On top of recent announcements that he is recruiting people to look over your shoulder at libraries as well as collecting money for a ballot measure to overturn San Jose City Council’s decision to keep San Jose out of the Big Brother role at libraries, Pegram’s longing for a Congressional gig came out at the ChamberPAC's annual picnic. (carpetbagger)/ Congressional wannabe Pegram told the Metro’s Fly he’s ready to move to Tracy. Watch out, Congressman Jerry McNerney, the porn king is on your trail.
If Second Harvest Food Bank didn’t know the power of social media 3 weeks ago, they do now. Carolee Hazard asked her Facebook friends what do to with an extra $93. More than $10,000 and 10 countries later, Second Harvest celebrates the $93 Dollar Club.
The Merc’s Mr. Roadshow (a.k.a. Gary Richards) is looking out for everyone, including Mountain View City Councilmember Laura Macias. Worried about hitting California’s “craziest” traffic after a holiday in Tahoe, Macias wants to know if she should hit the road before dawn or after sunset Monday?
Silicon Valley Leadership Group revealed plans to honor former San Jose Mayors Susan Hammer and Tom McEnery to the Merc’s Sal Pizarro. Also on tap, a look at gubernatorial wannabe’s in separated conversations. The only candidate not showing up, Meg Whitman. That should be awkward for the folks sitting in the eBay seats...
The Merc’s Editorial Board has a message for the City of San Jose – get serious about trails. The Board suggests a missing trail between the Los Gatos Creek and Guadalupe River is the same as leaving out sections of Highway 101.
The City of San Jose got a little love (not the kind of love that makes Larry Pegram blush, however) from the Civil Grand Jury according to San Jose Inside. The sucking sound was dollars disappearing in the links at Los Lagos and Rancho del Pueblo golf courses...
The San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce got props during a recent Los Altos City Council meeting. Under discussion, should the Los Altos Chamber model itself like San Jose’s Chamber. Councilmember David Casas thinks so saying the “clear line” between business and politics would make it easier for Los Altos to hand money to the Chamber. If only San Jose Revealed was still up to comment on this story...
Los Altos residents on Blue Oak Lane want to ditch their septic tanks, but cost and giant holes have some worried. Elementary school teacher Mildred McColloch is pissed about the $40,000 (+) price tag saying “I’m basically being booted out…" And that just stinks...
Business owners and planners in Los Altos are at odds over strengthening downtown. The economic downturn hurts business owners who believe that revitalization is great but the real pain is now.
Those pesky (toxic) Perchlorate chemicals found in wells around Silicon Valley are disappearing. Of course, if the drought disappears those Perchlorates could continue their journey.
Morgan Hill City employees will breathe a sigh of relief: the City Council decided no mid-year layoffs. Mayor Steve Tate and Councilmember Larry Carr have their fingers crossed the unions will give up raises to help out.
Porn king Larry Pegram has a new adventure in store for unsuspecting voters. On top of recent announcements that he is recruiting people to look over your shoulder at libraries as well as collecting money for a ballot measure to overturn San Jose City Council’s decision to keep San Jose out of the Big Brother role at libraries, Pegram’s longing for a Congressional gig came out at the ChamberPAC's annual picnic. (carpetbagger)/ Congressional wannabe Pegram told the Metro’s Fly he’s ready to move to Tracy. Watch out, Congressman Jerry McNerney, the porn king is on your trail.
If Second Harvest Food Bank didn’t know the power of social media 3 weeks ago, they do now. Carolee Hazard asked her Facebook friends what do to with an extra $93. More than $10,000 and 10 countries later, Second Harvest celebrates the $93 Dollar Club.
The Merc’s Mr. Roadshow (a.k.a. Gary Richards) is looking out for everyone, including Mountain View City Councilmember Laura Macias. Worried about hitting California’s “craziest” traffic after a holiday in Tahoe, Macias wants to know if she should hit the road before dawn or after sunset Monday?
Silicon Valley Leadership Group revealed plans to honor former San Jose Mayors Susan Hammer and Tom McEnery to the Merc’s Sal Pizarro. Also on tap, a look at gubernatorial wannabe’s in separated conversations. The only candidate not showing up, Meg Whitman. That should be awkward for the folks sitting in the eBay seats...
The Merc’s Editorial Board has a message for the City of San Jose – get serious about trails. The Board suggests a missing trail between the Los Gatos Creek and Guadalupe River is the same as leaving out sections of Highway 101.
The City of San Jose got a little love (not the kind of love that makes Larry Pegram blush, however) from the Civil Grand Jury according to San Jose Inside. The sucking sound was dollars disappearing in the links at Los Lagos and Rancho del Pueblo golf courses...
The San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce got props during a recent Los Altos City Council meeting. Under discussion, should the Los Altos Chamber model itself like San Jose’s Chamber. Councilmember David Casas thinks so saying the “clear line” between business and politics would make it easier for Los Altos to hand money to the Chamber. If only San Jose Revealed was still up to comment on this story...
Los Altos residents on Blue Oak Lane want to ditch their septic tanks, but cost and giant holes have some worried. Elementary school teacher Mildred McColloch is pissed about the $40,000 (+) price tag saying “I’m basically being booted out…" And that just stinks...
Business owners and planners in Los Altos are at odds over strengthening downtown. The economic downturn hurts business owners who believe that revitalization is great but the real pain is now.
Those pesky (toxic) Perchlorate chemicals found in wells around Silicon Valley are disappearing. Of course, if the drought disappears those Perchlorates could continue their journey.
Morgan Hill City employees will breathe a sigh of relief: the City Council decided no mid-year layoffs. Mayor Steve Tate and Councilmember Larry Carr have their fingers crossed the unions will give up raises to help out.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 8.28.09: The Detroit of the Bay Area?
It’s official, Toyota walks away from Fremont after 25 years. That is a heck of a year for Fremont, losing a professional baseball team AND a massive automobile manufacturing plant. We'd call them the Detroit of the Bay Area, but Detroit has a baseball team. Perhaps casinos would be a nice addition...Things took a turn towards ugly at meetings for San Jose’s pension systems this week. Current and future retiree’s attacked the Canadian consultant’s proposal to create an independent board while non-governmental folks attacked worker pensions. “Rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic...” was the accusation of tech retiree Jerry Mungai. Oddly, the pissing match at the actual meetings sounded a lot nastier than the joint post from the Police Officers and Firefighter union heads this week on Protect San Jose where Bobby Lopez and Randy Sekany offered this: "We’re always open to listening and talking about ways to improve things."
We hope the anti-High Speed Rail/ NIMBY celebrants are enjoying their party. One downside the court's ruling this week questioning the EIR of High-Speed Rail, which the NIMBY's love, is that Caltrain electrification could be delayed or defuned... buzz kill, man.
The Civil Grand Jury took a swipe at San Jose in June for cost increases at the Los Lagos Golf Course. San Jose responded this week saying an unexpected increase in construction costs was the problem.
Wanna catch up with the Merc’s Sal Pizarro? Sounds like he’ll be at the grand (re)opening of San Jose’s 101 year old Carnegie Library following the $9 million overhaul.
Speaking of openings... the Merc’s Scott Herhold munched on shrimp and sipped champagne while San Jose Councilmember Sam Liccardo channeled Will Rogers at the opening of San Jose’s newest downtown attraction: a grocery store in a downtown high-rise condo building.
Don’t be dumping your garbage in San Jose’s Hoffman Via Monte neighborhood. The neighbors voted to keep their no-warning-big-fine penalty in place for the idiots tossing beds on sidewalks.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stopped by San Jose to see those federal stimulus dollars start trickling in this week for the Lower Silver Creek flood control project.
It’s Barry Swenson Friday… First up, pissed off Cupertinites found the ad-hoc parking lot for as many as 50 construction vehicles offensive... A few calls to Cupertino City officials later, Swenson was in hot water. Next, the Watch Dog formula of the day:
- Prime Development Land + High Housing Prices = Goodbye Palo Alto Bowl
Palo Alto Mayor Peter Drekmeier will host a forum organized by the faith community and Penny Barrett to help grown-ups figure out how to help fix the teen suicide problem. The Merc’s Editorial Board adds their voice supporting the County’s call for more work.
Mountain View Councilmembers agree with the Santa Clara Valley Water District and McKelvey Park is headed for a flood protection/ baseball field of dreams. Councilmember Laura Macias stayed out of the conversation as colleagues called it a win-win.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 7.28.09: Political Impact
Today, we have several stories that may have long-term, political impacts...
There is another weird, but fascinating, turn in the DA Dolores Carr story. Remember, she recused herself from a murder prosecution because her husband was on contract with the victim's family for their civil trial. Now, a judge hearing motions in the case, Judge Joyce Allegro, is also backing away from the case as she, the DA, and the DA's husband are buddies. The most immediate implication of these shenanigans are that the DA may actually get the case taken away from her office and kicked to the State Attorney General... Oops.
Feeling the (not so good kind of) love from the Civil Grand Jury, East Side Union High School (unelected/ twice-appointed) Trustee Eddie Garcia has a whole bunch of questions for Superintendent Bob Nunez's vacation time pay (and probably why the Superintendent asks for reimbursements for coffee)... Watch Dog has to ask: Where was the oversight from Garcia (and his boss) during this spending-spree? Could it be for this exact reason that voters did not vote for an "incumbent" in this District.
The Merc's Scott Herhold rips into his least-favorite government agency today -- the Santa Clara Valley Water District. In the process, he provides a political Profile in Courage-scenario for Water District Board Member (Supervisorial wanna-be) Rosemary Kamei.
Palo Alto's College Terrace Centre took an important step forward yesterday when the City Council approved a requested zoning change for the site. Two "public benefits" that the neighbors were looking for were a JJ&F subsidy and affordable housing. The neighbors are likely to get both -- but also get more office space than they probably wanted.
And if neighbors are super-pissed (or super-happy) with the City Council in Palo Alto, they can let them know in November because Palo Alto's ever-growing list of folks that want to serve on the City Council is ever-growing still. Gregory Scharff (lawyer), Nancy Shepherd ("school activist"), and Brian Steen (land-use consultant) are all throwing their hats in the ring. They join Planning Commissioner Karen Holman, Gail Price, realtor Dan Dykwel, realtor Leon Leong, business-dude Tim Gray, and man-about-town Victor Frost. Oh yeah, current Councilmember Larry Klein is also running. They are all vying for five seats.
One issue these Palo Alto Council wanna-be's won't have to deal with is a big-mouth Police Chief. (In case you forgot why this is an issue in Palo Alto...) The three new Police Chief finalists have been announced: Interim Chief Dennis Burns, Fairfield Police Chief Kenton Rainey, and San Carlos Police Chief Gregory Rothaus.
Young folks in Mountain View are advocating on their own behalf to put a youth center into The Rock Church. Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga said discussions on how to use the City-owned church should start in the Fall. (The Rock Church: Is that where Black Sabbath plays?)
The Gilroy Dispatch just noticed the Civil Grand Jury report leaping in to discover Gilroy Unified Superintendent Deborah Flores is paid below most other Superintendent and doesn't get the $48,000 housing allowance that Saratoga Union dishes out.
Onto blogs...
There is another weird, but fascinating, turn in the DA Dolores Carr story. Remember, she recused herself from a murder prosecution because her husband was on contract with the victim's family for their civil trial. Now, a judge hearing motions in the case, Judge Joyce Allegro, is also backing away from the case as she, the DA, and the DA's husband are buddies. The most immediate implication of these shenanigans are that the DA may actually get the case taken away from her office and kicked to the State Attorney General... Oops.
Feeling the (not so good kind of) love from the Civil Grand Jury, East Side Union High School (unelected/ twice-appointed) Trustee Eddie Garcia has a whole bunch of questions for Superintendent Bob Nunez's vacation time pay (and probably why the Superintendent asks for reimbursements for coffee)... Watch Dog has to ask: Where was the oversight from Garcia (and his boss) during this spending-spree? Could it be for this exact reason that voters did not vote for an "incumbent" in this District.
The Merc's Scott Herhold rips into his least-favorite government agency today -- the Santa Clara Valley Water District. In the process, he provides a political Profile in Courage-scenario for Water District Board Member (Supervisorial wanna-be) Rosemary Kamei.
Palo Alto's College Terrace Centre took an important step forward yesterday when the City Council approved a requested zoning change for the site. Two "public benefits" that the neighbors were looking for were a JJ&F subsidy and affordable housing. The neighbors are likely to get both -- but also get more office space than they probably wanted.
And if neighbors are super-pissed (or super-happy) with the City Council in Palo Alto, they can let them know in November because Palo Alto's ever-growing list of folks that want to serve on the City Council is ever-growing still. Gregory Scharff (lawyer), Nancy Shepherd ("school activist"), and Brian Steen (land-use consultant) are all throwing their hats in the ring. They join Planning Commissioner Karen Holman, Gail Price, realtor Dan Dykwel, realtor Leon Leong, business-dude Tim Gray, and man-about-town Victor Frost. Oh yeah, current Councilmember Larry Klein is also running. They are all vying for five seats.
One issue these Palo Alto Council wanna-be's won't have to deal with is a big-mouth Police Chief. (In case you forgot why this is an issue in Palo Alto...) The three new Police Chief finalists have been announced: Interim Chief Dennis Burns, Fairfield Police Chief Kenton Rainey, and San Carlos Police Chief Gregory Rothaus.
Young folks in Mountain View are advocating on their own behalf to put a youth center into The Rock Church. Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga said discussions on how to use the City-owned church should start in the Fall. (The Rock Church: Is that where Black Sabbath plays?)
The Gilroy Dispatch just noticed the Civil Grand Jury report leaping in to discover Gilroy Unified Superintendent Deborah Flores is paid below most other Superintendent and doesn't get the $48,000 housing allowance that Saratoga Union dishes out.
Onto blogs...
- Blogwars continue (in the comment sections) regarding the (possible) revealing of Revealed by Inside. Revealed responded with a shot of its own... Mission City Lantern is still in the Revealed revealed game... but has plenty of free time to write a bunch of other stuff too... like the first chapter of a novel. In an interesting twist, Phil Bump recalls his conversation with Mr. Lantern/ James Rowen. In Bump's words, he "...fed the troll..." (Bump had Rowen's phone number? Weird.)
- Protect San Jose is stangely silent on the biggest public safety issue of the day -- the DA stepping aside in the prosecution of a high-profile murder because of her husband's (a former San Jose Police Officer) financial relationship with the victim's family. Instead, they open their blog up to Denelle Fedor for her Mounted Unit opinions... (If Fedor speaking up for the Mounted Unit sounds familiar, it's because she published a very, very similar piece in the Merc. in May...)
Monday, July 13, 2009
Morning News Round-Up – 7.13.09: A Wet Sword of Damocles...
San Jose Assemblymember Joe Coto managed to land himself in the Chronicle’s editorial pages. This time Coto is seeking to take away California’s “district of choice” program from parents hoping to send their kids to targeted schools.
San Jose’s Luther Burbank School District found itself the subject of a Civil Grand Jury investigation. School Board President Antonio Perez gets the special love that only a Grand Jury can give with accusations of creating a hostile workplace, questionable business practices, breaking state law, and financial mismanagement. Of the schools high rating by the California Department of Education, Perez said “academic excellence – the word makes me sick.”
The Merc’s Sal Pizarro bid a fond farewell to A.P. Stump’s with a crowd big enough to have revelers suggesting Stump’s should have had weekly closing parties.
San Jose’s pension fund scandal is the gift that keeps on giving. Calling it “heads I win, tails you lose” Councilmember Sam Liccardo questions the wisdom of $2.9 million in bonus benefits when the fund is underfunded for future retirees…
Club Wet in San Jose was ordered stop the dance after their 5th stabbing in 6 months. According to the club’s consultant, Dustin DeRollo, the latest stabbing was “unpreventable.” Which begs the question, were the other 4 stabbings avoidable? For the answer, check out the spin on Wet’s website where you’ll learn that stabbings are a part of a “premiere entertainment experience.”
It’s Summer and teens are hitting the roadways with creative stories designed to flummox parents. The Merc’s Mr. Roadshow (aka Gary Richards) clears up the fiction, much to the dismay of teens around the Bay.
San Jose’s Mineta International Airport opens a few gates in its sparkly new terminal while trying to confuse passengers with “counterintuitive” gates according to spokesperson David Vossbrink.
A San Jose teen was stabbed to death in a (possibly) gang related attack at a Sunnyvale brawl. Police hope you’ll share info at 408-730-7120.
Former San Jose Planning Commissioner Bhupindar “Bob” Dhillon dismissed accusations of financial mismanagement and shoddy workmanship at the growing Sikh temple. Dhillon is confident his 25 year old construction management student will be successful with the $40 million (first) project calling naysayers lying nitpickers.
San Jose's Redevelopment Agency managed to land $24 million from the State to straighten the unfriendly Julian Street. Transportation consultant Gary Black said undoing the curvy street would help make San Jose’s downtown nice. Mayor Chuck Reed is hopeful the State’s check isn’t an IOU.
The sound of the other shoe dropping would be State threats to remove San Jose Redevelopment money targeted for expansion of the Convention Center. Calling it a “totally sword-of-Damocles situation” the Agency’s Bill Ekern waits on pins and needles for word of State theft.
The Merc’s on-again/off-again Government Watch is back up with the following news…
San Jose’s Luther Burbank School District found itself the subject of a Civil Grand Jury investigation. School Board President Antonio Perez gets the special love that only a Grand Jury can give with accusations of creating a hostile workplace, questionable business practices, breaking state law, and financial mismanagement. Of the schools high rating by the California Department of Education, Perez said “academic excellence – the word makes me sick.”
The Merc’s Sal Pizarro bid a fond farewell to A.P. Stump’s with a crowd big enough to have revelers suggesting Stump’s should have had weekly closing parties.
San Jose’s pension fund scandal is the gift that keeps on giving. Calling it “heads I win, tails you lose” Councilmember Sam Liccardo questions the wisdom of $2.9 million in bonus benefits when the fund is underfunded for future retirees…
Club Wet in San Jose was ordered stop the dance after their 5th stabbing in 6 months. According to the club’s consultant, Dustin DeRollo, the latest stabbing was “unpreventable.” Which begs the question, were the other 4 stabbings avoidable? For the answer, check out the spin on Wet’s website where you’ll learn that stabbings are a part of a “premiere entertainment experience.”
It’s Summer and teens are hitting the roadways with creative stories designed to flummox parents. The Merc’s Mr. Roadshow (aka Gary Richards) clears up the fiction, much to the dismay of teens around the Bay.
San Jose’s Mineta International Airport opens a few gates in its sparkly new terminal while trying to confuse passengers with “counterintuitive” gates according to spokesperson David Vossbrink.
A San Jose teen was stabbed to death in a (possibly) gang related attack at a Sunnyvale brawl. Police hope you’ll share info at 408-730-7120.
Former San Jose Planning Commissioner Bhupindar “Bob” Dhillon dismissed accusations of financial mismanagement and shoddy workmanship at the growing Sikh temple. Dhillon is confident his 25 year old construction management student will be successful with the $40 million (first) project calling naysayers lying nitpickers.
San Jose's Redevelopment Agency managed to land $24 million from the State to straighten the unfriendly Julian Street. Transportation consultant Gary Black said undoing the curvy street would help make San Jose’s downtown nice. Mayor Chuck Reed is hopeful the State’s check isn’t an IOU.
The sound of the other shoe dropping would be State threats to remove San Jose Redevelopment money targeted for expansion of the Convention Center. Calling it a “totally sword-of-Damocles situation” the Agency’s Bill Ekern waits on pins and needles for word of State theft.
The Merc’s on-again/off-again Government Watch is back up with the following news…
- San Jose’s Mexican Heritage Plaza Steering Committee hopes a noon time meeting will deliver creative ideas on “sustainable” business models and cost reduction.
- Sunnyvale’s City Council goes after a homeland security grant for bomb sniffing pooches.
- The 49ers proposed stadium is on tap at Santa Clara’s City Council.
- Yummy cafeteria food fills the plate for the Los Gatos Union School District.
- A scathing Civil Grand Jury report has the Luther Burbank (1 school) School District considering responses to “Board of Trustees of Luther Burbank School District (LBSD) Gets an ‘F’.” Also up for discussion, extending the interim Superintend while the search continues.
Mission City Lantern let loose with an attack on the Merc’s Barbara Marshman and the Chronicle and a (possible) accusation of Santa Clara City Councilmember Jamie McLeod as a former Gavin Newsom girlfriend (really?).
Friday, July 10, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 7.10.09: The Los Altos Giants
Hoping to nuke San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed’s “A’s to San Jose” dreams, Giants CEO Bill Neukom laid down the law at the Los Altos Rotary. “It’s our territory,” Neukom said, confident San Jose and Bud Selig take marching orders from Los Altans.
Looks like everyone has now read the recent Civil Grand Jury report on local school districts “questionable” expenses. The Merc’s Editorial Board joins the chorus calling for financial restructuring. Like zapping health benefits for Trustees. If they do, what’ll Unelected East Side Trustee/Supervisorial staffer Eddie Garcia do, after all, you might remember that he generously turned down County health benefits in exchange for a (much) larger salary…
The Merc’s Sal Pizarro sends kudo’s to San Jose Museum of Art, Children's Musical Theater of San Jose, TheatreWorks, and San Jose Jazz for landing some of those Federal dollars. Pizarro also chatted with Poor House Bistro owner Jay Meduri whose Saturday gig should raise the roof, literally.
Just in time for some of that school district re-vamp… The Foothill-De Anza College District Board is looking for a new board member. That would be where Assemblymember Paul Fong and D.C. bound Hal Plotkin got their feet wet…
Palo Alto’s College Terrace neighborhood board wants to make sure the City Council knows how they feel about the JJ&F grocery’s “inadequate” neighborhood benefits. JJ&F owner John Garcia is getting frustrated and said if they don’t want a grocery “they can keep fighting this.”
Speaking of Palo Alto... Expect the next City Council race to be a biggy. Councilman John Barton is not seeking another term. That makes three Council-folk from Palo Alto that won't be on the ballot in November: Barton, Yoriko Kishimoto, and Jack Morton. The other folks up in November are Larry Klein, who is running again, and Peter Drekmeier, who will let us all know on Monday. Hold on to your hats, it could be a real barn burner in Palo Alto in November.
Morgan Hill is tired of dumping dollars into the Cochrane Commons and is moving on to greener pastures…
Cabbie/kidnapper Tarandeep Singh “might” have had the proper papers to pick up passengers in San Jose according to Morgan Hill Police Sgt. Jerry Neumayer. After all, attorney Richard Pointer says, Alpha Cab wouldn’t let him drive “...if he was not properly permitted...”
San Jose Inside doubts BART will find its way to San Jose… But, more interesting it looks like San Jose Inside has bailed on the time honored tradition of newspaper reporters and moved to news aggregation. Imitation being the sincerest form, etc., etc.
In other blog news:
Looks like everyone has now read the recent Civil Grand Jury report on local school districts “questionable” expenses. The Merc’s Editorial Board joins the chorus calling for financial restructuring. Like zapping health benefits for Trustees. If they do, what’ll Unelected East Side Trustee/Supervisorial staffer Eddie Garcia do, after all, you might remember that he generously turned down County health benefits in exchange for a (much) larger salary…
The Merc’s Sal Pizarro sends kudo’s to San Jose Museum of Art, Children's Musical Theater of San Jose, TheatreWorks, and San Jose Jazz for landing some of those Federal dollars. Pizarro also chatted with Poor House Bistro owner Jay Meduri whose Saturday gig should raise the roof, literally.
Just in time for some of that school district re-vamp… The Foothill-De Anza College District Board is looking for a new board member. That would be where Assemblymember Paul Fong and D.C. bound Hal Plotkin got their feet wet…
Palo Alto’s College Terrace neighborhood board wants to make sure the City Council knows how they feel about the JJ&F grocery’s “inadequate” neighborhood benefits. JJ&F owner John Garcia is getting frustrated and said if they don’t want a grocery “they can keep fighting this.”
Speaking of Palo Alto... Expect the next City Council race to be a biggy. Councilman John Barton is not seeking another term. That makes three Council-folk from Palo Alto that won't be on the ballot in November: Barton, Yoriko Kishimoto, and Jack Morton. The other folks up in November are Larry Klein, who is running again, and Peter Drekmeier, who will let us all know on Monday. Hold on to your hats, it could be a real barn burner in Palo Alto in November.
Morgan Hill is tired of dumping dollars into the Cochrane Commons and is moving on to greener pastures…
Cabbie/kidnapper Tarandeep Singh “might” have had the proper papers to pick up passengers in San Jose according to Morgan Hill Police Sgt. Jerry Neumayer. After all, attorney Richard Pointer says, Alpha Cab wouldn’t let him drive “...if he was not properly permitted...”
San Jose Inside doubts BART will find its way to San Jose… But, more interesting it looks like San Jose Inside has bailed on the time honored tradition of newspaper reporters and moved to news aggregation. Imitation being the sincerest form, etc., etc.
In other blog news:
- James Rowen at Mission City Lantern has a theory about Ben Field joining the South Bay Labor Council and how that relates to San Jose Revealed's "pneumonia"...
- San Jose POA Chief Bobby Lopez is a good writer... who knew? See for yourself at Protect San Jose...
- And Bobby Lopez's BFF, Silicon Valley De-Bug checks in on the possibility of San Jose getting an "Independent" Police Auditor...
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 7.8.09: A football field and a ben field...
And you thought the Swine Flu stories were over. Unfortunately, Silicon Valley had its first Swine Flu death. You may not have heard about it because of the 24/7 Jacko watch...
(Soon to be termed out) State Senator Elaine Alquist has a problem with public bids (for a 49ers stadium) and is angling to change State law. Alquist’s problem is with the requirement to pick the lowest bidder because the 49ers want to do the picking themselves. At least Alquist is focusing on the really important stuff in Sacramento...
As the head of the South Bay Labor Council, Cindy Chavez is wasting no time in shaking things up... a lot. Santa Clara County Prosecutor Ben Field, facing suspension for abuse of power, will join Chavez as her right hand leaving his $180,000 gig and Los Gatos digs behind.
Los Altos neighbors (NIMBYs) are really pissed at the thought of a bigger retirement home. Retirees and cranky neighbors will descend on City Hall this week in what promises to be an exciting meeting. An exciting meeting and Los Altos -- those two thing don't often go together.
Gilroy’s City Council ditched planning guidelines and ignored growth limits to approve a large hillside proposal – much to the joy of the South Valley Community Church. While agreeing the Council repeatedly makes such decisions, Councilmember Dion Bracco said it wouldn’t “…open the flood gates...”
The (volunteer) Utilities Advisory Committee in Palo Alto is growing as Palo Alto staff is shrinking. Mayor Peter Drekmeier called for the expansion to take advantage of resident expertise. (And may we suggest better oversight of the Utility...)
Santa Clara County’s Civil Grand Jury attack on local school officials made it to Mountain View. The Mountain View Voice calls attention to School District Trustee benefits, from $121,000 to Fremont Union Trustees and $0 to Loma Prieta’s.
Four developers are drooling over the thought of getting their hands on 77 acres at NASA Ames for a research park…
Morgan Hill aims to become the Silicon Valley electric vehicle retail site. San Jose’s Eco-Sparc (Sorry, not Tesla) showed off their electric cars in the Fourth of July parade and will open doors in the Downtown Mall this month.
Taking a pay cut and refusing raises was the least they could do, according to Gilroy’s City Council, to show solidarity with City employees taking paycuts. Largely symbolic, the part-timers will save the city $8,000 and keep personal benefits. (Perhaps they learned from San Jose's Kansen Chu...)
No surprises here: The South Bay ranks as the 6th most congested commute in the nation. The good (?) news, between the economy and fuel prices, congestion is at its lowest in 15 years.
Bizzare: Stanford physicist Suwen Wang took his family to Nebraska for the International Children’s Painting Competition (where his daughter won the North America division). While at the Competition, Wang and his wife were busted for child abuse. When Wang and his wife got out of jail, the kids were kept behind in foster care…
Yesterday, San Jose Inside got in on the news story about Ron Gonzales' job prospects. The weird part is that it seems Inside is getting into the news aggregation game, because they linked their "news" back to the Mercury News... then they did it again today with the story about Ben Field joining the South Bay Labor Council team.
(Soon to be termed out) State Senator Elaine Alquist has a problem with public bids (for a 49ers stadium) and is angling to change State law. Alquist’s problem is with the requirement to pick the lowest bidder because the 49ers want to do the picking themselves. At least Alquist is focusing on the really important stuff in Sacramento...
As the head of the South Bay Labor Council, Cindy Chavez is wasting no time in shaking things up... a lot. Santa Clara County Prosecutor Ben Field, facing suspension for abuse of power, will join Chavez as her right hand leaving his $180,000 gig and Los Gatos digs behind.
Los Altos neighbors (NIMBYs) are really pissed at the thought of a bigger retirement home. Retirees and cranky neighbors will descend on City Hall this week in what promises to be an exciting meeting. An exciting meeting and Los Altos -- those two thing don't often go together.
Gilroy’s City Council ditched planning guidelines and ignored growth limits to approve a large hillside proposal – much to the joy of the South Valley Community Church. While agreeing the Council repeatedly makes such decisions, Councilmember Dion Bracco said it wouldn’t “…open the flood gates...”
The (volunteer) Utilities Advisory Committee in Palo Alto is growing as Palo Alto staff is shrinking. Mayor Peter Drekmeier called for the expansion to take advantage of resident expertise. (And may we suggest better oversight of the Utility...)
Santa Clara County’s Civil Grand Jury attack on local school officials made it to Mountain View. The Mountain View Voice calls attention to School District Trustee benefits, from $121,000 to Fremont Union Trustees and $0 to Loma Prieta’s.
Four developers are drooling over the thought of getting their hands on 77 acres at NASA Ames for a research park…
Morgan Hill aims to become the Silicon Valley electric vehicle retail site. San Jose’s Eco-Sparc (Sorry, not Tesla) showed off their electric cars in the Fourth of July parade and will open doors in the Downtown Mall this month.
Taking a pay cut and refusing raises was the least they could do, according to Gilroy’s City Council, to show solidarity with City employees taking paycuts. Largely symbolic, the part-timers will save the city $8,000 and keep personal benefits. (Perhaps they learned from San Jose's Kansen Chu...)
No surprises here: The South Bay ranks as the 6th most congested commute in the nation. The good (?) news, between the economy and fuel prices, congestion is at its lowest in 15 years.
Bizzare: Stanford physicist Suwen Wang took his family to Nebraska for the International Children’s Painting Competition (where his daughter won the North America division). While at the Competition, Wang and his wife were busted for child abuse. When Wang and his wife got out of jail, the kids were kept behind in foster care…
Yesterday, San Jose Inside got in on the news story about Ron Gonzales' job prospects. The weird part is that it seems Inside is getting into the news aggregation game, because they linked their "news" back to the Mercury News... then they did it again today with the story about Ben Field joining the South Bay Labor Council team.
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