The Burlingame Voice

Budget Study Session

The Budget Study Session on Tuesday, June 1 at 6:00 pm in the Lane Room, Burlingame Public Library is an important meeting. Here we will find out how the City will be spending money in FY 04-05. Which community groups will be given City funding? Maybe as in Belmont - our council will decide to forgo this largesse to "community groups" and use these monies for other more pressing needs.

I hope the City will inform us how much is in the budget for the Crossing Guards Fund including what monies have been received from concerned residents of Burlingame - residents avec-enfants & sans-enfants!

- Written by Rosaline

Top Influence- Makers

Today in "Fuchs or Facts", Mayor O'Mahony is included in his list of Top Influence-Makers. As mentioned in the article, Rosalie managed to win decisive issues over the three whatever-you-like-to-call-them (M&M's/Galligan) and "she singlehandedly blocked the construction of a new Safeway". Fuchs is right about the above and especially that she has overwhelming influence in the City.

- Written by Fiona

Primrose

This morning a beautiful tree on Primrose, located by the tot lot, was hit by a hugh truck.
I would say it took at least 1/3 of its growth.

What will happen to our town if we allow trucks of this size to use our village-size streets?

- Written by Angela

Public Forum

The Citizens for a Better Burlingame (CBB) is holding a free community forum entitled "Can Burlingame be Even Better?" This is the first in a series of forums that the CBB plans to hold over the next several months. The forums will explore the concept of "Smart Growth."

The forum, to be held on June 2, 2004 in the Lane Room of the main public library, will feature three guest speakers: John King, The San Francisco Chronicle's urban design writer; Martin Dreiling, president of CSS Associates Architecture in Burlingame; and Tom Ford, senior associate with Design, Community & Environment in Berkeley. They will discuss their views on good downtown shopping-area design, planning and requirements for a vibrant pedestrian-friendly downtown shopping area.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and will end at 8:45 p.m.

- Written by admin

Grant Funding

Very interesting article today in the San Mateo Daily Journal about Belmont's grant funding. It seems that some groups, including the San Mateo Councy Historical Association, may have given up hope of asking for funding this year. Belmont has $10,000 left over in the kitty. Also interesting: "councilmembers can vote to put all the grant funding back into the general fund".

Burlingame has $49,100 allocated for FY 2004-2005 for "Community Groups". From City budget papers, community grants requested this year total $44,230.00.

Last year Burlingame had funding monies left over even though I know of at least one very worthwhile Burlingame group did not receive a penny. How could that be, especially when - in my opinion - less worthwhile non-Burlingame groups received a nice handout.

- Written by Fiona

Sundays Farmers Market

The Sunday's market is getting better and better - with new stalls every week. This week there was a musician, a winery, olive oil producer and a soap/candlemaker new to the mix! The new winery merchant - Renaissance Winery - had some great wine. Perfect accompaniment to a Sunday lunch of fava beans, levain bread, olive oil and strawberries - not all mixed together!

We do need more merchants to join and make the Farmers Market even better - any suggestions, anyone?

- Written by Fiona

Another hidden Gem

Up behind the Shinnyo-en temple on Summit Drive there is an overgrown ampitheatre that was part of Hoover School. The Shinnyo-en order allows limited public access most days between 8 and 5 except during their religious festivals. You can access the ampitheatre by climbing the steps on the right side of the building, through the gate and then up the winding path, that is quite overgrown. It's a wonderful tranquil place. Maybe one day it could be restored and the community could have theatre and arts in the open. That would be a gem.

- Written by admin

Pet Parade

Over three hundred people braved the cool overcast early morning hour to be part of Burlingame's First Annual Pet Parade. Organized by and for the Broadway Merchants the event attracted well dressed pets and their owners in this fun home town event. You can read more about it at www.burlingamepetparade.com. A big hats off to all involved in this fun event.

- Written by admin

Enguard!

Jerry Fuchs' article School, city are enguard? does not surprise me, but Jerry has moved the school crossing guard issue to, yet, another level. Why he felt the need to divide the issue based upon gender is beyond me. Jerry has identified those council members in favor of continuing to protect the children of Burlingame as female? and those opposed to funding the school crossing guards as men.? Well this division makes it easy to identify those council members, who are not willing to fund your children's safety. I hope the parents in Burlingame do not forget those men? opposed to the funding for their children's safety. I wonder what sacred cow? they are willing to keep in the budget over the safety of the children.

All too often, we hear the men? are upset at residents for attending and speaking out for their particular cause. Evidently the men? have forgotten city council meetings are open to the public. The public has the right to either speak on a specific topic during the time that the topic is on the table and under discussion or they can speak out during the general comment portion of the council meeting. To bad the men? do not want to hear from the residents of Burlingame. Maybe, it is because they are the vocal minority (and we know what they think about the vocal minority) and they do not want to hear from anyone opposed to their position. The men need to realize the Council Chamber is not their personal stage.

I applaud Superintendent De Marto for organizing the parents and having them speak out regarding their children's safety. Jerry has indicated he felt De Marto might have injured his cause fatally, when he decided to get the parents involved in the issue. Based upon everything I have read and heard; the no funding for crossing guards? was a done deal. By having the parents get involved, the issue is still alive. I would rather see a fatally injured cause than a fatally injured child.

Superintendent De Marto, thank you for your concerns and for bringing this issue to the attention of the residents of Burlingame.

- Written by rich grogan

Measure A

Other cities are considering using Measure A funds to cover the crossing guard costs. Gene Mullin has said Measure A can be used for this purpose. Is Burlingame even considering this? Maybe three of the council members have dug themselves into a large dark black hole and this would take some effort to dig themselves out.

- Written by Fiona