Morning News Round-Up -- 8.14.09: Our Gambling Parlor Gem...

The battle over two proposed Off-Track Betting facilities in San Francisco is causing tempers to flare... again. The California Horse Racing Board will make a decision later this morning about the word "radius" -- San Mateo County's claim is that the proposed SF locations breach the radius of San Mateo County's facility. The best part of this story is that Unelected Supervisor Carole Groom calls the OTB parlor in San Mateo "a gem"...

San Mateo County Supervisors had good intentions when they, last year, created a citizens review panel, a group that would investigate misconduct of an elected official. The Supervisors established this ethics group after a San Mateo County Sheriff who was caught two years ago in a Las Vegas brothel during a police raid. (Oops...) The Daily News reports that many of the people identified as potential panel members had no idea they were placed on a list until a reporter called them. That’s because the County has yet to use the panel to investigate any elected officials, including the County Sheriff.

A San Mateo detective shot a man during a drug raid yesterday. And another robbery in San Mateo. Police believe the same person is responsible for all six robberies that have occurred since Aug. 6.

A 27-year-old Redwood City man stabbed his younger brother four times because he was using the computer without permission. He’s been charged with attempted first-degree murder. Motive = Guitar Hero...

Expect the roads to be packed with an extra 340,000 commuters starting Monday. That’s the number of people who are getting screwed by BART starting Monday morning when BART workers plan to start striking. The union announced this Thursday after the BART Board voted to shove a contract down the union’s throat.

But SamTrans will come to the rescue.

SamTrans will route its buses out of BART stations and run a commute-hour shuttle to a temporary transit center where passengers can connect with SF's Muni.

Even with more entertainment and a fireworks show, the 75th annual San Mateo County Fair is expected to be a bit quieter this year. We guess the "stay-cation" craze is dying down...

Fourteen people declared the their candidacy for Palo Alto City Council, where there are five open seats for the November race. Watch Dog can't wait!

Richard Merk, who will conclude his 13th year on the Portola Valley Town Council in December, calls it quits. Known for his politically incorrect questions and attention to detail, Merk says he has no plans to run for re-election because he’s “tired.” (No doubt some folks in Portola Valley feel the same way about Merk... tired.)

Would-be Half Moon Bay City Council candidate Kerri Lake was two sandwiches short of the picnic. The San Mateo County Elections Office disqualified her from the election because her petition has 18 verified signatures of Half Moon Bay residents. She needs 20 to qualify. In an related note, Coastside schools could use more math teachers...

If Congresswoman Jackie Speier learned anything from her Town Hall event Tuesday it’s that she needs a bigger venue. That’s why she is moving her August 23 Coastside event to a larger venue: Farallone View Elementary School in Montara. The time remains the same: Sunday, August 23 at 11:00 a.m.

Morning News Round-Up -- 6.25.09: The Civil Grand Jury Strikes Again...

NOTE: Yesterday's Round-Up got caught in the outbox... check it out for yesterday's Round-Up. Apologies...
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The San Mateo Civil Grand Jury gets off another shot at a local agency. This time, their object of affection was one that Watch Dog covered long ago... with the same contempt. The appointment of Unelected Supervisor Carole Groom. The report goes into extensive detail and comes out with the same point of view that Watch Dog had way back when in December. Could it be that Watch Dog is influencing the Civil Grand Jury?

(One question remains... where is the Garbage Saga Civil Grand Jury Report?)

The Civil Grand Jury Report notwithstanding, the Supervisors approved their (two-year) $1.76 billion budget yesterday. Watch Dog spies tell us that the Civil Grand Jury Anti-Appointment Report gossip was swirling in the room...

The County's budget is certainly taking big hits, so is Belmont's. That's why they are seriously considering taxing hotel visitors to Belmont more. When all else fails, tax those that don't vote for you...

As if public employee pension funds (especially in the City of San Jose) don't have enough problems, a Pension Trustee in San Jose was arrested in San Mateo following a domestic violence call... Patrick G. Skillsky then proceeded to attack the police that were called to the scene. Perhaps he was just really, really upset about all the market losses he didn't see coming... Ironically, the City of San Jose is considering having professionals oversee the Pension Funds rather than appointed, untrained folks. No time like the present...

In other local crime news...

Dr. Ayres' molestation trial continues... William Ayres Watch has the play-by-play... and laments the lack of coverage the trial is receiving. (Not from us...)

The fancy shmancy Olympic (golf) Club in Daly City was found liable for ($10 million) flood damage to the surrounding neighborhood. The Club Chief Groundskeeper did not say, "Heck, we thought the 18 holes were enough drainage to take care of all the rain..."

Menlo Park spends more time studying problems with consultants than fixing problems with solutions... or at least that's how some vocal folks feel...

Even political discontent can't stop Atherton from dipping into reserves to fix their budget gap... Watch Dog is a bit surprised the budget discussion was even put on the agenda, given the recent disagreements in Atherton...

Michelle Durand's Off the Beat in today's Daily Journal goes into the "Way Back Machine" to the beginning of the Burlingame Safeway discussion... May 1, 2003.

Morning News Round-Up -- 6.9.09: Colma - A great place to be alive (and gamble)

Lucky Chances is looking to add more tables so more folks can get their lucky chances... Colma: A great place to be alive (and gamble)...

"Watch Dog will see your Mervyn's and raise you one Kohl's..." in Redwood City.

Hotel tax + Millbrae = Probable

Drop in revenue + San Bruno = Cuts (Perhaps more table at Artichoke Joe's will help...)

Bruce at PP Examiner is going to be mad. The San Mateo County Times is getting in on his story about the Pacifica City Councilmembers who are up for the California Coastal Commission.

This must be reassuring to parents, two San Carlos schools, Central Middle and Arundel Elementary, need to be seismically retrofit. Enjoy the last few days of the school year. (And ignore this story.)

And this school story...again... The enrollment at San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School District is swelling. (Today's story is in the Daily Journal, but the San Mateo County Times had the same story yesterday...)

The stabbing in San Mateo on May 31st has led to the arrest of Donald Peau Fukofuka, a former Aragon High School football player. The 18-year-old apparently targeted the victim in his home.

City Unions in Palo Alto are fighting back, and packing the City Council Chambers. Last night was public Round 1, Watch Dog expects this to be a long fight...

That fight in Palo Alto shouldn't be confused with this one. Two teenagers wielding pipes fought police. Police eventually won.

Wrapping things up on a political tip... David Lim's quest for the San Mateo City Council took an (ironic but positive) twist recently. Lim was endorsed by Unelected Supervisor Carole Groom... why ironic? Read this story...

Morning News Round-Up -- 2.17.09: Where can you find (neti) pot? Michelle Durand knows...

In case you were on lucky enough to be on vacation yesterday and missed our Morning (Weekend) News Round-Up, check out yesterday's goings on here.

Everyone wants (economic) stimulus. East Palo Alto is getting in line to help fund pedestrian walkways, bike lanes, sidewalks, and intersection improvements.

There is growing demand and decreasing resources for services that help the homeless in the County according to a report delivered by the Human Services Agency Director Beverly Beasley Johnson to County Supervisors. (Perhaps the State can help? HA!)

Michelle Durand at the Daily Journal goes "Off the Beat" to find pot...neti pot...y'know, for her sinuses...

Some folks love the idea of high-speed rail. Heck, Californians passed a multi-billion dollar bond in November to help fund the thing. But folks in San Mateo County are split: some love the idea, some hate it (Menlo Park/Atherton)...everyone wants a say in what it looks like as it runs next to our neighborhoods. A group is now forming to provide input...

Millbrae has a new interim Police Chief (former San Bruno Chief Lee Violett) to replace the old interim Police Chief (Thomas Hitchcock)...

The County Women's Hall of Fame named the 2009 inductees. They are: Gerda Cohn for her work with the disabled, former Supervisor/Millbrae Council member Mary Griffin, Sequoia High School Principal Morgan Marchbanks, former President of Mid-Pen Housing Coalition Fran Wagstaff, Coastside Mental Health Clinic's MaryEm Wallace, and advocate and mentor Lucy Hupp Williams. Two young people were also given awards, Mercedes Ballesteros from San Mateo High and Sonya Chaudhry from Summit Prep. Congrats all around.

Sun Microsystems' Chairman loves hockey. Sun Microsystems' Chairman has a hockey rink in his backyard because he loves hockey. Sun Microsystems' Chairman has a dome over his hockey rink because he loves hockey during bad weather. Unfortunately for Sun Microsystems Chairman Scott McNealy, his neighbors love his domed hockey rink considerably less than he does...add to that the face that McNealy (and his rink) live on the Portola Valley/Palo Alto boarder -- which means his neighbors have some influence and aren't afraid to complain...

Chalk it up to the economy, or bad traffic, or a little bit of both, but SamTrans says more folks are riding public transportation along the Highway 1/Coastside corridor...

And speaking of SamTrans...The PP Examiner looks at the battle to replace Supervisor Groom on SamTrans who gave up her seat when she left the San Mateo City Council. The two candidates that are likely (according to PP Examiner) are Burlingame Councilmember Jerry Deal and Foster City Councilmember Linda Koelling...

In case you missed it, a (soggy) bike race blew through the County yesterday along the coast...Riptide has some cool (but wet) photos...

Morning News Round-Up -- 1.26.09: Recession Repercussions...

A lot of economy-related news today. If you hadn't noticed, the unemployment rate is up everywhere. California's unemployment rate is at 9.3%. Lucky for us, San Mateo isn't really feeling that pinch. Our unemployment rate is the second lowest in the State at 5.9%. But don't get cocky...the plummeting economy is taking its toll on local businesses and government agencies -- today's Round-Up is full of Recession Repercussion stories...

Recession Repercussion 1: Stanford is suspending $1.3 billion in construction projects because of major hits to their endowment.

Recession Repercussion 2: The field use saga continues in San Mateo Union High School District. The District wants to hike its fees to recover more of the direct costs of keeping the fields (and other facilities) up and running in these difficult economic times. But it turns out the District sometimes uses City facilities...and the City wants to jack up those rates on the District too. (Retaliation?) So now everyone is upset. Can Jerry Hill save the day?

Recession Repercussion 3: Would you pay to drive in carpool lane if you were driving alone? That's a proposal currently being considered by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Watch Dog assumes this is a money-raising technique, and therefore a Recession Repercussion...

Recession Repercussion 4: The third eyesore/skyscraper on San Bruno Mountain is being halted because of the economy...the North Tower is about to be completed, but the South Tower is on hold.

Recession Repercussion 5: Every city needs money...but Palo Alto may do something about their need. They are looking to businesses to cover the City's budget shortfalls. Specifically, they want to impose a tax businesses via a Business License Tax (BLT). While most cities have a BLT (on rye?) PA doesn't. The difference is that Palo Alto is thinking about a gross-receipts tax opposed to a simple, annual fee that many/most cities have. Why a gross-receipts tax? More money for Palo Alto, of course.

While many/most are worrying about the economy, Watch Dog is worried about local democracy...

Michelle Durand at the Daily Journal has a profile/interview with unelected Supervisor Carole Groom in today's edition. Later today, we'll post the most telling parts of this story and provide some analysis...

Democracy was already set to take yet another hit in San Mateo County today as a seat on the Millbrae Elementary School District Board was to be appointed to fill out the term of John Lynch, who passed away. But then another Board Member, Bob Miller, abruptly resigned last week effective immediately -- opening up another spot. Will two folks be appointed tonight? It would be too bad, because only 5 people are in the running for one, or perhaps two, appointments. Perhaps they could use the list of folks who wanted to be on the San Mateo City Council...

And some other stuff...

A school opening delayed in Redwood City because the State can't get its act together to give approvals in time...

The Almanac finally reads a press release from January 8th about the Civil Grand Jury report on the Los Trancas County Water District and writes are story about it...

Belmont Councilwoman Coralin Feierbach wants to permanently protect open space and parks in Belmont with a ballot measure. Why? For the answer, we bring you the Quote of the Day:

“Some [City] council in the future is going to look at the [property] and say ‘yummy’ and build in it..."

Brisbane officials are putting a slow down on a land-use project because they say it doesn't fully explore using alternative energy...could this be a trend in the making? Officials demanding on-site renewables? They project is slated to be LEED Certified, however...

While the online Pacifica Tribune updates rarely, Pacifica Riptide bring us helpful news...like their investigation into the word-of-mouth menu at In-and-Out...

Morning News Round-Up -- 1.23.09: Democracy Crumbles Further...

A giant Watch Dog apology for yesterday. I did the work, but forgot to hit "publish"...so yesterday's news is below...sorry.

On to today...

Something stinks in San Mateo. Seriously. The San Mateo City Council met last night to (undemocratically) appoint someone to the Council to replace unelected Supervisor Carole Groom who replaced Jerry Hill when he headed to Sacramento. One of the (many) qualified candidates in the running, Karen Herrel, vowed to not run for election in November. That's why Watch Dog thought that was a smart choice (so did Jon Mays at the Daily Journal). But the Council decided that Planning Commissioner Fred Hansson was the best choice to hand a seat to. He'll run as an incumbent in November. But here's what stinks the most: Hansson won the seat in the first round of voting -- meaning in one ballot, 3 Councilmembers voted for Hansson. Really? This is either a major violation of the Brown Act or the biggest coincidence in the history of politics. If I were one of the 13 folks who didn't get the nod, I'd be really pissed, and probably file something with the FPPC to see if they will investigate a Brown Act violation. This thing seems to have been over before it even began. A 3-1 vote for Hansson seems fixed. (For those of you who don't know what a Brown Act violation is -- it is when a City Council (like San Mateo's) actual decide amongst themselves how they are going to vote before the meeting...)

The fight between San Mateo Union High School District and everyone else continues to have repercussions. You'll remember that San Mateo Union decided to keep all its fields and facilities under its own control and start passing the true cost of operating the facilities on to the folks that use them -- like sports leagues, community groups, and non-profits. Everyone seems angry with the District, but not Watch Dog. Districts have to do what they have to do in these troubled times. Would you rather have more severe cutbacks in the classroom or a bump up in field usage fees?

Local schools stand to gain from the economic stimulus package expected to get through Congress and the President by mid-February. The biggest local beneficiary? South San Francisco Unified School District and San Mateo-Foster City School Districts -- who both stand to get $4 million each. Thank you Anna and Jackie...and the new guy in the White House.

While San Mateo Union is raising money through raising field-use fees and some districts may get some Federal cash for construction projects, the San Carlos Elementary School District may seek voter approval for a $78/year parcel tax to get some more money. This may go to an "all mail" ballot in May. Which is the same time Burlingame is likely to go to voters for lots or money for drainage systems...Watch Dog thinks schools will fair better than drains in an election...

And to help schools even further...

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?

Sue Lempert gives us her Inaugural play-by-play in her column in the Daily Journal. Watch Dog hopes she is outraged about the process in San Mateo as we are and writes about it...

In December, the death of a woman on the West Sharp Park golf course looked a lot like a murder. But now the Coroner says Laura Jessica Valentine may have been trying to cool herself down from drugs by taking a dunk in chilly pond. She probably suffered from hypothermia and drown. The waiting in on for when the Pacifica Tribune will actually post a story about this tragic event begins now...but, as usual, Riptide has it covered...

Remember the spate of animal-related crimes last year? There was the cat stomping, the dog stealing, and the dog beating. The dog beating guy pleaded not guilty yesterday.

Nothing gets people more angry than forced changes to their routine. Changes to traffic patterns and kid drop-off routines at schools are especially sensitive. So when Belmont eliminated a lane of traffic around Carlmont High, Tierra Linda Middle School, and Immaculate Heart of Mary schools, people went ballistic. Belmont is standing firm that they did the right thing -- but this may cause a full-scale riot...

This headline isn't news to folks in Atherton and Menlo Park: High-Speed Rail Worries Peninsula Residents...there are some sessions where you can let the California High Speed Rail Authority know what you think. Either way -- this thing looks like it is happening if all the money comes through...sorry Atherton and Menlo Park NIMBYs...

Morning News Round-Up -- 1.13.09: 20 days for Council/Convict Dickenson...

Belmont's own Council/Convict Bill Dickenson will serve 20 days in jail and then some probation and community service on a (well publicized) domestic violence conviction. If he is lucky, he might miss the Council meetings where Belmont will impose massive rate and fee increases for garbage and sewer that Watch Dog wrote about yesterday...Councilmember Dickenson, will you post on Watch Dog from jail? That would be so cool...it could be like your very own Letter from Birmingham Jail.

In order to save money, the San Mateo Union High School District will consider cutting 7th period when students study art and music. Because just what students need is fewer hours in school and a less balanced education. Welcome to California in 2009...

The Jerry Hill political trickling down is almost complete. Unelected Supervisor Carole Groom is in place and her San Mateo Council seat is opened -- but not for long. Five folks have officially declared their intention for the (undemocratic) appointment: Planning Commissioner Fred Hansson, Planning Commission Robert Gooyer, Community Relations Commissioner David Lim, Supervisorial Aide (and respondent to Watch Dog) Randy Torrijos, Marlene Andrade, and Fel Anthony Amistad. Folks still have time to get in their applications by 5 p.m. on Wednesday. There are other folks still in the mix but have not officially filed applications. This is all another nail in the coffin of San Mateo County's democracy...(Don't worry San Mateo County, San Jose has a similar problem...)

And as democracy itself is under fire in San Mateo County, Michelle Durand goes "Off the Beat" in the Daily Journal to write about...her handwriting. It isn't good...her handwriting, that is.

The great debate on Compost versus Park in Palo Alto will go the way of many difficult decisions elected officials face...to a Task Force. When all else fails, put the difficult decision off to others -- that's the sentiment of the Palo Alto City Council at least. This is the same type of punting that the City of San Jose did when they were faced with actually doing something about the unbelievably high rates of arrests of Hispanics for public drunkeness. Prompting one San Jose City Councilmember to say, "[Task Forces] are where good ideas go to die..."

In the midst of an economic downturn, it is good to know that one local organization (Stanford) is still in OK shape. Yesterday, they announced gifts totaling $100 million for a new energy center to research the energy challenges we face.

Pacifica Riptide goes into more detail about the Jerry Hill-Leland Yee power struggle for Democratic leadership in the County. Yesterday, Sue Lempert wrote about this same issue in her Daily Journal column. Riptide's update is good too. The long and the short is that Hill outmaneuvered Yee -- and remains the best prepared, best organized Democrat locally (except for maybe Jackie Speier).

Randy Torrijos (candidate for appointment) responds to Watch Dog's inquiry...

We all know that the departure of former Supervisor/Assemblymember Jerry Hill has set off serious political scrambling throughout the County. Unelected Supervisor Carole Groom was seated earlier this week. Now, attention shifts to the San Mateo City Council seat which will also be (undemocratically) decided by appointment.

Yesterday, Watch Dog asked the following question about Randy Torrijos, a staffer for Supervisor Mark Church, who is putting his name into the San Mateo City Council appointment ring:

Because he works for Supervisor Church, whose vote on the Board of Supervisors opened up the seat in San Mateo, did Torrijos push for Groom to be appointed to open up a seat that he wanted?

I promised I would get an answer for you inquiring readers...and I delivered. Below is an answer to that question from Randy Torrijos himself -- via email, unedited:

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Dear Watchdog,

To answer your questions: No, I did not advise my boss to appoint Carole Groom to the vacant Board of Supervisors seat, nor did I express any support for Carol Groom's appointment to other staff members or Board members.

I had originally considered pursuing a city council seat in November of 2009 or 2010. When the vacancy on the City Council arose upon Carol Groom’s appointment on December 16^th, I considered applying for the seat, and attended the December 19th City Council Meeting where they discussed the selection process for the city council vacancy. December 19th was the first and only time I discussed my possible application to the city council with my boss. It was not until after Christmas that I made a final decision to submit my application, which I did on January 2nd.

I hope this information clarifies the matter for you.

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Thank you Randy, it does clarify the matter a great deal...

Morning News Round-Up -- 1.7.09: An Undemocratic Conflict of Interest?

The culmination of an undemocratic process happened last night...Unelected Supervisor Carol Groom was official sworn in last night and Supervisor Church officially received the gavel as President of the Board.

Speaking of Groom and Church...

The County's undemocratic process is leading to another one to fill unelected Groom's City Council seat...applications are coming in and are all due on January 14th. So far, two folks have actually submitted applications: Randy Torrijos, an aide to Supervisor Mark Church and Fel Anthony Amistad, a one-time (but unsuccessful) candidate for San Mateo Union High School District in 2001. Torrijos throwing his name in the ring is interesting...he addresses the issue of working for a Supervisor and being a City Councilmember (no conflict of interest) but there is another question that Watch Dog would like to have answered: Because he works for Supervisor Church, whose vote on the Board of Supervisors opened up the seat in San Mateo, did Torrijo push for Groom to be appointed to open up a seat that he wanted? Watch Dog will try to get an answer for you...

Senator Feinstein introduced legislation to help out ailing cities and Counties who lost money from failed financial institutions. San Mateo County has been on the forefront of this effort by filing lawsuits against Lehman Brothers' executives with the help of local Super-Hero/Trial Attorney Joe Cotchett...

The City of Burlingame's budget is hurting as much as anyones. So yesterday they approved $2.3 million in services cuts and savings from delaying some projects. Expect this trend to spread far and wide throughout the County.

San Mateo County's coolest (and coldest) sporting event officially kicked off yesterday. Mavericks celebrated a "commemorative" kick-off yesterday. The competition window is open through March 31st.

Crystal Springs Pet Hospital got quite a surprise yesterday -- and it wasn't a sick puppy. A woman drove her car through the front window of their store. The woman wasn't injured, but first responders worked feverishly to save a fish that was displaced during the incident -- "There are no known fish casualties..." according to authorities on-scene...that's a relief...

The Daily Journal editorial folks chime in on the tensions mounting in Burlingame over the use of San Mateo Union High School District's fields for youth sports. Remember, yesterday Burlingame Councilmember Terry Nagel was looking to hold a summit to bring folks together to find a commonsense solution...that's the gist of the editorial too.

Forbes Magazine says that Palo Alto has the highest number of residents with advanced degrees. (That apparently doesn't mean you have a smart Police Chief...)

Morning (and weekend) News Round-Up: 1.5.09: Foie Gras Edition...

The battle to be elected...I mean appointed...to the San Mateo City Council has begun. Remember, former San Mateo City Councilmember Carol Groom become an unelected Supervisor late last year to replace Jerry Hill. The blows against democracy will continue in San Mateo. The clock starts today when Groom officially steps aside. 30 days from now, we'll have another San Mateo City Councilmember. As we get closer, Watch Dog will delve into the un/qualified candidates.

But before Watch Dog does that, Sue Lempert has her take on the changing face of political leadership in the County via her column in the Daily Journal. She gives a pretty complete run-down of what is shaking and where -- including the San Mateo City Council appointment process and possibles.

The economy is in trouble and vacancy rates are going up -- no real surprise. Econ 101 says that as vacancy rates go up, rents go down. And it is the low rent that attracted Hugues de Vernou to San Mateo. His Gourmet Corner is becoming a gourmet hit with European goodies like foie gras and Mamie Nova yogurt.

A visioning process is underway for downtown San Bruno. "Downtown San Bruno?," you ask...yes. Luckily, downtown San Bruno is described in the story as San Mateo Avenue, Huntington Avenue, and portions of El Camino Real and San Bruno Avenue.

Two 'locals' are getting ready to prepare for Mavericks. They have some distinct advantages, like surfing Mavericks all the time. (One would also presume it would be an advantage to not have to hop on a plane from somewhere else in the world and get to Half Moon Bay with 24-hours notice.)

Woodside will have a new Mayor this year as Peter Mason was unanimously chosen by his colleagues to take the helm. So, if you need a table at Buck's -- he's your guy.

Last week, six young people in Palo Alto were arrested for the theft of one iPod Touch. Then, over the weekend in Redwood City, a stabbing where the perps outnumber the victim by a huge number happened. This time, the results are tragic -- the victim died.

The Merc's architecture writer praises the Mid-Peninsula Opportunity Center in Palo Alto...but in Burlingame, architecture of a different sort isn't being received as warmly. The Burlingame Planning Commission has denied a permit for Walgreens to operate a 24-hour store on Burlingame Avenue and El Camino Real. Walgreens hopes that the City Council will say yes where the Planning Commission said no.

Burlingame's most unique (floating) restaurant, The Sherman, will be fined for spilling paint into the Bay during a renovation in 2007. The spill took place two weeks after the Cosco Busan hit the Bay Bridge and blanketed the Bay with bunker fuel. All this probably makes the "Raw Bar" a little less appetizing when you are out for a nice dinner...

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This affects a lot of folks locally, so I'll include it today. If you own Apple stock (and who doesn't) hold on to your hats. Steve Jobs announced that he has a "hormone imbalance" -- and not reoccurring cancer. Perhaps not since Fidel Castro has the world been so eagerly anticipated someone's health news. This will not end speculation about Jobs' health and stock jitters that come with it -- especially after Apple backed out of MacWorld.

Morning News Round-Up -- 12.24.08: (Wet) Christmas Eve Edition...

Watch Dog likes inter-government fighting -- it just makes for juicy stories about people in the public eye/political sphere. So when the San Mateo Union High School District tries to raise fees to use it's facilities -- Watch Dog pays close attention. (Remember, San Mateo Union was one of the local school districts that got screwed by the State this month...so don't we need to cut them some slack?)

First Jerry Hill's Supervisorial seat was filled with an appointment by unelected Supervisor Carol Groom. Carol Groom's City Council seat in San Mateo, now open, will be filled with an appointment -- rather than a special election. Now, the Millbrae Elementary School District is accepting applications to fill the seat left vacant by the passing of John Lynch. If there are folks out there that want to get in on the undemocratic appointment action -- the applications are ready for your to pick up and return by the 16th of January...

And lest you think Watch Dog only dogs San Mateo County folks for the undemocratic process -- check out what Watch Dog Silicon Valley is up to...

The Petaluma teacher that was ensnared in a child solicitation sting (in San Mateo) set up by two of his students pleaded not guilty on four felony counts. For background, check out this previous story...

Foster City Mayor John Kiramis writes for the Daily Journal about what things look like for his upcoming year in charge. He doesn't set out any lofty goals -- or point out any major challenges the City faces right now. So if something goes wrong in the next year -- I guess we can all blame him...

Whoops...you remember this story about the crashed ambulance in Palo Alto. Well, the driver in the crash "does not recall the incident and could not provide any information as to the cause" -- according to Palo Alto Police Detective Brian Phillips...sounds like a case for Greg House...

Could Palo Alto's budget problems cause the City Government to scrap the long-anticipated public safety building? Or cause Palo Alto to cut services? We'll see...the City Manager doesn't seem optimistic. James Keene says: "The downturn obviously is having an impact on the revenue stream for the city." (This is also in the midst of a planned expansion at Stanford Hospital and the Mall -- so the City is also (probably) trying to make the case that these two expansions are bad for City Government's bottom line...)

Morning News Round-Up -- 12.18.08: from Half Moon Bay to Millbrae in under a week...not bad, if you consider the weather...

8 folks are being treated for carbon monoxide poisoning after powering their home in unincorporated Redwood City with a generator that is (obviously) meant to run outside but was was in their basement...everyone is expected to be ok from the poisoning.

Watch Dog reported earlier this week that the City Manager in Half Moon Bay left that position abruptly...(and the piece included a quote from Farmer John (Mayor Muller))...now we know why Marcia Raines left HMB, she is taking the same job in Millbrae.

What kind of training to Palo Alto Police Officers get? Yesterday a court ruled that the ruse officers pulled on a homeless man was illegal. You see, officers pretended to call a tow-truck to move a van that a homeless man was living in -- which was a lie and was illegal. Sadly, another strange chapter that damages the PA Police Department. And that wasn't the worst part of the story...when the homeless man got out of his van to yell at officers -- they Tasered him and the homeless man was charged with assaulting an officer. The charge of assaulting an officer was dismissed yesterday. Good thing a new Chief is on his way in...

Last week Watch Dog directed your attention to $11 million that the San Mateo Union High School District was going to receive from the State for construction and repair of schools...Now the Lucy (the State) is pulling the football ($11 million) from under Charlie's (the District's)...

TGI Friday's is closing all of its (local) doors...ironic that this news is delivered on a Thursday...where will Watch Dog get Jack Daniel's Ribs and Chicken now?

The Daily Journal's Michelle Durand (Off the Beat) talks about Unelected Supervisor Groom's appointment and hopes folks stay involved to challenge her in 2 years.

SSF Unified School District didn't pick up the contract of their Superintendent Barbara Olds -- now they are seeking a replacement.

East Palo Alto's (ongoing) fight with Page Mill Properties about EPA apartment buildings the company is buying took an interesting turn yesterday. EPA officials are expressing their discontent that Page Mill Properties is using public employee pension funds (CalPERS) for their "predatory practices"...

Deciding that residents should know less about what happens in their City, the City of Menlo Park will provide less-detailed information about their public meetings. Watch Dog hates this idea, but during the week where someone was undemocratically appointed to the Board of Supervisors -- it isn't surprising...

Opening ceremonies for Maverick's is set for January 6th marking the opening of the Maverick's season -- which closes March 31st. If you don't know what the previous sentence is all about, here is some background...

Pacifica Riptide provides insight into the Pacifica City Council's latest meeting, including garbage updates and the biofuels company that wants a new lease. Watch Dog loves Riptide -- so check it out...

Morning News Round-Up -- 12.17.08: Watch Dog seeking appointment to San Mateo City Council...pretty please?

As reported here yesterday evening, the sitting Board of Supervisors exercised their undemocratic/ Blagojevichoian right and appointed Unelected Supervisor Carol Groom. Like Watch Dog, the Daily Journal is not happy. Their Editorial today is titled: A good appointment, but failed leadership...In (un)related news, Caroline Kennedy would like an appointment too...perhaps the new Board of Supervisors (minus Supervisor Gordon) could hook her up?

Which brings us all to this (soon to be undemocratic) process in the City of San Mateo -- where the City Council will make an appointment until the City's next election in November 2009. Two names are already in the fold -- long-time resident and labor leader Rich Hedges and San Mateo Community Relations Commissioner and deputy DA in Alameda County David Lim.

6 years ago San Bruno Mayor Larry Franzella voted on a BART plan that he shouldn't have because it affected a home he owned near the tracks. Now, he will pay a $9,000 fine for participating in a vote when he had a conflict of interest, according to the ethics watch dogs the FPPC. Oops.

A biodeisel fuel company is still pursuing Pacifica as a place to set up shop -- but they need a bit more time to figure things out. The Pacifica City Council is voting on giving Whole Energy Fuels 6 more months to "come through with the required documents." Like documents that will show the place won't blow up?

Half Moon Bay's City Manager resigned (abruptly) yesterday. Farmer John (Mayor Muller) said that there would be no interruption in city services. Unless, of course, you work for the City Manager -- then expect some interruption...

BREAKING: Board of Supervisors vote to dismantle democracy...

Thumbing their noses at democracy, elections, and all things we value as Americans...the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors handed a vacant Supervisor's seat to San Mateo Councilmember Carol Groom.

More than anything, the Board showed that they don't care what voters think. Unelected Supervisor Groom will be the next Supervisor to replace Jerry Hill -- and she'll hold the seat forever...

Watch Dog will refer to Supervisor Groom as Unelected Supervisor Groom henceforth...sorry.

Groom is a talented and dedicated public servant -- but she got handed a gift -- and Watch Dog has a problem with that...everyone should...perhaps Groom could provide some advice to this public face who is looking for a (slightly) more high-profile gift...

Kudos to Supervisor Rich Gordon who (ironically) will go down as the Profile in Courage on this vote -- he voted against the gifting of public (funds) office...he agreed with Watch Dog and said: "Now is time for democracy.”

Morning News Round-Up -- 12.16.08: Jerry's Seat and Garbage...what else is new?...

The Jerry Hill Seat-Filling Party started yesterday and continues today. The pool of applicants is down to 10 (one guy dropped out). Carol Groom is still the favorite, but her and 9 others made their case yesterday to the Board of Supervisors who will decide what to do today. Will they choose an undemocratic, 2-year appointment that gives the appointee a Supervisorial seat for a decade or will they choose a special election that costs $1.6 million but proves that we live a democracy? Watch Dog has a view on this...can you tell what it is?

Garbage. Enough said...well, not really. It was Burlingame's turn last night to blast/distrust the SBWMA, the joint powers authority that handles the County's garbage contracts. Burlingame was slated to review the proposed new contract, but instead questioned the SBWMA's actual operating budget (up $1.2 million in 2 years), the cost of the proposed contract (the recommended vendor came in above the incumbent), and if a $64 million renovation to the recycling center was necessary (some believe $20 million would do). The Burlingame City Council also wanted to know the status of the Civil Grand Jury investigation. It doesn't look good for the Burlingame/SBWMA relationship -- which must have Jesus Nava, Burlingame's Finance Director looking for interesting quotes to voice his discontent...remember this gem when Nava described the escalating costs of the proposed SBWMA facility as: "...a burr under my saddle..."

Longtime Millbrae Elementary School District Board member John Lynch passed away Sunday after "58 years in education"...

Mimicking the Sequioa Union High School District, the San Carlos Elementary School District is looking to cut $800K from their budget.

The San Mateo Union High School District wants to get its money out now from Lehman Brothers before the stock hits zero (or pennies). Why? Because if it hits rock bottom, "we're kind of screwed" -- according to Trustee Stephen Rogers...that sounds right.

The Daily Journal's Michelle Durand chimes in on the run of animal cruelty cases in San Mateo. Interestingly, the dog beater (as opposed to the cat stomper) is on the lamb.

Unrelated to animal cruelty, the DA is charging two folks for stalking two professors who research animals at UCSF but live in San Mateo -- the stalkers are anti-animal-research activists...

Palo Alto is launching a racial "action plan" to try to recover from the former Police Chief's racist "action plan"...

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!

Morning News Round-Up -- 12.11.08: What would a day be without speculation about the Sup. seat and garbage?

More names are popping up at for Jerry Hill's seat. Some well-known: Former County Clerk Ric Silver, County School Board Trustee Rod Hsiao, and (obviously) San Mateo's Carol Groom. Some not so well known: Linda Koelling of Foster City, Belmont's David Dexter Frydenlund, and Daniel Duane Kaul, also of Belmont. Big labor and big business are pushing for a Groom appointment but the Democratic and Republican Parties are pushing for a 2009 special election. All this from the Reporters' Notebook at the Daily Journal.

Also from the Reporters' Notebook, this gem that will keep us all focused on garbage for sometime:

At the Belmont City Council meeting Tuesday, a woman who reportedly identified herself as a member of the civil grand jury said the group is moving forward with an investigation into how the county’s garbage collection agency handles its contractor selection process...if the report from Tuesday’s meeting is accurate, it sounds as though it is a go.

Stay tuned...

In November, a generous San Mateo County Board of Supervisors picked up the tab for a liver transplant because the State wouldn't. Now, the State is reimbursing the County for a million bucks. Just make sure the check clears before 'financial Armageddon' hits.

The man who stomped his roommate's cat to death because he was mad at the roommate's 4 year old daughter will spend 16 months in prison based on his plea deal. That was pretty swift justice -- this story only broke yesterday, as first reported in the Daily Journal. No word if hell is keeping a space open...

Yesterday it was going to be $400,000 in savings and reductions that the Sequoia Union High School District was going to put into place -- but it grew to $800,000 last night in order to preserve their reserve. This was necessary, according to Board Member Gordon Lewin, because:

"Taking some pain now means the pain next year will be less. And, we’ll be more likely to get back to our 8 percent reserve.”

Michelle Durand's column in the Daily Journal thanks folks who read her Tuesday column and were kind enough to drop old eyeglasses at the Daily Journal's offices.

Farmers' markets are feeling the economic pinch. The San Mateo County Times takes a look at the markets in Half Moon Bay and Pacifica -- things aren't good.

Morning News Round-Up -- 12.08.08: Surfing Summit Edition...

The impact of Jerry Hill's election to the State Assembly continues to trickle down. Watch Dog has written about this before, but the greatest movement seems to be in San Mateo. It is a widely held view that Carol Groom will be appointed to the Board of Supervisors from her perch on the San Mateo City Council -- opening up a City Council seat. A new name has surfaced as a possible replacement, Rich Hedges. Hedges is politically-connected to the labor movement and founded San Mateo NOW, which supported and pushed the Bay Meadows redevelopment. Stay tuned...Meanwhile, the applications are not pouring in for Hill's open seat, however. According to today's story, only one application has been submitted, and it wasn't Groom's. The Supervisors are going to make a decision this month about a non-democratic appointment, or a March special election to fill the seat. The Democratic and Republican Parties want an election...so does Watch Dog.

Matier & Ross at the Chronicle have many, many details about the hostage/slaying in San Mateo County on November 25th. It turns out Raymond Gee had been stopped twice in San Francisco -- both times he had a gun and one time he had 7 pounds of pot. Yikes. He was charged with a felony but was entered into drug treatment first. Then he met his victim on Halloween, stalked her, and killed her on November 25th...further details will undoubtedly follow...

The salt ponds in East Palo Alto known as Ravenswood are about to be turned back into wetlands in one of the biggest projects of its kind.

A downtown fire in Palo Alto caused the evacuation on a 'high rise' apartment building at Cowper Street and Forest Avenue on Saturday morning.

The Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce is getting a new Chief Executive. Paula Sandas who is currently a Planning and Transportation Commissioner will take over in January. She worked previously for Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss as well as the Palo Alto Weekly.

InsideBayArea.com has some photos of the new City Hall in Brisbane. Pretty cool structure.

A winning lottery ticket worth $158k+ was bought in Palo Alto. There is apparently no truth to the rumor that the ticket holder is afraid to come forward for fear of being robbed on the streets of Palo Alto...

15 leading 'surf advocates' gathered in Princeton on Friday to discuss the earth's coastal zones. Making this meeting the coolest meeting that happened last week in San Mateo County...

The Pigeon Point lighthouse received a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express. It is a $54,000 grant, but to restore and fix the lighthouse it will take $5 to $7 million.

Morning News Round-Up -- 12.02.08

Freshmen legislators get sworn in...including our very own Jerry Hill. In Hill's first Assembly action, he said he will introduce a Constitutional Amendment to lower the threshold to passing a budget to 55% from 2/3. Way to start off with something non-controversial Mr. Hill! ...And his Assembly website is up and running...

If you live (or park) in Burlingame, hold on to your wallets. The City is coming for your money on a number of fronts. A drainage fee may be on your local ballot in May and it could cost you up to $2,060. This is on top of the expected garbage rate increases...ouch...And if garbage and drainage wasn't enough, parking tickets in Burlingame are going to be more expensive too...

Coming on board just in time to deal with angry residents suing the the City for all of the rate/fee hikes, Burlingame names a new City Attorney -- Clark "Gus" Guinan.

Watch Dog was late to this one (obviously), but the standoff/hostage situation in unincorporated Redwood City ended peacefully yesterday.

And the other high-profile gun-fight/stand-off has a new twist. Relatives of the slain suspect are hiring a private investigator...the question is, are they hiring Spencer or Magnum? They aren't buying the police account of the events.

San Mateo got a new "tree-hugging" Mayor, Brandt Grotte -- who is taking the place of Carole Groom. This is a revolving Mayor -- so there was no coup...the "tree-hugger" title is his own self-description.

Menlo Park will get a new Mayor tonight as Heyward Robinson will take over. Rich Cline will become the Mayor Pro Tem.

And while a peaceful transition of power was happening in San Mateo (and MP tonight), in Daly City, outgoing Councilmember Judith Christensen was "jeered" at her last meeting. She responsed, "Standing up and speaking up has a price..." Apparently.

Palo Alto put its own bike-sharing plan on hold in lieu of a more regional plan...

Palo Alto will conduct an audit to shed light on the racial profiling issue that caused its Police Chief's exit. The auditor gets paid $205/hour. Let's hope the audit doesn't take too long...

Two men from Milpitas died while fishing off Half Moon Bay last weekend.

Pacifica is putting together a new General Plan Committee. Watch Dog knows that doesn't sound that exciting, but have you ever sat through a General Plan Update? Heated. Really.