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Children will be children!

Interesting piece by the Phantom today in the Daily News:

"Galligan invited chairmen and women from City's various commissions to lunch this week, where they discussed plans for year ahead. T-Spoon Commission Head Russ Cohen's name didn't make the list of invitees. Warden, T-spoon vice-chair received the invite and said "he didn't know about Cohen being snubbed. He assumed the mayor and city manager had taken care of notifying Cohen"

There are at least three lies in that paragraph. The excuse for this breach of protocol was a "mixup" and/or a secretarial malfunction (do people still blame the secretary?). The City knew BEFORE the meeting of this breach of etiquette, rudeness, childish behaviour, etc. and should have acted like adults.

I asked the City to include who is the chair of each commission on the city website so there will be no mix-up in the future. The mayor and vice mayor are noted on the council list. When the chairs change chairs (and not before) this can be changed with a flick of the finger.

Come on boys, play fair in the sandbox.

– Written by Fiona

Posted in

15 responses to “Children will be children!”

  1. Jenn

    Russ has done an incredible job on that commission, one he takes very seriously. There wouldn’t be a bicycle plan, or parking demarkation program, or even traffic calming program, had this gentleman not been on that commission.
    I’ve had to visit this group many times in the past 15 years. Some of the commissioners simply slept through the proceedings. One had to wonder, why they were ever appointed and why they continued to be seat-warmers, they seemed so disinterested. Fortunately, his present fellow commissioners are probably well aware of his drive to give his best wherever he can, and respect him for it, invitation not.

  2. Jim

    A sophisticated city like ours should do better. Maybe the Phantom could dig deeper so this breach of protocol does not happen again.

  3. jean

    Jim, I like “sophisticated”…but how do we define it related to Burlingame? Every so often I wonder if we really are.

  4. rich grogan

    When will “Da Mayor” reprehensible behavior end? Hopefully next election! It is an absolute travesty that Russ Cohen wasn’t invited to the meeting. Me thinketh “Da Mayor” realizes Russ has more moral fiber and personal character in one of his discarded toenails than “Da Mayor” has in his whole body. “Da Mayor” is jealous of Russ and perceives him as a threat, as he should.

    I do not think Russ should hold his breath waiting for a public apology from “Da Mayor’s” politically incorrect snub!

    We need to unite and oust “Da Mayor” this coming election.

  5. bhsp

    get a life folks

  6. Jenn

    I don’t think Burlingame has ever been “sophisticated” in the proper sense of the word. We have never been in the forefront of anything, (that I can think of,) and tend to be conservative in just about every respect. We just happen to be located conveniently between Silicon Valley and San Francisco, which is appealing to many people. This location is the big draw, I think. The challenge is to keep the town interesting on its own merit, and that is becoming increasingly difficult.

  7. jim

    bhsp – it is ok to be cynical but this little episode has more to do with the way Burlingame politics works than just a mere “snub”. Attend a few council meetings and study sessions to see dirty bully politicking going on!

    People make mistakes – or in this case “mix up”. It only takes two words of apology as in “I’m sorry” to be a man (or a woman).

    This is not about being left out of the party but dirty politics – a la Burlingame.

  8. bhsp

    Point taken. It was the name calling that made it seem childish and surly. It is difficult to respect the opinions of any group that is so quick to smear it’s oppostion in personal terms. You clearly do not like Joe’s positions, and he is, after all, a politician, just as “bad” as Cathy and Terry, but all three of them, plus Mike and Rosalie, are not “bad” people. They all care about this community…and just as at the national level, they each have different views of what is best for the community. So, do you want to be Michael Moore vs the Swift Boat Vets, or do you want to have a civil dialogue? You’re choice…I’m going on holiday again….

  9. Fiona

    In my book a “bad” person is a politician who threatens our residents who don’t agree with his opinions, blocks communications with citizens and sends questionable letters. Perhaps even threatens local businessmen who use “the enemy”. If this is not part and parcel of Burlingame politics then I must be living in Chicago!

    There are some stronger names for that kind of politician and none of which are allowed on the Burlingame Voice!

  10. Seamus

    We have a busy life besides watching or attending council meetings,but we make time because we live here and want to know what’s going on in our city. We have every right to do a
    check on our city officals.

  11. rich grogan

    Bhsp you pose some interesting questions and draw some intriguing suppositions. As I read the BLOG these are voices of individuals, not groups, who are expressing their personal views and opinions. Personally, I can speak from first hand knowledge regarding “Da Mayor’s” unscrupulous actions. If this was “Da Mayor’s” first faux pas I would be the first person willing to forgive and forget, BUT it isn’t and it is about time “Da Mayor” be held accountable for his actions.

    Personally, I do not believe “Da Mayor” is thinking about the good of Burlingame, it is my personal opinion “Da Mayor’s” actions are part of his personal empire building agenda. With that said, I will be monitoring “Da Mayor’s” actions/comments very closely.

  12. Bruce

    Rich, afterall, he was ELECTED official and now mayor.

    Bhsp…I like your “VOICE” better than anyone here!!! LOLssss

  13. Jenn

    Bruce, the five people sitting on Council were elected as Councilmen (and women.) The position of Mayor and Vice Mayor in our city is rotational, only.

  14. rich grogan

    Bruce, you have a very valid point. “Da Mayor” was elected, but if you monitor his actions and words you would think he was ordained or anointed. The Tuesday night Council Meeting is the most recent of words and actions, which fly in the face of established council practices.

  15. Rosaline

    I hope Bruce and bhsp attend council meetings because they are a good indication of how things are done … on the surface.

    More students should attend the council meetings (over and above the ones who attend for civics class and football proclamations) because they will be our future politicians. My teenager has left council meetings and shuddered with disgust. She learnt that Burlingame is not the utopian dream of good local politics – open government, respect for civic engagement, respect for opposing opinions and – something very simple – courtesy.

    Tuesday’s meeting was a good example of nasty politicking and in the future our children will do better!

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