Post on Bandrapalli

Today's Daily Post details the newspaper's interviews with all of our council candidates in a full page article.  It's full of interesting information that we have not heard from them before.  In the first of three excerpts, Nirmala Bandrapalli said that

what makes her different from the other candidates is her "natural instinct to listen to others".

Since most of the other candidates have never heard of her before this campaign, one does wonder how she can anoint herself as the best listener of the bunch?  Then she returns to a point we heard in the candidates' debate

She said if the city standardizes its internal financial system, and enhances communication between the public and the city, it could generate more revenue.

She has plans to centralize the public systems, such as information on sewers and water, so that the city information for one house is all in one place.  She said taking out redundancy could save money.

I have to wonder if she even knows what the city's internal financial system is?  Where did she get this information?  How did she determine that this is one of the biggest issues we face?  And what does she know about the public agency procurement system for replacing any information system?  Any such replacement takes capital budget, an RFP, staff to review the responses--then maybe it gets started.  Count me as skeptical that she has any idea of what she is talking about.

The clinker at the end is

Bandrapalli said she is for high-density housing, and would like to see more on Howard Avenue and Rollins Road.

I hope every voter in town reads that bit because I have yet to run into anyone not in the development business that agrees with her.  I can't see any evidence that she has any background in urban planning or any related field to even make the statement.  And she certainly hasn't thought through how the B'game school system would handle all the new kids.  Very disappointing.  

Comments

[hillsider]

We'll just blanket the palygrounds with portables. What's the problem?

[Mark]

Why is everyone so gung-ho about high density housing? Do we like the Millbrae and San Mateo look? It’s one thing if you make high density housing for renters or those who aren’t as wealthy, but all this high density “affordable” condo housing starts at $700-$800k. It’s time that Burlingame pay attention to its own General and Housing Element Plans and create real opportunities for renters or lower income residents that add to the diversity and fabric of Burlingame. Seems like the only people really benefiting the most are developers. As far as increasing the tax base, does adding a bunch of housing units really increase existing property values? Retaining the small town feel is what gives Burlingame its high property values, so actually preserving and increasing the value base over the long term could actually add to tax revenues, but of course no one thinks that way.

[Holyroller]

Does a City Elder, for that manner all elected State of California politictions have to be a US Citizen?
Or is a Green Card/Work permit "good enough?"
The Gov. Jerry Brown is prepared to sign into law that non US Citzens are eligible for Jury Duty.
Some people have a problem with that. As well as the issue of CA State Driver licences being issued to undoc/illegal aleins.
How can you get a CA. Drivers Licence, and not have a legal SS number,get an insurance company to sell the most basic policy, or have an address.
Anyway, does an elected CA politition need to be a US citizen to hold ANY office?