Jed York pissed off a few folks when he said he’d rather go to Oakland than Hunters Point – if the 49ers don’t land in Santa Clara. Former 49ers president/Lennar-Hunters Point consultant Carmen Policy said he was “speechless” after reading San Francisco’s Matier and Ross.
Don’t hold your breath for that property tax break anytime soon. Santa Clara County Tax Assessor Larry Stone says between staff cutbacks and the mountain of appeals, well think molasses…
Good news for outdoor fans. San Jose’s Mount Umunhum is getting some help from the Feds. Congressmember Mike Honda wrangled the Fed “earmark” and is hopeful trails will open in 2 years.
Racist computers? HP doesn’t think so but is taking the accusation seriously according to spokesperson Mark Budgell who wasn’t laughing when he saw the laughter filled video.
Autism aides for the Mountain View – Whisman School District will enter the new year with fewer benefits and hours after negotiations this month.
Mountain View police busted a 14-year-old boy for an “angry” toss during a football game. No dish on details, yet.
Tis’ the season for those pesky DUI checkpoints. Palo Alto police busted 16 drivers for not reading the paper before enjoying the holiday nog.
After your nog you might need a taxi instead of the bus… The creaky economy is taking a toll on bus lines. VTA officials announced plans to decrease service to help close a $70 million gap.
Mission City Lantern sends props to the 49ers for belief in a “true and ethical democracy” and calls out holiday heros. If you didn’t get props you may have received a dirty turnip. Is that like a dirty martini?
Showing posts with label honda. Show all posts
Showing posts with label honda. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 12.11.09: Oakland A's?
Oakland is getting around to realization that they might lose their baseball team... they are now putting together 3 sites that could house the A's. Perhaps that would have been a good thing for Oakland to do before the A's decided they wanted to move to Fremont... and perhaps it would have been an even better idea to do before the A's decided they really, really wanted to move to San Jose...
BART to San Jose, or at least to Berryessa, is looking promising following hints from the fed’s that there’s a big chunk of change heading West. Congressmember Mike Honda and San Jose Councilmember/(incoming) VTA Chair Sam Liccardo both breathed a sigh of relief and shared tears of joy with Carl Guardino... actually, nobody cried.
Now we know why San Jose Councilmember Pete Constant is missing so many meetings. He’s been busy building an iPhone app for blight. The Merc’s Editorial Board sends entrepreneurial props Constants way.
After colleagues on the Alum Rock School District Board decided to close Pala Middle School, Trustee Tanya Freudenberger said she was “sick to (her) heart.” Superintendent Jose Manzo said it was District solvency or school closure. Trustees are considering an extension of their parcel tax, which will no doubt go over well with Pala parents…
Can San Jose neighborhoods keep grocery stores in operation? You gotta wonder…
San Jose Rose Garden residents wondered why it took the San Jose Water Company 4 days to start fixing the gusher flooding their streets. Water Company spokesperson John Tang says it was a delay due to higher priority leaks and it wasn’t the media attention that bumped them up the list. Thank you for clarifying...
The story of the tragic death of a 15-year-old girl in Gilroy took a turn for the worse. Early information from the autopsy indicates she may have drowned. Mark Stanford with the County’s Department of Alcohol and Drug Services says “it’s a myth that you can sober up with… a shower.” But that may be where her friends put her...
Palo Alto Independent Police Auditors Mike Gennaco and Robert Miller want the new chief to put fresh eyes on the use of Tasers. Adding to the Taser woes, the Judge said police acted improperly when they zapped Joseph “Tony” Ciampi. Local attorney Aram James worries “it’s just a matter of time before we’re going to kill an unarmed person." Sound familiar?
Mountain View Whisman School District teachers are pissed at the way Trustees “handled the breach of professional conduct by the superintendent.” (former) Superintendent Maurice Ghysels’ is quick to point out his romance with a school principal is not the reason he’s resigning. It’s a timing thing…
San Jose Inside spent their Saturday with the NAACP for a “Courageous Conversation on Race.” District Attorney Dolores Carr, Police Chief Rob Davis, and La Raza Roundtable’s Victor Garza joined community groups for a confab on perception vs. reality over the challenges facing San Jose Police.
Mission City Lantern gets giddy over Santa Clara City Council’s approval of the 49ers environmental impact report.
BART to San Jose, or at least to Berryessa, is looking promising following hints from the fed’s that there’s a big chunk of change heading West. Congressmember Mike Honda and San Jose Councilmember/(incoming) VTA Chair Sam Liccardo both breathed a sigh of relief and shared tears of joy with Carl Guardino... actually, nobody cried.
Now we know why San Jose Councilmember Pete Constant is missing so many meetings. He’s been busy building an iPhone app for blight. The Merc’s Editorial Board sends entrepreneurial props Constants way.
After colleagues on the Alum Rock School District Board decided to close Pala Middle School, Trustee Tanya Freudenberger said she was “sick to (her) heart.” Superintendent Jose Manzo said it was District solvency or school closure. Trustees are considering an extension of their parcel tax, which will no doubt go over well with Pala parents…
Can San Jose neighborhoods keep grocery stores in operation? You gotta wonder…
San Jose Rose Garden residents wondered why it took the San Jose Water Company 4 days to start fixing the gusher flooding their streets. Water Company spokesperson John Tang says it was a delay due to higher priority leaks and it wasn’t the media attention that bumped them up the list. Thank you for clarifying...
The story of the tragic death of a 15-year-old girl in Gilroy took a turn for the worse. Early information from the autopsy indicates she may have drowned. Mark Stanford with the County’s Department of Alcohol and Drug Services says “it’s a myth that you can sober up with… a shower.” But that may be where her friends put her...
Palo Alto Independent Police Auditors Mike Gennaco and Robert Miller want the new chief to put fresh eyes on the use of Tasers. Adding to the Taser woes, the Judge said police acted improperly when they zapped Joseph “Tony” Ciampi. Local attorney Aram James worries “it’s just a matter of time before we’re going to kill an unarmed person." Sound familiar?
Mountain View Whisman School District teachers are pissed at the way Trustees “handled the breach of professional conduct by the superintendent.” (former) Superintendent Maurice Ghysels’ is quick to point out his romance with a school principal is not the reason he’s resigning. It’s a timing thing…
San Jose Inside spent their Saturday with the NAACP for a “Courageous Conversation on Race.” District Attorney Dolores Carr, Police Chief Rob Davis, and La Raza Roundtable’s Victor Garza joined community groups for a confab on perception vs. reality over the challenges facing San Jose Police.
Mission City Lantern gets giddy over Santa Clara City Council’s approval of the 49ers environmental impact report.
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?
Monday, September 28, 2009
Morning News Round-Up – 9.28.09: Back in the news...
The Valley Transit Authority has gotten an earful about slow light rail from riders and Mr. Roadshow. They aim to do something about it but some of the Valley’s biggest transit supporters are less than excited about light rail 2.0. Silicon Valley Leadership Group’s Carl Guardino votes for the “less expensive” alternative of “bus rapid transit.”
Also interested in putting happy wheels on the road… San Jose gets federal stimulus dollars to repave 19 of their 2,300 road miles. According to San Jose Transportation deputy director Hans Larsen the $15 million drop in the bucket is appreciated but hardly covers San Jose’s $283 million backlog.
Local Deputy Dogs are pissed off over a county report saying they pay too much for e-booking bad guys. Federal law enforcement pays nothing for computerized booking while poor Los Altos Hills paid nearly $11,000 for one booking in 2007. The answer, of course, is sending law enforcement officers driving to county offices to file reports. Or, LAH arrests more people.
Rosemary Stasek was a catholic and a staunch supporter of women’s rights. “A society is really built up on how it treats women,” according to Stasek and a big part of the reason she landed in Afghanistan. The Merc’s Patty Fisher shares details on the remarkable Silicon Valley woman who left home for less green pastures.
The Merc’s Internal Affairs did a mighty-lot of sleuthing last week…
Homeless pooches are the beneficiaries of the Humane Society’s annual Walk N’ Wag this weekend while pampered pooches can hang at Pooch in Sunnyvale for only $100 a night according to the Merc’s Sal Pizarro.
The Merc’s Editorial Board calls on Senator Dianne Feinstein to fight for the $4 million Congressman Mike Honda wants to clean up Mt Umunhum. Calling the sum a “pittance in the context of billions in military spending” the Merc hopes Feinstein will “make this project a bright light in an otherwise dark hour of investment in public facilities.”
San Jose Insider/Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio argues against a “plastic bag bureaucracy” and suggests instead banishment of the single-use poopy diaper. Also Inside, Jack Van Zandt had a rockin’ good time with Joan Baez kicking off the Mariachi and Mexican Heritage Festival.
Protect San Jose’s Mary Klotzbach shares the wrenching story of her son’s death at the wheel of a drunk driver and the costs associated with drunk driving.
Normally a 49ers booster, Mission City Lantern sends props to the Vikings for their “marvelous” win. Really, James?
If watching your local elected officials is your thing, here’s the hap’s for this week…
Also interested in putting happy wheels on the road… San Jose gets federal stimulus dollars to repave 19 of their 2,300 road miles. According to San Jose Transportation deputy director Hans Larsen the $15 million drop in the bucket is appreciated but hardly covers San Jose’s $283 million backlog.
Local Deputy Dogs are pissed off over a county report saying they pay too much for e-booking bad guys. Federal law enforcement pays nothing for computerized booking while poor Los Altos Hills paid nearly $11,000 for one booking in 2007. The answer, of course, is sending law enforcement officers driving to county offices to file reports. Or, LAH arrests more people.
Rosemary Stasek was a catholic and a staunch supporter of women’s rights. “A society is really built up on how it treats women,” according to Stasek and a big part of the reason she landed in Afghanistan. The Merc’s Patty Fisher shares details on the remarkable Silicon Valley woman who left home for less green pastures.
The Merc’s Internal Affairs did a mighty-lot of sleuthing last week…
- The case of District Attorney Dolores Carr & spouse (ethical) screw-up ranked a letter from attorney/friend B. Robert Allard (apparently) to the prosecutor’s chief opponent asking to let bygones be bygones.
- Round 2 – the Government Attorney’s Association was asked to investigate a vote of no-confidence against their big dog, District Attorney Dolores Carr. The mystery is who asked...
- Sunnyvale, according to IA, needed “schooling in the California Public Records Act” before dishing on home loans to 6 Sunnyvalian employees including nearly $900,000 to City Manager Gary Luebbers.
- (former)Hewlett Packard Tech giant/senatorial wannabe Carly Fiorina takes a ribbing from the Merc’s Internal Affairs the Huffington Post as well as a host of bloggers for the “Worst Political Website Ever.”
Homeless pooches are the beneficiaries of the Humane Society’s annual Walk N’ Wag this weekend while pampered pooches can hang at Pooch in Sunnyvale for only $100 a night according to the Merc’s Sal Pizarro.
The Merc’s Editorial Board calls on Senator Dianne Feinstein to fight for the $4 million Congressman Mike Honda wants to clean up Mt Umunhum. Calling the sum a “pittance in the context of billions in military spending” the Merc hopes Feinstein will “make this project a bright light in an otherwise dark hour of investment in public facilities.”
San Jose Insider/Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio argues against a “plastic bag bureaucracy” and suggests instead banishment of the single-use poopy diaper. Also Inside, Jack Van Zandt had a rockin’ good time with Joan Baez kicking off the Mariachi and Mexican Heritage Festival.
Protect San Jose’s Mary Klotzbach shares the wrenching story of her son’s death at the wheel of a drunk driver and the costs associated with drunk driving.
Normally a 49ers booster, Mission City Lantern sends props to the Vikings for their “marvelous” win. Really, James?
If watching your local elected officials is your thing, here’s the hap’s for this week…
- San Jose’s Community and Economic Development Committee talks outsourcing, no, they’re not sending street paving to India.
- San Jose’s City Council reviews a contract for the Consortium for Police Leadership in Equity (nearly a year after the fiasco that go this ball rolling), considers letting anyone buy low income housing and hopes to make it easier on city landmarks.
- The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and San Jose City Council meet together to talk flu pandemic and census. Apparently, none of the other Silicon Valley cities plan on having pandemics.
- The Mountain View-Whisman School District considers proposals on school size, boundaries, transportation, enrollment priorities and independent study. And, as if that weren’t enough fun, Trustees talk salaries.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 9.9.09: This Boots was made for prison...
Boots Del Biaggio never got so much press as when his sentence of 8 years and $67 million was handed down. Del Biaggio has until January 8th to pack his bag for prison. The other shoe drops when a judge hands Del Biaggio SEC penalties.The fallout from former Mayor Tom McEnery’s visit to the Elections Commission continues today. Commissioners contemplate new rules on anonymous complaints, you know to “minimize frivolous complaints.” No word if this will be called the McEnery Amendment. Our biggest complaint is that the anonymous complaints are usually the most fun...
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse: County Tax Assessor Larry Stone, will really earn his daily boo this week. Thousands of homeowners who received property tax relief earlier this year will get an unpleasant notice – your taxes are going up.
San Jose Congressmember Mike Honda put pen to paper to say he was “flummoxed” over misinformation giving rise to contentious town hall meetings on healthcare. Honda concludes healthcare saves money and lives.
Palo Alto union staffers mysteriously picked up a bug that kept 25 percent of them out of the office. Union representative Lynn Krug offered “…I can only guess that the individual employees may have become ill from the stress of the City of Palo Alto contract negotiation proposals…” A sick-out, very retro.
Darkrooms, “donuts,” and atriums were on the minds of Palo Alto Unified School District Trustees as they looked at plans for using up the $378 million from last years successful bond measure. Trustee Camille Townsend wants the high school plans to give a “unifying theme.”
“Beach Hi” (Miami Beach High School) sends props to alumni/ Palo Alto City Councilmember Larry Klein. Beachers are adding Klein to their Hall of Fame along with actor Andy Garcia and U.S. Secretary of State Robert Rubin. That's pretty good company.
Silicon Valley giant, Apple, has fans, investors, and everyone else on the edge of their seats waiting for today’s big announcement.
Speaking of Apple, CEO Steve Jobs’ legal beagle wants Superior Court Judge Marie Weiner to agree to knocking down Jobs’ home in Woodside. It isn’t often you hear an attorney tell a judge “…pigs will fly…”
It’s all about the schools…
Santa Clara Wilcox High School student Victoria Villagomez watched President Obama as he encouraged students to study, practice, and be careful on Facebook. Villagomez, sharing the single parent lifestyle with the President, said “everyone can relate to the problems he had.”
The Merc’s Editorial Board shared a few thoughts on the craziness leading up to President Obama’s speech to children. Suggesting while it would have been tough for English teachers to explain “the Decider’s chronically bad grammar,” any President talking to kids is “charming.”
A field of 5 lines up for 3 seats on the Cupertino Union School District election in November. Joining incumbents are Soma McCandless and Kern Peng.
Teacher Patty Polifrone is ditching Mountain View-Whisman Schools. Rumors say the beleaguered teacher is heading a little south after pissed off parents didn’t dig her teaching style.
San Jose Insider/Santa Clara County Board of Education Trustee Joseph DiSalvo helped a Sharks-loving teen with a pesky No Teal school rule only to find himself facing the news that local gang members also love the teal. DiSalvo wrapped with a cheer for the uniform, and no teal.
Sgt. Jim Unland heads back 6 years on Protect San Jose to the night San Jose Police shot Bich Cau Thi Tran while she was waving her “Asian vegetable peeler.” The post is complete with police photos of the peeler/ weapon and goes after local media for screwing up the story from the get-go.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 8.10.09: A day without Dolores Carr...
A day without Dolores Carr news is like a San Jose day without (politically damaged and ethically challenged) sunshine...
Gilroy Councilmember Craig Gartman’s wrangling with opponents over Gilroy’s Memorial Day Parade financial records has landed him in the sights of District Attorney Dolores Carr.
The District Attorney hoped to take the nearly $2 million contract away from FACES to create a “more efficient” victim support agency. It looks like the Supervisors don’t agree with Carr’s “baffling” argument... this year.
The Merc’s Scott Herhold says that even though the District Attorney’s “series of blunders” has “wounded” her, it’s doubtful a serious opponent will challenge her re-election. That doesn't stop Herhold from dishing about who might be on the anti-Carr list: Deputy DA/former Mayoral candidate David Pandori, Deputy DA/former La Raza President Chris Arriola, San Jose Councilmember Sam Liccardo, and Deputy DA Jeff Rosen.
To other news...
It looks like there may be 10 contestants for Palo Alto’s 5 City Council seats. Sole incumbent Larry Klein no doubt hopes he’ll be heard through the fray. Further south, Mark Santoro, elected to replace Patrick Kwok in 2008, isn’t waiting until his term is up in 2009 and has tossed his hat in the ring for one of Cupertino’s open seats.
Ted Scarlett lost in his bid to replace Forest Williams as a San Jose Councilmember, then he fouled up on campaign disclosures. More than a year later he faces fines for poor reporting…
Santa Clara County’s juvenile “boot camp” is now a homey ranch that Barry Krisberg, President of the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, hopes will no longer be a “conveyor belt to prison.”
The Merc’s Internal Affairs had some fun last week rounding up these juicy bits…
Happy Hollow Park wasn’t so happy Sunday night when a kid was shot, he’s in the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
San Jose Insider Pete Campbell treads into dangerous territory comparing San Jose’s much beloved Cesar Chavez to (Pete Constant's friends) the Minutemen of Southern California.
For your governmental readership enjoyment…
Gilroy Councilmember Craig Gartman’s wrangling with opponents over Gilroy’s Memorial Day Parade financial records has landed him in the sights of District Attorney Dolores Carr.
The District Attorney hoped to take the nearly $2 million contract away from FACES to create a “more efficient” victim support agency. It looks like the Supervisors don’t agree with Carr’s “baffling” argument... this year.
The Merc’s Scott Herhold says that even though the District Attorney’s “series of blunders” has “wounded” her, it’s doubtful a serious opponent will challenge her re-election. That doesn't stop Herhold from dishing about who might be on the anti-Carr list: Deputy DA/former Mayoral candidate David Pandori, Deputy DA/former La Raza President Chris Arriola, San Jose Councilmember Sam Liccardo, and Deputy DA Jeff Rosen.
To other news...
It looks like there may be 10 contestants for Palo Alto’s 5 City Council seats. Sole incumbent Larry Klein no doubt hopes he’ll be heard through the fray. Further south, Mark Santoro, elected to replace Patrick Kwok in 2008, isn’t waiting until his term is up in 2009 and has tossed his hat in the ring for one of Cupertino’s open seats.
Ted Scarlett lost in his bid to replace Forest Williams as a San Jose Councilmember, then he fouled up on campaign disclosures. More than a year later he faces fines for poor reporting…
Santa Clara County’s juvenile “boot camp” is now a homey ranch that Barry Krisberg, President of the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, hopes will no longer be a “conveyor belt to prison.”
The Merc’s Internal Affairs had some fun last week rounding up these juicy bits…
- Someone at San Jose City Hall reads Watch Dog… Deputy Finance Director Walter Rossmann announced fired Independent Police Auditor Barbara Attard’s underwater condo is up for rent.
- San Jose City Council’s do-over vote for a library landed winners and losers, apparently. Managing to straddle the fence Mayor Chuck Reed and Councilmember Rose Herrera with a little success and a little flop.
- District Attorney Dolores Carr reports hubby John’s only problem was security consultant for Vahid Hosseini’s family. Meanwhile, Judge Kenneth Shapero ordered Carr’s office to handover hundreds of page of paperwork to the defense. This story isn't going away... for proof, see the top three stories of today's Round-Up.
- Those fun-filled Jerry Springer Town Hall meetings taking place across the nation as Congressmembers return home won’t be seen in Silicon Valley. Congressmembers Mike Honda and Zoe Lofgren are holding telephone Town Halls and Eshoo will be at a high-speed rail meeting.
Happy Hollow Park wasn’t so happy Sunday night when a kid was shot, he’s in the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
San Jose Insider Pete Campbell treads into dangerous territory comparing San Jose’s much beloved Cesar Chavez to (Pete Constant's friends) the Minutemen of Southern California.
For your governmental readership enjoyment…
- Sunnyvale City Council talks gas shutoff – for appliances, seriously.
- San Jose City Council considers adding sunshine to campaign finance and hears from the (neutered) Independent Police Auditor.
- San Jose’s Elections Commission ponders anonymous complaints, instant runoff voting, and (the above-mentioned) Ted Scarlett’s pesky filing problems.
- Santa Clara’s Parks and Recreation Commission review’s inventory and amenities at Brachler Park.
- The Mountain View-Los Altos School District looks at a school bond next June.
- The Los Gatos Union School District retreats to review goals and strategize.
- Beleagured/tiny Luther Burbank School District considers (again) their response to grand jury reports and ponders the budget.
- Santa Clara County Office of Education Trustees look at adding Federal Stimulus bucks to the budget.
- Alum Rock Union School District looks at after school programs along with speech and language.
- The Campbell Union School District considers studying a general obligation bond and gets an update to the State budget.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 8.5.09: Really, no pressure but...
Paris in Palo Alto courtesy of developers “…getting up there” is the goal for a revamped Lytton Plaza. Goodby “flying saucer” benches, hello game tables. Donor/Developer Le Levy used his two minute council time to sing a happy tune.
No singing here on day one of post vacation meetings...
Accusations of fraud and deceit erupted while emotions ran high during San Jose’s City Council do-over discussion of the Education Park Library quagmire. Former Public Defender/Councilmember Ash Kalra espoused expertise on steel subcontractors while declaring he had not been pressured by any group. For your reading pleasure, a steel subcontractor expert/lobbyist report from folks not pressuring Kalra. San Jose Inside has a take on the do-over, this time not relying solely on the Merc’s rendition.
Speaking of San Jose’s City Council…
Former Independent Police Auditor Barbara Attard received a little more than the coffee & chocolate parting gift when San Jose’s City Council swapped her $250,000 loan for the condo deed yesterday. No word if they’re renting to the next IPA…
Liquid gold won’t be oil in the future, it’s water. Well under way to reusing wastewater is a $55 million pilot project with the Santa Clara Valley Water District, San Jose and Santa Clara hoping following in the footsteps of Orange County… Still, pretty high on the ick factor…
Really, Saratoga does want those Federal stimulus dollars… A documentation screw-up had Councilmember Howard Miller saying “Oops, we caused an ambiguity, let's throw this thing back out there,” talking about getting those shovel ready projects underway.
Gilroy’s City Council will be holding on to binding arbitration, for now. A contentious meeting ended with an unhappy Gilroy Chamber of Commerce CEO Susan Valenta sitting in the audience. Police Officer Association President Mitch Madruga previously accused the Chamber of “irrelevant flame-fanning.” Doubtful this battle is over…
Palo Alto’s homeless Council candidate had his (first) day in court fighting the city’s sit-lie ordinance. Victor Frost is hoping free speech and a heart condition let him keep his campaign on track.
Go green, save money and spend your travel bucks at home. HP and Cisco systems hope the crashing economy will help push video conferencing over the top.
The Merc’s Sal Pizarro bids a fond farewell to retiring Superior Court Judge Catherine Gallagher who’s now headed for a post-retirement mediation career at JAMS. Pizarro also dishes the Democratic glitterati were in full force at a fundraiser for Georgia Congressmember John Lewis hosted by his buddy Congressman Mike Honda.
A Silicon Valley staple since 1954, Lupretta’s Deli will be closing the doors in Saratoga’s Village. Daryle Lupretta is looking for new digs with a kitchen… and, lot’s of foot traffic. Watch Dog has paws crossed the ravioli’s reappear soon.
Around the blogosphere…
No singing here on day one of post vacation meetings...
Accusations of fraud and deceit erupted while emotions ran high during San Jose’s City Council do-over discussion of the Education Park Library quagmire. Former Public Defender/Councilmember Ash Kalra espoused expertise on steel subcontractors while declaring he had not been pressured by any group. For your reading pleasure, a steel subcontractor expert/lobbyist report from folks not pressuring Kalra. San Jose Inside has a take on the do-over, this time not relying solely on the Merc’s rendition.
Speaking of San Jose’s City Council…
Former Independent Police Auditor Barbara Attard received a little more than the coffee & chocolate parting gift when San Jose’s City Council swapped her $250,000 loan for the condo deed yesterday. No word if they’re renting to the next IPA…
Liquid gold won’t be oil in the future, it’s water. Well under way to reusing wastewater is a $55 million pilot project with the Santa Clara Valley Water District, San Jose and Santa Clara hoping following in the footsteps of Orange County… Still, pretty high on the ick factor…
Really, Saratoga does want those Federal stimulus dollars… A documentation screw-up had Councilmember Howard Miller saying “Oops, we caused an ambiguity, let's throw this thing back out there,” talking about getting those shovel ready projects underway.
Gilroy’s City Council will be holding on to binding arbitration, for now. A contentious meeting ended with an unhappy Gilroy Chamber of Commerce CEO Susan Valenta sitting in the audience. Police Officer Association President Mitch Madruga previously accused the Chamber of “irrelevant flame-fanning.” Doubtful this battle is over…
Palo Alto’s homeless Council candidate had his (first) day in court fighting the city’s sit-lie ordinance. Victor Frost is hoping free speech and a heart condition let him keep his campaign on track.
Go green, save money and spend your travel bucks at home. HP and Cisco systems hope the crashing economy will help push video conferencing over the top.
The Merc’s Sal Pizarro bids a fond farewell to retiring Superior Court Judge Catherine Gallagher who’s now headed for a post-retirement mediation career at JAMS. Pizarro also dishes the Democratic glitterati were in full force at a fundraiser for Georgia Congressmember John Lewis hosted by his buddy Congressman Mike Honda.
A Silicon Valley staple since 1954, Lupretta’s Deli will be closing the doors in Saratoga’s Village. Daryle Lupretta is looking for new digs with a kitchen… and, lot’s of foot traffic. Watch Dog has paws crossed the ravioli’s reappear soon.
Around the blogosphere…
- Mission City Lantern lashes out against ‘Letters from Silicon Valley’
- San Jose Revealed remains incommunicado (complete with broken site – again), in spite of yesterday’s tempting San Jose City Council meeting…
- Kathleen Flynn issues a throwdown to advocates of open police records declaring on Protect San Jose “…read about the woman who murdered her child, ate her brain, tore her face off, and then tried to kill herself. I rest my case.” Watch Dog invites advocates on all sides to talk.
- San Jose Metblogger Matt Bruensteiner shares photos from his neighborhood National Night Out including cops as kiddy rockstars and tightrope walking Northsiders.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 7.24.09: DA Carr meet Lt. Carr
Yet again there’s a big "Oops" being heard over at the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office. This time the widow of slain shopkeeper Vahid Hosseini got worried when she found out last month her $14,000 security consultant was none other than District Attorney Dolores Carr’s hubby… Too bad it took the widow to raise the alarm in the potential death penalty case. DA Carr is stepping aside from the case... Amazing that this potential conflict didn't come up in the DA's race in 2006. (Just kidding.)
San Jose Congressmember Mike Honda is elated over a $4 million Congressional committee recommendation to clean up Mt. Umunhum’s abandoned military base. If approved, work could begin as soon as fall.
A special OpEd in the Mercury News criticizes Congresswoman Eshoo for wanting to protect the biotech industry a bit too much in the pending healthcare bill. (The OpEd is written by biotech/ pharmaceutical industry watchdogs...)
San Jose Police Chief Rob Davis has a few words for Judge Diane Northway as she ponders the fate of convicted police killer DeShawn Campbell. His “highly unusual” request to speak is supported by Prosecutor Lane Liroff.
The Merc’s Editorial Board meandered through the Norman Mineta International Airport’s new digs, they’re thrilled.
Keeping up with the State money raid: Morgan Hill is looking at losing nearly $10 million over the next 2 years. Assemblymember Bill Monning stopped by City Hall to “commiserate.” Perhaps his commiserating could be better done by making local government's case in Sacramento?
It’s a wet kinda day (not that Wet…) leading to this equation:
That annoying little matter of cost could dash Gilroy recall champion Mark Zappa’s plan to end Mayor Al Pinheiro’s reign. Zappa said “I would never do [the recall] if it cost [$400,000], never.” Zappa still wants to talk to anti-recall campaign manager/ Mayoral wannabe/ Supervisor Don Gage “…to see what he stands for now.”
“…what the hell business is that of yours?” asks Gilroy Councilmember/former Memorial Day parade organizer Craig Gartman who bought “espresso beans” for parade employees. Colleague/ Councilmember Dion Bracco’s wife, Christy, with the new committee is pissed about the (alleged) lack of financial paperwork while District Attorney Dolores Carr receives mysterious “espresso bean” mail. (Perhaps the DA can be part of this case without a conflict?)
Hoping to fill Supervisor Don Gage’s feisty shoes are (at least) four wannabe’s and the Morgan Hill Times introduces them. Of the four, Gilroy Councilmember/Dr. Peter Arellano sent his spokesmodel to answer questions.
If you love paella from Parsley Sage Rosemary and Thyme (who doesn’t), you can catch them along with other local chefs starting today at the annual homage to the stinking rose. At least, so says the Merc’s Sal Pizarro who nose his way around a good dish.
Los Gatos Town Manager Greg Larson said thanks, but no thanks to the petitions calling for Los Gatos Council term limits and library spending. Term limit/ anti-library champion former, Councilmember Steve Glickman, was unavailable while Mayor Mike Wasserman said simply they “… didn’t comply with the law.” Watch Dog loves small town politics...
Mountain View City Council hates kids? Youth Motivated for Action and Involvement seems poised to say so after their calls for options for kids are rejected…
A Post-It note fan vandalized the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory damaging thousands of synchrotron radiation lightsource samples. The synchrotron may be best remembered for looking deep into the “evolutionary keystone” Thermopolis Archaeopteryx. (We don't really know what we just wrote, but we figured it was an important story...)
The Blogosphere shrinks…
San Jose Congressmember Mike Honda is elated over a $4 million Congressional committee recommendation to clean up Mt. Umunhum’s abandoned military base. If approved, work could begin as soon as fall.
A special OpEd in the Mercury News criticizes Congresswoman Eshoo for wanting to protect the biotech industry a bit too much in the pending healthcare bill. (The OpEd is written by biotech/ pharmaceutical industry watchdogs...)
San Jose Police Chief Rob Davis has a few words for Judge Diane Northway as she ponders the fate of convicted police killer DeShawn Campbell. His “highly unusual” request to speak is supported by Prosecutor Lane Liroff.
The Merc’s Editorial Board meandered through the Norman Mineta International Airport’s new digs, they’re thrilled.
Keeping up with the State money raid: Morgan Hill is looking at losing nearly $10 million over the next 2 years. Assemblymember Bill Monning stopped by City Hall to “commiserate.” Perhaps his commiserating could be better done by making local government's case in Sacramento?
It’s a wet kinda day (not that Wet…) leading to this equation:
- Winter Rains + Horse Poop = A very unhappy Calero Ranch Stables
- More of those Federal Stimulus bucks are heading West. This time the Santa Clara Valley Water District has landed $4.3 million to make recycled water more available. Supervisorial wannabe/ Water District Director Rosemary Kamei pointed to ongoing droughts and the importance of recycled water as key elements in landing money.
- Dredging up a 5 decade old solution, the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority is looking at a bigger channel and a shorter levee to stop the annual flood. The Palo Alto City Council announced their support of the $8 million proposal, mostly funded by the Santa Clara Valley Water District.
That annoying little matter of cost could dash Gilroy recall champion Mark Zappa’s plan to end Mayor Al Pinheiro’s reign. Zappa said “I would never do [the recall] if it cost [$400,000], never.” Zappa still wants to talk to anti-recall campaign manager/ Mayoral wannabe/ Supervisor Don Gage “…to see what he stands for now.”
“…what the hell business is that of yours?” asks Gilroy Councilmember/former Memorial Day parade organizer Craig Gartman who bought “espresso beans” for parade employees. Colleague/ Councilmember Dion Bracco’s wife, Christy, with the new committee is pissed about the (alleged) lack of financial paperwork while District Attorney Dolores Carr receives mysterious “espresso bean” mail. (Perhaps the DA can be part of this case without a conflict?)
Hoping to fill Supervisor Don Gage’s feisty shoes are (at least) four wannabe’s and the Morgan Hill Times introduces them. Of the four, Gilroy Councilmember/Dr. Peter Arellano sent his spokesmodel to answer questions.
If you love paella from Parsley Sage Rosemary and Thyme (who doesn’t), you can catch them along with other local chefs starting today at the annual homage to the stinking rose. At least, so says the Merc’s Sal Pizarro who nose his way around a good dish.
Los Gatos Town Manager Greg Larson said thanks, but no thanks to the petitions calling for Los Gatos Council term limits and library spending. Term limit/ anti-library champion former, Councilmember Steve Glickman, was unavailable while Mayor Mike Wasserman said simply they “… didn’t comply with the law.” Watch Dog loves small town politics...
Mountain View City Council hates kids? Youth Motivated for Action and Involvement seems poised to say so after their calls for options for kids are rejected…
A Post-It note fan vandalized the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory damaging thousands of synchrotron radiation lightsource samples. The synchrotron may be best remembered for looking deep into the “evolutionary keystone” Thermopolis Archaeopteryx. (We don't really know what we just wrote, but we figured it was an important story...)
The Blogosphere shrinks…
- San Jose Inside regurgitates Gilroy news on the blossoming Mayoral throwdown.
- San Jose Revealed remains dark and silent.
- Mission City Lantern suggests a knife wielding Guvernator is looking for a throwdown with San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed over (Lantern-initiated) San Jose secession plans. Lantern also adds to the "Revealed is..." list. Vote today...
- Protect San Jose has Facebook Chief Privacy Officer/ Attorney General wannabe Chris Kelly writing a campaign piece.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 3.30.09: What if Lew Wolff shared his microphone with Tom Campbell?
Watch Dog has said it before, but Lew Wolff is a microphone magnet. So much so that his statements from last week about wanting to move to San Jose just keeping getting covered. As a review, Wolff came out with his stongest stance yet on the status of the A's plans:
San Jose’s firefighters have offered to give themselves a wage freeze for the next year. City Manager Debra Figone should have been happy to hear about it but was pissed off the firefighters went around her to make the offer directly to the Mayor and City Council. (Former Vice Mayor) Chamber CEO Pat Dando didn’t seem to care who heard the offer and called it a “...bold step in saving the city a great deal of money this year...” (a million bucks that is)
Residents in San Jose’s Gardner neighborhood in Willow Glen say High Speed Rail is ok, just don’t take their homes to make it happen. It wouldn’t be the first time transportation took over the neighborhood. In the early 1900’s the railroads secretly bought land to build the Southern Pacific line.
The Merc’s Charlie McCollum seeks answers to America’s burning question: How does Steve Wozniak manage to keep on dancing (with the stars)? As everyone in Silicon Valley knows: geeks rule. In this case, the computers are humming with Woz love. With a broken foot, torn hamstring, and questionable dancing skills, the Woz still has fans (voteWoz.com). Gary ‘Mr. Roadshow’ Richards continues his love for our dancing Teletubbie as well.
The Merc’s Editorial Board adds their support to Congressman Mike Honda’s efforts to open Mount Umunhum to the public. The challenge is cleaning up the old Air Force Base and radio station...oh, and the $11 million required to do it. If Honda has his way the Midpeninsula Open Space District will have a new jewel. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren said there’s an incredible vista and it would be a nice place to hike.
The Santa Clara County Office of Education hosted their annual History Day Competition, appropriately held at San Jose’s History Park. Students created, and defended, projects on everyone from famed United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta to Oprah Winfrey.
The Merc’s Internal Affairs expresses love for San Jose’s HP Pavilion after attending a Streisand concert and reading a study released from Sports Economics which says thousands of jobs have been created and millions pumped into the local economy. The lovefest is to support a theory that local sports officials are hoping to steal the Sacramento Kings. It doesn’t hurt San Jose's MLB ambitions either…Also in IA, their own list of Quick Notes this weekend…
A former Marine reservist, distraught about losing his business, threatened to kill himself in his San Jose home. Members of the San Jose Police Department surrounded the house, barricaded the neighborhood, and readied themselves for a patient siege. Turns out the guy snuck away and later called the cops from a payphone to give them permission to enter the home.
San Jose Revealed voices loud support for making San Jose’s Fire Station One a historic landmark. Apparently the best reason for giving it landmark status is to prevent former Mayor Tom McEnery from having his way with it. Others in the community also hope for landmark status and want to restore the structure and convert it to a museum.
On tap around the Valley for your elected officials:
"...We are really saying that we'd love to stay in Northern California, and go to San Jose..."Now to a local guy that has trouble finding a microphone to speak into...Tom Campbell. Did you know he is running for Governor? The Chronicle threw Campbell a bone and covered his long-shot effort to become the next Governor. Campbell's pitch? He knows the budget really, really well. In normal times, we'd advice Campbell to get a different political message, but extraordinary times may call for an extraordinarily boring messages...and Campbell's understanding of the State's complex budget is extraordinary (and dry)...
San Jose’s firefighters have offered to give themselves a wage freeze for the next year. City Manager Debra Figone should have been happy to hear about it but was pissed off the firefighters went around her to make the offer directly to the Mayor and City Council. (Former Vice Mayor) Chamber CEO Pat Dando didn’t seem to care who heard the offer and called it a “...bold step in saving the city a great deal of money this year...” (a million bucks that is)
Residents in San Jose’s Gardner neighborhood in Willow Glen say High Speed Rail is ok, just don’t take their homes to make it happen. It wouldn’t be the first time transportation took over the neighborhood. In the early 1900’s the railroads secretly bought land to build the Southern Pacific line.
The Merc’s Charlie McCollum seeks answers to America’s burning question: How does Steve Wozniak manage to keep on dancing (with the stars)? As everyone in Silicon Valley knows: geeks rule. In this case, the computers are humming with Woz love. With a broken foot, torn hamstring, and questionable dancing skills, the Woz still has fans (voteWoz.com). Gary ‘Mr. Roadshow’ Richards continues his love for our dancing Teletubbie as well.
The Merc’s Editorial Board adds their support to Congressman Mike Honda’s efforts to open Mount Umunhum to the public. The challenge is cleaning up the old Air Force Base and radio station...oh, and the $11 million required to do it. If Honda has his way the Midpeninsula Open Space District will have a new jewel. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren said there’s an incredible vista and it would be a nice place to hike.
The Santa Clara County Office of Education hosted their annual History Day Competition, appropriately held at San Jose’s History Park. Students created, and defended, projects on everyone from famed United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta to Oprah Winfrey.
The Merc’s Internal Affairs expresses love for San Jose’s HP Pavilion after attending a Streisand concert and reading a study released from Sports Economics which says thousands of jobs have been created and millions pumped into the local economy. The lovefest is to support a theory that local sports officials are hoping to steal the Sacramento Kings. It doesn’t hurt San Jose's MLB ambitions either…Also in IA, their own list of Quick Notes this weekend…
- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is trying to ditch his Tesla...probably because the Governor read the Tesla Chronicles on Watch Dog...
- While the classes for East Side Union High School will be taking more students, and teachers no extra pay, the teachers in Palo Alto are getting a 5% raise...proving that it’s good to be in a town where property taxes keep on giving.
- Jude Barry apparently ditched John Garamendi’s Gubernatorial race because the Lt. Governor can’t raise any money. The rumors are not true that Barry was too busy writing Watch Dog to run Garamendi's race...
A former Marine reservist, distraught about losing his business, threatened to kill himself in his San Jose home. Members of the San Jose Police Department surrounded the house, barricaded the neighborhood, and readied themselves for a patient siege. Turns out the guy snuck away and later called the cops from a payphone to give them permission to enter the home.
San Jose Revealed voices loud support for making San Jose’s Fire Station One a historic landmark. Apparently the best reason for giving it landmark status is to prevent former Mayor Tom McEnery from having his way with it. Others in the community also hope for landmark status and want to restore the structure and convert it to a museum.
On tap around the Valley for your elected officials:
- Palo Alto Unified School District talks about growing elementary schools, changing school boundaries, and the aforementioned staff raises. Get ready for some wild discussions -- school boundaries are a big deal in Palo Alto...
- Santa Clara County’s Committee on School District Organization meets to talk about moving property from Saratoga's Union School District to the Los Gatos Union School District...again, heads up when discussing school boundaries in fancy towns...
- The San Jose City Council Salary Setting Commission considers a freeze on the Mayor and Council salaries...
- Mountain View’s City Council talks about financial goals – like staying afloat in difficult times...perhaps Tom Campbell could give a Power Point Presentation on budgeting...
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 3.26.09: Revealed revealed...
First things first...yesterday, Revealed revealed that Watch Dog was written by Jude Barry. Today, Watch Dog reveals that Revealed revealed wrong...(Revealed also revealed some really old news...)
Parents hoping the kid is heading to college better shoot for local schools. For the first time in San Jose State’s long history, students from outside Santa Clara County are being turned away. CSU Chancellor Charles Reed (ha!) said all campuses will be capping enrollment due to the State budget crisis.
"Shovel ready” projects around Silicon Valley are lining up to get their share of $1.1 billion in Federal stimulus dollars. If your job is road repair, you’re in luck.
The Merc’s Scott Herhold shares the lowdown on salaries for heads of non-profits. No surprises here: non-profits have to pay a hefty price to run multi-million dollar agencies. Winning the award for thrift, Charles Geschke takes no salary for running the foundation he and his wife Nancy set up after he (won the lottery) founded Adobe Systems.
It must be really boring for Police Officers in Cupertino. A very drunk Bradley Dexter took the tip jar from the bar where he was slugging back Long Island Ice Tea’s. Naturally, Officers showed up with 6 police units and a helicopter to rescue the glass jar with less than $10.
Silicon Valley’s chief geeks made their way to D.C. to meet with the new Administration and Congressional Representatives. TechNet exec’s, including Facebook’s Chief Privacy Officer Chris Kelly and Cisco’s John Chambers were there to ask for more support for education, science, and a boost to green tech.
The Merc’s Editorial Board is calling for watch dogs to keep sniffing around the Agnews Developmental Center closing. Citing the sale of valuable land and cheaper care the Merc worries that money, not care, might be the prime motivator for the closure.
Mountain View community leaders are working with Police and City officials to stop hate crime violence. Documentary filmmaker Patrice O’Neill will be following the efforts started by former Human Relations Commissioners Alicia Crank and Chris Burley to turn Mountain View into a “model city.”
San Jose Insider/Santa Clara County Board of Ed Trustee Joseph DiSalvo hopes the Obama’s will use their popularity and television face time to stop bullying at school. DiSalvo should hook up with Mountain View’s anti-hate crime team to bring the message home.
Don’t know how we missed this one yesterday…San Jose’s Drunk Task Force members Raj Jayadev and Raul Colunga teamed up in a joint statement to Mayor Reed and Councilmember Nora Campos saying: you should have brought the Consortium in before the Task Force or not at all. They suggest a name change to “Task Force of the Humored.” Funny.
Los Gatos resident/Attorney John Hopkins is being inducted into the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame. A who’s who of Silicon Valley luminaries will be there for the honor, including former US Secretary of Transportation Norm Mineta and Sharks CEO Greg Jamison.
Congressman Mike Honda will deliver a hand made flag that includes 1,000 red, white, and blue paper cranes from St. Joseph’s of Cupertino students to President Obama. The kids, and Honda, had to do a mountain of paperwork to get the flag to D.C. but they’re thrilled to know their work will take up residence at the White House.
Pete Campbell, San Jose Inside blogger, jumps in on the action to question San Jose’s automatic pay raises.
Speaking of pay raises...
Gilroy’s City Council stepped in to stop Gilroy’s automatic pay raises. Councilmember Bob Dillon said they didn’t want to freeze wages and the upside was folks still had jobs at City Hall. City Administrator Tom Haglund also gets to keep his job, he complained was just keeping up with normal practice but pinky-swears to talk to Council ahead of time on political challenges.
Los Gatos Town Council meets tonight at a retreat to talk about The Town’s Boards and Commissions and where they’re heading. In the past, the retreat met at the Toll House Restaurant to chew over the future of The Town with a good glass of wine. This year they’ll meet in Council Chambers a.k.a. The Dungeon – clearly not as much fun.
Cheap condos are on the market in Los Altos...now is the time for low income buyers to move to toney Los Altos. With fewer than 10 condos available you’d better move quickly, however.
Mountain View’s City Council voiced unanimous support for converting industrial land to housing for as many as 1,120 homes. The VTA complained the project wasn’t dense enough next to the Whisman Light Rail stop. (Apparently) Mountain View hasn’t figured out what “transit oriented development” means.
Parents hoping the kid is heading to college better shoot for local schools. For the first time in San Jose State’s long history, students from outside Santa Clara County are being turned away. CSU Chancellor Charles Reed (ha!) said all campuses will be capping enrollment due to the State budget crisis.
"Shovel ready” projects around Silicon Valley are lining up to get their share of $1.1 billion in Federal stimulus dollars. If your job is road repair, you’re in luck.
The Merc’s Scott Herhold shares the lowdown on salaries for heads of non-profits. No surprises here: non-profits have to pay a hefty price to run multi-million dollar agencies. Winning the award for thrift, Charles Geschke takes no salary for running the foundation he and his wife Nancy set up after he (won the lottery) founded Adobe Systems.
It must be really boring for Police Officers in Cupertino. A very drunk Bradley Dexter took the tip jar from the bar where he was slugging back Long Island Ice Tea’s. Naturally, Officers showed up with 6 police units and a helicopter to rescue the glass jar with less than $10.
Silicon Valley’s chief geeks made their way to D.C. to meet with the new Administration and Congressional Representatives. TechNet exec’s, including Facebook’s Chief Privacy Officer Chris Kelly and Cisco’s John Chambers were there to ask for more support for education, science, and a boost to green tech.
The Merc’s Editorial Board is calling for watch dogs to keep sniffing around the Agnews Developmental Center closing. Citing the sale of valuable land and cheaper care the Merc worries that money, not care, might be the prime motivator for the closure.
Mountain View community leaders are working with Police and City officials to stop hate crime violence. Documentary filmmaker Patrice O’Neill will be following the efforts started by former Human Relations Commissioners Alicia Crank and Chris Burley to turn Mountain View into a “model city.”
San Jose Insider/Santa Clara County Board of Ed Trustee Joseph DiSalvo hopes the Obama’s will use their popularity and television face time to stop bullying at school. DiSalvo should hook up with Mountain View’s anti-hate crime team to bring the message home.
Don’t know how we missed this one yesterday…San Jose’s Drunk Task Force members Raj Jayadev and Raul Colunga teamed up in a joint statement to Mayor Reed and Councilmember Nora Campos saying: you should have brought the Consortium in before the Task Force or not at all. They suggest a name change to “Task Force of the Humored.” Funny.
Los Gatos resident/Attorney John Hopkins is being inducted into the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame. A who’s who of Silicon Valley luminaries will be there for the honor, including former US Secretary of Transportation Norm Mineta and Sharks CEO Greg Jamison.
Congressman Mike Honda will deliver a hand made flag that includes 1,000 red, white, and blue paper cranes from St. Joseph’s of Cupertino students to President Obama. The kids, and Honda, had to do a mountain of paperwork to get the flag to D.C. but they’re thrilled to know their work will take up residence at the White House.
Pete Campbell, San Jose Inside blogger, jumps in on the action to question San Jose’s automatic pay raises.
Speaking of pay raises...
Gilroy’s City Council stepped in to stop Gilroy’s automatic pay raises. Councilmember Bob Dillon said they didn’t want to freeze wages and the upside was folks still had jobs at City Hall. City Administrator Tom Haglund also gets to keep his job, he complained was just keeping up with normal practice but pinky-swears to talk to Council ahead of time on political challenges.
Los Gatos Town Council meets tonight at a retreat to talk about The Town’s Boards and Commissions and where they’re heading. In the past, the retreat met at the Toll House Restaurant to chew over the future of The Town with a good glass of wine. This year they’ll meet in Council Chambers a.k.a. The Dungeon – clearly not as much fun.
Cheap condos are on the market in Los Altos...now is the time for low income buyers to move to toney Los Altos. With fewer than 10 condos available you’d better move quickly, however.
Mountain View’s City Council voiced unanimous support for converting industrial land to housing for as many as 1,120 homes. The VTA complained the project wasn’t dense enough next to the Whisman Light Rail stop. (Apparently) Mountain View hasn’t figured out what “transit oriented development” means.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 2.16.09: Where's Maldo? Edition...
"Where's Maldo?! Where's Maldo?!" -- this was the anxious question overheard at the Governor’s Sunday breakfast. The Governor’s aide was referring to Silicon Valley (and Central Coast) State Senator Abel Maldonado who was giving noncommittal comments about support for a proposed solution to the budget disaster. Maldonado, whose District includes Saratoga and Santa Maria (and a long, thin strip of coast in between) first stubbornly held to the Republican stance – no new taxes. By Sunday Maldonado was “open” to finding a solution to the budget crisis. For those FOA (Friends of Abel) and FOA (Foes of Abel), you'll remember that he was the lone Republican to vote for the budget in 2007 -- firmly entrenching himself as a go-to Republican vote when things get tough for the Governor.
Supervisor George Shirakawa, Jr. is not supporting embattled San Jose Councilmember Madison Nguyen in her recall election. Nor is he supporting the recall. Unbelievably, Shirakawa's spokesperson Andrea Flores Shelton says “he remains neutral.” In politics, Watch Dog will note, sometimes "neutral" doesn't really cut it. In this case, you are either supporting Councilmember Nguyen (anti-recall) or you are not (pro-recall). Neutral (and Shirakawa) fall into the pro-recall camp here. Perhaps that's why Nguyen seemed a little baffled saying she’d spoken with Shirakawa throughout his campaign for Supervisor and that "His name has been on our web site for six months or so, and nobody called us before to tell us to take it off." Shirakawa's name is off of Nguyen's site now, but some interesting folks are on it...like Willie Brown and Supervisor (?) Blanca Alvarado...
The Merc.’s Internal Affairs reports the flurry of campaign websites and finance accounts being launched for former eBay chief/Gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman opened by folks not on the Whitman team. Tom Hall, who bought the sites said he would have given them to her if she’d asked and said he’d done it because “…it was kind of funny.” Perhaps Whitman would be willing to bid for the domains?...
Also from the Merc.’s Internal Affairs, Congressman Mike Honda could be (?) considering a run for Mayor against San Jose’s incumbent Mayor Reed. "Rep. Honda has been urged to run and is honored by the support...his plan is to stay in Congress..." said Honda's spokeman however...Councilmember Nora Campos is also being named as possible opponent to Reed (or a replacement for Assemblymember Joe Coto.) Coto has already stated his intention to run for termed out Senator Elaine Alquist’s seat in 2012, but the Metro had a recent piece that also has Coto considering a run against Reed...Watch Dog predicts nobody runs against the Mayor, Campos will run for Coto's seat, and Coto will run for Alquist's seat. We know we aren't breaking any new ground with those predictions -- but we think there is more noise than action in the anti-Reed camp.
And speaking of Assemblymember Joe Coto. What kind of leadership can we expect from him during his run for State Senate? Well, he was caught napping (check out the photo) following extended hours at the State Capitol trying to wrap up the budget crisis. Speaker Bass had the Sergeants-at-Arms confiscate car keys to prevent sleepy Legislators from escaping. Apparently this is how the largest State in the Union is supposed to operate...
San Jose Councilmembers Pete Constant and Pierluigi Oliverio are hoping to take tobacco settlement money away from non-profits (that, in part, help stop kids from smoking) to pay for the City’s crossing guards over the next three years. Oliverio suggested, "...we could have a crossing guard with a vest that says: 'Don't Smoke!'" Margo Leathers Sidener, President of Breathe California of the Bay Area, said, "The purpose [of the settlement] was to reduce the damage and burden on our communities that tobacco brings and prevent that from happening in future," and is distressed that the Councilmembers are hoping to skirt the spirit of the settlement agreement. She also (apparently) doesn't think Oliverio's beard is as funny as everyone else does...
We wrote last week about a Morgan Hill school official looking to a higher power for funding help...Well, it looks like Morgan Hill Unified Deputy Superintendent Bonnie Tognazzini heard from her higher power as Legislators propose giving schools a five year waiver allowing them to decide whether to pay for summer school or sports, adult education or assisting gifted students. Essentially, allowing local school districts to spend their money how they want and need. . A good idea from Sacramento? Say it ain't so.
Palo Alto Unified's Superintendent Kevin Skelly is feeling the pain for saying some kids (African-American/Latino) can’t compete with other kids (white/Asian). Merc. columnist Patty Fisher gave him a sympathetic hearing over the weekend saying, “I fear, however, that in his effort to mend fences and keep his job, he has abandoned the straight talk and joined the feel-good chorus.” Skelly apologized saying "As I have listened, reflected, and learned, I can understand why people would feel this way. And I am sorry that I gave this impression. We are committed to excellence for all our students, no matter their background." This issue has started a big debate on the Palo Alto Weekly's comment's page...(but not as big as this issue did...)
Sunnyvale Councilmember/Attorney/Naval Officer/Super Hero(?) Otto Lee is in the news again. This time for a patent infringement case (from a few years ago) in a Philadelphia Federal court. The normally mild-mannered and cheerful Lee was referred to as arrogant when he testified on behalf of the defendants stating a "cease and desist" letter was an "eat s--- and die" letter. Too bad Lee doesn't use that language at Sunnyvale City Council meetings -- they would be a lot more exciting...
Cupertino Planning Commissioner Lisa Geifer found out from a Merc. story on Thursday that City Councilmembers Mark Santoro and Gilbert Wong wanted her dismissed for “insubordination.” Wong and Santoro moved the Council meeting to a different building, away from the cameras which normally record meetings, to discuss Geifer's removal. One small problem for Wong and Santoro, they were in violation of State's open meeting laws. Mayor Orrin Mahoney said the incident was “not our finest hour” and Councilmember/VTA Board President Dolly Sandoval called it an injustice. Santoro said, "[Geifer] basically refused to do what the Council had asked and chose to do something else instead." Geifer didn't respond saying, "I am sending Santoro an 'eat s--- and die' letter..."
Mountain View officials are considering charging sports leagues and others for using Mountain View's fields. Community Services Director David A. Muela is proposing fees of $1/hour for the use of City playing fields and projects the City could collect $20,000 annually. Muela originally wanted a $2/hour fee but the Parks and Recreation Commission cut that to $1 with Commissioner Gary Griffith opposed and saying "these programs are the hardest hit for our youth."
The teenager rushed to Valley Medical Center on Thursday after being exposed to toxic fumes died Friday. (Remember, this caused VMC to be shut down for a while with a toxic smell...) Police are still trying to figure out why he had open containers of hydrogen sulfide in his room. This is pretty nasty stuff, according to Wikipedia.
And we finally learn the results of the much-anticipated Mission City Lantern survey about banning plastic bags. James says that his readers oppose it 2 to 1. Watch Dog guesses that is not a statistical analysis, but rather, three people voted and the vote was 2 to 1. (Sorry James, we couldn't resist...)
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Morning News Round-Up – 1.28.09: Are you shovel-ready?
County Supervisor Liz Kniss created a list of 32 “shovel-ready” projects that the County will use to ask for Federal dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Supe’s list comes to $174 million, a fraction of the $1.6 billion San Jose’s Mayor Chuck is asking for. Reed has requested for 50 projects. As the Merc. points out Reed’s request represents “a good chuck of the City’s total…” A little Freudian slip with your coffee? As the Metro pointed out, Chuck doesn't really play an active role in politics outside of San Jose -- which may or may not help his chances at Federal cash...
San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber CEO Pat Dando left San Jose’s City Hall pissed yesterday saying, “this is policy run amok,” after the City Council voted to review a 12 year old policy on outsourcing City jobs. Ever chipper, Councilmember Nancy Pyle said, “If the current policy isn’t working, we need to find out why.” Perhaps because every discussion at the City Council takes 4 hours?...
Symantec CEO John Thompson will/may be heading to D.C. as President Obama’s Secretary of Commerce, filling the last remaining seat in the Cabinet. Thompson had already announced his departure from Symantec to be replaced by Enrique Salem. (Watch Dog guesses that the talk of San Jose’s Congressman Mike Honda getting a new gig was Honda-hype...because he is still in Congress and no one is asking Honda to serve...)
The USGS released new maps detailing seismic safety along San Jose’s Guadalupe River and Coyote Creek, home to San Jose’s tech companies and new housing. For a bunch of scientists, the USGS provides some fun stuff for the non-geeks among us. For developers and homeowners, perhaps not so much fun as a warning on encroachment into the liquefaction zone. According to Mineta San Jose International Airport's David Vossbrink, the new construction meets current standards and the concrete runways are less vulnerable than a building. (This isn't Vossbrink's first time speaking for folks on shaky ground.)
Following a closed door meeting Tuesday, San Jose’s Mayor Chuck Reed and Bobby Lopez with the Police Officers Association (POA) emerged happy about a new contract. Lopez said, “We gave a little to get a lot… we felt it was important to increase salaries significantly.” Alex Gurza said it was cheaper to increase salaries by 5.5% than agree to the pension demands. Maybe the POA saw the billion dollar pension fund loss as a sign of the future. San Jose Inside/Metro’s Erin Sherbert has been following the deal the POA cut with Mayor Reed. POA’s Bobby Lopez is quoted as saying, “We didn’t want to be accused of being the greedy filthy cops that everyone thinks we are.” Was that the message Lopez was supposed to deliver?
Probably not. Watch Dog blames/commends Erin Sherbert for Lopez's off-message (but certainly not misquoted) quote. She has a way of making people say things they probably shouldn't. Remember when Shirakawa (jokingly) called himself a "corrupt lobbyist" in one of her stories?
San Jose Revealed has some fun coupling news of the Merc’s location within the liquefaction zone with their economic problems and shrinking size.
Cupertino’s City Council approved Shashi Corp’s request to build a high-end luxury hotel but not before arguing over the aesthetics of the proposed design. Shashi representatives were adamant about receiving approval on the revised design, approved by the Planning Commission who also argued the original didn’t appear to be “luxurious” enough. "If you're trying to put in a high-end hotel in Cupertino and it's going to be that big and massive, you might as well have something that makes people say,`Wow, that looks neat' rather than`Wow, that looks big,'" said Councilman Mark Santoro. Cupertino Watch Dogs, if you saw the plans please weigh in. This is not the first time folks in Cupertino have had controversy about a hotel and growth...
Sunnyvale’s Planning Commission will review development plans for housing for mostly low or extremely low-income seniors early February. The Commission issued concerns about density and a lack of open space. NIMBYs don't like less-wealthy people in their neighborhoods...expect a battle in Sunnyvale. Otto Lee is going to be pleased he missed this one...
Saratoga’s City Council will be hosting a community meeting to talk about the $4,700 use permit fee – if you’re interested the meeting is next week at City Hall. If you aren't...join the club.
Get your credit cards ready. The Boss is coming to town, in fact, he begins his world tour on April Fool’s day at the Shark Tank. Tickets on sale Monday. This should help the Mayor with some of those tax dollars...
Romeo and Juliet, a.k.a. James Palmerson and Roselyn Marshall, were found sleeping in grandpa’s car at a mall outside the Mile High City. Los Altos Sgt. John Korges says, “Thank god they’re safe. This was a happy ending.” (Happy ending Sgt.? They are teenagers...) Not too shabby for a 14 year old, over 1,000 miles, through the Sierra, the Wasatch, and into the Rockies. Rosylyn’s dad, Steven Marshall was surprised his mild daughter, “..would feel empowered enough to do something like this.”
San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber CEO Pat Dando left San Jose’s City Hall pissed yesterday saying, “this is policy run amok,” after the City Council voted to review a 12 year old policy on outsourcing City jobs. Ever chipper, Councilmember Nancy Pyle said, “If the current policy isn’t working, we need to find out why.” Perhaps because every discussion at the City Council takes 4 hours?...
Symantec CEO John Thompson will/may be heading to D.C. as President Obama’s Secretary of Commerce, filling the last remaining seat in the Cabinet. Thompson had already announced his departure from Symantec to be replaced by Enrique Salem. (Watch Dog guesses that the talk of San Jose’s Congressman Mike Honda getting a new gig was Honda-hype...because he is still in Congress and no one is asking Honda to serve...)
The USGS released new maps detailing seismic safety along San Jose’s Guadalupe River and Coyote Creek, home to San Jose’s tech companies and new housing. For a bunch of scientists, the USGS provides some fun stuff for the non-geeks among us. For developers and homeowners, perhaps not so much fun as a warning on encroachment into the liquefaction zone. According to Mineta San Jose International Airport's David Vossbrink, the new construction meets current standards and the concrete runways are less vulnerable than a building. (This isn't Vossbrink's first time speaking for folks on shaky ground.)
Following a closed door meeting Tuesday, San Jose’s Mayor Chuck Reed and Bobby Lopez with the Police Officers Association (POA) emerged happy about a new contract. Lopez said, “We gave a little to get a lot… we felt it was important to increase salaries significantly.” Alex Gurza said it was cheaper to increase salaries by 5.5% than agree to the pension demands. Maybe the POA saw the billion dollar pension fund loss as a sign of the future. San Jose Inside/Metro’s Erin Sherbert has been following the deal the POA cut with Mayor Reed. POA’s Bobby Lopez is quoted as saying, “We didn’t want to be accused of being the greedy filthy cops that everyone thinks we are.” Was that the message Lopez was supposed to deliver?
Probably not. Watch Dog blames/commends Erin Sherbert for Lopez's off-message (but certainly not misquoted) quote. She has a way of making people say things they probably shouldn't. Remember when Shirakawa (jokingly) called himself a "corrupt lobbyist" in one of her stories?
San Jose Revealed has some fun coupling news of the Merc’s location within the liquefaction zone with their economic problems and shrinking size.
Cupertino’s City Council approved Shashi Corp’s request to build a high-end luxury hotel but not before arguing over the aesthetics of the proposed design. Shashi representatives were adamant about receiving approval on the revised design, approved by the Planning Commission who also argued the original didn’t appear to be “luxurious” enough. "If you're trying to put in a high-end hotel in Cupertino and it's going to be that big and massive, you might as well have something that makes people say,`Wow, that looks neat' rather than`Wow, that looks big,'" said Councilman Mark Santoro. Cupertino Watch Dogs, if you saw the plans please weigh in. This is not the first time folks in Cupertino have had controversy about a hotel and growth...
Sunnyvale’s Planning Commission will review development plans for housing for mostly low or extremely low-income seniors early February. The Commission issued concerns about density and a lack of open space. NIMBYs don't like less-wealthy people in their neighborhoods...expect a battle in Sunnyvale. Otto Lee is going to be pleased he missed this one...
Saratoga’s City Council will be hosting a community meeting to talk about the $4,700 use permit fee – if you’re interested the meeting is next week at City Hall. If you aren't...join the club.
Get your credit cards ready. The Boss is coming to town, in fact, he begins his world tour on April Fool’s day at the Shark Tank. Tickets on sale Monday. This should help the Mayor with some of those tax dollars...
Romeo and Juliet, a.k.a. James Palmerson and Roselyn Marshall, were found sleeping in grandpa’s car at a mall outside the Mile High City. Los Altos Sgt. John Korges says, “Thank god they’re safe. This was a happy ending.” (Happy ending Sgt.? They are teenagers...) Not too shabby for a 14 year old, over 1,000 miles, through the Sierra, the Wasatch, and into the Rockies. Rosylyn’s dad, Steven Marshall was surprised his mild daughter, “..would feel empowered enough to do something like this.”
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
(very late) Morning News Round-Up – 1.13.09: What's a billion dollars between friends?
Pensioner/Pension Board Overseer/City Councilmember Pete Constant saw costs increase for the police/firefighter pensions 167% since he started his own retirement in 2000 -- a little over 7 times the Consumer Price Index for the Bay Area. When Constant joined the pension board 2 years ago he might have tried to figure out why, but he didn’t. Now that the Merc. is doing its Watch Dog best to investigate, Constant has decided, "We cannot as a council lose sight of the overall fiscal health of the city." Too bad Constant wasn’t this interested 2 years ago, or during the 6 years he received his own benefits. The Merc’s Editorial board jumps into the act pointing out the bonus checks to retirees is a problem -- um, yeah...especially when the funds lost a billion dollars recently. The Council is discussing this today...to be continued...
The Mayor Reed Drunk Task Force meets for the first time Thursday, 4 months after the racial profiling question was splattered across the pages of the Merc. Task Force member Bea Mendez, Silicon Valley Latino Democratic Forum, was concerned upon seeing this note in the staff report seeking “an expert on alcohol issues in the Latino community.” Mendez apparently thought the Task Force was all about racial profiling and San Jose’s arrest record which far outpaced the rest of the State. Why did she think that? Just because that was what the Task Force was supposed to be...but then the City's professional staff got involved. Task Force Chair/City Manager Debra Figone was quick to backtrack from the alcohol expert issue. Now, she says, "Our focus is police practices and developing noncriminal and alternative approaches to arrests (for public intoxication). It is not the issue of the use of alcohol among the Latino community." Figone’s second in command, Norberto Duenas provides proof that he has an outstanding command of the obvious: "I think we could have written it a different way.” You think? Task Force member and local ACLU head, Skyler Porras, responded, "I don't think the police department or the city ever does anything by mistake. My real concern is that the city may be moving to avoid the underlying issue." (You go girl!) All of this gives credence to what Councilmember Liccardo said the day the Task Force was set up..."[Task Forces] are where good ideas go to die..." From the looks of things, death has already started...
The Merc.’s Sal Pizzaro talks about the buzz around the South Bay about who is going to Washington, D.C. for the inauguration. Tamara Alvarado, director of 1stACT, and her husband, Julian Peeples, optimistically booked their trip in June. Also in the news, Congressmember Mike Honda’s ticket recipients included Stanford freshman Amani Green who made her own rap video to ask for a ticket.
San Jose has suffered its first murder of 2009, a young man was found shot to death in an East Side driveway. Police spokesman, Jermaine Thomas, said it’s unclear if it was a gang related shooting.
Los Gatos celebrated Police Officers Joe Romeo and Bryan Paul for rescuing residents whose car slid off the driveway and nearly 700 feet down a hillside embankment last October. Mayor Mike Wasserman, Vice Mayor Diane McNutt, Councilmember Joe Pirzynski, and Town Manager Greg Larson attended the officers' celebration. After officers freed the man, the car dragged Officer Romeo before he was able to escape, the car then slide down the hill, crashing into a tree.
Although the Morgan Hill School Board has cut $3 million from its budget, they may have to cut an additional $5.2 million. Board President Don Moody said closing a school is one of many options on the table and added, "It's premature for families to start getting emotional about it." Board Member Peter Mandel said that since enrollment is up the District may actually need another school and, "That is completely opposite to another scenario - we can't afford that, the general fund wouldn't support it, and we'll have to find ways to contract and not to expand." Britton Home and School Club President Lydie Jones has started a letter writing campaign attacking Sacramento legislators saying, "I hope (the State Legislators) understand the ramifications of their inaction." Ms. Jones, State Legislators understand the ramifications of their actions...they just don't care...
Watch Dog has followed Ante Bilic’s hopeful attempts to bring ta-ta’s to the garlic capital of the world with a club near Gilroy’s outlet mall. (Garlic Ta-Ta's would be a pretty good name for the club actually...) It looks like Home Depot lawyers have been following this issue as closely as we have. Home Depot's (well-funded) Watch Dogs have sniffed out dusty documents on file at Gilroy City Hall which prevents adult entertainment facilities in the mall. Watch Dog apology, a previous article should have said Gilroy Planners (i.e. Planning Department) not the Planning Commission, recommended approval of plans. The Planning Commission actually meets Thursday to make a recommendation. Gilroy Councilmembers meet later that night to review the mess. According to the Gilroy Dispatch poll, opinion runs 64% against Garlic Ta-Ta's. Perhaps Ante Bilic should show up with some of the future employees -- that might make things go a bit smoother...
Also on tap at Thursday's Gilroy Planning Commission meeting is a lively debate about cell phone towers and a report written by a T-Mobile engineer saying towers pose no health problems. (That's like tabacco companies testifying before Congress, no?) Also at issue is whether T-Mobile and Gilroy's City staff goofed by not looking at alternative sites for the proposed tower. Planning Commissioner Ben Anderson said, "We need an independent review at the applicant's expense," and described T-Mobile's alternative analysis as armchair engineering. "That was some guy pulling out a picture file and saying, 'Yeah, that'll work.'"
Dogs of all sizes (including us?) have a new place to play in Gilroy, the Las Animas Veterans (dog) Park. The big christening party is Saturday January 31. "I've been to dog parks in New York City to San Francisco, so it will be used. We just need to get the word out," said Donna Pray, Executive Director of the Gilroy Foundation and owner of Reggie, a yellow Labrador retriever.
The Mayor Reed Drunk Task Force meets for the first time Thursday, 4 months after the racial profiling question was splattered across the pages of the Merc. Task Force member Bea Mendez, Silicon Valley Latino Democratic Forum, was concerned upon seeing this note in the staff report seeking “an expert on alcohol issues in the Latino community.” Mendez apparently thought the Task Force was all about racial profiling and San Jose’s arrest record which far outpaced the rest of the State. Why did she think that? Just because that was what the Task Force was supposed to be...but then the City's professional staff got involved. Task Force Chair/City Manager Debra Figone was quick to backtrack from the alcohol expert issue. Now, she says, "Our focus is police practices and developing noncriminal and alternative approaches to arrests (for public intoxication). It is not the issue of the use of alcohol among the Latino community." Figone’s second in command, Norberto Duenas provides proof that he has an outstanding command of the obvious: "I think we could have written it a different way.” You think? Task Force member and local ACLU head, Skyler Porras, responded, "I don't think the police department or the city ever does anything by mistake. My real concern is that the city may be moving to avoid the underlying issue." (You go girl!) All of this gives credence to what Councilmember Liccardo said the day the Task Force was set up..."[Task Forces] are where good ideas go to die..." From the looks of things, death has already started...
The Merc.’s Sal Pizzaro talks about the buzz around the South Bay about who is going to Washington, D.C. for the inauguration. Tamara Alvarado, director of 1stACT, and her husband, Julian Peeples, optimistically booked their trip in June. Also in the news, Congressmember Mike Honda’s ticket recipients included Stanford freshman Amani Green who made her own rap video to ask for a ticket.
San Jose has suffered its first murder of 2009, a young man was found shot to death in an East Side driveway. Police spokesman, Jermaine Thomas, said it’s unclear if it was a gang related shooting.
Los Gatos celebrated Police Officers Joe Romeo and Bryan Paul for rescuing residents whose car slid off the driveway and nearly 700 feet down a hillside embankment last October. Mayor Mike Wasserman, Vice Mayor Diane McNutt, Councilmember Joe Pirzynski, and Town Manager Greg Larson attended the officers' celebration. After officers freed the man, the car dragged Officer Romeo before he was able to escape, the car then slide down the hill, crashing into a tree.
Although the Morgan Hill School Board has cut $3 million from its budget, they may have to cut an additional $5.2 million. Board President Don Moody said closing a school is one of many options on the table and added, "It's premature for families to start getting emotional about it." Board Member Peter Mandel said that since enrollment is up the District may actually need another school and, "That is completely opposite to another scenario - we can't afford that, the general fund wouldn't support it, and we'll have to find ways to contract and not to expand." Britton Home and School Club President Lydie Jones has started a letter writing campaign attacking Sacramento legislators saying, "I hope (the State Legislators) understand the ramifications of their inaction." Ms. Jones, State Legislators understand the ramifications of their actions...they just don't care...
Watch Dog has followed Ante Bilic’s hopeful attempts to bring ta-ta’s to the garlic capital of the world with a club near Gilroy’s outlet mall. (Garlic Ta-Ta's would be a pretty good name for the club actually...) It looks like Home Depot lawyers have been following this issue as closely as we have. Home Depot's (well-funded) Watch Dogs have sniffed out dusty documents on file at Gilroy City Hall which prevents adult entertainment facilities in the mall. Watch Dog apology, a previous article should have said Gilroy Planners (i.e. Planning Department) not the Planning Commission, recommended approval of plans. The Planning Commission actually meets Thursday to make a recommendation. Gilroy Councilmembers meet later that night to review the mess. According to the Gilroy Dispatch poll, opinion runs 64% against Garlic Ta-Ta's. Perhaps Ante Bilic should show up with some of the future employees -- that might make things go a bit smoother...
Also on tap at Thursday's Gilroy Planning Commission meeting is a lively debate about cell phone towers and a report written by a T-Mobile engineer saying towers pose no health problems. (That's like tabacco companies testifying before Congress, no?) Also at issue is whether T-Mobile and Gilroy's City staff goofed by not looking at alternative sites for the proposed tower. Planning Commissioner Ben Anderson said, "We need an independent review at the applicant's expense," and described T-Mobile's alternative analysis as armchair engineering. "That was some guy pulling out a picture file and saying, 'Yeah, that'll work.'"
Dogs of all sizes (including us?) have a new place to play in Gilroy, the Las Animas Veterans (dog) Park. The big christening party is Saturday January 31. "I've been to dog parks in New York City to San Francisco, so it will be used. We just need to get the word out," said Donna Pray, Executive Director of the Gilroy Foundation and owner of Reggie, a yellow Labrador retriever.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Morning News Round-Up – 12.08.08
San Jose is in a budgetary bind. No question about that. So with that in mind, they are about to answer some pressing questions:
Across town on Tuesday, the County Board of Supervisors will ponder the decision they made in 2003 to close the sobering station a.k.a. Drunk Tank. Following Mayor Chuck Reed/Nora Campos’s lead, maybe they’ll form a task force. Watch Dog predicts more finger pointing and less action.
Soon-to-be termed out Supervisor Don Gage was a no-show at the annual Los Gatos parade this weekend. With 2 more years to serve as a Supervisor it seems a tad early to call him a lame duck. None of the replacement hopefuls bothered to show up at the parade either.
Cupertino’s School Board will consider placing a parcel tax on the June ballot tonight.
‘Boots’ Del Biaggio’s (see These Boots were Made for Prison) victims will give the U.S. Attorney’s their perspective today in San Francisco. Former U.S. Attorney Charles Stevens said the sentencing for the $100 million in fraud takes sentencing “off the charts.” Stevens said it was more likely ‘Boots’ would serve a little over 10 years. The Merc set up a page dedicated to the ‘Boots’ saga for you to follow.
San Jose, after having been the safest big city for 6 years, has dropped now to 4th place. Bobby Lopez, President of the San Jose Police Officers Association, says there was only enough manpower to investigate 13% of the robberies which took place. (Perhaps the Chief put attention here as opposed to robbery investigation.) Mayor Reed says he is committed to getting back to number one because, "We like the bragging rights of being one of the safest big cities.” And here Watch Dog thought it was all about safety not bragging...How safe do you feel in San Jose? The Merc wants to know.
The Alum Rock Neighborhood Coalition meets tonight to discuss the Norma Martinez bailout package from the Alum Rock School District, whereby she will leave her position and get paid a handsome sum. New Trustees Esau Herrera and Dolores Marquez have joined with Trustee Gustavo Gonzalez to call for a review of the $300,000 severance package this week. In an ironic twist, the three Trustees who want the review are in violation of California open meeting rules. Trustee Herrera, an attorney, noted that if rules were not followed on the original bail out, then those actions would be voided –- of course, he meant the other Trustees who might have violated open meeting laws.
After bouncing Councilmember Nora Campos from the Mayor’s Gang Prevention Task Force, Mayor Chuck Reed has put his on-again, off-again challenger/Vice Mayor Possibility back.
The Merc’s Internal Affairs continues the Sam Liccardo for Mayor chant after reviewing Mayor Reed’s new committee assignments. (No mention of Pete Constant, which must make him angry...) Meanwhile, Los Angeles political blog PolitickerCA.com is floating Liccardo’s name as a possibility for the rumored maybe-soon-to-be-vacant Congressional seat held by Mike Honda. Liccardo is in good company as PolitickerCA also lists Mayor Reed, State Senator Joe Simitian, Sally Lieber, and former Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez. Most would need to move into Honda's District. A real question though, Chuck Reed as a Democratic nominee for Congress? Watch Dog doubts it...especially after his Guiliani-loving Presidential no show.
San Jose’s Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio wonders if his colleagues are playing ostrich and ignoring his ideas for fixing the budget deficit.
San Jose Revealed toots it’s horn as source to breaking stories (but don't talk about the conflicts of interest with Shirakawa's staff picks) while wondering how the Merc. will manage to outsource local news reporting to India. Did Molina move to start running the Indian bureau of the Merc?
In Morgan Hill 14 city employees will likely lose their jobs -– City Manager Ed Tewes says the new Morgan Hill organization, “is going to be smaller, but an excellent one.”
Trees at Live Oak High School disappeared over Thanksgiving weekend –- District officials know the trees were diseased and in the way of the schools solar project -– but they don’t know how many disappeared. District spokesman Dan Ehrler said all removed trees will be replaced either with rosebushes or healthy trees. It makes the school's name ironic...no?
Perhaps Gilroy could use Chuck Reed's Gang Prevention Task Force –- with more than 750 gang members and 1,300 parolees in this small town Police Chief Denise Turner says, "I think it's important to unite, as gang members unite, and for a strong front against crime. We really do want to prevent violence in our community."
Add to the gang issue, Gilroy’s financial profile has weakened, the housing market looks bleak, development is off, foreclosures are high –- no surprise that their bond rating has been downgraded from A+ to A.
The Los Gatos Observer reports newcomer to the Los Gatos City Council, Steve Rice, came in 6 votes ahead of incumbent Barbara Spector. (Barbara Spector, let's re-elect her...) Both are to be sworn in at tonight's special meeting.
- Will San Jose approve a proposal for affordable housing to be part of developments across the city?
- Will the City say yes to a new $5 million/McEnery-backed development proposal?
- Will the Redevelopment Agency’s budget be approved while cutting neighborhood funding?
Across town on Tuesday, the County Board of Supervisors will ponder the decision they made in 2003 to close the sobering station a.k.a. Drunk Tank. Following Mayor Chuck Reed/Nora Campos’s lead, maybe they’ll form a task force. Watch Dog predicts more finger pointing and less action.
Soon-to-be termed out Supervisor Don Gage was a no-show at the annual Los Gatos parade this weekend. With 2 more years to serve as a Supervisor it seems a tad early to call him a lame duck. None of the replacement hopefuls bothered to show up at the parade either.
Cupertino’s School Board will consider placing a parcel tax on the June ballot tonight.
‘Boots’ Del Biaggio’s (see These Boots were Made for Prison) victims will give the U.S. Attorney’s their perspective today in San Francisco. Former U.S. Attorney Charles Stevens said the sentencing for the $100 million in fraud takes sentencing “off the charts.” Stevens said it was more likely ‘Boots’ would serve a little over 10 years. The Merc set up a page dedicated to the ‘Boots’ saga for you to follow.
San Jose, after having been the safest big city for 6 years, has dropped now to 4th place. Bobby Lopez, President of the San Jose Police Officers Association, says there was only enough manpower to investigate 13% of the robberies which took place. (Perhaps the Chief put attention here as opposed to robbery investigation.) Mayor Reed says he is committed to getting back to number one because, "We like the bragging rights of being one of the safest big cities.” And here Watch Dog thought it was all about safety not bragging...How safe do you feel in San Jose? The Merc wants to know.
The Alum Rock Neighborhood Coalition meets tonight to discuss the Norma Martinez bailout package from the Alum Rock School District, whereby she will leave her position and get paid a handsome sum. New Trustees Esau Herrera and Dolores Marquez have joined with Trustee Gustavo Gonzalez to call for a review of the $300,000 severance package this week. In an ironic twist, the three Trustees who want the review are in violation of California open meeting rules. Trustee Herrera, an attorney, noted that if rules were not followed on the original bail out, then those actions would be voided –- of course, he meant the other Trustees who might have violated open meeting laws.
After bouncing Councilmember Nora Campos from the Mayor’s Gang Prevention Task Force, Mayor Chuck Reed has put his on-again, off-again challenger/Vice Mayor Possibility back.
The Merc’s Internal Affairs continues the Sam Liccardo for Mayor chant after reviewing Mayor Reed’s new committee assignments. (No mention of Pete Constant, which must make him angry...) Meanwhile, Los Angeles political blog PolitickerCA.com is floating Liccardo’s name as a possibility for the rumored maybe-soon-to-be-vacant Congressional seat held by Mike Honda. Liccardo is in good company as PolitickerCA also lists Mayor Reed, State Senator Joe Simitian, Sally Lieber, and former Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez. Most would need to move into Honda's District. A real question though, Chuck Reed as a Democratic nominee for Congress? Watch Dog doubts it...especially after his Guiliani-loving Presidential no show.
San Jose’s Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio wonders if his colleagues are playing ostrich and ignoring his ideas for fixing the budget deficit.
San Jose Revealed toots it’s horn as source to breaking stories (but don't talk about the conflicts of interest with Shirakawa's staff picks) while wondering how the Merc. will manage to outsource local news reporting to India. Did Molina move to start running the Indian bureau of the Merc?
In Morgan Hill 14 city employees will likely lose their jobs -– City Manager Ed Tewes says the new Morgan Hill organization, “is going to be smaller, but an excellent one.”
Trees at Live Oak High School disappeared over Thanksgiving weekend –- District officials know the trees were diseased and in the way of the schools solar project -– but they don’t know how many disappeared. District spokesman Dan Ehrler said all removed trees will be replaced either with rosebushes or healthy trees. It makes the school's name ironic...no?
Perhaps Gilroy could use Chuck Reed's Gang Prevention Task Force –- with more than 750 gang members and 1,300 parolees in this small town Police Chief Denise Turner says, "I think it's important to unite, as gang members unite, and for a strong front against crime. We really do want to prevent violence in our community."
Add to the gang issue, Gilroy’s financial profile has weakened, the housing market looks bleak, development is off, foreclosures are high –- no surprise that their bond rating has been downgraded from A+ to A.
The Los Gatos Observer reports newcomer to the Los Gatos City Council, Steve Rice, came in 6 votes ahead of incumbent Barbara Spector. (Barbara Spector, let's re-elect her...) Both are to be sworn in at tonight's special meeting.
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