Yesterday, Swine Flu was everywhere in the news, but not many places in real life. 24 hours later, more and more cases are showing up. Including some in the Bay Area.
In other "medical news" -- the County Board of Supervisors approved a medical marijuana ordinance yesterday. Perhaps pot can treat the new flu?...
Belmont (and a few other cities) have a big sewer bill to pay. So, to pay for it, Belmont is considering (and reconsidering) raising water/sewer rates. Last night, they spent two hours talking about what a bad idea it was to raise rates on residents and businesses during this economy, and then went ahead and increased rates. Councilman Bill Dickenson voted against the plan. Apparently he believes money to pay for the sewer is going to fall from the sky...
But that wasn't the only thing on the Belmont agenda yesterday...
The Belmont City Council wants to know the history of the garbage-overseeing agency the South Bayside Waste Management Authority before formally asking for elected officials to serve on its Board. Belmont City Councilmember Bill Dickenson is concerned that having a Board comprised of staff members from each member agency has lead to "back room" deals. Ironically, San Carlos City Councilmember Omar Ahmad is defending the status quo, saying that elected officials overseeing big contracts can lead to the same thing...Watch Dog guesses no one can be trusted.
San Bruno is looking at cutting costs and services and increasing fees/taxes. Get in line...
San Carlos said yes to annexing Devonshire Canyon... and to the 5 new homes that go along with it. All of this over NIMBY objections and apparently in spite of the dusky-footed woodrat. (Vice Mayor Randy Royce disagreed with his colleagues on this issue and voted no...)
Watch Dog finds inter-government squabbles fun. So we will watch closely as the City of Menlo Park and the Menlo Park City School District try to work out their differences on the District's plans for Hillview Middle School...
"Restore Sharp Park" gets some ink in Pacifica Riptide...pretty good writing on Ian Butler's behalf, even though he agrees with San Francisco Supervisor Ross Mirkirimi...
While we're on it, if you want your voice heard on the Sharp Park Golf Course issue, there will be a public hearing San Francisco tomorrow at 1 p.m. at San Francisco City Hall, Room 263. (Hat tip Bruce...)
Showing posts with label sewer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sewer. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 3.25.09: Dial-up Internet Edition...
Watch Dog doesn't want to brag...but we will. Our ongoing harassment of Jay Thorwaldson's horrible blogging (10 posts in 3 years) has led the Palo Alto Weekly to find community bloggers to make the online version of the paper a bit hipper. They have a ways to go. Aside from their world-travelling blogger (Kevin Schuman), they have added a new blogger today, Paul Losch. Unfortunately, Losch's first paragraphs reveal that he doesn't really know what blogs are all about or what blogging really is. Don't worry Mr. Losch, Watch Dog will monitor and critique your posts...like today's is too long and not that interesting, no offense...
Speaking of local blogs, David Lim, the once and future candidate for San Mateo City Council, has been busy. He provided testimony up in Sacramento this week and blogged about it here.
Watch Dog has become accustomed to local governments jacking up rates on garbage and sewer...but it is rare that local governments, once they have decided to increase rates, go back and look at their decision. But that's what Belmont is doing with its sewer rates. Since 2000, sewer rates in Belmont have gone up 93 percent, according to today's Daily Journal, the 8 to 9.5 percent extra that the Belmont City Council already decided to hit residents with was reconsidered last night...
Sequoia Healthcare District has found its new CEO, Lee Michelson will take the helm on April 27th.
In other healthcare news...
Palo Alto is looking for a new Police Chief. Presumably one that thinks before he/she opens their mouth...
Speaking of local blogs, David Lim, the once and future candidate for San Mateo City Council, has been busy. He provided testimony up in Sacramento this week and blogged about it here.
Watch Dog has become accustomed to local governments jacking up rates on garbage and sewer...but it is rare that local governments, once they have decided to increase rates, go back and look at their decision. But that's what Belmont is doing with its sewer rates. Since 2000, sewer rates in Belmont have gone up 93 percent, according to today's Daily Journal, the 8 to 9.5 percent extra that the Belmont City Council already decided to hit residents with was reconsidered last night...
Sequoia Healthcare District has found its new CEO, Lee Michelson will take the helm on April 27th.
In other healthcare news...
- John Horgan at the County Times gives us a perspective on how the fiscal crisis has caused two Bay Area counties (but not ours) to limit free/low-cost routine care to undocumented immigrants...
- The County Times goes into lots of detail about Monday's public meeting in Half Moon Bay about the closure of Coastside Family Medical Center which was led by Supervisor Gordon.
- On a related note, the Health Plan of San Mateo picked up the records of the nearly 2,000 patients of the Coastside Family Medical Center.
Palo Alto is looking for a new Police Chief. Presumably one that thinks before he/she opens their mouth...
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 2.19.09: Wasteful-Spending Angry Man Edition...
Recession Repercussion 1,001: Schools face cuts because they had money invested with some (safe?) failed banks and the State is in a state. San Mateo Union High School District is today's -cost-cutting-public-agency.
But don't worry, the State Legislature approved a budget plan...such an efficient bunch in Sacramento...
Speaking of Sacramento...
"Senator Joe Simitian: Your cell phone law sucks." That's not Watch Dog saying that, that is a billboard on 101 in East Palo Alto, thanks a wasteful-spending angry man named Grant Paulson...
As if someone predicted it...oh wait, someone did predict it. The weather, and a mechanical glitch, almost caused a catastrophe for the South Bayside System Authority's waste water treatment facility. Good thing taxes are going up to pay for improvements...
Partly because of the Great Recession, and partly because of an $18 million lawsuit payout -- the woes continue for Half Moon Bay...now the San Mateo County Times is even on the story...
It was here yesterday though, thanks to the fearless reporters at the HMB Review...if only spending huge sums of money on Sacramento lobbyists could get you out of a financial crunch...
What do a clown suit, federal officers, a small bicycle, and Redwood City have in common? You have to read this story to find out. It almost sounds like an Onion story...
Two agencies asking for money must be better than one. Right? That's what the game-plan is for CalTrain and the California High-Speed Rail Authority as they petition for federal stimulus money for Peninsula tracks...
Speaking of High-Speed Rail, if you still haven't gotten everything off your chest about how angry you are with the fact that it is going to be running through your back yard, the California High-Speed Rail Authority has extended its deadline for your comments...
Michelle Durand does her best Debbie Downer impression in today's Daily Journal "Off the Beat" piece...
The new plans for the Burlingame Safeway which were disclosed earlier this week and are now (seemingly) on a fast-track have a whole group of folks a little pissed. I guess that makes sense since the group's title is the Safeway Working Group...
State Senator Leland Yee (and Assemblymember Tom Ammiano) have put forward a bill to mandate police oversight at BART...perhaps that would have been a more helpful bill last session?
But don't worry, the State Legislature approved a budget plan...such an efficient bunch in Sacramento...
Speaking of Sacramento...
"Senator Joe Simitian: Your cell phone law sucks." That's not Watch Dog saying that, that is a billboard on 101 in East Palo Alto, thanks a wasteful-spending angry man named Grant Paulson...
As if someone predicted it...oh wait, someone did predict it. The weather, and a mechanical glitch, almost caused a catastrophe for the South Bayside System Authority's waste water treatment facility. Good thing taxes are going up to pay for improvements...
Partly because of the Great Recession, and partly because of an $18 million lawsuit payout -- the woes continue for Half Moon Bay...now the San Mateo County Times is even on the story...
It was here yesterday though, thanks to the fearless reporters at the HMB Review...if only spending huge sums of money on Sacramento lobbyists could get you out of a financial crunch...
What do a clown suit, federal officers, a small bicycle, and Redwood City have in common? You have to read this story to find out. It almost sounds like an Onion story...
Two agencies asking for money must be better than one. Right? That's what the game-plan is for CalTrain and the California High-Speed Rail Authority as they petition for federal stimulus money for Peninsula tracks...
Speaking of High-Speed Rail, if you still haven't gotten everything off your chest about how angry you are with the fact that it is going to be running through your back yard, the California High-Speed Rail Authority has extended its deadline for your comments...
Michelle Durand does her best Debbie Downer impression in today's Daily Journal "Off the Beat" piece...
The new plans for the Burlingame Safeway which were disclosed earlier this week and are now (seemingly) on a fast-track have a whole group of folks a little pissed. I guess that makes sense since the group's title is the Safeway Working Group...
State Senator Leland Yee (and Assemblymember Tom Ammiano) have put forward a bill to mandate police oversight at BART...perhaps that would have been a more helpful bill last session?
Monday, January 12, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 1.12.09: "Swell of Interest" Hoodie Edition...
Even though Watch Dog wrote about it here and the San Mateo Civil Grand Jury reported on it here, the San Mateo Daily Journal today points out that the cost of collecting garbage may go up because the profits from recycling are plummeting. (Oh yeah, and a new, more expensive contract is being considered and a new facility is being planned to sort our stuff.)
And if skyrocketing garbage rates weren't enough...
The good folks of Belmont are facing huge rate increases/taxes to pay for Belmont's portion of a new sewer treatment facility. Homeowners may see a $250 fee increase, renters $175, and condo-dwellers $200. But the real pain will come to businesses, whose fees may be based on square footage: restaurants $1,435, stores $137, and offices $89 (all per 1,000 square feet)...hold on to your hats folks, Belmont is just the first City to look at how to pay their share -- Redwood City, San Carlos, and cities in the West Bay Sanitary District all need to pay up soon...
Speaking of City finances -- Menlo Park is about to get a boost from the Rosewood Sand Hill Hotel, due to be complete in February. Expect to shell out big bucks for a room -- of which, a 10% tax will be levied and go directly to the Menlo Park General Fund...how lucky for them! Perhaps they can pay for the increased cost of garbage...or sewer...
The City of San Carlos has been talking about swapping out real grass with synthetic grass at Highlands Park. After study, public hearings, and more study, the idea may be close to being implemented. Before they go any further, though, they should check out this bit from Watch Dog Silicon Valley. Apparently, State Senator Abel Maldonado has taken up the anti-synthetic field cause for a group of parents in San Jose saying:
As always, Sue Lempert's piece in the Daily Journal provides great background as to the political goings on around the County. She focused on San Mateo's vacant Council seat today and names names as possibles: Robert Ross, Tish Busselle, Randy Torrijos (see Watch Dog's piece on Torrijos), Bertha Sanchez, Fred Hansson, Richard Hedges, and Karen Herrel. Herrel's name comes with the caveat that she would be a place-holder until the next election when (shock!) folks would be able to elected their City Councilmember. If San Mateo did that -- it would make the Board of Supervisors look silly for their undemocratic action. Lempert also gets into the (possible) power struggle between State Senator Leland Yee and Assemblymember Jerry Hill about the San Mateo County Democratic delegates elected to the State Convention -- bottom line: Hill outmaneuvered Lee...(just like Hill outmaneuvered the SBWMA...)
A "swell of interest" is not something Dr. House should see...rather, it is the (possible) precursor to Mavericks this weekend. 40-foot (!) waves are possible this weekend -- get your binoculars ready...
Congrats Half Moon Bay -- you have a new Interim City Manager. Retired Huntington Beach Fire Chief Michael Dolder got the nod for the next 6 months as Farmer John and Half Moon Bay try to figure out who to hire long-term.
And if skyrocketing garbage rates weren't enough...
The good folks of Belmont are facing huge rate increases/taxes to pay for Belmont's portion of a new sewer treatment facility. Homeowners may see a $250 fee increase, renters $175, and condo-dwellers $200. But the real pain will come to businesses, whose fees may be based on square footage: restaurants $1,435, stores $137, and offices $89 (all per 1,000 square feet)...hold on to your hats folks, Belmont is just the first City to look at how to pay their share -- Redwood City, San Carlos, and cities in the West Bay Sanitary District all need to pay up soon...
Speaking of City finances -- Menlo Park is about to get a boost from the Rosewood Sand Hill Hotel, due to be complete in February. Expect to shell out big bucks for a room -- of which, a 10% tax will be levied and go directly to the Menlo Park General Fund...how lucky for them! Perhaps they can pay for the increased cost of garbage...or sewer...
The City of San Carlos has been talking about swapping out real grass with synthetic grass at Highlands Park. After study, public hearings, and more study, the idea may be close to being implemented. Before they go any further, though, they should check out this bit from Watch Dog Silicon Valley. Apparently, State Senator Abel Maldonado has taken up the anti-synthetic field cause for a group of parents in San Jose saying:
Blood, sweat, skin cells, and other materials can remain on the turf because the fields are not washed or cleaned. It's like playing on a giant used Band-Aid. I'm not against turf, but I want to make sure that it's totally safe for kids...Burlingame City Manager Jim Nantell gets a nice bio-piece written about him in today's Daily Journal. The piece is good -- what isn't answered about it is...why? Watch Dog likes Nantell, and so does everyone else seemingly, but a biographical sketch of a City Manager is a bit weird...no?
As always, Sue Lempert's piece in the Daily Journal provides great background as to the political goings on around the County. She focused on San Mateo's vacant Council seat today and names names as possibles: Robert Ross, Tish Busselle, Randy Torrijos (see Watch Dog's piece on Torrijos), Bertha Sanchez, Fred Hansson, Richard Hedges, and Karen Herrel. Herrel's name comes with the caveat that she would be a place-holder until the next election when (shock!) folks would be able to elected their City Councilmember. If San Mateo did that -- it would make the Board of Supervisors look silly for their undemocratic action. Lempert also gets into the (possible) power struggle between State Senator Leland Yee and Assemblymember Jerry Hill about the San Mateo County Democratic delegates elected to the State Convention -- bottom line: Hill outmaneuvered Lee...(just like Hill outmaneuvered the SBWMA...)
A "swell of interest" is not something Dr. House should see...rather, it is the (possible) precursor to Mavericks this weekend. 40-foot (!) waves are possible this weekend -- get your binoculars ready...Congrats Half Moon Bay -- you have a new Interim City Manager. Retired Huntington Beach Fire Chief Michael Dolder got the nod for the next 6 months as Farmer John and Half Moon Bay try to figure out who to hire long-term.
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