The city council returned to chambers in City Hall Monday night for the first time in almost three years. The occasion was the annual rotation of the mayor and vice mayor roles. Thankfully, B'game stuck to established procedure unlike San Mateo and Millbrae this year. Chaos ensued in both places. Some things were different in chambers. For one, the heat seemed like it needed some maintenance work from a master technician. Each chair on the dais and in the staff area was equipped with a screen and two large screens have been installed on the sidewalls to accommodate hybrid live/Zoom meetings. Zoomers' voices are now piped into the PA system giving a bit of an eerie feel to comments. I may have to comment remotely sometime just to hear the effect!
The big event of the evening was Ann O'Brien Keighran's retirement after 17 years on the council and 7 years on the Planning Commission. The DJ piece with some quotes is here. Plenty of regular locals turned out for the event as resolutions were read and plaques presented. Diane Papan read her own resolution and Dave Pine's staff member, Linda Wolin, stood in for Pine. Ann's council peers and some members of the public recounted some of the big events of her tenure; with the Safeway project bringing up many memories. David Bowlby, a Safeway consultant back in the day, recounted meetings with Ann and my wife who were the Safeway sub-committee members. He also recalled meeting with the Citizens for a Better Burlingame. Just hearing the CBB name mentioned reminded me of all those morning meetings to strategize and commiserate over the original monster Safeway design. Historical Society president Jen Pfaff and my wife dug deep into the Society archives to construct a scrapbook for Ann that captured many of the early events in her 24-year service including the time that Joe Galligan tried to get her and dearly missed Stan Vistica replaced on Planning. Ah, the Old Days.
Ann concluded her time on the dais with remarks that brought tears to her eyes near the end--even as she said she wouldn't let that happen. I had a nice view sitting behind her parents, Denis and Katie O'Brien, as mom and daughter reached for tissues at the same time.
Following Ann's closing remarks, Ricardo Ortiz was sworn in by Diane Papan. Michael Brownrigg was sworn in by Library Trustee Kris Cannon and her husband Jim while thanking long-time advisor Jeff Londer. Finally, new councilman Peter Stevenson was sworn in by city manager Lisa Goldman. Many locals showed up for this renewed annual event especially from Peter's new district 5 including local DJ and disaster preparedness expert Jeff Tateosian and commercial realtor Jim Sobel. I chatted with Burlingame Neighborhood Network board members David Harris and Ann Hinckle, local realtor Erik Winkler and our local waste wizard Joe La Mariana of ReThink Waste.
As witnessed by the night's events and attendees, B'game still has a small-town feel. I have no idea how long it will last given the notion that we must comply-or-else with Sacramento's demands for growth even as the state population shrinks. But for one night it still felt small. Here is the new dais set-up and Ann Keighran's appearance on the new big screen. Happy retirement--she's gonna love it.
Ann served the City well and she routinely impressed with her grasp of various situations and dynamics. Thanks Ann!
Posted by: Gerald Weisl | December 24, 2022 at 12:12 PM
Ann and Donna didn't take away our choices on how we power our homes.
I am thankful for council members who actually represent the interest of their constituents, as opposed to the others who want to further their own political careers.
Posted by: Paloma Ave | December 24, 2022 at 12:32 PM
Can’t use wood fireplace this week due to Spare the Air and potential fine and/or re-education class on smoke pollution!
Hooray for natural gas.
Soon to be outlawed.
Vote for politicians who care for their citizens.
Posted by: Spurinna | December 24, 2022 at 03:57 PM
Don’t know how Ann will survive without all the backhanders from the clan Maybe we will get more honest bids from contractors bidding on the local public work’s contracts.I for one will not miss the snob.Seany who got horny (ex husband,)No more rides on the fire engines at the Christmas parade down the Avenue .Bad Boy.
Posted by: Sir Paul | December 24, 2022 at 04:36 PM
Natural gas prices are rising due to so-called environmentalists' demands that we switch to electric only.
These simple-minded people do not realize their actions are stopping further exploration for natural gas.
Therefore, the price goes up.
Even though 90% of the world's pollution comes from other countries and going carbon-free will not make any difference AT ALL.
Thank the near-sighted do-gooders for raising our utility bills.
Posted by: Paloma Ave | December 24, 2022 at 05:12 PM
Sir Paul - Your posts indicate a highly prestigious education, NOT!
Posted by: Paloma Ave | December 24, 2022 at 05:38 PM
Paloma Ave you don’t have the guts to blog under your first name or last name so why you even posting?
Posted by: Sir Paul | December 24, 2022 at 07:02 PM
Sir Paul - I am guessing less than .01% of the population has any idea who you are.
Posted by: Paloma Ave | December 25, 2022 at 10:36 AM