The Burlingame Voice

Burlingame's Winners & Losers

In a list of the biggest winners and losers of 2005, this is the Daily Journal's take on Burlingame:

In Burlingame, the biggest winner was Councilwoman Rosalie O'Mahony, who despite a lack of support from other members of the City Council or the Citizens for a Better Burlingame, was able to firmly hold onto her seat and maintain her status as elder stateswoman on the relatively young council. The biggest loser was Gene Condon, who spent approximately $40,000 to get a mere 11.85 percent of the vote. Another winner was John Root, who was only 46 votes behind incumbent Cathy Baylock and decided to graciously concede rather than put the city through a contentious recount.

What's with the ROMMY and the CBB remark - first I ever heard that rubbish? I agree with the biggest Loser winner which goes to show that a candidate's character - past and present - counts despite spending oodles of money on glossies and mammoth green and orange signs. I totally agree with their choice of Mr. Root. Mr. Root was a "winner" because he almost beat an incumbent with a mere 27 votes because of his integrity, sheer hardwork, good teamwork and a clean campaign. A true winner!

FYI Daily Journal - check your voter numbers at http://smartvoter.org/2005/11/08/ca/sm/city.html

- Written by Fiona

Overtime and Earnings

Complete article at http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=52931

Five years after the economic bust that left city officials rolling up their sleeves and heaving the budget ax, police and fire department are earning hefty overtime salaries. A Daily Journal review of overtime and staffing shows that nearly every city between Redwood City and San Bruno reduced firefighter and police personnel. At the same time, overtime salaries are allowing more public servants to earn a six-figure salary. Redwood City pays 93 of the city's 552 city employees more than $100,000. San Mateo has 677 employees with only 41 making over $100,000.

In every city, the majority of six-digit salaries belong to police and firefighters. Cities are actually saving money by paying overtime instead of hiring more personnel. New hires require training, health insurance and retirement contributions. Smaller cities are making larger cuts and exploring mergers of some departments to save money.

INFORMATION BOX: Salaries over $100,000
Burlingame 70*
Foster City 25
Millbrae 15
Redwood City 93
San Bruno 61
San Mateo 41
*salaries do not include retirement contributions

INFORMATION BOX: Overtime spending FY 04-05
City -- Fire -- Police
Belmont -- $1.2m -- $176,209
Burlingame -- $452,036 -- $334,857
Foster City -- $141,090 -- $162,033
Millbrae -- $576,090 -- $219,400
Redwood City -- $1.4m -- $2.1m
San Bruno -- $647,899 -- $460,967
San Carlos -- n/a* -- $355,734
San Mateo -- $890,713 -- $1.1m

* San Carlos and Belmont share fire service via South County Fire Authority.

- Written by Fiona

A New Years Eve Reflection

For a gentler welcome to the new year here is an article from the San Mateo Times titled "Gala to be spiritual instead of spirited"

BURLINGAME They'll sing "Auld Lang Syne" at midnight, but that's the closest they'll come to a traditional New Year's celebration at the Mercy Center in Burlingame. Instead of ringing in 2006 with noisemakers and party hats, this group is taking a much quieter approach to the holiday, with a candlelight vigil and prayers. "Those who come appreciate very much having a chance to be quiet, to reflect back over the year, to gather with people who are doing the same thing," said Sister Mary Ann Scofield, one of the organizers of the annual event. The center has hosted a New Year's vigil for about 20 years, she said. It's always free and open to any adult, regardless of religious faith, although the center is rooted in Catholicism. The vigil is more about finding inner peace than having a good time. But the people who attend say they wouldn't want to be anywhere else. "In some ways, doing this kind of helps me feel more connected to the world than being at a party," said longtime participant Catherine Regan of San Francisco. "It's a wonderful way to see out the old year and see in the new."

During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, the vigil offers a chance to slow down the pace for Regan, a psychologist, and her husband, Tim Regan, a lawyer. Participants will gather in a chapel bathed in candlelight to reflect on what has happened in the world and their lives in the past year. The dramatic "reading of the headlines" is factual and not political, Regan said. Then they will take time to look forward to the coming year and contemplate their spiritual goals. Afterward, they will break up into small groups to share what they've learned. There will be music, readings, prayer and an 11:30 p.m. mass. At midnight, they sign "Auld Lang Syne" and share food they have brought. Anywhere from 75 to 100 people from all faiths and walks of life usually attend the vigil. In past years, some people came to the event dressed as though they were going to a cocktail party and skipped out before midnight. That's fine with Scofield, she said. "We're just happy to have them here," she said.

The New Year's Eve vigil begins at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Mercy Center, 2300 Adleine Dr., in Burlingame. All are welcome

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- Written by Fiona

Idiot on Tape!

From the Examiner titled "Police training video camera on after-bar crowds
New Year's Eve expected to be busy for officers"

BURLINGAME One minute you're outside a Burlingame Avenue bar among a crowd brimming with holiday spirits the next, you're starring in a homemade video shot by the Burlingame police. The Police Department has confirmed it uses a video camera when breaking up crowds in the city's Burlingame Avenue bar neighborhood, a problematic weekend hot spot that occasionally requires the department to seek assistance from outside police agencies. Videotaping isn't established policy at the department it happens once a month or less and the camera is used primarily during popular nights around Thanksgiving and the upcoming New Year's Eve, Cmdr. Mike Matteucci said Thursday.

Police departments sometimes use footage as evidence, but Matteucci said video of crowds downtown hasn't been used for that yet, though the department has been behind the camera for more than a year. Though Matteucci said there were plans to show the Burlingame City Council the footage so they could have a grasp on what was going on downtown, that hasn't happened yet, either. We never got to see the video,? Councilmember Terry Nagel said. They said it might be more helpful to do a ride-along.? Neither Nagel nor the Police Department could say exactly why those plans fell through. It's just basically more for our information for training and to anticipate future problems,? Matteucci said when asked about the uses of the tapes. The camera is also used at crime scenes and during field sobriety tests because the department does not have dash-mounted devices, he said. Cmdr. Brad Floyd recently called the camera a pre-emptive tool. If we have issues with loud, large parties or fights or incidents where we are tying to get people to disperse, no matter where it is, we will use the video camera as a tool,? he said. Most people don't want to be on video acting like an idiot.?

Blush Nightclub co-owner Rob Doss said he was surprised when he first saw police focusing a camera on crowds on the night before Thanksgiving this year. Despite regular meetings with the department, he didn't know about their plans. It's kind of sneaky, I guess,? Doss said. We tell them what we're doing, we try to be upfront with them.? Doss said that although the police videotaping seems like something from a George Orwell book, the footage from Thanksgiving would show how well-behaved the crowds were.

Matteucci said a bolstered police force would be on hand Saturday night for New Year's Eve festivities

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- Written by Fiona

Welcome Independents!

Happy Christmas to those who have been naughty and nice!

Plus some good news from the San Mateo Times about independents and those who love them!

BURLINGAME Edwina Smith doesn't mind that her boutique is tucked behind the Gap, a corporate icon that mass-produces ribbed turtleneck sweaters and crewneck T-shirts. People still find her, she said. They want the trendy and hard-to-find labels from Los Angeles and the East Coast displayed in her store, 401 Fashion Boutique on 1223 Donnelly Ave. "Being out of the way, this store plays with that," Smith said. "I'm not competing with Burlingame Avenue. People like the mystery ... and they value originality. Her store is one of many independent shops that have opened in Burlingame, shattering the notion that the Burlingame Avenue area is a haven for national chains. These new stores also hit upon a trend toward boutique shopping. Last year, a large number of mom-and-pop shops, such as Clyde's Barber Shop and Iona Designs Inc., were forced out. Owners blamed the economy and unaffordable rent.

Boutiques brought back individuality to the city's downtown core, said Mary Beth Essa of the Downtown Business Improvement District (DBID). She works at Malouf's, a 15-year-old independent store owned by Sam Malouf, at 1426 Burlingame Ave. "People like looking for hidden treasures," she said. "(The new shops) are a good sign for Burlingame's economy that people are taking risks to open a new business like (boutiques) and have a great customer base. People have high expectations of what Burlingame offers."

Therapy, a new fashion boutique that sells popular-culture merchandise, opened on "Black Friday," the day after Thanksgiving, at 264 Lorton Ave. It's owned by Jing Chen and Wayne Whelan, both of San Francisco, who also considered opening their fourth Therapy store in Palo Alto. "People are excited to see our type of business opening in Burlingame, and hopefully, they'll realize that and put their money where their mouth is if they want to see an independent be in a high-rent district and cater to them," Whelan said. Whelan and his wife first opened Therapy in San Francisco's Mission District 14 years ago. They have two stores in San Francisco and one in San Luis Obispo in addition to the Burlingame location. In March, Whelan and Chen hope to showcase contemporary furniture in their Burlingame space, similar to their San Francisco stores. Their most direct competition is Dirty Laundry at 337 Primrose Road. The boutique opened six months ago. Owner Julie Boc, a Burlingame resident, has seen a 25 to 35 percent increase in sales since the store's opening. They post fliers on high school and college campuses and donate clothes to fashion shows to thrive in Burlingame's downtown. And being on a side street, she said rent is pretty reasonable. "It is a benefit," Boc said. "(Rent) is about average to a home." But the proliferation of these boutiques means competition is fierce. "I know they (Therapy's owners) were in our store scoping the place, comparing our price points to their price points," Boc said. "We went in there, too, I knew it was coming. But everywhere you go, there's going to be competition."

Whelan admitted that they did market research before opening his store. "Part of the reason why we do that is so we don't make a huge impact on the community and don't sell things for too cheap," he said. "We did make a conscious decision not to bring certain lines to Burlingame from our (San Francisco stores), because they were in Dirty Laundry." But she and Whelan don't want to compete with each other. "It's unfortunate that we need to compete with them," Whelan said. "There's enough room in what we do and what they do, where we can find our own voice." Despite the stores being located in competitive shopping districts, shop owners are confident that they'll stay. "If you have something good and people like it, it's going to work," Edwina Smith said. "It's been working since day one." However, not everyone is flocking to Burlingame Avenue. On Broadway, owner Samuel Garcia opened up a clothing boutique, The Shop on Broadway, at 1233 Broadway. His other store, The Record Shop is at 76 S. First St. in San Jose. The Shop on Broadway, the street's first clothing store, opened two months ago. "We chose Broadway, because Burlingame Avenue is pretty much done," Garcia said. "I moved into an area that is going to grow, and with new businesses moving in soon, (my store) is going to add some flavor and give Broadway what it needs: more culture

- Written by Fiona

"Too Far Left?"

Not wanting to clutter up perfectly good dialogs like the School Calendar posting with unrelated comments, I am starting a new thread to examine the comments that some people view this blog as "too far Left". Answers Please is the most recent blogger to make that statement on the Calendar topic, but it appears in other places.

Personally, I don't see it. Not only are there heated comments on both sides of most issues that lend credence to the overall balance of the blog, but given the local flavor of the issues it is often hard to clearly see a left-right spectrum. For example, some might say that design review, zoning, and placing conditions on developments is restricting private property rights and therefore "leftist". Some have. But it is equally true that a capitalist who is interested in maximizing the value of his private property could support these things because they raise the overall value of the neighborhood or the commercial district. There are plenty of examples of such a price premium in real estate markets that have tighter restrictions. That thinking couldn't be "leftist" since it is clearly capitalist.

The same can be said for people's opinions on bi-lingualism in America or Burlingame. I can't imagine that only leftists' kids are taking a foreign language in our schools. And I see plenty of job postings that require a second language at large companies. Are these capitalist institutions abandoning their roots? I think not.

Is being opposed to housing on the Bayfront "leftist" if someone thinks it will protect the Bay from pollution and the city from lots of crosstown traffic that pollutes? Is it "right-wing" if they oppose it because they believe their taxes will sky-rocket to pay for new sewers, police, and schools. Is there any difference?

So is saying the blog is "too far left" just name calling or is there something to it?

- Written by anson

The Needs of Others

Vice mayor assists ailing nonprofits = Wish list released by official to offset decreases in funding and focus on natural disasters
By Christine Morente, STAFF WRITER

BURLINGAME You know what you want for Christmas, but do you know what San Mateo County's nonprofit groups need? Burlingame Vice Mayor Terry Nagel released on Wednesday the 2006 wish list for 23 community groups that need everything from office furniture and DVDs to shampoos and conditioners. Nagel is bringing back the list for its second year. She created it because the Burlingame City Council has had to cut its level of funding for local nonprofits in the last three years. For fiscal year 2005-2006, the city allocated $50,000 among community groups, said City Manager Jim Nantell. Nagel said she hopes to expand the list to include more county groups. There are more than 800 nonprofit organizations in the county. "They are often overlooked when major disasters occur, such as the tsunami and Hurricane Katrina," Nagel wrote in her letter. "Local groups need our help, too." Her next plan is to ask nonprofits to look through their resources and give what they don't need to another community group. Some have been doing well, despite the worry that people have forgotten their local charities after helping Hurricane Katrina victims.

"We're feeling OK, but we hope people haven't forgotten about us," Marsha Eddleman, director of development for Samaritan House in San Mateo, said. "That's been a concern. We won't know until the end of the year where we fall right now." Samaritan House needs gift certificates for teens. For Community Gatepath in Burlingame, items on the wish list have been coming in, said Lynn Nawahine, the group's director of development. They asked for microwave ovens and gift certificates to stores, salons and restaurants. Like Eddleman, Nawahine said "people haven't stopped giving," but is unsure of how much in donations Community Gatepath is going to get. Mission Hospice also has a wish list. It will be moving to a different office in San Mateo, and some of the items they need are a conference table with chairs, small and large filing cabinets, ergonomic office chairs and two modern sofas. Call Primrose Center needs toys and gift cards for teens and holiday food. Other groups are asking for different kinds of help, like designing a Web site or someone to knit afghans and baby clothes.

Nagel's list can be seen on her Web site at http://www.terrynagel.com.

Thank you Terry.

- Written by Fiona

Mushrooms and Friends

The Friends of Mills Canyon would like to share the best kept secret in Burlingame with you!

Please join them on a mushroom hike!
Sunday, January 14, 2006 From 10:00 12:00 noon
Meet at the Adeline Entrance of Mills Canyon Wildlife Preserve
Heavy rain cancels.
The trails are wet so wear sturdy shoes
Space is limited so please call 344-7774

Also everyone is welcome to the FOMC's next Board Meeting on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 from 7:30 9:00 pm at the Burlingame Recreation Center, 850 Burlingame Avenue. Hear about their goals, their future hikes and give them your ideas!

- Written by Fiona

Finger Pointing

Police Blotter in the Daily Journal:

Stop poking me - A man was poked in the chest by another man's finger and was adamant that charges be filed at a business on the 1400 block of Chapin Avenue in Burlingame around 7:22 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17.

Love to know what that was all about?!

- Written by Fiona

Centennial Committee

Centennial Committees Need Volunteers according to a City email blast:

The City of Burlingame will be celebrating its 100th birthday on June 6, 1908; and in preparation for this event, the Burlingame Centennial Committee established three main subcommittees to work on the various aspects of all the celebrations being planned.

The committees are looking for more volunteers. If you are interested in working on one of these committees, please attend the next meeting scheduled in January as listed below.

Marketing Committee will meet on Tuesday, January 10, 2006, at 5:30 p.m. at the Burlingame Main Library, 480 Primrose Road. Committee Chair is Dan Andersen.

Events Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 11, 2006, at 7 p.m. at the Recreation Center, 850 Burlingame Avenue. Committee Chair is Gene Condon.

Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 11, 2006, at 7 p.m. at Garbis Bezdjian's office at 1 199 Broadway. Committee Chair is Jeff Griffith.

- Written by Fiona