The Burlingame Voice

Apple Store

The Apple store opened on Burlingame Avenue today, with crowds lined up round the corner, all the way up City Hall Lane up to CJ's deli. How many were Apple employees?

Great to see the Avenue buzzing, but when the crowds go, we will be left with another prison like structure. What an eyesore on Park Road! The great big slate grey wall with the little machine gun like window slot.

I bet Steve's Job's home town of Palo Alto wouldn't have allowed that!

- Written by admin

M&M's brings in ringer

Mike Coffey and Mary Janney are reputed to have hired controversial campaign consultant Ed McGovern to help with their campaigns. This is the same Ed McGovern that was hauled before the ethics board in San Jose for shady dealings. (read article) .. the same Ed McGovern who charges $100k for campaigns. Have the big leagues come to Burlingame? Do we need this kind of politics here? Watch out for the dirty tricks so beloved by McGovern. This should be an interesting fall.

- Written by admin

The dog days of Summer

As we sizzle in the summer heat, the thoughts of the November election begin to fill the minds of the incumbents and the hopefuls. Already papers have been drawn by the M&M's and four hopefuls. Will they all file them by August 8th?

So far, apart from incumbents Mike Coffey and Mary Janney, local activists Russ Cohen, Terry Nagel, and Dan Andersen have stated their intention to file papers. In addition local citizen Paul Prendiville and Parks commisioner Ed Larios have said they may run.

- Written by admin

The dog days of Summer

Unsavory Burlingame Group Tidies Up Planters

A sizable number of people, said to be members of the nefarious Citizens for a Better Burlingame, were caught in broad daylight a recent Sunday ago renovating two dilapidated planting boxes on Burlingame Avenue. Approximately 16 to 20 workers, cleverly camouflaged in day-glo orange safety vests so as to avoid attention, were seen first clearing out the overgrown planters in the early morning hours, then installing mulch, bark, and various colorful plants.

Certain high ranking members of this group, who shall remain nameless out of consideration for any possible future legal action, claimed that they had gone through all the red tape the city required; permit documents, insurance, and so forth, and stated that they had the city's full support and approval. While passersby to these goings on voiced gratitude to this volunteer group for using their own time and money to enhance the look of the city, it took the keen observational powers of the sole critic of the project, Burlingame Vice-Mayor Joe Galligan, to question this benevolent activity.

In an effort to stir up discord, Councilman Galligan, an avowed adversary to Burlingame's newly formed citizens groups, voiced annoyance at a council meeting that he had not been consulted about this project to beautify Burlingame. The prospect of unsavory elements coming out of nowhere and willy-nilly performing worthwhile projects for the city seemed to cause him great concern. Troubled that such blatant public gardening could get out of hand, he recommended that such projects be brought before the council for general discussion; thus allowing counter arguments against such future aberrant, altruistic behavior.

Member Stephen Hamilton, who asked to remain anonymous, said about the project: We're volunteering to do some of those things the city can no longer afford to do. We're just trying to make a better Burlingame?. Of a more curious matter, Councilman Galligan acknowledged to CBB member Dan Andersen, after the council meeting, that he actually did know about the project beforehand. As to why he publicly said differently was a puzzle to some, though to others, not unexpected. It is not known if the Vice-Mayor intends to proceed with this matter, but one CBB member was overheard to say, cryptically, I hope he does?.

- Written by kent lauder