Morning News Round-Up -- 2.10.10: And the ballot language is... drum-roll...

As you may have heard, the 49ers would like to build a stadium in Santa Clara. They need to go to the ballot first, however. That ballot measure is slated for this June. Earlier in the week, we learned there was some disagreement of how the actual ballot language should read in June. The Santa Clara City Staff had one recommendation for how the ballot measure should read, and the Santa Clarans for Economic Progress (the 49er's side of things) had another way. Watch Dog predicted that the 49er's version would take the day... and it did. But not before a 4 to 3 vote on the Santa Clara City Council. Here's the ballot language Santa Clara voters will see:

Shall the City of Santa Clara adopt Ordinance 17.20 leasing City property for a professional football stadium and other events; no use of City General or Enterprise funds for construction; no new taxes for residents for stadium; Redevelopment Agency funds capped for construction; private party pays all construction cost overruns; no city/agency obligation for stadium operating/maintenance; private party payment of projected fair market rent; and additional funds for senior/youth/library/recreation to City's General fund?

Just as Dolores Carr can't go two days without being in the paper, so too the San Jose Police Department. Today's SJPD story is about a man who was first beaten severely with a baseball bat by two other men -- but then died after being Tasered by San Jose PD. The murder trial of the two men who beat the victim opened yesterday and re-opens up the 'use of force' storyline again. It also gives Raj Jayadev, of POA video fame, another chance to be quoted in the paper for the next few weeks... and presumably gives the POA another chance to make fun of him...

The San Jose City Council District 5 Council seat will be a real hum-dinger of a race in June. Xavier Campos (Nora's brother) will square off against Manueal Herrera, Aaron Resendez, and new-to-the-race Magdalena Carrasco. Before that, however, there will many times that these four appear on the same stage -- the first of which is slated for this week...

The County Building has become a lot more interesting to watch lately. Earlier in the week, Scott Herhold pointed out the Larry Stone vs. George Shirakawa battle over the appointment of former Sunnyvale Councilmember John Howe to an assessment appeals board and then we learn today that "controversial developer" John Vidovich was nominated to the County's Planning Commission. Both Howe and Vidovich got approved by the Board of Supervisors yesterday for their respective Commissions.

The Santa Clara Valley Water District has a new Board member -- although you probably didn't see anything in the Mercury News about it. Thankfully, Watch Dog trolls the South County papers sometimes and the Morgan Hill Times lets us know that Sahib "Cy" Mann will be the newest Water Board member. He is rancher and realtor from Morgan Hill...

There was yet another public meeting about High Speed Rail through the Peninsula yesterday. This time, the options for tracks were discussed... again: elevated, tunneled, stacked, hybrid, etc., etc., etc. At the same time, Californians Advocating Responsible Rail Design are fixing to file another lawsuit...

Palo Alto Unified students (and vocal parents) may see increased class sizes in the School District because of budget cuts next year... we are sure that will go over really, really well.

There is yet another chapter in the story of the Gilroy teenager who died after a night of drinking. The Coronoer said the cause of death is still a mystery...

Apparently Campbell is the new hot spot in Silicon Valley? We know Evan Low is cool, but the new hot spot?

Finally, Mission City Lantern seems to be critical of what we write these days, and we aren't sure why. Nor do we really understand what he is writing. Nonetheless, we love you James, keep up the good work.

Morning News Round-Up -- 2.8.10: When the Saints...

If you didn't check Watch Dog after you read the Morning News Round-Up on Friday, you missed late-breaking stuff about Mayor Ron Dellums being "in the know" about when Major League Baseball would hear back from the Task Force looking into the Oakland A's Bay Area stadium options... We posted it after we read the East Bay Express, then San Jose Inside did.

This is interesting, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and City Manager Deb Figone are on a different page when it comes to changing the make up of the pension boards in the City of San Jose. It is interesting because Reed and Figone are often on the same page when it comes to such things... Figone wants all the folks on the board to be independent, financial experts appointed by the City Council -- Reed has cut a deal that isn't as strong, but will still get more experts, but fewer Council appointments, on the pension boards. Pension board/ taxpayer watch dogs seem displeased...

Perhaps a winning lotto ticket could help make up some of San Jose's pension losses... a $20 million ticket was sold at 7-11 on Bascom Avenue. Check your numbers: 19, 29, 36, 41, 20...

Dolores Carr in the news... again. This time, the judge that she has instructed her prosecutors to boycott has a key case in front of her right now and isn't letting the case go. Sorry District Attorney Carr...

Also in the news is the SJPD, well, one detective in particular. This will affect Dolores Carr's office too. A detective in the Sexual Assaults Investigations Unit may face charges for allegedly filing false police reports that led to some cases being dismissed, although is seems that no one was falsely charged because the shoddy police work. Of course, after the fact of this coming to light, Police Chief Rob Davis is looking into auditing detectives more closely... sound familiar?

Speaking of internal government controversies, here's another one: Silicon Valley Power, the utility that provides electricity to Santa Clara, was forced by Cal-OSHA to shut down one of the City's three power plants. The story also highlights some other internal issues going on at Silicon Valley Power... No word yet if Mission City Lantern can trace this closure back to the anti-49ers crowd, but we'll wait and see.

In an unrelated story, 5 folks died at a Connecticut power plant after a big explosion.

When we think about the 49ers stadium plans in Santa Clara, we've generally only been talking about Santa Clara. But the Sunnyvale City Council wanted some 49er love as well -- and Lisa Lang of the 49ers gave them some. Perhaps San Jose is interested in the economic/ traffic impact of the 49er's stadium?

Scott Herhold at the Merc is doing some reporting this week, apparently. He fills us in on a story developing in the County Building where Assessor Larry Stone is actively trying to stop former Sunnyvale Councilmember John Howe's appointment to an Assessment Appeals Board at the County. Supervisor George Shirakawa has nominated John Howe and Larry Stone thinks that Howe is not only unqualified, but wrote a nasty letter to tell everyone about it. Herhold got wind of the story and wrote about is as a reporter, not a columnist, this weekend...

Herhold also wrote a column this weekend, continuing a push for openness from the San Jose Police Department, specifically about 911 tapes. Herhold notes that the entire Toyota accelerator recall stems, in large part, from a released 911 tape. Oh, and the Police Chief Rob Davis was out of town when Herhold called for a quote. Perhaps he is looking for a place to retire too, because Herhold also noted that Davis "...is widely believed to be a short-timer..."

Internal Affairs in the Merc let Sheriff Laurie Smith know why she should be careful whom she writes letters of recommendation for... her opponent in her re-election bid is using a Smith-written recommendation as a campaign promotional piece. Oops.

Morning News Round-Up -- 1.19.10: A bankrupt Merc?

It has been a long, long weekend, so if you haven't had your coffee yet, go get it and come back to Watch Dog caffeinated...

This isn't good... the owner of the Mercury News are filing for bankruptcy. Is it possible that the paper could lose more reporters and more pages? The Mercury News Weekly perhaps? Watch Dog cannot fill the void, unfortunately, we just go Wii...

But remember, Merc. Columnist Cassidy says that they will succeed because they provide unique local content... or at least they used to...

In other stellar economic news, office vacancies may be through the roof (again) this year...

Here's one way to increase air traffic at SJC: have SFO-bound planes make emergency landings at SJC because of high wind gusts... "SJC, when the weather is too shitty for SFO..." That would be a hella cool ad campaign...

The Merc got into the weedily-witty headlines about local marijuana dispensaries this weekend with this: San Jose says pot clubs popping up like weeds; city starts cracking down. Is it fair to say that when the headlines aren't serious, neither is the actual issue? Of course, we often write Watch Dog stoned, so who are we to question anyone...

The County is finally helping folks who are facing misdemeanor charges by providing some with a public defender... which everyone should be shocked didn't happen before a Sean Webby news story last week. But remember, this is the same County that wants to do away with pre-trial services in order to get more business to bail bonds shops, so nothing should surprise you... Kudos to Supervisors Yeager and Cortese for realizing that having folks face charges without being represented by a lawyer is a horrible idea and is part of Criminal Justice 101.

Speaking of Criminal Justice 101, the good folks at Protect San Jose encourage you to be honest with police and tell them exactly what they want to hear when they pull you over. Of course, that flies directly in the face of "right to remain silent" and could find you in the County Courthouse without a lawyer (see above)... in case you believe (like Watch Dog) that incriminating yourself doesn't sound like such a hot idea when you get pulled over, here is some different advice about what to do when you get pulled over from a source other than police officers: "...Silence is not an admission of guilt and cannot be used against you in court..." So far, the advice on Protect San Jose is to respond to Police Officers like you were in kindergarten and provide them all the answers they ask for. Thank you Protect San Jose... The Fifth Amendment is still intact, right?

In an un(?)related note, the Chronicle gets in on the Freedom Train controversy between San Jose's NAACP, who pulled out of this year's Train, and the San Jose Police Officers' Association, who is one of the sponsors. In the Chronicle piece, we find another hard-hitting quote from Pastor Moore of the NAACP: "While Rev. Dr. King stood for nonviolence and against police brutality, we find ourselves honoring police, who talk to our community members in derogatory tones, who beat innocent citizens in our community, who unlawfully arrest people, and in extreme cases kill members who dare to speak up and stand up for their rights."

Update: It turns out the ride was well-traveled, even with the controversy and even without the NAACP... but a Freedom Ride without the NAACP is an issue that is not going away.

The Merc's Scott Herhold writes about Tom Campbell's running (again) for the Senate after dropping his bid for Governor. And ends with a prediction, of sorts, about whether Campbell, if unsuccessful this time in his third run for the Senate might look ahead to 2012: "Could Campbell try for a fourth time? If it happened, I wouldn't be surprised." Oh, and referring to previous races and other Republicans, Herhold assures us that: "...He [Campbell] wouldn't have been caught dead in a strip club..." Thank you.

Pete Constant is trying to up-end the plastic bag ban in San Jose by hitting up his misspelling cohorts (the Chamber of Commerce) for support -- or sopurt. He says the cost is too high. As usual, Constant was the lone vote against the plastic bag ban. Which brings up the question: What did Councilmember Constant think it meant when he voted for the Mayor's Green Vision which has this included in it:

5. Divert 100 percent of the waste from our landfill and convert waste to energy.

The good folks at Internal Affairs had a busy week writing for Sunday. First, they give us a "reversal of fortunes" of the highest order with Phil Angelides heading a serious, and newsworthy, Inquiry panel and Governor Schwarzenegger becoming the lamest of ducks. Next, they provide all of us more than we probably need to know about the dress code in the DA'soffice, and how it got relaxed an effort to help Dolores Carr politically. And finally, Larry "Boo" Stone calls the San Francisco Giant's efforts to fuck up the A's move to San Jose "...classic San Francisco politics..." We agree with Stone, but not for nothing: classic San Francisco politics launched the career of the Speaker of the House...

On a serious note: the post office is moving in downtown Los Altos.

If at first you don't succeed... the Fremont Union High School District to approve a parcel tax (again!) in May. They just packed up the stuff from their campaign office in November, but are going to give it another go. Desperate times, etc.

Aren't you glad you had your coffee? Stay safe out there folks...

Morning News Round-Up -- 1.12.10: Campbell vs Fiorina? Maybe...

Ah, political intrigue is afoot in Silicon Valley. The $trong $howing of Meg Whitman and $teve Poizner in the race to be the Republican nominee to take on Jerry Brown has left the most qualified candidate, Tom Campbell, way behind in the money race. Which is too bad for Mr. Campbell... which may really be too bad for Carly Fiorina. You see, Ms. Fiorina is running to be the Republican Senate nominee to take on Senator Barbara Boxer. There is widespread speculation that taking on Fiorina might be a lot easier for Campbell than taking on the endless bank accounts of Whitman and Poizner... so... we... wait... for... Campbell... to... decide... and Fiorina is getting nervous. So nervous that she put in $2.5 million of her own money into her own campaign.

On a somewhat related note, the Merc Editorial Board calls for the Gubernatorial candidates to release their tax returns for the past 10 years -- which they will then post on their website...

Assessor Larry Stone (booo) launched a new web tool to estimate what new homeowners might pay in taxes (yay)... the name of the new tool is the "Supplemental Tax Estimator." Larry, could you think of a less exciting name?

Arrest warrants have been issued for the parents (aiding and abetting) of the woman suspected of killing her former girlfriend in Alviso.

There is a battle brewing in downtown Palo Alto about renaming (or not) Lytton Plaza after the Thoits family. Like all things in Palo Alto, expect late-night meetings pitting neighbor against neighbor...

You remember the uproar in Gilroy about a medical marijuana dispensary... it seems that about six more folks would like to open dispensaries in Gilroy. It seems the demand is growing in South County. Perhaps a pot farm would be the best re-use of the Sargeant Ranch.

Thank you San Jose Inside for getting in on Councilmember Pete Constant's spelling errors on his re-election website. We also chimed in with web-shots over the weekend. The more the merrier, we like to say...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Morning News Round-Up -- 10.1.09: Wet Goes to Court...

The other Club Wet shoe dropped when Club owners filed a federal lawsuit asking a Judge to block closure claiming San Jose’s regulations on nightclubs are "completely lacking in constitutionally required procedural safeguards." San Jose Police shrugged saying the Club had at least 49 chances to fix problems during the 5 months when customers were being stabbed or mauled in brawls. We wish Club Wet would let their lobbyists speak. Mr. DeRollo and Mr. Saggau were always so eloquent in Wet's defense.

Santa Clara District Attorney Dolores Carr is back in the news following (preliminary) reports that the DA’s office withheld at least 5 videotapes in child sexual assault cases. In addition to screwing up child predator convictions, Santa Clara County could be on the hook for expensive lawsuits from pissed off, imprisoned predators.

Speaking of DA Office screw ups... Protect San Jose’s Kathleen Flynn put her foot down declaring “enough is enough.” While Flynn never mentioned Vahid Hosseini it’s clear she’s pissed District Attorney Dolores Carr’s (un-ethical) handling of the case and tossing it to the Attorney General’s office gets more air time than the case itself.

Beverly Head was distressed enough about dogs racing (on leash) alongside their owners on trails that she commented to her husband about possible animal cruelty. Two days later, a leashed Siberian Husky tripped her during a walk causing her death. San Jose Parks spokesperson Mona Favorite-Hill said “there was no way to anticipate this.”

ACORN is cutting classes in San Jose following an East Coast conservative sting operation. In San Jose, ACORN is credited with raising the red flag on predatory lending practices in East San Jose where hundreds of homeowners face foreclosure. East Side Supervisor George Shirakawa, Jr., said “we probably should have listened a lot closer.”

(As an aside, Supervisor Shirakawa probably could apply that quote to Bob Nunez's former employers...)

The California High-Speed Rail Authority opened the doors to public comment after handing out the “alternative analysis” on moving people between San Francisco and San Jose. NIMBY neighbors in fancy Peninsula cities and towns will be happy to hear tunnels are under discussion. The Merc’s Editorial Board was also talking HSR, sending a message to the Fed’s in support of $4.5 billion for High-Speed Rail.

Disagreeing with the Merc's Editorial board... San Jose Insider Pete Campbell argues San Jose shouldn’t keep federal stimulus dollars and should instead send the $15 million targeted for street repair to impoverished Mississippi.

Mountain Views NASA/Ames Research Center is the place to land today as “a panel of Silicon Valley heavyweights” talks economic recovery in the South Bay – and using Silicon Valley recovery as a model for California. State Senator Elaine Alquist leads the charge with San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, Carl Guardino from the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, Santa Clara County Office of Education’s Chuck Weis and a host of “heavyweights.” Begging the question, the South Bay has recovered?

Los Altos retirement home Pilgrim Haven missed the added joys of a lawsuit when the North Los Altos Concerned Neighbors dropped plans “…to pursue litigation…”

Los Altos City Councilmembers approved a Retiree Health Savings Plan for Police Officers. Los Altos acts as trustee but is not financially responsible for investments and the “plan will incur no cost to the city” according to city human resources manager Patrick Alvarez.

Swine Flu stays in the news… Santa Clara County has declared a swine-ish emergency to open community vaccination clinics.

The Merc’s Scott Herhold wants to know why Santa Clara County Tax Assessor Larry Stone is “so weird,” according to Stone he simply has a love for campaigning and the democratic process. Stone’s deputy, David Ginsborg was in the midst of collecting endorsements when Stone announced the desire to kick off his 70th birthday with a new term in office. Ginsborg dropped his plans.

Looking to get a little college experience without the pain of homework or tests? This is your chance, according to the Merc’s Sal Pizarro. San Jose State University kicks off Classes Without Quizzes.

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.

Morning News Round-Up -- 8.31.09: Farewell to August Edition...

High-Speed Rail talks to Union Pacific… The recent judicial smack down has dueling rail advocates chatting. Rod Diridon, Sr. hopes the final ruling from the judge is a request for “remedial action” and not a death knell. High-Speed Railers complain this is a stalling tactic by Union PacificaP as they up the ante.

Whoops! Before Silicon Valley’s former HP CEO Carly Fiorina can go after Senator Barbara Boxer she needs to spin (illegal) sales to Iran. The usual “I dunno” isn’t likely to work, Democratic Party Chair John Burton scoffed at the suggestion saying “...it’s always somebody else’s fault...” As to reports of Fiorina’s previous lack of interest in civic engagement, it probably wouldn’t hurt if Fiorina’s spokesperson didn’t have to say “…she regrets not voting...”

After 36 years in the Oak Grove School District, including 10 as Superintendent, Manny Barbara is off to the non-profit world. Unlike other superintendents' departures, Barbara’s leaving pulled at the heartstrings of everyone he touched.

Morgan Hill Unified Schools are celebrating. A $25 million federal grant means solar panels on two schools – no word (yet) about where the remaining $24.5 million (give or take) goes…

That thud heard in Gilroy and at the Mexican American Community Services Agency (MACSA) was the report from the County Office of Education asking District Attorney Dolores Carr to investigate “…apparent illegal fiscal practices and misappropriation of funds...” MACSA’s interim CEO, Maria Elena De La Garza says they are (now) in the midst of 100% change in leadership, closing their charter schools, and letting someone else do the books. We know some folks that are probably not excited about a prolonged investigation...

San Jose is hoping the new San Jose Parks Foundation (a la Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy) will pay for programs and playgrounds. Councilmember Nora Campos said it’s a great direction and it should keep “…kids off the streets and safe and feeling productive in society...”

Gruesome Economy + Panicked Homeowners = An “Overwhelmed” Tax Assessor Larry Stone

For a personal tale of panicked homeowners, turn to the Merc’s Scott Herhold who follows Mountain View’s Lisa Burns through the nightmarish Making Home Affordable and 2 cents that nearly cost her a home.

The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG... what a name!) had some cheery weekend news for San Jose’s Mayor Chuck Reed… They’re coming… Roughly 400,000 new residents over the next quarter century. Reed promises San Jose’s sprawly past doesn’t portend its future.

Less than a month after surgery San Jose Councilmember Pete Constant will hit the stage for Scott and Shannon Guggenheim’s (re)opening of the Retro Dome. The Merc’s Sal Pizarro also reports Arts Council CEO Bruce Davis is giddy over Adobe grants, Evergreen’s Samantha Worrall “…Has Talent” and lawyers from Robinson & Wood (along with co-workers) traded briefs for paint buckets at Sacred Heart Nativity School. On a final note, it’s goodbye COMPAC hello ChamberPAC.

San Jose Police busted David Conklin for lacing baby food with powdered aspirin – then sticking it back on shelves at CVS and Walgreens. The Police want to hear from you if you think you may have found contaminated baby food call 911 or the San Jose Police at 408-277-8900.

Morning News Round-Up -- 8.11.09: Hey Great America, the 49ers are on the phone...

Someone’s mental health day went awry when Great America’s Invertigo trapped 24 coaster crazies for more than 4 hours. Mission City Lantern dishes Great America battled Santa Clara for a year to get the overly tall rollercoaster approved. Today seems like a very good day for the City of Santa Clara and the 49ers to call the Great America folks and make peace...

(Former) Santa Clara County prosecutor/ Labor Chief of Staff Ben Field filed (anagram) an appeal to the “miscarriage of justice” that derailed his career. Field hopes (?) to ditch labor and return to the golden path that ends in a judges robes, instead of in front of the judge.

Speaking of court... Libraries should be fun places to learn new things, like anagrams. We’re betting San Jose’s City Council didn’t intend the learning to include defense preparation. Last week's entertaining Council Education Park Library do-over has Building and Trades Council CEO (Councilmember Nora Campos’ Husband) Neil Struthers promising a day in court.

Gary “Mr. Roadshow” Richards sends a reminder that today police around the Bay are looking for cell phone using scofflaws on the road. Thank you for the (hands free) heads up...

The Merc’s Scott Herhold dishes his dark side includes stealing crackers when he meets his Mom for dinner at Whole Foods. Herhold laments the economic downturn delaying San Jose’s first Whole Foods opening.

“…like falling off a cliff...” was how Santa Clara County Tax Assessor Larry Stone described this year's devastating housing value crash. Stone wants you to know you have a little time left to get your property value officially lowered. That is definately boo-worthy news...

Oops… Palo Alto’s Lytton Park facelift was yanked at the 11th hour, literally, when a resident complaint arrived 1 hour before groundbreaking. A sheepish City Manager Jim Keene said he didn’t know how one of the City’s legal requirements had been missed. You have got to love Palo Alto...

The search for a new Morgan Hill Union School District Superintendent includes a brochure calling for a collaborative leader/ team builder interested in transparency and inclusiveness with a talent for data driven curriculum. Putting together the brochure included removing discussion of “adjusted school boundaries” as too scary for prospects.

Over in Gilroy, the School District is also facing changes. Following the brouhaha over financial swindling at the hands of the Mexican American Community Services Agency, the Gilroy Unified School District hired former El Portal Principal Graciela Vallardares to help students transition from the charter school to public school. (Watch Dog can only assume she didn't have anything to do with the embezzlement...)

Morgan Hill and Gilroy City employees are facing the same fears as private employees with the crashing economy and cities facing layoffs. City Manager Ed Tewes sent an email to the Morgan Hill Times saying “employees understand the necessity of living within our means.” We can only assume that Mr. Tewes's job isn't on the chopping block...)

Pissed off about a series of low rent criminals cruising local retailers, the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce is training business owners to fight back. Chamber Executive Director Ronee Nassi is hoping it will end the days when shopkeepers chase shoplifters down the toney streets of Los Gatos.

The Valley Transit Authority is using their Federal stimulus dollars to buy hybrid buses. Should make waiting behind the bus less unpleasant. The VTA kicked off a series of meetings for pissed off commuters last night in Campbell, more meetings to follow.

Doobies and Senator Barbara Boxer share the limelight under the gentle penmanship of the Merc’s Sal Pizarro today. Santa Clara County Tax Assessor Larry Stone claims it isn’t the smoke that makes him think San Jose’s own rockers, the Doobie Brothers, will do for San Jose what the Beatles do for Liverpool.

Three teenagers were satisfying that midnight need for In-N-Out when a party pooper stole their ride right out from under them – with a gun in hand. If you have news to share you are encouraged to call Mountain View Police at 650-903-6344.

An evening commuter Caltrain hit and killed a pedestrian. No word on whether suicide was involved.

Mission City Lantern calls out San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed for picking on Councilmember Ash Kalra’s Chief of Staff, suggestion the Mayor beat up his own staff before sharing the love.

San Jose Insider/San Jose Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio uses his bully pulpit for a (yawning) description of musical chairs (jobs) before coming to his (un)surprising conclusion that it’s hard to let go of civil servants.

Protect San Jose blogger/Council wannabe Jim Cogan shares his observation that National Night Out was a success because a Police Officer could be overhead saying “now that I know about it…” and neighbors started a neighborhood watch group. Thank you Jim.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Speaking of elections…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Morning News Round-Up – 7.2.09: Let the pre-holiday fireworks begin...

Santa Clara County District Attorney Dolores Carr won’t be putting away her dance shoes just yet. (now) Judge/(former) prosecutor Joyce Allegro is accused of withholding evidence that might have kept a defendant off death row…

San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed took Santa Clara County Sheriff Lt. Jose Salcido out of the running for Sheriff (maybe). Reed pulled Salcido inside city hall to bridge the divide between police and the rest of the world. Mission City Lantern is also curious about the newly created position. San Jose Inside points out Salcido's buddy is SJPOA leader Bobby Lopez. Could Salcido be angling for another new gig…

Palo Alto’s plans for a new library are “woefully inadequate” according to Friends of Palo Alto Libraries. Library Advisory Commissioner Rajesh Mashruwala said downtowns unique demographic (seniors, daytime workers, homeless) causes special challenges. Right, because those folks don’t want books or computers in their libraries…

Los Altos police are on the look out for a San Jose crew of vandals/imbeciles who scratched graffiti on business windows.

It isn’t enough to get the County out of debt but Tax Assessor Larry Stone reported a (slight) increase in property values.

Mountain View’s City Council is ready to do battle with the Feds over Hangar One… Mountain View will (probably) look to Palo Alto and Sunnyvale to join the party.

Cupertino has an eye on the Fed’s stimulus money to find energy savings. For $526,000 Watch Dog has a few energy saving ideas available…

Los Gatos Union School District is likely to be out $1.5 million because of the State’s budget disaster. District CFO Leslie Paulides said it shouldn’t have a huge effect on the kids because they’ll draw on rainy day funds. Not like San Jose Unified which faces a $19 million shortfall and is increasing class sizes.

The Saratoga Planning Commission sympathized with neighbors worried about the “high density” proposal but bravely waded through terrified complaints to allow the proposal from Adel and Maria Khouja. The end result, two homes on a (newly) subdivided 50,000 square foot lot. Gives a whole new meaning to density…

The dish from San Jose inside, another victim of the economic downturn… San Jose landmark A.P. Stumps is packing those ginzo knives and pouring the last shaken, not stirred next week. Get your reservations in early for the week long farewell.

Morning News Round-Up -- 6.23.09: Ponzi Schemes, Bathroom Art and Tap Dancin' DA's!

2010 is shaping up to be an exciting year for voters. Like Santa Clara, San Jose’s City Council will seek voter approval on a stadium deal (to bring the A’s to San Jose) next year. A’s/Earthquakes owner Lew Wolff wants to hear from baseball officials before hitting the ballot box. Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone, supporting baseball and football in his playground, says figuring out which election in 2010 will be tricky “...if one starts going south, it could drag the other one down...” Watch Dog is sure that this is just the spin that the 49ers and A's are trying to get out there...

Tonight Santa Clara City Councilmembers will hear all about why bringing the 49ers to Santa Clara is good, costs/timetable for an election, and fix that pesky City charter to allow the 49ers to select a construction contractor. City Manager Ron Garratt mentioned “good” assumes “a healthier market than exists right now.”

Morgan Hill Councilmember Marby Lee is pissed off when City staff spends money before receiving council approval. Some 42 pre-approval purchases during the past 5 years were presented to Council colleagues Monday. Mayor Steve Tate pointed out the items ultimately received council support and were mostly contract changes anyway.


Santa Clara County Supervisors approved a $4 billion budget last week and are holding their collective breath to see how badly the State money grab affects them. President/Supervisor Liz Kniss offered that the $63 million set aside for State thievery might not be enough…



When you’re sitting on Palo Alto’s Oregon Expressway/Page Mill Road pissed off, you can blame the economy. According to Santa Clara County public affairs director Gwendolyn Mitchell letting you sit in daytime traffic saves the County big bucks.


Santa Clara County wants to hear from you on a critter habitat plan for more than a half-million acres in the county. Plan Manager Ken Schreiber said the plan will address “endangered species over the next 50 years.”


Gary “Mr. Roadshow” Richards relays information on the daily pas de deux taking place at the “nasty cloverleaf” we call 880/101. Reader M.F. sends a big shout out to fellow ballerinas and danseurs.


Ballet on the freeway deserves poetry in the halls. County Poet Laureate Nils Peterson aims to please by unveiling today the first county poem. The Merc’s Sal Pizarro also dishes the annual satirical slugfest (Monday Night Live) will put District Attorney Dolores Carr into her dancing shoes. Rumors abound that Pizarro will grace the stage.


A tale of two unions… The Merc’s Editorial Board calls on San Jose Firefighters to join with other union colleagues, including their public safety brothers and sisters the police, in negotiating raises to save money (and jobs). Echoing the refrain from former Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez, the Merc also says San Jose should have talked to unions early in the game. San Jose Councilmember/San Jose Insider Pierluigi Oliverio calls it “playground politics.”


Los Gatos councilmember Steve Glickman is being accused of wanting to “retire from politics with a s much tumult as possible” by the Los Gatos Observer. Glickman hired signature gatherers for a ballot measure designed to delay a library, something Glickman refers to as “cleaning up some unfinished business.”


Minton’s Lumber & Supply marked its 112 anniversary the same year owners Herb and Mary Jean Eaton decided to close their doors to make way for more housing. Councilmember Mike Kasperzak calls the new proposal (almost) the “epitome” of a walkable neighborhood.



Morgan Hill will consider eminent domain to raze a house and put in
a parking lot. Property owner Dwight Jungkeit doesn’t much care if the house is gone saying the city’s offer was lower than his asking price. At $100,000 it’s likely Jungkeit and Morgan Hill will settle before the expense of eminent domain kicks in.


Los Altos’ own Jin Chung has been charged by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission with fleecing Korean Americans in an $80 million Ponzi scheme with partner Peter Son.


Mountain View police spokesperson Liz Wylie reports Dorothy Blake was caught cashing bad checks in Mountain View. Hitting up branches of Bank of America, Blake’s fakes were each in the amount of $1,831.49.


San Jose police busted 3 members of the Vagos Motorcycle Club (read Hell’s Angels) for gang rape of a 30 year old woman at their “clubhouse.” Police want your help, anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Officers Marchetti or Robb at 408-277-4102



With mourning families in both San Jose and Mountain View, the support Ronnie Gomez Mires received wasn’t enough to prevent his murder. The sad tale of a young man struggling through two worlds ended when Gomez Mires fought over a woman at a high school graduation party in East San Jose.


“Bathroom art” said their attorney when Karen Hazelwood and Jeffrey Spinello said their Christian faith was taken advantage of by the Thomas Kinkade Company of Morgan Hill. The courts agreed and Thomas Kinkade has been ordered to cough up $2 million.


Those Bellarmine boys done good. The smooth talking team from San Jose took top honors at the National Speech and Debate tournament. Vijay Sridharan, who took first in policy debate, said it was “…surreal – thousands of people watching…”

Morning News Round-Up -- 6.12.09: Why Larry Stone gets booed...

Santa Clara County Tax Assessor Larry Stone is lowering the assessed value of nearly 90,000 properties, dropping the County’s tax roll by $17 Billion. Always the master of understatement, Stone says “that’s serious.” School districts, redevelopment agencies, community colleges, the Valley Water District, and the County will all be hit by the revenue drop. No wonder this guy gets booed all over town...

Santa Clara County Medical Examiner Dr. Michelle Jorden took San Jose Police off the hook reporting it was an “astronomical” amount of meth, not tasers, that killed San Jose’s Richard Lua in February this year. San Jose Inside Editor chimes in with a repeat of the Merc. story.

The Valley Transportation Authority managed to pass a (so far) balanced budget according to VTA Boardmember/County Supervisor Don Gage. VTA Board Chair Dolly Sandoval said they had some tough decisions to make like raising rates and cutting service but plan to continue providing “residents with a quality transportation system.”

San Jose’s Lynhaven Elementary School was attacked by thieves. Not after computers. These guys stole farm and science equipment the children spent 3 years raising money to buy. Principal Lesa Nieri said this really hurts during the economic crisis when the school cannot replace the equipment. The Police Officers Association is raising cash to help out.

Which got us wondering... so Watch Dog checked out You Tube and the Video-Gate video is still up.

Before San Jose’s Elections Commissions looks at letting the voters consider instant-runoff voting (IRV), Councilmembers Sam Liccardo and Ash Kalra joined forces with the New America Foundation and Common Cause to support the idea.

It’s official, the Sunnyvale City Council will let you (legally) make that left when you leave Kaiser Santa Clara. Cost to the City to make the left legal: $1,000. Payback for Sunnyvale residents trying to go home: Priceless.

The Environmental Protection Agency wants to know if cancer causing toxins made it to Cupertino’s Stevens Creek School, two miles from the Lehigh Cement plant. Lehigh’s Tim Matz grumpily reports “Bottom line? We’re safe.” A hundred residents showed up at last night's community meeting for a lively debate regarding safety.

Parking wars have hit Los Gatos... again. Chase Bank is pissed that Jim Zanardi wants their customers to stop parking in his lot. Zanardi shrugged saying Chase customers take too many spaces, won’t help pay for repaving, and he wants to rent out vacant retail space – tough to do when the parking lot is full of bank customers. You have got to love Los Gatos battles... so person and so nasty.

Morgan Hill residents can point out their own historic Granada Theatre in a Thomas Kinkade painting. Referred to as “sentimentalists” by the Morgan Hill Times local historic preservationists are (again) trying to save the Granada from demolition. Mayor Steve Tate says goodbye already, unless the developer wants to save it.

The Morgan Hill City Council and Morgan Hill Unified School District Board met to “bring each other up to speed.” School Board president Don Moody read a list of school accomplishments and Police Chief Bruce Cumming did the same for the Police. Mayor Steve Tate said it was a good first step to “building bridges between the two governments.” Because, of course, without long-boring-feel-good meetings they could never work together. (Watch Dog San Mateo recommends this same type of meeting for Foster City and their School District...)

It’s good to be a City employee in Mountain View. The City Council approved a low interest home loan program for all City employees. With pay cuts hitting, could be everyone qualifies.

Mountain View residents disagreed over the benefits of affordable housing and housing density while agreeing that High-Speed Rail sounds good – underground. The General Plan meeting focused on the Whisman neighborhood where residents complained highways, freeways, and the Central Expressway cut them off from Mountain View. Hell ya, let’s get rid of the freeway!

Assemblymember Paul Fong wants the State (then the Feds) to apologize to Chinese immigrants and is being coy about how much money he wants the Feds to pay. Fong noted that when Japanese-Americans were given reparations for internment he hoped the Feds would “eventually apologize for the Chinese exclusion.” Angel Island Immigration Station Director Eddie Wong says it isn’t reparations but education that counts.

Morning News Round-Up -- 5.6.09: Shading sunshine in San Jose...

Yawn, Watch Dog hopes this is the end of the Swine Flu updates. Yesterday was the last day of the Swine Flu vacation, today schools are open and expecting your kids at their desks. Santa Clara County Health Officer Marty Fenstersheib made the bold decision shortly after the Centers for Disease Control backed off rigid closing requirements. “This novel virus looks exactly like the seasonal flu...” except for the school closures and mass-hysteria... (or Mask Hysteria.)

On to the fun stuff -- yesterday's San Jose City Council meeting...

There’s a new gig up for grabs, again. The San Jose City Council agreed to reopen the hiring process for the Independent Police Auditor and keep the original applicants in the mix. Yep, that’s right, Chris Constantin has a second shot at being the guy to review his brother's (and his brother's brothers-in-blue) work. But this isn't the most interesting part of the City Council meeting yesterday... this is:

Mayor Chuck Reed was a little testy, trying hard to get colleagues to tell all of the closed door session discussion when the chose Constantin, who apparently wasn't Mayor Reed's first choice. Remember, Councilmember Nora Campos was spinning the tale that she didn't know about Constantin's police-relations when she voted to make him the new IPA. The Mayor (apparently) knows that Campos is not telling the truth -- and so do some Councilmembers. The Mayor tried, unsuccessfully, to get the Council to release the notes from the Closed Session meeting where Constantin was approved. But the majority on the City Council said, unbelievably, that they would like to decide in private whether to keep the private conversation private. (That sentence makes sense, read it again...) So much for sunshine...

San Jose Revealed weighs in on the new/old IPA hunt (Reed screwed up) and the Earthquakes land deal (the City lost money). Revealed also shares opinions on the Mayor’s biennial Ethics Review Memo.

San Jose Inside’s Fly dishes the news that members of the Elections Commission are hinting that Councilmember Nora Campos was the source of the anonymous complaint against Tom McEnery. Campos’ Chief of Staff Ryan Ford heard the hints and suggested the Elections Commission go ahead, try to find out saying, “we had nothing to do with that.” City Clerk Lee Price says the Commission doesn’t have the authority to investigate. Perhaps evidence would point to the (blo)sphere of influence between Campos and San Jose Revealed and the complaint...

GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL! Is expected to be heard in San Jose. Tuesday the City Council unanimously approved sale of land to Earthquakes/A’s owner Lew Wolff to build a soccer stadium, a hotel, and some retail shops. Soccer Silicon Valley president Don Gagliardi expressed his inner soccer joy saying “...this is the culmination of five years of effort...”

Home value tracking site Zillow.com provided the news that the plunging housing market has slowed, a little. Wet blanket Santa Clara Assessor Larry Stone offered his thoughts that the home value losses were greater than the $57 billion estimated by Zillow.com. “I was surprised it was so low, there has been a serious erosion of equity,” said party pooper Stone.

Vahid Hosseini was a respected shopkeeper in a tough neighborhood with occasional gang violence. The Willow Market was the place where neighbors could cash their paychecks and get groceries. Police Chief Rob Davis announced Tuesday Alejandro Mendoza has been arrested for last years murder of Hosseini. Chief Davis said “the investigation is still ongoing – literally – as we speak,” and asked anyone with information call 408-277-5283.

Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors President Liz Kniss is expecting unprecedented federal support and says without it “our financial boat would barely be afloat.” The President (Kniss) is referring to federal stimulus dollars coming from D.C. to provide support for some of the County’s mental health, alcohol/drug abuse programs, and those gentle Nightingales who poked a needle in your Swine Fluish arm. Not helped by the federal bucks will be seniors, the disabled, and unemployed families – all of whom can expect continued budget cuts. (While Kniss is making her case in the newspaper, Supervisors in San Mateo County were actually testifying on Capitol Hill...)

Lest we forget, yesterday was an Election Day in some parts of the County. Voters in the Moreland and Cupertino Union School Districts agreed to help schools and passed their parcel tax measures, in spite of the gloomy economy.

It was a geeks paradise where San Jose’s Harker Academy eighth-grader Sierra Lincoln proved herself the geekiest of all. Lincoln took three awards in all and won top awards for programming and robot skills at the international VEX Robotics championship competition in Omaha, Nebraska. Geek on, sister.

Saratoga wants more of those fed dollars and is fighting for more than the $851,580 street paving dollars guaranteed. Saratoga is hoping to move City offices completely off the electric grid and is banking on federal green bucks to help make that happen.

Monte Sereno’s City Council had the unenviable chore of voting itself a salary during the worst economic disaster in decades. Councilmember Marshall Anstandig vows to return the salary or donate it to charity. Monte Serenan Lon Allen wants the Council to delay the vote a month in order to mail a postcard to everyone in town letting them know about the $300/month proposal. Estimated cost of mailing postcards: $3,600.

Morgan Hill’s Chamber of Commerce decided to move the popular Friday Night Music Series out of the street and into the amphitheatre – against the wishes of downtown merchants who see revenue disappearing into the amphitheatre along with the music. As of press time it was not known how many Chamber members voted for the move.

The Santa Clara Valley Water District meets to vote on a proposal to raise South County water rates. Great Oaks attorney Tim Guster called the rate raising process “flawed” and plans to attend the Wednesday night meeting to say so.

Morning News Round-Up -- 4.7.09: Today's Round-Up...whether you like it or not...

San Jose has sports on the brain these days. Earthquakes/A’s owner Lew Wolff will get to take advantage of the cratering economy for the Earthquakes stadium land. San Jose Councilmember Sam Liccardo said, “...prices have come back to earth...” about the proposal to discount a smaller parcel of land for the proposed Earthquakes stadium. Council colleague Nora Campos was also supportive saying jobs would be created and an ongoing revenue stream created with the arrival of the Earthquakes.

San Jose Councilmember Sam Liccardo screwed up. In an email to constituents Liccardo said he wants to use “an abundance of caution” in moving forward. Apparently, Liccardo is the most newsworthy item in San Jose, the Merc can’t seem to get enough (re-writes) of this story. Watch Dog is about to point to something more newsworthy that the paper can focus on...here is a hint: It rhymes with Harry Seagram...

San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, with community leaders, expressed concern over the data coming out of the San Jose Police Department. Rev. Jeff Moore, head of the NAACP said, “Chief Davis encourages strict enforcement with no apologies.” After other law enforcement experts suggested the data shows racial profiling and an overly aggressive policy towards minor street crimes, former Police Officer and Councilmember Pete Constant denied there was any problem saying the public expects a “standard of conduct.” (Watch Dog is sure that Police Officers wish Constant would have stood up for them when their contract was on the table...better late than never...) Drunk Task Force Member Pete Carrillo becomes the first (as far as Watch Dog can tell) to call for Davis' head...

San Jose Revealed asks if the Police Chief runs an (allegedly) overaggressive Police Department because of his religious beliefs. We'll let Revealed take the heat for even asking the question, and keep our snout shut.

The Merc’s Editorial Board says charter schools are coming “whether you like it or not.” (Newsom much?) They say that the best way for school districts to deal with it is accept the competition and step up their own efforts to educate children.

Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone sees a decline in property tax rolls – for only the second time since the Great Depression. The County, already struggling to make ends meet, will see lower revenues as a result by nearly $30 million. Supervisor Don Gage pulled out his crystal ball and said next year will be even worse. San Jose Insider/Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio calls on residents to pray “for the stock market to rise not just for your own 401k but for your City services.”

San Jose’s “villages” could see high-rises popping up in coming years. Planning Director Joe Horwedel said projects like the Ohlone planned for Midtown would ease San Jose’s anticipated growth spurt. Resident Dan Chapman worried that the tall buildings could create a mini-downtown.

The Morgan Hill Unified School District is seeing a growing rift between unions and administrators. The District proposed a one-day furlough, saying it could save over a quarter of a million dollars and could ask for another two furlough days. SEIU President Pam Torrisi wants reassurance that the furloughs will save jobs and that administrators are going to suffer as much as the custodians. Trust much?

Tempers flared in the usually mellow Palo Alto City Council chambers yesterday. Vice Mayor Jack Morton accused the Fire Department of "giving the City the finger" because it was refusing to figure out where to cut its own budget. This caused people to go ballistic, including Councilmember Larry Klein, who wants to keep Palo Alto mellow. Klein called Morton's choice words, "unprofessional and intemperate"...the gloves are coming off as the economic reality sets in.

Gilroy Unified School District Trustees want their money back. The District suffered a foul up when Measure J taxes were left off property owners tax bills but the District voted to tax residents at a higher rate for the last two years of the measure. Trustees had hoped the County Supervisors would be the bad guys but the County dropped it back in their laps – absent a court order.

Los Gatos normally looks down its nose at the mainstream chain store, but this month they’ll be welcoming J. Crew downtown. But, when the President’s wife and daughters are wearing J Crew…it must be good enough for Los Gatos...

Mountain View’s City Council is trying to deal with a $6 million shortfall this year. City Manager Kevin Duggan said the challenges are “so significant” they need more time to figure out how to cut the budget. First up, cutting maintenance in public parks and fees to residents to use sports fields. Lower on the list cuts to Police and Fire, which make up half the general fund operating budget.

The public has spoken and now it’s up to High Speed Rail officials to sift through all the comments to figure out the word. Dominic Spaethling, High-Speed Rail Project Manager, looks forward to digging through the mountains of comments saying cities provided “a wealth of information for things we should be aware of.”

Cupertino officials have been responding to complaints by neighbors upset with construction at the Villa Serra apartments. Seems residents can’t park at home and driveways are in a mess. Councilmember Mark Santoro said to residents “for having the fortitude to live there, I applaud you. No matter how good a job they do, it’s going to be a bad environment.” Construction won’t be completed for two years, in the meantime, if you live there good luck.

Sunnyvale City Manager Gary Luebbers will be talking with Councilmembers tonight about making “appropriate changes in the City’s business model,” and believes the changes are needed to address the global financial meltdown.

Morning News Round-Up -- 3.9.09: Pink Slip Week...

This Morning News Round-Up delay is brought to you by Daylight Savings Time...
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Watch Dog has said it before: things just keep getting worse for San Jose’s Police Department. Turns out PD kept disagreements over fingerprint identifications to themselves. Michael Kresser, Director of the Sixth District Appellate Program was dismayed the law enforcement agency blithely broke the law. Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney David Angel got little support from his own office and encountered resistance from SJPD when he tried to correct the problem.

Mountain View Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga wonders what the City’s rainy day fund is for if not to address the immediate fiscal crisis. Finance Director Patty Kong confirms the City has $37 million set aside that could be used for a budget emergencies, but warns that without budget cuts Mountain View could face a $20 million shortfall in ten years. (On an unrelated note, Mayor Abe-Koga is a sought-after endorsement, apparently. A candidate for San Mateo City Council received her thumbs up recently as reported on Watch Dog San Mateo.)

Like everyone else, the City of San Jose is facing dire times and let go 28 from their Planning Department – except, they didn’t really. All but two landed other jobs within the City. Neighborhood activist/accountant/resident-grinch Ed Rast wonders how the faux layoffs saved the City money.

San Jose’s Redevelopment Agency’s Kip Harkness has been quietly negotiating to bring an urgent care facility downtown after the Hospital Corporation of American (HCA) closed the San Jose Medical Center. The grim economy seems to have a silver lining in that the land is now affordable enough for the Gardner Health Clinic to take over. It’s certainly not a done deal but, San Jose Councilmember Sam Liccardo believes they are close.

The Department of Alcohol and Drug Services (DADS) is struggling to resolve a $230 million shortfall. DADS Director Bob Garner doesn’t want to end services, saying the County either pays a little through DADS or a lot with more folks heading to jail, child welfare, and hospitals.

Throughout San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, the FBI raided homes early Sunday morning arresting 42 gangmembers calling themselves “The Taliban.” The Fed’s, working with local police, picked up enough weapons, drugs, and money to fuel a small country. Officials acknowledged that while these bad guys are going away it could make room for others to move in, they vow to remain vigilant.

East Side’s Superintendent Bob Nunez moved Tuesday’s meeting to the gym at Independence High in anticipation of a large (angry) crowd of parents and students. Maybe after they hear he won’t be shutting down swimming – at least for now – they’ll ease up. Board President Patricia Martinez-Roach thinks pool maintenance is unreasonable but is hoping a fundraising committee can raise $1 million with a 5k run/2k walk. Good luck with that.

Supervisor George Shirakawa, Jr.’s cozy lobbying of officials from the Raiders and Niners is pissing off County Assessor Larry Stone. The Assessor has been having his own meetings and stands by Santa Clara as the ideal location for. Shirakawa staffer Andrea Flores-Shelton dismisses the irritation saying Grand Poobah supports Stone’s plan but says the fairgrounds are “an ideal backup plan.”

The Merc’s Editorial Board takes time to remind San Jose Councilmembers that it’s more helpful to work together if they really want the A’s to move on down. After the Fremont meltdown, Mayor Chuck Reed and Councilmember Sam Liccardo expressed interest in meeting with A’s/Earthquakes owner Lew Wolff. Councilmember Nora Campos, excited about the possibility of being in the Major Leagues, shot off proposals for meetings, a poll, and having staff start negotiations with the League over territories. Wolff, no doubt flattered by the San Jose giddiness, reminded everyone that negotiating with the MLB Commissioner was his job, not their's...

Palo Alto businesses are the only ones in Santa Clara County that don’t pay a business tax, but that could end if the City Council (and voters) agree. Councilmember Larry Klein says he sees two sides of the argument – thus proving politicians can successfully be indecisive making no one happy. The economic crisis is driving City staff to make the proposal, City Manager Jim Keene points out the ballot measure wouldn’t show up until November. Apparently Mr. Keene believes the economic crisis will be long gone by then...

Four years of construction delays and a possible $15 million cost overrun but the County’s new Morgan Hill courthouse will open next month. Supervisor Don Gage looks forward to having the new facility online to handle everything from traffic to criminal cases.

The Gilroy math teacher, Alberto Gomez Vicuna, Jr., who raped a 14 year old girl was in court Friday. Vicuna met the girl, and 100 others, while posing as a 15 year old boy on an online social networking site, Tagged.com. If you have additional information on this case, you can call Detective Kendra Nunes or Detective Sgt. Randy Schriefer of the San Jose Police Department's Child Exploitation Detail at 408/277-4102.

Mountain View’s Alvaro Urbina is getting props from McDonald’s and the Merc’s Patty Fisher. Urbina is giddy after being named as one of McDonald’s top 1% of restaurant managers. Urbina arrived in East Palo Alto as a 13 year old who spoke no English and joined a gang. He took a job sweeping the floor at McDonald’s, and, as they say, the rest is history. Congratulations, Alvaro Urbina. Oh, Watch Dog note, McDonald’s is one of the few whose stock prices are rising. I guess Wall Street must read Patty Fisher...

Silicon Valley’s Raging Grannies made it to the big screen. Mountain View documentary filmmaker/director/producer Pam Walton followed the Grannies to create ‘Raging Grannies: The Action League.’

A quick review of what's on tap for our elected officials this week:

• Tonight San Jose’s Envision San Jose 2040 Task Force will discuss scenarios for future job and housing growth...
• On Tuesday, San Jose’s City Council will talk sidewalk cafés: make them permanent or let them disappear. Also on tap, raising the hotel occupancy tax...
• San Jose’s Elections Commission will weigh next steps in the pending complaint filed against the San José Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce's Political Action Committee over mailers in the 2006 mayor's race and discuss a request from former Mayor/lobbyist Tom McEnery, to reconsider procedures for the filing of anonymous complaints. I guess if you don't like the rules, try to change them...If you don't like the rules, try to change them...
• East Side Union High School Trustees will consider eliminating about 120 teaching and support-staff jobs, as well as a proposal to fund and continue after-school athletics...and
• The Mountain View-Los Altos High School Board will consider issuing preliminary layoff notices for 2009-10...and
• The Los Gatos Union School Board will consider reducing 7.4 full-time-equivalent positions...and
• The ever exciting Alum Rock School board will consider issuing preliminary layoff notices to administrators and support staff...and
• On Thursday the Campbell Union board will consider a contract with the union representing support staff...and
• Santa Clara Unified School District Trustees will consider approving a lease for Curtis Middle School, cutting adult ed staff, and a possible May parcel tax...and
• Speaking of pink slips and layoffs at schools, check this out...