Vote for the future of this city

Pacifica Tribune Letters to the Editor, 10/29/14.

"Support for O'Neill, Spano and Ruchames" by Richard Shafer

Vote for city progress candidates

"Editor: On November 4, the election for City Council will be critical to the future of Pacifica. That's why I will be voting for Mike O'Neill, Victor Spano, and Eric Ruchames.

I am basing my vote on experience. Mike O'Neill has served us well as a city councilmember for the past two years, and on the Pacifica School District board for 14 years. He has been extensively involved with local groups including the Pacifica Resource Center, Boys and Girls Club, PTOs, and thePacifica Spindrift Players.

Victor Spano brings a wealth of experience in community and economic development planning and public works management including 20 years of employment in these positions.

Eric Ruchames has served on the Pacifica School District board for 10 years and was a Pacifica police officer for almost 30 years, as well as being a volunteer member of the Pacifica Library Foundation.

These candidates are invested in our city and will strike a balance between the economy and the environment, and move Pacifica in a positive direction. Please join me in voting for Mike O'Neill, Eric Ruchames, and Victor Spano."

Note:  photograph/graphic from "Defend our Future" organization, from the tcktcktck website.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

City Council candidate Victor Spano just wants to fix Pacifica, let's let him do that

Pacifica Tribune Letters to the Editor, 10/29/14.

"Spano's rebuttal" by Victor Spano, Candidate for City Council

"I personally want to set the record straight about a politically motivated letter last week that claimed I was affiliated with one of the many blogs in town. These types of last minute unfounded charges are routine in political campaigns, as voters can see throughout California and the nation. I am not affiliated with any blog. I only seek to make Pacifica a better community for our families." ----------  Oh yeah, more bad politics from the Gang of NO, Riptide follow-up is fair (not), and is true (not) Reference, Fix Pacifica newspaper reprint article - Pacifica Tribune, Letters to the Editor, 10/22/14, "Don't fix Pacifica" by BJ Nathanson. "Editor: Victor Spano's slogan is "Fix Pacifica." It's on his signs and his website. He was even handing out water bottles that said "Fix Pacifica" on them at the Fog Fest. .... It is one thing to be endorsed BY Fix Pacifica, but Victor's campaign appears to be an endorsement OF Fix Pacifica. He will not be getting my vote."  Related,  Fix Pacifica comment - Bob Hutchinson, 10/29/14, 9:43 PM, from "More NIMBY tricks: Riptide smear attempt strikes at mainstream candidates." "Another example of socialist type censorship over on Riptide. I made 3 comments about Ian's statement about Victor being untrue and John didn't post one of them. The last one didn't even mention Ian. I said, 'For the 3rd time, it is not true that Victor threatened to sue BJ for slander.'  I guess they're not big on truth. Hmmm didn't Castro, Lennon and Stalin behave like this? Can we do a story on this? I have dozens of comments that John never posted. He doesn't want me over there fine. He'll lose half his 45 posters.  GO GIANTS!!!!"

Note photograph of Pinocchio by Laura E. Ruberto from the i-italy organization.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Pacifica streets considered "at-risk or poor"

  
Bay City News Service

Bay Area roads have been consistently mediocre for nearly a decade, according to data released

Tuesday by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.

In a survey that graded the 43,000 miles of streets and roads throughout the area, local cities and counties received a grade ranging from 44 to 86 on a 100-point scale.


.......


Numerous area cities have streets that scored below 60, considered at-risk or poor according to the pavement condition index. 

Those cities are Albany, Belmont, Benicia, Berkeley, Calistoga, Cotati, East Palo Alto, Millbrae, Moraga, Orinda, Pacifica, Petaluma, Rio Vista, San Anselmo, San Leandro, Vallejo and unincorporated areas of Marin, Napa and Sonoma counties. 


Read more...

Posted by Steve Sinai

Victor Spano understands technical city "stuff", he gets my vote

 

Pacifica Tribune Letters to the Editor, 10/29/14.

"Why I will vote for Spano for City Council" by Christoffer Anthony

Sewer overcharges to homeowners stink

"Editor:  I had a chance to speak with City Council Candidate Victor Spano this past week, and I was delighted by a number of things. Mainly, he understood very well my main issue of concern, which is the city's incorrect application of the Municipal Code in the annual sewer charge calculation. Specifically, in two out of the last four look-back years (2012-2013, 2010-2011) the city has chosen billing periods of third highest rainfall (2012-2013) and fourth highest rainfall (2010-2011) for use in the sewer charge calculation, and not the "billing period of highest rainfall" as the code directs (Sec. 6-6.407(b)).

This has resulted in significant overcharges to homeowners; since the billing periods chosen were drier and more water was consumed, this has led to higher sewer charges than if the city had properly selected the "billing period of highest rainfall." Several Pacificans have recently protested this incorrect practice in an article and letters to the Tribune, and Candidate Spano has been paying close attention.

He also understands the Proposition 13 implications of the sewer charge, and I expect that his suggestion for the creation of a review board to examine homeowners' concerns about the sewer charge -- and especially to enforce the city's Municipal Code provisions regarding it --- will be an excellent solution. I will gladly vote for Candidate Victor Spano for Pacifica City Council on election day."

Note photograph of South Haven newspaper from Womans Day.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Uh oh, the robots are coming to help, aka: job replacement

May I help you find something?

US  News and World Report/Associated Press/Mae Anderson, Technical Writer, "The robots are coming:  Lowe's enlists customer service bots to help shoppers find items."

....  "Four robots are being tested an Orchard Supply Hardware store owned by Lowe's Companies Inc. in San Jose, California.

The robots dubbed OSHbots look like white columns with two large black screens on either side of them, and wheels to help them move. They are equipped with 3D cameras so they can scan and identify items. And customers can research items they want to buy on their screen. Then the robot can lead them to the aisle where an item is located."  Read more.

Note photograph/image:  BBC/Technololgy/Dave Lee, 7/25/14,  "Cheering robots replace real fans at Korean baseball"  The baseball team image board is from the Hanwha Eagles.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Pacifica Five-O Chief Jim Tasa Retires

October 28, 2014

City of Pacifica Police Chief Jim Tasa Retires; Police Captains to Share Department Leadership through mid-2015

Pacifica, CA:   On Monday, October 27, 2014, the Pacifica City Council praised the accomplishments of Police Chief Jim Tasa in light of his retirement effective Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014. Chief Tasa has served Pacifica for 32 years—the last three as Chief of Police.  During his tenure, Tasa received numerous awards and letters of commendation including Police Officer of the Year in 1992 from the San Mateo Trial Lawyers Association and the Captain’s Award for 1998 from the Police Department.

Council members highlighted Tasa’s integrity, professionalism and leadership over the course of his career.  In recent months, Tasa has lead efforts to share information with Police Chiefs across the County about mental health services available to help law enforcement respond to specific incidents. 

“Chief Tasa’s leadership in the area of increased law enforcement awareness of mental health services in San Mateo County has been outstanding,” said Mayor Mary Ann Nihart. “The fact that even at the end of his long and successful career he is still contributing in such a remarkable way is a testament to his commitment to Pacifica and to our County as a whole.  He will be missed.”

Effective October 31, 2014, Pacifica will have a new Police Chief.   In fact, in the coming months, Pacifica will see two of its own from the Police Department each try on the position. 

First up will be Captain Joe Spanheimer who will carry the mantle from Oct. 30, 2014, through Feb. 28, 2015. Following his term Captain Dan Steidle will serve in the position from March 1, 2015, through June 30, 2015.  Each is interested in the position permanently and the interim assignment gives them a chance to experience the job in a hands-on way. 

Both captains joined the City of Pacifica’s Police Department in 1993 and have risen through the ranks to Captain.  Each holds a Master’s Degree and has participated in a range of special assignments in addition to their regular duties.

Spanheimer served in the US Marine Corps as a Sergeant in an anti-terrorist unit prior to joining the Police Department.  He currently teaches at the Basic Police Academy at the College of San Mateo and serves as the Emergency Manager for the City of Pacifica.

Steidle began his law enforcement career with the City of Pinole as a Reserve Police Officer and then joined the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office as Deputy Sheriff.  During his time with Pacifica, he has been a K-9 handler, served as a traffic RADAR instructor and been a Police Explorer advisor.

Through the two captains, Chief Tasa leaves the Police Department well positioned to continue to meet the community’s needs.

“Having two qualified internal candidates for the position who are interested in taking on a higher level of responsibility for a period of time is wonderful,” said City Manager Lorie Tinfow.  “This arrangement saves the City money this fiscal year and also provides an opportunity for officers in ranks below the captains to gain greater experience in interim roles as well.  I look forward to working with both Captain Spanheimer and Captain Steidle.”

At the conclusion of the interim assignments, Tinfow will likely conduct a recruitment process open to the captains as well as candidates from other agencies.


Lorie Tinfow
City Manager
City of Pacifica
170 Santa Maria Avenue
Pacifica, CA  94044
ltinfow@ci.pacifica.ca.us
650-738-7409

The highway 1 solution is widen the highway

Pacifica Tribune Letters to the Editor, 10/26/14.

"Widen the highway" by Robert Hutchinson

Just another "alternative", from the anti-highway
solution world. This will work, really

"Editor:Beware, some people are trying to scare you into believing the widening of Highway One will not be good for Pacifica.

Here are some of the scare tactics they're using lately:

1. "14 concrete walls." Really? Most of the walls are below highway level and are not even visible.
2 "Creates a Bottleneck." They're failing to take into account the extended and dedicated turn lanes at Vallemar and Fassler that will remove the turning traffic from the actual highway allowing through traffic to flow.

Why don't we talk about the real reason this group is against this project? They feel the widening will induce growth. That's it. That is their real reason. They don't want alternatives. They just want to stop this project and they'll say anything to scare people. And that is why they have come up with one unworkable "alternative" after the other, like an overpass at Vallemar, changing school start times, and timing the lights which have all been shown not to be viable (by experts) including our

Firefighters who say the old highway delays emergency vehicles now. That's fine if you feel you don't want more growth though. But don't try selling fabricated theories on why this is so bad and you have better alternatives.

If you want to see some renditions of the attractive modern highway and read more please visit this Facebook group Pacificans For Highway One Modernization www.facebook.com/groups/FixHighwayOne which already has over 240 members."

Note the photo/graphic of a flying car is from Car humor.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Sharp Park quick hit

Ran across the following blurb regarding Sharp Park Golf Course on SFGate.com. I'm sure Wild Equity's Brent Plater will once again be declaring victory -

To Park Commission President Mark Buell, that’s not just a theory. He’s lived it.

“When I became president, I was given some advice,” he said. “I was told there were four things I would never get accomplished: getting a new vendor at Stow Lake, closing the recycling center at Golden Gate Park, charging a visitors fee at the arboretum, and putting artificial turf at the Beach Chalet soccer fields.”

He might have added saving the Sharp Park Golf Course in Pacifica. That’s timely because on Tuesday the park department plans to announce that the golf course will move ahead with a long-awaited renovation and addition of recycled water, despite years of opposition by environmentalists. 

There's nothing else about Sharp Park, but here's the link to the article.


Posted by Steve Sinai

I'm voting for O'Neill, Spano and Ruchames

I attended one of the City Council candidates forums last month.

Sue Digre spent her time giving excuses for why she hasn't gotten anything done during her time on Council, while John Keener was saying Pacificans need to resign themselves to the idea that nothing will be accomplished in the next four years.

What's the point of paying people to serve on City Council when they say outright that they can't or won't get anything done? It's easy for people to say “No” and let the city's problems fester, but we need people on Council who make an effort to solve problems and move the city forward.  That's why I'm asking people to vote for Mike O'Neill, Victor Spano, and Eric Ruchames.

Steve Sinai

Reminder scary City Council meeting, Monday October 27, 2014

 
Attend in person, 2212 Beach Boulevard, 2nd floor.  Or, view on local television or live feed Pacificcoast.TV, (formerly pct26.com).  If you miss civic meetings, view on  PCT 26 You Tube!  The city council meeting begins at 7 p.m., or shortly there following.  City council updates and archives are available on the  City website.
 
City Council Agenda article, 10/27/14.       City Council Agenda, 10/27/14.   

Note photographs: Trick or Treat from History.com,  Happy Halloween from Designurge.com.

Posted by Kathy Meeh