Friday's Chamber of Commerce shindig featured San Francisco comedian Will Durst doing a half hour of standup comedy. Apparently his take on Burlingame was something to the effect of "Burlingame has 'quaint' down cold. It's so quaint that if Norman Rockwell came here, he would lose his lunch." Even given the overly colorful image, it's nice to see that Will "gets it". I wonder how many of the dignitaries present "got it"?????
– Written by Joe Baylock
Galligan will be asking for direction at a study session on his five goals:
(1) Budget balancing with as little impact as possible on city workers.
(2) Develop and adopt ordinance to maintain property owners' views associated with the property when it was purchased. The ordinance could relate to neighbors' trees or home additions.
(3) Implement ordinances associated with advance planning for north end and shoreline specific plans.
(4) Complete assessment of structural stability of Easton Drive eucalyptus trees.
(5) Finalize a Council decision to review financing options for public facilities master plan.
The study session is open to the public and will be at the Lane room at 9:00 am on Saturday January 29th. All suggestions re "Galligan's goals" should be e-mailed to council@burlingame.org
– Written by Fiona
There is an article in the Daily Journal about the Caltrain negotiations:
(1) They will install 25-cents-an-hour parking meters in 16 spaces on West Lane
(2) Harvey will lease parking lots on East Lane for three years
(3) Harvey would lease a lot on West Lane from the City for three years
(4) South Lane will be closed to cars
And very interestingly: "The city plan also postpones building a $950,000 plaza on the lot near the Burlingame train depot because the city cannot afford it"
Where did that number come from? The plaza could become the jewel plaza of the peninsula with the expertise and creative thinking of some of our local well respected architects.
Maybe one of our more dedicated council members could see if there is any grant funding around for such a project.
We are eagerly waiting for the parking study where we will find out whether people's parking habits have changed and where the parking money will be allocated. Wasn't it going to be approximately $500,000?
Maybe at the budget study session on January 29 at 9:00 in the Lane Room all will be disclosed .
– Written by Fiona
The city council agenda is now out for the council meeting on Tuesday:
Of special interest :
(1) Joint Powers Board/Caltrain Broadway and Burlingame Avenue Train Station Improvements – Presentation/Direction. This is of interest to all who care whether our town will continue to be full of cars for sale and/or whether our small independent businesses be given the parking they require near their businesses.
(2) Consider appointment of Parks & Recreation Commissioner – Appoint/Other Action
(3) Planning Commission vacancies.
Just so we get it all straight this is what they say in the agenda about how the council can react or non-react to "PUBLIC COMMENTS – At this time, persons in the audience may speak on any item on the agenda or any other matter within the jurisdiction of the Council. The Ralph M. Brown Act (the State local agency open meeting law) prohibits council from acting on any matter which is not on the agenda. It is the policy of council to refer such matters to staff for investigation and/or action".
Perhaps a thank you from the council is considered "acting on any matter". What baloney! We will be watching to see what is considered "acting" in upcoming meetings.
Important to note that Safeway will not be getting dddddddirection at Tuesday's council meeting but the council meeting will be interesting nevertheless!
– Written by Fiona
This is the crapola I received in reply to an email that I sent to the city with constructive suggestions for the city website. I received the following bounced email message from our new mayor:
—– The following addresses had permanent fatal errors —–
—– Transcript of session follows —– … while talking to air-xb04.mail.aol.com.:
>>> RCPT To:
< << 550 joegallign IS NOT ACCEPTING MAIL FROM THIS SENDER 550 … User unknown
Mr. Mayor, you might want to accept suggestions from your constituents – don't take them personally but they are suggestions for improving the way Burlingame works. It might also educate you and your fellow council members, and my God you need it!
There are only three words that describe what is going on – yuck, yuck and yuck.
– Written by Fiona
Today's (1-12-05) Op Ed piece from Mr. Lind, president of UFCW Local 428 was interesting to me. It appears he is attempting to enlighten the community on Safeway's ability to take a hard line on the current contract issues. It also, appears to me, he is asking the community to support is efforts. Where was Mr. Lind when we were in the trenches with Safeway? We are well aware of Safeway's ability to be inflexible and assume a hard line.
If my memory serves me correctly, the Unions sent in shills to the Safeway Planning Commission Meeting, in an effort to intimidate the residents of Burlingame. Much to their surprise, the residents were not intimidated. It sure would have been nice if all of those Unions Members would have supported our efforts rather than hinder our efforts. At that time the Unions were willing to bite the hand that fed them, but now they are asking that very same hand to support them. I guess there is some truth to the old saying time wounds all heels.?
Seeing it is Safeway at issue, I will support the Union's position.
– Written by rich grogan
For you coffee lovers, Dave at il piccolo caffe is donating 25% of all sales this Sunday the 16th to Save the Children. The morning crew is also volunteering their time and tips to the effort. He is having acoustic entertainment at 11:00am followed by Karaoke from 1:00-4:30pm by Party Productions.
– Written by lthouse
I just went down to my cellar and heard the sweet sound of the sump pump running. I recall only too well the last "storm of the century" which was four or five years ago. I spent 5 hours that night moving the more valuable contents in the cellar to higher ground. As the clear skies and the whirring of the pump calmed me tonight, I thought, "Thank you, BULB. Thank you, Terry Nagel. Thank you to all who convinced PG&E that the old service level was inadequate." I seem to recall that PG&E made about $1 million in capital improvements in Burlingame to quell the upraising by the natives. Over the next few years, I'm sure the residents of B'game will give thanks a million times.
– Written by Joe Baylock
There was a chemical spill (chlorine of some sort?) at BHS this morning. According to the kids, they were not allowed to leave the buildings after their finals at noon, and needed to stay inside for an hour or so while the mess was cleaned up. Thank you to BHS officials, our Parks and Rec, and our wonderful Police Dept. that try their best to keep our kids safe.
– Written by Jennifer Pfaff
From Thursday to Friday, Abecrombie managed to become another statistic. Neighboring stores say that without explanation or warning, a "fire sale" took place, with reductions up to 80%. By Saturday the store was stripped naked, like much of their cheap, soft-porn advertising. This is one store I'm personally delighted to see disappear. According to other store owners, Abecrombie couldn't manage their store or their teenage employees, at all. There were constant complaints about loud music blaring from the store into the street, and the teens were apparently snatching quite a bit of merchandise for themselves. I look forward to their replacement, whatever it may be.
– Written by Jennifer Pfaff
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