Is Burlingame a 'snobby' city? Debate sparks over city's move to look into sheriff's worker program (San Mateo Times)

BURLINGAME Should the city use crews of nonviolent offenders to clean its streets and paint its garbage cans? It's a question that generated a spirited debate among Burlingame City Council members last week. It also provoked a sharp exchange between Councilman Russ Cohen and Councilwoman Ann Keighran on the subject of whether the city is "snobby" and "elitist." For now, participation in the San Mateo County Sheriff's Work Program is on hold aswith the Redwood City Department of Public Works, said the city has not had any significant problems with the program or its workers. Mann said the city spends about $105,000 each year to supervise the program, but the return on the investment is greater than that amount in terms of work performed. Ross Bruce, president of the Broadway Merchants Association, said he would keep an open mind about the program. "On the face of it, it seems like a win-win position for the violator and the community," Bruce said.

Bobbi Benson, chairman of Friends of Mills Canyon, has already volunteered to bring along the workers on her group's next trip to clear out litter from Mills Canyon. Benson applauded Keighran's efforts to find out more about the initiative, saying it was the councilwoman's "responsibility" to do so. It was Keighran's skepticism about the program that led Cohen to remark that opposition to the program could contribute to a perception that Burlingame is "snobby." Keighran disputed that suggestion, prompting a brief exchange that was broken up by Mayor Cathy Baylock. Cohen said he doesn't believe Burlingame is "hoity-toity," but he has heard people say as much. Cohen said the worker program could help "break the myth." "I don't know what we have to be elite about," said Jeannie Gilmore, a board member of Citizens for a Better Burlingame. "We're certainly a lovely community, but (we're) also a hard-working and caring community." As part of the research it is conducting into the program, the department of public works will seek out the opinion of downtown merchants, said Syed Murtuza, assistant director of the department. The report will come back to the council in October or November, Murtuza said.

– Written by Fiona