Month: January 2005

  • We need $7,000 more!

    There is a new flyer enclosed with the current waterbills saying that the Crossing Guard Fund is still $7,000 away from the goal of $64,000.

    I have been in discussion with the city about whether Galligan wants to see "auto row" conditional use permits before or after the planning commission so call it parsing words, but when it comes to the CBB I think they have clearly been more than "assistance" in the $32 solution as stated in the flyer. The $32 solution was initiated and run by the CBB when noone else wanted to do it. It's a pity that hubris stands in the way of recognition from city hall.

    The important thing is that the crossing guard fund needs $7,000 more to meet the goal. Please send to:

    Crossing Guard Fund
    P.O. Box 117791,
    Burlingame, CA 94011

    if you would like to assist in reaching this goal.

    – Written by Fiona

  • Open Your Pockets

    The prospective owner of the Anugrah building has challenged Harvey to pay another $1 million to buy the property currently in escrow for $1.3.

    Seems the car man wants to "buy" all those businesses out of business and the city council has been helping him with whining on about how these conditional-zoned businesses are lucky to be on "auto row".

    You couldn't buy it cheap, Mr. Harvey, but its yours for $2.3 million!

    – Written by Fiona

  • Safeway “Deal”

    I have no idea who wrote the article for the Burlingame Daily News, but was disappointed in the choice of headline. Citizens For A Better Burlingame is in no shape or form a group that is seeking to make a "Deal" with anyone. That smacks of old back-room politics, schemes and scams, against which the group has always spoken. The group has always seeked to promote design that integrates well with our downtown area and encourages lively pedestrian use and interaction, something missing from the Safeway project, rejected a year ago. Currently, CBB is examining a proposal by local Burlingame architect, Martin Dreiling, who has, on his own, generously designed a conceptual development for that area. The public is invited to come to the Lion's Hall, next Tuesday the 8th, at 7pm. to learn more about this and mixed-use projects in general. The group seeks input from all interested citizens.

    – Written by Jennifer Pfaff

  • Crossing Guards Calendar?

    An interesting article in the San Francisco Chronicle today detailed the problems one group of citizens have experienced trying to raise money to help their city. The ladies of Carmel took inspiration from the 2003 movie Calendar Girls and raised some $40,000. However their city refused to accept these monies claiming it would "offend sensibilities".

    Now let's think crossing guards! Curiously this subject never came up in the study session on the budget. Can we assume that the city will be paying for the crossing guards next year … or does the CBB have to strip off to raise the money. Maybe Jays Smoke shop will contribute .. I'm sure Safeway won't!

    – Written by admin

  • Donnelly Mixed Use

    Another interesting outcome from the study session was that Architect Ionescu "would like to design and develop a project in downtown Burlingame. We have identified a possible mixed use project on the West side of Donnelly Street". He proposed that the city hall give him access to the street plans and he would do some drawings and then go to the citizens, etc. for input on his design. Most of us think slabs of parking lots are not the best way to use our precious land and are open to any suggestions.

    Mr. Ionescu's pitch seemed to buck the system by asking at a study session but hey. We look forward to seeing his plan and I am sure there will be plenty of residents who love the idea of mixed use but want the first mixed-use in Burlingame to be the best!

    – Written by Fiona

  • Civic Engagement

    At the study session yesterday Councilwoman Nagel suggested that Burlingame City promote a Citizens Academy program. She pointed out that many cities have citizens academies where interested residents can learn about local government, human services, transportation, fiscal services, education, support services, criminal justice, etc.

    I can't remember what the reason for not considering this good idea, (don't think it was the parking!) but for anyone interested in this very interesting way to learn how governments work, there is the excellent San Mateo County Citizens Academy that is open to all San Mateo County residents.

    Thank you Mrs. Nagel for once again trying to come up with new ways to help Burlingame citizens get informed and involved. I appreciate it.

    – Written by Fiona

  • Black is black!

    Did anyone else notice at today's meeting some interesting personality dysfunctions?

    It seems that if our most intelligent, most hardworking, most committed, most energized, most civic minded council member had said "Black is black" there would have been three council members that would have said "No, black is not black and we can't afford to fund the color black in the budget".

    Interesting that this more intelligent, more hard working, etc. councilmember's ideas were clapped when others were not! When will the triumvirate get it!

    – Written by Fiona

  • Parking Study

    Am I the only one wondering what ever happened to that parking study. We heard several months ago that it was finished, but what was the outcome? (Perhaps I missed something?) Today we heard from Councilman Coffey that he wanted top priority given to providing more parking in the town. But is this based on the results of the parking study ; if so, what were they?

    – Written by Jennifer Pfaff

  • Burlingame Website for Teens

    According the San Mateo County Times there is a new way for Burlingame teens to get together. It is on the website www.burlingameteens.com where the kids can find out what is happening. It was incorrectly stated in the article about being able to download music. They hope to add a message board. The music is great.

    Just looking at those kids, you know they are going to do a better job than us!

    As it states in the article, the "adults have the city website (?) and the Burlingame Voice" but it is great that our young Burlingamers have somewhere to go to find out about upcoming dances, activities, etc. Great idea!

    – Written by Fiona

  • Mayor’s Availability

    A great suggestion was made by Russ Cohen today at the study session that the Mayor should consider a town hall meeting so residents can discuss issues going on in their town and ask questions.

    Not necessary – Galligan says he is always available by email. Plus during council meetings and study sessions the residents are given 3 minutes to make their statements. Of course what he forgot to mention is that at council meetings speakers are not allowed to ask questions and councilmembers are not supposed to "act" on anything the speaker says in their three minutes. Some dialogue!

    The former-madam mayor would have been more open to the town hall meeting idea than the present mayor because she is very good at listening to her constituents and valuing what they think. An important lesson in the political game.

    If anyone wants a dialogue with Galligan his city email number is joegallign@aol.com. For the few lucky ones who are in the IGBBGClub, there is always the fax machine or hand deliveries. Not much of a dialogue but that will have to do for the next 10 months!

    – Written by Fiona

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