Wacky signs for wacky times

The leaves are beginning to change color and the campaign signs are springing up in lawns all over Burlingame. Silly season has officially begun!

Some signs have sprouted in unfortunate places. Some have popped up in illegal spots too. And some seem to keep sprouting despite all odds.

Here’s a few images, a lighthearted look, if you will, at some unusual campaign sign placements.

Note: These images have not been manipulated in any way and signs have not been moved to make for better images. What you see is what has been observed over the last few days.

Note #2: Illegal signs, those in the public right of way, city planting strips should be reported to the City of Burlingame Public Works Dept. Those who want to report anonymously can by going to www.burlingame.org and clicking on the “citizen connect” link.

Unfortunate...

Illegal...

Weird...

Abandoned...

Comments

[fred]

Yeah, signs, real important stuff.

Could you please post the article today from the San Mateo Daily Journal about the election. I have a comment to make about it. Editors (who are for some reason are the only ones who can post items) thank you in advance for your assistance.

[Editor]

For anyone who would like to repost an article from any newspaper or magazine or website, all you have to do is go to their site and copy the URL for the article you are interested in and paste it into your comment. Like this.
This will link you to the article Fred is referring to.

http://smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=117023

Fred, feel free to comment.

[tommy boy]

I didn't find them funny or "lighthearted" at all. Am I missing something??

[fred]

Editor, I meant as a new post like this asinine signs post.

[Bigbird]

Methinks there are some sour graping going on. Sup it up, editors!

[fred]

All of the real issues that are going on in the city and the editors want to make signs the biggest issue just like last election. This site was much better when Fiona and others could post new topics.

[Account Deleted]

Fred - I agree; I'm very disappointed I'm not able to post new topics. I've put in two requests to the editors asking for this capability, and unfortunately never heard back from anyone. It would be nice to know the rationale for this change (from the "open architecture", fully transparent version of the prior blog)

[fred]

It's not to stop the spammers. The verification word took care of that (nice work). It's no longer the Burlingame Voice it's the Baylock Voice. And to think I was going to hammer Brownrigg's platform. I feel free to comment on other items now.

[Gerald]

Are there any Gene Condon signs posted around town? I know one of my neighbors likes to recycle those...not sure whose signs he'll be going after this season.
I'm just glad there are no Bud Harrison or Irv Jockstrap signs popping up.
I'm thinking of voting for Got Junk? for City Council...I see their signs all over, too.

[Fiona]

Nothing to do with whacky, wacky. illegal, weird, abandoned or even tacky as above, but the first 460 campaign statements are now available on the City website:

http://www.burlingame.org/Index.aspx?page=989

[Fiona]

Something fun and wacky for Broadway - the Burlingame Pet Parade TODAY

A paw-fect parade (By Christopher Leydig, Daily Journal

Pets of all shapes and sizes are welcome at the fourth annual Burlingame Pet Parade, slated for 10 a.m. Saturday on Broadway. All participants are asked to report with their pets by 9:30 a.m. to the parking lot near Broadway and Chula Vista Avenue.

If you happen to be strolling down Burlingame’s Broadway this Saturday, be prepared for the presence of preposterously primped pets.

This is not just some isolated incident, it’s actually Burlingame’s annual Pet Parade, a festive spectacle of man, beast and community spirit that has risen in popularity since its 2004 inception.

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Broadway and proceed to Capuchino Avenue, where it will loop around and continue back down Broadway. All participants are asked to report with their pets by 9:30 a.m. to the parking lot near Broadway and Chula Vista Avenue behind the appropriately entitled thrift shop, Pick of the Litter.

From the creative minds of founding volunteers Ross Bruce, president of the Burlingame Broadway Merchants Association and the parade committee, retired electrical engineer Rudy Horak and Councilwoman Terry Nagel, the mission of the parade is simple: Help foster community spirit.

“We wanted it to be a family community event of which there were very few of in Burlingame at the time,” said Horak, the parade’s co-chair. “I’m just an idea person … a catalyst. I get my enjoyment out of getting people together.”

Besides providing many laughs, bringing the community together has been one of the Pet Parade’s biggest strengths. The original running drew about 60 participants and 200 spectators. Last year, that number ballooned to roughly 600 participants and 1,600 spectators, and this year is expected to breach even that as more than 2,000 spectators are estimated to show.

Roughly 35 additional volunteers with the Peninsula Humane Society will be present to help proctor the celebration by setting up and administrating the course, winners circle, judging booth and the much maligned, at least by promiscuous pets, mobile spay and neuter van.

Brian Probst, manager of volunteer services at the Peninsula Humane Society, described the modified Airstream RV, shrink wrapped with animal photos, plates that ironically read, “go nuts,” as housing a “full surgical suite.” Along with their mobile adoption vehicle — a presence that should be welcomed by spectators without pets — the humane society will be promoting healthy relationships between people and animals.

Unlike the mobile adoption vehicle, the neuter mobile will not be in operation at Saturday’s festivities. Although it is a free program that operates throughout San Mateo, San Francisco and Marin counties, only tours of the RV will be given on Saturday.

“Sorry gentlemen, there will be no discount vasectomies given despite any voluntary donations,” said a facetious Bruce, president of the parade committee. “This is a fun, small-town event. It’s just hilarious to watch.”

Fun will be faced with competition, however, as participants vouch for their place in the multiple award categories including best dressed pet, best dressed pet-owner combo, best dressed group, most original float or wagon and of course the Grand Prize Winner.

Finalists will be chosen by three official judges, including Burlingame’s Mayor Ann Keighran, as they complete the circuit at the parade’s jump point.

“I’ll be looking for the most original and creative participants,” said Keighran, who owns one yellow lab and two cats, Hersheys and Skittles. “This is one of few real hometown events to really relax and show off pets. It’s not commercialized at all,” she added.

A tip to the wise: Keighran is an admitted fan of pet-owner look-alikes.

Some personal favorites from previous years of those interviewed were a German Shepherd in a motorcycle outfit, an English Bulldog wearing a tutu, a pair of llamas in dreadlocks and sunglasses; even a couple of chickens in a wheelbarrow were mentioned.

The popularity of pairs is in part due to a Burlingame statute which mandates that on private property, a person can own only two domestic animals of the same species. Curiously, there is no limit on the number of species one may possess, however.

“You never know when somebody will bring a reindeer,” said a chuckling Horak when referencing the parade’s various award categories. “There is no restriction on [animal] size, which is always exciting. There are very few cats, though.”

No political entries are permitted, but all types of pets are welcome. Children without pets are encouraged to bring stuffed animals. Entries must be operated by foot power only, unless special arrangements are made. Groups are encouraged to identify themselves with a banner or sign.

http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=117149

***

I had asked the Voice editors to include the Pet Parade and the upcoming Library sales (October 8-11th)on the Voice calendar but to no avail.

Too bad because we need to foster community events and also encourage buyers to come to our library sales where all proceeds help our library programs

[Fiona]

An excellent uncut article by Heather about the 460 campaign statements:

Mayor leads Burlingame money race
(By Heather Murtagh, Daily Journal)

Burlingame Mayor Ann Keighran is leading the monetary pack with $18,153 raised in the race for three seats on the Burlingame City Council, according to financial documents released Friday.

Keighran, Vice Mayor Cathy Baylock and Councilwoman Rosalie O’Mahony are challenged by Planning Commissioner Michael Brownrigg to serve the next four years. Campaign financial statements were due Thursday, revealing who is backing the four candidates.

Keighran raised $18,153 in donations toward her campaign for re-election. Of those donations, Keighran received $100 from Ross Bruce, president of the Broadway Business Improvement District; $500 from former Burlingame police commander Tom Marriscolo; $200 from community volunteer Jennifer Pfaff; $100 from community volunteer Fiona Hamilton; $100 from Dunne Plumbing; $100 from Murnane Construction, Inc.; $125 from the Burlingame Business Centre; $125 from Brayer Construction and Design; $100 from T&B Canniffe; $100 from Riordan Sliding Company; $100 from Hayes Properties; $1,000 from D&K Investments; $100 from Behan’s Irish Pub; $500 from Ristorante Rocca; $500 from Anza Parking Corp.; $1,000 from TSTN Partnership; $200 from Marchetti Construction, Inc.; $125 from San Mateo Mayor Brandt Grotte; $500 from William O’Brien and Sons; and $100 from Councilwoman Terry Nagel. Keighran received $1,120 in nonmonetary donations including: $125 for precinct information from Ann Hennegar; $120 for balloons from Nuts for Candy; $465 for drinks for the kick-off party from Thomas Koros; and $410 for food for kick-off party from Nicholas Koros. Thus far, Keighran has spent $4,491 on campaign literature, Web site design and campaign consultants.

O’Mahony came in second raising $16,665.20 in donations toward her bid to be elected for her sixth term. Notably, O’Mahony received $200 from Redwood City Mayor Rosanne Foust and Councilman Jim Hartnett; $100 each from Gigi Mitchell of Behan’s Irish Pub and SamTrans Executive Director Michael Scanlon; $500 from Ichinyosha International; $300 from Marchetti Construction; $100 from Swilly Construction; $250 from attorney Joseph Cotchett; $100 from Kern’s Jewelers; $100 from Bruce; $1,000 from Joseph Putnam; $500 from Plumbers and Steamfitters No. 467; $200 from Liam Cafferty Properties; and $250 from the San Mateo Building Trades Council. Councilman Jerry Deal and his wife Joann threw O’Mahony a kick-off party costing $250. Thus far, O’Mahony has spent $5,031.99 on campaign literature, civic donations and postage.

Challenger Brownrigg raised $12,799.79 toward his attempt to join council, of that $1,000 was a self loan. Brownrigg received $100 from Linda Brownrigg; $100 from Planning Commissioner Richard Terrones; $100 from Michael Barber, Burlingame Elementary School District trustee; $100 from community volunteer Charles Voltz; $100 from community volunteer Fiona Hamilton; $200 from Carolyn and John Root; $250 from Marc Friedman, Burlingame Elementary School District trustee; $500 from Putnam Automotive; and $500 from Directed Perception, Inc. Brownrigg also generated $5,367.79 in nonmonetary contributions for Web site and literature design, ballot filing fee, lawn signs and $1,000 worth of work for videotaping and editing by KM2 Communications, of which South San Francisco Councilman Kevin Mullin is a co-owner. Thus far, Brownrigg has spent $521.30 on T-shirts.

Baylock rounded out the group raising $7,934, which included a $5,000 loan from her husband Joe Baylock in 2005. She received $100 from Friedman; $200 from Dave Pine, San Mateo Union High School District trustee; and $500 from Baylock. She received $300 worth of nonmonetary contributions for photography. Thus far, she spent $4,497.71 on filing fees, campaign literature, voter information, Web site design, lawn signs and postage.

http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?type=lnews&id=117147

[Pam]

Thanks very much for posting the link to the city website. It only takes a couple of minutes to see how poorly the journalist understands what he was looking at. There are some major mistatements in the newspaper article (not in the original documents). Some of them are so glaring that you have to wonder if they are intentional. I hope its just a sign of immaturity and lack of editing oversight.