It was an interesting first council meeting especially two items: (1) The Community Recognition Progam to honor residents with 30 years community service, 10 years community service and also one time contributions of money. Cathy and Terry were right in being concerned that Burlingame buildings, etc. were "up for sale" to anyone who donates money and wants their name used on a Burlingame facility. (2) The clearcutting by the SFPUC of the eucalyptus trees along Skyline Boulevard. It is disgusting that a new resident builds a house in an area with an oasis of beautiful trees and then decides he does not like the them and threatens to sue the SFPUC if 50-100 year old trees are not removed. Didn't he see the trees when he bought the land, when he built the house? Why didn't he build his house in Millbrae or Daly City? Most of the neighbors did not want the trees destroyed with one neighbor saying she did. The SFPUC will not do anything drastic until probably October but why don't they maintain the grove and minimize the fire hazard (if there is one). Terry made a good point when she asked whether the neighbors would be allowed to maintain the grove themselves but the spokesperson said she would have to speak to their lawyers about that one! The SFPUC were silly to say that this grove of trees is not a big deal to the SFPUC when it is a big deal to the residents who will lose their windbarrier, soundbarrier and the beauty of their trees. Big mistake, SFPUC!

– Written by Fiona

A very Happy Thanksgiving to all our Burlingame Voice readers and posters. And a special thanks to all who are working today, including frequent poster and commentator Gerald Weisl who in between serving his many customers and throwing wood chips on the Weber, might give us some advice on wines for todays feast!

– Written by admin

I thought I could shrug off the embarrassment I felt at the Burlingame City Council meeting on Monday, but unfortunately, the ill feelings have haunted me for days. At the beginning of Monday night's meeting there seemed to be, at last, almost a feeling of calm. There were supporters of both outgoing and incoming Council members in the audience. Many a kind word was said about Mary Janney and her many contributions to the City of Burlingame, and the applause were many, from ALL in attendance.
The evening was marred by the insolent, disgraceful behavior of Joe Galligan, who absolutely refuses to play by the rules which everyone else seems to adhere to. He can sit through more than an hour of accolades for Ms. Janney, but claims illness caused him to exit before Nagel and Coffey could be sworn in, which took all of five additional minutes. The end of the second phase of the Council meeting to perform the swearing in and handing over the gavel to Rosalie, as new Mayor, lasted all of about 13 minutes in total. In the process, Galligan missed taking over his seat a vice Mayor. Do you think he wants to give up that seat to someone else?
Could Galligan have shown some diplomacy and respect for, not only his fellow council members, but the vast members of the community, by staying in his seat for the conclusion of the meeting? I can only hope that this behavior is NOT telling of how gracious and civil he will be in the upcoming year. Here's hoping that Galligan can grow to be a representative of our community, who presents himself as such, and learn to work with the Council with grace and dignity, for the sake of our City. Good luck.

– Written by sue fuller

With the changing of the guard, Ol' yellow turns the gavel over to Ms O'Mahony. We also bid farewell to MayorCoffey.com. Mike certainly wouldn't want too many citizens contacting him or knowing where he stands on important issues. Next people will be asking for citizen participation in government. And we all know where that leads!

– Written by admin

Except for the fly in the ointment, Burlingame's swearing in ceremony was a night to remember. Joe Galligan's unceremonious departure from the Council Meeting should not be forgotten! Joe Galligan's behavior is yet another demonstration that he is not a team player. It took a lot of gall to snub Terry Nagel and the rest of the Council, at such an auspicious Council Meeting. It appeared to many in attendance that Joe Galligan isn't interested in working with the NEW? composition of the Burlingame City Council. Is Joe Galligan going to attempt to undermine the actions of the Burlingame City Council by becoming an obstreperous wedge?

It was approximately fifteen (15) minutes from Joe Galligan's unceremonious departure to when the new Council Members were sworn in and seated. Joe, what was so important that you could not wait around for a scant few more minutes and be gracious enough to formally greet the new Council Member, re-elected Council Member and the new Mayor to the Burlingame City Council.

After the ceremony, there was a lot of conversation regarding Joe Galligan's public snub towards the new Council. Joe Galligan's actions cast a dark shadow on what otherwise should have been a shining moment in Burlingame's history. As the result of Joe's dark shadow, there was conversation regarding a recall.

– Written by rich grogan