Month: September 2003

  • Kick off!!!

    Every September the soccer fields around Burlingame are filled with sounds of eager youngsters energetically trying to emulate Beckham or Mia Hamm. Yesterday the Burlingame AYSO kicked off their 2003 season with more than 1,600 children signed up in over 110 teams in ages ranging from 6 to 18.

    Ceremonies on the Burlingame High School Panther Stadium included speeches and a parade of the teams, all accompanied by the rousing Burlingame High School marching band. Mr. Burlingame, Vic Mangini, as honorary parade marshall, started the parade with a tip of his hat and the kids marched past the enthusiastic parents and friends.

    All the politicos were there, as usual, though Rosalie did seem to be seated some distance from the M&M's. Cohen supporters dotted the stands in their blue T-shirts, and Terry Nagel offered everyone towels to wipe up the damp bleachers. Was she mopping up some votes too?

    Still the day was for celebration and the kids, which is what AYSO is all about. With hundreds of volunteers, coaches, and refs giving countless hours to make a difference for our kids it's this community spirit that makes Burlingame such a special town. Another gem!

    – Written by admin

  • Group Think = No Think!

    With reference to team-candidates, perhaps General Patton said it the best: "If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking".

    – Written by Rosaline

  • Some Minority!

    For anyone who did not read it in the "Burlingame City Council Bombshell" article, Rosalie bought 63 people together in a focus group to discuss Safeway etc. One said no change, 17 favored Safeway's plan and 45 wanted a Safeway that conformed to the village ambiance of the downtown. So perhaps the Citizens for a Better Burlingame aren't such a "radical" minority group after all and are in agreement with at least 45 citizens out of a 63 people focus group!! 71% in favor of the CBB's position .. A New Safeway that's Better for Burlingame!!

    – Written by Fiona

  • O’Mahony Blockbuster

    There's More To The O'Mahony Blockbuster Than Differences Over Bayfront Housing

    Rosalie O'Mahony has proven to be the most astute politician in Burlingame. She consistently reads the mood and pulse of the Burlingame electorate better than anyone. So when O'Mahony decided to un-endorse Mike Coffey and Mary Janney, that was a clear signal that there is widespread disenchantment with the we're a team? politics of Coffey/Janney. What seemed cute and clever four years ago (the M&Ms), lost its charm now that the public has seen how it works in practice. For many Burlingame residents, the Coffey/Janney brand of team politics results in single-minded groupthink and block voting instead of independent judgment on tough issues. And O'Mahony, who has seen it up close and personal, said as much in her statement to the press. Look for this to become a key issue in the campaign.

    O'Mahony's un-endorsement was a body blow to the Coffey/Janney reelection campaign precisely because their campaign relies so heavily on endorsements from other politicos. Most of these endorsements are in the good-old-boy tradition of you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours? as Quentin Kopp's endorsement made all too clear. But O'Mahony's endorsement was different and was the most sought-after endorsement. Not only did Coffey/Janney fail to get O'Mahoneys endorsement, they got positively un-endorsed by her. That sends a powerful message, and should give legs to the growing movement for a regime change in Burlingame.

    – Written by Centinel

  • COMCAST PULLS THE OLD PLUG

    I was hardly comforted to know I was not alone in not having exchanged Comcast's old analog decoder box for a new digital one this past Labor Day Weekend…so thoughtful of Comcast to stop sending an analog signal to my box (and other's). A call to Comcast Saturday night brought the news that "they're working on repairing the problem" (only getting the TV Guide Channel). A call to them Sunday revealed the real problem: old box/new signal.
    "You can bring your old analog box in to the Burlingame Store on Tuesday and exchange it for a new one."
    Which I attempted to do. The lovely staffers in The Burlingame Store (as friendly and helpful as your average DMV employee or disgruntled postal worker) told me "You have no idea how many people have already brought in boxes…we're all out. Call us tomorrow to see if they're available."
    Unfortunately the phone number of the local Comcast office is a secret more precious than that of the Pentagon's switchboard! "We don't give out our number." Ms. Martha told me.
    Comcast's staffers claim they did sent out "last call" notices, though I have yet to receive mine. Interestingly, the lady whom I spoke with on Comcast's 800-number is a satellite TV subscriber. She called the local "Burlingame Store" only to be told they still did not have digital boxes available on Wednesday.
    It took from Saturday until Thursday to get a box to view the local cable. I asked the installer if he has cable or a dish. "I have cable because it's free to me. Otherwise I'd probably have a dish."

    The Burlingame city government licenses these people to have this franchise. It ought to demand customers have access to the local office's phone number.

    In case you're in need of calling for technical assistance, try dialing 650-259-7022. You won't get a Mensa member picking up the phone, but you might get some help if you're persistent.

    But then, what am I bitching about? I'm lucky to have PG&E's electricity at the house, so watching a "test pattern" on the tube ought to be sufficient entertainment, I suppose.

    – Written by gerald

  • Similarities

    Did anyone else notice the uncanny resemblance of the photograph in today's (9/4/03) Daily News of Joe and M&M to the infamous "Puppet" cartoon?

    Life imitates art once again.

    – Written by grimis

  • M & M crash Poppy Drive block party

    Our block always has a get together either over the 4th of July or Labor Day, and this year, invitations went out for the Labor Day weekend. As we, about 50 of us, were enjoying hotdogs, hamburgers, salads and beer, who should we see coming around the corner of our block….none other than Mike Coffey, with some fellow from Hale Drive, which was also having a block gathering. While Mike is helping himself to our libations, I happened to glance down to the corner again and now I see Mary Janney toddling along after Mike and the unknown neighbor. I know they weren't on our guest list, but they made like they were everyone's best friend, shaking hands, talking the talk, all the time avoiding those who knew they didn't belong. In my younger days, when you crashed a party, the police were often called and the "crashers" were removed from the scene. Wonder how that would look on M & M's record. Gutsy to say the least. Downright arrogant is probably a better term, although if it wasn't in print, I would have a few more adjectives to describe their behavior.

    – Written by sue fuller

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