Peninsula residents met with High-Speed Rail Authority experts to review the over/under/through options to move those 100 mph trains from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The anti-roller coaster requirement takes all the fun out of transitions between grades and is giving some residents headaches. You still have time for an “Alternative Analysis” meeting tonight in San Francisco. San Jose resident Larry Ames was pleased to see his curvy high-rise proposal on the chalk board…
Mountain View was planning for a rainy day when they bought up small bits of land and identified it as possible parklands. Their rainy day has arrived and those crusty old apartment buildings will soon make way for small parks and playgrounds along Mariposa and Del Medio Avenues.
Los Gatos’ Mayor Mike Wasserman finally ‘fessed up. Yes, he is running to replace Supervisor Don Gage. The Mayor announced he’s running on a cost-saving platform, after all, he is a tax preparer.
The Palo Alto Daily News has made their choice for City Council: Larry Klein, Corey Levens, Gail Price, Leon Leong and Dan Dykwel.
The Merc’s Editorial Board is fed up with the political wrangling preventing downtown San Jose from building a new urgent care center. “… each day of delay is a further shame” in the 5 years since San Jose’s downtown hospital was closed, according to the Merc and there’s no better time than the present to jump start replacement.
Paul “not a doormat” McCauley thought he was doing a favor when he moved a billboard sporting van for the owner of “Hassle Free Process Service.” The Merc’s Scott Herhold reports McCauley is the one facing the hassle and legal beagle Jim McManis stands to benefit from McCauley’s lapse in judgment.
Kudos to Voodoo Lounge owners David Powell and Tony Beers for pulling the plug on homophobic musicians Buju Banton, according to the Merc’s Sal Pizarro. Also tops on the Pizarro list of good, the InnVision homage to 007, complete with “shaken, not stirred.”
Protect San Jose sent props to MADD on passage of the breathalyzer ignition switch for first-time drunk drivers…
From previous San Jose Council meetings we know Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio’s thoughts run through the gutters (Library content filters anyone?), now we learn he’s dragged the rest of his body through the gutter during a sewer tour.
Palo Alto thieves made off with Gamble Gardens froggy and are politely asked to return both the frog and his lilypad says Executive Director Vanessa Roach.
As the first of the Winter storms hits, look forward to flooding and crashes on local roadways. Sounds like a good day for racking up some tele-commute time.
Gary “Mr. Roadshow” Richards dishes on good eats, police-style, for food-lovin’ road warriors. Best advice, look for those patrol cars in the parking lot when hitting your neighborhood eatery.
Showing posts with label high speed rail. Show all posts
Showing posts with label high speed rail. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Morning News Round-Up – 10.9.09: There are in fact two things...
Celebrating a Hippocratic Friday…
With a dramatic "off with his head," (not really) the crowd gathered to continue discussions for tree replacement on the drama imbued California Avenue in Palo Alto. Seems the new (again revised) plans for trees emphasizes diversity over uniformity and a tree-free zone until January. Resident Roswitha Remling is happy “I think diversity is a good thing.”
High-Speed Rail Authority boardmember Rod Diridon is breathing a sigh of relief. Judge Michael Kenny has offered a tentative ruling that work can move forward for the speedy connector running from San Francisco to Los Angeles. NIMBY peninsula neighbors attorney Stuart Flashman retains optimism but believes “the judge has made up his mind.”
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Tom “I don’t know about science” Donohue complained it was the tree-huggers that strong armed Apple and PG&E into quitting in an attempt to discredit the chambers (anti) clean air stance. Silicon Valley’s iconic Apple shrugged saying it was the Chambers opposition to limiting greenhouse gasses. According to San Jose Inside, the Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce may be the next to ditch the dinosaur like behavior…
Wrapped in silver under an inky morning sky, hundreds gathered at NASA Ames to watch as LCROSS smashed into the moon at more than 5,000 miles per hour. No dramatic shooting plumes. Gregory Schmidt of the Lunar Science Institute, is excited anyway as the lack of a plume might mean even more exciting news ahead.
The tragic death of cyclist Kristy Gough will mean a $1.2 million check from Santa Clara County to Gough’s Mom, Karen Clarkson, and an (as yet) unknown amount yet to be sent to Father Rip Gough. Clarkson said the process of sending personal treasures off for review by strangers was “almost like dying a second time.”
The family of Morgan Hill’s gang shooting victim Juan Arellano said he was a “loving kid” with a “good heart” and in the “wrong place.” The family disputes Arellano’s (supposed) gang involvement and says other aspects of the original story were wrong.
Santa Clara Unified School District is digging into details of teacher/perv Edward Slate’s relationship with a 17 year old student, and the possibility that they overlooked early warnings.
The Merc’s Sal Pizarro focuses on fun art this weekend including the Luna Park Chalk Art Festival with Aztec dance and chalk-art celebrities, classic movies in the classy Stanford Theatre on Palo Altos (un)tree-free University Avenue along with the kick off of Palo Alto’s annual Pumpkin Patch.
Seems fruit crazed cat burglars’ sneak in under the cover of darkness to strip persimmons from Mountain View neighbors. Resident Bruce Karney is pissed and once saw a fruit thief haul off stolen treats in a Mercedes heading for the “underground persimmon market.” Neighbor Eugene Cordero suggested calling Village Harvest to denude the trees ahead of thieves and donate the booty to food agencies.
Protect San Jose’s Beat Cop clarifies the difference between an emergency (911) and complaints about music or parking (311). Beat Cop also hands out the cell phone 911 equivalent for San Jose residents (408)277-8911.
San Jose Inside follows up on the mystery behind the Bay Area’s 2nd place Daily Beast ranking, right ahead of the (apparently) even dimmer Boston area– home to MIT and the lesser known (?) Harvard.
With a dramatic "off with his head," (not really) the crowd gathered to continue discussions for tree replacement on the drama imbued California Avenue in Palo Alto. Seems the new (again revised) plans for trees emphasizes diversity over uniformity and a tree-free zone until January. Resident Roswitha Remling is happy “I think diversity is a good thing.”
High-Speed Rail Authority boardmember Rod Diridon is breathing a sigh of relief. Judge Michael Kenny has offered a tentative ruling that work can move forward for the speedy connector running from San Francisco to Los Angeles. NIMBY peninsula neighbors attorney Stuart Flashman retains optimism but believes “the judge has made up his mind.”
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Tom “I don’t know about science” Donohue complained it was the tree-huggers that strong armed Apple and PG&E into quitting in an attempt to discredit the chambers (anti) clean air stance. Silicon Valley’s iconic Apple shrugged saying it was the Chambers opposition to limiting greenhouse gasses. According to San Jose Inside, the Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce may be the next to ditch the dinosaur like behavior…
Wrapped in silver under an inky morning sky, hundreds gathered at NASA Ames to watch as LCROSS smashed into the moon at more than 5,000 miles per hour. No dramatic shooting plumes. Gregory Schmidt of the Lunar Science Institute, is excited anyway as the lack of a plume might mean even more exciting news ahead.
The tragic death of cyclist Kristy Gough will mean a $1.2 million check from Santa Clara County to Gough’s Mom, Karen Clarkson, and an (as yet) unknown amount yet to be sent to Father Rip Gough. Clarkson said the process of sending personal treasures off for review by strangers was “almost like dying a second time.”
The family of Morgan Hill’s gang shooting victim Juan Arellano said he was a “loving kid” with a “good heart” and in the “wrong place.” The family disputes Arellano’s (supposed) gang involvement and says other aspects of the original story were wrong.
Santa Clara Unified School District is digging into details of teacher/perv Edward Slate’s relationship with a 17 year old student, and the possibility that they overlooked early warnings.
The Merc’s Sal Pizarro focuses on fun art this weekend including the Luna Park Chalk Art Festival with Aztec dance and chalk-art celebrities, classic movies in the classy Stanford Theatre on Palo Altos (un)tree-free University Avenue along with the kick off of Palo Alto’s annual Pumpkin Patch.
Seems fruit crazed cat burglars’ sneak in under the cover of darkness to strip persimmons from Mountain View neighbors. Resident Bruce Karney is pissed and once saw a fruit thief haul off stolen treats in a Mercedes heading for the “underground persimmon market.” Neighbor Eugene Cordero suggested calling Village Harvest to denude the trees ahead of thieves and donate the booty to food agencies.
Protect San Jose’s Beat Cop clarifies the difference between an emergency (911) and complaints about music or parking (311). Beat Cop also hands out the cell phone 911 equivalent for San Jose residents (408)277-8911.
San Jose Inside follows up on the mystery behind the Bay Area’s 2nd place Daily Beast ranking, right ahead of the (apparently) even dimmer Boston area– home to MIT and the lesser known (?) Harvard.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Morning News Round-Up – 10.5.09: A little Bloody Mary with that garlic shake?
Hoping to jump start development, San Jose is ditching requirements on affordable housing six months at a time for specified developments. Not everyone is happy with the news, Kyra Kazantzis with the Public Interest Law Firm called it “a shame” San Jose gave up “45 years of affordability.”
Residents in the fancy peninsula towns of Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Atherton voiced their opinion that they should get an underground High-Speed Rail. After all, it would “tremendously increase property values,” according to architect Tony Carrasco and it would only increase the cost of the 8 mile stretch by $2 Billion… There’s no truth to the rumor Palo Alto is holding a bake sale to cover the costs…
Stanford’s Hoover Institution fellow Eric Hanushek thinks education in California so bad the state is “dragging down the nation.” Hanushek shared his opinion following the news that school leaders will sue over the states ever decreasing funding for public education with parts of the state ranked 47th in funding for public education in the state. San Jose Unified’s Don Iglesias supports the lawsuit saying “without litigation the state won’t properly fund schools.”
San Jose police put perv Jeffrey Minkin behind bars when he showed up at schools without mentioning his Megan’s Law status– and for hosting those sleepovers .
It doesn’t pay to key the car of a nerdy Silicon Valley millionaire. Howard Herships is off to jail for a month following the end of 4 years of legal wrangling over his keying of Steve Kirsch’s electric RAV4.
The Republican gubernatorial wannabe’s are having some kind of fun reminding each other of their (past) Democratic support. Meg Whitman pointed out Steve Poizner wrote some mighty big checks to presidential hopeful Al Gore while Poizner pointed out Whitman’s support for Senator Barbara Boxer.
With visions of steelhead trout in mind environmentalists are lining up support for the Calaveras Dam rebuild. The current dam, celebrating it’s 84th birthday, could be replaced as soon as 2015.
Disagreeing with the San Jose Parks representative, the Merc’s Scott Herhold says Beverly Head’s tragic death was not “an unpredictable accident.” Bike and dog owner Herhold advocates for more enlightened trail users.
Santa Clara County Tax Assessor Larry Stone is getting more than the usual “boo” in his own cafeteria. Stone’s remarks about pensions has county co-workers posting anonymous/angry signs – Stone says he’s trying to prevent the same public uproar that caused Prop 13. Labor doyenne Cindy Chavez welcomes predecessor Amy Dean next week when Dean shares insights on weaving the “labor movement into the civic fabric…”
San Jose Congressman Mike Honda thinks garlic is a fine treat so it’s no surprise he was unhappy with Republican colleague John Boehner’s disparaging remarks. Honda offered Boehner a basket filled with the Gilroy treat, the fun that goes on in D.C…
Protect San Jose’s Bobby Lopez offers District Attorney Dolores Carr, and all challengers, a Police Officers Association interview. Lopez wanted to “clear the air” saying no endorsement has been made…
San Jose Insiders let loose in Rants and Raves… Pat Waite and John Galt quote Ayn Rand, James Rowen takes time off from Mission City to celebrate a Stanford win and spank San Jose City Attorney Rick Doyle while SteveO wonders about the Merc’s use of plastic bags…
Mission City Lantern wants a great Santa Clara and suggests Bill Bailey try a Mary-free Bloody. Now, where’s the fun in that?
Residents in the fancy peninsula towns of Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Atherton voiced their opinion that they should get an underground High-Speed Rail. After all, it would “tremendously increase property values,” according to architect Tony Carrasco and it would only increase the cost of the 8 mile stretch by $2 Billion… There’s no truth to the rumor Palo Alto is holding a bake sale to cover the costs…
Stanford’s Hoover Institution fellow Eric Hanushek thinks education in California so bad the state is “dragging down the nation.” Hanushek shared his opinion following the news that school leaders will sue over the states ever decreasing funding for public education with parts of the state ranked 47th in funding for public education in the state. San Jose Unified’s Don Iglesias supports the lawsuit saying “without litigation the state won’t properly fund schools.”
San Jose police put perv Jeffrey Minkin behind bars when he showed up at schools without mentioning his Megan’s Law status– and for hosting those sleepovers .
It doesn’t pay to key the car of a nerdy Silicon Valley millionaire. Howard Herships is off to jail for a month following the end of 4 years of legal wrangling over his keying of Steve Kirsch’s electric RAV4.
The Republican gubernatorial wannabe’s are having some kind of fun reminding each other of their (past) Democratic support. Meg Whitman pointed out Steve Poizner wrote some mighty big checks to presidential hopeful Al Gore while Poizner pointed out Whitman’s support for Senator Barbara Boxer.
With visions of steelhead trout in mind environmentalists are lining up support for the Calaveras Dam rebuild. The current dam, celebrating it’s 84th birthday, could be replaced as soon as 2015.
Disagreeing with the San Jose Parks representative, the Merc’s Scott Herhold says Beverly Head’s tragic death was not “an unpredictable accident.” Bike and dog owner Herhold advocates for more enlightened trail users.
Santa Clara County Tax Assessor Larry Stone is getting more than the usual “boo” in his own cafeteria. Stone’s remarks about pensions has county co-workers posting anonymous/angry signs – Stone says he’s trying to prevent the same public uproar that caused Prop 13. Labor doyenne Cindy Chavez welcomes predecessor Amy Dean next week when Dean shares insights on weaving the “labor movement into the civic fabric…”
San Jose Congressman Mike Honda thinks garlic is a fine treat so it’s no surprise he was unhappy with Republican colleague John Boehner’s disparaging remarks. Honda offered Boehner a basket filled with the Gilroy treat, the fun that goes on in D.C…
Protect San Jose’s Bobby Lopez offers District Attorney Dolores Carr, and all challengers, a Police Officers Association interview. Lopez wanted to “clear the air” saying no endorsement has been made…
San Jose Insiders let loose in Rants and Raves… Pat Waite and John Galt quote Ayn Rand, James Rowen takes time off from Mission City to celebrate a Stanford win and spank San Jose City Attorney Rick Doyle while SteveO wonders about the Merc’s use of plastic bags…
Mission City Lantern wants a great Santa Clara and suggests Bill Bailey try a Mary-free Bloody. Now, where’s the fun in that?
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 7.9.09: A story that never seems to die...
There have been a few stories in the past week about former San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales and some job applications he's filled out. Watch Dog bets that he likes those stories better than the one that is landing in San Mateo County right now. You see, there is an ongoing Garbage Saga in San Mateo County that our sister blog Watch Dog San Mateo has been covering for sometime. Well, the Civil Grand Jury up there just issued some findings about their newest County garbage contract. That's where San Jose and Ron Gonzales come in. The San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury goes into depth about San Jose's botched garbage deal, Mayor Gonzales' deal with Norcal, and how that should have been taken into consideration before Norcal landed the San Mateo County contract... I guess that story will never, ever die... (We will link the full report when it comes online...)
“Quite honestly, this is an embarrassment,” according to San Jose City Attorney Rick Doyle. Silicon Valley cities face the expensive task of chasing down crooks and suspects whose loot the County District Attorney confiscated – but never asked to keep. DA Dolores Carr pointed an accusing finger at her predecessor for the costly foul-up.
The growth of South Bay gangs gets a double dose of love from the Metro. Gilroy Mayor Al Pinheiro snapped “…let’s not get the media hyped up and point to Gilroy as a hard-core gang kind of place,” in response to accusation that a lack of political will is at the heart of Gilroy’s gang problems.
Lawsuits, exploding toilets, and sewage spills have Palo Alto’s City Council considering handing responsibility for sewer lines to residents. Neighborhood policy wonk Bob Moss is rallying the troops before the City’s meeting.
“Poison pill,” “clueless staff,” and “squandered dollars” highlight a Mercury News Editorial call to rid the State budget of the costly requirement to re-study High-speed rail alternatives. How do you really feel?
At least 16 acres of the San Antonio shopping center in Mountain View are slated for a “pedestrian friendly” make over to become a “really modern” shopping center. Really...
Shut those taps, people! For now Los Altos is asking residents politely to curb water use. Assistant City Manager Jay Logan is hopeful the “intelligent skill-set” in Los Altos will cooperate. Of course, the "intelligent skill-set" generally have huge lawns...
Former San Jose Councilmember/Santa Clara County Affordable Housing Director Margie Matthews reports there are more people living on the street. Supervisor Don Gage called the increase “troubling.”
“Quite honestly, this is an embarrassment,” according to San Jose City Attorney Rick Doyle. Silicon Valley cities face the expensive task of chasing down crooks and suspects whose loot the County District Attorney confiscated – but never asked to keep. DA Dolores Carr pointed an accusing finger at her predecessor for the costly foul-up.
The growth of South Bay gangs gets a double dose of love from the Metro. Gilroy Mayor Al Pinheiro snapped “…let’s not get the media hyped up and point to Gilroy as a hard-core gang kind of place,” in response to accusation that a lack of political will is at the heart of Gilroy’s gang problems.
Lawsuits, exploding toilets, and sewage spills have Palo Alto’s City Council considering handing responsibility for sewer lines to residents. Neighborhood policy wonk Bob Moss is rallying the troops before the City’s meeting.
“Poison pill,” “clueless staff,” and “squandered dollars” highlight a Mercury News Editorial call to rid the State budget of the costly requirement to re-study High-speed rail alternatives. How do you really feel?
At least 16 acres of the San Antonio shopping center in Mountain View are slated for a “pedestrian friendly” make over to become a “really modern” shopping center. Really...
Shut those taps, people! For now Los Altos is asking residents politely to curb water use. Assistant City Manager Jay Logan is hopeful the “intelligent skill-set” in Los Altos will cooperate. Of course, the "intelligent skill-set" generally have huge lawns...
Former San Jose Councilmember/Santa Clara County Affordable Housing Director Margie Matthews reports there are more people living on the street. Supervisor Don Gage called the increase “troubling.”
Friday, July 3, 2009
Morning News Round-Up – 7.3.09: Not that kind of Secret Garden…
It isn’t Friday Light for nothing...
Dude, I told you not to do that… Santa Clara County Sheriff’s busted Jesus Ochoachacon for farming his 6,100 pot plants in the hills above San Jose. Sgt. Rick Sung said the $18 million farm was just “average.”
Hoping to share responsibility (spread the blame)… Santa Clara County prosecutors were giggling with glee when a report (paid for by Public Defender Mary Greenwood) said the Defender’s office knew about those (not so) secret sexual assault videotapes.
Legislative (weekend) update... Assemblymember Joe Coto's bill to help out Parson's (and Da Mayor) hit a snag in the Senate. Santa Rosa Senator Patricia Wiggins wants to hear from the Attorney General about possible legal complications.
Merc Sports Geek Ann Killion shares her thoughts about a “Beatles concert” moment in time for women’s sports. San Jose’s own soccer superstar Brandi Chastain shared a moment with Killion to chat Women’s World Cup. Chastain also partnered with her foot doc’ to kick off “Brandi’s World!” for budding sports heros.
Santa Clara County Supervisors have filled Ann Ravel’s pumps with Assistant County Counsel Miguel Marquez, at least temporarily. Still up for negotiation - Marquez’ salary and the permanency of the position, both discussions on tap for August.
It's cross-over Friday with these stories from our Sister blog, Watch Dog San Mateo
Dude, I told you not to do that… Santa Clara County Sheriff’s busted Jesus Ochoachacon for farming his 6,100 pot plants in the hills above San Jose. Sgt. Rick Sung said the $18 million farm was just “average.”
Hoping to share responsibility (spread the blame)… Santa Clara County prosecutors were giggling with glee when a report (paid for by Public Defender Mary Greenwood) said the Defender’s office knew about those (not so) secret sexual assault videotapes.
Legislative (weekend) update... Assemblymember Joe Coto's bill to help out Parson's (and Da Mayor) hit a snag in the Senate. Santa Rosa Senator Patricia Wiggins wants to hear from the Attorney General about possible legal complications.
Merc Sports Geek Ann Killion shares her thoughts about a “Beatles concert” moment in time for women’s sports. San Jose’s own soccer superstar Brandi Chastain shared a moment with Killion to chat Women’s World Cup. Chastain also partnered with her foot doc’ to kick off “Brandi’s World!” for budding sports heros.Santa Clara County Supervisors have filled Ann Ravel’s pumps with Assistant County Counsel Miguel Marquez, at least temporarily. Still up for negotiation - Marquez’ salary and the permanency of the position, both discussions on tap for August.
It's cross-over Friday with these stories from our Sister blog, Watch Dog San Mateo
- Just in time for your holiday fireworks… The draft report for California High-Speed Rail is now available. Watch Dog looks forward to a detailed analysis from parties pro and con.
- No surprises here… Caltrain’s Board of Directors is raising the cost of the commute, and cutting back on service. Gilroy trains will still run, less often…
- Former Mountain View Asssemblymember Sally Lieber isn’t letting unemployment slow her down. Lieber worked with Caltrain to put together an 11 member Community Task Force on Safety to make Caltrain tracks less inviting for suicide.
- Palo Alto is shuffling people in the hopes of saving money.
Morgan Hill School District Superintendent Alan Nishino’s resignation looked like so much fun Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Michael Johnson also quit. Nishino and Johnson will stick around on contract through the end of Summer. Trustee Shelle Thomas said paying the two $61,000 to stick around didn’t make sense.
While most governmental agencies are scrambling to find new ways to make money (that don’t include the printer in the basement), the Santa Clara Valley Water District has a big rainy day fund set aside. Pissing off critics and the Morgan Hill Times.
The Gilroy Unified School District will ask your kids to cough up a buck (or more) to get to (and from) school. Bus driver Linda Figone worried that the feeds could put some families “over the edge.”
Look forward to fun times in Gilroy – the cops and firefighters are taking furloughs. Residents shouldn’t worry, it looks like safety officers will compensate by working overtime to cover their absent brethren. No doubt making up for those lost wage increases…
Before Watch Dog hits the beach, this public service announcement. Where to get your Independence Day fireworks fix on.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Morning News Round-Up – 6.30.09: A little independence is a good thing, right?
Mountain View’s city council is looking to strengthen its milquetoast pleas for NASA Ames Hangar One. No doubt a strong retort from Mountain View will (not) sway the Navy who previously ignored congressional requests…
Linking Bay cities isn’t only a BART dream, from our Sister blog Watch Dog San Mateo…
Embezzlement troubles were set aside for MACSA’s annual 100 Most Influential Latinos in Silicon Valley according to the Merc’s Sal Pizarro. No shows included outbound executive director Olivia Soza-Mendiola and “many members of the group’s leadership.” Pizarro also shares the success of Michele Gray’s Walk through the Vineyards and opening applications for the Chamber’s Leadership program.
Celebrating American Independence will mean something different for the (really pissed) residents of Mountain View’s Americana apartments. These (un)lucky souls get to spend the long weekend moving out so the expected asbestos shake down doesn’t affect them. Irony much?
More tools in the toolbox, that’s what veteran cop Pat Dwyer hopes will help officers to back away from shooting the mentally ill. The Merc’s Scott Herhold shares Dwyer’s thoughts in his role as County mental health’s police liaison trying to prevent another Daniel Pham situation.
The Civil Grand Jury spanked school districts including Gilroy and Gavilan for not preventing $288,000 in losses with better controls. The Grand Jury wants district Trustees to reconcile inventory. Gilroy Superintendent Deborah Flores said she’s happy to involve Trustees but wonders about asking that level of micro-management…
Morgan Hill’s city council is scrambling to buy up foreclosed homes at the same time the Planning Commission recommends relieving developers of responsibility for building affordable homes.
Savvy Cellar Wines fills the gap left when Christine Tran’s deal with Mountain View to fill the Train Depot self destructed. Desperately in need of a wine bar, Mountain View residents could be heard celebrating all the way to Hangar One.
"Folks say that if you listen real close…” begins the winning entry for San Jose State University’s annual Bulwer-Lytton worldwide literary parody contest.
San Jose Councilmember/San Jose Insider Pierluigi Oliverio lets loose on non-controversial consent calendar items (the issues city staff figures are non-controversial) and invites all to Monday Night Live. More entertaining than consent… Watch Dog tipsters share the news that Olvierio refused to play along with the (semi) satirical bashing – the punishment for doing so was a special public spanking.
Mission City Lantern wants to know what’s up with San Jose Revealed.
Linking Bay cities isn’t only a BART dream, from our Sister blog Watch Dog San Mateo…
- Peninsula cities are falling just short of (actually) thumbing their collective noses at State efforts to get cities to accept their “fair share” of housing. Commissioner Lee Lippert said the “vibrant” retail on El Camino was taking a beating as housing moved in. Vibrant, really?
- Pissed off Palo Alto employees marched on City Hall the day before their contract expires. Union leader Mike Keate wants negotiations to be productive and City Manager James Keene wants them to be public, promising entertaining days ahead.
- “(We) got plenty of creative ideas…” from comments during a High-speed Rail outreach according to regional manager Dominic Spaething. A tunnel high on the list for Palo Alto, Atherton and Menlo Park…
- Foothill-DeAnza Community College District Board Vice President Hal Plotkin will join Chancellor Martha Kanter in D.C.. No doubt he’ll be pulling out of the race to replace termed out Assemblymember Ira Ruskin leaving room for Palo Alto’s Yoriko Kishimoto to do battle with San Mateo Supervisor Rich Gordon.
Embezzlement troubles were set aside for MACSA’s annual 100 Most Influential Latinos in Silicon Valley according to the Merc’s Sal Pizarro. No shows included outbound executive director Olivia Soza-Mendiola and “many members of the group’s leadership.” Pizarro also shares the success of Michele Gray’s Walk through the Vineyards and opening applications for the Chamber’s Leadership program.
Celebrating American Independence will mean something different for the (really pissed) residents of Mountain View’s Americana apartments. These (un)lucky souls get to spend the long weekend moving out so the expected asbestos shake down doesn’t affect them. Irony much?
More tools in the toolbox, that’s what veteran cop Pat Dwyer hopes will help officers to back away from shooting the mentally ill. The Merc’s Scott Herhold shares Dwyer’s thoughts in his role as County mental health’s police liaison trying to prevent another Daniel Pham situation.
The Civil Grand Jury spanked school districts including Gilroy and Gavilan for not preventing $288,000 in losses with better controls. The Grand Jury wants district Trustees to reconcile inventory. Gilroy Superintendent Deborah Flores said she’s happy to involve Trustees but wonders about asking that level of micro-management…
Morgan Hill’s city council is scrambling to buy up foreclosed homes at the same time the Planning Commission recommends relieving developers of responsibility for building affordable homes.
Savvy Cellar Wines fills the gap left when Christine Tran’s deal with Mountain View to fill the Train Depot self destructed. Desperately in need of a wine bar, Mountain View residents could be heard celebrating all the way to Hangar One.
"Folks say that if you listen real close…” begins the winning entry for San Jose State University’s annual Bulwer-Lytton worldwide literary parody contest.
San Jose Councilmember/San Jose Insider Pierluigi Oliverio lets loose on non-controversial consent calendar items (the issues city staff figures are non-controversial) and invites all to Monday Night Live. More entertaining than consent… Watch Dog tipsters share the news that Olvierio refused to play along with the (semi) satirical bashing – the punishment for doing so was a special public spanking.
Mission City Lantern wants to know what’s up with San Jose Revealed.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Morning news Round-Up – 6.18.09: Enviable talent...
Another day, another garbage story. This time, district attorneys around the bay and the State, including District Attorney Dolores Carr, are joining forces in a lawsuit alleging Target dumps “…flammable liquids and toxic chemicals in local landfills...”
Seems the County Supervisors weren’t interested in cutting services to the County’s vulnerable. Before the public had a chance to speak, Supervisor Liz Kniss took Social Services Agency cuts off the table. The Merc’s Editorial Board congratulates the Supervisors for saving services and tells the County streamlining opportunities exist elsewhere.
The Merc’s Scott Herhold offers a backhanded compliment to San Jose Police Officers Association president Bobby Lopez saying Lopez has an “enviable talent for lobbing a verbal grenade into a crowded room.” Herhold and Lopez are at odds over the cost/benefit of police officers at festivals and the culture wars.
It’s a fact, fewer students in class pays off, especially for low-income and minority students. And still, the current economic climate is forcing San Jose Unified School District to consider increasing class sizes for K-2. Janice Allen, president of the San Jose Teachers Association said teachers in 3-12 already have 30 kids, laying them off to keep kindergarten classes small would not be fair.
San Jose’s dream of becoming the Bay Area’s transit hub isn’t guaranteed. First up, overcoming NIMBY chants (and money) High-Speed Rail NIMBYs (from Menlo Park and Atherton) are raising money for the NIMBY lawsuit against the California High-Speed Rail Authority. On one hand, it’s a tough time to raise money. On the other hand, if you have to raise NIMBY money, Menlo Park and Atherton are (probably) great places to start...
And, with more NIMBY/train news…
Mountain View NIMBY’s were vocal in their opposition to a housing proposal near Caltrain. Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga disagreed, calling the location for density “one of the best” as the council supported the Minton’s proposal.
Here's a Watch Dog San Mateo/Watch Dog Silicon Valley story for you: Gubernatorial candidates (maybe) snarled as they passed on the 101 yesterday. Republican Tom Campbell spoke to a joint session of Congress, well, actually it was a joint session of the Burlingame, Foster City, and San Mateo Rotaries in Foster City. Democrat Gavin Newsom spoke to the San Jose Rotary. We’lll let you decide which event was more high-profile and let pundits describe candidates chances of success...
In a creative move to generate revenue, Morgan Hill Police Commander David Swing says the city should open it’s own vehicle impound yard. Dion Bracco (owner of Bracco’s Towing and Transport/Gilroy Councilmember) says Morgan Hill will “turn this thing into a fiasco.”
Silicon Valley Realtors descended upon Sacramento to oppose legislation removing illegal/unenforceable restrictions from title records. Assemblymember Joe Coto was moved by the Realtors and arranged for a meeting with the bill’s author. Other Silicon Valley legislators were unable to meet with the Realtors due to the pesky business of being in session.
Some will call Stanford Hospital's $124 million investment in "community benefits" a way for Stanford to be a good neighbor to their Palo Alto "friends". Others will call this investment a way to buy good will... If the latter, the cost of good will is pretty steep...
Bad news for the Santa Clara Valley Water District, a grand jury report accuses the District of being “awash in cash while county and cities drown in red ink.” Board Chairman, Sig Sanchez, chided the Grand Jury for not digging deeply. Sanchez will dig more deeply himself and provide a formal response in a month.
Gilroy’s economic woes have Councilmember Perry Woodward heading for the hills. Woodward hits the road for a two week solo trek to the top of Mt. Whitney.
Cupertino’s Ramya Auroprem was a ringer at the Rep’s Spelling Bee, pulled on stage to be part of the performance. To get the show back on track the cast resorted to made up words to fool the 13 year old’s keen sense of wordology.
Do you Facebook? Creation of a new verb, ala Google, is what Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is dreaming about. Looks like the trendy Silicon Valley startup may have its dreams come true.
Times are tough when you’re stealing tips from Barristas… Watch out Starbucks, there’s a serial tip thief on the loose.
Seems the County Supervisors weren’t interested in cutting services to the County’s vulnerable. Before the public had a chance to speak, Supervisor Liz Kniss took Social Services Agency cuts off the table. The Merc’s Editorial Board congratulates the Supervisors for saving services and tells the County streamlining opportunities exist elsewhere.
The Merc’s Scott Herhold offers a backhanded compliment to San Jose Police Officers Association president Bobby Lopez saying Lopez has an “enviable talent for lobbing a verbal grenade into a crowded room.” Herhold and Lopez are at odds over the cost/benefit of police officers at festivals and the culture wars.
It’s a fact, fewer students in class pays off, especially for low-income and minority students. And still, the current economic climate is forcing San Jose Unified School District to consider increasing class sizes for K-2. Janice Allen, president of the San Jose Teachers Association said teachers in 3-12 already have 30 kids, laying them off to keep kindergarten classes small would not be fair.
San Jose’s dream of becoming the Bay Area’s transit hub isn’t guaranteed. First up, overcoming NIMBY chants (and money) High-Speed Rail NIMBYs (from Menlo Park and Atherton) are raising money for the NIMBY lawsuit against the California High-Speed Rail Authority. On one hand, it’s a tough time to raise money. On the other hand, if you have to raise NIMBY money, Menlo Park and Atherton are (probably) great places to start...
And, with more NIMBY/train news…
Mountain View NIMBY’s were vocal in their opposition to a housing proposal near Caltrain. Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga disagreed, calling the location for density “one of the best” as the council supported the Minton’s proposal.
Here's a Watch Dog San Mateo/Watch Dog Silicon Valley story for you: Gubernatorial candidates (maybe) snarled as they passed on the 101 yesterday. Republican Tom Campbell spoke to a joint session of Congress, well, actually it was a joint session of the Burlingame, Foster City, and San Mateo Rotaries in Foster City. Democrat Gavin Newsom spoke to the San Jose Rotary. We’lll let you decide which event was more high-profile and let pundits describe candidates chances of success...
In a creative move to generate revenue, Morgan Hill Police Commander David Swing says the city should open it’s own vehicle impound yard. Dion Bracco (owner of Bracco’s Towing and Transport/Gilroy Councilmember) says Morgan Hill will “turn this thing into a fiasco.”
Silicon Valley Realtors descended upon Sacramento to oppose legislation removing illegal/unenforceable restrictions from title records. Assemblymember Joe Coto was moved by the Realtors and arranged for a meeting with the bill’s author. Other Silicon Valley legislators were unable to meet with the Realtors due to the pesky business of being in session.
Some will call Stanford Hospital's $124 million investment in "community benefits" a way for Stanford to be a good neighbor to their Palo Alto "friends". Others will call this investment a way to buy good will... If the latter, the cost of good will is pretty steep...
Bad news for the Santa Clara Valley Water District, a grand jury report accuses the District of being “awash in cash while county and cities drown in red ink.” Board Chairman, Sig Sanchez, chided the Grand Jury for not digging deeply. Sanchez will dig more deeply himself and provide a formal response in a month.
Gilroy’s economic woes have Councilmember Perry Woodward heading for the hills. Woodward hits the road for a two week solo trek to the top of Mt. Whitney.
Cupertino’s Ramya Auroprem was a ringer at the Rep’s Spelling Bee, pulled on stage to be part of the performance. To get the show back on track the cast resorted to made up words to fool the 13 year old’s keen sense of wordology.
Do you Facebook? Creation of a new verb, ala Google, is what Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is dreaming about. Looks like the trendy Silicon Valley startup may have its dreams come true.
Times are tough when you’re stealing tips from Barristas… Watch out Starbucks, there’s a serial tip thief on the loose.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Morning News Round-Up – 6.5.09: Children in jail, again...
Severely mentally ill, a child was booked into Juvenile Hall days after his 11th birthday, nearly a year ago. Not the first time a young child was tossed in the Santa Clara pokey, this child’s case is now being heard by Judge Paul Bernal. The child’s court appointed attorney David Avila said there’s no easy answer for questions of youth competency but didn't say he'd get the child better accomodations.
A short, scathing editorial in the Merc calls on Mayor Chuck Reed to stick to his “principles... his inclination toward sunshine in government” and allow the release of the Daniel Pham 911 tapes.
Sheriff Laurie Smith demoted Deputy James Council who killed two cyclists after falling asleep at the wheel. Karen Clarkson, Mother of Olympic hopeful Kristy Gough, was happy Council would no longer be behind the wheel. Council lost his 10 year old sister in a car accident and is said to be deeply remorseful, in spite of two previous drunk driving counts and a conviction for racing in Los Angeles.
Fence-gate is over. Monte Sereno has been ordered to pay $1 in compensatory damages – and could be liable for Joe Padgett’s legal fees, (now) estimated at over $2 million. Yikes.
San Jose Councilmembers/pension fund trustees Sam Liccardo and Rose Herrera called on fellow trustees to ditch “due diligence” trips except under “extraordinary” circumstances. City Finance Director Scott Johnson agreed. The rest of the trustees decided to keep travel alive and a split board will talk again at their next meeting when trustee/police officer Conrad Taylor shows up for the vote.
Campbell’s Brad Imamura was pissed about Psycho Donuts and got in touch with his elected officials to complain. The end result was a donut free mental health workshop. Councilmember Dan Furtado said his hands were tied and he’s unable to force a name change on the Psychos enjoying their 15 minutes.
Olivia Soza-Mendiola, Mexican American Community Services Agency CEO, wrote “it is with a heavy heart… MACSA is electing to relinquish the El Portal Charter Petition.” Superintendent Deborah Flores and the trustees said they welcome future collaboration and input from MACSA – they didn’t say, as long as MACSA didn’t do the banking. No word yet about MACSA’s San Jose embezzlement problems or the District Attorney’s decisions…
Facing a $6 million deficit, Mountain View’s city council cut park/street maintenance, code enforcement, public works staff and library services to the tune of $4 million. Councilmember Laura Macias proposed a $3 charge to non-residents using Shoreline park while Councilmember Mike Kasperzak fretted no one would drive there if the charge were in place.
High Speed Rail Authority boardmember Rod Diridon, Sr. says a reversal by the board could make HSR eligible for federal stimulus dollars. Diridon said the Bay Area would be “giving away billions of dollars,” without the switch.
Just as there’s a tiny bit of economic sunshine, commuters get hit with continuing news about fare hikes and service cuts. VTA Chair Dolly Sandoval is hoping for good economic news quick or “we will be in for more pain.”
NASA and the Navy won’t say they can’t agree, just that discussions over how and who pays for re-skinning the toxic Hangar One are a “struggle” and have “slowed.” Seems no one wants the $15 million plus restoration responsibility.
Google hosted Mountain View’s meeting on the future of the city, NASA and Microsoft were there to pitch ideas for Mountain View’s future. Google construction manager said “there is no land to build on… the only way to go is up.” Oh, and Mayor Reed, Mountain View’s planning director thinks they’re the “Capital of Silicon Valley.”
Assemblymember Anna Caballero is angling for promotion to State Senate. Ready to take her seat are Gilroy Unified School District trustee Francisco Dominguez, political consultant/(Caballero) campaign manager Rick Rivas, Watsonville Councilman Luis Alejo, San Benito County Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz, and Hollister Mayor Eugenia Sanchez from going after Caballero’s seat next year.
The Merc’s Sal Pizarro shares the news that San Jose’s own great speller, Ramya Auroprem, hits the stage in the Rep’s Spelling Bee. Pizarro can be found tonight at San Jose’s SubZero festival where the public voted to see San Jose’s Mayor, city council and police chief hit the dunk tank. No word if Pizarro will needing a post-dunk towel.
Sports Fan/Merc columnist Mark Purdy points an accusing finger at the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors for bickering over the fate of the County Fairgrounds. Purdy asks if an intimate music hall attached to a new off-track betting venue might save the crumbling fairgrounds.
Watch Dog plans to ditch the real world Saturday and hit the 3rd Annual Silicon Valley Soap Box Derby in Mountain View. As many as 40 Silicon Valley kids will compete for a chance to head to Akron, Ohio for nationals. Mountain View Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga and Palo Alto Councilmember Yiaway Yeh will be racing against Mayor’s Cup reigning champion/VTA Chair Dolly Sandoval.
Morgan Hill celebrates the grand opening of the West Little Llagas Creek bike/pedestrian path. Mayor Steve Tate said “it’s a natural coupling of passive recreation” with a needed public facility.
San Jose police have released the image of a man seen just before the city’s 10th murder of the year. Juan Mendoza was shot in early May, if you know the hoody wearing suspect, contact Detective Sergeants Tony Mata or Pete Ramirez of the San Jose Police Department, Homicide Unit, at (408) 277-5283.
San Jose Inside provides more details on San Jose’s consideration of Instant Runoff Voting. An open discussion moderated by San Jose State Professor Terry Christensen follows the Elections Commission discussion next week.
San Jose Revealed makes analogies between the slow demise of Mercury News and the Titanic as well as “the death rattle of the Third Reich,” while congratulating themselves for “scooping” Internal Affairs on the (yawn) news that Councilmember Nora Campos seeks to fill Assemblymember Joe Coto’s shoes.
San Jose Revealed’s review of San Jose’s city council agenda gives us
A short, scathing editorial in the Merc calls on Mayor Chuck Reed to stick to his “principles... his inclination toward sunshine in government” and allow the release of the Daniel Pham 911 tapes.
Sheriff Laurie Smith demoted Deputy James Council who killed two cyclists after falling asleep at the wheel. Karen Clarkson, Mother of Olympic hopeful Kristy Gough, was happy Council would no longer be behind the wheel. Council lost his 10 year old sister in a car accident and is said to be deeply remorseful, in spite of two previous drunk driving counts and a conviction for racing in Los Angeles.
Fence-gate is over. Monte Sereno has been ordered to pay $1 in compensatory damages – and could be liable for Joe Padgett’s legal fees, (now) estimated at over $2 million. Yikes.
San Jose Councilmembers/pension fund trustees Sam Liccardo and Rose Herrera called on fellow trustees to ditch “due diligence” trips except under “extraordinary” circumstances. City Finance Director Scott Johnson agreed. The rest of the trustees decided to keep travel alive and a split board will talk again at their next meeting when trustee/police officer Conrad Taylor shows up for the vote.
Campbell’s Brad Imamura was pissed about Psycho Donuts and got in touch with his elected officials to complain. The end result was a donut free mental health workshop. Councilmember Dan Furtado said his hands were tied and he’s unable to force a name change on the Psychos enjoying their 15 minutes.
Olivia Soza-Mendiola, Mexican American Community Services Agency CEO, wrote “it is with a heavy heart… MACSA is electing to relinquish the El Portal Charter Petition.” Superintendent Deborah Flores and the trustees said they welcome future collaboration and input from MACSA – they didn’t say, as long as MACSA didn’t do the banking. No word yet about MACSA’s San Jose embezzlement problems or the District Attorney’s decisions…
Facing a $6 million deficit, Mountain View’s city council cut park/street maintenance, code enforcement, public works staff and library services to the tune of $4 million. Councilmember Laura Macias proposed a $3 charge to non-residents using Shoreline park while Councilmember Mike Kasperzak fretted no one would drive there if the charge were in place.
High Speed Rail Authority boardmember Rod Diridon, Sr. says a reversal by the board could make HSR eligible for federal stimulus dollars. Diridon said the Bay Area would be “giving away billions of dollars,” without the switch.
Just as there’s a tiny bit of economic sunshine, commuters get hit with continuing news about fare hikes and service cuts. VTA Chair Dolly Sandoval is hoping for good economic news quick or “we will be in for more pain.”
NASA and the Navy won’t say they can’t agree, just that discussions over how and who pays for re-skinning the toxic Hangar One are a “struggle” and have “slowed.” Seems no one wants the $15 million plus restoration responsibility.
Google hosted Mountain View’s meeting on the future of the city, NASA and Microsoft were there to pitch ideas for Mountain View’s future. Google construction manager said “there is no land to build on… the only way to go is up.” Oh, and Mayor Reed, Mountain View’s planning director thinks they’re the “Capital of Silicon Valley.”
Assemblymember Anna Caballero is angling for promotion to State Senate. Ready to take her seat are Gilroy Unified School District trustee Francisco Dominguez, political consultant/(Caballero) campaign manager Rick Rivas, Watsonville Councilman Luis Alejo, San Benito County Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz, and Hollister Mayor Eugenia Sanchez from going after Caballero’s seat next year.
The Merc’s Sal Pizarro shares the news that San Jose’s own great speller, Ramya Auroprem, hits the stage in the Rep’s Spelling Bee. Pizarro can be found tonight at San Jose’s SubZero festival where the public voted to see San Jose’s Mayor, city council and police chief hit the dunk tank. No word if Pizarro will needing a post-dunk towel.
Sports Fan/Merc columnist Mark Purdy points an accusing finger at the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors for bickering over the fate of the County Fairgrounds. Purdy asks if an intimate music hall attached to a new off-track betting venue might save the crumbling fairgrounds.
Watch Dog plans to ditch the real world Saturday and hit the 3rd Annual Silicon Valley Soap Box Derby in Mountain View. As many as 40 Silicon Valley kids will compete for a chance to head to Akron, Ohio for nationals. Mountain View Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga and Palo Alto Councilmember Yiaway Yeh will be racing against Mayor’s Cup reigning champion/VTA Chair Dolly Sandoval.
Morgan Hill celebrates the grand opening of the West Little Llagas Creek bike/pedestrian path. Mayor Steve Tate said “it’s a natural coupling of passive recreation” with a needed public facility.
San Jose police have released the image of a man seen just before the city’s 10th murder of the year. Juan Mendoza was shot in early May, if you know the hoody wearing suspect, contact Detective Sergeants Tony Mata or Pete Ramirez of the San Jose Police Department, Homicide Unit, at (408) 277-5283.
San Jose Inside provides more details on San Jose’s consideration of Instant Runoff Voting. An open discussion moderated by San Jose State Professor Terry Christensen follows the Elections Commission discussion next week.
San Jose Revealed makes analogies between the slow demise of Mercury News and the Titanic as well as “the death rattle of the Third Reich,” while congratulating themselves for “scooping” Internal Affairs on the (yawn) news that Councilmember Nora Campos seeks to fill Assemblymember Joe Coto’s shoes.
San Jose Revealed’s review of San Jose’s city council agenda gives us
- The continued ceremonial item race.
- San Jose rents an old police building.
- Pay cuts on tap.
- Giving Tom McEnenry “conniptions”
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 4.7.09: Today's Round-Up...whether you like it or not...
San Jose has sports on the brain these days. Earthquakes/A’s owner Lew Wolff will get to take advantage of the cratering economy for the Earthquakes stadium land. San Jose Councilmember Sam Liccardo said, “...prices have come back to earth...” about the proposal to discount a smaller parcel of land for the proposed Earthquakes stadium. Council colleague Nora Campos was also supportive saying jobs would be created and an ongoing revenue stream created with the arrival of the Earthquakes.
San Jose Councilmember Sam Liccardo screwed up. In an email to constituents Liccardo said he wants to use “an abundance of caution” in moving forward. Apparently, Liccardo is the most newsworthy item in San Jose, the Merc can’t seem to get enough (re-writes) of this story. Watch Dog is about to point to something more newsworthy that the paper can focus on...here is a hint: It rhymes with Harry Seagram...
San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, with community leaders, expressed concern over the data coming out of the San Jose Police Department. Rev. Jeff Moore, head of the NAACP said, “Chief Davis encourages strict enforcement with no apologies.” After other law enforcement experts suggested the data shows racial profiling and an overly aggressive policy towards minor street crimes, former Police Officer and Councilmember Pete Constant denied there was any problem saying the public expects a “standard of conduct.” (Watch Dog is sure that Police Officers wish Constant would have stood up for them when their contract was on the table...better late than never...) Drunk Task Force Member Pete Carrillo becomes the first (as far as Watch Dog can tell) to call for Davis' head...
San Jose Revealed asks if the Police Chief runs an (allegedly) overaggressive Police Department because of his religious beliefs. We'll let Revealed take the heat for even asking the question, and keep our snout shut.
The Merc’s Editorial Board says charter schools are coming “whether you like it or not.” (Newsom much?) They say that the best way for school districts to deal with it is accept the competition and step up their own efforts to educate children.
Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone sees a decline in property tax rolls – for only the second time since the Great Depression. The County, already struggling to make ends meet, will see lower revenues as a result by nearly $30 million. Supervisor Don Gage pulled out his crystal ball and said next year will be even worse. San Jose Insider/Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio calls on residents to pray “for the stock market to rise not just for your own 401k but for your City services.”
San Jose’s “villages” could see high-rises popping up in coming years. Planning Director Joe Horwedel said projects like the Ohlone planned for Midtown would ease San Jose’s anticipated growth spurt. Resident Dan Chapman worried that the tall buildings could create a mini-downtown.
The Morgan Hill Unified School District is seeing a growing rift between unions and administrators. The District proposed a one-day furlough, saying it could save over a quarter of a million dollars and could ask for another two furlough days. SEIU President Pam Torrisi wants reassurance that the furloughs will save jobs and that administrators are going to suffer as much as the custodians. Trust much?
Tempers flared in the usually mellow Palo Alto City Council chambers yesterday. Vice Mayor Jack Morton accused the Fire Department of "giving the City the finger" because it was refusing to figure out where to cut its own budget. This caused people to go ballistic, including Councilmember Larry Klein, who wants to keep Palo Alto mellow. Klein called Morton's choice words, "unprofessional and intemperate"...the gloves are coming off as the economic reality sets in.
Gilroy Unified School District Trustees want their money back. The District suffered a foul up when Measure J taxes were left off property owners tax bills but the District voted to tax residents at a higher rate for the last two years of the measure. Trustees had hoped the County Supervisors would be the bad guys but the County dropped it back in their laps – absent a court order.
Los Gatos normally looks down its nose at the mainstream chain store, but this month they’ll be welcoming J. Crew downtown. But, when the President’s wife and daughters are wearing J Crew…it must be good enough for Los Gatos...
Mountain View’s City Council is trying to deal with a $6 million shortfall this year. City Manager Kevin Duggan said the challenges are “so significant” they need more time to figure out how to cut the budget. First up, cutting maintenance in public parks and fees to residents to use sports fields. Lower on the list cuts to Police and Fire, which make up half the general fund operating budget.
The public has spoken and now it’s up to High Speed Rail officials to sift through all the comments to figure out the word. Dominic Spaethling, High-Speed Rail Project Manager, looks forward to digging through the mountains of comments saying cities provided “a wealth of information for things we should be aware of.”
Cupertino officials have been responding to complaints by neighbors upset with construction at the Villa Serra apartments. Seems residents can’t park at home and driveways are in a mess. Councilmember Mark Santoro said to residents “for having the fortitude to live there, I applaud you. No matter how good a job they do, it’s going to be a bad environment.” Construction won’t be completed for two years, in the meantime, if you live there good luck.
Sunnyvale City Manager Gary Luebbers will be talking with Councilmembers tonight about making “appropriate changes in the City’s business model,” and believes the changes are needed to address the global financial meltdown.
San Jose Councilmember Sam Liccardo screwed up. In an email to constituents Liccardo said he wants to use “an abundance of caution” in moving forward. Apparently, Liccardo is the most newsworthy item in San Jose, the Merc can’t seem to get enough (re-writes) of this story. Watch Dog is about to point to something more newsworthy that the paper can focus on...here is a hint: It rhymes with Harry Seagram...
San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, with community leaders, expressed concern over the data coming out of the San Jose Police Department. Rev. Jeff Moore, head of the NAACP said, “Chief Davis encourages strict enforcement with no apologies.” After other law enforcement experts suggested the data shows racial profiling and an overly aggressive policy towards minor street crimes, former Police Officer and Councilmember Pete Constant denied there was any problem saying the public expects a “standard of conduct.” (Watch Dog is sure that Police Officers wish Constant would have stood up for them when their contract was on the table...better late than never...) Drunk Task Force Member Pete Carrillo becomes the first (as far as Watch Dog can tell) to call for Davis' head...
San Jose Revealed asks if the Police Chief runs an (allegedly) overaggressive Police Department because of his religious beliefs. We'll let Revealed take the heat for even asking the question, and keep our snout shut.
The Merc’s Editorial Board says charter schools are coming “whether you like it or not.” (Newsom much?) They say that the best way for school districts to deal with it is accept the competition and step up their own efforts to educate children.
Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone sees a decline in property tax rolls – for only the second time since the Great Depression. The County, already struggling to make ends meet, will see lower revenues as a result by nearly $30 million. Supervisor Don Gage pulled out his crystal ball and said next year will be even worse. San Jose Insider/Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio calls on residents to pray “for the stock market to rise not just for your own 401k but for your City services.”
San Jose’s “villages” could see high-rises popping up in coming years. Planning Director Joe Horwedel said projects like the Ohlone planned for Midtown would ease San Jose’s anticipated growth spurt. Resident Dan Chapman worried that the tall buildings could create a mini-downtown.
The Morgan Hill Unified School District is seeing a growing rift between unions and administrators. The District proposed a one-day furlough, saying it could save over a quarter of a million dollars and could ask for another two furlough days. SEIU President Pam Torrisi wants reassurance that the furloughs will save jobs and that administrators are going to suffer as much as the custodians. Trust much?
Tempers flared in the usually mellow Palo Alto City Council chambers yesterday. Vice Mayor Jack Morton accused the Fire Department of "giving the City the finger" because it was refusing to figure out where to cut its own budget. This caused people to go ballistic, including Councilmember Larry Klein, who wants to keep Palo Alto mellow. Klein called Morton's choice words, "unprofessional and intemperate"...the gloves are coming off as the economic reality sets in.
Gilroy Unified School District Trustees want their money back. The District suffered a foul up when Measure J taxes were left off property owners tax bills but the District voted to tax residents at a higher rate for the last two years of the measure. Trustees had hoped the County Supervisors would be the bad guys but the County dropped it back in their laps – absent a court order.
Los Gatos normally looks down its nose at the mainstream chain store, but this month they’ll be welcoming J. Crew downtown. But, when the President’s wife and daughters are wearing J Crew…it must be good enough for Los Gatos...
Mountain View’s City Council is trying to deal with a $6 million shortfall this year. City Manager Kevin Duggan said the challenges are “so significant” they need more time to figure out how to cut the budget. First up, cutting maintenance in public parks and fees to residents to use sports fields. Lower on the list cuts to Police and Fire, which make up half the general fund operating budget.
The public has spoken and now it’s up to High Speed Rail officials to sift through all the comments to figure out the word. Dominic Spaethling, High-Speed Rail Project Manager, looks forward to digging through the mountains of comments saying cities provided “a wealth of information for things we should be aware of.”
Cupertino officials have been responding to complaints by neighbors upset with construction at the Villa Serra apartments. Seems residents can’t park at home and driveways are in a mess. Councilmember Mark Santoro said to residents “for having the fortitude to live there, I applaud you. No matter how good a job they do, it’s going to be a bad environment.” Construction won’t be completed for two years, in the meantime, if you live there good luck.
Sunnyvale City Manager Gary Luebbers will be talking with Councilmembers tonight about making “appropriate changes in the City’s business model,” and believes the changes are needed to address the global financial meltdown.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 4.2.09: San Francisco Sports Teams (49ers/Giants) in our news...
Opening day is nearly upon us and baseball news seems to pop up daily in anticipation. The Giants, in a move they hope strengthens their South Bay claim, hopes to purchase 25% of the San Jose Giants. Giants president Larry Baer said the purchase will “reinforce” their claim while MLB officials said it has no affect. Oh, and the MLB still needs to approve it. And Councilmember Liccardo called the timing, "notable"...to say the least...
Speaking of Liccardo...
Sam Liccardo screwed up by accepting tickets to the Sharks. When the foul up was brought to his attention, Liccardo said “it was my mistake, and I need to correct that.” As part of the fallout, Liccardo won’t be voting on Sharks items for a year...San Jose Revealed chimed in on this story today. In an understatement to end all understatements, Revealed notes that Sam Liccardo is no Terry Gregory...
Also in sporting news…Santa Clara and the 49ers are close to a deal. Niner’s President Jed York and Mayor Patricia Mahan were unwilling to dish details but did confirm they are close to signing on the dotted line. The deal in the works is said to be more favorable to Santa Clara than the starting point...
Congressmember Anna Eshoo was happy to announce Federal stimulus dollars will be heading to her district. From the USGS Science Center ($6.9 million) to the Stanford National Accelerator Laboratory ($68 million to SLAC), the Peninsula is awash in funding.
The West Valley Green Leaf Committee is likely to hear from former Assemblymember/Lobbyist Manny Diaz as they try to get rid of polystyrene. Saratoga Mayor Chuck Page who says that while Styrofoam is recyclable, nobody wants it so it ends up in landfills, he’s asking the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce (sans leader) for help.
The Boss kicked off his world tour in San Jose last night. The Merc’s Shay Quillen says for any other performer the show would have been fine but for the Boss “it was decidedly subpar.” Really? Watch Dog believes there are 25,000 people who feel differently...
Sal Pizzaro is helping San Jose’s Redevelopment Agency get the word out about a survey they’re taking: What would get you to leave your shrinking dollars in San Jose’s downtown? (Springsteen?)
High Speed Rail’s introduction to California is heading for a long, drawn out battle. The November ballot measure received strong support in Silicon Valley with 53% in Santa Clara County. Now that the party is over, residents are waking up in a stupor. San Jose’s Director of Transportation Jim Helmer will be asking High Speed Rail authorities to consider tunneling through the neighborhoods south of the Diridon Station. Willow Glennies have loud and powerful voices. The Merc provides a brief Fact or Fantasy on High Speed Rail details.
S&S Tile started making glorious tiles in San Jose just before the Great Depression, today they’re called Stonelight Tile and the current Great Recession is seriously hurting their business. With clients like the Hotel Sainte Claire, Barbra Streisand, Kim Novak, and the House of Saud -- this is one of those unique businesses that would be tough to lose.
Proving there is no limit to stupidity…Five men were arrested while living large in Los Gatos. The five dudes were using stolen credit cards and shooting up in a local hotel when the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police stopped the party.
While we are in Los Gatos...bomb experts from the Sheriff’s Department blew up picric acid at the home of a recently deceased fly-fishing fan. Seems the stuff is used in feather dying. Fortunately, the fly-fisherman left detailed notes on the explosive substance so the relatives cleaning his home wouldn't blow up the trash.
San Jose Insider/Metro’s Fly roll’s out a few names hoping to take over where supervisor Don Gage leaves off next year. The newest name is perennial pol Pat Dando who seems ready to ditch the Chamber to return to government, this time as Supervisor.
In the Metro, Fly notes that the successes of BART’s Measure B left them on the hook for a $30k bonus to political consultant Barry Barnes.
San Jose Revealed blogged twice Wednesday, first to continue spanking Dan Pulcrano (is it really that interesting?) and then disclosing Revealed’s (fake) identity as Andy Diaz.
San Jose’s 5th homicide happened in East San Jose. The man’s name has not been released and San Jose Police don’t yet have suspects. If you have details from the shooting on Cotton Tail Road call Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-STOP.
Speaking of Liccardo...
Sam Liccardo screwed up by accepting tickets to the Sharks. When the foul up was brought to his attention, Liccardo said “it was my mistake, and I need to correct that.” As part of the fallout, Liccardo won’t be voting on Sharks items for a year...San Jose Revealed chimed in on this story today. In an understatement to end all understatements, Revealed notes that Sam Liccardo is no Terry Gregory...
Also in sporting news…Santa Clara and the 49ers are close to a deal. Niner’s President Jed York and Mayor Patricia Mahan were unwilling to dish details but did confirm they are close to signing on the dotted line. The deal in the works is said to be more favorable to Santa Clara than the starting point...
Congressmember Anna Eshoo was happy to announce Federal stimulus dollars will be heading to her district. From the USGS Science Center ($6.9 million) to the Stanford National Accelerator Laboratory ($68 million to SLAC), the Peninsula is awash in funding.
The West Valley Green Leaf Committee is likely to hear from former Assemblymember/Lobbyist Manny Diaz as they try to get rid of polystyrene. Saratoga Mayor Chuck Page who says that while Styrofoam is recyclable, nobody wants it so it ends up in landfills, he’s asking the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce (sans leader) for help.
The Boss kicked off his world tour in San Jose last night. The Merc’s Shay Quillen says for any other performer the show would have been fine but for the Boss “it was decidedly subpar.” Really? Watch Dog believes there are 25,000 people who feel differently...
Sal Pizzaro is helping San Jose’s Redevelopment Agency get the word out about a survey they’re taking: What would get you to leave your shrinking dollars in San Jose’s downtown? (Springsteen?)
High Speed Rail’s introduction to California is heading for a long, drawn out battle. The November ballot measure received strong support in Silicon Valley with 53% in Santa Clara County. Now that the party is over, residents are waking up in a stupor. San Jose’s Director of Transportation Jim Helmer will be asking High Speed Rail authorities to consider tunneling through the neighborhoods south of the Diridon Station. Willow Glennies have loud and powerful voices. The Merc provides a brief Fact or Fantasy on High Speed Rail details.
S&S Tile started making glorious tiles in San Jose just before the Great Depression, today they’re called Stonelight Tile and the current Great Recession is seriously hurting their business. With clients like the Hotel Sainte Claire, Barbra Streisand, Kim Novak, and the House of Saud -- this is one of those unique businesses that would be tough to lose.
Proving there is no limit to stupidity…Five men were arrested while living large in Los Gatos. The five dudes were using stolen credit cards and shooting up in a local hotel when the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police stopped the party.
While we are in Los Gatos...bomb experts from the Sheriff’s Department blew up picric acid at the home of a recently deceased fly-fishing fan. Seems the stuff is used in feather dying. Fortunately, the fly-fisherman left detailed notes on the explosive substance so the relatives cleaning his home wouldn't blow up the trash.
San Jose Insider/Metro’s Fly roll’s out a few names hoping to take over where supervisor Don Gage leaves off next year. The newest name is perennial pol Pat Dando who seems ready to ditch the Chamber to return to government, this time as Supervisor.
In the Metro, Fly notes that the successes of BART’s Measure B left them on the hook for a $30k bonus to political consultant Barry Barnes.
San Jose Revealed blogged twice Wednesday, first to continue spanking Dan Pulcrano (is it really that interesting?) and then disclosing Revealed’s (fake) identity as Andy Diaz.
San Jose’s 5th homicide happened in East San Jose. The man’s name has not been released and San Jose Police don’t yet have suspects. If you have details from the shooting on Cotton Tail Road call Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-STOP.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 3.27.09: Practice, Practice, Practice...
Is there a more fun guy to watch operate than Oakland A's owner Lew Wolff? He is like a microphone magnet. A few weeks ago, he tells Oakland 'thanks, but no thanks' for their renewed interest in keeping the team. (It was quite a statement. If you haven't read it -- Ms. Heffner over at the Baseball San Jose blog has it.) Then yesterday, Wolff was the speaker at a San Francisco luncheon and moved the ball down the field a bit (sorry to mix sports metaphors): expressing his desire to move the team to San Jose, the City's efforts so far to get the land, and what Major League Baseball's role in the deal would be -- including dealing with those pesky Giants. (Like in Chicago's northside, hope springs eternal for baseball in San Jose...)
Congratulations Santa Clara County, you locked up a 10 year old. Judge Patrick Tondreau, who made the decision, is said to be fuming and felt forced to put the kid in the pokey. Supervisor Dave Cortese is really pissed he had to hear about it from a reporter.
San Jose’s Police Department continues cultivating its reputation as a bad boy. San Jose is offering $360,000 to schizophrenic Kenneth Grason to end a Federal lawsuit alleging San Jose Police beat him up for wandering around San Jose Airport. City Attorney Rick Doyle said that while the settlement was “fairly large” it was better (less costly) than the alternative if they lost...(The City prefers to pay huge legal settlements directly to the County...)
Morgan Hill’s City Council faced a dozen pissed off coaches and parents. The coaches and parents convinced the Council to put off raising field usage fees until after a public meeting. Councilmember Larry Carr reminded the crowd there were “implications for the City budget.” Field usage fees are and increasing challenge for cities and school districts.
Valuable Assets (fields) + Economic Crisis (now) = Increased Usage Fees therefore
Increased Usage Fees = Pissed Off Parents/Coaches
Gilroy’s unions are not happy about the wage freeze handed down by the City Council this week. Police Officer Association President Mitch Madruga said that while the economy stinks it would be “irresponsible of the union to give up” their automatic raises before members have the chance to hear what the Council wants. Councilmember Perry Woodward said he was “relieved” the Council voted to stop the automatic raises. It sounds like this fight is not over.
An un-named San Jose man hooked up with a woman in cyberspace using MocoSpace. When they hooked up in the real world the woman and her friends beat him, stole his clothes, and his money before leaving him naked and dying along the Bethany Reservoir. He’ll survive, thanks to the fishermen who rescued him.
The Merc’s Sal Pizarro has a series of interesting bits including a tip that songbird Linda Ronstadt is headed to D.C. to sing for the Silicon Valley Arts Advocacy Day supper in front of Congress.
Councilmember Peter Drekmeier promised a green Palo Alto future. Part of the green Palo Alto future is banning plastic bags at grocery stores (over the objections of anti-enviro/former Assemblymember Manny Diaz). They are also bringing in local farmers to provide fresh, organic produce through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.
Speaking of green…Palo Alto and Mountain View (along with San Mateo and San Mateo County) are getting green-bucks from the Feds to implement green job growth projects. Vice President Joe Biden said the dollars are meant to put people to work and cut energy use.
Sunnyvale Councilmember Melinda Hamilton asked California High Speed Rail leader Rod Diridon, Sr. to stick a stop in Sunnyvale. So much for the "High Speed" part of "High Speed Rail"...
San Jose Revealed was (apparently) impressed with the disclosure of Silicon Valley Leadership Group CEO Carl Guardino’s salary. So impressed that they bought the new version of Photoshop...Revealed dug up photos of everyone he could think of to give us a visual on how Guardino’s daily dollars stack up.
Gilroy’s Chamber Choir answered the age-old question: "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?". They are headed to the Big Apple for an all-star performance there. Basketball star/singer Dylan Jensen admitted he didn’t start getting nervous until they started learning about the big voices who’d hit the stage at Carnegie before them.
Congratulations Santa Clara County, you locked up a 10 year old. Judge Patrick Tondreau, who made the decision, is said to be fuming and felt forced to put the kid in the pokey. Supervisor Dave Cortese is really pissed he had to hear about it from a reporter.
San Jose’s Police Department continues cultivating its reputation as a bad boy. San Jose is offering $360,000 to schizophrenic Kenneth Grason to end a Federal lawsuit alleging San Jose Police beat him up for wandering around San Jose Airport. City Attorney Rick Doyle said that while the settlement was “fairly large” it was better (less costly) than the alternative if they lost...(The City prefers to pay huge legal settlements directly to the County...)
Morgan Hill’s City Council faced a dozen pissed off coaches and parents. The coaches and parents convinced the Council to put off raising field usage fees until after a public meeting. Councilmember Larry Carr reminded the crowd there were “implications for the City budget.” Field usage fees are and increasing challenge for cities and school districts.
Valuable Assets (fields) + Economic Crisis (now) = Increased Usage Fees therefore
Increased Usage Fees = Pissed Off Parents/Coaches
Gilroy’s unions are not happy about the wage freeze handed down by the City Council this week. Police Officer Association President Mitch Madruga said that while the economy stinks it would be “irresponsible of the union to give up” their automatic raises before members have the chance to hear what the Council wants. Councilmember Perry Woodward said he was “relieved” the Council voted to stop the automatic raises. It sounds like this fight is not over.
An un-named San Jose man hooked up with a woman in cyberspace using MocoSpace. When they hooked up in the real world the woman and her friends beat him, stole his clothes, and his money before leaving him naked and dying along the Bethany Reservoir. He’ll survive, thanks to the fishermen who rescued him.
The Merc’s Sal Pizarro has a series of interesting bits including a tip that songbird Linda Ronstadt is headed to D.C. to sing for the Silicon Valley Arts Advocacy Day supper in front of Congress.
Councilmember Peter Drekmeier promised a green Palo Alto future. Part of the green Palo Alto future is banning plastic bags at grocery stores (over the objections of anti-enviro/former Assemblymember Manny Diaz). They are also bringing in local farmers to provide fresh, organic produce through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.
Speaking of green…Palo Alto and Mountain View (along with San Mateo and San Mateo County) are getting green-bucks from the Feds to implement green job growth projects. Vice President Joe Biden said the dollars are meant to put people to work and cut energy use.
Sunnyvale Councilmember Melinda Hamilton asked California High Speed Rail leader Rod Diridon, Sr. to stick a stop in Sunnyvale. So much for the "High Speed" part of "High Speed Rail"...
San Jose Revealed was (apparently) impressed with the disclosure of Silicon Valley Leadership Group CEO Carl Guardino’s salary. So impressed that they bought the new version of Photoshop...Revealed dug up photos of everyone he could think of to give us a visual on how Guardino’s daily dollars stack up.
Gilroy’s Chamber Choir answered the age-old question: "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?". They are headed to the Big Apple for an all-star performance there. Basketball star/singer Dylan Jensen admitted he didn’t start getting nervous until they started learning about the big voices who’d hit the stage at Carnegie before them.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Morning News Round-Up – 3.19.09:
In case you missed Watch Dog's rant yesterday about San Jose's new (new!) way to deal with the drunk arrest issue in San Jose, here you go...in short, the City of San Jose is trading its Task Force for a Consortium and the ACLU Chief is not pleased...
In the great debate between Palo Alto (and Atherton and Menlo Park) and the High-Speed Rail Authority, you have got to admire Rod Diridon. He loves walking into the lion's den to pitch High-Speed Rail. He was at it once again in Palo Alto at the Palo Alto Rotary Club meeting at Ming's. His speech came just as Palo Alto is asking the High-Speed Rail Authority to study underground tracks through the Peninsula...a dollar short and day late?
Who knew... today’s library as the birthplace of tomorrow’s rockstars…The San Jose Public Library finished off Teen Tech Week with a Battle of the Bands, emphasizing the public library as a place where creativity is encouraged, young adults are “Free2Dream,” and find resources to help them achieve their goals. The winners, Sleepwell, with Craig Groves, Jonathan Borgia, Robin Smith, Jon Pollard, and Dalton Campbell won time in a recording studio and an on air interview. It is not true the Larry Pegram and Councilmember Pete Constant are now looking to ban rock and roll from the library because of the "negative influence it has on kids."
Pissed off parents may have their way after all. The Mountain View-Whisman School District is trying to work out a deal with the City of Mountain View and the YMCA that will keep YMCA preschool classes available in Mountain View-Whisman buildings -- even as enrollment in the District increases. This is a tough issue in Mountain View -- the School District needs the space and the YMCA is serving low-income families who rely on the preschool.
El Camino Hospital in Los Gatos will open 2 months early thanks to a flurry of paperwork. El Camino is purchasing the medical equipment and computers already in existence at the old Community Hospital and preparing for a job fair on Tuesday. It looks like the Los Gatos Observer is back online, they’ve got Los Gatos Mayor Mike Wasserman and Town Manager Greg Larson in the news expressing happy surprise over the hospitals (projected) early opening.
Blue pinstripe engulfs geeky Java-head…Big Blue (IBM) is looking to buy up the techie SUN, long respected for having solutions for, as yet, unknown problems.
Even fancy-schmancy Palo Alto is not immune to gang problems…Police are searching for Daniel Gil-Fernandez, accused of shooting Francisco Alvarez. Gil-Fernandez, who claims to be part of the Nortenos, took off running through Arastradero Park. If you have details, call 650-329-2190 to dish.
It’s great to be a nature lover, as long as it’s convenient…Mission College President Harriet Robles wants to evict the burrowing owls in favor a parking lot and soccer. Bob Power, Executive Director of the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society hopes to find a new home for the owls and worries about their rapidly declining population. And really, who needs burrowing owls when we have cars...
San Jose Insider Pete Campbell suggests the A’s offer the Giants a portion of the dollars from prospective luxury seating in San Jose (non-baseball events) to make territorial disputes go away. On a related note, Campbell believes a good hug will end the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. Another related note, Mission City Lantern chimes in about property values and stadiums...property values go up...no surprise if you've ever seen the before and after pictures of AT&T Park's neighborhood...
And a few (perhaps related?) gun stories to go along with yesterday's arrest of a San Jose man for robbing guns from Big 5 in Morgan Hill...
In the great debate between Palo Alto (and Atherton and Menlo Park) and the High-Speed Rail Authority, you have got to admire Rod Diridon. He loves walking into the lion's den to pitch High-Speed Rail. He was at it once again in Palo Alto at the Palo Alto Rotary Club meeting at Ming's. His speech came just as Palo Alto is asking the High-Speed Rail Authority to study underground tracks through the Peninsula...a dollar short and day late?
Who knew... today’s library as the birthplace of tomorrow’s rockstars…The San Jose Public Library finished off Teen Tech Week with a Battle of the Bands, emphasizing the public library as a place where creativity is encouraged, young adults are “Free2Dream,” and find resources to help them achieve their goals. The winners, Sleepwell, with Craig Groves, Jonathan Borgia, Robin Smith, Jon Pollard, and Dalton Campbell won time in a recording studio and an on air interview. It is not true the Larry Pegram and Councilmember Pete Constant are now looking to ban rock and roll from the library because of the "negative influence it has on kids."
Pissed off parents may have their way after all. The Mountain View-Whisman School District is trying to work out a deal with the City of Mountain View and the YMCA that will keep YMCA preschool classes available in Mountain View-Whisman buildings -- even as enrollment in the District increases. This is a tough issue in Mountain View -- the School District needs the space and the YMCA is serving low-income families who rely on the preschool.
El Camino Hospital in Los Gatos will open 2 months early thanks to a flurry of paperwork. El Camino is purchasing the medical equipment and computers already in existence at the old Community Hospital and preparing for a job fair on Tuesday. It looks like the Los Gatos Observer is back online, they’ve got Los Gatos Mayor Mike Wasserman and Town Manager Greg Larson in the news expressing happy surprise over the hospitals (projected) early opening.
Blue pinstripe engulfs geeky Java-head…Big Blue (IBM) is looking to buy up the techie SUN, long respected for having solutions for, as yet, unknown problems.
Even fancy-schmancy Palo Alto is not immune to gang problems…Police are searching for Daniel Gil-Fernandez, accused of shooting Francisco Alvarez. Gil-Fernandez, who claims to be part of the Nortenos, took off running through Arastradero Park. If you have details, call 650-329-2190 to dish.
It’s great to be a nature lover, as long as it’s convenient…Mission College President Harriet Robles wants to evict the burrowing owls in favor a parking lot and soccer. Bob Power, Executive Director of the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society hopes to find a new home for the owls and worries about their rapidly declining population. And really, who needs burrowing owls when we have cars...
San Jose Insider Pete Campbell suggests the A’s offer the Giants a portion of the dollars from prospective luxury seating in San Jose (non-baseball events) to make territorial disputes go away. On a related note, Campbell believes a good hug will end the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. Another related note, Mission City Lantern chimes in about property values and stadiums...property values go up...no surprise if you've ever seen the before and after pictures of AT&T Park's neighborhood...
And a few (perhaps related?) gun stories to go along with yesterday's arrest of a San Jose man for robbing guns from Big 5 in Morgan Hill...
- A shooter firing a BB gun hit a bunch of car windows yesterday in San Jose, and
- Thieves broke into San Jose's The Gun Exchange and stole over 100 weapons earlier this morning.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Morning News Rond-Up – 3.13.09: It's another (Pink Slip) Friday the 13th...
San Jose’s Elections Commission had some fun this week. First, dealing with their irritation over an anonymous complaint against former Mayor/lobbyist Tom McEnery. Next, deciding the fine to be levied against the political arm of the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, COMPAC, for a violation of the city’s limit on independent campaign contributions. The COMPAC challenge has the added wrinkle that once a fine is decided the city will land in court, according the COMPAC chair/Lawyer/former Planning Commissioner Jay Ross who calls the rules unconstitutional.
And so it begins slowly, the grim economy offers residents a painful choice – convenience being green or saving money. South county wanted to make it easier to be green, right up to the point where it would cost more. Green Waste Recovery, apparently unable to accommodate new customers at a lower rate may lose South county to their less green competitor. Morgan Hill Times’ editorial board suggests you let Supervisor Don Gage know how you feel. Watch Dog loves garbage, especially when the story is the same…
With the help of congressman Jerry McNerney, Morgan Hill’s Llagas Creek will receive $287,000 to protect homes, businesses and native habitat. Mayor Steve Tate applauded McNerny’s help in footing the $130 million bill, with help from the Santa Clara Valley Water District, Army Corps of Engineers and the city.
Speaking of the water district…
Apparently reversing themselves the Santa Clara Valley Water District directors say they are now open to letting the voters decide whether or not to impose term limits on them. The latest tactic is to remind voters that putting the question on the ballot will cost from $1 to $4 million dollars. District directors were taken to task by the Merc’s Scott Herhold in 2007 for their liberal definition of “meeting,” one which allows Director Richard Santos to attend softball games and travel extensively. Sig “Methusala” Sanchez has no objection to voter imposed term limits – of course, he thinks people still vote by chiseling on rock.
It’s good to be one of the top dogs in city government, even in bad times. Gilroy’s Human Resources Director LeeAnn McPhillips got a pay bump to over $171,000 – while she was in the process of dishing out pink slips to 40 city employees. City Manager Tom Haglund handed out nearly $100,000 in special raises to 23 employees, including 5 who were laid off. Sounds like the city manager’s actions could lead to heavier scrutiny by the council – never a welcome addition to a bureaucrat’s day.
Gilroy’s economy czar, otherwise known as Larry Cope CEO for the Economic Development Corp, heads to Washington, D.C. next week to channel the Presidents stimulus dollars towards Gilroy before leaving for his new gig as Tuolumne County’s economy czar. The Visitor’s Bureau chief/Count Board of Education Trustee Jane Howard, is hosting a lunch with partners to talk it over while Mayor Al Pinheiro, councilmember Bob Dhillon and South Valley National Bank VP Kurt Michielssen will meet with EDC’s board in April to discuss its future.
Santa Clara County teachers will receive pink slips at a record pace this week. Decimated retirement accounts keep possible retirees from leaving, and has some retirees asking to return to work. Because the economy and drastic funding cuts by the state require slashing budgets, more than 1,000 Silicon Valley teachers will lose their jobs – most of them young teachers. East Side Union High School District and Oak Grove School District both report a record drop in retirees.
The Merc’s Editorial Board calls on school districts to make their Teach for America fellows feel welcome and supported. TFA has 100 teachers in the Alum Rock and San Jose Unified school districts, including Silicon Valley Educational Foundation’s Teacher of the Year, Scott Wolf. Alum Rock is called out for not making these young idealists feel welcome.
The San Jose Catholic Diocese hopes to build a new school on land they purchased in Morgan Hill, the land is currently zoned for agricultural use so there’s this little challenge of rezoning but with the Catholic Church asking to ditch the zoning…
(As predicted, Revealeds reaction ...) SanJoseRevealed offers to take over the task of writing the Merc’s headlines saying the Merc’s current headlines don’t reflect story content, they need new staff and, best of all, swearing is funny. Tell that to the thousands of parents chasing their children with bars of soap…
SanJoseInside looks at the post-election challenges facing the California High-Speed Rail Authority as they begin the public meetings required for rollout. With visions of the Berlin Wall jumping to mind neighborhoods are freaking out over the thought of a rail system merging with the existing Cal Train line, some are suing others are demanding tunnels. Our sister blog, Watch Dog San Mateo, reports the High-Speed Rail Authority is strapped for on cash …
And, just to prove Silicon Valley does have a lighter side even in the worst of times…
The Merc’s Joe Rodriguez took time out to visit one of San Jose’s artists – body painter Celeste Oda who won last years masters face-painting award at the annual Face and Body Art International Convention. Rodriguez channeled his inner animal in allowing Oda to turn him into a Jaguar for a day.
He may not be a world class ballroom dancer but the Woz has YouTube fans flocking to see his impression of a “Teletubby going mad in a gay pride parade.”
And so it begins slowly, the grim economy offers residents a painful choice – convenience being green or saving money. South county wanted to make it easier to be green, right up to the point where it would cost more. Green Waste Recovery, apparently unable to accommodate new customers at a lower rate may lose South county to their less green competitor. Morgan Hill Times’ editorial board suggests you let Supervisor Don Gage know how you feel. Watch Dog loves garbage, especially when the story is the same…
With the help of congressman Jerry McNerney, Morgan Hill’s Llagas Creek will receive $287,000 to protect homes, businesses and native habitat. Mayor Steve Tate applauded McNerny’s help in footing the $130 million bill, with help from the Santa Clara Valley Water District, Army Corps of Engineers and the city.
Speaking of the water district…
Apparently reversing themselves the Santa Clara Valley Water District directors say they are now open to letting the voters decide whether or not to impose term limits on them. The latest tactic is to remind voters that putting the question on the ballot will cost from $1 to $4 million dollars. District directors were taken to task by the Merc’s Scott Herhold in 2007 for their liberal definition of “meeting,” one which allows Director Richard Santos to attend softball games and travel extensively. Sig “Methusala” Sanchez has no objection to voter imposed term limits – of course, he thinks people still vote by chiseling on rock.
It’s good to be one of the top dogs in city government, even in bad times. Gilroy’s Human Resources Director LeeAnn McPhillips got a pay bump to over $171,000 – while she was in the process of dishing out pink slips to 40 city employees. City Manager Tom Haglund handed out nearly $100,000 in special raises to 23 employees, including 5 who were laid off. Sounds like the city manager’s actions could lead to heavier scrutiny by the council – never a welcome addition to a bureaucrat’s day.
Gilroy’s economy czar, otherwise known as Larry Cope CEO for the Economic Development Corp, heads to Washington, D.C. next week to channel the Presidents stimulus dollars towards Gilroy before leaving for his new gig as Tuolumne County’s economy czar. The Visitor’s Bureau chief/Count Board of Education Trustee Jane Howard, is hosting a lunch with partners to talk it over while Mayor Al Pinheiro, councilmember Bob Dhillon and South Valley National Bank VP Kurt Michielssen will meet with EDC’s board in April to discuss its future.
Santa Clara County teachers will receive pink slips at a record pace this week. Decimated retirement accounts keep possible retirees from leaving, and has some retirees asking to return to work. Because the economy and drastic funding cuts by the state require slashing budgets, more than 1,000 Silicon Valley teachers will lose their jobs – most of them young teachers. East Side Union High School District and Oak Grove School District both report a record drop in retirees.
The Merc’s Editorial Board calls on school districts to make their Teach for America fellows feel welcome and supported. TFA has 100 teachers in the Alum Rock and San Jose Unified school districts, including Silicon Valley Educational Foundation’s Teacher of the Year, Scott Wolf. Alum Rock is called out for not making these young idealists feel welcome.
The San Jose Catholic Diocese hopes to build a new school on land they purchased in Morgan Hill, the land is currently zoned for agricultural use so there’s this little challenge of rezoning but with the Catholic Church asking to ditch the zoning…
(As predicted, Revealeds reaction ...) SanJoseRevealed offers to take over the task of writing the Merc’s headlines saying the Merc’s current headlines don’t reflect story content, they need new staff and, best of all, swearing is funny. Tell that to the thousands of parents chasing their children with bars of soap…
SanJoseInside looks at the post-election challenges facing the California High-Speed Rail Authority as they begin the public meetings required for rollout. With visions of the Berlin Wall jumping to mind neighborhoods are freaking out over the thought of a rail system merging with the existing Cal Train line, some are suing others are demanding tunnels. Our sister blog, Watch Dog San Mateo, reports the High-Speed Rail Authority is strapped for on cash …
And, just to prove Silicon Valley does have a lighter side even in the worst of times…
The Merc’s Joe Rodriguez took time out to visit one of San Jose’s artists – body painter Celeste Oda who won last years masters face-painting award at the annual Face and Body Art International Convention. Rodriguez channeled his inner animal in allowing Oda to turn him into a Jaguar for a day.
He may not be a world class ballroom dancer but the Woz has YouTube fans flocking to see his impression of a “Teletubby going mad in a gay pride parade.”
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 3.3.09: "...a never-ending battle to limit their presence..."
“Judgment Day Comes for San Jose Councilwoman” so proclaims the Merc. as the brouhaha comes to a close for San Jose’s Madison Nguyen. Campaign workers on both sides are no doubt chugging the caffeine in preparation for a long day. Watch Dog will do live updates as soon as the polls close, check in here for the latest news. San Jose Revealed is also ready for the Little Saigon madness to end and shares a series of cranky email messages received since Friday’s post...
District Attorney Dolores Carr has jumped on the story about Mexican American Community Services Agency's (MACSA) serious financial irregularities related to a Charter school it runs. Carr said her office would investigate and that, "...the allegations appear very serious..." Yesterday, a story broke about MACSA's possibly illegal embezzlement (borrowing?) of funds from their teachers at a MACSA Charter School in Gilroy. Enrique Palacios, the Gilroy Unified School District Deputy Superintendent of Business Services, sounds pissed and called the financial irregularities "...a moral issue..." MACSA’s CEO, Olivia Soza-Mendiola, shot an angry Letter to the Editor of the Gilroy Dispatch saying it was the State's fault MACSA “borrowed” the funds. Ben Anderson shot right back in a Dispatch Editorial calling Soza-Mendiola’s ambivalence troubling and a poor example to the young people MACSA serves. Watch Dog will have more on this later...you will not want to miss the San Jose connections to this story...
If you need a day-worker, Mountain View is your town...at least that is the fear of those who oppose approval of the day-worker permit issued recently. “The Day Worker Center has to wait until the council takes action before they do any work on the site..." said City Zoning Administrator Peter Gilli.
The Merc’s Scott Herhold dedicates his column to his NIMBY Hanchett Park neighbors angst over the possible move to San Jose by Lew Wolff’s A’s and the high speed rail approved by voters in November.
Speaking of high-speed rail NIMBYs...
NIMBY negativism looms large in Palo Alto about high-speed rail. Rod Diridon, Sr. told Palo Alto’s City Council yesterday that it would have been helpful had they spoken up before the measure passed in November. You think? Normally cheerful Palo Altans marched on City Hall chanting and waving protest signs. It is untrue that the protest signs read: NIMBY's FOR SLOW TRAINS.... Councilmember Larry Klein, hopeful the state will undo what the voters did, said, "Laws do get changed. That's what our legislature is for, that's what the initiative process is for, and that's what the courts are for, in some cases." Really Larry, you are going to rely on the California State Legislature to help you out? Good luck...
On San Jose Inside's Fly cruises local habitat’s – after discovering City Hall’s resident falcons were unavailable on the Falcon Cam, Fly headed to Guadalupe River Park & Gardens for an Audubon Society lecture. While at the lecture, Fly notes the Police Department and Water District sweeps have cleaned out the Park's homeless encampments. “It’s a never-ending battle to limit their presence...” Park staffer Linda McCabe says. Ironically, San Jose Revealed says the same thing about San Jose Inside...
San Jose is getting into the energy business and hopes to install the largest solar power array on City lands and is looking for proposals. You have until March 23 to get your request in.
Watch Dog’s favorite cobbler, Paul Cruz, is retiring after 49 years of keeping San Joseans footwear in good working order. Chances are this workaholic will still be helping friends out with their leather needs. (Insert your leather needs/ball gag joke here: _____________)
District Attorney Dolores Carr has jumped on the story about Mexican American Community Services Agency's (MACSA) serious financial irregularities related to a Charter school it runs. Carr said her office would investigate and that, "...the allegations appear very serious..." Yesterday, a story broke about MACSA's possibly illegal embezzlement (borrowing?) of funds from their teachers at a MACSA Charter School in Gilroy. Enrique Palacios, the Gilroy Unified School District Deputy Superintendent of Business Services, sounds pissed and called the financial irregularities "...a moral issue..." MACSA’s CEO, Olivia Soza-Mendiola, shot an angry Letter to the Editor of the Gilroy Dispatch saying it was the State's fault MACSA “borrowed” the funds. Ben Anderson shot right back in a Dispatch Editorial calling Soza-Mendiola’s ambivalence troubling and a poor example to the young people MACSA serves. Watch Dog will have more on this later...you will not want to miss the San Jose connections to this story...
If you need a day-worker, Mountain View is your town...at least that is the fear of those who oppose approval of the day-worker permit issued recently. “The Day Worker Center has to wait until the council takes action before they do any work on the site..." said City Zoning Administrator Peter Gilli.
The Merc’s Scott Herhold dedicates his column to his NIMBY Hanchett Park neighbors angst over the possible move to San Jose by Lew Wolff’s A’s and the high speed rail approved by voters in November.
Speaking of high-speed rail NIMBYs...
NIMBY negativism looms large in Palo Alto about high-speed rail. Rod Diridon, Sr. told Palo Alto’s City Council yesterday that it would have been helpful had they spoken up before the measure passed in November. You think? Normally cheerful Palo Altans marched on City Hall chanting and waving protest signs. It is untrue that the protest signs read: NIMBY's FOR SLOW TRAINS.... Councilmember Larry Klein, hopeful the state will undo what the voters did, said, "Laws do get changed. That's what our legislature is for, that's what the initiative process is for, and that's what the courts are for, in some cases." Really Larry, you are going to rely on the California State Legislature to help you out? Good luck...
On San Jose Inside's Fly cruises local habitat’s – after discovering City Hall’s resident falcons were unavailable on the Falcon Cam, Fly headed to Guadalupe River Park & Gardens for an Audubon Society lecture. While at the lecture, Fly notes the Police Department and Water District sweeps have cleaned out the Park's homeless encampments. “It’s a never-ending battle to limit their presence...” Park staffer Linda McCabe says. Ironically, San Jose Revealed says the same thing about San Jose Inside...
San Jose is getting into the energy business and hopes to install the largest solar power array on City lands and is looking for proposals. You have until March 23 to get your request in.
Watch Dog’s favorite cobbler, Paul Cruz, is retiring after 49 years of keeping San Joseans footwear in good working order. Chances are this workaholic will still be helping friends out with their leather needs. (Insert your leather needs/ball gag joke here: _____________)
Friday, February 27, 2009
Morning News Round-Up – 2.27.09: Guess the Connection Edition...
Story 1: San Jose Councilmembers Nora Campos, Rose Herrera, and Nancy Pyle want in on baseball too. Watch Dog wants to know: Is there a Memo that Rose Herrera has not signed on to since she was sworn in? Competition policy. Crossing guards. Baseball...even her press-darling colleagues Pete Constant and Sam Liccardo sometimes take a break. As of press time, none of the Campos/Herrera/Pyle crew had joined the growing grassroots Facebook group, however. (Ash Kalra and Pete Constant have.)
Story 2: Also feeling his athletic best, Supervisor George Shirakawa, Jr. put his lobbying experience to good use in hopes to snatch the San Francisco 49ers away from Santa Clara and put them at the County Fairgrounds. Shirakawa, Jr. met with Niner's CFO Larry MacNeil and Vice President of Communications Lisa Lang to lobby for the switch. The County’s 4-H President Murlin Lee pointed out that he’s not surprised a new new idea is in the mix, noting that Supervisors contemplated a concert hall on the site for 7 years before that ill-advised plan fell apart. Is this just a way to for the 49ers to pressure Santa Clara?
Story 3: "Technically, it's not legal..." said Ben Tan, Chief Financial Officer of the Mexican American Community Services Agency, parent to Gilroy’s only charter school El Portal's Leadership Academy. It seems MACSA skimmed $400,000 from El Portal teachers and Gilroy City Employee Retirement Funds. The “technically illegal” problem was uncovered by a teacher who tried to access his retirement funds. "It has yet to be determined if El Portal is financially or academically sound," Gilroy Superintendent Deborah Flores said. MACSA also runs Academia Calmecac in San Jose, where the organization owes staff nearly $250,000, Tan said. Add to the financial misery (and mystery), the school’s test scores plunged 66 points last year.
There is an interesting connection between the first three Round-Up stories today. Can anyone guess why the third story could cause political problems for folks in all three stories?
A disgusting 1.3 million gallons of raw sewage and storm water spilled into the San Francisco Bay in recent weeks. And those were from the big spills we heard about. "It's like living in a situation sort of like a Third World country, where there's poor sanitary management..." said Sejal Choksi of the environmental group San Francisco Baykeeper. There is a (very expensive) plan to fix up San Jose's water treatment facility before it is too late...
We Hate High-Speed Rail Story #101: Folks at last night's High-Speed Rail meeting in Palo Alto demanded tunnels, which may work in theory but probably not in practice. Doing his best school-yard bully impression, Palo Alto Vice Mayor Jack Morton threatened to sue the California High Speed Rail Authority if they don't listen to him...the rumor is not true that Morton also challenged Rod Diridon, Sr. to a duel after the meeting...
And with ironic timing, the California Avenue Caltrain station upgrade is complete and was celebrated by Palo Alto officials and the community alike...To review Palo Alto's position: Slow Train = good, Fast Train = bad...
Save the cheerleader, save the world…Morgan Hill’s Sobrato High School cheerleaders and parents stormed the (Bastille) School Board yesterday and demanded the kids be allowed to head south for the National Cheerleading Competition. (Remember, this was the story where the coach forgot to send the registration in on time...O...M...G...!) District officials complied!!! The team is going!!! Awesome!!!! F**king Awesome!!!
(Pissed off) Former Spansion employees found out their dismissal enabled company executive’s to give themselves a 10% pay raise. These would be the same executives who have driven stock prices down to a record low 5 cents/share. There are two lawsuits in the works to get to the bottom of the shenanigans at Spansion. One of the legal beagle’s, Ken Sugarman, said "Right now I just think that's a very unsavory aspect of it."
There’s a bright spot over at Valley Medical Center. A little boy who was run over walking to school with his Dad is now breathing on his own. Medical costs are mounting however. Find out how to help.
San Jose Revealed provides the results of their State of San Jose (Revealed) survey. Liccardo does well, Constant doesn't. The City Budget is a mess and folks agree that arts are important. Oh, and some folks read both Revealed and Watch Dog. Thank you. I read both too...
Story 2: Also feeling his athletic best, Supervisor George Shirakawa, Jr. put his lobbying experience to good use in hopes to snatch the San Francisco 49ers away from Santa Clara and put them at the County Fairgrounds. Shirakawa, Jr. met with Niner's CFO Larry MacNeil and Vice President of Communications Lisa Lang to lobby for the switch. The County’s 4-H President Murlin Lee pointed out that he’s not surprised a new new idea is in the mix, noting that Supervisors contemplated a concert hall on the site for 7 years before that ill-advised plan fell apart. Is this just a way to for the 49ers to pressure Santa Clara?
Story 3: "Technically, it's not legal..." said Ben Tan, Chief Financial Officer of the Mexican American Community Services Agency, parent to Gilroy’s only charter school El Portal's Leadership Academy. It seems MACSA skimmed $400,000 from El Portal teachers and Gilroy City Employee Retirement Funds. The “technically illegal” problem was uncovered by a teacher who tried to access his retirement funds. "It has yet to be determined if El Portal is financially or academically sound," Gilroy Superintendent Deborah Flores said. MACSA also runs Academia Calmecac in San Jose, where the organization owes staff nearly $250,000, Tan said. Add to the financial misery (and mystery), the school’s test scores plunged 66 points last year.
There is an interesting connection between the first three Round-Up stories today. Can anyone guess why the third story could cause political problems for folks in all three stories?
A disgusting 1.3 million gallons of raw sewage and storm water spilled into the San Francisco Bay in recent weeks. And those were from the big spills we heard about. "It's like living in a situation sort of like a Third World country, where there's poor sanitary management..." said Sejal Choksi of the environmental group San Francisco Baykeeper. There is a (very expensive) plan to fix up San Jose's water treatment facility before it is too late...
We Hate High-Speed Rail Story #101: Folks at last night's High-Speed Rail meeting in Palo Alto demanded tunnels, which may work in theory but probably not in practice. Doing his best school-yard bully impression, Palo Alto Vice Mayor Jack Morton threatened to sue the California High Speed Rail Authority if they don't listen to him...the rumor is not true that Morton also challenged Rod Diridon, Sr. to a duel after the meeting...
And with ironic timing, the California Avenue Caltrain station upgrade is complete and was celebrated by Palo Alto officials and the community alike...To review Palo Alto's position: Slow Train = good, Fast Train = bad...
Save the cheerleader, save the world…Morgan Hill’s Sobrato High School cheerleaders and parents stormed the (Bastille) School Board yesterday and demanded the kids be allowed to head south for the National Cheerleading Competition. (Remember, this was the story where the coach forgot to send the registration in on time...O...M...G...!) District officials complied!!! The team is going!!! Awesome!!!! F**king Awesome!!!
(Pissed off) Former Spansion employees found out their dismissal enabled company executive’s to give themselves a 10% pay raise. These would be the same executives who have driven stock prices down to a record low 5 cents/share. There are two lawsuits in the works to get to the bottom of the shenanigans at Spansion. One of the legal beagle’s, Ken Sugarman, said "Right now I just think that's a very unsavory aspect of it."
There’s a bright spot over at Valley Medical Center. A little boy who was run over walking to school with his Dad is now breathing on his own. Medical costs are mounting however. Find out how to help.
San Jose Revealed provides the results of their State of San Jose (Revealed) survey. Liccardo does well, Constant doesn't. The City Budget is a mess and folks agree that arts are important. Oh, and some folks read both Revealed and Watch Dog. Thank you. I read both too...
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Morning (or late afternoon) News Round-Up – 12.03.08
The close knit community of Los Gatos was devastated to learn high school senior Michael Halpin collapsed in front Los Gatos High and was pronounced dead at Good Samaritan Hospital. Friend and teammate Nick Hirschman said, "Michael was one of the guys — he always gave 100 percent in practice, and off the field he was the nicest guy, everyone got along with him." Share your condolences here.
While BART has been the transportation darling in search of funding, a new rail is stepping up. High speed rail advocates, who recently received voter approval for a $9.95 billion down payment from California voters, are hoping the Obama administration will chip in as part of the New New Deal.
With over 250 days a year of sunshine it seems unlikely the Mineta San Jose International Airport would ever be closed...but for the second day this week the heavy fog has flights canceled. That's bad for travelers, but good if you missed hearing from Airport spokesman David Vossbrink of Gonzales Administration fame, noting that flight were “all holding and circling.” Yes, Larry Ellison, this includes you.
Political payback bites Los Gatos Planning Commissioner Michael Kane who lost his seat on the Planning Commission. At the same meeting departing Councilmember Steve Glickman (who voted against Kane) admitted he’d fibbed to a voter in 2000, telling the “cantankerous old coot” his name was Sandy Decker – his opponent in the race. In a bit of irony, a comment is posted that Glickman was “the only honest one on the council.”
Speaking of Los Gatos and Commissions...Colleen Wilcox, former County Superintendent, was named to the Los Gatos Arts Commission.
A Watch Dog tipster reports all was not peaceful on the dais in San Jose yesterday with Councilmember Pete Constant snapping at colleague Sam Liccardo over “labor peace.” Liccardo pointed out to Constant he might have raised the topic a year ago when Council first discussed the issue. At that time Constant complained the process was too long, right before he supported Liccardo’s ideas. (Around 2 hours in are Constant comments.)
The Merc's Patty Fisher dedicates her column to a project started by Los Altos High School student Mingbo Gong – haiku as a vehicle for understanding. It’s not enough that Gong has launched a successful project, he does it as part of Bay Area Asian Unity, a non-profit he founded to help earthquake victims in China. Watch Dog favors Fisher’s haiku:
About his narrow loss for school board, (former) Gilroy Unified School District Trustee Jaime Rosso says, "It looks like I didn't make it. I fell six votes short but that's OK." With the topsey turvey nature of recent elections Watch Dog wonders, what were the campaign strategists thinking?
Friends of the Gilroy police are holding a bake sale, well, sort of. You can eat out at one of your favorite restaurants and a portion of the proceeds goes to the Gilroy Volunteers in Policing to raise funds for public safety.
Sounds like a throw down to District Attorney Dolores Carr. The headline says it all “West Coast Linen should be accountable for its dirty laundry.” The Gilroy Dispatch is calling on the District Attorney’s office to investigate allegations of non-payment, illegal hiring practices, blackmail – you name it and Sausalito-based Lohrey Enterprises Inc. has been accused of the transgression.
On San Jose Inside former San Jose Mayor Tom McEnery urges San Jose to roll up its sleeves, put noses to the grind stone, pull out all the Silicon Valley ingenuity, and trudge forward through the economic maelstrom.
As proof that a good idea can come from questionable sources San Jose Revealed agrees with aspects of the proposed San Jose Public Market while offering skepticism at the idea of offering Tom McEnery $5 million to make it happen. Revealed likens the Market to the disastrous San Jose Pavilion.
Meanwhile in the Mission City Lantern posts a rapid fire series of attacks on Santa Clara Council gadfly Steve Hazel.
While BART has been the transportation darling in search of funding, a new rail is stepping up. High speed rail advocates, who recently received voter approval for a $9.95 billion down payment from California voters, are hoping the Obama administration will chip in as part of the New New Deal.
With over 250 days a year of sunshine it seems unlikely the Mineta San Jose International Airport would ever be closed...but for the second day this week the heavy fog has flights canceled. That's bad for travelers, but good if you missed hearing from Airport spokesman David Vossbrink of Gonzales Administration fame, noting that flight were “all holding and circling.” Yes, Larry Ellison, this includes you.
Political payback bites Los Gatos Planning Commissioner Michael Kane who lost his seat on the Planning Commission. At the same meeting departing Councilmember Steve Glickman (who voted against Kane) admitted he’d fibbed to a voter in 2000, telling the “cantankerous old coot” his name was Sandy Decker – his opponent in the race. In a bit of irony, a comment is posted that Glickman was “the only honest one on the council.”
Speaking of Los Gatos and Commissions...Colleen Wilcox, former County Superintendent, was named to the Los Gatos Arts Commission.
A Watch Dog tipster reports all was not peaceful on the dais in San Jose yesterday with Councilmember Pete Constant snapping at colleague Sam Liccardo over “labor peace.” Liccardo pointed out to Constant he might have raised the topic a year ago when Council first discussed the issue. At that time Constant complained the process was too long, right before he supported Liccardo’s ideas. (Around 2 hours in are Constant comments.)
The Merc's Patty Fisher dedicates her column to a project started by Los Altos High School student Mingbo Gong – haiku as a vehicle for understanding. It’s not enough that Gong has launched a successful project, he does it as part of Bay Area Asian Unity, a non-profit he founded to help earthquake victims in China. Watch Dog favors Fisher’s haiku:
Blank computer screenThe Merc also says farewell to the American Musical Theatre without venturing a guess as to who might be the next to fall.
Anxious editor hovers
Column deadline nears
About his narrow loss for school board, (former) Gilroy Unified School District Trustee Jaime Rosso says, "It looks like I didn't make it. I fell six votes short but that's OK." With the topsey turvey nature of recent elections Watch Dog wonders, what were the campaign strategists thinking?
Friends of the Gilroy police are holding a bake sale, well, sort of. You can eat out at one of your favorite restaurants and a portion of the proceeds goes to the Gilroy Volunteers in Policing to raise funds for public safety.
Sounds like a throw down to District Attorney Dolores Carr. The headline says it all “West Coast Linen should be accountable for its dirty laundry.” The Gilroy Dispatch is calling on the District Attorney’s office to investigate allegations of non-payment, illegal hiring practices, blackmail – you name it and Sausalito-based Lohrey Enterprises Inc. has been accused of the transgression.
On San Jose Inside former San Jose Mayor Tom McEnery urges San Jose to roll up its sleeves, put noses to the grind stone, pull out all the Silicon Valley ingenuity, and trudge forward through the economic maelstrom.
As proof that a good idea can come from questionable sources San Jose Revealed agrees with aspects of the proposed San Jose Public Market while offering skepticism at the idea of offering Tom McEnery $5 million to make it happen. Revealed likens the Market to the disastrous San Jose Pavilion.
Meanwhile in the Mission City Lantern posts a rapid fire series of attacks on Santa Clara Council gadfly Steve Hazel.
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