San Jose employee unions can't be happy about a new audit the City Council will be hearing about this week. The audit says that the City could save $20 million/ year just be bringing employee health benefits in line with the private sector AND in line with other government agencies. Expect a backlash from labor-backed City Councilmembers. (Too bad there isn't a local blog reacting to the audit...) Local public employee unions should be glad they don't operate in San Mateo County. Up there, there is a County-wide task force looking at public employee benefits and pensions... The Merc. Editorial Board also thinks health benefits and pensions should be a priority.
The Merc's Scott Herhold must read Watch Dog. His piece in Sunday's paper was titled: DA Dolores Carr deserves a re-election opponent. Amen Brother. We even listed some potential (re-election) suspects (through links) last week.
Changes as the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International (?) Airport are being seen as a good thing by passengers. Unfortunately, as the airport gets better, the flights get fewer...
The East Side Union High School District has a new Acting Superintendent. Raising the obvious question, wasn't the last one just an "acting" Superintendent. (That's a pun people...)
Did you know that the next Secretary of State (?) is getting re-married? That's right. You just probably don't know who the next Secretary of State was going to be. But it's State Senator Elaine Alquist... and she is about to be off the market again.
Gilroy Mayor Al Pinheiro is under fire... and it isn't (all) about the Recall. This time he is getting dinged for cuts to public safety. Actually, this is all about the Recall -- and the saga is growing. Mayor Gage?
The Merc's Internal Affairs can't get enough of the blogwars in San Jose, probably because San Jose Inside is getting new (?) information out every Friday afternoon. This time, they SHOW ME THE MONEY... sort of.
Speaking of Phil Bump...
According to Mission City Lantern, the former Campaign Manager for Cindy Chavez for Mayor (Justin Schall) and former Political Director for the South Bay Labor Council (Phil Bump) are working on the campaign for Eric Goia for New York City Public Advocate. The Dream Team reunites... Somewhere on the 18th floor, Mr. Jansen is smiling.
While we are on the topic... San Jose Revealed seems to be down today. But Phil Bump did have time to see 500 Days of Summer this weekend and wrote a review. Whether Phil Bump is Revealed or not, he is a good writer. In short, 500 Days of Summer sucked, according to Phil Bump.
Showing posts with label recall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recall. Show all posts
Monday, August 3, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 2.24.09: Will the real Andre Charles please stand up...
Recall Update: the Santa Clara County Registrar’s office has received more than 7,100 absentee ballots. Councilmember Madison Nguyen’s Campaign Manager, Melanie Jimenez, is confident these are mostly Nguyen supporters saying, "This is really indicative of what we've been seeing from the beginning. The residents of District 7 do care about this election. Madison has represented all of the district." Nguyen’s opponents are equally confident with spokesman Andre Charles (this Andre Charles or this Andre Charles?) indicating their goal is to bring a non-traditional audience to the polls. Either way, it’s all over Tuesday, March 3 at 8 p.m. Word on the street is that both poll-watching parties will be in Little Saigon...
Speaking of Andre Charles...Presuming it is the latter and not the former Andre Charles -- does that mean the same people are working for and against the recall?
Santa Clara County Water District Director Sig Sanchez has made a career of service with nearly 29 years on the Board. The newest Director was appointed after Director Greg Zlotnick was hired by the District – without any public discussion. Today the Board (finally) considers term limits. Assemblymember Joe Coto is loudly insisting that before he pushes a bill that would allow all to stay on the Board, reforms are required, including: a revolving door policy on employment, travel approved in public, and some transparency – but no term limits. A report released by District Counsel Debra Cauble likely provided some relief – term limits require voter approval, which requires the (unmotivated) Board to place a measure on a ballot. In this disastrous economy it should be easy for the Board to cry fiscal responsibility and avoid an election, preventing a public decision. Largely out of view public agencies are the ones you really must watch (dog) out for...
The Gilroy Dispatch’s Ben Anderson pops off on the (dys)function of the Water District’s Board of Directors – complaining that the three and a half hours he spent at a meeting last week was worse than a root canal, worse even than a fundraiser for under water basket weavers. Anderson’s very funny piece skewers Director Sanchez and those who shower praise upon the Board.
The Santa Clara County Recycling and Waste Reduction Commission will discuss a 25 cent fee on plastic bags Wednesday. Commissioner (Gilroy Councilmember) Cat Tucker says that while she understands the need to reduce waste, the economic disaster will keep her from voting for the fee. The American Chemistry Council must be very proud, lobbyist Manny Diaz is convincing Commissioners not to follow the lead of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Australia, Ireland, Italy, South Africa, Taiwan, and even China banning plastic bags. Most markets in Europe have charged shoppers wanting a bag for decades. (Watch Dog will get back to Manny Diaz anti-environmental crusades sometime this week...)
The Merc’s Editorial Board wants to hear from the two Silicon Valley Republicans hoping to take up residence in the Governor’s tent: How would you have balanced the budget? Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner gave a rehash of Schwarzenegger’s 2003 no-tax pledge at the GOP convention over the weekend. Schwarzenegger has said about anyone thinking the budget can be balanced without raising taxes, "… has not really looked at it carefully to understand this budget or has a math problem and has to get back, as I said, and take Math 101."
Tonight we party for tomorrow we pay penance…Translation: It’s Mardi Gras! Let loose your inhibitions – just not in downtown San Jose. San Jose Police are gearing up for mayhem while hoping that the trend over the past two years for well-behaved reveler’s continues. San Jose Downtown Association Communications Director Rick Jensen said, "I think this negative perception is becoming an unfortunate self-fulfilling prophecy. To us, Mardi Gras is just like every other night of the year, a great place to be in downtown San Jose." Mr. Jensen, meet Chief Davis. Chief Davis, meet Rick Jensen...
Morgan Hill’s City Council is hoping a do-over works out better for them. (With Councilmember Larry Carr conferenced-in and Marby Lee absent) The Council decided Friday at a special meeting to place a re-worded (and previously defeated) Measure H on the ballot in May. Councilmember Greg Sellers said, "It would truly be a huge setback downtown if this measure failed." Sellers left off the last word in that sentence...again...
San Jose Union School District’s Dartmouth Middle School is being honored as one of three California in the “Schools to Watch” program by the (awkwardly named) National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. District Superintendent Jacqueline Horejs says students, "…spend the first months afraid of being pushed into a garbage can at lunch. But the moment students enter Dartmouth, they belong and they are cared for." Horejs credits Dartmouth Principal, Carole Carlson, for creating an atmosphere of curiosity and support. (Watch Dog's middle school years were more garbage can and less belonging...)
The Gilroy School Unified School District is calling: You owe us $6 million. The District wants to mail property owners a corrected tax bill because they just discovered the Measure J tax was left off the last two tax bills -- big oops. County Supervisor Don Gage disagrees and hopes the District will let the County loan them money and then next year taxpayers would receive a tax bill (temporarily) doubling the Measure J tax. Because nothing says I love you like a double-sized tax bill...Still unknown is whether it’s even legal to send an amended tax bill. Trustees Denise Apuzzo and Francisco Dominguez said they were looking forward to hearing details at this week's meeting.
Today, the Mountain View City discusses high speed rail, environmental sustainability, and clean power. No word if Manny Diaz will be advocating burning plastic bags for energy.
The trial of accused San Jose cop-killer DeShawn Campbell got underway Monday, nearly 8 years after his arrest for the death of Officer Jeffery Fontana. On day one, defense attorney Edward Sousa made the dramatic announcement that Campbell’s friend, Rodney McNary, had shot Fontana. Prosecutor Lane Liroff countered with statements from friends of Campbell who said he’d confessed the shooting.
Mountain View’s thriving Castro Street was the scene of a racially motivated attack early Saturday morning. 4 suspects have been arrested for attacking Hindi-speaking visitors. The victims were approached by two women who mocked them and said they did not belong in America, the attackers followed up by punching one of the women. The attackers are suspected of being involved in hate crime shooting that took place earlier. A roving band of bigots...how nice.
Speaking of Andre Charles...Presuming it is the latter and not the former Andre Charles -- does that mean the same people are working for and against the recall?
Santa Clara County Water District Director Sig Sanchez has made a career of service with nearly 29 years on the Board. The newest Director was appointed after Director Greg Zlotnick was hired by the District – without any public discussion. Today the Board (finally) considers term limits. Assemblymember Joe Coto is loudly insisting that before he pushes a bill that would allow all to stay on the Board, reforms are required, including: a revolving door policy on employment, travel approved in public, and some transparency – but no term limits. A report released by District Counsel Debra Cauble likely provided some relief – term limits require voter approval, which requires the (unmotivated) Board to place a measure on a ballot. In this disastrous economy it should be easy for the Board to cry fiscal responsibility and avoid an election, preventing a public decision. Largely out of view public agencies are the ones you really must watch (dog) out for...
The Gilroy Dispatch’s Ben Anderson pops off on the (dys)function of the Water District’s Board of Directors – complaining that the three and a half hours he spent at a meeting last week was worse than a root canal, worse even than a fundraiser for under water basket weavers. Anderson’s very funny piece skewers Director Sanchez and those who shower praise upon the Board.
The Santa Clara County Recycling and Waste Reduction Commission will discuss a 25 cent fee on plastic bags Wednesday. Commissioner (Gilroy Councilmember) Cat Tucker says that while she understands the need to reduce waste, the economic disaster will keep her from voting for the fee. The American Chemistry Council must be very proud, lobbyist Manny Diaz is convincing Commissioners not to follow the lead of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Australia, Ireland, Italy, South Africa, Taiwan, and even China banning plastic bags. Most markets in Europe have charged shoppers wanting a bag for decades. (Watch Dog will get back to Manny Diaz anti-environmental crusades sometime this week...)
The Merc’s Editorial Board wants to hear from the two Silicon Valley Republicans hoping to take up residence in the Governor’s tent: How would you have balanced the budget? Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner gave a rehash of Schwarzenegger’s 2003 no-tax pledge at the GOP convention over the weekend. Schwarzenegger has said about anyone thinking the budget can be balanced without raising taxes, "… has not really looked at it carefully to understand this budget or has a math problem and has to get back, as I said, and take Math 101."
Tonight we party for tomorrow we pay penance…Translation: It’s Mardi Gras! Let loose your inhibitions – just not in downtown San Jose. San Jose Police are gearing up for mayhem while hoping that the trend over the past two years for well-behaved reveler’s continues. San Jose Downtown Association Communications Director Rick Jensen said, "I think this negative perception is becoming an unfortunate self-fulfilling prophecy. To us, Mardi Gras is just like every other night of the year, a great place to be in downtown San Jose." Mr. Jensen, meet Chief Davis. Chief Davis, meet Rick Jensen...
Morgan Hill’s City Council is hoping a do-over works out better for them. (With Councilmember Larry Carr conferenced-in and Marby Lee absent) The Council decided Friday at a special meeting to place a re-worded (and previously defeated) Measure H on the ballot in May. Councilmember Greg Sellers said, "It would truly be a huge setback downtown if this measure failed." Sellers left off the last word in that sentence...again...
San Jose Union School District’s Dartmouth Middle School is being honored as one of three California in the “Schools to Watch” program by the (awkwardly named) National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. District Superintendent Jacqueline Horejs says students, "…spend the first months afraid of being pushed into a garbage can at lunch. But the moment students enter Dartmouth, they belong and they are cared for." Horejs credits Dartmouth Principal, Carole Carlson, for creating an atmosphere of curiosity and support. (Watch Dog's middle school years were more garbage can and less belonging...)
The Gilroy School Unified School District is calling: You owe us $6 million. The District wants to mail property owners a corrected tax bill because they just discovered the Measure J tax was left off the last two tax bills -- big oops. County Supervisor Don Gage disagrees and hopes the District will let the County loan them money and then next year taxpayers would receive a tax bill (temporarily) doubling the Measure J tax. Because nothing says I love you like a double-sized tax bill...Still unknown is whether it’s even legal to send an amended tax bill. Trustees Denise Apuzzo and Francisco Dominguez said they were looking forward to hearing details at this week's meeting.
Today, the Mountain View City discusses high speed rail, environmental sustainability, and clean power. No word if Manny Diaz will be advocating burning plastic bags for energy.
The trial of accused San Jose cop-killer DeShawn Campbell got underway Monday, nearly 8 years after his arrest for the death of Officer Jeffery Fontana. On day one, defense attorney Edward Sousa made the dramatic announcement that Campbell’s friend, Rodney McNary, had shot Fontana. Prosecutor Lane Liroff countered with statements from friends of Campbell who said he’d confessed the shooting.
Mountain View’s thriving Castro Street was the scene of a racially motivated attack early Saturday morning. 4 suspects have been arrested for attacking Hindi-speaking visitors. The victims were approached by two women who mocked them and said they did not belong in America, the attackers followed up by punching one of the women. The attackers are suspected of being involved in hate crime shooting that took place earlier. A roving band of bigots...how nice.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 2.20.09: The budget, something (else) for Kevin Skelly to talk about...
For local school Districts the State budget approval was a mixed blessing. A sigh of relief it was over, followed by cursing when the severity of budget cuts looming in front of them was understood. Karen Fuqua with San Jose Unified said they will begin notifying nearly 400 teachers and all administrators that they might not have a job next year. Even though the budget is getting cut in education, on the bright side of things, Palo Alto Unified's Superintendent has something else to talk about other than this bone-headed stuff he said...the Merc. Editorial Board sees a silver-lining, which is a bit ironic since their silver lining (open primaries) was put there by a guy they took to task yesterday...
San Jose Revealed had some fun with San Jose Inside/Metro’s Fly story about the Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins/Cindy Chavez sightings. In a series of blurbs Revealed fills us in that the Chamber is hiring a policy wonk and paints Councilmember Nora Campos as a Knight in shining armor.
Mission City Lantern wasn’t so pleased with San Jose/Santa Maria Senator Abel Maldonado calling Abel a dimwitted extortionist. Tell us how you really feel, James.
Embattled San Jose Councilmember Madison Nguyen has raised over $250,000 to fight the recall battle while her opponents have raised less than half that. The recall proponents report having roughly $10,000 more in the bank than Nguyen’s camp with less than 2 weeks left before election day. Nguyen’s supporters are in full force, even Mayor Chuck Reed was pounding the pavement over the weekend.
Morgan Hill’s Police Department must have been following Watch Dog’s coverage of skyrocketing drunk arrests in San Jose. Not wanting to be left out they released a report that their drunk arrests doubled in the past 2 years. Chief Bruce Cumming says having more police resources have helped increase tossing the tipsy in the hoosegow. "Our officers are more assertive about (public drunkenness) than perhaps they were three or four years ago," said Cumming. San Jose Police Chief did not say, "See, everyone hates drunk people..."
Gilroy taxpayers alerted the School District that they weren’t being taxed. (What?) Yep, taxes that have appeared on annual bills for 35 years went missing, causing the District to scramble to figure out how to pay a $5.3 million bond payment due later this year. "We don't know what happened. We're still working through that. All we know is that the tax didn't make it to the taxpayers, but the why and the how - we're not there yet," Deputy Superintendent of Business Services Enrique Palacios said. In the meantime, watch dog Tom Newton is pissed the district met behind closed doors when the problem became known.
The Morgan Hill Times is pleased to announce a move to a bilingual web presence. Si desea leer el periódico en español, haga clic aquí. Watch Dog is (not) next, unfortunately...
The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office has asked for another delay in the trial of Armando Suazo Ochoa, who last year decided to run over two men with whom he’d been fighting. The DA’s office is still waiting for the Coroner’s report, nearly 4 months since the second victim died. (Wise guy, Ben Field did not say, "Who needs a Coroner's report to go to trial?...")
Homeowners, if you get a letter from Los Angeles Company Property Tax Reassessment – don’t fall for it. So says Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone who calls the letters “outrageous.”
It is perhaps one of the saddest stories of the year. Vanessa Geronimo started fearing school when she was only in kindergarten, she was often crying from the brutal teasing of classmates. In third grade she was skipping 20% of her classes, by the time she got to 7th grade she went to school 2 or 3 days a year. The Alum Rock School District tried everything, to no avail. Vanessa’s parents Jayvee Geronimo and Carol Reynoso will serve jail time for contributing to her delinquency. Deputy District Attorney Lois Baer said, "It's tragic. But she's essentially a fifth-grade dropout, and the parents haven't followed through at all.''
San Jose Inside has a new guest columnist, Steve Borkenhagen, of the very yummy Eulipia, posts a plea of support for the proposed public market (a.k.a. McEnery-ville). Borkenhagen is apparently a fan of McEnery’s as well as the Pike Place Market (Seattle) and Chelsea Market (New York).
San Jose Revealed had some fun with San Jose Inside/Metro’s Fly story about the Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins/Cindy Chavez sightings. In a series of blurbs Revealed fills us in that the Chamber is hiring a policy wonk and paints Councilmember Nora Campos as a Knight in shining armor.
Mission City Lantern wasn’t so pleased with San Jose/Santa Maria Senator Abel Maldonado calling Abel a dimwitted extortionist. Tell us how you really feel, James.
Embattled San Jose Councilmember Madison Nguyen has raised over $250,000 to fight the recall battle while her opponents have raised less than half that. The recall proponents report having roughly $10,000 more in the bank than Nguyen’s camp with less than 2 weeks left before election day. Nguyen’s supporters are in full force, even Mayor Chuck Reed was pounding the pavement over the weekend.
Morgan Hill’s Police Department must have been following Watch Dog’s coverage of skyrocketing drunk arrests in San Jose. Not wanting to be left out they released a report that their drunk arrests doubled in the past 2 years. Chief Bruce Cumming says having more police resources have helped increase tossing the tipsy in the hoosegow. "Our officers are more assertive about (public drunkenness) than perhaps they were three or four years ago," said Cumming. San Jose Police Chief did not say, "See, everyone hates drunk people..."
Gilroy taxpayers alerted the School District that they weren’t being taxed. (What?) Yep, taxes that have appeared on annual bills for 35 years went missing, causing the District to scramble to figure out how to pay a $5.3 million bond payment due later this year. "We don't know what happened. We're still working through that. All we know is that the tax didn't make it to the taxpayers, but the why and the how - we're not there yet," Deputy Superintendent of Business Services Enrique Palacios said. In the meantime, watch dog Tom Newton is pissed the district met behind closed doors when the problem became known.
The Morgan Hill Times is pleased to announce a move to a bilingual web presence. Si desea leer el periódico en español, haga clic aquí. Watch Dog is (not) next, unfortunately...
The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office has asked for another delay in the trial of Armando Suazo Ochoa, who last year decided to run over two men with whom he’d been fighting. The DA’s office is still waiting for the Coroner’s report, nearly 4 months since the second victim died. (Wise guy, Ben Field did not say, "Who needs a Coroner's report to go to trial?...")
Homeowners, if you get a letter from Los Angeles Company Property Tax Reassessment – don’t fall for it. So says Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone who calls the letters “outrageous.”
It is perhaps one of the saddest stories of the year. Vanessa Geronimo started fearing school when she was only in kindergarten, she was often crying from the brutal teasing of classmates. In third grade she was skipping 20% of her classes, by the time she got to 7th grade she went to school 2 or 3 days a year. The Alum Rock School District tried everything, to no avail. Vanessa’s parents Jayvee Geronimo and Carol Reynoso will serve jail time for contributing to her delinquency. Deputy District Attorney Lois Baer said, "It's tragic. But she's essentially a fifth-grade dropout, and the parents haven't followed through at all.''
San Jose Inside has a new guest columnist, Steve Borkenhagen, of the very yummy Eulipia, posts a plea of support for the proposed public market (a.k.a. McEnery-ville). Borkenhagen is apparently a fan of McEnery’s as well as the Pike Place Market (Seattle) and Chelsea Market (New York).
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...)
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 2.5.09: Psst...Pete...grandstanding is hard when you don't show up...
Memo to Councilmember Pete Constant: When you want to get something on the City Council Agenda, you should actually show up to the meeting that puts things on the Agenda. In San Jose, the Agenda-setting committee is the Rules (and Open Government) Committee. Constant is one of four members of the Committee -- but he missed yesterday's meeting, meaning there wasn't a quorum to put his item on the Agenda to take tobacco money from non-profits and give it to crossing guards. Oops...
Watch Dog doubts, however, that Constant will miss an upcoming meeting where he will grandstand about pornography in libraries...perhaps he'll ask to take to take money from crossing guards in order to fund censorship...
San Jose’s beleaguered Employee Pension Board (some of the same folks that are accused of misstating travel requests, losing $1+ billion of pensioner money, squabbling over who will be on the Board, etc.) It only gets worse, two Board members quit abruptly yesterday. Firefighter Mark Skeen said he’s leaving because he faces, “…an arduous period of physical rehabilitation owing to two back surgeries forced upon me by job-incurred injuries." Sgt. Bret Muncy wouldn’t share his reasons for leaving. Expect more shake-ups from this Board...
The tale of Boots Del Biaggio moves from one sad chapter to another. Boots, businessman/philanthropist/fundraiser/hockey fan, pled guilty to one count of securities fraud. Sentencing is June 10, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer (brother of this guy) will order restitution and added, “there’s no question he’s going to jail.” Boots will be trading his palatial estate for a concrete cell for anywhere between 6 and 25 years.
In a surprising twist, a San Jose Grandpa and Grandma stole children from their daughter and raised them as their own. This week, Grandpa got caught, the kind-hearted (but kidnapping) old man is in jail awaiting extradition to Tennessee. San Jose friends are confused, Tom Merritt said “It makes you feel bad. Maybe he was right to take the kids.” Too bad the law doesn't seem to see things the way Mr. Merritt does...
For the next two years, electric car owners can get all the juice they need for free. Yep, just charge up at one of the trial installations in Downtown San Jose and your electric car will barely cost you a thing. Apparently the City (or the company installing the electric stations) are going to pick up the tab. Transportation Director James Helmer said the chargers fit the City’s Green Vision and support local companies. Of course, the really big deal on the electric car front doesn’t appear destined for San Jose.
San Jose Revealed posted an entertaining quick note Wednesday. The highlights:
Watch Dog doubts, however, that Constant will miss an upcoming meeting where he will grandstand about pornography in libraries...perhaps he'll ask to take to take money from crossing guards in order to fund censorship...
San Jose’s beleaguered Employee Pension Board (some of the same folks that are accused of misstating travel requests, losing $1+ billion of pensioner money, squabbling over who will be on the Board, etc.) It only gets worse, two Board members quit abruptly yesterday. Firefighter Mark Skeen said he’s leaving because he faces, “…an arduous period of physical rehabilitation owing to two back surgeries forced upon me by job-incurred injuries." Sgt. Bret Muncy wouldn’t share his reasons for leaving. Expect more shake-ups from this Board...
The tale of Boots Del Biaggio moves from one sad chapter to another. Boots, businessman/philanthropist/fundraiser/hockey fan, pled guilty to one count of securities fraud. Sentencing is June 10, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer (brother of this guy) will order restitution and added, “there’s no question he’s going to jail.” Boots will be trading his palatial estate for a concrete cell for anywhere between 6 and 25 years.
In a surprising twist, a San Jose Grandpa and Grandma stole children from their daughter and raised them as their own. This week, Grandpa got caught, the kind-hearted (but kidnapping) old man is in jail awaiting extradition to Tennessee. San Jose friends are confused, Tom Merritt said “It makes you feel bad. Maybe he was right to take the kids.” Too bad the law doesn't seem to see things the way Mr. Merritt does...
For the next two years, electric car owners can get all the juice they need for free. Yep, just charge up at one of the trial installations in Downtown San Jose and your electric car will barely cost you a thing. Apparently the City (or the company installing the electric stations) are going to pick up the tab. Transportation Director James Helmer said the chargers fit the City’s Green Vision and support local companies. Of course, the really big deal on the electric car front doesn’t appear destined for San Jose.
San Jose Revealed posted an entertaining quick note Wednesday. The highlights:
- According to Revealed, on Sunday, the Merc.'s Scott Herhold identified his friends who are “all old white men,” as the powerbrokers in the Valley. We are guessing Revealed knows Pat's and Zoe's gender and Bobby Lopez's ethnicity...
- Former Merc. reporter Josh Molina has resurfaced at the Hispanic Business magazine in Goleta...
- Revealed had a warm/fuzzy feeling about the maturity with which the Little Saigon issue was being handled (seriously?) right up to the Henry Le lawsuit.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 1.23.09: The NUMMI A's?
There is an update today on the Councilmember Madison Nguyen recall election. The story focused primarily on Nguyen and her efforts to stay in office -- raising lots of money, walking precincts, making phone calls, putting up signs, etc., etc., etc. One thing worries Watch Dog: she has underestimated the pro-Recall folks a number of times during this long nightmare. She underestimated how strongly people felt about Little Saigon initially. She didn't think the Little Saigon folks would get enough signatures on the ballot for a recall. In a recent Metro article, she admitted as much, saying, "I never thought it would get to this point..." In today's story, she may be making the same mistake saying, "I don't see anyone walking precincts for the other side...I don't see signs." Please, please, please Madison -- don't think that no signs and no precinct walkers on the other side mean you are going to skate through this. The Recall Madison folks have raised over $100,000. That is a huge sum of money and they are waiting to spend it...
Meanwhile, San Jose Revealed takes a shot at the folks who are building Vietnam Town and provide some context to those developers and Madison's recall...
The airport is building a cool new facility...but that's just about the only good news coming out the place. Airlines are cutting back...and apparently the airport wants to join in the fun by cutting staff. That means that when the new place opens up, there may be no planes and dirty bathrooms...
A serial bank robber struck in Saratoga on Inauguration Day. The robber is suspected of robbing 8 other banks in the Bay Area...he is described as a white guy, 5'9" to 6', 200 pounds, with gray hair -- which narrows down the search to just about every dude in Saratoga...
Oh no. Fremont's NUMMI manufacturing plant will stop giving tours in February. The actual manufacturing at NUMMI has already slowed down...but could the halting of public tours signal the beginning of the end for NUMMI? And if that is the case, are the A's licking their chops at that enormous piece of land?
State Senator Joe Simitian thinks the State budget crisis might be close to an end...according to his interview with the Palo Alto Weekly...don't bet on it...have you ever known the folks in Sacramento to do something on a timeline that is predictable?
We know that the Community Hospital of Los Gatos is closing in April as Tenet hastily leaves town. What we didn't know, until now, is when the new folks, El Camino Hospital of Mountain View, were going to re-open. It looks like it may be a while, perhaps until Fall, to get things up and running again.
Pete Campbell at San Jose Inside has a closer look at the Convention Center expansion idea. His best line about the expansion plans: "...the City of San Jose places itself in the tenuous position of placing a big, three-layered bet that the economy will recover, trade and convention shows will continue at healthy pace, and the bookings lost during 2009-2012 will return to San Jose..."
The Morgan Hill City Council will meet this weekend to discuss 2009 goals and review 2008 accomplishments. They will also meet in a joint session with the Gilroy City Council. If you think this sounds like garlic-infused fun, they head out Saturday morning to the El Toro Room at the Community and Cultural Center on Monterey Road. Please be sure to bring your own ideas and your own ephedrine, because Watch Dog will not share...
Meanwhile, San Jose Revealed takes a shot at the folks who are building Vietnam Town and provide some context to those developers and Madison's recall...
The airport is building a cool new facility...but that's just about the only good news coming out the place. Airlines are cutting back...and apparently the airport wants to join in the fun by cutting staff. That means that when the new place opens up, there may be no planes and dirty bathrooms...
A serial bank robber struck in Saratoga on Inauguration Day. The robber is suspected of robbing 8 other banks in the Bay Area...he is described as a white guy, 5'9" to 6', 200 pounds, with gray hair -- which narrows down the search to just about every dude in Saratoga...
Oh no. Fremont's NUMMI manufacturing plant will stop giving tours in February. The actual manufacturing at NUMMI has already slowed down...but could the halting of public tours signal the beginning of the end for NUMMI? And if that is the case, are the A's licking their chops at that enormous piece of land?
State Senator Joe Simitian thinks the State budget crisis might be close to an end...according to his interview with the Palo Alto Weekly...don't bet on it...have you ever known the folks in Sacramento to do something on a timeline that is predictable?
We know that the Community Hospital of Los Gatos is closing in April as Tenet hastily leaves town. What we didn't know, until now, is when the new folks, El Camino Hospital of Mountain View, were going to re-open. It looks like it may be a while, perhaps until Fall, to get things up and running again.
Pete Campbell at San Jose Inside has a closer look at the Convention Center expansion idea. His best line about the expansion plans: "...the City of San Jose places itself in the tenuous position of placing a big, three-layered bet that the economy will recover, trade and convention shows will continue at healthy pace, and the bookings lost during 2009-2012 will return to San Jose..."
The Morgan Hill City Council will meet this weekend to discuss 2009 goals and review 2008 accomplishments. They will also meet in a joint session with the Gilroy City Council. If you think this sounds like garlic-infused fun, they head out Saturday morning to the El Toro Room at the Community and Cultural Center on Monterey Road. Please be sure to bring your own ideas and your own ephedrine, because Watch Dog will not share...
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Morning News Round-Up – 12.04.08
Locate a ballpark near a rail station? The Merc. Editorial board thinks it might be a good idea while Lew Wolff, owner of both the A’s and the Earthquakes, is hoping to make it real. The recent passage of Measure B may be having positive economic benefits already, Wolff looks for a 2014 opening. "We're happy to sit down with them," said BART spokesman Linton Johnson, who noted team officials approached the transit agency about a week ago. "We'll see what they have to say."
Watch out - Watch Dogs (and potential employers) are sniffing around the Facebook, the Metro’s Fly this week highlights dissension in the ranks. In a move contrary to the time honored tradition of holding ones tongue, Councilmember Pete Constant’s Chief of Staff Jim Cogan declared his support for Measure B even while his boss blasted Measure B fan Carl Guardino at a fundraiser for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Could this explain Constants attitude problem on the dais?
The Metro also looks into Madison Nguyen's recall campaign and catches her admitting that she didn't foresee the ability of her foes to qualify a recall measure...oops...
Women’s sports also make the news – Brandi Chastain is confident the new soccer team FC Gold Pride will be knocking on her door. The Merc.’s Ann Killion, herself a trailblazer, hopes it’s true.
In a move that might signal support for “small schools,” the Alum Rock School Board voted 3-1 to allow Superintendent Norma Martinez to end her stormy relationship with nearly $300,000 in walk-away money. Trustee Tanya Fruedenberger missed the meeting and was “outraged” the Board was so generous. (Perhaps she could have shown up to vote and turned her outrage into action...) Then, in a confusing statement, Trustee Frank Chavez indicated he thought they saved money in the move while Trustee Gustavo Gonzalez voted against the generous package. Watch Dog notes that the hurried move took place before two new Trustees were seated.
San Jose City Council refers to it as the “Peralta Action Plan,” hoping to bring an open air version of the Pike Place Market to downtown San Jose. Others call it the Tom McEnery retirement package. Councilmembers Nora Campos and Forest Williams insisted this summer an economic analysis be part of the request for $5 million. Watch Dog thinks it sounds cool and hopes it’s more Pike Place than San Jose Pavilion. Any Watch Dog insiders who watch this at next weeks Council meeting are invited to dish.
In a sign of the times, the three towers on the Guadalupe River, affectionately known as Adobe, will see fewer folks as Adobe lets go 600 people. "The global economic crisis significantly impacted our revenue during the fourth quarter," said Chief Executive Shantanu Narayen.
Following the European tradition of B.Y.O., Los Gatos is hoping to make shoppers pay for bags if they’ve forgotten their own. County Recycling and Waste Reduction Commissioner Steve Glickman says plastic bags are the biggest concern.
Not keeping up with collecting money owed has cost the City of Gilroy and is now going to cost residents. Gilroy City Council decided this week to raise rates for drinking water and toilet flushes. Embarrassed Councilmember Perry Woodward said, "If you were doing a better job collecting what you're owed, you wouldn't need 5 percent more from residents," referring to the City’s forgetfulness in collecting more than $20 million from businesses that have not paid up
. The largest debtor is West Coast Linens, they recently ditched employees and Gilroy so it’s not likely any payments will come from that quarter.
Mountain View will allow the ubiquitous big city cool toy on park trails but not sidewalks. Earlier this year Segway commuter Richard Roeder complained to Mayor Tom Means that he wasn’t being allowed to get to work and wanted changes. The Council agreed but doesn’t want them roaming around town.
Watch out - Watch Dogs (and potential employers) are sniffing around the Facebook, the Metro’s Fly this week highlights dissension in the ranks. In a move contrary to the time honored tradition of holding ones tongue, Councilmember Pete Constant’s Chief of Staff Jim Cogan declared his support for Measure B even while his boss blasted Measure B fan Carl Guardino at a fundraiser for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Could this explain Constants attitude problem on the dais?
The Metro also looks into Madison Nguyen's recall campaign and catches her admitting that she didn't foresee the ability of her foes to qualify a recall measure...oops...
Women’s sports also make the news – Brandi Chastain is confident the new soccer team FC Gold Pride will be knocking on her door. The Merc.’s Ann Killion, herself a trailblazer, hopes it’s true.
In a move that might signal support for “small schools,” the Alum Rock School Board voted 3-1 to allow Superintendent Norma Martinez to end her stormy relationship with nearly $300,000 in walk-away money. Trustee Tanya Fruedenberger missed the meeting and was “outraged” the Board was so generous. (Perhaps she could have shown up to vote and turned her outrage into action...) Then, in a confusing statement, Trustee Frank Chavez indicated he thought they saved money in the move while Trustee Gustavo Gonzalez voted against the generous package. Watch Dog notes that the hurried move took place before two new Trustees were seated.
San Jose City Council refers to it as the “Peralta Action Plan,” hoping to bring an open air version of the Pike Place Market to downtown San Jose. Others call it the Tom McEnery retirement package. Councilmembers Nora Campos and Forest Williams insisted this summer an economic analysis be part of the request for $5 million. Watch Dog thinks it sounds cool and hopes it’s more Pike Place than San Jose Pavilion. Any Watch Dog insiders who watch this at next weeks Council meeting are invited to dish.
In a sign of the times, the three towers on the Guadalupe River, affectionately known as Adobe, will see fewer folks as Adobe lets go 600 people. "The global economic crisis significantly impacted our revenue during the fourth quarter," said Chief Executive Shantanu Narayen.
Following the European tradition of B.Y.O., Los Gatos is hoping to make shoppers pay for bags if they’ve forgotten their own. County Recycling and Waste Reduction Commissioner Steve Glickman says plastic bags are the biggest concern.
Not keeping up with collecting money owed has cost the City of Gilroy and is now going to cost residents. Gilroy City Council decided this week to raise rates for drinking water and toilet flushes. Embarrassed Councilmember Perry Woodward said, "If you were doing a better job collecting what you're owed, you wouldn't need 5 percent more from residents," referring to the City’s forgetfulness in collecting more than $20 million from businesses that have not paid up
. The largest debtor is West Coast Linens, they recently ditched employees and Gilroy so it’s not likely any payments will come from that quarter.Mountain View will allow the ubiquitous big city cool toy on park trails but not sidewalks. Earlier this year Segway commuter Richard Roeder complained to Mayor Tom Means that he wasn’t being allowed to get to work and wanted changes. The Council agreed but doesn’t want them roaming around town.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)