Morning News Round-Up -- 12.12.08: 11 folks/1 spot/2 years...

And the number grows larger...to 11 to be exact. That's how many folks want to replace Jerry Hill on the Board of Supervisors by way of two-year appointment. The list includes some current and former elected officials:

David Bauer/former Belmont councilmember, Karen Leong Clancy/Belmont-Redwood Shores School Boardmember, Maureen Freschet/executive director for constituent relations at Notre Dame de Namur University, David Dexter Frydenlund/retired coast guard, Carole Groom/San Mateo councilmember, Rod Hsiao/county office of education trustee, Daniel Duane Kaul/cabinet maker, Linda Koelling/Foster City councilmember, Richard Louis Silver/former county clerk, Michael Stogner/car salesman, and Marland Wesley Townsend/former Foster City councilman

On Monday, this esteemed group will all go before the current Supervisors and give a 15-minute presentation followed by 10 minutes of public comment. This will be excellent political theater. The County Democrats and Republicans want an election, but the powers that be want Carol Groom.

Daily Journal's Editor Jon Mays gets in on the action calling for a special election for the open seat. In true Daily Journal fashion, he notes that, "...the Daily Journal was first in calling for a special election..." They were. But the Groom-forces may be too much to overcome.

A local school district is getting extra money from the state. That's right -- from the state. $11 million to be exact -- heading to San Mateo Union High School District for career and technical training.

Caltrain is looking for ways to accommodate more bicyclists to avoid more "bumping" -- the practice of kicking cyclists off the train, even though they are doing the environmental thing as opposed to driving to the train station.

NIMYBism in Palo Alto? Say it ain't so. A "high-rise" -- also knowns as a 53-foot tall building -- passed Palo Alto's Planning and Transportation Commission, but faces neighborhood opponents. The project will bring 49 affordable housing units for families and 49 for seniors. "Those damn families and seniors ruining our downtown..." opponents of the project didn't say.

In a story Watch Dog guarantees will come back with a vengeance at some point -- the City of Palo Alto warned residents that they may see a slight change in water quality for a few months because of maintenance issues. What?! I guess a small mention in the Palo Alto Weekly ought to make people feel at ease when murky water comes out of the tap in Palo Alto. Brace yourself Palo Alto City Council -- this will be an issue, even though the work is being done by the San Francisco Public Utlities Commission. In case you are wondering, the water may seem milky or have a slightly different taste...

Drama on the coast. The Pescadero Municipal Advisory Council called for an audit of the La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District to "renew confidence in the board and the school district." Thems fightin' words...

Garbage and San Mateo County...they go together like peanut butter and jelly. Well, the good folks in Pacifica want in the garbage new-contract action. They are putting their contract out for bid, much to the chagrin of Coastside Scavenger -- who (not surprisingly) wanted a 9 year extension without the contract going out for bid. Pacifica Councilmember Cal Hinton wanted to extend the contract and in the process gave a great quote: "...Aside from a few soreheads, people in Pacifica are satisfied with the service..." Well, Watch Dog is no sorehead!