The Voice on TV

Regular Burlingame Voice readers may be interested to hear Justin Juvenal's thoughts on the Burlingame Voice. Justin sounded off on blogs, among other items in an interview with Kevin Mullin on Peninsula TV (Ch 26 or 27 on your cable) last night and rebroadcast at 7pm most nights this week.

Justin talks about the Voice, his own blog at the San Mateo County Times plus his thoughts on the state of politics on the Peninsula.

I tuned in half way through last nights airing so didn't catch it all. Hope you were complimentary Justin!

- Written by admin

Comments

[fred]

The grass is harder to mow on the Burlingame side of the fence because the citizens group "Xenophobes for the Gooder Burlingame" demands a series of public hearings to determine if the proposed grass-mowing is not actually a nefarious plot by them evil Yankee outsiders to prepare the property for unwanted development. - Miguel Caza

My favorite quote from the San Mateo Times blog.

[Jim]

Wow such cynicism!

[Rich Grogan]

Fred, there you go, again! You are so quick to call people names! Dare I ask you to present the evidence from which you have formed, yet another opinion, in which you feel it necessary to use derogatory name towards those residents, who get involved and care where Burlingame is headed.

[fred]

Hey, they aren't my words. I used Fiona's link to the San Mateo County Times blog and found the quote there. I think Miguel is pretty on the money though.

Rich, why don't you ask the Hamiltons or Jim for factual proof. They claim there is a secret club in charge of Burlingame. (They can't find facts to support this because the whole idea is ludicrous)

The only club in a conspiracy vying for power in Burlingame is the CBB.

[Fiona]

Fred, where have I ever said there was a secret club. Nothing is secret in Burlingame!

And talking about ludicrous, the CBB is not vying for power. Unless you mean that caring about your town and fundraising for the crossing guard fund is vying for power!

Perhaps I need to look up "power" in the dictionary!

[fred]

I wouldn't have a problem with CBB if they weren't so political. If it was an organization that actually cared about improving Burlingame in positive ways, how could I have a problem with it?

But it is obvious that the CBB has a one-sided political agenda. The CBB vehemently supports some candidates and opposes others. That is a power game.

Sorry, but I'm still missing a decent Safeway. (That issue had a lot to do with parking too but no one fesses up to that)

[Rosaline]

Fred, please tell me which candidates CBB has endorsed? They have never ever endorsed a candidate.

Some CBB members have run for office just as have rotarians, lions, catholics, protestants, masons, planning commissioners and maybe an agnostic too!

We all want a new Safeway but Safeway would not agree to a 2 million "donation" to mitigate the parking deficit. $1/2million did not cut it and the council voted 3:2.

[Rich Grogan]

Fred, you are truly a challenge! To coin a phrase show me the beef. You accuse CBB of being political. To quote you I wouldn't have a problem with CBB if they weren't so political. You then go on to say The CBB vehemently supports some candidates and opposes others. That is a power game. The floor is all yours, support you statements with facts.

You then segued to Safeway and indicated you wanted a decent store. I am sorry to inform you that you are about to become a CBB member, because the CBB members, as a whole, want a decent Safeway store, also. Evidently you have forgotten that the Planning Commission voted down Safeways proposal and this rejection was supported by the City Council. So if you are of the mind to blame anyone, blame the Planning Commission and the City Council for Safeways rejection; or better yet blame Safeway for being so ridig in their proposal. Before you get on your high horse and start calling names please remember CBB members were very involved in the Safeway issue, as a matter of fact non CBB members were, also, involved with the Safeway issue. CBB members were involved in almost all aspects of the project. CBB members were appointed by the City Council to partake in hearings. CBB members countered Safeways misrepresentations and brought the issues to the attention of the residents. CBB informed the citizens of what was taking place and the citizens spoke out against the Safeway project. As the result the CBB members efforts, one of the largest turnouts in the history of Burlingame occurred as the residents attended the Planning Commission Hearings and City Council meetings and spoke out against Safeway. If education is a crime then I guess I am guilty of spreading the word about Safeways!

I feel so strong about my opinions that I have used me true name and if you remember I was willing to meet and chat with you. Is Fred your true name or is it a nom de plume?

[Raymond]

It appears Rosaline and Rich are asking for a reasonable response. I, too, would like to know the names of the canidates the CBB has endorsed. In all of the newspaper articles and blog information I haven't seen or cannot remember CBB ever endorsing a canidate. The more I hear about the CBB the more interested I have become about the group. I have read the CBB web page and I haven't seen anything damning; in fact I think I might become a member, because they seem to be concerned about Burlingame.

[Rich Grogan]

Fred, you asked me the below question, so I feel compelled to answer it directly. I do not need to ask the Hamiltons or Jim anything. I spent over two (2) hours reading over the past BLOGS to see if I could find where your alleged claim was made and I was unable to locate anything of the nature. Where in the heck has either of the Hamiltons or Jim ever claimed there is a secret club in charge of Burlingame. Maybe you would be so kind to identify the specific piece or pieces where the secret club was mentioned. Again, as I have requested in the past show me the beef or present us with the facts, so we all will be enlightened.

I will admit, I believe there are power brokers operating behind the scene, who offer support to politicians or political candidates, who are willing to endorse their way of thinking. To think otherwise, one would have to be very nave.
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Rich, why don't you ask the Hamiltons or Jim for factual proof. They claim there is a secret club in charge of Burlingame. (They can't find facts to support this because the whole idea is ludicrous)

[al]

Fellow bloggers, you shouldn't let Fred (or Miguel Caza) get your blood pressure up so much. Who cares what Fred thinks? He's just one person with an uninformed opinion. He entitled to post it here, but you don't need to take him so seriously. He's probably part of the good ole boy network that is being dismantled election by election. And he doesn't like it. Boo hoo.

He'll need to find at least 2,000 other Burlingamers who think like he does to have any effect and I really doubt he can do that. Heck, he won't even meet Rich Grogan for coffey, so how is he going to influence another 1,999?

Burlingame is going in the exact right direction as we speak. We are having rational, widespread discussions about mixed use development, budget priorities, ancient spot zoning mistakes, and a dozen other issues. We are headed for an election where the issues will come out and more people will know where the candidates stand than ever before.

The Freds of the world cannot control the flow of the news anymore. All Fred does is call people names and then change the topic, so ignore him. He craves attention because he is insecure.

Now can we get back to the topic? I wonder when Kevin Mullin will call someone from the Burlingame Voice to go on TV?

[fred]

Look at the local papers. San Mateo and Millbrae are in the midst of developments and new deals. Some in Burlingame are more concerned about opposing development. (ahem) Pardon me.

#1 Well the CBB definitely isn't endorsing 'da Mayor' or 'Coff Coff' (nicer of the nicknames). I'll get back to you with the exact list pre-election. (Unless the CBB beats me to it)

#2 From Rich -'Where in the heck has either of the Hamiltons or Jim ever claimed there is a secret club in charge of Burlingame?'

Yesterday, PIP Decision appealed:

From Rich: 'is there a symbiotic relationship between Harvey, Karp, and Karps appeal? What are the ties between Karp, Harvey, and certain members on the city council, if any?'

(No tie - Karp PIP in lawsuit, no secret relationship)

Jim - I think the question went deeper than that! Most people work for a living but wouldn't want to be considered members of the same club!

(what club?)

Fiona - So we have a new member of the BBofB

Hey, you may not agree but at least I'm giving you guys something to talk about! :o)

[fred]

Al, who did I call names? I may have stated complaints against the CBB and I may have said Fiona can embellish the stories on occasion. But that isn't name calling is it? I have respect for the people just don't agree on some of the views.

[Fiona]

Fred, I still love you!

Hyperbole is good! Working towards a best Burlingame (not a citizens group!) is what most of us care about on this blog. Some of us may love Galligan and Coffey, and some most definitely don't. There are lots of issues and people who are grist for our mill! Even Fred and Fiona!

So who is going to go on the local TV and reiterate Justin's comment about the huge readership of the Voice?

[Rich Grogan]

Fred, your obfuscation to direct questions is amazing! Although, you are catching on; CBB doesnt endorse ANY political canidates and that includes da mayor and coff coff. Now back to your original accusation regarding CBB endorsing a canidate, who, pretel has CBB endorsed. If you are unable to provide the name(s), I think you should apologize to the CBB, as an organization.

Another easy question, which has been asked, but not answered Is Fred your true name or is it a nom de plume?

You high-lited my question is there a symbiotic relationship between Harvey, Karp, and Karps appeal? You responded with a misrepresentation of what I said. You convenently threw out the descriptive words secret relationship and then you responded by saying No tie - Karp PIP in lawsuit, no secret relationship. Please enlighten us all how you know there isnt a tie.

Another one of your generalizations is: Some in Burlingame are more concerned about opposing development. From this statement, it appears you have some insight on this issue. Would you mind letting us know, who in Burlingame are more concerned about opposing development?

[fred]

Rich, I am not avoiding you. But certain people on this blog (who happen to be members of the CBB) demonize some people without all the facts considered and others like Terry Nagel have been annointed to sainthood.

Fred is as much of a name as need be. I said before I only wish to discuss issues with you in this forum not at Il Piccolo. Sorry, I don't drink coffee. (Or coffey as the running joke goes)

People want to have a town hall meetings and people wish to have all the council members respond to your emails and participate in the Burlingame Voice. But there is a lot of animosity obviously to certain council people by members of the CBB.

In some respects this town seems divided. Myself, I think diversity is a good thing and I just want to voice my own personal opinions regarding the issues important to this town. I know the monicker Citizens for a Better Burlingame seems nice and non- threatening. But when I first started to read these blogs I noticed people I believe to be members of the CBB seem most interested in controlling what other people do with their private property.

I highly doubt there is this secret web of business dealings going on in Burlingame that has been alluded to many times. (Mostly by you and the Hamiltons - both members of the CBB correct?) Most business people in Bulringame have been here a long time and are just running the same businesses they have been for decades. (Outside of the new corporations of course)

Rich the CBB was born opposing development isn't that correct? For some it was to oppose big box retail and for others the issue had more to do with parking.

[Rich Grogan]

Paranoid I am not, that is why I use my true name and offer to meet and chat with others. Il Piccolo serves tea, water, and various juices.

Trust me when I say, I am going to challenge the factual basis for any innuendos that are thrown around, i.e.: "But when I first started to read these blogs I noticed people I believe to be members of the CBB seem most interested in controlling what other people do with their private property." Again, would you provide inquiring minds from whence you formed this opinion, aside from vague references? The statically probability of a person on the BLOG as a non-CBB member is much greater than being a CBB member, so why do you cast this broad net?

This is an interesting statement; are you intimating that people should not be upset with certain council members? You stated But there is a lot of animosity obviously to certain council people by members of the CBB. It appears you feel it is OK for you to throw derogatory names around but is not for others to do the same i.e.: You stated But certain people on this blog (who happen to be members of the CBB) demonize some people without all the facts considered and others like Terry Nagel have been annointed to sainthood. This contradiction of actions is very similar to da mayors behavior. Lets take the simple issue of applause. In da mayors eyes, if the audience applauds a speaker da mayor considers this ill mannered. If da mayor applauds an individual or speaker, this is appropriated. da mayor has gone to the press regarding this issue and made unwarranted and exaggerated statements. The proof of the unwarranted and exaggerated statements is contained in the audio and videotapes of the various council meetings in questions. Sorry you and da mayor cannot have it both ways. If it is wrong or right for one, it is wrong or right for all.

Unfortunately, your assumption and statement Rich the CBB was born opposing development isn't that correct? No, that is not correct. CBB was born out of the need to contest an inappropriate size and orientation of a building within Burlingame. The structure, as proposed, brought with it several concerns, which, also, needed to be addressed. The idea of a new Safeway was exciting, just not the size and orientation offered. Alternate proposals were offered, but they fell on deaf ears. The ultimate rejection of the Safeway proposal came from the Planning Commission and the City Council, not CBB.

I cannot speak to the number of long time business people, but I can say there were numerous business people, who spoke out against the proposed Safeway project. This, too, is contained in the public records.

I take exception of your gross distortion of the facts, about me, in your statement I highly doubt there is this secret web of business dealings going on in Burlingame that has been alluded to many times. (Mostly by you and the Hamiltons - both members of the CBB correct?) Fred, I challenge you to present any proof where I referred to a secret web of buiness. If you are unable to do so, I am sure you will be willing to apologize and offer to buy me a cup of coffee at Il Piccolo.

[Jim]

Mrs. Nagel has elevated the position of councilmember to near saint-hood with her hard work, integrity and intelligence.

And to be polite ... other councilmembers have sullied the position and that sullying will be rewarded at the next election.

I won't use Fred's favorite word "demonizing" because it gives demons a bad name!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Raymond]

From what I have read, Mrs Nagel has not done anything to discredit the community. According to the newspaper Mrs. Nagel has been involved in all sorts of civic issues. I do not know about saint-hood, but I do know she is concerned about the citizens of Burlingame. Mrs. Nagel demonstrates her concerns by being active in the community and present when requested.

[fred]

Hey, Terry Nagel may be a saint, really have no problem with her at all. A good balanced council (with opposing points of view) is key to a successful city leadership.

From the CBB website:

The CBB was originally formed in opposition to the proposed Safeway development at Howard Avenue and El Camino, and to date this project still remains the primary focus of the organization.

[Jim]

And thank you to the CBB for Safeway being their "primary focus" and all the other community things they do.

Gracias and merci beaucoup!

[Russ]

As a founding member of the Burlingame Voice as well as a member of the Citizens for a Better Burlingame I can assure you that one does not have anything to do with the other as Fred has implied in this thread. We live in a small community where it is inevitable that members from one group will be members in another. Bloggers who are members of the CBB or members of other organizations is coincedental. In the words of Mike Coffey, "Is that clear?"

[fred]

I'm not implying everyone on the voice is in the CBB.