The Burlingame Voice

Lost Transportation Influence

An article appeared in the SMC Times on Dec. 18 about the appearance of cronyism in the county transit district board appointments.

Burlingame, at present, has no voice on the county's transit district board (SamTrans), which will influence issues related to Caltrain. As Caltrain is now contemplating a redesign of the Burlingame train station, it looks like a seat on the SamTrans board will again be claimed by Daly City, which is guaranteed at least three seats, possibly four if newly elected Supervisor Adrienne Tissier takes the seat being vacated by Supervsior Mike Nevin.

Nevin will keep a seat on the baord by replacing retiring board member and former Daly City councilmember Al Teglia as the new "public member" as he must surrender his seat as a county supervisor as he is being termed out of office this January.

- Written by politicalblunder

Learning from a Pro

Jerry Fuchs "honors" in his column today:

"Joe Karp taught me what show biz is all about and instilled in me the motto that winning isn't everything, its the only thing."

This tells me everything I need to know about both "gentlemen"

A yucky quote to finish the great year of 2004 but things will get better as long as we don't bring bring back the leisure suit!

- Written by Fiona

Daily Journal Top Ten List

Today's Daily Journal top ten list includes three specific to Burlingame:

# 3 - BALCO
# 7 - Virgin "just about inked" to come to the Forbes Building, Burlingame
# 9 - Teenage Ecstasy including the five BHS students.

Two not-so-positive but important Burlingame stories and one hopefully where we can soon welcome Virgin Airlines to the best town on the Peninsula!

- Written by Fiona

Those pesky gum trees

Today in the Daily Journal there is an article about the trees on Easton Drive. There will be a city study in late January on the health of the trees and, if diseased, the new mayor says that the trees will be removed a few at a time - a "proper reforestation"

If these trees are deemed for the chipper, our City should remember that there was a group of residents - young and old - who spent their Saturday morning listening to Caltrains explain why they were destroying the El Camino trees. They wanted to see "positive" reasons of disease and decay. Many residents had very interesting questions and, if there is a similar walkabout, perhaps the mayor and tree people will be asked the same questions.

- Written by Fiona

Encouragement Fees

According to the Daily Journal today, there will some changes a coming which will be discussed at Monday's council meeting:

Tree removal permit - $50
Residential and commercial planning application from $80 to $125
Building and Plumbing fee from 4% to 11%

Meanwhile the City is also trying to encourage development at Rollins Road by agreeing to pay 60% of the infrastructure improvements rather than splitting these costs 50/50. It surprises me that anyone needs encouragement to develop in Burlingame but I suppose it comes down to location, location, location.

- Written by Fiona

Goals and Cuts

The Daily News (sorry no link) has an article stating that "Burlingame is bracing for what could be the most severe round of budget cuts" (from between $1.5 to $2 million)partly due to CalPERS.

As stated in the article, the mayor has five goals: (1) refining the city's zoning to the Bayfront, North End and the Peninsula Hospital (2) setting a long term financing plan to cover replacement of city facilities (3) passing two tree ordinances. The article does not tell us what the other two goals are unless they are included in the three above.

We look forward to hearing more about his goals.

- Written by Fiona

A win-win for Everyone

A Burlingame resident has written a letter about the Ionescu "concept". She is puzzled why Safeway is showing so little interest in a Safeway that could make it the crown jewel of the Safeway chain.

She also points out that mixed use is the future. Wonder what she would think of Architect Dreiling's plan - also mixed use.

Both plans (or elements of both plans) could make our Burlingame Safeway a diamond in the Safeway tiara!

As her letter states "Come on Safeway!"

- Written by Fiona

Top 2004 Burlingame Stories

Yesterday the Daily News had an editorial on 2003 and 2004 top ten local stories. In 2003 Burlingame had two special mentions - "#7 - Burlingame power outages" and "#8 - Mary Janney defeated in Burlingame". In 2004, the Hospital issue is #7.

Burlingame in 2004 had many interesting people and happenings which were included on the Voice:

#1 - Volunteer groups like the Rotary Club, the Lions Club, parents groups, the Guardians, the BCE, BRACE, the CBB, CALL Primrose, the Burlingame Historical Society and many more who have the "passion"
#2 - The ongoing Safeway Saga continues on ad infinitum
#3 - Our very first Pet Parade on Broadway
#4 - Losing special people like Mrs. Gloria Barton who we love for their openness and their honest opinions
#5 - Community generosity towards the $32 Solution Crossing Guard Fund
#6 - Our students who volunteer with such enthusiasm and energy
#7 - The dream of a museum in our Train Station
#8 - Community Planting Day on Burlingame Avenue
#9 - Creative ideas such as a new Burlingame Train Station plaza
#10 - Architects Ionescu and Dreiling offering their expertise pro bono to solve the Safeway Saga
#11 - Our fantastic libraries including the opening of the Easton branch and all the many exciting library programs such as story telling, sing alongs, concerts and much much more
#12 - Our hardworking planning commissioners
#13 - Councilwoman Nagel for her Charity Wish List
#14 - Watching our young people sing, dance, act, play music and sports and have fun!
#15 - The coming to the end of The Burlingame Garden Center who have always been so generous
#16 - The businesses and homes which are remodeled with integrity and imagination
#17 - The diversity of our stores - big and small - which are important to why we live here
#18 - The PG&E lines issue
#19 - Our Farmers Market
#20 - No Measure Q in Burlingame but we have to be watchful of the Bayfront
#21 - Interesting new stores and restaurants coming to town and some sadly leaving
#22 - Public forums about architecture, authors and many other interesting free forums
#23 - Our housing prices which continue to shock residents and prospective buyers alike
#24 - Our teachers who do wonders every day and inspire even parents like me!
#25 - Our elected officials - some who are respected and some who are not.
#26 - And who could forget the Burlingame Voice where all opinions are welcome!

and #27 is ...?

- Written by Fiona

A Good Christmas Eve Night

Thank you to the wonderful bloggers who keep us informed on the Burlingame Voice.

Thank you to Derick who once again sang like an angel tonight at St. Pauls.

Thank you to the great volunteers like Queen Bobbi who make Burlingame better.

And thank you to everyone who has made 2004 such an interesting year in Burlingame!

And to all a good Christmas Eve night!

- Written by Fiona

From Keele to Deal?

As many of us know, Planning Commissioner Chris Keele is leaving his voluntary post for personal reasons. Our planning commissioners work so hard and I admire Mr. Keele because he spoke up at a council meeting about the Drake/Otto Miller debacle. We will miss him.

In today's Daily Journal, they throw out the tidbit of "Will former commissioner Jerry Deal throw his hat in the ring to replace him?"

Does anyone know which councilmembers are on the interview committee for this one?

- Written by Fiona