The Burlingame Voice

ECR: How is this maneuver legal?

Change is afoot for our beloved El Camino Real as the Axe man cometh for the Eucs.  The city e-newsletter notes that pothole repair on a systemic level (as opposed to when someone calls) as "Caltrans is currently completing pothole repair work on El Camino Real, between Howard Avenue and Sanchez Avenue. Work will take place daily, between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. One lane will remain open in both directions, but drivers should expect delays."

One thing that will have to change as 91% of the Eucs get cut down, huge swaths of pavement get dug up at one time, trenches get dug for power/phone lines and drainage piping is the commercial parking habits of various truck drivers.  It's not just Amazon, UPS, FedEx, et al.  Check this guy out resupplying Walgreens!  There's a city lot right there, but hey, let's just shut down half of northbound ECR for half an hour or more.  How is that legal?

CARE court in San Mateo County: Not a day too soon

More than a few people have been mentioning the arrival of EssEff-like people with obvious mental health issues in town.  The north B'gamers have a couple in and around El Camino, especially on the narrow westside sidewalk around Sanchez.  Us south B'gamers have a couple as well, but not the same from what I am hearing.  Just in the last month, my neighbors have been talking about one guy who wanders down the street peering under cars and "hiding" behind street trees that are six inches in diameter.  I recently called in a wellness check on a different guy who stood perfectly still on an ECR corner for at least eight hours straight.  If he were in a North Korean prison being made to do that, it would be called torture.  There's nothing compassionate about letting this go on.

The news that the County is moving more quickly than required to implement CARE court is welcome news.  The Merc has a piece as well as the DJ:

The program, Community Assistance, Recover and Empowerment Court, is to be implemented by every county within the state by the end of the year. San Mateo County will begin piloting the program July 1, County Executive Officer Mike Callagy announced Tuesday, as one of the eight counties to implement the pilot program early.

The BPD follow-up to my wellness call was prompt and clear about what can and cannot be done...currently.  If someone is on public property and not creating a disturbance, they can decline assistance and that is the end of it.  One neighbor noted that a person was on private property, but moved before anything could be logged.  BPD suggests people continue to call in checks since sometimes the second or third offer is the one that gets accepted.  Per the Merc article

CARE court allows family members, close friends, first responders (my emphasis), behavioral health providers and others to refer someone to the court.  A judge can then order participants--who receive a public defender and a "CARE supporter" to help them through the process-to enroll in tailored treatment plans, which could include placement in a mental health facility or permanent supportive housing.

The whole thing is going to be A Process and it won't be cheap, but it's not like we have much choice.  Once someone has seen two or three of these incidents in a two-week span, it's hard to disagree.  I'm not sure what the least gratifying part of being a local cop is, but this has to be on the list.

Hookah Hullabaloo on B'way

In the local version of the national trend of avowed lefties becoming ever more authoritarian, smoking stuff on Broadway has come under the microscope at city council.  The Daily Journal headline notes

Burlingame moves to allow hookah

City OKs outdoor smoking ban, moves forward with water pipe exemptions

You would be excused if you thought the sub-head had something to do with our aging water infrastructure, but it doesn't.  Instead, in a state with legalized weed that you can smell all over town, we are treated to council members and high school students opining about hookahs and shisha...sheesh

The Burlingame City Council is prepared to allow hookah in two Burlingame locations, despite some concerns about its nicotine use, and also expanded an outdoor smoking ban for its Burlingame Avenue and Broadway retail districts.  Allowing hookah, however, would mean the city could not participate in San Mateo County’s tobacco regulation program, which covers cities’ costs if an ordinance is adopted. Advocates of the exemption say hookah can be a culturally and socially significant practice that legal adults should not be prohibited from utilizing.

Councilmember Emily Beach said she wished the City Council would remain strong in its decision to ban all flavored tobacco products and thought that participating in the county’s regulation plan would have saved Burlingame taxpayer’s money.  “When I look at flavored tobacco, the big picture is [that] flavored tobacco makes it tastier, more enticing and more fun to smoke. That’s why it was invented, it makes it better,” she said. “Whether that’s adults or kids, is that a good idea? In my opinion, I don’t think it makes a lot of sense to go backwards on this.”

The ordinance will also clarify that the ban applies only to the public right of way, like streets, parklets and public parking lots, and not private property like outdoor patios of bars and restaurants, Assistant City Attorney Scott Spansail previously said during the council’s Nov. 6 meeting.

It looks like a 3-2 vote to allow hookahs -- Ortiz, Stevenson and Colson for, Brownrigg and Beach opposed to shisha.  The "cultural and societal value" of lighting up was invoked by some commenters.  I can hear the cries of racism off in the distance if this vote had gone the other way.  If you are thinking of jumping into the hookah business be aware that only one more spot is allowed, and it cannot be too close to the Society Lounge on B'way.

The real question, completely ignored, is how is BPD going to enforce this?  Aside from the area around the Apple store and the occasional parking enforcement officer roaming the streets (who probably cannot issue this sort of ticket anyway) are people supposed to call 911?   Shall we hire a few new foot cops to patrol B'way and the Avenew?

What's up with California school administration?

Thankfully this post is not about Burlingame but given what we read on some of our longest running School posts like this one from October 2022 there may be some learning to be gained by looking at recent events at Pittsburg High School.  The Chronicle had a piece about the PE teacher and football coach at Pittsburg High School that left me with many questions.  First, some details with extra bolding:

When school officials in the East Bay city of Pittsburg were told that a high school football coach had been accused of groping female students, they reprimanded him repeatedly for at least a decade — but allowed him to keep his job after each instance, then to quietly retire. In an agreement on the terms of his departure, the district made a major concession: It promised not to tell prospective employers about the coach’s history.

The complaints about former Pittsburg High School coach Phillip Webb finally surfaced Wednesday after a lawsuit was filed by two of his alleged victims, young women who said he had touched them inappropriately when they were students in 2015 and 2016. Documents obtained by the women’s lawyers show that officials told Webb at least a half dozen times to change his behavior but never punished him.

The state Commission on Teacher Credentialing issued a reproval against Webb this May, but did not revoke the teaching credential he had been issued in 1985. He had taught physical education in addition to coaching football.  That means Webb could still apply to other California school districts to work with youngsters.  The agreement was provided to the Chronicle by Lauren Cerri, an attorney for the two women, who obtained it under the California Public Records Act.

Webb did not address any of the claims in the lawsuit, and said any further questions should be directed to his attorney. He has not been charged with any crimes.

You can read through many of the details on-line as it is a long piece.  But it begs so many questions.  Many incidents were reported by students and other teachers (e.g. 2007, 2013, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2022!). That last one was on a security camera.  How many warnings do principals and superintendents hand out before they do something more?  How transparent with the school community are they--and should they be when it's a "personnel issue"?  Where's the school board oversight?  One of the girls' fathers is quoted and is angry and confused by the apparent inaction, but at what point does a parent call their local police?  We've read a bit about the Commission on Teacher Credentialing here on the Voice.  What exactly does the CTC do?  What sort of investigative resources do they have?  How high is their hurdle?

What's up with the agreement about retirement in three months and the secrecy?  Some of that is certainly personnel record law.  That's where the Chronicle ends the piece

A 2014 law signed by then-Gov. Jerry Brown made it easier for schools to fire educators who commit misconduct, but many still choose to allow them to resign or retire in order to avoid potential legal battles. Bills that would forbid schools from entering into secret agreements that keep misconduct hidden from prospective employers have hit a dead end in the California Legislature.

More questions.  How easy is it to fire someone under the nine-year old law?  All sorts of crazy stuff sails through the California Legislature and gets signed by governors, but this hits a dead end?  What's up with that, supermajority?

City Strike? Free speech for all?

The only thing I'm certain about regarding this post is that we do not have the whole story.  Kudos to the Daily Journal for running with what they did know yesterday about the potential strike over "free speech" issues among City employees.  The DJ piece starts with

The union representing 130 Burlingame city workers could strike after complaints allege city managers in various departments are interfering with employees’ rights to free speech.  Rod Palmquist, spokesperson for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 829, said the city workers have a right to free speech and express their desire for better-paying wages.

The bit of background we do have is

The state’s Public Employment Relations Board issued an unfair labor practice complaint against the city Sept. 8. In early June, several employees attended a City Council meeting to speak in favor of fair wages. The next day, an employee at the meeting allegedly asked police Capt. Robert Boll a routine operational question. Boll allegedly said, “Why don’t you ask the AFSCME people.” While speaking to a group of employees who voiced the need for a pay increase, Park Superintendent Richard Holtz allegedly responded that they should talk with him if they didn’t like working for the city for the pay they receive, adding he would help them find another place to work, according to a PERB complaint.

First, one could ask why there is such a thing as a Public Employment Relations Board, who is on it and how much homework do they do before they issue a complaint?  I'd like to know what the "routine operational question" was and whether it was asked in good faith.  As far as the second comment by Rich Holtz, that sounds like him exercising his free speech, not interfering with someone else's.  And it's not like he gets to decide who gets paid what in town.  For me the kicker is this bit

City employee Joleen Helley said the city pays 6% less than neighboring cities doing similar jobs, according to the release.

Blanket statistics like that always concern me.  There are so many variables that boiling a pay comparison down to a single number is impossible.  What about time in grade (seniority), performance reviews, benefit packages and the like?  B'game is in contract negotiations now--did the other cities just finish theirs so raises come at different times?  And the BIg Question is who cares what other cities are paying?  That is a false comparison meant to continue a faster upward spiral than is needed to provide the services.  I recall back in the day, a clerical job opening at City Hall drew more than 200 applicants.  The pay must have been competitive enough.

This is just a place marker post for when we know more--if we ever do.

  

Netflix comes to B'game: BALCO

B'gamers who have been here for twenty years or more will remember Burlingame was the center of the doping scandal that rocked many professional sports back in 2003.  After getting its start in Millbrae and then San Carlos, BALCO moved to 1520 Gilbreth Rd.-- about a block from the It's It shop across the freeway.  The company principal, Victor Conte, and personal trainer/distributor Greg Anderson were fixtures around town.  They especially loved breakfast at Alana's.  Now Netflix has revived interest in the story with a just-released documentary film "Untold: Hall of Shame".

The film's good guy is Jeff Novitzky, the IRS agent who led the investigation into BALCO.  He grew up in B'game, graduated from Mills High School and played sports at Skyline.  His Wikipedia page is a fun read and he comes across as a tenacious investigator in the film.  This USA Today article describes the on-going social media fight between Novitsky and Conte.

If you watch closely, you will see images of the Gilbreth office building and the Burlingame police report that got things rolling.  All in all, it's a fun trip down a local memory lane.

San Mateo High: Averting violence

A reader posted this comment on three different SMUSHD posts all of which are lengthy so you would have to scroll and scroll and scroll to read it.  I'm reposting it here for easier reading and commenting.

Regarding the recent stabbing incident at San Mateo High School: I’d be interested to know if the students involved had any prior history or reports of violence and threats in their student records? The news reported there were knives and a gun on campus. This reminds me of the pregnant teacher who spoke at the board meeting last year, begging the Superintendent to remove violent students from her class. What are we waiting for? Are my kids going to be the next victims? The Administration needs to do a better job of protecting our students. What are we waiting for? Are my kids next?

I'm guessing no public disclosure of any students' records will happen, but the SMUSHD Board and/or Superintendent should certainly take that into account and issue some statement about their position--past and future.

P.S.  People can use the editor email link on the right frame to ask for something to get an original post.  No guarantees, but we will likely be agreeable.

Watching the new sheriff in town--or trying to

The editor at the Daily Post, Dave Price, has taken a good amount of interest in local police departments and county sheriffs' departments over time.  He's covered the move to encrypted police radios, the general crime beat and whatever else pops up including sheriff elections and the funding for said.  Since we just elected a new San Mateo County sheriff, Cristina Corpus, Price is still on the beat.  He's also apparently a cartoonist--who knew?  Next to his column this week was this cartoon.

The adjacent editorial didn't mention anything about the sheriff's department, so this looks more like an early warning signal.  One thing is for sure; once Dave Price grasps a thread he doesn't let go easily.

PSA: Elder abuse in the County

As a favor to a long-time reader who requested such a post in order to gather ideas on what to do, I'll drift into a new area-- elder abuse, especially financial abuse.  I am also aware of a case years ago that was never pursued by law enforcement even though there was ample evidence, in my opinion.  The long-time reader writes (edited down a bit):

My parents have and are still experiencing Elder Abuse by their Caretakers. As of today, $300,000 and "counting." I have been in contact with APS, DA, Police, and much more. Jackie Speier's office at least inquired.  My Father will (probably die) of skin cancer within two weeks.  My mother is on 24/7 oxygen and has severe mental as well as other "end of life" medical problems.  Did I mention one of their caretakers made a Full Confession to the San Bruno Police- Case # SNB 2201541.  No arrests. This started 6 months ago.

Again, this is coming from a long-time reader and I have not verified any of it, but if anyone has any ideas, I am sure they would be welcome.  The last census showed 17.5% of the population in San Mateo County is over 65 and the median age has been rising just like the rest of the country.

Bad parking in broad daylight

Let's kick-off our 19th year with an old favorite topic here at the Burlingame Voice--the crazy, illegal parking maneuvers people do all over town  There are plenty of examples like here, here and here.  Today's gem was right on Howard Ave. in front of the bank across from Park & Howard.  Facing the wrong way against traffic and parallel parked across a diagonal parking space with no money in the meter.  The good news was a Parking Enforcement Officer was on the scene as I walked by.  How many tickets is that?