If Michael's is the good economic news, here comes the bad...
"Mid-year budget adjustments" is government agency-speak for cutting some services and/or implementing some financial slight-of-hand. San Carlos will be considering these 'adjustments' tonight. They have a bit more wiggle room than other cities, apparently, thanks to a capital fund that is supposed to go to infrastructure. This year, it may go to operating expenses. Don't forget, San Carlos is also one of the cities with big sewer and garbage bills hanging over their heads...
and...
The Cabrillo Unified School District will hold a budget (cutting) session this week.
and...
Half Moon Bay's Ritz-Carlton makes it into the Chronicle's Matier & Ross column today -- and not in a good way. Folks have been canceling their trips to the HMB Ritz, which means the Ritz needs fewer employees and HMB is receiving less taxes. Farmer John even pulls a big-paper quote, referencing Willie Brown...
and...
San Mateo is looking at new revenue (taxes) and service cuts to close a budget gap.
Now, onto some things that aren't as depressing...
There are (hopefully) a few budget bright spots on the horizon, especially for local school districts and local roads...Ladys and Gentlemen, in introduce you to the Federal stimulus package...
If fees and taxes are going to be raised, one downtown Burlingame business owner would at least like to have the money spent on improving business by way of a Downtown Business Improvement District...
Cell phone towers and Belmont go to together like peanut butter and Salmonella...a recent decision by the Belmont City Council to site a cell tower in the Belmont hills has (surprise!) neighbors very concerned...
Peninsula folks who don't like the plans for high speed rail up and down the County (and Palo Alto) are getting together, hoping they can shout against the wind louder together than separately...
In a stunning show of newspaper journalism, the Almanac started a story about new folks joining the Peninsula Open Space Trust with this:
"Below is a Feb. 13 press release from the Peninsula Open Space Trust regarding Donna Dubinsky of Portola Valley and Mark Wan of Woodside."Thank you Almanac reporters and editors for at least admitting it...
Finally, a (rare) must read for all (political) Watch Dogs...
You must read Sue Lempert's column in the Daily Journal today. She breaks down the upcoming political battles for County Supervisor when Mark Church and Rich Gordon head on to (potentially) greener pastures. Here is the short version:
- Mark Church's Seat -- The Contenders (so far): Millbrae's Marc Hershman, Millbrae's Gina Papan, San Mateo Union's Dave Pine, Burlingame's Terry Nagel.
- Rich Gordon's Seat - The Contenders (so far): former Sheriff Don Horsley, coastside activist/organizer April Vargas
1 comment:
What's interesting about Sue's column is that the Supervisor seats are supposedly "nonpartisan." No doubt that Sue has a bias. I doubt she would have featured any Republican candidates that might be thinking of running for the Supervisor seats.
Also, re Ira Ruskin's assembly seat, would Sue have mentioned any Republican candidates that might be considering this seat?
I wish the media would be more productive in promoting competitive races rather than promoting candidates from only one party. But, I guess the media bias will always promote the Democrats. What a shame! Is there a Republican columnist equivalent to Sue? I wonder....
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