Month: June 2004

  • Advisory Measure

    Todays Burlingame News states the following:

    (1) "The city doesn't have a plan in place to put a measure on the ballot" but Gags say he would "absolutely support" a non-binding advisory initiative
    (2) As Rich Grogan so rightly points out, a ballot measure is one way to try to circumvent the normal planning and approval process.
    (3) Gags says "an overwhelming" number of people say they are 'shocked' that the project didn't pass and "a vocal minority managed to kill the project". Oh God, not that again!
    (4) Importantly, Gags says "the Safeway's plan wasn't perfect. There were some issues that needed to be resolved and they could have been worked out". Ditto! Ditto! Ditto!
    (5) Hudak said the telephone survey was being done to guide the company's internal process and depending on the results, that could mean the company returns with another plan. Exactly – come back with another plan. These words have been spoken by the illustrious and the not-so-illustrious. The Planning Commission, the City Council, the vocal minority, the vocal majority and even Councilmember Coffey – who will forget his "Is that Clear"!

    Questions and suggestions for Gags, since he has blocked my emails but I know he reads this blog:

    (1) Please give us copies of all those overwhelming emails/letters of our "shocked" citizenry – including the ones that come from San Mateo and Hillsborough.
    (2) You are giving the "vocal minority" way too much power. I know it is a compliment to their hard work and citizenship but you know that this statement is disingenuous.
    (3) As you so rightly say, the plan "wasn't perfect" so instead of pushing an "advisory measure", why don't YOU remind Safeway why their plan was NOT perfect and then remind them again and again and again?!

    It is not rocket science, folks!

    – Written by Fiona

  • Fuchs or Facts

    Fuchs' column today is entitled "Get Ready for the Garbage Wars" but, folks, Fuchs is not writing about Burlingame politics or Safeway propaganda. But later his column continues:

    "If Burlingame Rosalie O'Mahony agrees, there will be three votes to hold a mail advisory ballot this summer on approving Safeway's plans for a new store, which were rejected by the Planning Commission and the City Council. An advisory vote would not be binding, but it would demonstrate what the voters in Burlingame want. Two votes for the mailed election are Galligan and Coffey.
    What never came out during the Planning Commission hearings is that e-mails favoring Safeway's project ran 2-1 in favor. When the council heard the appeal, emails in favor of Safeway ran 3-1. That's an overwhelming expression of public approval."

    Is this voodoo math? What about the resounding majority of speakers who spoke against the project at all those meetings? They did not hide behind emails/postcards, etc – they came out in public. I am sure if the "yes" emails are so overwhelming, wouldn't that have swayed the Mayor to vote for the project. Remember, she voted against the humongous store.

    Could someone tell me where we could read these "in favor" emails – does Galligan still have them? Are they public record? Who is paying for this "advisory ballot"? This kind of mail ballotting is a very dangerous precedent and open to abuse. Perhaps our Council should add a few more issues on the ballot:(1) whether the City should pay for crossing guards, (2) why our city officials are paid so much compared to industry, etc (3) why do council member's life time health benefits begin after only 5 years on council?

    There are so many issues, so few ballots!!

    – Written by admin

  • To Run or Not to Run?

    Yes that is the question. The Daily Journal says the following today:

    "In Burlingame, City Councilman Joe Galligan said he is considering running for re-election in 2005. In the meantime, former candidate Russ Cohen said he may not run again. Open seats are for Galligan, Mayor Rosalie O'Mahony and Councilwoman Cathy Baylock. O'Mahony said she is running again."

    I hope that two of them will run because it will make 2005 the election of the century!

    – Written by admin

  • Ryan’s Ride

    For all young bike riders, there is a special fundraiser this Sunday. It is part of the Burlingame Criterium and kids 12 and younger from all over the Bay Area will be pedaling through our downtown to raise money for cancer survivor groups.

    WHERE: Starts at the corner of Burlingame and Lorton Avenues
    TIME: 11:25 AM
    TO REGISTER: www.ryansride.org

    The ride is named after Ryan Phua who wanted to race in a bike ride, just like his dad. Sadly he died in his sleep last July at the age of 2 but his twin brother, Matthew, will be riding in honor of his brother. The registration for the ride is free and donations are encouraged. All proceeds will go to a memorial fund for Ryan under the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

    Put air in your tyres, find your bike helmet and ride for Ryan.

    – Written by admin

  • Bloomin’ Satire!

    Unsavory Burlingame Group Tidies Up Planters

    A sizable number of people, said to be members of the nefarious Citizens for a Better Burlingame, were caught in broad daylight a recent Sunday ago renovating two dilapidated planting boxes on Burlingame Avenue. Approximately 16 to 20 workers, cleverly camouflaged in day-glo orange safety vests so as to avoid attention, were seen first clearing out the overgrown planters in the early morning hours, then installing mulch, bark, and various colorful plants.

    Certain high ranking members of this group, who shall remain nameless out of consideration for any possible future legal action, claimed that they had gone through all the red tape the city required; permit documents, insurance, and so forth, and stated that they had the city's full support and approval. While passersby to these goings on voiced gratitude to this volunteer group for using their own time and money to enhance the look of the city, it took the keen observational powers of the sole critic of the project, Burlingame Vice-Mayor Joe Galligan, to question this benevolent activity.

    In an effort to stir up discord, Councilman Galligan, an avowed adversary to Burlingame's newly formed citizens groups, voiced annoyance at a council meeting that he had not been consulted about this project to beautify Burlingame. The prospect of unsavory elements coming out of nowhere and willy-nilly performing worthwhile projects for the city seemed to cause him great concern. Troubled that such blatant public gardening could get out of hand, he recommended that such projects be brought before the council for general discussion; thus allowing counter arguments against such future aberrant, altruistic behavior.

    Member Stephen Hamilton, who asked to remain anonymous, said about the project: We're volunteering to do some of those things the city can no longer afford to do. We're just trying to make a better Burlingame?. Of a more curious matter, Councilman Galligan acknowledged to CBB member Dan Andersen, after the council meeting, that he actually did know about the project beforehand. As to why he publicly said differently was a puzzle to some, though to others, not unexpected. It is not known if the Vice-Mayor intends to proceed with this matter, but one CBB member was overheard to say, cryptically, I hope he does?.

    – Written by kent lauder

  • Another School District

    Article in today's San Mateo Times

    "SAN MATEO — The San Mateo-Foster City School District school board Thursday night slashed approximately $2.6 million from its budget — including teacher positions, custodians and supplies. The school board voted 4 to 1 to approve a budget that includes cutting five elementary teacher positions, two middle school teacher positions, two custodians, five special education aides, school supplies and some of the district's contribution to after-school sports …
    Trustee Mark Hudak said the district should try to involve parents and employees in this process as well"

    As appropos to Hudak's comment: Can Safeway help out again?

    – Written by Fiona

  • June 21 Council Meeting

    Some items on the agenda are:

    (1) Annual Review of Amusement Permits – Hearing/Action
    (2) Fresh Market Relocation – discuss
    (3) Reintroduction of Ordinance re EMF – reintroduce
    (4) School Crossing Guard – direction
    (5) Bayfront Specific Area Plan development fees – introduce

    The Crossing Guard "direction" will be interesting – who wants to pick up this hot potato?

    – Written by admin

  • What a great emailfrom Mike! I have been a strong proponent of community involvement. Eureka has shown us that an organized citizenry can tackle and win against the BIG corporation.

    As a community, we elect local representatives to speak on our behalf, but that does not mean we give up our right to speak out nor be heard. We do not give our local representatives a blank check to act in any manner they so desire, especially when there is a collective outcry for or against a specific issue.

    The US Constitution gives us the right to assemble and speak freely. It appears to me our elected representatives have considerable consternation about community involvement. Rather than praising the various grassroots? groups, some council members have resulted to using derogatory terms when describing some of the grassroots? groups. If the community felt they were being adequately represented, the community would not feel the need to form specific interest groups to draw attention to their issue and fight their own fight. It would be nice if the City Council would fight as vigorously for your cause as they fight for their own self-serving cause(s).

    Remember, we elected the council members into office, we can vote them out of office.

    – Written by rich grogan

  • Keep up the great work

    Sorry to intrude on this discussion. I am a former Burlingame resident now living in Eureka. I am encouraged by the activism on the part of Burlingame residents to fight for a better community.

    Just a few notes on what is happening here and how it may apply to your efforts:

    WalMart took a proposal for a store on our waterfront to the voters and they lost.

    Calpine (energy company) tried to place a huge Liquefied Natural Gas import facility on Humboldt Bay. They lobbied local officials heavily and behind closed doors. Even had some sign non-disclosures. The community organized and got out the facts.

    We even hired a polling company to do a poll. Questions were very straightforward and presented both sides of the issue. We even included a questions regrading how the voters felt about the individual council members. This gave us ammunition for talking with the council. Polls can work FOR YOU. It all culminated with a city council meeting at our Muni Auditorium 1500 residents showed up and spoke overwhelmingly against the project. Calpine left the next day. In the end Calpine spent over $1 million on their efforts and we (the opposition) spent perhaps $10,000.

    PALCO lumber (owned by Maxxam, Inc of Texas) is clear-cutting all the redwoods and creating tremendous runoff issues in the rivers. Our DA filed a lawsuit against them. PALCO followed up with a slanderous recall effort against the DA. They spent over $250,000 to get the DA off their back. Recall failed.

    The bottom line is that when you organize you can do a lot. Keep up the great work!

    Mike Buettner
    Eureka

    – Written by bitman

  • Credit where Credit is due

    The article in the SM Times today needs some clarification. On first glance the reader is led to believe that the City came up with the wonderful "$32 solution" to fund the crossing guards. Absolutely emphatically wrong. The creative and caring members of the Citizens for a Better Burlingame jumped into help the School District and the "$32 solution" was born. Additionally the CBB has paid for the "$32 solution" flyers out of their own funds. We are all working towards keeping our children safe BUT please give credit where credit is due.

    – Written by Fiona

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