Morning News Round-Up -- 5.28.10: Drive safe...

This is a Friday before a long weekend, so you must, must, must read the newspaper tomorrow. Late today is a great time to release horrible news if you are a government agency, elected official, corporation, or candidate. So, Watch Dog will be watching, but you should be too...

In a story that may get overlooked today, but will have lasting implications, Caltrain got an important "waiver" from the Federal government to move forward with electrification. Yes, it sounds boring, but it seems really important.

Speaking of lasting implications... there is oil spilling out of a sunken boat off of Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay. Authorities are trying to contain the spill -- which seems small potatoes compared to the Gulf Coast. But there is no such thing as small potatoes when you are talking about oil washing up on shore...

Campaign finance filings were due this week. And the Daily Journal chronicles the contributions for the Coroner's race... Can you imagine the fundraising pitch from someone running for Coroner?

You'll remember a while back that there is a new plan for Menlo Park's "downtown"... well, it seems some of the businesses and property owners (like 100 of them) don't really like the new plan all that much... This could get interesting.

Lots of property reassessments are happening these days, according to a story in the Daily Journal. That might be good for lowering property tax bills, but it is a tough thing for a lot of school districts who rely on the higher property tax bills... hence the flood of parcel taxes on the ballot in May, June, and probably November...

The Burlingame drive-in may become a mixed-use development... which is not nearly as cool as a drive-in... The Burlingame Voice has some perspective...

The Daily Journal chimes in on local measures and state propositions:

Local: Yes

State: Yes, Yes, No, No, No

You got that?

Watch Dog has less and less patience these days. This is not a news story: Bay Area families packing up and leaving for Memorial Day. Right, like every year since it was called Decoration Day following the Civil War...

Morning News Round-Up -- 5.20.10: Calling all Steinbecks...

The big news today is that workers living in a labor camp in Pescadero may have been drinking contaminated water for a decade... this is a troubling story. The housing is part of Marchi farms and has been closed down by the County, although it seems families may still be living there. Where is John Steinbeck when you need him?

The Daily Journal gives a run down of the candidates in the 21st Assembly District... Rich Gordon, Yoriko Kishimoto, and Josh Becker... How many more run-downs do we really need?... Endorsements anyone?

Lee Duboc must be very pleased today... the pension reform initiative is heading to the ballot in Menlo Park. Could this be a Silicon Valley trend among cash-strapped cities? The Mayor of San Jose has been talking about asking voters in San Jose to vote to do away with the often-expensive binding arbitration...

The County is considering requiring (?) companies to offer employees a pre-tax transit option to get to work. This should help SamTrans and perhaps Caltrain and BART too...

Welcome to Millbrae, where the City might cut a program to help feed needy seniors... That's probably not fair of us, they are looking at cutting employees too...

You know the black box that records the last seconds of plane crashes... well Congresswoman Speier would like one in your car too... I'm sure privacy advocates will love that.

The Jefferson Union High School District may be asking voters to dig a little deeper into their wallets this fall... their polling looks good.

Silicon Valley has some serious interest in the upcoming Republican primaries for US Senate and Governor. New polls are out together. The first one actually confirms what Steve Poizner said a few weeks back -- that his race against Whitman is tightening... The second has Carly Fiorina leading (slightly) over Tom Campbell, but within the margin of error... (Joey Lucas will explain everything later...)

Morning News Round-Up -- 5.19.10: Post-Peloton Wednesday...

A post-peloton good morning to you all...

A good old-fashion debate happened this week between DMB (the folks that would build the Salt Pond development in Redwood City) and Save the Bay (who find the development atrocious)... the forum was in front of the Beresford-Hillsdale Neighborhood Association in San Mateo... Jobs versus Environment, Housing versus Environment, etc., etc.

The psych unit (alleged) sexual batterer pleaded not guilty yesterday...

Yesterday there was a story about how Menlo Park was pissed about higher rates for garbage collection... today Menlo Park is pissed (but supporting) higher water rates, which the City Council is raising by more than 15 percent a year for the next several years. Tomorrow there will be a story about how folks in Menlo Park don't like High-Speed Rail... What's next? A former City Council member who is unhappy about pension costs in the city?

Dude. Jon Mays at the Daily Journal gives us his two-cents about medical versus recreational marijuana use and the November ballot measure. It does not say that recreational use is way more fun... unfortunately.

What is it with San Mateo County-based sausage companies? Remember last year Columbus had a fire? Well, Sunday there was a fire at Marcel & Henri Charcuterie Francaise in South San Francisco. Who knew making sausage was so flammable...

Morning News Round-Up -- 5.6.10: Too...Many...Margaritas...

Here's something that has been in the news for as long as Watch Dog has been in San Mateo... the Sequoia Union High School District and the Everest Public High School (charter school) settled their long-standing legal dispute about Everest's facilities... Everyone seems to be turning over a new leaf, as the current Superintendent (Pat Gemma) packs finishes packing his bags.

Speaking of long-standing pissing matches... the new owners of the former Page Mill Properties apartment buildings (Wells Fargo) will be reducing rents in their units.

This will send shock-waves up and down Silicon Valley. Menlo Park is imposing a two-tier pension system for its municipal employees. The beginning of a trend, or the shot heard round the union world?

The Daily Journal gives a run-down of the Supervisors race to replace Rich Gordon... Don Horsley - whose name you probably recognize, April Vargas - a coastside Democrat, Matt Grocott - the always fun to read about San Carlos City Councilmember, Jack Hickey - everyones favorite Libertarian, and Michael Stogner - a car salesman. "A Sheriff, a Democrat, a City Councilmember, a Libertarian, and a car salesman walk into a bar..."

Guess what Steve Poizner's internal polls say? That he's catching up. Guess what Sarah Palin's polls said about her? That she was qualified... it doesn't make it so Steve, it doesn't make it so...

In other political news (about people way behind in the polls), Yoriko Kishimoto gets a write up in the Palo Alto Weekly/Almanac. She is running for State Assembly for Ira Ruskin's seat against Josh Becker and Rich Gordon.

The Tweet that launched a thousand comments... San Carlos City Councilmember Omar Ahmad should probably keep his Tweets to himself during the actual City Council meetings, instead of making comments about who is in the crowd and who isn't...

Stanford Hospital and nurses still aren't getting along nicely. The hospitals just rejected a proposal from the nurses... who previously had rejected the "last, best, and final" offer from the hospital.

Finally, Tom Campbell's campaign has released an online campaign video (and taken their gloves off) that you absolutely have to see. Seriously. It makes the weird sheep thing Carly Fiorina's campaign put out a while ago seem mild. Take a gander... love the head-bob...

Morning News Round-Up -- 5.3.10: CaliJersey, the home of the Garbage Saga...

Could this be the end of the Garbage Saga in San Mateo County? First, the South Bayside Waste Management Authority, the mouthfully-named organization that oversees much of the garbage collection and recycling in the County has changed its name to RethinkWaste. Second, we learn that the transition between the old company (Allied Waste) and the new company (Recology) will be fast-tracked to this summer, rather than next January -- sort of. The new carts will start this summer, but Recology's collection of them won't start until January. Confusing much?

Perhaps a new garbage saga is brewing... the County Times has a piece about "illegal trash dumpers" who put stuff in front of other folks homes...

Caltrain is in deep, deep financial doody. On Thursday, they are going to declare a "fiscal emergency" which helps them cut service quickly and avoid all the screaming and yelling at public meetings... or at least concentrate the screaming and yelling to a few public meetings...

Speaking of financial problems... the County is still trying to get millions of dollars of jet fuel sales tax, but an appellate court judge said they have to appeal to the Board of Equalization, not a regular court. (It would help to yell and scream at Oakland too...)

The Esplanade Apartments in Pacifica have been evacuated... can we really call this "news" anymore?

Lee Duboc is going ot the City Clerk... sort of. The petition to qualify a pension reform measure for November. The City Clerk will now start counting...

While we are in Menlo Park, the Bohannon project will be heard by the Planning Commission in Menlo Park. NIMBY alert... NIMBY alert...

Sue Lempert gets her day in the Daily Journal today and coins a new term: "Calijersey"... and it isn't good...

A day without NIMBYs is a day without sunshine... today it is Daly City and cell phone towers...

Morning News Round-Up -- 4.29.10: French Quarter, Pike Place Market, or Ikea?

Earlier in the week we learned that the East Palo Alto Police Chief might be packing his bags for Seattle. Today we learn that he might actually need warmer clothes because he might be headed for New Orleans. New Orleans or Seattle... Hurricanes (the drink) or Coffee...

The French Quarter or Pike Place Market... or any of these things and Ikea... Seriously, how bad does this guy want out?

Is he (competent) or isn't he? That's the question that still needs to be answered in the retrial of William Ayres... and it will be decided in June because the second doctor that needed to evaluate William Ayres couldn't do it in time to reach the deadline yesterday... Our friends at William Ayres Watch are on it...

If Caltrain is going to survive these tough economic times, which would be good for the Peninsula, it may only happen thanks to the folks at the California High-Speed Rail Authority... We love this idea for the pure love of irony...

Speaking of tough times, the breakup of the Belmont-San Carlos Fire Department will cause a spike in overtime, according to the Fire Chief. That will be great for everyone's budget...

San Bruno is losing some staff too, but not to New Orleans or Seattle... but to budget cuts in order to balance the f-ed up budget...

Oh Atherton, you can never really get it right, can you? Salaries/ benefits are going up, even as everything is going to hell in a hand-basket. But what else would you expect?

The Burlingame Elementary School District might buy back a school site they previously sold to meet rising enrollment demand (and assuage an angry parent community who does not want huge classrooms...) That seems like a good way to spend money -- sell land then buy it back...

The most awkwardly worded, yet informative, headline of the day goes to the Daily News: Menlo Park pre-school supervisor to retire following arrest for allegedly annoying teen girl... What else do you need to know?

Morning News Round-Up -- 4.28.10: The Lowest Bidder?

The San Carlos Police Department is up for bid... sort of. The City of San Carlos is fielding proposals to take over their police services. They got a bid from the Sheriff's office for $6.7 million but then got underbid by Redwood City, which can do the job for $6.4 or $6 million... which begs the question: is a police department the thing you want to give to the lowest bidder?

The lawns in Menlo Park might get a little brown this summer... the City Council took another step toward a water conservation ordinance. It didn't even raise lots of public concern, apparently. The story only mentions 2 members of the public that were even in the room. There is a 100 percent chance that once this ordinance goes into affect, the Menlo Park Council Chambers will start to fill up...

Watch Dog has to wonder if the water ordinance will help with the MP's deficit, which the Almanac put into a pretty graph for everyone...

It was deer versus mountain lion last weekend in Portola Valley... and the deer lost. Watch Dog loves this part of the story: Residents are advised not to approach mountain lions, and to try to appear large and make noise if one is nearby. The cats are most active at dawn, dusk, and at night... Too bad the deer didn't get the same advisory...

What was once going to be a big new housing development (500+ units) in San Bruno will now be a rebuilt old development with 300+ units. Instead of tearing the Treetops Apartment complex down, it will be rebuilt. Why? Because of money, of course...

When the financial times get tough (like now in Daly City) fees get going (up)...

Morning News Round-Up -- 4.23.10: Uttering the "B" word...

Go electric or go to bankruptcy court... those seem to the options for Caltrain these days. That ain't fun. This will not be good news for Caltrain-dependent Peninsula cities. Caltrain is also the first (but certainly not the last) local government agency to utter the "b" word...

A Menlo Park woman wrote a letter to billionaire Warren Buffet about Proposition 13 and how it was hurting schools but was a windfall for businesses in California. Warren Buffet wrote back. Check it out.

The Daily Journal Editorial Board comes out in favor of the incumbent, Robert Foucrault... but does a good job summing up why the challenger has a chance...

More bad news for the Redwood City School District... or at least for 35 more employees. More pink slips.

Here's something you have never, ever read before, we (almost) guarantee it: solar panels were stolen from Oceana High School in Pacifica. 108 in all. And it is Earth Day week. Watch Dog is going to coin a new phrase: EcoThief...

Cow + Car = DUI + Hurt Cow.

Morning News Round-Up -- 4.21.10: San Mateo-Burlingame Police? Not. So. Fast...

Well, the San Mateo-Burlingame Police Department hit a road block yesterday. San Mateo approved moving forward, over the objections of David Lim. But Burlingame is balking at the idea... The Burlingame Voice was on the scene as the Burlingame Council looked at the police issue...

Congresswoman Eshoo testified in front of the House Financial Services Committee this week to blast Lehman Brothers for ripping off local governments, like the County of San Mateo. She also is pushing the Restitution for Local Government Act of 2010, sort of bail out for the 40 local government folks who lost $1.7 billion. Why should banks get bailed out for screwing up, but the local governments they screwed not get some help, the thinking goes...

Our other Congresswoman is busy too... Jackie Speier is trying to get $100 million in federal money for Bay restoration...

Menlo Park has serious concerns about High-Speed Rail... are you surprised? Anyway, they are sending a letter to the High-Speed Rail Authority, which the High-Speed Rail Authority will file under N, for NIMBY...

Ah, the San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury. We missed you. Yesterday, the Civil Grand Jury recommended that the County consolidate nearly every job in the County into one position: Chief Financial Officer. The job would be controller, treasurer, tax collector, and we assume registrar as well. Because it would be a lot easier to pinpoint blame when the County loses buckets and buckets of money if there was one Chief Financial Officer...

A murder in Woodside? What will the COWs say?

Morning News Round-Up -- 4.16.10: All Tea Partied Out...

San Mateo City Councilmember David Lim has something to say about the planned San Mateo-Burlingame marraige of Police Departments. Specifically, he does not like the idea of the San Mateo Deputy Police Chief becoming Burlingame's Interim Police Chief... Marraige is a very difficult thing... Remember what Rita Rudner said about marraige: "I love being married. It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life." Perhaps San Mateo and Burlingame have already started annoying each other...

Ah, more Charter School/School District drama. This time in the Ravenswood City School District and the Charter School is the Stanford New School... the District denied the charter.

Burlingame and San Mateo may not need to consolidate their Police Departments after all... because Jon Mays at the Daily Journal declared an end to the recession. From your mouth to the economy's ear Mr. Mays...

Morris Brown, a Menlo Park anti-train dude, filed another lawsuit against the California High-Speed Rail Authority and Caltrain yesterday. When all else fails, get legal on their asses...

The San Francisco Chronicle's Top 100 Restaurants in the Bay Area has been published... and there are only two in San Mateo County. One in the north part of the County -- Koi Palace, and one in the south part of the County -- Kaygetsu in Menlo Park. Happy eating everyone...

Morning News Round-Up -- 4.14.10: iMansion friends...

Menlo Park onced loved the Bohannon project and especially the money that will come from it... but it may not be smooth sailing after all for Mr. Bohannon

based on the tone of a meeting this week.

Speaking of unpopular developments: The iMansion gets another friend... the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The National Trust for Historic Preservation should not expect their Steve Jobs' check this year...

San Carlos will mandate businesses recycle starting next January... While that doesn't sound groundbreaking, it really seems to be. San Carlos Councilmember Matt Grocott voted against it, he hates recycling. (Just kidding MG.)

A woman fell into an open manhole on Stanford's campus yesterday. No word if Senator Simitian is a looking to pass a "no texting while walking" law...

A woman in San Mateo has been voted as "Exhalted Ruler"... and we aren't talking about the Klan. Rather, that's the hightest position in the Elks Lodge in San Mateo. Congrats Jeanne Atno... cool hat...

The Daily Journal Editorial Board gets its third bite at the apple with the Medical Center. The rapes caused the Editorial Board to write last Friday, the Medical Center chief wrote yesterday, and the Editorial Board writes again today to give props to the Medical Center chief who wrote yesterday...

Daly City mobile home residents vs. mobile park owner will face off in federal court... that should be fun.

Here we go... Senator Leland Yee is dumpster diving (sort of) to get to the bottom of the Sarah Palin speech as CSU Stanislaus. You go Leland...

Morning News Round-Up -- 4.9.10: Isn't it ironic?

It will cost four or five times as much to have High-Speed Rail go underground... that's the official word. Which means you HSR-NIMBYs should start bombarding the High-Speed Rail Authority now... Burlingame Voice folks were at the High-Speed Rail meeting yesterday and have a report...

Locally, we know that red light cameras are causing everyone grief. One city (SSF) needs to return money to the the couple of hundred folks who got tickets by mistake... now, San Carlos is likely to get rid of the cameras because they aren't catching enough people running red lights. In other words, the cameras work as a deterrent, which in this case makes them unaffordable. As Alanis said, "Isn't it ironic?... Don't you think?" Yeah, Watch Dog really does think...

New pretty pictures have been put together to give folks an idea of what a revamped downtown Menlo Park would look like. We actually like the way downtown Menlo Park looks now, but the pastel images are great looking too...

There have been some high-profile union vs. city fights recently (Palo Alto vs Firefighters, Menlo Park Workers vs. Ballot Initiative, etc.) But in Half Moon Bay, a big bargaining unit agreed to furlough days for a year...

Pacifica Riptide continues its critique of Pacifica's new garbage company. Initially, the critique was about how Recology got the garbage contract without a bidding process being conducted... now it is about Recology's "confusing and incomplete" information they are mailing to customers about recycling...

Morning News Round-Up -- 4.8.10: Home/Loan Gate fizzles...

Ah, Atherton. What would we do without you? County politics would all be about budget and the 21st Assembly District race. But with you, Atherton, my love, we have a scandal, a witch-hunt, and finally a resolution... for now. The Home/Loan Gate involving Atherton Councilmember Charles Marsala will go forward no more, but not without another divisive Council meeting, backstabbing, and an even more divided Council than before. But, Marsala is keeping his gig... unless his opponents can find another thing to throw at him.

Here's something: Peter Carpenter, an Atherton resident, is asking the Sequoia Union High School District to rescind its appointment of James Lianides as Superintendent citing open government violations... expect this to cost taxpayers money, and perhaps Lianides his new gig. We'll see...

County elections by district or not by district, that is still the question (and a possible civil rights lawsuit). It was also the discussion last night at the County Charter Review Committee...

Unions are fighting back in Menlo Park (against Lee Duboc...)... they are claiming the proposed pension reform measure being planned for November ballots is improper... we'll see. This follows plans in Palo Alto for firefighters to have a measure on the ballot and for the Gilroy City Council to fight firefighters on the ballot... unions and cities going to ballot to curb (or not) costs. A new Silicon Valley trend...

Elsewhere in Menlo Park, the City Council is all smiles about the big Bohannon deal. Of course, it comes with $1 million+ in annual revenue to MP... that probably doesn't hurt the Bohannon cause much...

Here's a heartwarming story: an employee at Mid-Pen Housing Coalition was stealing money from needy applicants. A special place in hell awaits...

Bruce at the PP Examiner looks into Redwood City's grapple with filling in the Bay for housing (and lots and lots of money)...

To round-out the housing stories... Chris Mohr of the Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County penned an Op-Ed about how we need more housing at all income levels in San Mateo County...

Morning News Round-Up -- 4.7.10: An Atherton Blog... Yippee!

Oh no. Earlier in the week we learned about a man who raped a woman in the County's psych unit... it turns out it wasn't the first time such an insident occurred. We said the story had lawsuit written all over it, now it seems to have scandal written all over it...

Jon Mays at the Daily Journal writes about the Benjamin Franklin Hotel in San Mateo is up for sale... again. Perhaps it would be a great Daily Journal Headquarters building...

The irony of this story is rich: the Town of Atherton has launched a blog to keep residents informed... informed of all the lawsuits they settle? Or informed about the latest political backstabbing on the Town Council? Or perhaps informed about the next anti-High-Speed Rail actions the Town is taking... At least they didn't spend any money to create the free blog... on the other hand, they didn't do much design work either. Watch Dog loves the fact that the "Comments" are turned off on the blog -- probably because the Town of Atherton knows that it would quickly get out of control... (Watch Dog predicts a 3 month time frame before this becomes a political issue in Atherton...)

Here's a non-shocking story: Residents crowd Menlo Park meeting on Bohannon project... Wait, Menlo Park residents have something to say?

Also not shocking, Burlingame (and everyone else) has massive budget problems... $3.1 million in Burlingame.

Also, also not shocking: "Peninsulans plan to bombard high-speed rail authority with letters, emails." Yes, Peninsulans, because what everyone government agency loves is to get bombarded with complaints...

Also, also, also not shocking, Half Moon Bay has budget problems and may seek a sales-tax hike...

Morning News Round-Up -- 4.1.10: A little long...

We missed yesterday... so today's version is a little long. (As Michael Scott would say...)

Jon Mays at the Daily Journal caught our vibe with all the consultant-hiring going on in the County. Redwood City hired a consultant to fight the jail and a bunch of other cities hired consultants to deal with High Speed Rail.

As if waiting for the perfect timing to prove Jon Mays' point... Menlo Park is hiring a lobbyist to argue against High-Speed Rail...

The Burlingame Voice doesn't like High-Speed Rail much either...

Sally Leiber has been wanting to re-enter the political fray for sometime... and she did today in a big way in San Mateo County. She had an Op-Ed bashing the salt pond development plans for Redwood City in the Merc.

65 employees could lose their jobs in the San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School District... thank you Sacramento (and the economy...)

The County budget isn't much better, but County parks may stay open... "barely"

Here's a reoccurring story... Everest vs. Sequoia, Sequoia vs. Everest... Sequoia Union High School District has made a "final offer" to Everest by offering them space at Woodside High School. However, it might take a few more weeks to have Everest and Sequoia work things out... after several years, what's a few more weeks, right?

Riptide informs us all that Pacifica Lumber has closed...

It is no secret that the Menlo Park FIre District and the City of Menlo Park haven't been getting along lately -- heck, firefighters have been working without a contract for two years. Unfortunately, the mediation process that they were going through failed... to be continued...

Small victories can make the COWs of Woodside so happy... consider this selection: "Clap your hooves and toot your horns, the Town has finally posted their new online permit and project research engine called eTRAKit! We are genuinely excited and delighted with this program. We whole heartedly COW-ngratulate staff on a job well done." Whatever floats your cow-filled boat...

Morning News Round-Up -- 3.29.10: Home/Loan Gate continues in Atherton...

Well, it was a big day in Atherton on Friday. There was a City Council meeting scheduled to discuss Councilmember Charles Marsala's residency (which allegedly is not in Atherton) and a loan which he (allegedly) sought from a guy that was suing the Town. In any event, there wasn't a quorum so the meeting didn't really happen, but Marsala's foes on the Council, Kathy McKeithen and Jim Dobbie, did hold court and hear from the community (a.k.a. their friends) about Marsala... Home/Loan Gate continues.....

The financial incentives for Menlo Park to approve the Bohannon project look very strong... $1.67 million per year strong. Good luck saying no to that...

Perhaps MP could share some of their wealth to keep County parks from taking a huge hit... but don't bet on it.

The La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District has had a tough time of it recently... and by recently we mean the past 3 years. Bond money spent improperly, Superintendent turn-over, being on the State's education shit list... so drastic changes could be afoot. And not a moment too soon...

A San Carlos woman died off Sharp Park Beach on Sunday. She was trying to rescue her dog that had been swept up in a wave...

We end on this enlightening note:

Dude. Cow Palace. April 17 and 18. Just in time for 420...

Morning News Round-Up -- 3.17.10: Ayres Watch...

Well, here's something new: Dr. William Ayres the (alleged) child-molesting child pyschologist may not be mentally fit to stand trail again... These folks will not be pleased...

Recently, the proposed Kmart site development in San Mateo and how $1.7 million in "neighborhood improvements" was in the news... well, it is in the news again and questions are being asked... and not the type of questions that will make this project a reality either...

Millbrae Councilmember Gina Papan has some logical (?) ideas about High Speed Rail...

David Bohannon has done another poll about his massive Menlo Park project... guess what it says? That people love the Bohannon project...

You know times are tough when robbers start steeling pizzas... but that's what happened in Redwood City on Monday.

A different robbery in Redwood City is in the news this morning too... a robber tried to rob a police officers' home -- and the police officer caught him. Dumb.

The Citizens of Woodside track down mountain lions... or at least sighting of mountain lions.

Morning News Round-Up -- 3.10.10: Rest in Peace Mr. Haim...

Nothing gets folks worked up like eminent domain... and Caltrain is taking some property in San Bruno for a new station and rail bridges. Watch Dog isn't that worked up about it though...

Let me reconsider... nothing gets folks worked up like parking issues in Menlo Park, and now time restrictions and meters are up for discussion.

And if you are parking in Menlo Park, you better not be smoking...

Budget crunch stories...

• Redwood City Elementary may lose 127 employees...
• Belmont needs to cut $1.3 million from their budget...
• San Carlos City Councilmember Andy Klein paints the grim picture in the Daily Journal of what San Carlos might do to fix their budget.

Yikes. A man was found between two Union Pacific trains dead yesterday in SSF. (No, it was not Corey Haim.)

Morning News Round-Up -- 3.3.10: 2nd day in a row, 2nd day in a row...

Dear Mercury News/County Times web dudes... you have a problem with your shit. This is the second day in a row with the same problem. This is the second day in a row with the same problem.

Rockaway Quarry has been sold. We'll see what brilliant development idea comes out of this sale... Pacifica Riptide will most certaintly be following it.

Congrats to the Burlingame School District. Their parcel tax renewal passed this week.

We like your jobs (and your tax money), just not your campus growth plan... that's the message Gilead is getting from their Foster City neighbors.

Like everyone else, the Daily Journal's Jon Mays has an opinion about High Speed Rail, specifically in San Mateo. But his views are at least constructive and not NIMBYish...

If you smoke in Menlo Park, you know they have some tough anti-smoking laws. Well, the fines are about to get bigger...

Morning News Round-Up -- 2.24.10: What do Gilligan and Jerry Hill have in common?

Just sit right back...

Nothing is more fun than a conversation about High Speed Rail and the Peninsula... so Jon Mays in the Daily Journal fills us in on a three hour tour Assemblymember Jerry Hill provided to Curt Pringle the Chair of the California High Speed Rail Authority...

A three hour tour... A three hour tour...

Expect High Speed Rail to be a topic of conversation tonight as the Redwood City Woodside Democratic Club hosts a debate among the three candidates for Ira Ruskin's seat in the State Assembly...

Many, many local, Countywide elections are on the horizon (Slocum, Buffington, the Coroner...) And the County Superintendent's race. Anne Campbell, the Superintedent at the Portola Valley School District threw her hat in the ring yesterday... no other hats have been thrown in yet. Perhaps Ira Ruskin has a hat he'd like to throw in?

The ballots are being tallied in the San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School District parcel tax election... and things seem to be going well, but it is as close as it could possibly get... 66.7. This will help make recent pink slips null and void...

If you absolutely love smoking and love Foster City parks... you better find a new place to light up. The City of Foster City is considering a smoking ban in its parks. Imagine you live in an apartment in Belmont and love hanging out in Foster City parks and you love to smoke? You'd be screwed...

A long, long time ago, (last May) the Belmont Chamber of Commerce Board President was arrested and charged with molestation of his ex-girlfriend's daughter. He has pleaded not guilty and the trial (jury selection actually) has begun...

But pink slips are coming to San Bruno... 10 slips to be exact.

San Carlos may make it mandatory for businesses to recycle... and the Chamber of Commerce supports it.

The massive Bohannon Project in Menlo Park has hit a City Council delay... instead of this week, the Council will discuss it in April, giving NIMBYs plenty of time to organize...