The Daily Fetch

Watch Dog readers get ready!

In the next few days (after Watch Dog sorts out what the heck is going on) I will have an election update for Atherton. While the previous sentence may sound like a snoozer, believe me it is not.

One candidate has folks requesting files about another candidate’s home improvement permits.

One candidate has been busy at the Courts pulling depositions and testimony related to firings at Atherton Town Hall.

All the candidates are jamming Watch Dog’s inbox with stuff.

So, keep it up. I’m working on it as fast as a Watch Dog possibly can.

Obama and McCain aren’t able to sling mud as readily or freely as the good folks of Atherton. Which all makes for an entertaining blog.

Update: One candidate in Atherton that is not busy emailing me seems to be busy shooting videos. “I’m Elizabeth Lewis and I approved this message…”

County officials are being criticized for their handling of a big ambulance contract. Haven’t we seen selection processes criticized before? (Think garbage, Jerry Hill, and Kevin McCarthy…perhaps Mr. McCarthy will send a letter to Jerry Hill asking for transparency…)

Redwood City loses something that was pretty cool for them to have – the Green Building Exchange. They are moving north, but not “all the way” north. See their new header here:

Some funny political news from the Phantom, including the a shot at Rod Diridon and the unlikely pairing of consummate Democrat Joe Cotchett and out-there Republican Pete McCloskey. They would be two fun invitees to a debate-watching party this week.

We Want In! We Want In! Some folks want to be part of Palo Alto Unified School District rather than the one they are in. Is anyone surprised? Watch Dog would like to go to Palo Alto schools too…

For our friends to the south – San Jose voters are being asked to approve a tax that they already pay and weren’t ask the first time if they wanted to pay…you figure it out.

The Atherton Council candidates will debate on October 2nd and the MA Council candidates will debate on October 8th. Details here.

Watch Dog can only assume that none of these candidates has suspended their campaigns until after the financial crisis is over…

That was quick – an investigator looking into the garbage contract selection process found that the pick was not biased. The two folks who weren’t chosen think the finding of unbiased is biased.

It seems the brave folks at the Menlo Park Fire Protection District don’t pay their tolls when crossing bridges…weird.

Senator Joe “Hands-Free/Text-Free” Simitian has a ‘challenger’ – but Watch Dog thinks this is the most coverage this race is going to get.

Cities, school districts (and you and me) wait to see how Lehman Brothers debacle will impact their funds. Scary.

And finally, if this doesn’t make you mad, Watch Dog doesn’t know what will. State Legislators get their gas paid for by you…and you may have heard but gas is expensive these days.

If Watch Dog didn’t watch close enough — email me here: watchdogsanmateo@gmail.com…

The Almanac finally (finally!) picked up on the story of the Atherton City Council candidate, Sam Goodman, dropping out of the race. According to the time stamp on the posting online, it was posted to the Almanac’s website at 8:44 a.m. this morning.

You long-time readers will remember that Watch Dog broke this story here — and then reported some further insider insight here.

Where you been Mr./Ms. Almanac?

Really…

Because I believe in putting County first, Watch Dog will not be suspending blogging until the financial crisis is over…

Once again, Menlo Park and Atherton hate Prop. 1A – the anti-Menlo Park, anti-Atheron measure, high speed rail bond.

Belmont is considering charging property owners if the police or fire fighters need to make a visit. It seems the idea was originally brought forward by Vice Mayor Bill Dickenson. Ironic?

The Daily Journal’s Reporter’s Notebook has some nuggets…

On a national, yet local, note, economic advisors from the McCain/Obama camps debated at Stanford yesterday. Good timing.

Did Watch Dog not watch close enough? Send your missing links to watchdogsanmateo@gmail.com or post them below…

New feature on Watch Dog, a Morning News Round-Up…

Rate hikes coming to San Carlos residents for weekly compost/food scraps pick-up.

As reported on Watch Dog yesterday, Belmont will issue its own bonds to cover the cost of the sewage fix – rather than partnering with neighboring cities.

Palo Alto may ban smoking in parks – “…but smokers are taxpayers too…”

San Mateo-Foster City School District is trying to change the way union contracts get negotiated – good luck…

Today is the day for all Athertonians to take up arms, fight the man, and complain about high-speed rail! (Watch Dog can hear the chants now – “Not in my 3 acre backyard! Not in my 3 acre backyard!)

Millbrae City Council wants to raise hotel and business license taxes to cover shortfalls starting next year (yesterday’s story)

The Daily Journal weighs in on W and V (no and yes respectively)

If you feel Watch Dog missed something…post it below or email me at watchdogsanmateo@gmail.com

Tonight the Belmont Council will consider going alone to pay for the debt needed to fix up the water treatment plant as opposed to funding it together with neighboring cities. They think they can save money by putting out bonds alone rather than paying their share along with neighbors.

Rate increases coming…that is the one thing for certain.

The Millbrae City Council is considering how to fix its budget problem starting next year. It looks like this was a preliminary discussion, with more to follow. This should be interesting…hold on to your wallets…and your hats.

A well-placed Atherton source provided the following insight to the Sam Goodman drop-out story, first reported here yesterday. (Note: As of this posting, it has not been posted elsewhere yet.)

From the source:

Sam Goodman called the Almanac this morning to tell them that he couldn’t compete with the fund raising of his rivals (candidates have not disclosed fundraising, and won’t until October.)

And John Johns has resurfaced since Marc Hynes resigned, requesting lots of documents from the Town; so maybe the legal fiasco is not over.

Now, a careful Watch Dog reader will also note that you read it here first that the Marc Hynes resignation from City Attorney was not what it seemed…Watch Dog is breaking news and predicting the future now…

Thanks for the tips, Atherton friends.