The Burlingame Voice

Old Caltrain Station Restaurant Update

Burlingame Brio in San Francisco Chronicle:

After months of working through red tape, Pino Spinoso is almost ready to open his first Burlingame venture, Brio. The seasonal Italian restaurant is scheduled to open next month in the former Pisces space (1190 California Drive, near Broadway), an old Caltrain station.

- Written by Fiona

Sewage Lawsuit Update

Burlingame hopes to deflect sewage lawsuit (from the newspaper The Examiner)

Burlingame is fighting back against an environmental group primed to sue the city on claims that it is neglecting millions of gallons of raw sewage spilling into San Francisco Bay each year.

Baykeeper, a San Francisco-based nonprofit group that monitors Bay polluters, identified Burlingame as being one of the biggest sewage spill contributors in the region, spewing out tens of millions of gallons per year, said Program Director Sejal Choksi. If the city neglects Baykeeper's allegations, it could be looking at millions of dollars in fines eventually levied by the Environmental Protection Agency.

But Burlingame officials called the accusations unfair? and misdirected? after holding a closed session meeting of the City Council Monday to discuss the threat of possible litigation. The city has already spent $29 million to replace 20 miles of its aging pipeline during the last six years, said Public Works Director Syed Murtuza. The rest of the 100 miles of infrastructure will be replaced as the city spends $3.7 million annually during the next 20 years, he said. But that is not quick enough and spill rates have not improved during that time, Choksi said. The point of the potential suit, Choksi said, would be to expedite that process; something Burlingame officials think is impossible.

You can't improve the system in one day because you have over 100 miles of pipelines,? Murtuza said. You're not going to tear up the entire city and make it unbearable for residents.? Furthermore, the city has the following guidelines in place to avoid potential spills, Murtuza said: checks for grease traps at businesses, inspections of pipelines during property sales, burning of tree roots blocking pipes and removal of other blockages found during periodic assessments. The city is examining the specific allegations as it decides whether to respond within 60 days to avoid a court battle, Murtuza said

Baykeeper won a settlement with the city of Richmond in 2005 over a similar dispute, which resulted in the city adding $20 million of system improvements over the next five years.

If Burlingame loses a court battle, it would face $27,500 in fines for each violation under the Clean Water Act, Choksi said. The group documented 198 spills during the last few years, bringing the city's total to $5.445 million. The group would prefer that money be invested in repairing the system.'

Response by the City

- Written by Fiona

Caltrain Gives Itself High Marks

**FROM THE DAILY JOURNAL**

Caltrain gives itself high marks
By Dana Yates





Record ridership and revenue marked Caltrain's 15th year as a locally owned agency, according to this year's annual progress report.


Caltrain's record-setting year is accredited to the introduction of the baby bullet and the 96-train schedule three years ago. While the agency has experienced ups and downs since its inception, the future looks bright, Executive Director Michael Scanlon wrote in the report.


Caltrain took in $88.1 million in revenue and spent the same amount. Member agencies in San Mateo, San Francisco and Santa Clara counties contributed $38.3 million or 43.5 percent to the budget. Fares contributed $36.7 million or 41.7 percent to the budget. The revenues increased 14.8 percent in one year, according to the report.


Ridership has jumped from 7.2 million riders in 1992 to nearly 11 million in 2007, according to the report.


The agency received the Federal Transit Administration Ridership Award? in 2007 for its efforts to increase ridership. It also received the Business Award of Excellence? from the San Mateo County Economic Development Association.


On-time performance increased from approximately 65 percent in 2000 to between 90 and 95 percent this year, according to the report.


Meanwhile the agency is in the first stages of its 2025 plan to reinvent the system in two decades. One of the main goals is to electrify the rails to allow for speedier and more frequent trains. It is also undergoing a $21 million Burlingame station upgrade, $35 million Palo Alto station upgrade and plans a $26 million upgrade to the Santa Clara station. It is about to finish a $15 million upgrade north of Millbrae and recently celebrated the construction of its $140 million Centralized Equipment Maintenance and Operations Facility in San Francisco.





Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106.

Interesting how our station was only $21 Million. Look at what they spent in Palo Alto and Santa Clara.

- Written by jroc

Candidates Debate on Comcast

COUNCIL CANDIDATE FORUM REPLAY ON T.V. (from e-newsletter)

The October 17 Candidate Forum held at City Hall is being aired by Comcast on Burlingame Channel 27 on Saturdays and Tuesdays at 4 p.m. until Election Day.

- Written by Fiona

Upcoming High School Productions

Two high schools, two towns and two productions:

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
San Mateo High School
November 1, 2 and 3 at 8:00 pm
November 4 at 2:00 pm
Tickets

ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST
Burlingame High School
November 16, 17 at 7:00 pm
November 18 at 2:00 pm
Info - poster

- Written by Fiona

Letter in Daily News

Nagel is a true leader (Burlingame Daily News)

Dear Editor: Recently I wrote a letter supporting Russ Cohen for Burlingame City Council. I also recommend incumbent Terry Nagel for the remaining position.

Terry complements Russ. Also a tireless worker, she studies issues extensively, carefully contemplating possible ramifications before rendering her opinion. Her proactive disposition and persistence has brought about results; not the least of her many accomplishments was her dramatic confrontation and ultimate success against PG&E.

Terry believes in strong civic engagement; that is, in encouraging residents to get involved in their community, whether it's setting up emergency preparedness plans or her newest green-ribbon task force, which is designed to help residents learn about and improve our environment.

She testified in Sacramento for state help in obtaining funding for flood control, and she continues to lobby Caltrain to expand local rail service. She was closely involved with getting Virgin America Airlines situated in Burlingame.

Her hardworking efforts often go unnoticed when she helps residents deal with minor but no less important problems as they relate to the city. In this, she demonstrates how a community leader should lead.

Kent Lauder, Burlingame

- Written by Fiona

Primrose and Progress?

Sorry to hear that All that Glitters (after 20-something years) and The Gallery will soon be leaving the 300 block of Primrose. These two stores are an important part of the mix we need of unique merchants and the chains. Hope that Isabelle (All that Glitters) will find a new space in Burlingame because she sells interesting jewelry and her window displays are alot of fun!

The story is that the property owner would like to combine the two stores (and upstairs) into one large store.

We love progress but, please, please, please, be respectful to that important and better side of Primrose!

- Written by Fiona

The Cost of Running for Council and Campaign Caps

Big money at play in Burlingame council campaign (by Mark, Daily News)

The most recent campaign finance records indicate that contribution caps have not prevented Burlingame City Council candidates from raising tens of thousands of dollars.

The finance disclosure forms filed this week for the period beginning Sept. 23 and ending Oct. 30 indicate the fundraising front-runner is 58-year-old Jerry Deal, chairman of the city's planning commission. He is one of five candidates contending for a four-year term on the city council. Also in the race for two open seats are Mayor Terry Nagel and Council Member Russ Cohen. Deal has collected more than $44,000; Cohen, 48, about $12,600; and Nagel, 58, more than $18,400. Parks and Recreation Commissioner Peter Comaroto, 40, has raised nearly $39,000, and former Traffic Safety and Parking Commission member Gene Condon, 48, has more than $20,600. Cohen called the amounts of money being raised "obscene."

Burlingame enacted rules in April that limit individual campaign contributions to $500, and businesses and organizations to $1,000. The caps were intended to keep candidates from raising huge sums of cash for a local race.

According to city records, candidates spent an average of $27,292 in the 2005 election. Council Member Ann Keighran raised nearly $50,000 for that race and spent more than $40,000. "I knew we were going to have to raise more than the incumbents," Deal said of this election. "They already had a system set up. I had to hire a consultant to tell me what to do." Deal has loaned himself $10,000 and Mike Harvey, owner of Mike Harvey Honda in Burlingame, contributed $1,000 this filing period. Deal said Harvey is a friend of his. Comaroto indicated that he received $224 in small, individual contributions this period. His biggest backer this period was Burlingame Automotive, which contributed $1,000.

Although Nagel has spent a lot of her money on campaign mailers, like the other candidates, this period she spent $632 on shirts for her precinct walkers to get the word out about her candidacy. Many of her contributors are individuals, but this period Anza Parking contributed $500. Cohen said he also does what he can to connect with his constituents. "My method is to talk to as many people as possible and it does not cost any money," he said. His contributors include state Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Mateo/San Francisco, who gave $500, and some local unions. Condon, who ran unsuccessfully in 2005 for a two-year seat after a council member resigned, said he does not have to raise as much money this election because his expenses are down and he can reuse his campaign signs. He said he is sticking to a set budget.

***

I wonder if the candidates who have not raised the "obscene" amounts of money would return any donations over and above their "set budgets" whether it be $13,000, $20,000, etc. There still seem to be alot of begging bowls out for campaign donations. (comment by Fiona)

- Written by Fiona

Burlingame High School Play-a-thon

Saturday, October 27 the BHS band and choir will perform from 9 to 5 in front of our historic train station. Enjoy the music, buy a baked good or burger, pay to direct the band or purchase a raffle ticket. Support your local high school musicians! At 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. the 100-person-strong band will march down Burlingame Avenue.

Thanks to our generous merchants for providing great raffle prizes for the 18th Annual Play-a-thon. Prizes include gift certificates or items from Malouf's, Kerns Jewelers, Steelhead Brewery, Burlingame Optical, gift baskets from a gourmet market in San Francisco, Marlinda's Skin and Body Care, Pinkies, SF's Alioto Restaurant, Morning Glory, Studio Shop, Potpourri, Earthbeam Natural Foods, Jacadi, Threads, Lululemon, Heriz Music, Jamba Juice, Prime TIme Athletic Club, an autographed 49er souvenir helmet, Peninsula Beauty Supply Store, All Fired Up, Aida's Opera Candies, Papyrus, Design within Reach, and VIP tickets to the January 2008 Burlingame Centennial Variety Show.

- Written by Joanne

Campaign Funding Update

Election Journal (from the newspaper Daily Journal)

Burlingame Planning Commissioner Jerry Deal raised $44,453 toward his campaign for one of the two seats on the Burlingame City Council, according to campaign finances statements released Thursday. Deal's donations include a $1,000 from Mike Harvey Honda and $250 from Redwood Services in Burlingame. Deal loaned himself $10,000.

Gene Condon, former Traffic, Safety and Parking commissioner, raised $20,639. His donations include $500 from Olympian Gulf Properties from San Carlos; $500 from state Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco/San Mateo; $250 from Planning Commissioner Tim Auran; $500 from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers No. 617; and $500 from the Sheet Metal Workers Union 104.

Burlingame Mayor Terry Nagel raised $18,404.33 toward her campaign for re-election. Of the money raised, Nagel received $100 from Hillsborough Vice Mayor Christine Krolik; $500 from Anza parking; and John Root paid $220 for postage and letters.

Councilman Russ Cohen raised $12,680 including $250 from Blinc Inc. in Sausalito; $500 from state Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco/San Mateo; $500 from Councilwoman Cathy Baylock; $100 from the Association of Federal, State and Municipal Employees #829; and $500 from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers No. 617.

No papers were provided from Parks and Recreation Commissioner Peter Comaroto

(The new 460's are NOW included on the city website, comment added by Fiona)

- Written by Fiona