Morning News Round-Up -- 5.26.10: 4,500 homes, 10,000 cars...

4,500 new homes in Brisbane? That's part of Universal Paragon Corporation's plans for the Brisbane Baylands unveiled last night to the Brisbane City Council. That should be great for traffic on 101...

Speaking of great for traffic... Check out this Almanac (hysterical) headline: Stanford medical facilities expansion could bring 10,000 more vehicle trips per day to the area. If they are that worried about car traffic, shouldn't they support High-Speed Rail? We're just saying...

It takes a special kind of asshole to "ransack" a school... but it happened again at James Flood Magnet School in East Palo Alto for the second time in a year.

It looks like Burlingame School District may buy, renovate, and eventually reopen the long-closed (former Buddhist center) Hoover Elementary School on Summit drive.

While we're there: the Burlingame Voice has a little perspective on the red-light cameras in Burlingame...

This should surprise absolutely nobody... the City of Belmont needs to dip into reserves to balance the budget next year. So does Watch Dog...

Jon Mays at the Daily Journal hearts the idea of a San Mateo/Foster City Fire Department...

A bit of really good news today: a bigger, better Ron Robinson Senior Care Center at the San Mateo Medical Center will reopen today...

Today is Yoriko Kishimoto's turn for a Will Oremus profile... Unfortunately for her, the Mercury News endorsed Rich Gordon today...

We mentioned earlier this week that we can't resist pointing out imperfections with the online Merc... we are clearly wildly immature. We wouldn't argue agains that... (There is a story linked here too...)

Morning News Round-Up -- 10.28.09: The Bay Bridge is closed (seriously)...

Remember that Bay Bridge repair on Labor Day weekend. Y'know, that really important piece that they hadn't planned on fixing but saw a crack in when the Bay Bridge was closed and they fixed it. Well, it kind of broke last night. Don't worry though, Watch Dog can't see how having the Bay Bridge closed indefinitely could possibly screw things up throughout the Bay Area... (For all you very literal people out there, we are kidding. The Bay Area will be a traffic disaster for a while... stay in your pajamas, stay home, and log-in to work...)

In what has become one of the most written-about elections next week, Dave Boyce at the Almanac goes into even more detail about the Sequoia Union High School District Board race for two open seats. The Almanac Editorial pages support Chris Thomsen and Bob Ferrando... we'll see what happens Tuesday.

San Carlos's billboard/First Amendment issue took another turn yesterday. The guy who wants to promote Sarah Palin for President in 2012 (really?) will have to wait for at least 45 days while San Carlos's emergency moratorium on new billboards take effect.

Some SSF neighbors of a proposed pot club are none-too-pleased with the plan for a club down the street. Watch Dog just likes the fact that Heather Murtagh of the Daily Journal used the word "sparked" in the second sentence of her story today about a pot club...

The ever-efficient, always-helpful folks in Sacramento will be looking at the implications legalized marijuana would have on communities. Don't worry everyone, Assemblymember Tom Ammiano is leading the hearings...

A 13 year old boy brought a BB gun to school yesterday at Burlingame Intermediate. He must not have gotten the message that guns only belong at Skyline College...

The Daily Journal comes out in favor of Measure L in San Mateo. BUT, it isn't the strongest endorsement you'll ever read and it comes less than a week before election day, which means that a huge chunk of people have already voted. The Daily Journal also provides a run-down of all their campaign thoughts, at least in terms of local measures: F/Yes, H/Yes, I/Yes, J/Yes, K/Yes, L/Yes, M/Yes, (noticing a pattern?), O/Yes, U/Yes, V/Yes, W/Yes, X/Yes, Y/Yes... tough crowd at the Editorial Board at the Daily Journal...

Surprise, surprise. The Menlo Park City Council approval of a massive development, coupled with the stipulation that the development be "carbon neutral" wasn't as clear as it could have been.

Speaking of carbon neutral... Pacifica is banning Styrofoam. The earth thanks you Pacifica. And we thank Riptide for bringing us the news...

The COWs of Woodside are celebrating their 4th anniversary... by continuing their crusade... or is it a COWsade?

And finally:

Here's a good headline from the County Times: San Mateo County dentists trying to keep kids from Halloween candy. They only thing more laughable would be a headline that read: San Mateo County patients trying to keep dentists away from golf courses.

Morning News Round-Up -- 8.5.09: Heroin, Meth, and Booze, oh my!

Unless your name is Rip Van Winkle, you know that the trial of Dr. William Ayres ended in a hung jury. When the trial ended, it looked like a lock that the prosecution would get right back on the horse and re-try the case, but that isn't the case... yet. Of course, William Ayres Watch has a rumor they would like to share on the same topic.

Yesterday we talked "politics, politics, politics" --- well, today is no different. Burlingame will have a contested City Council race in November. 3 seats open, 3 incumbents running, 1 (or more) outsiders looking to unseat. Hold onto your hats...

The Daily Journal's Jon Mays takes up the horn-y Caltrain issue with his usual wit. (Also, Mays talks about his dreams, which are now officially open to interpretation...)

First lots and lots of heroin was seized in East Palo Alto, now lots and lots of Meth. 2.5 pounds, to be (close to) exact.

The preservationists versus Steve Jobs (and his desire to knock down the 'historic' Jackling House in Woodside) is taking another turn. Initially, the preservationists were fighting Steve Jobs. Then a deal was cut between a preservationist, Steve Jobs, and Woodside. Now, other preservationists are fighting the preservationist who cut the deal along with Steve Jobs, and Woodside. As long as this story keeps producing "Only in Woodside"-type coverage, Watch Dog is pleased...

Finally, a note from the Redwood City Police Department:

Dear Drunk Drivers,

Don't drive westbound on Woodside Road on Friday night.

Love,

The Redwood City Police Department

Actually, that information was from a news story in the Almanac... but the RCPD might as well send a note to everybody at the bar on Friday night with the same message. Aren't these types of things supposed to be a surprise?

Morning News Round-Up -- 7.14.09: Bastille Day Edition...

Bon jour...

If you've been meaning to be at the courthouse for part of the molestation trial of Dr. William Ayres, you better hurry. Final arguments are upon us... Follow the proceedings (with a point of view) at William Ayres Watch(dog).

The San Bruno City Council is in the budget cutting hot-seat tonight as they (likely will) approve furlough days for their employees for the upcoming fiscal year.

To avoid (really) severe cuts, Millbrae property owners are voting on a renewal of their fire assessment. Ballots are due today -- so get on it!

Have we seen this headline before? (Courtesy of the Daily Journal): Four teens walk away from unfenced Camp Glenwood

Mountain lions. Bees. Really.

Remember when there was going to be a biodeisel plant in Pacifica? So do we... fond memories.

The Woodside drama involving Steve Jobs, the Woodside City Council, historic preservationists, and the Jackling House could be coming to an end. An agreement has been reached to allow for the dismantling of the "historic" house.

Politics + Palo Alto = Great Fun. Mayor Peter Drekmeier will NOT seek reelection, opening up the field for a free-for-all for Palo Alto's City Council in November. Stay tuned...

Speaking of mid-Peninsula politics, sort of... Meg Whitman "loaned" her campaign $15 million.

More importantly (?), David Lim received the endorsements of San Mateo City Councilmember Jan Epstein and Supervisor Mark Church.

Showing that they too can keep up with the 24-hour news cycle, the Almanac finally posts a story about the Civil Grand Jury's report on the Garbage Saga.

Morning News Round-Up -- 5.14.09: Sweaty Co-Worker Day...

It's Bike to Work Day... expect CalTrain to be busier than usual, and expect more bikes on the road... duh...

If you are so inclined, you can bike to a 'public scoping' meeting tonight at Pedro Point Firehouse in Pacifica about Sharp Park... get there early, this is bound to be a doozy... but folks, try to keep it civil.

Here's a story we've been waiting for an update on... Remember the cockfighting incident (Little Jerry Seinfeld...) in Pescadero in March? Well, the ring-leader pleaded no contest on Wednesday to charges that he hosted a cockfight. Do you have any idea what the penalty is for this? It is a safe bet that it is less than Michael Vick's for dog fighting... (120 days and 5 years probation...)

Steve Jobs got his wish. He'll be able to knock down and rebuild the "historic" (?) Jackling House in Woodside and build a 6,000 square foot home, which seems kind of small for Woodside...

Here are today's economy-in-shambles-equals-government-agency-budget-woes stories...

• The State has eyes on local government money, but SSF, Millbrae, and San Carlos are fighting back. Apparently if a city declares "severe financial hardship" the State can't grab (all) their money. If this is true, let the flood of "severe financial hardship" resolutions begin...
• Declaring "severe financial hardship" may help San Carlos sell a sales or utility tax to voters this fall... unless, of course, voters think San Carlos is wasting money...
• Also in San Carlos, the Daily Journal's "Reporters' Notebook" notes that the Daily Journal'sEditor Jon Mays is being looked to as a policy expert. During a budget discussion, a quote from Jon Mays' Editorial about salary and other compensation for public employees being the real problem with municipal budgets, was the center of conversation. The San Carlos City Council needed Jon Mays to point that out?
• The Almanac goes into the local repercussions when/if the Propositions fail on next Tuesday's ballot... hint: not good...

The 6'5", 270 pound, (apparently) mentally ill, Redwood City man who put up a fight with police officers who showed up because his mother called them, will face a bunch of charges related to the incident...

In the ongoing (and ongoing and ongoing) battle between East Palo Alto and Page Mill Properties, a tenants rights group Fair Rent Coalition, says that Page Mill Properties evicted 99 folks in 2008 and 71 in 2007... a rate 7.5 times greater than the rest of the County. We don't want to point out the obvious, but their is a major economic disparity between East Palo Alto and the rest of the County. Perhaps the difference in income might relate to this difference in eviction rates? To be continued, no doubt...

Morning News Round-Up -- 5.6.09: Supervisor Gordon goes to Washington...

County leaders took their "we got royally screwed by Lehman Brothers" message to Capitol Hill yesterday. Supervisor Rich Gordon testified in front of the House Financial Services Committee, so did the Chancellor of the San Mateo County Community College District (and other County reps from California and elsewhere). Their message: we got screwed by Lehman worse than almost anyone else, and deserve some bailout/TARP money. The Dynamic Duo (Congresswomen Speier and Eshoo) -- will continue to push the case with their House colleagues...

In other bailout news...

This story was in the Half Moon Bay Review last week (and subsequently on Watch Dog), but it is now (finally) making it to the San Mateo County Times... Half Moon Bay's own bailout from the State shifted a bit last week...

While County folks were in DC, checks from the Federal government are headed to local school districts. In San Mateo, that means $1.6 million to help educate low-income students and $9 million for Special Education. Good news, we are sure, for schools.

Other (mostly) good school news yesterday...

3 school districts in the County had parcel tax elections yesterday. Each needed a 2/3 vote -- the only one to fail was Jefferson Elementary in Daly City. Woodside and San Carlos passed. 2 out of 3 ain't bad, unless you are Jefferson.

Woodside Elementary School District
Yes - 74.76%
No - 25.24%

San Carlos School District
Yes - 71.2%
No - 28.8%

Jefferson Elementary School District (Daly City)
Yes - 57.89%
No - 42.11%

Dude Alert... The County passed new medical pot regulations, just as Governor Schwarzenegger tokes up his own plans for legalization...

Riptide had a piece earlier in the week about the Coastside Farmers' Market opening today... but other Farmers' Markets are opening this week as well. Kaiser - SSF, 25th Avenue - San Mateo, Kaiser - Redwood City, College of San Mateo, Hot Harvest Nights - San Carlos, SSF BART, Belmont Train Station.

Jon Mays is on his game today in the Daily Journal. His Editorial gives a good overview of the dire financial situation local government agencies are facing -- and he also gives the political background.

San Mateo City Council candidate David Lim pulled in a big endorsement yesterday. San Mateo City Councilmember John Lee is getting behind Lim's bid for Council in November. Watch Dog knows this because David Lim has a website where he posts this "web log" thingy... perhaps other candidates for office want to get into the game as opposed to keeping their websites stagnant for months?

Finally, in really big news... The Almanac's phone numbers are changing, so if you frequently call the Almanac to harass Andrea Gemmet (you know who you are), you'll have to use a new number...

Morning News Round-Up -- 2.23.09: One Positive Economic Story (seriously)...

We'll start this damp day with a bright 'bucking the trend' story. A new Michael's is opening up in Colma's Serra Shopping Center. A new store opening up in this economy deserves everyone's praise. So, when they open on March 8th, please stop by and pick up your scrap-booking supplies and silk flowers...

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
  

What is interesting about Lempert's piece is that she talks about how deep the San Mateo County political bench is and how competitive these races may be...perhaps if she threw her weight behind a special election to replace Jerry Hill we would have had a competitive race for that seat too...