Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Morning News Round-Up -- 2.10.09: Watch Dog in the News...

Our sister blog, Watch Dog Silicon Valley is mentioned/criticized in the Mercury News by columnist Scott Herhold today. The way the Merc. is going however, more people may read this recap of Herhold's piece than the actual paper version...

And while we are in a self-praise mode, the COWs (Citizens Of Woodside) love Watch Dog too...

An Atherton resident threw her hat in the ring for Governor...in case you missed it yesterday, Watch Dog wrote about it here and here.

The Benjamin Franklin Hotel in San Mateo seems to (still) be in trouble. The developer, Lembi Group, had to give the building to their European lender UBS AG. It seems potential new buyers are looking at the hotel but renovations seem to be on hold for now...In October, the bad news started to leak out with a story about the construction crews who had packed up and headed out...

In other local landmark news, John Horgan at the County Times takes a look at the (sad and sagging) Park Theatre in Menlo Park.

And if you are a Mary Hanna fan (columnist for the County Times) you better read this because it is apparently her "final column" for the Times. Mary, you are welcome to post here whenever you want...shoot me an email...

A gas station attendant was sexually assaulted and robbed mid-morning on Sunday in San Bruno. Police are looking for the assailant...

It is South San Francisco's week to look at ways to close budget gaps. Their gap is approximately $1.47 million caused from a decline in sales tax and building permit revenues. Etc., etc., etc.

...and while we are on budgets and government agencies...

Three local school districts will be asking voters to approve parcel taxes in the all-mail ballot in May: Jefferson Elementary School District (Daly City), San Carlos Elementary School District, and Woodside Elementary School District.

And the biggest budget pain in the ass is the State, who will (apparently) send IOUs to Counties this week instead of $89 million. Tea Party time?

A new proposal for 11 homes (on 99 acres) in unincorporated Highlands (west of San Mateo) is going before the County Planning Commission tomorrow. The Highlands Community Association is skeptical. In a weird error/twist to the story in the online version of the Daily Journal, the following (un)helpful timeline is given:
"...The new report can be obtained from San Mateo County Planning Department and anyone can comment on the proposal through Feb. 3. The county Planning Commission will hold a public hearing regarding the project Jan. 14 and vote on the project in April. It is scheduled to go for a final vote in May..."
In other housing news, the long process to build 45 homes in Palo Alto as part of the larger 495-unit Toll Brothers project on the Mountain View/Palo Alto border went to the Palo Alto City Council last night. Fortunately, Watch Dog is not required to attend those meetings so we have no update yet...

Michelle "420" Durand goes "Off the Beat" in the Daily Journal to "kindly" defend Michael Phelps...

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