The Daily Fetch

Recall Update: the Santa Clara County Registrar’s office has received more than 7,100 absentee ballots. Councilmember Madison Nguyen’s Campaign Manager, Melanie Jimenez, is confident these are mostly Nguyen supporters saying, “This is really indicative of what we’ve been seeing from the beginning. The residents of District 7 do care about this election. Madison has represented all of the district.” Nguyen’s opponents are equally confident with spokesman Andre Charles (this Andre Charles or this Andre Charles?) indicating their goal is to bring a non-traditional audience to the polls. Either way, it’s all over Tuesday, March 3 at 8 p.m. Word on the street is that both poll-watching parties will be in Little Saigon…

Speaking of Andre Charles…Presuming it is the latter and not the former Andre Charles — does that mean the same people are working for and against the recall?

Santa Clara County Water District Director Sig Sanchez has made a career of service with nearly 29 years on the Board. The newest Director was appointed after Director Greg Zlotnick was hired by the District – without any public discussion. Today the Board (finally) considers term limits. Assemblymember Joe Coto is loudly insisting that before he pushes a bill that would allow all to stay on the Board, reforms are required, including: a revolving door policy on employment, travel approved in public, and some transparency – but no term limits. A report released by District Counsel Debra Cauble likely provided some relief – term limits require voter approval, which requires the (unmotivated) Board to place a measure on a ballot. In this disastrous economy it should be easy for the Board to cry fiscal responsibility and avoid an election, preventing a public decision. Largely out of view public agencies are the ones you really must watch (dog) out for…

The Gilroy Dispatch’s Ben Anderson pops off on the (dys)function of the Water District’s Board of Directors – complaining that the three and a half hours he spent at a meeting last week was worse than a root canal, worse even than a fundraiser for under water basket weavers. Anderson’s very funny piece skewers Director Sanchez and those who shower praise upon the Board.

The Santa Clara County Recycling and Waste Reduction Commission will discuss a 25 cent fee on plastic bags Wednesday. Commissioner (Gilroy Councilmember) Cat Tucker says that while she understands the need to reduce waste, the economic disaster will keep her from voting for the fee. The American Chemistry Council must be very proud, lobbyist Manny Diaz is convincing Commissioners not to follow the lead of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Australia, Ireland, Italy, South Africa, Taiwan, and even China banning plastic bags. Most markets in Europe have charged shoppers wanting a bag for decades. (Watch Dog will get back to Manny Diaz anti-environmental crusades sometime this week…)

The Merc’s Editorial Board wants to hear from the two Silicon Valley Republicans hoping to take up residence in the Governor’s tent: How would you have balanced the budget? Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner gave a rehash of Schwarzenegger’s 2003 no-tax pledge at the GOP convention over the weekend. Schwarzenegger has said about anyone thinking the budget can be balanced without raising taxes, “… has not really looked at it carefully to understand this budget or has a math problem and has to get back, as I said, and take Math 101.”

Tonight we party for tomorrow we pay penance…Translation: It’s Mardi Gras! Let loose your inhibitions – just not in downtown San Jose. San Jose Police are gearing up for mayhem while hoping that the trend over the past two years for well-behaved reveler’s continues. San Jose Downtown Association Communications Director Rick Jensen said, “I think this negative perception is becoming an unfortunate self-fulfilling prophecy. To us, Mardi Gras is just like every other night of the year, a great place to be in downtown San Jose.” Mr. Jensen, meet Chief Davis. Chief Davis, meet Rick Jensen…

Morgan Hill’s City Council is hoping a do-over works out better for them. (With Councilmember Larry Carr conferenced-in and Marby Lee absent) The Council decided Friday at a special meeting to place a re-worded (and previously defeated) Measure H on the ballot in May. Councilmember Greg Sellers said, “It would truly be a huge setback downtown if this measure failed.” Sellers left off the last word in that sentence…again…

San Jose Union School District’s Dartmouth Middle School is being honored as one of three California in the “Schools to Watch” program by the (awkwardly named) National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. District Superintendent Jacqueline Horejs says students, “…spend the first months afraid of being pushed into a garbage can at lunch. But the moment students enter Dartmouth, they belong and they are cared for.” Horejs credits Dartmouth Principal, Carole Carlson, for creating an atmosphere of curiosity and support. (Watch Dog’s middle school years were more garbage can and less belonging…)

The Gilroy School Unified School District is calling: You owe us $6 million. The District wants to mail property owners a corrected tax bill because they just discovered the Measure J tax was left off the last two tax bills — big oops. County Supervisor Don Gage disagrees and hopes the District will let the County loan them money and then next year taxpayers would receive a tax bill (temporarily) doubling the Measure J tax. Because nothing says I love you like a double-sized tax bill…Still unknown is whether it’s even legal to send an amended tax bill. Trustees Denise Apuzzo and Francisco Dominguez said they were looking forward to hearing details at this week’s meeting.

Today, the Mountain View City discusses high speed rail, environmental sustainability, and clean power. No word if Manny Diaz will be advocating burning plastic bags for energy.

The trial of accused San Jose cop-killer DeShawn Campbell got underway Monday, nearly 8 years after his arrest for the death of Officer Jeffery Fontana. On day one, defense attorney Edward Sousa made the dramatic announcement that Campbell’s friend, Rodney McNary, had shot Fontana. Prosecutor Lane Liroff countered with statements from friends of Campbell who said he’d confessed the shooting.

Mountain View’s thriving Castro Street was the scene of a racially motivated attack early Saturday morning. 4 suspects have been arrested for attacking Hindi-speaking visitors. The victims were approached by two women who mocked them and said they did not belong in America, the attackers followed up by punching one of the women. The attackers are suspected of being involved in hate crime shooting that took place earlier. A roving band of bigots…how nice.