Archive for September, 2009

Morning News Round-Up — 9.30.09: Take that, Arnold… love Harry

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

“Take that, Arnold,” is what Watch Dog assumes San Jose Redevelopment Director Harry Mavrogenes was saying when a Sacramento Superior Court Judge ruled the hand in the cookie jar had to go. At least for last year’s cookie raid. San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed didn’t sound hopeful San Jose’s stolen cookies would return “once the state has the money…”

Santa Clara County launched a reverse 911 to let you know about life-threatening emergencies. Kirsten Hofmann with the Office of Emergency Services wants your cell because, like you know, “… land lines are so yesterday.”

We’re not making fun, really. Palo Alto’s new Police Chief Dennis Burns wants to turn his officers into a team of learners. Hopefully they will learn from Burns, not former Police Chief Johnson.

Dig deep, the Sea Scout’s need your extra coin to complete renovations to the Palo Alto Baylands EcoCenter. For more information or to donate to the project, call Environmental Volunteers at 650-961-0545.

Republican Gubernatorial wanna be Meg Whitman finally ‘fessed up as to why she waited until she was 46 (2002) to register to vote after telling Republican conventioneers she’d been registered since 1998. And, why she only voted occasionally after 2002. It was hard.

The Merc’s Patty Fisher asks questions which haunt friends of battered victims. Kathleen Kreneck with Next Door hopes you respond, they’re trying to keep the doors open after the Governor took all funding away from domestic violence programs.

Palo Alto State Senator Joe Simitian is heading to D.C. – no, he hasn’t landed that coveted appointment or a seat in Congress (yet). Simitian is meeting with the feds to talk dollars for education.

What mid-week news round-up would be complete without a few tragedies…

  • (former) Boy Scout leader David Adler is now a convicted sex offender after kiddie porn was found on his computer when he returned from the Philippines and London.
  • (former) Silicon Valley engineer Cecil Cox is heading to prison for running killing 2 women as they crossed Stevens Creek Boulevard. The eagle eyes of a librarian led to Cox’ arrest.
  • 3 teenagers were stabbed following a “likely gang related” melee at Mountain Views Community Center where a birthday party was taking place.

Protect San Jose’s number’s geek opens with a dispute of former California Employment Development Director Michael Bernicks opinion that economic recovery follows recession and concludes with San Jose must include the public in budget discussions.

Life is tough when you’re a kid. San Jose Insider/ Santa Clara County Board of Education Trustee Joseph DiSalvo points out it’s even harder for kids in the LGBT community. DiSalvo argues for support and protection of LGBT youth and wonders how far we’ve come after attending the annual BAYMEC fundraiser.

Posted in city of palo alto, fisher, inside, protect, Redevelopment, santa clara county, simitian, whitman | No Comments »

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

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

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…

Posted in burlingame, daly city, great recession, menlo atherton, portola valley, san mateo county, san mateo high, sexting | No Comments »

Morning News Round-Up — 9.29.09: Lawyers = Prostitutes?

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

Stanford Law grad Cristina Warthen surprised the feds and the Judge when she continued advertising an evening of “companionship” while she was on trial for evading taxes on the ill-gotten gains of “companionship.” Assistant U.S. Attorney David Callaway said Warthens internet ads were “a wink and a nod” to “advertising high end prostitution.” The oldest profession practiced by lawyers — we know there is a joke there somewhere about screwing people…

Putting Stanford grads in a less-imprisoned light… Googlers Sergey Brin and Larry Page had high praise for their old friend and mentor Rajeev Motwani saying the “impact he had through the many researchers and entrepreneurs” out shown his own numerous accomplishments. Following Motwani’s death earlier this year Brin and Page decided to create an endowed chair at Stanford in their friends honor.

The Soul of the Community is pretty good, according to a survey funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. San Jose residents found affordable housing one of the biggest problems and a few were unhappy about the closing of stab-ariffic Club Wet

The community’s soul may be good for some but for others it’s about to get worse. The Emergency Housing Consortium announced closure of half the beds available to the homeless. Santa Clara County Office of Affordable Housing Director Margie Matthews said “this is all about the economy, and EHC – like all nonprofits… “ is “having to cut back…”

East Side Union Trustees ended Friday night without a decision on their embattled Superintendent Bob Nunez, currently on paid leave from his $225,000 gig. Marisa Hanson, President of the East Side Teachers Association, said delaying the decision was the right thing to do “the County report found him innocent … but then the board went ahead with another investigation…” Nobody mentioned the court of public opinion…

San Jose High celebrates the small victories. Test scores are up following “unrelenting hard work” with teachers and the principal showing the love. Not as happy was East Side Union School Board President Patricia Martinez-Roach who said there was “absolutely no excuse” for their low test scores. Except maybe those pesky budget problems and the ongoing Bob Nunez controversy. Or perhaps because they have twice un-elected officials on their Board…

Los Gatos sold 13 acres of Vasona Park last year for $6 million, then they voted unanimously to use half that to purchase 2.7 acres near Vasona Park, with ready buildings, for a mega-sports complex… y’know, for kids…

Gilroy Schools saw an increase in students even as districts across the state are closing schools. District enrollment coordinator Roger Cornia blamed the economy saying private school wasn’t in the cards for many students, not when Mom and Dad are facing layoffs.

Gilroy Mayor Al Pinheiro hosted a 5 hour community round-table that drew criticism from Council colleague Perry Woodward “Let’s be honest – this was the mayor’s show… how he intends to defeat the recall… Councilmembers should be allowed to participate… instead of the mayor imposing his political views…” Gilroy sure has more interesting politics than San Jose…

Palo Alto City Managers and professional employees contemplate becoming Teamsters even as some of their prospective members argue wage cuts with unionized service workers.

Mission City Lantern takes a poke at “wonderful human being, a great person to have as a friend” Labor leader/(former) Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez. With friends like that…

Posted in city of palo alto, esuhsd, gilroy unified, google, Lantern, pinheiro, san jose high, stanford, the town | No Comments »

Morning News Round-Up — 9.29.09: The NIMBY Affect…

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

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.

Posted in belmont, burlingame, Caltrain, foster city, millbrae, portola valley, sequoia union | No Comments »

Morning News Round-up –9.28.09: Raccoon killers are on the loose

Monday, September 28th, 2009

Pacifica installed cigarette receptacles at local beaches, hoping to curb butt pollution. Isn’t it illegal to smoke on state beaches anyway?

One final tweak and San Mateo County is ready to sign off on its new budget… and it’s not pretty.

San Bruno mayoral hopeful Jim Ruane stopped by the Daily Journal office to explain how he would tackle some of the city’s biggest issues. His opponent, Miguel Araujo, was a no-show. Hmmmm.

A new study sheds light on some old news: low-income students need better access to preschool. Insert health care reform plug here_____.

The Guv announced he won’t close state parks after all but he will cut hours of operations at some parks. How many hours exactly?

East Palo Alto is on its way to having a new soccer and rugby field. Sweet!

Giovanni Orlando Digiacomo Mary Stuart were arrested on charges of embezzling more than $13,000 from an 81-year-old Menlo Park woman. Two words: Elder. Abuse.

And finally some good news for the news industry: Palo Alto Weekly moves to its new headquarters. A shiny, green building.

Raccoon killers are on the loose in Half Moon Bay. Seriously?

Posted in health care reform, Jim Ruane, Miguel Araujo, pacifica, palo alto weekly, san mateo county | No Comments »

Morning News Round-Up – 9.28.09: Back in the news…

Monday, September 28th, 2009

The Valley Transit Authority has gotten an earful about slow light rail from riders and Mr. Roadshow. They aim to do something about it but some of the Valley’s biggest transit supporters are less than excited about light rail 2.0. Silicon Valley Leadership Group’s Carl Guardino votes for the “less expensive” alternative of “bus rapid transit.”

Also interested in putting happy wheels on the road… San Jose gets federal stimulus dollars to repave 19 of their 2,300 road miles. According to San Jose Transportation deputy director Hans Larsen the $15 million drop in the bucket is appreciated but hardly covers San Jose’s $283 million backlog.

Local Deputy Dogs are pissed off over a county report saying they pay too much for e-booking bad guys. Federal law enforcement pays nothing for computerized booking while poor Los Altos Hills paid nearly $11,000 for one booking in 2007. The answer, of course, is sending law enforcement officers driving to county offices to file reports. Or, LAH arrests more people.

Rosemary Stasek was a catholic and a staunch supporter of women’s rights. “A society is really built up on how it treats women,” according to Stasek and a big part of the reason she landed in Afghanistan. The Merc’s Patty Fisher shares details on the remarkable Silicon Valley woman who left home for less green pastures.

The Merc’s Internal Affairs did a mighty-lot of sleuthing last week…

  • The case of District Attorney Dolores Carr & spouse (ethical) screw-up ranked a letter from attorney/friend B. Robert Allard (apparently) to the prosecutor’s chief opponent asking to let bygones be bygones.
  • Round 2 – the Government Attorney’s Association was asked to investigate a vote of no-confidence against their big dog, District Attorney Dolores Carr. The mystery is who asked…
  • Sunnyvale, according to IA, needed “schooling in the California Public Records Act” before dishing on home loans to 6 Sunnyvalian employees including nearly $900,000 to City Manager Gary Luebbers.
  • (former)Hewlett Packard Tech giant/senatorial wannabe Carly Fiorina takes a ribbing from the Merc’s Internal Affairs the Huffington Post as well as a host of bloggers for the “Worst Political Website Ever.”

The Merc’s Scott Herhold takes his readers on a sentimental journey through the tale of two weddings (no funerals) and a peek into his daughter’s wedding of the future. Along the way Herhold offers his thought that the legalization of gay marriage will happen, it’s only a matter of time…

Homeless pooches are the beneficiaries of the Humane Society’s annual Walk N’ Wag this weekend while pampered pooches can hang at Pooch in Sunnyvale for only $100 a night according to the Merc’s Sal Pizarro.

The Merc’s Editorial Board calls on Senator Dianne Feinstein to fight for the $4 million Congressman Mike Honda wants to clean up Mt Umunhum. Calling the sum a “pittance in the context of billions in military spending” the Merc hopes Feinstein will “make this project a bright light in an otherwise dark hour of investment in public facilities.”

San Jose Insider/Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio argues against a “plastic bag bureaucracy” and suggests instead banishment of the single-use poopy diaper. Also Inside, Jack Van Zandt had a rockin’ good time with Joan Baez kicking off the Mariachi and Mexican Heritage Festival.

Protect San Jose’s Mary Klotzbach shares the wrenching story of her son’s death at the wheel of a drunk driver and the costs associated with drunk driving.

Normally a 49ers booster, Mission City Lantern sends props to the Vikings for their “marvelous” win. Really, James?

If watching your local elected officials is your thing, here’s the hap’s for this week…

  • San Jose’s Community and Economic Development Committee talks outsourcing, no, they’re not sending street paving to India.
  • San Jose’s City Council reviews a contract for the Consortium for Police Leadership in Equity (nearly a year after the fiasco that go this ball rolling), considers letting anyone buy low income housing and hopes to make it easier on city landmarks.
  • The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and San Jose City Council meet together to talk flu pandemic and census. Apparently, none of the other Silicon Valley cities plan on having pandemics.
  • The Mountain View-Whisman School District considers proposals on school size, boundaries, transportation, enrollment priorities and independent study. And, as if that weren’t enough fun, Trustees talk salaries.

Posted in consortium, DRUNK, feinstein, herhold, honda, los altos hills, MR. ROADSHOW, Mt Umunhum, Oliverio, pizarro, plastic, protectsanjose, swine flu | No Comments »

Morning News Round-Up — 9.25.09: Who’s in for Club Wet this weekend?

Friday, September 25th, 2009

The Merc’s Editorial Board sends props to San Jose Police Chief Rob Davis for firing officers involved in a drunk driving coverup and their own Sean Webby for watch-dogging the news of imminent firings. This won’t be received well (we guess) from the good folks at Protect San Jose.

As (self-imposed) furlough days go…. Palo Alto workers were all in purple as they marched outside City Hall to protest contract cuts. The Merc’s (union member) Patty Fisher is sympathetic though she shares the words of Pamela Polos wondering about the wisdom of striking these days “Instead of demonstrating for their own benefits, I wish they were out there marching for national health care reform.” You and the Palo Alto City Council Patty…

Sunnyvale recycling workers received an unexpected surprise among the grimy cardboard and soda cans – $100 bills rained from the ceiling. If you think the mystery money is yours, call the Sunnyvale Public Works Department.

“Warehousing kids does not teach them what family is all about,” said foster youth advocate/former warehouse resident Hemal Sharifzada. And so, Santa Clara County prepares to close the 132-bed children’s “warehouse” and move abused and neglected kids to “wrap around” care facilities.

Former Mountain View Mayor Rosemary Stasek passed away in Afghanistan where she was working with the women of Afghanistan with A Little Help in Kabul. Sad story. We like Rosemary a lot…

More sad economic news comes from the Merc’s Sal Pizarro. Silicon Valley FACES ditched their fundraiser.

Swine flu fears have caused the (official) demise of Stanford’s kissing frenzy, Full Moon. How else are shy first-year students supposed to get any action then?

San Jose MetBlogger Matt Bruensteiner celebrates the demise of the plastic bag and sends San Jose’s City Council kudos.

Mission City Lantern executes a little time traveling fable drawing in the Mission City’s neighbor to the South.

San Jose Insider/Santa Clara County Board of Education Trustee Joseph DiSalvo looks for an Education Governor and tosses his support behind new Dad/ Gubernatorial wanna be Gavin Newsom. We are certain that this should put Newsom over the top…

Posted in chief davis, city of palo alto, county office of education, inside, Lantern, metblog, mt. view, newsom, pizzaro, stanford, sunnyvale | No Comments »

Morning News Round-Up — 9.24.09: High-Speed Rail Politics…

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

The would-be Hillsdale High School killer, Alex Youshock, pleaded not guilty yesterday. Expect another high-profile case in the San Mateo County Courthouse…

To leash or not to leash (your dog), that is the question in San Mateo… we await David Lim’s position on this vital issue. Michelle Durand talks dogs too in the Daily Journal…

Speaking of campaign issues, is there a candidate up and down the Peninsula that ISN’T talking about High-Speed Rail. The issue probably would have been better to talk about before everyone in the County voted FOR High-Speed Rail last year…

Belmont is losing its City Manager. Jack Crist will take over the day-to-day operations of Watch Dog San Mateo… just kidding.

The Performing Arts Center at Menlo-Atherton High School will celebrate a grand opening on October 11th. Expect a wonderful building, and lots of NIMBY crying from its Atherton neighbors…

The race for the Sequoia Union High School District board is broken down by Bruce at the PP Examiner… crowded field. Who wants to take bets?

Posted in belmont, david lim, durand, hillsdale high school, hsr, m-a, sequoia union | No Comments »

Morning News Round-Up — 9.24.09: Change of plans this weekend, no Club Wet…

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

The City of San Jose is cracking down on Club Wet. Club Wet’s self imposed shutdown could become permanent. San Jose Assistant Police Chief Dan Katz pulled the plug saying “We’re dealing with somebody here who’s had a succession of violations, and we’re saying enough is enough.” Wet’s lobbyists Saggau and DeRollo have 10 days to spin the Club back into existence. The San Jose PD did not say, “we believed shutting Wet down was not preventable…”

The Merc digs deep into San Jose’s transition to a de-plasticized shopping experience to find it was San Jose Councilmember Kansen Chu’s personal experience that led the way. David Lewis with Save the Bay shrugged over cries from the American Chemistry Council to point out following bans from San Francisco and Palo Alto “the world did not end.”

San Jose’s Redevelopment Agency heard the flutter of pink slips as nearly a quarter of the Agency’s team was shown the door after the State snagged $75 million from their cookie jar. One pissed off Mayor Chuck Reed said “Redevelopment provides critical tools to rebuild our economy… exactly the kinds of investments we should be making in this recession.”

The debt collectors are the only ones making a killing these days, even your neighborhood librarian is asking for their help to get books back from scofflaws. Perhaps Larry Pegram’s Library Watchers could help in the cause…

Palo Alto’s homeless Council wannabe, Victor Frost, is back in hot water and it isn’t the hot tubs at Watercourse Way. Frost, pissed off when a wheelchair bound/homeless/amputee took his spot while he was away for an interview, unleashed a stream of “racial epithets.” With a possible 6 months in jail, perhaps Palo Alto’s crowded field just opened up a little.

NIMBYism is alive and well in San Jose according to the Merc’s Scott Herhold who tells the tale of the demise of an affordable housing project at the hands of politically savvy neighbors.

The Merc’s Editorial Board offers their support to this weekend’s Mariachi and Mexican Heritage Festival this weekend.

Posted in Chuck Reed, city of palo alto, club wet, derollo, herhold, larry pegram, nimby, plastic, Redevelopment, saggau, sjpd | No Comments »

Morning News Round-Up — 9.23.09: It takes a village…

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

BART and other Bay Area transit agencies are on guard after federal investigators probe an alleged terrorism plot to detonate bombs in the United States. Orange alert.

Adding 599 housing units near the San Mateo Hayward Park Caltrain station would be a plus for the economy and the environment… but a minus for the NIMBYs.

Just when you thought the economy was getting better… Redwood City’s historic Fox Theater is headed toward foreclosure. We will miss the old gal…

The three Redwood City men accused of stealing 50 pounds of marijuana from a drug dealer pleaded not guilty to several felony charges. The drug dealer (who turned them in?) also got busted for possession of marijuana. Dumb and dumber.

San Mateo County Supervisors are picking their battles, and butterflies ain’t one of them.

And another ubiquitous headline: “Public Pension costs on the rise.” This time, it is in Menlo Park.

You know it is election season when local candidates come up with a “variety of opinions” on how to deal with city issues… and then if elected never follow through with them.

Atherton is holding off another two months before it makes any final decision to raise fees, thanks to one vociferous resident. We guess it doesn’t take a village… but perhaps just one village ______.

In case you were ever wondering what it feels like to get hit by Caltrain (other than with increased fares)… Nick Sayer lived to tell his story today in San Mateo. Maybe Caltrain does need louder horns.

A Burlingame man who beat his girlfriend’s miniature pinscher to death was sentenced to (only?) six months in county jail Tuesday.

Posted in atherton, bart, Caltrain, cruelty, fox theater, mp, redwood city, san mateo hayward park | No Comments »

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