Morning News Round-Up -- 5.14.10: Where to put that hitching post?

The developers who want to build on the Salt Flats in Redwood City released a poll yesterday that showed that folks in Redwood City support development on the Salt Flats in Redwood City. What else would it show?

Belmont is setting itself up for some budgetary unrest... while Belmont cuts some services and some spending, firefighters are getting a raise as they spend down fire department reserves as they "quit" San Carlos...

Redwood City School District finally has a contract with its teachers. It has (only) taken a year...

Cabrillo Unified (on the coast) has a new deal with their unions too... but coastside the deal is "unspecified"... which must be very reassuring to taxpayers footing the bill.

Also on the education front, we get this headline announcing the Academic Performance Index results for the County: Test scores show most Santa Clara, San Mateo counties students reaching state goal... as if "most" is the goal. You can find your neighborhood school's listing here...

Some Daily Journal political endorsements for you this morning: Yes on Measure G - the Community College Parcel Tax... and Unelected Supervisor Carole Groom's mission to drop the "unelected" title is supported by Jon Mays and friends...

The day-time home break-in spree is still going on in San Bruno. police would like your help if you know anything...

And while folks in San Bruno (and Redwood City School District and SamTrans and the Community College District) deal with real challenging issues, the good folks in Portola Valley are deciding about where to site a new hitching post... seriously.

Finally, the Burlingame Voice chimes in on something other than High-Speed Rail... this time on test scores and teachers' unions...

Morning News Round-Up -- 4.13.10: Divorce proceedings begin...

San Mateo Medical Center is looking into how a rape could happen in its psych unit... sounds like a really good plan. To show how serious they are, Jean Fraser, the County's Health Systems chief penned an OpEd for the Daily Journal...

And it begins... the San Carlos City Council voted to start the divorce proceedings with Belmont over their shared fire department...

San Carlos also voted to discontinue their red-light cameras... ironic, since Belmont started their red-light cameras this week. No wonder these two kids can't get along... (SSF is also thinking about life without red-light camers...)

Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Watch Dog's favorite coastside location (aside from Nona's Kitchen) is in deep trouble. There was a big plan to redo the place, but everyone's budget stinks... which means Pigeon Point Lighthouse is in trouble too...

While we are on the coast... a property owner in El Granada beat the Coastal Commission in court. Now a gigantic house can be built... how fun.

Speaking of historic (?) structures in San Mateo County, the Steve Jobs/ Woodside/ iMansion issue still isn't over yet. Jobs has a demolition application in with Woodside officials but they also got a request from a local couple to move the soon-to-be-demolished house to their property... will this ever end?

If you have been waiting for a hookah bar to open in San Bruno because you can't resist the sweet smell of tobacco... think again. San Bruno might be about to ban hookah bars... and a hookah bar without hookah is just a place with lots of cushions and carpets.

Here's something NIMBYs can get behind... there is a plan to install a cell phone tower in Portola Valley (y'know, so cell phones can work when you're riding your horsee)... neighbors are mad...

Thanks to a loyal reader (and the SacBee), we have this PensionMeter to share... we will write more about it later, but it doesn't look particularly good for our County... unless of course you are a current pensioner...

Morning News Round-Up -- 2.1.10: Nothing to sneeze at...

Big waves were all over the coast this weekend. Unfortunately, one wave brought a Berkeley woman out to sea and she drown in Pacifica.

On a more pleasant Pacifica note, the contractor hired to save the Esplanade Ave apartments in Pacifica are making headway...

Assemblymember Jerry Hill no longer likes red-light cameras. He wants the State to look into it. Perhaps Hill could do it quickly? Like before my $271 infraction needs to be paid...

Speaking of Assemblymembers, or wannabes, a new organization has sprung up locally: the Redwood City Woodside Democratic Club. As their coming out party, they are hosting the (trimmed down) line-up of candidates for the 21st Assembly District on February 24th in Redwood City. Is it too early for the candidates to use all the opposition research they are conducting?

Watch Dog is sick of the San Carlos artificial turf issue. While the anti-turf people are bringing a lawsuit, the City of San Carlos is looking for folks to do the laying...

$2 million in grants is nothing to sneeze at during these tough times... the Peninsula Health Care District handed that much out this week. Presumably some of it will go to stopping sneezing, ironically.

(Political) Martydym hits in San Carlos... Councilmember Andy Klein is passing up his $300 per month stipend. Perhaps he wants to donate that to Watch Dog to keep this blog up and running...

Speaking of Andy Klein...

Sue Lempert's column in today's Daily Journal looks a youthful trend on the local political landscape...

COWs of Woodside has an announcement for everyone... there is a seat on the ASRB Commission... for those of you who don't know Woodside Town government well, that's the Architecture and Site Review Board.

The San Mateo Union High School District would really like to sell the "Crestmoor" site in San Bruno. The problem is that the community doesn't necessarily feel the same way and sort of feels shut out of the process. Well, tomorrow the District is going to hold another (rowdy? unpleasant? boring?) public meeting on the issue. If you miss it, however, you can watch it on San Bruno TV...

And if you are one of the 7 or 8 people who ride SamTrans (just kidding) you should bring some extra cash today, fares are going up.

If there is an election coming up (and there is, in June) then there are likely to be School Districts looking for extra cash through parcel taxes. Menlo Park City School District and the Portola Valley School District are both expected to go to the ballot.

For years the City of East Palo Alto and Page Mill Properties spent time in court fighting about the rent control ordinance in that city. Now, Page Mill Properities is in bankruptcy court seeking protection. Today was going to be the day when the 1,800 units in East Palo Alto that Page Mill Property owns was going to be on sale... but it is delayed.

Morning News Round-up --12.09.09: A No-Mavericks Wednesday

Black ice and low visibility = bad driving conditions... along portions of 280 from Highway 92 in San Mateo to Larkspur Drive in Burlingame. It's that damn global warming again, no doubt.

If you think you are cold...be thankful you are not a bird.

New taxes, more taxes, new taxes… and San Mateo County Community College District doesn’t want to be the exception.

And here is one reason why we always need new taxes…

When it comes to health care reform, Washington’s Senate Dems might not get it, but San Mateo County does?

A 25-year-old man was stabbed outside a Happy Donuts in Redwood City. Not so happy after all.

Here is one from the archives: Bay Area gas prices plunge 11 cents. 'Tis the (oil) season.

Which brings us to our next point: Portola Valley ranks seventh of the 10 communities with the largest residential consumption of energy per household in the service area of Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. Figures.

And still, no Mavericks today…It's too cold, people.

Bruce is back... and he gives us more Sharp Park Golf Course details to chew on.

Redwood City selected Jeff Ira as mayor. Again. And here is what he had to say about that last night: “What you can do for Redwood City?” Already passing the buck, Jeff?

Morning News Round-Up -- 11.12.09: Taking the protest to (Foster) City Hall...

As if Foster City wasn't in enough trouble with their schools... a group of teachers took their salary dispute to City Hall this week to protest Vice Mayor Linda Koelling who used to run a private school that went under and left teachers short on their paychecks and payroll taxes... this should get very interesting...

And those teachers aren't the only ones pissed these days...

Senator Simitian is pissed about the water bill that passed out of Sacramento... and when Senator Simitian is pissed, you know you are going to hear about it. Senator Yee likes it, however...

An illegal subdivision... that's the charge of several folks who are suing about a Redwood City subdivision at Cordilleras Creek.

The City of San Carlos runs a popular after school program... but the City is cash-strapped, so they are handing over the program to the cash-rich (?) San Carlos Elementary School District... thank you San Carlos... perhaps the City of Belmont should help foot the bill too?

San Mateo Union High School District is looking become a little less cash-strapped by installing solar... $32 million worth of solar.

Investigators don't think there is foul play in the death of a Palo Alto man who was found in a Redwood City pool. Foul play no... foul smell, yes...

Preuss Pharmacy is closing in Menlo Park... Safeway bought the business...

There was a long power outage in Portola Valley this week -- 26 hours. It was caused by a Portola Valley rat that tripped a circuit breaker. Raising the obvious question -- there are rats in Portola Valley? I thought the high-priced homes included a rat-free clause...

The Mi Pueblo grocery store is opening in East Palo Alto this weekend. Ikea, then Mi Pueblo, then Home Depot... the "honey do" list...

Morning News Round-Up -- 11.11.09: Veterans Day Edition...

As we predicted, the idea for San Carlos to charge its partner in fire protection (Belmont) more money isn't being that well received... neighbor vs. neighbor. What do they say about fences and neighbors?

Here is a unique story: Folks in Burlingame are mad that there is a truck parked downtown... which normally isn't a problem. Except this truck is serving Indian food. Watch Dog does love Burlingame...

A federal lawsuit is being filed against the City of Millbrae and its Police Department accusing them of racial discrimination. And here we thought that federal lawsuits against cities and their police departments only happened in San Jose...

"Grade separation" may be coming to train tracks near you -- if you live in San Bruno. (And no, grade separation has nothing with the achievement gap in our schools...)

The commercial crab season is looking bad... which is neither good for business or for your taste buds...

From Portola Valley to Geneva... it isn't a direct flight. But that's where Portola Valley resident Eileen Chamberlain is headed. She was appointed as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Council. A lot for a business card... but pretty awesome nonetheless...

Fix Pacifica chimes in with some questions about why nothing has happened with the old Waste Water Treatment Plant in Pacifica for 10 years...

In case you missed it -- Bruce at PP Examiner wrote up the election results on his blog...

Morning News Round-up --11.10.09: the meaning of open space

Another raid inside an East Palo Alto home…this time police found five pounds of cocaine and $135,000 worth of crystal methamphetamine. Business is good.

San Mateo County says more money and more patients will come if it relocates its Methadone clinic somewhere other than Menlo Park. Like San Mateo?

Belmont-Redwood Shores School District wants to ask voters to pass a construction bond measure as soon as next year. Good luck.

Get your ad on while you can in Belmont.

San Mateo gets an A+ for budgeting...

The historic house drama continues in Burlingame...

And in Portola Valley, politicos are discussing the true meaning of open space….stay tuned.

Incumbent director Leonard Woren regains his lead in the race for Granada Sanitary District. Again, stay tuned.

Russell Randell Real, 29, of Arkansas was sentenced Monday to nine years in state prison for killing a 57-year-old Daly City man in a hit-and-run crash.

A Long Beach woman was busted in Burlingame for not returning her rental car three months ago. Apparently, she had no good explanation as to why she was late in retuning the car.

Atherton police Lt. Mike Guerra is the town's new police chief, starting Nov. 29. Yahoo!

And finally, the future of the Fox Theater still remains, well, unknown.

Morning News Round-Up -- 11.4.09: Champagne Hangover Edition...

So many campaigns, so much champagne, such a bad headache... the winners, and losers...

• New hotel taxes are coming to Burlingame, San Mateo, Millbrae, San Bruno, SSF, and Brisbane... but a sales tax hike in San Carlos failed, so did a business license tax in Redwood City.
• Atherton passed its parcel tax extension. Portola Valley passed a utility tax. Phew... we weren't sure Athertonians or Portola Valleyians would be able to afford it...
• Speaking of Redwood City... incumbent Jeff Ira got re-elected to the City Council along with Planning Commissioners Jeff Gee and John Seybert...
• David Lim, who has been running for the San Mateo City Council for a very, very long time won. For a complete list of the results, check it out here...
• Coastside, Naomi Patridge, Allan Alifano, and Rick Kowalczyk will take their seats on the HMB City Council. Good luck.
• The Sequoia Union High School District is getting two new Board members. Remember, this is the School District that has had an ongoing battle with the two Charter Schools. As a possible rebuke by voters to how the School District has acted, Chris Thomsen got the most votes... you see, Chris Thomsen, has a kid at one of the Charter Schools. Perhaps a new day is dawning at Sequoia?

Citizens of Woodside advocate for MOOTube... and some donations...

And the San Mateo County blogosphere has new member. What seems to be an anti-Pacifica Riptide blog, Fix Pacifica, is now on the scene... Welcome Fix...

Morning News Round-Up -- 10.2.09: Good thing we aren't Chicago...

Sorry about the delay folks... I was waiting to hear the official word from Copenhagen...

Redwood City Council candidates talk about the same ol’ same ol’: money, transportation, housing, and the quality of life. Hopefully this election will be over soon... these issues are kind of a drag. Where is the personal sniping?

San Bruno welcomes home its marines from Iraq! Thanks y'all.

The San Mateo-Foster City School District will take a closer look in San Mateo for a possible campus site. More roadblocks to come? Perhaps San Mateo will be a more welcoming venue than Foster City has been. (Hint to David Lim: Make this a campaign issue...)

Burlingame, Millbrae, and San Mateo are considering merging their Police Departments to save money (a.k.a. sweet salaries and good benefits). No truth to the rumor that the new Department will be called the BurBraeMateo PD.

Can you hear me now? The Portola Valley School District Board won’t allow T-Mobile to install cellular phone equipment atop the roof of the District office. Must be Sprint carriers...

Whoooa. Take the ballgame out... Jefferson High School cut its baseball program because of money? Talk about taking one for the team.

Morning News Round-Up -- 9.30.09: Recession Repercussions served with 4 Rolexes...

For you loyal Watch Dog readers, you'll remember has an entire week of Recession Repercussions a while back... well, the RRs are back:

• 98 County employees are losing their job...
• The economy and taxes are topping the list of things City Council candidates in Burlingame (and everywhere else) are talking about... (And it is a good thing we know what those candidates are concerned about, because the Daily Journal just endorsed three of them: Cathy Baylock, Ann Keighran, and Rosalie O'Mahony -- all incumbents.)
• But not all Recession Repurcussions are bad... transportation projects are getting cheaper. Silver lining?
• And finally, we'll call this a Recesssion Repurcussion story: 4 Rolex watches were stolen from a home in Portola Valley. Bringing up the age-old question in Portola Valley -- Are 3 Rolexes enough?
  

This is most definitely not about the economy: A substitute teacher at San Mateo High School was arrested for sexting a student. If you don't know what sexting is -- then you are in for an eye-opening explanation and probably a rethinking of that camera phone you bought your teenager.

Speaking of inappropriate behavior of school employees and new words... the track coach at Menlo-Atherton High School who used racial slurs to threaten some students who annoyed him at home is going to trial. That's the inappropriate behavior part. The new word used in this Daily Journal story is tween.

The idea of home inspection 'police' in Daly City has been shelved for the time being. We guess when 300 folks show up to protest something, those 300 voices are heard...

Morning News Round-Up -- 9.29.09: The NIMBY Affect...

This caught our eye in the Letters to the Editor in the Daily Journal: apparently there is pink slime in some water in Burlingame... seriously.

The Caltrain horns are still too loud, according to some NIMBYs. Really? The only Caltrain horn that some folks will like is silence...

There is an interesting issue brewing in Daly City... (we know, hard to believe...) It revolves around DC's efforts to cut back on illegal room additions and requires pre-sale home inspections. 300+ people turned out to protest the new inspection rules. The folks were turned out by the local Realtors group.

The Pilgrim-Triton project in Foster City seems to be on track. This is the piece of land on at 92 and Hillsdale Boulevard. Watch Dog is shocked that financing seems to be coming through... kudos to Foster City's Community Development Agency... now, if Foster City could only find land for a school...

For you 3 readers in Millbrae, there is a City Council election November. Of course declining revenues are a top concern for candidates...

There is also an election for the Sequoia Union High School District Board. Two of those candidates will square off tonight in Portola Valley... Chris Thomsen and Bob Ferrando. Presumably the other 6 will be home watching Dancing with the Stars at 9 p.m.

If you have ever complained about the cell phone service in Belmont, you are not alone. But it may not get any better anytime soon. A plan to place cell transmitters in Belmont is (possibly) being NIMBYed to death. We guess NIMBYs don't use cell phones...

Not to be outdone, Portola Valley will also consider a new cell phone tower... the cell service over there is also incredibly bad.

Morning News Round-Up -- 9.21.09: It's hot... damn hot...

Fall officially starts tomorrow, yet it's going to feel as hot as summer for everyone except for those who are visiting from Texas. Remember to hydrate!

And because of the heat (and your SUV) the air quality around the Bay is bad enough that officials are asking people to telecommute, carpool, and take transit as part of the “Spare the Air” day.

Here is one thing the state IS good at: Mandating local programs that it cannot fund. Thank you Sacramento...

Strangely enough some parents in the San Mateo-Foster City School District are “miffed” that the District is finger-printing volunteers who work on the school campus. Apparently, money outweighs safety. Really? Miffed?

San Mateo County is considering building its new jail on the motor pool lot near the Maguire Correctional Facility. Let the NIMBYism continue...

Cougars were spotted in Portola Valley… and it wasn’t at your local bar.

Volunteers around the state picked up more than 909,294 pounds of trash and recyclables this weekend. Thanks, y'all. All that trash and the SBWMA isn't even in the story...

Morning News Round-up --9.18.09: The cycle of life.

Here is a chance to shell out more money to fly…SFO passengers can pay a fee that will go toward reforestation projects. It pays to be green.

San Mateo County prosecutors filed additional charges against the suspect in the Skyline College shooting. It’s the first time prosecutors claimed the shooting confrontation was gang-related.

Portola Valley schools got a $3 million windfall from the federal stimulus package. Forget textbooks and teachers they are using that money to go solar.

East Palo Alto’s biggest landlord legally blocked a new rent law that was supposed to be on the November ballot.

Palo Alto has a new police chief, and according to the city manager the newly hired chief “knows, in his bones as well as his head, that the mandate for the police must come from the community.” Let's hope so.

Caltrain also learned how to listen to residents.

The San Mateo-Foster City School District is still thinking about building its new elementary school on a site planned for a retirement community. We believe the children are our future, etc, etc, etc...

Morning News Round-Up -- 9.2.09: Some stories just won't go away...

Some reoccurring stories to start...

Foster City Council members went with the more unpopular site to build a new school – the vacant 3.9-acre plot at Beach Park Boulevard and Halibut Street overlooking the Bay as a potential site for the District to build a school. At least there is a Bay view. The saga continues?

and...

East Palo Alto's biggest landlord suffered a legal blow when a San Mateo County judge granted an injunction barring it from raising rents at its properties. Sorry Page Mill Properties, it was fun while it lasted...

Protests did the job, or at least part of it... Officials are laying off only 28 San Mateo County Superior Court employees instead of the 60 as originally planned.

SFO is now Earth-friendly. You can board planes using your cell phones now. Cool.

Burlingame Police toot their own horns…

A Menlo Park man and two other American men accused of traveling to Cambodia to have sex with children will face Federal charges in the United States. What happens in Cambodia comes back to haunt you on the Peninsula.

A Woodside homeowner is having a 10,500-square foot ground-mounted solar array installed on a secluded meadow to cover all his electricity needs. Only in Woodside.

Another San Mateo County school hits the jackpot. This time in Portola Valley...

Two-time convicted child molester Chester Miller has been sentenced on Tuesday morning to four years in state prison for neglecting to register as a sex offender for years while living in Montara. Now we know where the phrase Chester the Molester comes from, we thought it just was a neat rhyme, it turns out to be true...

The former president of a parents association at a Redwood City elementary school has been sentenced to a year in jail for stealing from fundraisers, including one that offered children the chance to have their pictures taken with Santa Claus. That should be a difficult year in prison.

A Baby Boomer favorite, Millbrae’s Shaw’s Candy and Ice Cream is closing its doors due to leasing issues.

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 -- 8.11.09: The economy is bad... seriously

When people can’t find jobs, they usually go back to school. If that’s what you are planning, then you can get in line. Colleges across the state are having a hard time keeping pace with the increasing demand for more schooling. San Mateo County Community College District’s enrollment increased 14 percent this summer with fall enrollment on track to grow 20 percent. More than 12,000 people are on the wait list at this time.

Another telling sign that the economy is still bad (in case you hadn’t noticed). San Mateo day labors are lingering on the streets, because well, they can’t get work. And once again, it’s pissing off the neighbors, many of whom don’t like the fact that their tax dollars are going toward a Day Labor Resource Center, a drop in center where day labors can try to find work. Councilman John Lee assured residents there was nothing more that the City can do about lingering day labors: “We can’t run them out. If anyone has better ideas bring them forward...” he said. Watch Dog's guess is that his offer to bring ideas forward will encourage many to do just that... get ready Councilmember Lee.

BART union members nixed a contract settlement Monday night. BART Managers and Board members are graciously threatening to shove a contract down the throats of any union that didn’t accept the deal. Surely, that won’t lead to a strike?

Apparently, Foster City has the best roads in San Mateo County, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.

Crews have started renovating the 124-year-old Emmett House in Belmont into two low-income housing units.

Another clear sign the economy is bad: The CHP writes more tickets. Tomorrow, the CHP will be cracking down on anyone gabbing on the phone while driving without a hands-free device. Thank you for the hands-free heads-up...

Portola Valley’s Town Council was hoping residents would read between the lines when it recently sent out postcard to residents, reminding them of the Town’s serious budget woes. The postcard went out three months before voters are set to decide on renewing the Town’s utility tax, which bring in 10 percent of Portola Valley’s revenue.

The long-awaited Palo Alto groundbreaking of the renovated Lytton Plaza was scheduled for Monday but then canceled, thanks to a local resident who pointed out that it would have violated City Charter. City leaders are scrambling to schedule a special meeting while downtown merchants are lamenting the setback. Only in Palo Alto...

Coastsiders say Route 17 isn’t just a scenic route that’s “nice to have.” Residents who packed the community hearing last week pointed out that Route 17 is a necessity: it is the only line serving both the Moonridge low-income community, and stops in the upper section of Montara.

Morning News Round-Up -- 5.27.09: The Supreme (Courts) Day After

The day after Supreme (Courts) Tuesday (Prop 8 upheld/Sotomayor)... Watch Dog stays local...

The Burlingame Trolley has been saved... thank you Burlingame businesses that ponied up. (Remember when one of the hotels that foot the bill dropped out?)

The Belmont vote to make current parks permanent (by requiring a vote of the people to change the parks) was pushed off by Councilmember Warren Lieberman. A couple of weird things are happening around this issue. First, Lieberman wants the vote pushed off. Then, several folks are recusing themselves from the vote (Mayor Braunstein and Vice Mayor Wozniak) because live near parks. Next, a member of the Sierra Club got in a back-and-forth with Lieberman. So, the decision comes down to a Mayor and Vice Mayor-less Council that includes Lieberman, Coralin Feierbach (whose idea this is), and Bill Dickenson and they can't seem to agree if the idea is strong enough or not to protect parks. We can't wait until July 9th when it is set to be heard again...

The Grand Jury had good things to say about something yesterday (drug disposal)... but we still wait (anxiously) for the Grand Daddy of Grand Jury Reports (garbage).

Jon Mays (Daily Journal Editor) predicts a revolution in California because the State keeps stealing local tax dollars even though we all voted in 2004 to stop the theft. Good stuff.

The Star Light Lounge on El Camino in Millbrae always seemed like such a nice place... (unless, of course, you read about it on Yelp.) That was, of course, until the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control shut it down. Don't worry neighbors, they are transferring the liquor license...

In a sure sign things are bad, Palo Alto Police Officers have deferred $800,000 in raises until 2011. Watch Dog has to wonder: will other public safety officials follow suit?

The Portola Valley Town Picnic is Saturday, June 6th. The best thing going is the pie bake-off. (For all you wise guys out there, this is not the same as your fraternity's "bake-off"...)

Morning News Round-Up -- 3.11.09: Too Much Information Edition...

First, some bad financial news...what else did you expect?

As if the drop in sales tax and construction fees weren't hurting cities and counties enough, plunging property values are hurting local governments even worse...San Mateo County's total property tax revenue could drop $2 billion...(As automatic and requested reassessments become more popular, we all get another warning about unscrupulous businesses trying to scam homeowners about getting reassessed. If you have any questions -- check out Warren Slocum's website...)

As if not wanted to miss the trend, Millbrae decided to seek voter approval to raise the hotel tax by 2 percent and re-upping the fire assessment tax. Voters will likely get a look at these votes in November...

And when politics and budget challenges come to head, we have a situation like we had last night in Daly City. The Daly City City Council cut the salary of the elected City Clerk by half. Could this have anything to do with the fact that folks on the City Council endorsed Annette Hipona's opponent last year? (Hipona won by a lot...)

It was just a matter of time before businesses in Palo Alto chimed in on the proposed (huge) business license tax...the proposed new tax could go before voters in November.

Just as Stanford University's budget crunch was a clear sign that things have tanked, here is another: Portala Valley's only gas station may have to close...don't all those SUVs (and Priuses) still need gas? (Since folks heard of the station's difficulty, it seems people have started spending more money there...)

And now other news:

The Daily Journal's Jon Mays gives his take on needed education reform...

Woodside's COWs give us an update on that town's new fire regulations...

The second local high school principal this week announced her retirement yesterday. Cheryl LeBeouf at Peninsula High is joining Sequioa High's Morgan Marchbanks in heading for greener pastures...actually, LeBeouf is looking to higher ed for her next job while Marchbanks is looking to get her Doctorate...

Menlo Park's Mayor gave his State of the City speech last night. The take away from the speech, at least according to Watch Dog and the Almanac news story, is that residents shouldn't listen to Lee Duboc...Mayor Robinson, you should probably come up with a better message than that...

Watch Dog isn't sure what this means, but it seems that folks in the 14th Congressional District (Eshoo's District) are the most "contented" in the country. Click through to the story and you'll also find out that Congresswoman Eshoo reads her Blackberry in the bathroom. TMI?