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Our November Ballot

Per an analysis by the City Clerk, the upcoming November 5th election will have the most candidates ever for a three seat election.  I told you the starter's pistol went off here.  We have nine certified candidates and the randomized alphabet drawing was held at 11am today.  By my alpha calculation, the ballot order will be:

Russ Cohen – Association Executive Director

Ricardo Ortiz – Businessman

Alexander England Kent – School Real Estate

Ann Keighran – Incumbent

Robert Schinagl – Store Clerk

Steve Duncan – Retail Management

Nirmala Bandrapalli – Mother and Entrepreneur

Michael Brownrigg – Vice Mayor/Business Owner

Andrew Peceimer – Business Owner

The occupations listed come from their filings as listed at www.shapethefuture.org on this page.

 

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46 responses to “Our November Ballot”

  1. alittlenird

    Oh please, please, please. Anyone but Keighran this time around. She can’t make a independent decision for the life of her and has to rely on her mommy and daddy for advice. Don’t you notice how they are always in the audience? So who holds the council position? She or her parents? Get some backbone.

  2. Holyroller

    I am sure Ms Keighran has some good qualities that we have yet to “uncover.”
    She is not in the race for the Money…
    However, Ms Keighren will never get the-Cover of “Gentry Magazine,” unless she wins.
    BTW
    I have never been more offended by any Magazine, the advertizements, and attempt to share with “the little people” the benefits of wealth.
    I especially can NOT relate to the articles regarding “major inconveince’s” of have to move in with “The In-laws” @ Catalina for 6-8 weeks while the kitchen pool house, is being remodled.
    Nevertheless, I do look at GENTRY.
    The magazine is right next to my toilet. Very relaxing.
    My question is , why do we find “Gentry” at Royal Doughnut?
    I get a Gentry everytime I pick up an Apple Fritter& Coffee-Black.
    The main reason I spend so much time in my bathroom reading “Gentry.”

  3. James

    My biggest question for all the candidates is “where do you stand on high speed rail, particularly when it comes to the peninsula?”
    Will their positions be posted here?
    Thanks!

  4. Anne

    Holycow Holy. The only thing I can say is maybe it is time to ease up on the apple fritters. You are offended and relaxed by the same magazine?

  5. lily

    I vote 4 Ann Keighran because she has done a lot 2 improve our city. Don’t u guys agree?

  6. Lorne

    I strongly encourage all of the candidates, as well as current council members who are not up for re-election, to explore an “open data” platform to make our city’s financial data even more transparent and consumable. Here’s a recent article about what Palo Alto is doing:
    http://blogs.wsj.com/venturecapital/2013/07/11/with-palo-alto-on-board-opengov-aims-for-transparency-in-dozens-more-city-governments/
    And here’s a link to their actual open data site:
    http://paloalto.opengov.com/transparency#annual/stacked/desc/coa/t2/t0All,t1All,1322
    I know San Mateo County is now utilizing open data through a platform called Socrata (which I believe caters more to larger gov’t entities than the one being used by Palo Alto – as well as Salinas, Mountain View, Dublin, etc – which is http://www.opengov.com)

  7. alittlenird

    And what pray tell has keighran done “2 improve our city” lily? To what “guys” are you referring? Maybe I should send this directly “2” keighran?

  8. Sam

    A Little Bird,
    What do you have against Miss. Keighran?

  9. alittlenird

    Just wondering why she should continue to have a place in city government when it is obvious that she can’t make an independent decision. If she is following the head nods of her mother and father at council meetings, why not have one of them run in her place? It doesn’t make sense to have someone on council who is relying on others for every decision.

  10. Blackford_Oakes

    Reading the candidate statements of Brownrigg and Keighran one can’t help but think they are living in a fantasy world with the fiscal claims they make. Expect Peceimer to bring a voice of reasonable spending and sound city management like avoiding debacles like the “Big Dig” that has become downtown Burlingame.

  11. Andrew Peceimer

    Jason,
    I was against High Speed Rail (HSR)from day one. I never believed the dream that it would be 34 billion to build. Now estimates keep climbing by billions. I will support any lawsuit to stop this wasteful sham.
    I went to meetings where HSR could not even tell us how much revenue the trains would generate or riders they expected. Try doing this in the private sector and you will never get investors to put up the money.
    It makes no sense to have it run through downtown Burlingame.
    Our current Mayor Ann Keighran says in her candidate statement the following “I will continue to advocate for underground alignment of High Speed Rail.” Does Ann have any idea of what the costs would be to put the train underground?
    Under Ann Kieghran leadership we are already under funding employees pensions and health care by millions of dollars. Where does Ann expect the money to come from? Higher parking fees? Higher garbage rates? Higher parcel taxes?
    We need Responsible Leadership.
    Andrew Peceimer
    Her wasteful city spending

  12. Andrew Peceimer

    Blackford,
    I appreciate the vote of confidence, email me at andrew@peceimerforburlingame.com so we can get together for coffee and discuss the future of our city.

  13. hillsider

    Dear Andrew, it’s lovely to hear what you think about high speed rail, but what have you DONE about high speed rail for the last three years or more? I don’t recall word one from you about it. All talk, no action.

  14. Andrew

    Hillsider,
    You ask an excellent question.
    I have been vocal about HSR with our community when it first came out and urged family and friends to vote NO. I was not fooled into thinking this was good for California or Burlingame residents.
    I have been more involved attending city council meetings asking some of the following questions:
    Why city leaders are not funding city worker pensions/future healthcare
    Why are we spending millions of dollars on Burlingame Avenue remodel with reduced parking
    Examining if Burlingame city fiscal future projections are sustainable.
    Since it now appears recently that HSR is not on track I ask what are other important Burlingame issues?
    http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Big-setback-for-California-high-speed-rail-project-4739710.php
    Andrew

  15. fred

    I like this guy. He comes onto a website controlled by Russ Cohen and stacked with commenters that are his friends from the Citizen for Better Burlingame days and says it like it is in a polite manner.
    He’s also right about pension and health costs being an important issue and it just keeps escalating.
    I also don’t understand the personal attack on Keighran and her parents. People get support from their family and spouses all the time. Seems like a personal and trite attack on her and it didn’t work in the past elections as I recall.

  16. pat giorni

    Andrew,
    If you think that HSR “is no longer on track” then you haven’t been paying attention to the Single Most Important Issue that will affect our local economy, commercial tax base, property values, transportation, and quality of life.
    If you have done NOTHING other than Vote No on Prop 1-A in 2008 and relied solely on newspaper articles for your information, then, Sir, you completely lack the comprehension to decipher the nuances of the CHSRA, and indeed are totally unprepared to make the informed decisions that have so far kept the project at bay.
    You may question “sustainability” all the day long; but there is none if HSR manages to completely alter the landscape to destroy what we have built physically and economically in the past 100 years. Your cavalier attitude to move this issue to a back burner clearly demonstrates that you have drunk the kool-aid.
    In their vigilance to demand either tunneling or trenching should HSR come to the Peninsula, I trust incumbents Ann Keighran and Michael Brownrigg to continue standing up to the Authority and therefore must maintain their Council membership if we are to prevail.
    As the endorsed heir apparent to Cathy Baylock I urge everyone to put Russ Cohen in what IS the only vacant seat. With his long experience in standing up to the CHSRA, (http://www.highspeedboondoggle.com/ https://www.facebook.com/highspeedboondoggle ) he is the only “new” candidate who can be counted on to not be seduced.
    Cohen Keighran and Brownrigg in November

  17. Joe

    I can always count on you, Fred, to paint things in their best light. But all that “control” doesn’t seem to be working so good…….why is that?

  18. Joe

    And P.S.: I’ve only met Andrew once for about 3 minutes and told him I like people who speak their minds and put their money where their mouth is. I checked Webster and none of that was listed under “control”.

  19. fred

    Well the editors do control this website and are the only ones who can start an original post. I remember a time when others could generate a new post but that was taken away some years back. I also thought “control” showed more restraint than “occasional bully pulpit”.

  20. Holyroller

    Regarding (Andrews comments)funding pensions and health care for City of Burlingame Employees, is a Red Herring.
    These contracts made to the City of Burlingame Police, Fire, and Public Works, during labor negotiations are being used as a Bait& Switch.
    As a matter of fact, 100% of the City of Burlingame Elders have No Business Experience whatsoever in the Managagement of a Multi-Million Dollar Corparation, That is the City of Burlingame.
    Being a City of Burlingame Elder is an extension of “The Cool People”at Burlingame High School.
    I am no fan of Elder Brownrigg.
    He is Rude, Aloof,and broadcasts ” his entitlement” more than anyone I have ever met.
    I have met with BR multiple times.
    However, he has “The Chops” to run a Corparation.
    A Donald Trump.. without the bad hair.
    Being a City of Burlingame Elder has always been a popularity contest.
    Just consider/review past and present goverments.
    The reason we have problems meeting our commitments regarding contracts with Labor is that there have never been any Real Qualified Business/Corparate Elders running Burlingame.
    It is not Labors fault.
    It is the ignorant, and uninformed City Elders.
    I believe there should be a “Managment Company” hired to over see EVERYTHING.

  21. alan

    I cannot think of a single blog where the original posting is available to any and all. And I read a lot of blogs on all kinds of topics. That would be totally unmanageable and would go against the basic blogging idea of a curated forum on a topic or set of topics. Before you knew it such a blog would look like the bulletin board at the local supermarket. Right after that happened people would stop reading it.

  22. alittlenird

    Fred,
    Why have an election if we already have 3 council members in the form of Keighran, her mother and her father? Trite? Ridiculous to have an adult rely so much on family input. She should be making up her own mind on decision making policies, rather than relying on the opinions of others, since she was the one elected. Past election results are one thing, these results may be different.

  23. fred

    This website used to allow original posting from any and all. It worked quite well. It had better content back then, more diverse. I think it was limited to prevent Fiona from posting threads, but I don’t know for certain.
    Baylock and Cohen have this site and their close group of friends. What does it matter if the support comes from your parents, your spouse, your friends or any combination of three?
    But keep beating that dead horse, maybe it’ll give a last kick.

  24. alittlenird

    I don’t know who Fiona is, nor do I know Cohen and Baylock, other than to know that the latter has been a council member so I have no idea to what you are referring, Fred. I am not referring to “support. ” I am referring to the making of decisions by the family members, which is not ok. I will continue to state my i opinion as an independent thinking blogger, who has no allegiance to or relationship with any of those people you referenced. What are you so threatened by?

  25. Joe

    My apologies for how long it has taken me to weigh in on this–the day job got in the way.
    Fred, you are mistaken. This website never allowed “any and all” to originate posts. The original poster you mention thought she had editorial rights by marriage, but had never been to any board meeting nor had she internalized the essence of the Voice. But who cares. It is water way, way under the bridge.
    There are actually about five other people besides Russ and me who are enabled to originate posts. They either choose not too, or it strikes them as too technically complicated. I would love to see them post, but I can only lead the horses to the water.
    As for “better content” back then–we will have to agree to disagree on that. But I have access to the pageview data for the whole period and I can definitively say you are in the minority because pageviews have been steadily growing and have jumped even more over the last three months. This is the best entertainment I can find for $15 a month. Blog on all of you–including alittlebird.

  26. local motion

    I would like to know why Nirmala Bandrapali thinks donations to her campaing are tax deductible. Go to her website and you will see this
    Law requires we ask for your employer and occupation. If you don’t have an employer or are retired, put N/A, and if you are self-employed put “self-employed” in employer and describe your occupation.
    This is a contribution from a business.
    Contributions are tax deductible.
    It is news to me that contrubtions are tax deductible. Can anyone confirm this before I give to my favorite.

  27. fred

    Mr. or Mrs. Bird I am not threatened, I’m not quite sure how you came to that conclusion. You’ve posted here for a while, you used to post on threads at times when Fiona posted:
    http://www.burlingamevoice.com/2009/09/new-hospital-new-er
    http://www.burlingamevoice.com/2009/11/and-the-winners-are
    I’m not implying you have ties to anyone, but you certainly have always had a lot of contempt for Keighran. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, we all have them.
    I think what is best for council is people who are fiscally responsible and don’t look at the pocketbooks of residents, property owners and business owners as the solutions to the long term pension and benefit concerns. Seriouly, what is with the parking rates downtown? Six minutes for a dime? Really? It’s not the fricking Embarcadero. It’s Burlingame Ave.
    Joe, sorry, I didn’t mean to knock your website. I’ve always enjoyed it and I appreciate the opportunity to voice an opinion.

  28. alittlenird

    Names are different, but there are definitely shared sentiments. I choose my name because of that. By the way Fred, did you see that the streetscape taking place on the avenue made the local news the other evening, with merchants talking about lost income. Just as you said.

  29. fred

    It’s a shame, I don’t know how it should have been done, but this way seems too extreme. Was walking down the street today and some guy is telling two people, “Yeah they keep opening up more restaurants but there’s never anywhere to park”. I defy anyone to come down to Burlingame on a Friday at noon and find a parking spot. Come look and see how many cars are circling the sidestreets searching. They said in the article this week they made up the thirteen (now ten?) lost Avenue spots with parking on Primrose and Highland, I don’t believe that. I’ll look up the news story online, thanks!

  30. alittlebird

    Have to put on my two cents too. Saw the ice cream truck with a keighran sign plastered on it. Guess the ice cream guy is getting some payment for that show of support.

  31. Holyroller

    If the Ice Cream truck is not getting support in the way of “payment.”
    The Ice Cream Truck is benefiting.
    Doing bisiness in the City of Burlingame requires a business licence,Health inspections,and paying taxes too. Does Elder Kerrigan endorse this “ever expanding” underground finacial position?
    Should Elder Kerrigan continue to ignore the blatant disregard of San Mateo County Health codes, State and Federal tax laws?
    When will it stop?
    FYI
    Are the “housekeeping service women” at the Kerrigan homes undocumented?
    Not the business owner, the employees?

  32. pat giorni

    Just for the record, the Ice Cream Man in the Park (pushcart) pays his yearly $100. business fee per Jesus Nava’s report to Council and is a legitimate business enterprise. I’m betting the Ice Cream Trucker-man is also paying his fee; therefore, ditto. Do your due diligence through the Granicus tapes on the city website and find the meeting where the topic was revision of the fee structure and possibility of amnesty for the scofflaws “working at home” who avoided and resented paying it….about 3-4 years back. Or call City Hall and simply ask if the truck driver has paid his fee before you impune his honesty.
    Oh, and by the way please find out what the Mayor is paying for votes because this retired person on a fixed monthly nut is looking for supplemental income.

  33. fred

    Letter from San Mateo Daily Journal
    Burlingame parking debacle
    Editor, I question what Syed Murtuza was quoted as saying about parking availability (“Burlingame Streetscape moves into next phases of project” in the Aug. 20 edition of the Daily Journal). I am not aware of any parking being added on Primrose. In fact, 43 spaces of prime parking on Primrose half a block from Safeway have been taken away, nine of which are lost on a long-term basis and 34 of which are gone permanently. That belies his statement that parking has been added in close proximity. Those 43 spaces were in use constantly and their loss will be felt by many. This change was fought bitterly, but in vain by many of us. It was not a decision made in the best interest of Burlingame as a whole but it has been made and is now being implemented. The city should acknowledge the fact of that loss instead of playing a numbers game that is not based on reality.
    Linda Humber
    Burlingame

  34. Editor

    Thanks for the pointer, Fred. You will see that I made a full post out of the letter.
    Holyroller, you are very, very close to violating the Terms of Use with the last comment you made on this thread. Don’t be surprised if the next one like it is deleted per those Terms.

  35. fred

    Thank you editor Joe, but this experienced Voice blogger wasn’t struggling to find a place to put this letter. I meant to put it here as it is germane to the parking issues I had discussed earlier in this thread.
    Most importantly, it is a very important election issue. Parking has always been an issue downtown, soon it will be a severe problem.

  36. Tom Hornblower

    I live at 2100 Easton Dr. and I was going up Easton last week and when I got to Columbus and Easton, there obstructing/littering my view of our beautiful neighborhood, was/is a 2ft x 4ft campaign sign of Ann Keighran on a fence. The election is not until Nov. 6, meaning it will be an eyesore for over two months. In a neighborhood of 1 to 3 million dollar homes and beautiful trees/foliage, it’s a crying shame that this type of “in your face” campaign practice is allowed. Small lawn signs are bad enough. Hillsborough requests that their candidates campaign signs be limited to 12″x15″ and that request is respected; the city of Burlingame should advise their candidates in a like manner.

  37. alitllebird

    Agreed, Tom Hornblower. This is small town politics and the sign war has already begun. It is shameful in my littlebird opinion, as well as an eyesore.

  38. Tom Hornblower

    P.S. I just went down Easton toward El Camino and Ann Keighran has a whole bunch of her 2ft x 4ft signs on every available corner fence; how rude!

  39. alittlebird

    Yeah it is pretty moronic, I agree. Do you even see such huge banner like signs during a presidential election? I think not.

  40. j.m.

    League of Women Voters 2013 Candidates’ Forum
    Date: 9/19/2013 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
    Location: Burlingame City Hall, Council Chambers
    501 Primrose Road
    Burlingame, California 94010

  41. local motion

    What a spectacle tonight at the debate. These newcomers are so uninformed it is scary. If I were Keighran or Brownrigg, I would have had to excuse myself and go out and scream. Cohen sounded like what he is. A experienced past council guy. The rest were pretty pathetic.

  42. neighbor

    Does anyone know what Alexander Kent means when he says he wants to represent the 50% of town that are renters? Do renters have some special need that I don’t know about?

  43. Pete Garrison

    Yes- they get to vote for parcel taxes that they don’t have to pay for directly.
    Last night’s debate used buzz words for tax increases such as “sustainability” and “seismicly unsafe” in the way they used to say, “Won’t someone think of the children?”

  44. fred

    I think calling those individuals running for council pathetic is just not right. While I’ve only watched half the forum so far, I thought they all brought something to the table, some more than others. What I do have a huge problem with is Russ Cohen. First off, he mentions the historical museum in his opening remarks. I should have done this sooner, but this clinched it, I’m calling this out.
    The historical museum is open 3 hours a month excluding labor day and I believe one other month, so at best case it is open 33 hours a year. A normal business in Burlingame, let’s say is open 10 hours a day six days a week, on average. That is 3120 hous versus 33 hours, of course they pay rent. The historical museum get 1% of the usage of a normal business property. The fact that it could be used in a much better fashion serving a public need while generating private revenue in the form of rent is plain wrong.

  45. fred

    Problem number two with Russ Cohen: He opposes everything. If it were possible he would return Burlingame to 1950, of course that is not possible change is a constant. You need council candidates who will shape that change in a positive way.

  46. fred

    Russ Cohen tried to buy votes by saying he would vote to reinstate the city covers sidewalk repairs. That won’t happen, he would be the 4 to 1 vote on that issue as well as many others. I believe that Cathy Baylock decided not to run for council due to frustration at often being the dissenting vote on many issues. Being a 1 to the other 4 in voting is not a productive spot to be in.

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