Electric car charging stations increasing in California

Are electric car charging stations included in Pacifica infrastructure planning? 

Los Gatos Weekly Times/Judy Peterson, 5/21/13, "Electrifying new rules for charging spaces in downtown Los Gatos."  

Los Gatos downtown

....  "When the town installed charging stations last June, it was with the understanding that they would be in parking spaces that could also be used by internal combustion vehicles. There are EV charging stations on S. Santa Cruz Avenue across from the Toll House Hotel, in the parking lot between Elm and Main streets, in the lot between Royce Avenue and Grays Lane and next to the library on Villa Avenue.

But allowing non-electric vehicles to use the spaces has proved problematic because internal combustion vehicles are apparently keeping the EVs out. "As a result, visiting electric vehicles are not able to use the charging infrastructure that the council has authorized and put into place," resident Dennis Mc-Evoy said. McEvoy charges his EV at home and said he doesn't need to use the charging stations in town.

.... The council voted unanimously to convert the charging stations to exclusive EV use while charging. Signs will be posted when the new policy takes effect, but the council did not set a timeline for implementation."  Read article. 

20 minutes, 80% charge

Related -  Autoblog green/Danny King,  blog, 5/8/13,  "The EV Open Access Act, or SB454, was recently passed by the California Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee. The bill guarantees plug-in owners "same access" to publicly accessible charging stations as conventional car owners have to gas stations. ....  That California took the lead here is no surprise. Californians have bought more than 35,000 plug-ins – more than a third of all the plug-ins in the US – since 2011. As of the end of last month, the Golden State was home to 1,276 publicly accessible charging stations, or more than a fifth of the country's total, according to the US Energy Department." Other Autoblog green articles.

Christian Science Monitor/John Voelcker (opinion), 2/28/13, "Are California's electric-car charging stations too congested? "California is by far the largest single market for electric cars, Voelcker writes, and that means charging stations in public parking lots are now sometimes fully occupied, meaning they can't recharge their electric cars' batteries."   NBC/Business 5/17/13, "Expect millions of electric car charging stations by 2020," San Francisco plug in, lower right photograph.  Los Gatos, CA city data, population 29,502, household income $117,669 (2009);  upper left photograph from Vine Times, 4/7/11.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Pigs can't fly, but they can clear the land and garbage

Half Moon Bay Review/Mark Noack, 5/15/13.  "Pigs take aim at problem plants,  Pescadero farm makes use of pigs' taste for everything."

See how nice we mix with the cows and chickens

"...  Now a nascent Pescadero farm startup, Early Bird Ranch, is experimenting with harnessing pigs’ destructive talents for the good of all. The ranch, started in 2011 by two graduate students disenchanted with academia, is trying to focus pigs’ appetites on troublesome plants that are difficult to eradicate. Not only can pigs’ ravenous appetites be fine-tuned to devour nuisance plants, said Early Bird co-owner Kevin Watt, but it can also produce some top-grade pork in the process.

What else you got?

....  Squealing with delight, 40 of the ranch’s pigs were stuffing themselves Monday morning on a smorgasbord of thorny blackberry vines, poison oak leaves and eucalyptus seed pods. Watt piled on more to that buffet, dumping a mound of overripe iceberg lettuce and moldy breads rescued from the trashcan. Snouts in the ground, tails in the air, the hogs gorged on a meal that would turn any human’s stomach. They were, to borrow a phrase, as happy as pigs wallowing in mud.

.... Early Bird owners say there is a method to their work beyond giving pigs free rein on a piece of land. As tenants on TomKat Ranch, Early Bird has the luxury of ample grazing land on which to rotate the pigs and other livestock. An acre of land that the pigs graze heavily for a week might be given two years to regrow its vegetation. The pigs don’t try to escape so long as the humans keep their side of the bargain, Watt said.  Early Bird also raises goats and chickens, and the farm is experimenting with rotating the different animals. This year, the farm is working with the Point Reyes Bird Observatory to track the biodiversity and soil content from the animal grazing."  Read article.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Hall of Famer Ken Venturi, Honorary Chairman of SF Public Golf Alliance, dies at 82

KEN VENTURI, GOLF ALLIANCE HONORARY CHAIRMAN AND HALL OF FAMER, DIES AT 82 YEARS OLD SAN FRANCISCO'S REYHAN GRIFFIN WINS NATIONAL FIRST TEE VIDEO ESSAY COMPETITION AND DON'T FORGET THE ALISTER MACKENZIE TOURNAMENT, JUNE 22 AT SHARP PARK 1.   San Francisco favorite son Ken Venturi, 1964 U.S. Open champion, CBS TV golf analyst, recent World Golf Hall of Fame inductee, and Honorary Chairman of SF Public Golf Alliance, died Friday, May 17.   Ken was a beloved great champion who never forgot his roots in San Francisco public golf, and who urged golfers to "defend San Francisco's golf heritage and public courses... with your time, your money, and your passion:  do not let anybody destroy Sharp or Lincoln."   (i)  See letter, Ken Venturi, Oct. 12, 2009; to download:  http://sfpublicgolf.com/LiteratureRetrieve.aspx?ID=40561     (ii)  See New York Times obituary, May 18, 2013:  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/18/sports/golf/ken-venturi-us-open-golf-champion-and-broadcaster-dies-at-82.html (iii)  See Golf Digest interview with Ken Venturi, December, 2004: http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/myshot_gd0412 2.  Reyhan Griffin,  a 13-year-old student at the San Francisco First Tee program's Visitacion Valley and Harding Park programs, last month won the national "Succeeding Together" video contest, sponsored by the national First Tee organization.  Reyhan, who carries a 4.0 grade point average at A.P. Giannini Middle School, submitted the following video telling of his passion for golf:  http://www.thefirstteesanfrancisco.org/club/scripts/view/view_insert.asp?pg=PUBLIC&GRP=19251&IID=187536&NS=PUBLIC&APP=106 3.   And Don't Forget the Alister MacKenzie Tournament to Save Sharp Park, Saturday, June 22, 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. shotguns.  Be There.  Bring your foursome.  Here is link to download the entry form and sponsor sign-up:  http://www.sfpublicgolf.com/LiteratureRetrieve.aspx?ID=120445   Donations are greatly appreciated. To donate, please visit our website: Donations Page

We are on Twitter (@SFPublicGolf), Facebook and our website Contact us at info@sfpublicgolf.com   Submitted by Richard Harris

Crook's cell phone calls 911, dispatcher picks up the clue

Thanks, I got the 911 call

Government heroes at work.  Of course this story could never happen in Pacifica. 

San Francisco Chronicle/Associated Press, 5/20/13.  "California suspects accidentally dial 911 during crime."

"FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — Two suspects arrested for breaking into a car in Central California accidentally called 911 on a cellphone, which led police to them.  KXTV in Sacramento reports (http://on.news10.net/14xiYik ) a dispatcher was able to hear a rambling 35-minute conversation between the men as they discussed buying drugs and what implements to use to break into vehicles in Fresno.

The dispatcher listened in as the suspects smashed a car's window and found prescription drugs. The men drove off, but the dispatcher picked up clues about where they were headed. A police officer pulled them over and arrested the two 20-year-olds. At the end of the call the men learned how they were caught. One of them can be heard asking, "We really called 911?" 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

City calendar this week, May 20 - 24, 2013

City of Pacifica calendar, and other city meetings.  Any event you may wish to add, please advise.

Monday, 5/20.  City Planning Commission cancelled.

Tuesday, 5/21. No meetings.

Wednesday, 5/22.

Chamber of Commerce luncheon, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM, RSVP.  City infrastructure projects, speaker Councilmember Mike O'Neill, information. 
City Budget Study Session,  cancelled (according to the PCT26 calendar).

City Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission, cancelled.  rescheduled to Wednesday, 5/29.

Thursday, 5/23.  No meetings.

Friday, 5/24.  No meetings.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Northern California future, certain toll roads

Silicon Valley Mercury News/Gary Richards, 5/19/13.  "Toll road in Bay Area?  Highway 156 stretch a candidate."

It's just a 4-mile stretch of country road, but Highway 156 is a vital link between the Monterey Peninsula and the Bay Area -- and now it could become the first toll road north of Los Angeles.

Highway 156 proposed toll road, 4 lanes, 4 miles

Highway 1 to Highway 101

In a report released Thursday, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County says converting the outdated two-lane Highway 156 into a nearby four-lane toll road between Highways 1 and 101 could be mostly paid for by modest tolls, ranging from $1.60 to $2.50 a trip.That would cover most of the $268 million in construction costs and other safety improvements along the 156 corridor. And most of the improvements could be completed in less than a decade, compared with the current 30-year-plus time frame.

The potential impact could extend beyond the Central Coast, creating momentum to build more toll roads statewide, including over the Pacheco Pass parallel to Highway 152 and along Highway 12 through Solano and Contra Costa counties. If a Monterey County toll road makes sense, why not build more?  "Other agencies are saying the same thing," said John Ristow, who runs the highway division at the Valley Transportation Authority, which is studying a toll road along 152 from 101 to Route 99. "This type of preliminary planning of toll-funded projects in major corridors is going on all over the state."

....   Build a toll road?  "We need to do something about this problem (on 156), but our funding sources are very limited," said Debbie Hale, executive director for the Monterey County transportation agency. "Caltrans approached us and suggested we partner to evaluate the feasibility of tolling as a way to build the project in our lifetimes." Read article. 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Paid beach parking is a California trend, south to north

San Francisco Chronicle/Associated Press, Alicia Chang, 5/18/13.  "Parking fees fight at California state beaches heat up." 

I parked at Taco Bell

"....  In search of new revenue, the state parks system is eyeing parking fees for parts of the Northern California shoreline where none existed or considering hiking rates to visit popular beaches south of Los Angeles during peak periods.

....  Out of California's 1,100 miles of beach, a third is controlled by the state Department of Parks and Recreation. Officials say they're under legislative orders to seek new sources of revenue and that a revamp of the parking payment structure is necessary to keep beaches open and to fund deferred maintenance.

....  "We're not Southern California," said Cea Higgins, a volunteer coordinator with the Surfrider Foundation's Sonoma coast chapter. "We're used to having free parking." Park officials contend they should be allowed to charge fees in sections along the Sonoma coast where there are restrooms, garbage cans and picnic tables to maintain. A similar effort last year to charge for parking at some Mendocino County beaches was also met with local opposition."   Read article. 

Note:  photograph from Gogobot.com travel site.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Foster City gains a new Human Resources Director, goodbye Pacifica

The Daily Journal (San Mateo County), "Government Watch", 5/18/13.

Ann Ritzma

"City government.  Ann Ritzma was named Foster City’s new Human Resources director beginning July 8. Foster City has been contracting for Human Resources director services since September 2011. Ritzma will oversee Foster City’s full service Human Resources Department, which is responsible for employee and labor relations, benefits administration, recruitment and selection, classification and compensation, organizational development, workers’ compensation and all related aspects of Human Resources."  Read more, weekly Federal, State and City updates.

Reference -  City of Foster City Press Release.  "Ann Ritzma named new Human Resources Director in Foster City appointment, effective July 8, 2013." "An extensive Human Resources background has positioned Ms. Ritzma to carry on the tradition of excellent employee/employer relations that makes Foster City an employer of choice for a top quality workforce. She commented, “I am committed to utilizing my knowledge and experience in city government to further Foster City’s ability to provide outstanding community services; to build an organization that not only responds to demands but is prepared for new challenges, services and roles in the community."

Most recently Ms. Ritzma has served as the Administrative Services Director for the City of Pacifica where she oversaw the Human Resources functions as well as the operations of the Finance and Information Technology Divisions.

Ms. Ritzma has a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from Golden Gate University. She has been employed in local government for over 26 years. During her career, the responsible positions she has held in a variety of departments have given her experience with all aspects of local government management."  Note:  photograph from the press release.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Lake county groundwater slide condition, cracked sewer pipes first clue

In Pacifica, generally speaking,  the cracked sewer pipes may claim our homes before the groundwater does.  Then again....

OMG....

San Francisco Chronicle/Peter Fimrite, 5/16/13.  "Lake County homes swallowed by slide."

"....  Fractures began to appear in early March on the downhill side of the subdivision, which was built in the mid-1980s on as much as 12 feet of fill. The situation got worse daily, as the hillside on the southeastern portion of the development sank. The ground eventually dropped between 12 and 14 feet, crushing two homes - including the Spiveys' ranch-style house - and leaving two others hanging over the edge of a precipice.
....  The geological survey report, released Wednesday, said the southeastern portion of the subdivision was built on a topographic bench that indicated previous erosion and may actually have been an old landslide. Pooled water seen on the site and the saturated condition of the soil "are likely contributing to the landslide movement," said the report. 

.... Cracked sewer pipe. Kevin Ingram, the senior administrative analyst for the county, said the first indicator that something was going on was in December when utility workers detected a crack in a sewer pipe. It was repaired, and when they checked it again around March 7 or 8, there was another leak, which was also repaired.   The county checked the water system for leaks on March 25, but Ingram said no problems were found. Another inspection on May 9 found two leaks, which were fixed the next day. Ingram said neither leak was large enough to cause a slide. He suggested groundwater could be the culprit."  Read article,  includes 7 photographs of the property.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Councilmember Mike O'Neill to discuss city projects, Wednesday May 22, 2013

Chamber of Commerce luncheon next Wednesday, 5/22/13, 11:30 AM (two hours).  Information and  RSVP below. 

Pacifica Tribune, 5/14/13. "City council member explains city's infrastructure projects." 

"City Councilmember Mike O'Neill will discuss various projects in which the city is engaged Wednesday, May 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Nick's Restaurant. He has chosen five projects to cover in depth and others to touch upon as the city moves forward with them. He will tell the lead agency or city department involved, the cost and the scheduled timeline.

City Councilmember Mike O;Neill

I'm still looking for a quarry infrastructure on the horizon

The projects are:  •San Pedro bridge repair, 2013-14, which will re-route traffic on Highway 1 south of Linda Mar for about 18 months while the final piece of the flood control improvements will be made. This is the final step in the flood control project.  •Wastewater treatment and retention pond, ongoing. Some 200+ residents in lower Linda Mar, whose sewer lateral lines have been inspected and found in need of replacement, will have their lateral replacements paid for by the city. The location of the retention pond is still undecided.  •New library -- there is a possibility the city will ask voters to pass a bond in November, 2014 to build a new library/media center.  •Palmetto streetscape and undergrounding,  •Highway 1 widening.

He will touch upon projects that are on the horizon -- the Manor Drive overpass, City Hall, street repairs and maintenance and the plan for the library, hotel, shops and residences at 2212 Beach Blvd., now Council chambers and the former wastewater treatment site.City Manager Steve Rhodes and the wastewaterdepartment head and the director of Public Works will be on hand to answer questions."

The cost is $20 for Chamber of Commerce members, $25 for non-members. Lunch will be served. RSVP to the Chamber at 355-4122.

Related -  City of Pacifica City Council,  Pacifica Chamber of Commerce,  Pacifica City Data.   Fix Pacifica reprint articles, Mike O'Neill. 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Reminder - State of the City, tomorrow, Saturday, May 18,2013

Mayor Len Stone, State of the City address.

Pacifica-Daly City Democrats breakfast meeting, 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, all welcome.

Sharp Park Golf Course, banquet room, back of restaurant.

For best parking arrive early, doors open at 9:00 AM.

Breakfast (eggs, fruit, hash browns, toast, coffee/tea),  $12;  continental (fruit, toast, coffee/tea) $6; coffee/tea $3, or nothing $0. 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Planning Commission, Monday, May 20, 2013 cancelled

 

Planning Commission meeting, Monday, May 20, 2013 is cancelled.

Notice of cancellation from the city Planning Commission..

Posted by Kathy Meeh

San Francisco "Bay to Breakers", this Sunday, May 19, 2013

Good luck parking if you attend this San Francisco city streets event.  There is the promise to be plenty of police protection and security cameras. 

Yeah, I'm running... maybe I'm an undercover cop, how do you know?

San Francisco Chronicle/Will Kane, 5/16/13.  "Get ready for Bay to Breakers wackiness."

....  Yep, it's Bay to Breakers race season all right - that time when, on the third Sunday in May, the city's streets fill with a patchwork of serious runners going for gold, amateurs hoping for a personal best and scores of others just hoping they won't pass out before 2 p.m.  ....   More than 30,000 registered runners will start the 7.5-mile course at Beale and Howard streets at 7 a.m. Organizers expect another 50,000 to 70,000 people will turn up to watch the mobile mob huff and puff up Hayes Street hill or sprint for the finish through Golden Gate Park.  ....   "We're encouraging everyone to take the capes that we gave them and spice them up with a little of their own flair or bedazzling," Haag said. "We're really excited to make a huge splash."  Read article. 

Reference - Bay to Breakers information website.  

Related - San Francisco Examiner, 5/20/12. "More than 50,000 runners and walkers blanketed the streets of San Francisco this morning for the running of the 101st Bay to Breakers race. Professional runners and jovial amateurs alike started out on the 7.46-mile course from the Embarcadero to Ocean Beach just before 7 a.m. Teams of contestants in gold disco shorts, bumble bee outfits, tutus and more revealing costumes made their way west past Alamo Square and through the Panhandle." Article includes photograph special by Eric Lawson, 10 slides.  Note:  Photograph above from  Huffington Post, 1/28/13.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Frog talk, meet the African Clawed Frog

Aka: "Typhoid Mary".

Silicon Valley Mercury News/Lisa M. Krieger, 5/15/13.  "Frogs imported to California likely transmitted deadly fungal disease."  

I'm cute, but I eat everything smaller than me

Bay Area scientists believe they have discovered the Typhoid Mary of the frog world: a flat, feral creature that carried a deadly fungus from Africa to California's ponds and puddles through global trading.  Genetic analysis revealed that eight of 206 African clawed frogs -- caught wild or preserved in jars at the California Academy of Sciences -- carried the fungal plague called chytridiomycosis, which leaves them unharmed but kills native frogs in catastrophic numbers.

An infection was detected in a frog captured in Africa in 1934, supporting the theory that the fungus thrived there before spreading worldwide. Another infected frog, still alive, was recently trapped in Golden Gate Park's Lily Pond.Because the frogs are widely dispersed across the globe, Green and Vredenburg said containing the epidemic is a major challenge. The well-established fungus also can spread through water, wind and feathers of birds, Green said.

....  The frogs' use, sale and transport are now highly regulated in California, but the damage has been done, they said. (A pygmy version, a favorite of aquarium enthusiasts, is less hardy, so it's not considered a threat.)  "Now we need to be cautious about other introduced species," Vredenburg said. "There could be other animals out there that are carrying diseases that we don't even know about yet."   Read article.

Related -  e How.com, "African clawed frogs are aquatic creatures that are easy to look after. Albino frogs will share aquariums with other fish and frogs of same or larger size, but they are carnivorous predators.Because of their scavenger nature, they will eat any creature smaller in size than they are."   That Reptile Blog, "African clawed frogs are boisterous, hardy beasts that eat most anything, prepared foods included, and are easily trained to feed from the hand. Captive longevity approaches 30 years."  Note:  photograph from California Herps. 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Sewer lateral and mainline replacement in lower Linda Mar

... and along Palmetto business district.

Pacifica Tribune/Jane Northrop, Staff, 5/14/13.  "Sewer laterals replaced for free in lower Linda Mar."

Clean air, clean water-- some Linda Martians caught a wave

"....  The 254 laterals affected by this project fall under this mandatory category. The replacement will get a funding of $495,389 (254 x $1,950.35) from the city's $820,000 obligation.

....  The replacement of the 254 laterals will fulfill some of the city's obligations with the State Water Regional Control Board and with the settlement agreement with Our Children's Earth Foundation.

....  The remaining $103,001 will be used to replace the last 33 laterals along the gasoline tainted area of the downtown Palmetto business district."  Read article. 

Reference - From the City Council Agenda, 5/13/13.  Item 16 (b), RRFY2012-13_Site Plan.  

Note:  photograph from Surfer Girl, site also includes a surf, beach video, 1:09 minutes. 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

PG&E to pay the San Bruno pipeline explosion penalty, and take the tax break

San Francisco Chronicle/David R. Baker, 5/15/13.  "PG&E's $900 million San Bruno tax break?"

The $2.25 billion penalty that PG&E may face as a result of the deadly 2010 San Bruno pipeline explosion certainly sounds like harsh punishment. The 2010 San Bruno pipeline explosion killed 8 people.

ABC local news, 9/13/10, includes 4.04 minute video

State officials proposed the penalty last week, saying the eye-popping price tag was necessary to reform Pacific Gas and Electric Co.

But that number is more slippery than it might at first appear.  PG&E will be able to receive credit for some of the pipeline work it has already performed following the explosion. But company executives aren’t sure how much. They’ve already spent more than $1.6 billion responding to the accident.

And in addition there’s this little surprise: the penalty could give PG&E a $900 million tax write-off.   Read more.

Related -  Fix Pacifica reprints, San Bruno fire.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Seasonal snake warning

Its warmer in Santa Clara of course, but rattlesnakes exist in Pacifica too.  Happy trails!

The Sun/Sunnyvale/Matt Wilson, 5/10/13.  "With weather warming up, county cautions about rattlesnakes."

California rattlesnakes

"The weather is heating up, and the Santa Clara County Fire Department and Santa Clara County Emergency Medical Services system are reminding residents to be on lookout for man's no-legged friends. The county is asking residents to "Watch Where You Walk" for Safety when exploring the outdoors this summer as warm weather means a more likely run-in with a rattlesnake.

Safety tips.   Residents are reminded that, if they see a snake, they should stop and keep their distance.  When hiking, residents should wear long pants and heavy boots that are 4 inches above the ankle.

California garter snakes

When it's hot, snakes seek cool areas, so residents should always watch where they step and be sure to look for snakes in areas of high brush, under logs and when stepping over logs or fallen trees.

When it's cool, snakes seek warmer areas. Residents should be observant for snakes sunning on rocks or trails, especially in the cooler times of day.

Residents should never try to touch a snake or scare it away. They should also never try to catch one. It is recommended to find or contact a park ranger or park staff.

If bitten, residents should calmly and slowly move away from the snake and call 911 or send for help. Victims should not apply a cold pack or tourniquet, cut the bite, or attempt to suck out venom. Victims should avoid movement of the area that was bitten and take note of the time of the bite. Also do not attempt to kill or catch the snake, but do try to remember what the snake looked like."   Read more.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

GGNRA has cooties, signed "Pacifica Open Space"

Who would expect in Pacifica?

Eco-nimbies (refered to in the article as "many local residents") object to city progress in forming a joined committee with GGNRA. As might be expected, "open space" issues are all so much different than other "open space" issues.   

"We are not you", signed Pacifica Open Space

Pacifica Tribune/Jane Northrop, Staff, 5/14/13.  "City Council to revisit Open Space and GGNRA Advisory committees."

City Council declined to form the new committee that would have tied together the GGNRA advisory committee with the Open Space Committee Monday.  The council members heard from many

local residents who objected to the formation of the new committee because they felt it abandoned the mission of the Open Space Committee and Open Space Task Force.

GGNRA has cooties

The council members also agreed to choose another name for the committee, because they agreed with members of the public the name "Natural and Other Areas Advisory Committee" did not adequately describe the 30-year work of the Open Space Committee. The new committee would have provided a structure to work with GGNRA for new land transfers, such as Cattle Hill and Pedro Point Headlands to GGNRA, and would have examined policies about the operation of county parks. After numerous members of the public spoke to urge council to include the work of the Open Space Committee, the council members decided to revisit the formation of this new committee in a way that encompasses the "book" of the Open Space Committee, which takes into account the committee's observations over the last three decades.

City Council also approved a timeline so appointments to all city commissions and committees are spread out throughout the year.  Read article.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

PH1A hit on 1.3 mile highway 1 widening, very NIMBY

Oh sure sitting in traffic is good, wink

Pacifica Tribune, Letters to the Editor, 5/14/13.  Who is PH1A" by Mike Calderaro

"Editor:  Who exactly is PH1A and who do they represent? I know that they don't represent me and I doubt that they represent the majority of citizens and drivers in Pacifica. Their litany of concerns sounds like nothing more than a NIMBY approach to the problem and would not solve the long-term problem of traffic on Highway 1.

With the opening of the Devil's Slide Tunnels, traffic will certainly increase and the solutions of PH1A are insufficient to address this. If the City Council should consider anything, they should view this as an economic opportunity to bring more patrons and business into Pacifica. After all, who wants to come here just to sit in traffic?"

Related -  Fix Pacifica Highway 1 reprint articles.   Note:  photograph from Housewife glamour.com

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Mayor Len Stone "State of the City" address, Saturday, May 18, 2013

Mayor Len Stone

Pacifica Tribune/Barbara Arietta, Correspondent, 5/7/13  "Pacifica Mayor Len Stone delivering 'State of the City Address' at next Democrats' meeting."

"Pacifica Mayor Len Stone will deliver a "State of the City Address" at the next Pacifica-Daly City Democrats breakfast meeting scheduled to be held on Saturday morning, May 18, in the rear banquet room of the Sharp Park Golf Course Restaurant, located at Highway 1 and Sharp Park Blvd.

Stone, elected to the Pacifica City Council in November 2010, has owned and operated a Farmers Insurance and Financial Services brokerage in Pacifica for the past several years. Prior to his tenure on the City Council, he served five years on the Board of the Pacifica Chamber of Commerce. As a native Californian, Stone grew up in Half Moon Bay and attended both Canada and Skyline Colleges. He lives in Pacifica with his wife, Jessica, and their two young children.

Members of the general public are invited to attend the Pacifica-Daly City Democrats breakfast meeting. It is neither necessary to be a club member, nor even a Democrat, to participate. A full breakfast is available for $12; continental breakfast for $6; coffee only for $3. However, no purchase is necessary. Doors open at 9 a.m. Seating is between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. For any questions, or to RSVP, please contact Barbara Arietta, club president, at 415-246-0775 or email barietta@hotmail.com"

Related - Ciity of Pacifica/Cty Council, 2013.  Fix Pacifica reprint articles, Len Stone.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

California 2013-14 fiscal year revenue mixed, budget winner is education

San Francisco Chronicle/Associated Press, Judy Lin, 5/14/13.  "Federal cuts lower California budget outlook."

"SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Despite surging state tax revenue, Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday announced a spending plan for the coming fiscal year that is $1.2 billion lower than he projected in January.

Kids can learn, why can't adults?

....  The forecast for growth of personal income is lower because the federal government did not extend a 2 percent payroll tax reduction. That reduced the projections for personal income growth for the coming year in half, to 2.2 percent.  The governor's budget document says the federal government spending cuts — the so-called sequester — also helped erode the budget projections for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

....   His general fund budget of $96.4 billion still invests heavily in education, thanks to a big haul of state tax revenue.  ....  K-12 spending is projected to rise from $47.3 billion in the 2011-12 fiscal year, Brown's first budget since reclaiming the governor's office, to $66.5 billion in the 2016-17 fiscal year. His budget provides $1,046 more per student in the coming fiscal year." 

....  Brown's budget proposal now goes to the Legislature, which has a June 15 deadline to pass a spending plan."   Read Article.

Note:  Photograph from Education Centers.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Kimco causes another small business closure at Westlake Shopping Center

San Francisco Examiner/Brendan P. Bartholomew, 5/12/13.  "Daly City up in arms about closure of venerable cafe."

Coffee shop rent increased from $4,000 to $10,000 monthly

"When Moon Choi reluctantly closed his Westlake Coffee Shop in Daly City two weeks ago, he expected to have some time to remove his property. So he was shocked the next day to find that Kimco Realty Corp. had not only changed the locks, but also removed a hand-written sign thanking his customers for 30 years of loyalty.  ....

....   In the case of Westlake Coffee Shop, the closure has become a citywide issue. During a recent City Council meeting, Choi’s supporters urged Daly City to intercede on behalf of the beloved coffee shop, which had been told it would have to accept a $10,000-per-month rent increase or relocate.

Kimco officials did not respond to several interview requests. The publicly traded New York firm owns 895 malls, including Daly City’s 280 Metro Center, and Pacifica’s Fairmont and Linda Mar shopping centers."   Read article. 

 Note:  Photograph of Westlake Shopping Center by Joe V. from Yelp.

Related Fix Pacifica article reprints - Kimco Realty Corporation, REIT. 

Submitted by Brendan P. Bartholomew 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Economic Development meeting Tuesday 5/14/13

Economic Development Committee meeting, Tuesday, 5/14/13, 6 PM, Police Station, 2075 Coast Highway.  The public is welcome to attend.    

 Economic Development Committee Agenda, 5/14/13.

Related  -   City of Pacifica Economic Development Committee Agendas and Minutes.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

City council meeting, Monday, 5/13/13

Attend in person, 2212 Beach Boulevard, 2nd floor.  Or, view on local channel 26, also live internet feed, pct26.com.  The meeting begins at 7pm, or shortly there following.  City council updates and archives are available on the City website. 

 City Council Agenda, 5/13/13.

Fix Pacifica  City Council, 5/13/13 agenda article.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Millbrae community leader Nadia Holber passes away

San Mateo County Times/Aaron Kinney, 5/10/13.  "San Mateo County Times, Millbrae Vice Mayor Nadia Holober dies."

Richard and Nadia Holober and their children

Nadia Holober, died 5/8/13, age 54

"MILLBRAE -- Vice Mayor Nadia Holober died Wednesday night after a battle with lung cancer, her family said. She was 54. Holober had a long career of service in Millbrae. She served two terms on the City Council, beginning in 1999, then returned to win a third term in 2009.

Holober's husband, Richard, said the couple met in the early 1980s while working on Democratic political campaigns. Richard Holober, 60, now serves on the San Mateo County Community College District board of directors. 

....  Mayor Gina Papan praised her colleague's commitment to the community.  "Nadia Holober's unflagging spirit of community involvement and support will be greatly missed by all the residents of Millbrae," Papan said in a statement." Read article. 

Related -  The Daily News (San Mateo), 5/11/13.  Note:  The right photograph is from Smart voter, 11/99, when she was first elected to Millbrae city council.  The left photograph is from  Richard Holber.com. 

Posted by Kathy Meeh