The Daily Fetch

Just when it seemed San Jose was the party capital…From the Fairmont to the airport, revelers are reeling from the bad economy. Milpitas Mayor Jose Esteves chopped the budget for a January gala to celebrate the opening of a new library to $20,000. Focusing on the basics Esteves said, “…the best gift we can give our residents is that the library was completed on time and within budget.”

There is celebrating at Santa Clara University, Noelle Lopez has received a Rhodes scholarship – the first for Santa Clara University. Lopez, a 2nd generation Mexican-American and believed to be among the first Latinas to receive the award, will continue her studies into “virtue ethics” at Oxford next fall.”

Knowledge will lead the way as Stanford University pilots a police training program that attacks the issue of racial profiling. Watch Dog is guessing San Jose’s Police Chief, Rob Davis, might want to be first in line to get the training. University scientist Jennifer Eberhardt tackles the ticklish problem saying “… the first step is informing people about how bias doesn’t have to be intentional. How does law enforcement deal with that?”

Cupertino is struggling with the divisive problem of dogs, or, more specifically, dog parks and the question — how should pooches be allowed to run free? Cupertino City staff recommend dog parks not be surrounded by neighborhoods — after all, what self respecting dog would want to walk to the park when they could hop in a car for a drive? The issue will be continued for further discussion in January with the Parks and Recreation Commission. Watch Dog’s vote –parks for my brethren.

Gilroy was showing festive colors over the weekend. Councilmember Peter Arellano used a bull horn to encourage observers to join them as they marched: Aztec dancers, cops, former gang members, and others mourning the loss of life from gang violence. In Gilroy, dozens turned out to march for peace, recently elected School Board member Fred Tovar gave his campaign signs to be recycled as posters and pulled a little red wagon with water for the marchers. In a town rocked with recent gang violence, Watch Dog was surprised Arellano was the only councilmember in evidence.

Garbage is back. On the one hand, residents in San Carlos are getting a refund from Allied Waste for an overcharge of street sweeping…on the other hand, rates are going up because the City Council wants to fast-track some new services. The Company giveth and the Government taketh…

San Carlos getting a new (rotating) Mayor. Bob Grassilli will be steering the ship through challenging times…good luck.

Sue Lempert’s column is back in the Daily Journal, and she is back from Cairo…

A woman was shot and killed in East Palo Alto this weekend riding a bike.

Mid-year cuts are coming to local schools. Blame the Governor or the legislature or the economy or…well, take your pick.

The Merc’s editorial board chimes in on Palo Alto Police Chief Lynne Johnson’s resignation/retirement. They advocate for moving forward with the discussion about how communities can work with police.

With nothing more than a rumor about Mike Honda’s anticipated move to the White House, the campaigning has begun. Termed out Assemblywoman Sally Lieber plans to begin precinct walking in Honda’s district. Perhaps she should walk the precincts with a Realtor because she’ll need a find a place to live in the district because she doesn’t now…

And if Eshoo takes the leap to the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue…

…then State Senator Joe Simitian has said he would be interested in running for Anna Eshoo’s seat.

Supervisor Don Gage will be looking for something to keep himself occupied before long. His recent rendition of Edna St. Vincent’s Millay’s “First Fig” at a Supervisor’s meeting has Watch Dog wondering if he’ll apply for the newly created post of Poet Laureate.

Is San Jose City Councilwoman Nora Campos is apparently on the short list for Vice Mayor. Apparently the cozy nature of her collaboration with the Mayor at last week’s council meeting has fueled the rumor. Campos and Reed rarely see eye to eye. Pulling her close as Vice Mayor might dilute her potential run at Mayor in 2010.

Richard Rodriguez, (soon-to-be former) Superintendent of the Luther Burbank School District was terminated prior to completion of a second audit in December. Rumors are flying that Rodriguez’ contract ended early because the board needed outgoing boardmember Pamela Ortiz’ vote. The District will be paying Rodriguez $250,000 for the early termination –- he was expected to retire sometime next year. The District will also be paying for an interim superintendent and a search committee. That’s a lot of money for any district, much less one with one school. What’s in the December audit that could be so bad…Watch Dog will be there to let you know…

Vice Mayor Bill Dickenson was convicted last week. He was found guilty of domestic violence and his sentencing is slated for early January. We learned that he doesn’t intend to step down — and in fact wants to take his turn at the Mayorship of Belmont. He still maintains his innocence in a follow-up story…

If he becomes the Mayor of Belmont — that would make the City a laughing stock, obviously. But also, what if he does become Mayor between now and sentencing, and then get sentences to jail time. Perhaps he could tele-conference into the Council meetings from his cell?

Cities all over Silicon Valley are following the corporate trend…layoffs in San Jose and Morgan Hill top the news today.

Running a campaign of fiscal responsibility and vowing to make chronic deficits “public enemy #1” San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed’s task force goal of solving the budget problem in 3 years has been extended to 5 years says City Manager Debra Figone. Councilwoman Nora Campos suggests, “Now is not the right time to provide millions of dollars in subsidies to wealthy property owners,” referring to the proposed $6 million handout to Tom McEnery. Councilmembers are lending their thoughts as to how to use redevelopment funds.

At the same time, Morgan Hill Mayor Steve Tate told residents the City may be facing layoffs due to a $3.3 million shortfall.

San Jose State University students slept on the grass in front of famed SJSU Olympians Tommie Smith and John Carlos as part of a nationwide effort to draw attention to homelessness. Not satisfied with a sleepover, the students organized a food and blanket drive according to student camper Victor Ngo. Today Project Homeless Connect will be providing an opportunity for the homeless to work directly agencies that serve the homeless.

Home sales are, well, in the toilet. The San Jose City Council has given the go ahead to developer Barry Swenson to convert condos at Tamien to rentals. The eleven story towers lie near the Tamien light rail line, across from one of San Jose’s older neighborhoods –- neighbor Ken Eklund said, “It was seen very clearly by the neighborhood that the project would not live up to the promises made by the developer and the City, and the neighborhood would be stuck with the result.”

Hollister is reeling with the death of toddler Donna May Busch and the news that her mother may have shot her.

San Jose Revealed follows up on the news that the Mercury continues to bleed talent. Revealed also shares cute picture of Mercury’s man-about-town Sal Pizzaro, while pointing to a piece about local luminaries such as Supervisor Don Gage, Soccer Goddess and NBC broadcaster Brandi Chastain, and Apple’s own Steve Wozniak with playful pooches in the failing San Jose Magazine.

In South County police say that there may be as many as 750 Norteños and Sureños, so it should be no surprise that gang members showed up at the funeral for Larry Martinez, Jr. in colors and with weapons. In an effort to stem the tide City Councilman Peter Arellano held a bilingual meeting Thursday night, telling residents, “We aren’t here to tell the community what it needs, but to hear from you what the community needs.”

Gilroy Unified School District Trustee Jaime Rosso is anxiously awaiting the final call from the Santa Clara Elections officials –- he stands a mere seven votes away from a third term.

The Morgan Hill Parks and Recreation Commission Thursday sent a message to the City Council they wanted the San Jose Earthquakes training in Morgan Hill.

In an attempt to look on the bright side, Watch Dog was happy to see renovations were complete, thanks to Jim Salata and Garden City Construction, for the lovely Sainte Claire building. The renovated apartments are, “more like places you’d find in New York or Chicago,” said building owner Jim Fox, who took downtown bigwigs on a tour Thursday.

You thought it was a bad day for the stock market? The market had nothing on Bill Dickenson and Lynne Johnson…

The embattled Belmont Vice Mayor Bill Dickenson was convicted of domestic violence and false imprisonment of his former girlfriend. In a very obvious response, Vice Mayor Dickenson said, “I was shocked…” Yeah, Watch Dog too. Vice Mayor Dickenson doesn’t want to leave office though. In fact, he wants the title of Mayor that he deserves because of the rotating nature of things in Belmont. No offense Belmont City Council, but if you make him your Mayor it will be promoting a convicted domestic abuser…way to go!

But maybe Dickenson will suffer the same fate as Palo Alto Police Chief Lynne Johnson…which leads to the least surprising item from yesterday afternoon…The Palo Alto Polce Chief is the soon to be former Chief Lynne Johnson. She announced yesterday that she will be stepping down in December.

Outgoing Assemblymember Gene Mullin is considering his next moves. A book and perhaps the Department of Fish and Game Commission.

The San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School District will no longer contract its bus service to the San Mateo Union High School District, opting for a private company instead. That may be good for the elementary school folks, but it seems like that would also mean a big hit to the high school folk’s budget.

Here is something that isn’t about to end soon, the County Planning Commission approved Stanford’s ‘growth sustainability study’ — but the good neighbors in Palo Alto did not go quietly into the night. The Palo Alto City Council is going to ask the County Board of Supervisors to hold off on hearing the issue until the Palo Alto Planning and Transportation Committee can take a look at it. Stay tuned — the heavy weight battle of Stanford vs. Palo Alto is just heating up. Could lawsuits and nasty letters be far behind?…

Federal officials gave the thumbs up to tow-ins at Mavericks. If you don’t know what that means, you probably don’t need to know…but that won’t help the famed contest much. Apparently they are hurting for corporate sponsorship. “Watch Dog San Mateo Mavericks Competition” has a certain ring. No?