USA Financial Bailout to Banks (TARP) returns 8.2%

Missed the part where monies loaned from the US government to the banks was repaid?

From Bloomberg Financial News, 10/20/2010.  The U.S. government’s bailout of financial firms through the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) provided taxpayers with higher returns than yields paid on 30- year Treasury bonds -- enough money to fund the Securities and Exchange Commission for the next two decades. The government has earned $25.2 billion on its investment of $309 billion in banks and insurance companies, an 8.2 percent return over two years, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. That beat U.S. Treasuries, high-yield savings accounts, money- market funds and certificates of deposit.   Full article.  

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Frank Vella's Letter to the Editor 10/20/2010

Editor:

So Pacificans for Sustainable Development, you know, John Curtis, Nancy Hall, Andrew Leone, Peter Loeb, Dinah Verby, have endorsed Leo Leon for City Council.  Isn't that rich!  The same group that brought us a failed Bio-Diesel Boondoggle, the $150,000 ego project conjured up between Councilman Vreeland, Nancy Hall, and funded with our tax money.  The same group that has championed.......NOTHING!

Well, if that doesn't tell you what you get if you vote for Leon, nothing will.  Expect more radically progressive votes for more of nothing.  More restrictions on our property rights. More raids on our general fund for pet projects.  You know, more of what we've had for the past 12 years.  Personally, I don't think Pacifica will survive a Leo Leon.

Frank Vella
Linda Mar

Submitted as a rebuttal to a letter-to-the-editor from Nancy Hall.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Nancy Hall's Letter to the Editor

Editor:

 

As we Pacifican's enter election season, the usual ruckus ensues with the usual suspects firing comments from their prospective camps, a simple minded Punch and Judy show with business development proponents duking it out with those devoted to environmental protection. Any thinking person understands that we need to invest in both things intelligently and cooperatively, but that would require a leap of evolution we seem slow to make.

 

Example: In last week's paper, Frank Vella's venom against local enviros mentioned the biodiesel project's demise as proof that we greens don't have the answers. Mr Vella doesn't mention that he and his cohorts devoted themselves intensely to the project's failure, spreading crazy talk about giants gas clouds melting the faces off local school children etc, etc. This was at least in part payback for my having devoted myself to not having an entire city built in the Quarry. Back and forth we go.

 

The leap is this: stop waiting for Superman. Stop expecting elected officials to be either super-humans on our behalf or punching bags on which we vent all of our own failure and frustration. We have a culture where we wait for the latest batch of mommies and daddies to solve all the problems while everyone else sits back creating them, and when they fall or don't live up to impossible expectations, we crucify them. Public servants are facilitators of OUR collective dreams for the future, and not solely responsible for them.

 

I recently had a coffee meeting with one  city council candidate. A new face. A business person. We chatted a while, and I listened to concerns and complaints about our finances, "the city," the current council, the lack of a sturdy enough tax base, empty store fronts, the labyrinth that is local licensing and permitting, etc. Then I had to say. "You know, some like to blame our financial woes on environmentalism, but we did the part we, as greens, were wired to do, we've succeeded in making sure that one of this town's primary assets our small green piece of the irreplaceable California Coast-was not paved into oblivion. People's perception of Pacifica has widely improved due to our growing reputation as an unspoiled  authentic community and a great place for many types of outdoor recreation. These folks spend money while they are here, some even end up buying homes. Our improved image and identity is salable,. You guys are the business side of the brain. Let's work some of this stuff out"

 

My question to this candidate was "What have you done in a  positive way to alleviate the things that are frustrating you? Where is your own track record for problem solving?" The answer was that so far the business community has "not been organized" Well, fill some store fronts, find ways to promote locally owned business that keep money right here in town, partner with the greens instead of trying to obliterate us. In other words, stop complaining about what we have done and what you haven't done. Show us your leadership skills if you want to be a leader. We'll follow you if you're going somewhere, but not if you are just complaining about what the "other" side has not done to satisfy you.

 

I am voting for the local candidates I think will not only continue to protect our vital green assets, but work with the business community to help identify unnecessary impediments to developing a more vital, locally owned economy that fills in rather then paves over open land. Those candidates are Jim Vreeland, Leo Leon, and Sue Digre. But regardless of who our council people are, we owe them not only our thanks for their willingness to serve, but our creativity and cooperative spirit lent to collective problem solving.

 

Nancy Hall

Vallemar

 

Submitted by Jim Alex

Tod Schlesinger Letter to the Editor

Editor:

As the 2010 November election fast approaches, it would be remiss on my part not to share the facts regarding the two incumbents up for re-election, they being Jim Vreeland and Sue Digre, and ask the tough questions as well. Julie Lancelle, the third incumbent, decided not to run again and I thank her for that. Another series of Strategic Plans and/or committees and/or studies would have made me want to jump off the bridge(some hope I would and soon!)

So, one down and two to go. Why, you ask, am I so adamantly opposed to the incumbents? A good question. Where to begin?

How bout a little history. Ladies first, so lets tackle, Ms. Digre. Having served two terms (8years), what has she done? With all due respect, nothing. Her mantra of, "our environment is our economy" is either a ruse or she just doesn't understand the basic tenets of fiscal responsibility nor what it takes to successfully run a city(nee Business).

Ms. Digre's constant ramblings make little or no sense and she opposed two viable potential mixed-use projects for the quarry(2002 Trammell Crow and again in 2006 by Don Peebles). Does she not realize that this site has been designed Redevelopment since 1983(27 years ago)? Does Ms. Digre have any specific plan to bring the city of Pacifica out of near bankruptcy and sure financial ruin other then wishful thinking? I haven't seen anything. Have you? So, no reason to believe she will come up with anything now?

Think of voting her out as simply a mandate for Term Limits Initiative currently on the ballot stating 2 terms (8 years) is enough time to implement your agenda (which she never had) and then step aside and give someone else a chance. Enough is Enough.

And no on to Mr. Vreeland. The history here is lengthier since he began his political career. Appointed to the Planning Commission in 1994 followed by elected to the City Council in 1998. A total of 16 years, 12 years (3 terms) on council. His career has been mired in controversy and "doublespeak". One need to only look at his endorsements four years ago by both SAMCAR(San Mateo County Association of Realtors) and the San Mateo County Labor Council as well as the Sierra Club and realize Mr Vreeland had to tell SAMCAR and the Labor Council he favored Measure "L" (Don Peebles' proposal to develop the Quarry) in order to get those endorsements and must have told the Sierra Club he opposed the project in order to get that endorsement. I for one can not trust a politician who values his own political career over the best interests of the constituents he has taken an oath to represent.

This is just the tip of the ice berg. What about the ongoing failure of Mr. Vreeland to comply with the very Building Codes he has taken an oath to uphold? Is this true that work continues at his home without the benefit of proper and current permits? It is my understanding that the required permits are neither in place nor have been signed off on.

Not to mention the fact that the trigger point at the Assessor's Office in Redwood City for the Property Tax Reassessment is the receipt of a signed off permit by the city. No surprise here since this would cost Mr. Vreeland money. Should we all meet at Mr. Vreeland's house and he can give us a walk through to prove nothing is amiss here?

Since this won't happen, I can only suggest we remove Mr Vreeland from office. 16 years is long enough. So, do your civic duty and VOTE this November 2nd. Whether you have never voted before or haven't voted recently, vote this time around. Contrary to popular belief, your vote counts!

Tod Schlesinger
Linda Mar 

Submitted by Jim Alex

Jim Wagner's Letter to the Editor

 

Editor:

 

Council member  Vreeland, has spent 12 years on council, Mayor Digre, 8. What have we seen for that investment?

 

Look around. Streets  dilapidated. Fire & Police layoffs. $15 million deficits. Bloated pensions. Bankruptcy looming. $125 million debt. Stinky sewer plant. Multi-million dollar state fines. We can not afford more of the same. Vreeland, and Digre,  have had their chance, and they squandered it.

 

Next Tuesday think very carefully when you go to vote. Pacifica needs new blood. New Ideas. New Energy. Vreeland and Digre, don't deserve your vote.

 

Vote smart. We deserve better.

 

Jim Wagner

Linda Mar

 

Submitted by Jim Alex

John Horgan: Teensy is not always terrific

 By John Horgan

San Mateo County Times

Posted: 10/28/2010 03:38:38 PM PDT

Updated: 10/28/2010 11:20:35 PM PDT

 

You may have heard the refrain "small is beautiful." 

Sorry, but in today's challenging world, that's not necessarily true.

When it comes to San Mateo County's dizzying array of public entities, tiny isn't always terrific. There is so much duplication along the Peninsula that it doesn't take an Einstein to discern waste in fairly hefty doses.

The numbers don't lie. This region contains 20 cities, 24 school districts and scads of special districts, some so anonymous that few realize they even exist. Those figures don't include the county Office of Education and the county government based in Redwood City.

For decades, these fiefdoms happily went on their merry way without worrying much about saving money. The recession has changed that situation.

Now, there is a concerted effort to combine and consolidate, all with an eye on spending as little as possible in tough times.

If nothing else, the economic downturn has forced public agencies to become frugal.

That's not a bad thing at all. Penny-pinching when it comes to taxpayers' cash ought to be a priority, regardless of our fiscal condition.

In that sense, moves to merge firefighting and police services in a number of communities ought to be welcomed with open arms.

Sharing certain routine operations between public school districts would seem like a no-brainer too.

Fortunately, such efforts are under way. They should be encouraged. More need to occur. And, once in place, let's keep them there.

Someday, perhaps not soon, the economy will turn around, and there will be pressure to jettison some of these long-needed changes. That would be a big mistake.

There doesn't seem to be much chance that full mergers of some small towns or school districts will come about.

So the hamlet of Colma (population 1,600) will not become part of Daly City and the Woodside Elementary School District (one school, 450 students) will remain as a separate academic duchy.

Oh, well, we can't have it all. But what's happening lately is at least a start.

Posted by Steve Sinai

Voter protection-poll watcher volunteers needed for Nevada

Not required to be a lawyer, although it helps. Training provided. You pay your own way. Not for the faint-hearted: you will be opposing some very aggressive and artful voter suppression efforts.

If anyone wants some background on the actual program and what is typically involved, email me at mstechbart@msn.com

http://www.magnetmail.net/actions/email_web_version.cfm?recipient_id=11294764&message_id=1149341&user_id=ATLA

URGENT: 100 Election Protection Volunteers Needed in Nevada October 29, 2010	Dear AAJ Member: As trial lawyers, you know what it means to be an advocate. The stakes are high this election, and your immediate assistance is requested in Nevada to help a stalwart champion of civil justice – Senator Harry Reid. We need 100 of you to sign-up today and ensure no Nevada voter is turned away. We’ve heard the reports about the situation in Nevada. The Angle campaign is already employing voter intimidation techniques aimed at suppressing the Democratic vote. In the state of Nevada, anyone who is listed as a registered voter can cast their ballot. Try and imagine what the future will hold if we don’t have Harry Reid in the Senate. He is a staunch advocate for trial lawyers and the clients they represent, and has fought tirelessly to stop tort reform efforts in the Senate. Don’t let the GOP scare people away from the polls. Be an advocate. Volunteer to be a poll-watcher today. Training starts this weekend and we need to hear from you right now! You can attend training via webinar and report to Nevada on Election Day. Law students and paralegals are encouraged to sign up as well. Email Sam.Kruzel@justice.org or call 202-944-2808 right away!  Linda LipsenChief Executive Officer American Association for Justice Paid for by the American Association for Justice as a communication to its members. 777 6th Street NW Ste 200, Washington, DC 20001. Not authorized by any candidate or committee.

  Submitted by Mark Stechbart

Happy Halloween - "Jack"!

From History.com.  People have been making jack o'lanterns at Halloween for centuries. The practice originated from an Irish myth about a man nicknamed "Stingy Jack." According to the story, Stingy Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him. True to his name, Stingy Jack didn't want to pay for his drink, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to buy their drinks. Once the Devil did so, Jack decided to keep the money and put it into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form. Jack eventually freed the Devil, under the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year and that, should Jack die, he would not claim his soul. The next year, Jack again tricked the Devil into climbing into a tree to pick a piece of fruit. While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree's bark so that the Devil could not come down until the Devil promised Jack not to bother him for ten more years.

Soon after, Jack died. As the legend goes, God would not allow such an unsavory figure into heaven. The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell. He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and has been roaming the Earth with ever since. The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as "Jack of the Lantern," and then, simply "Jack O'Lantern."

In Ireland and Scotland, people began to make their own versions of Jack's lanterns by carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes and placing them into windows or near doors to frighten away Stingy Jack and other wandering evil spirits. In England, large beets are used. Immigrants from these countries brought the jack o'lantern tradition with them when they came to the United States. They soon found that pumpkins, a fruit native to America, make perfect jack o'lanterns.

Other references, or related
Halloween origins and history. History.com (general), Halloween organization (festive), National Geographic video, 3:12 minutes.
Then, again not-so-politically-correct Jeff Dunham comedy video, 10:51 minutes. Shorter version, less offensive, less funny, 1:51 minutes.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Plastic from poop: Two turds with one stone

A Sacramento company has devised a way to turn raw sewage into biodegradable plastic, simultaneously treating the sewage and reducing plastic waste. The process relies largely on bacteria to produce a resin, which is extracted and turned into "plastic." Because municipalities actually pay the company, aptly named Micromidas, to take the sewage off their hands, it expects to turn a profit once its initial investments are paid off.
Fear not! The poop plastic won't be turned into forks or water bottles, but it's good for non-food uses because it tolerates high temperatures and biodegrades in 18 months.

Micromidas was a Clean Tech Open finalist in 2009, and its Chief Technology Officer, Ryan Smith, is a PopTech social innovation fellow.


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/green/detail?entry_id=75630&tsp=1#ixzz13iiaswRU

Submitted by "Poopy King" Jim Alex

Sorry, don't stay in Pacifica

The following was recently posted on the TripAdvisor.com website. Someone from Ottawa, Ontario was looking for an oceanfront hotel near San Francisco:

"Planning a 10 day trip with weekend commitments at either end and looking for an oceanfront hotel/motel for the 5-7 nights in between. Not planning to rent car and realize not swimming weather. Just interested in viewing waves crashing etc and prefer small town setting close to SF that I can walk around in and access to public transit if possible. 

Had thought of Best Western in Pacifica..."

Given that Pacifica has virtually non-existent public transit, and there's very little within walking distance of any Pacifica hotel, the visitor from Ottawa likely won't be staying here.

For years Sue Digre and Jim Vreeland have talked about attracting tourists like this, and it's a great example of why they've failed the city. In their archaic belief that it's EITHER the environment or the economy, Digre and Vreeland have consistently impeded the development of an effective tourism infrastructure, including transportation and shops, because even the smallest project is deemed too environmentally destructive.  It may please their "No Growth" supporters, but their actions have assuredly driven more tourist dollars away from Pacifica than they've attracted.

Both candidates are running away from their records, and given the state of the city, I don't blame them. Sue's new economic development slogan is "Our History is our Economy." She apparently feels that visitors will come to Pacifica because, among other reasons, Monterrey Jack cheese was invented here. Brilliant.

Jim is simply nowhere to be found this campaign season. Knowing that he can't defend his record, he seems to be hoping that name recognition alone will be enough to get him re-elected.

Posted by Steve Sinai

Dogs and Snowy Plovers on Linda Mar Beach

Nov 8th, the city council will vote on how to handle protection of the Snowy Plover on Linda Mar Beach. The open space committee is attempting to get dogs banned for this protection. They are pushing hard. They have already inundated the city council with letters and presentation at council. The parks and rec dept and a sub committee (including POOCH) wants to use signage, fencing (along the walk way), and education. (This approach has been very effective at many places including the Coal Oil Point Beach (http://coaloilpoint.ucnrs.org/SnowyPloverProgram.html).

Dogs are just one of many things that will disturb the Snowy Plover and are just the first of many bans planned: Events, fireworks, too much human traffic etc.

If we do not demonstrate support for this more rational, inclusive method of protection, there is a good chance that dogs may be banned completely from the beach (i don't mean just off leash, I mean not allowed at all or anywhere north of the restrooms).

Please write the city council (( o'connellk@ci.pacifica.ca.us ),- address it to all city council members) and come to the city council meeting Monday, November 8th at 7PM 2212 Beach Boulevard, second floor).

Remember, it is not just us locals that love that beach - (so spread the word to all your neighbors, facebook, email); but it is also many visitors (with dogs)who come to Pacifica because of that beach. If you own a business, or know of folks who own businesses in Pacifica and understand what shutting that beach down to dogs and their owners will mean,,,get them to also participate in the letter writing and speaking at the council meeting.

PLEASE GET FOLKS INVOLVED IN THIS DECISION

Bev Kingsbury
Canine Behaviorist
Pawsitive Thinking
http://www.pawsitivethinking.com/
650-888-4743
Using the S.C.A.L.E. to balance your dog and excel in training.
Read about it: SIT, DOWN, STAY: DOG TRAINING SO EASY A HUMAN CAN DO IT

Submitted by Jim Alex

Pacifica City Council Meeting Agenda 10/25/2010

http://www.cityofpacifica.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=4026

Submitted by Jim Alex

Teamsters sue the City of Pacifica

http://openaccess1.sanmateocourt.org/getpdf/pdftemp/2010102119511611954/A-0000143571-1.pdf

Submitted by Jim Alex
  
More info from Pacific Patch:  http://pacifica.patch.com/articles/contract-negotiations-between-city-and-union-hits-roadblock 

Submitted by Lionel Emde

Blogmaster's note: This is about contract negotiations between the city and its employees.

Why Pacifica’s high schools need you to vote Yes on Measure P.

by Laurie Frater

Many of us who will be voting at this election will remember growing up watching Little House on the Prairie on TV, seeing Laura Ingalls first as a student at Walnut Grove’s one-room school, then as the teacher in that same schoolroom. The community members in Walnut Grove were all mindful of the fact that Mrs. Olsen, owner of the Mercantile, was the single largest source of funds for the school – and were frequently reminded of that by no less than Mrs. Olsen herself.

A lot has changed in the hundred-plus years since Laura Ingalls attended school - not least in the way that schools are funded. Over time, we’ve moved away from schools that were almost exclusively funded by local philanthropists, to those that are funded largely out of property taxes - but with the state providing “equalizing” funds to areas like Pacifica, where property taxes fall far short of meeting the state minimum-funding targets.

That worked reasonably well until a few years ago, when Sacramento managed to dig us into a financial hole so deep that it will continue to cause us problems for years to come. Cuts were inevitable in a downturn, but we’ve now seen year-upon-year state reductions in education funding that have had the hardest impact on schools like ours which depend on state contributions to reach those minimum funding levels. You can only “do more with less” for so long, before the depth of the cuts reaches into classrooms and adversely impacts the education that we’re able to offer our kids. Unfortunately, we’ve passed that stage already, which is why the Jefferson Union High School District voted to place Measure P on the November ballot. 

Measure P is a 4-year, $96/year parcel tax, with an exemption for seniors and an oversight committee. It is similar, in almost every respect, to Measure N, passed by Pacifica voters two years ago, which has been of almost incalculable value in allowing the elementary school district to minimize the cuts it has been forced to make. Measure P is the high school equivalent of the elementary schools’ Measure N.

A few people have asked me why, if the high schools saw this coming, didn’t we use the funds spent on playing fields, pools and new classrooms, instead of asking for additional funds from voters. That’s a fair question, and the simple answer is that the law requires school districts to maintain two separate bank accounts – one for facilities and one for operating expenses – which must never be commingled. The building fund – using funds from the bond measure passed by voters in 2006 - has been used to upgrade campus buildings and facilities, and cannot be used to pay for the books, technology and teachers’ salaries for which Measure P funds will be designated.

We all hope that Sacramento will soon turn the state economy around, returning us to the days of at least adequate funding for the schools in our community, but until the state economy improves, we are faced with a stark choice: Given that school districts must, by law, balance their budgets every year, do we cut programs and teachers at our high schools, limiting our students’ ability to compete in the 21^st century workforce, or do we bypass Sacramento completely and provide a local source of funding (that Sacramento can’t touch) to keep on maintaining and improving our schools, until the state economy recovers? If, like me, you believe that our kids shouldn’t be made to suffer for Sacramento’s mistakes, please join me in voting Yes on Measure P on November 2^nd. Thank you.

Laurie Frater has one child in each of the local school districts, and is a member of the JUHSD (Jefferson Union High School District) Board of Trustees.

San Mateo County Harbor Commissioner Candidates 11/2/10

2 commission seats open, 4 candidates. The Board includes 5 commissioners which serve 4 year terms.


Harbor District Commission Candidates for Pillar Point Harbor (Princeton-by-the-Sea) and Oyster Point Marina (South San Francisco)

1. Robert Bernardo

2. Sabrina Brennan

3. William "Bill" T. Klear

4. James Tucker (incumbent)

Comprehensive candidates forum Montara Fog (video) Harbor District candidate forum 10/6/10.

Half Moon Bay Review newspaper, article 10/20/10. The most pressing problem facing Pillar Point Harbor?  For Tucker it is improving conditions for commercial fishing; for Brennan it’s reducing the harbor’s debt; Klear thinks the harbor needs to be brought into the 21st century; Bernardo said it’s bringing down debt and improving infrastructure. Opinion supports Bill Klear and Robert Bernardo, as do I. 

Posted by Kathy Meeh 

California State Propositions 11/2/10 Made Simple - Not Exactly

For those still considering the State Propositions, here you are....

References:  Smart Voter Directory, Quick read Easy Voter Guide. Or, as much as you want to read at Ballotpedia.  Ballotpedia website and interactive graph below are sometimes overloaded or off line for updating, if so check back. 
 

Type	Title	Subject	Description
CISS	Proposition 19	Marijuana	Legalize and tax marijuana
CICA	Proposition 20	Elections	Congressional district lines to be re-drawn by a committee
CISS	Proposition 21	Taxes	Increase vehicle license fees by $18 a year to fund state parks
CICA	Proposition 22	State spending	State government prohibited from taking designated types of local funds
CISS	Proposition 23	Environment	Suspend AB 32, the "Global Warming Solutions Act" until unemployment falls below 5.5% for a year
CISS	Proposition 24	Taxes	Eliminates three business tax breaks
CICA	Proposition 25	State spending	State budget and budget-related legislation can be passed with a simple majority vote, rather than current 2/3rds requirement
CICA	Proposition 26	Taxes	Voters must give permission before any new taxes can be imposed
CICA	Proposition 27	Elections	Return task of redistricting to the California State Legislature (repealing Prop 11)

Note:  Keep in mind Proposition 20 and 27 are competing propositions.  Vote yes on one, no on the other.  Video from the League of CA Voters.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Letter to the (Tribune) Editor

Dear Editor:

Fed up by the blight, stagnation and "NO business as usual" in Pacifica?  City Council incumbents Vreeland and Digre have had 8--12 years to fix Pacifica's financial mess and have failed miserably.  (If you harbor any doubts about our predicament, see Councilwoman Mary Ann Nihart's "My Turn" opinion column in the 10/13/10 Tribune, in which she concedes: "we face running out of money in 2012.")

Mindful of Einstein's definition of insanity (doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result), I am voting for a change in the composition and direction of Pacifica's City Council this November 2nd.  I am voting for Barbara Arietta, Susan Vellone and Len Stone.

While watching the candidate forums and reading the candidates' answers to the Tribune questionnaires, I have noticed a few common themes.  The incumbents running for re-election are quick to blame the economy as a whole for Pacifica's structural deficit and dire financial straits, even though Pacifica's fiscal crisis pre-dates state and national economic downturns by several years.

I have, also, noticed that, when questioned about the numerous missed opportunities at generating revenue in this town (an empty, scarred rock quarry; a vacant, rubble-strewn old Waste Water Treatment Plant site; Palmetto Street dreams but no money to make those dreams a reality), the incumbents merely shrug and attribute perpetuation of the status quo to the "will of the people."  Bunk.  If Pacifica's City Council had exercised some leadership and not just passively (cowardly?) allowed the distortions, misrepresentations and outright lies to circulate unchallenged, we could have had some world-class projects on their way to fruition.  Granted, the economy may have temporarily stalled such plans, but Pacifica would have been poised to reap economic benefits once overall recovery resumed.

Empty, unfulfilled incumbent promises, misdirected excuses, and repeated failed and misguided leadership (can you say "Biodiesel Boondoggle"--?) have thwarted progress and threatened municipal solvency in this town for far too long.  I believe that Barbara Arietta, Susan Vellone and Len Stone share a new vision for Pacifica which promotes smart growth, progressive, balanced and green business development which would, concurrently, respect, protect and preserve our amazing natural resources and environmental gifts.  I am confident that these three new council members will work creatively, cooperatively and energetically with Ms. Nihart to not just endlessly "meet and confer" about potential revenue-generating schemes, but actually effect the change Pacifica critically needs to remain a vibrant and self-sufficient community.

Connie Menefee
Park Pacifica

Letter to the (Tribune) Editor

To: The Pacifica Tribune Editor

In my opinion this is the most important time in Pacifica’s history. Without new ideas we are going to perish as a city due to our lack of revenue and the real prospect of bankruptcy. We have to be diligent in electing new Council members with fresh ideas. Our incumbents have had many years to succeed in building up this City but have failed. We need Council Members who will treat Pacifica’s money as if it was their own.

We are voting for three Council Members in the November election. Two incumbents are running, Jim Vreeland and Sue Digre. In looking back over their terms in office, in my opinion we are worse off now than we were before. Pacifica is on the verge of bankruptcy and we need new ideas from non-incumbents. The old ideas have not worked.

Mr. Vreeland championed a Bio-Diesel factory planned and owned by a company which was totally under financed and had no prior experience building a plant. This Council approved it. When the project failed, the cost to Pacifica for this fiasco was over $100,000. 

Although running for Council, Mr. Vreeland has missed five Council meetings since January and all seemed to be when crucial votes on important issues were due: March 22, Mega Home Vote; June 14^th, The budget vote (This would be one of the most important issues of the year); August 9^th, Sewer tax increase; September 19^th, Dog Park vote; Oct 11^th, T-Mobil antennae placement issue on Fassler opposed by residents. It seems he does not want to take any questions or make any decisions that could hurt his chances of being reelected. Do we want a politician or a leader?

Since 2002 this Council has added over a 200% increase to the sewer tax. Look at your house tax bill that recently came in and check the amount of your Pacifica Sewer Tax. . My house taxes have a sewer tax that accounts for 64% of the property bill.

Shouldn't the Council person who misses a meeting have to pay back the City a portion of their $1000 monthly salary for each missed meeting? There are additional costs to our City for health care benefits and these should be paid back as well. I would suggest Mr. Vreeland and other Council Members owe the city several thousands of dollars. I will check if any Council Member offers to pay us back.

This election year Mr. Vreeland has also been absent at Public Forums that asked questions of each candidate running for Council so they could express their views of how this city can survive. After 12 years in office maybe he has no ideas.

Now the Council is united in asking for more taxes starting with an increased Transfer Occupancy Tax (TOT) to our hotels. Our hotel owners were never contacted prior to the vote to raise the tax. This is irresponsible since their businesses are directly impacted by the results of the vote. This reminds me of the Council asking for a fire assessment tax six years ago. We voted for it, and then they promptly sent our Fire Department to be led by Daly City and later laid off fire fighters. In my opinion, they knew they were going to do this the entire time they were asking for the assessment, yet did not tell the citizens.

This is just the start of raising taxes. In the June 2011 election they will be proposing to raise taxes again with another Fire Assessment Tax Initiative.

“Tax and Spend” is not the answer to keep Pacifica viable.

A citizen running for a Council position in Pacifica should run because that person wants to be a leader in the community and actually do something that will help the City, the residents, and the businesses in this City. I can think of nothing any incumbent has done to be that leader. Our infrastructure is in disrepair and our costs are out of control. We need new ideas to help fix Pacifica. To vote in incumbents means doing the same failed things with the same failed results.

We have some very well respected people running for Council office who deserve our vote; Sue Vellone, Len Stone, and Barbara Arietta.

Sue Vallone would be my first choice. I have known her to be honorable, driven, intelligent, and worthy of our trust. However all three will watch out for our ecology, our costs, and try to bring desperately needed revenue into this city. Please join me in voting for Sue Vellone, Len Stone, and Barbara Arietta.

Other respected people I am voting for are; Ron Ash for the Water board; and Mike O’Neil and Joan Weideman for the Pacifica School Board. These are well deserving, intelligent, caring, people. Thanks!

Bill Moore

Lipstick on a pig

I love that expression - it always makes me think of Sue Digre (with no offense meant).  So , I imagine that when Sue Digre decided to run for re-election to the city council (oh no, not again!) she rummaged around the basement until she found those old "Vote for Sue Digre" signs and set them up all over the city, but forgot to dust them off and remove the cobwebs, dents and dings.  Such ugly signs!   Despite her noble claim of integrity, etc.,  Councilmember Digre has got to be the most ineffective person, next to Pete deJarnett of course, serving on the city council.  I pray that she is not re-elected.  Its not even funny anymore.

Marian Yap
Visit my blog marianyap.wordpress.com

Ballot measures which affect Pacifica, CA 11/2/2010

Measure M - Vehicle tax for City road improvement.  "...will add $10 to the fees associated with registering a vehicle in the county." The approximate $6.7 million annual fees collected will be split ($3.2 million each) between 1) city road improvement and 2) transportation provided through Caltrain and Sam Trans to seniors and the disabled. The administrative cost is estimated at 5%. Each city will receive $75,000 minimum, plus a pro-rata increase based upon a formula of population and road miles. A simple majority of voters approve or reject, 25 year duration (the current $4 fees will expire late 2012).

Measure P - Jefferson Union High School District tax  to maintain quality.  "$96 parcel tax for 4 years to maintain and improve academic programs including reading, writing, science and math, funding computer technology/vocational training, and retain highly qualified teachers". A 2/3 majority approve, 4 years duration.

Measure R - Pacifica hotel Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) increase from 10% to 12%. City councilmembers support this tax.  Business leaders, the Chamber of Commerce, and 2 former mayors oppose this tax. A simple majority of voters approve or reject. 

Measure U - San Mateo Board of Supervisors Charter amendment to fill vacancies.  Appointment or call a special election (may be mail-in)  within 30 days of a supervisor vacancy. A simple majority of voters approve or reject.

Measure V - Term Limits  for Pacifica City Council.  Council members may serve 2 terms (4 years each, 8 years total).  The exception:  If a council member has served a partial term of 2 years or more, that term is considered a full therm.  The measure is prospective, and therefore does not affect the existing terms of current city council members.  Argument for "getting the job done."

Still confused? Be sure to view the additional references provided:  full text, impartial analysis, argument for and against, rebuttals, use of funding, those who support and oppose, and any other linked information. 

Note:  The ballot Measures above are referenced from Ballotpedia, which includes all 11/2/2010 ballot measures for San Mateo County.  Please be advised I am treasurer for Friends of Good Government (FOGG), the supporting PAC organization for Measure V.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Breakfast of Champions: Louis' Restaurant is Saved!

by Catherine Bigelow:

Here's some fabulous, late Friday afternoon breaking "breakfast" news: Louis Restaurant is saved!!!

We just received a release from the National Park Service announcing that the Golden Gate National Recreation Area has awarded a new, 10-year lease on Louis' to (drumroll, please) the Hontalas Brothers (of Pacifica) whose family has operated the beloved diner perched atop Land's End for the past 73 years.


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/missbigelow/detail?entry_id=74745#ixzz12YqETh3o

*Blogmaster's note - Interesting comment on Pacifica from someone named tueschild61:

"Who cares how long it's been there, why is such a hideous place in such a beautiful setting? Reminds me of Pacifica, ugly and depressing."

Posted by Steve Sinai

Horsley gears up for home stretch

Oct 15, 03:03 PM
By NICHOLAS VON WETTBERG

REDWOOD CITY (Calif.) — With just over two weeks remaining until the Nov. 2 mid-term elections, one political race that is garnering a lot of local attention is for the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors’ District 3 seat.

Two candidates with differing backgrounds of political involvement — former County Sheriff Don Horsley and coastside businesswoman April Vargas — are bidding to succeed termed-out supervisor Richard Gordon, in a race that will be determined through a run-off election and fill the vacant seat on the five-member Board of Supervisors.

While the upcoming election does hold weight because of the influence the Board of Supervisors wields in San Mateo County — as policy makers, they represent a population with over 710,000 constituents and are responsible for overseeing a budget close to $400 million — the race between the two Democrats is centrally localized and bears no connection to a rogue political party as Vargas claimed earlier this week.

Vargas went on record this past Sunday questioning Horsley’s commitment to the Democratic Party, with claims that the GOP-offshoot, the Tea Party, had endorsed her opponent for supervisor, when in actuality their recommendation was to “vote against Vargas.”

Vargas failed to recognize that being endorsed and actually accepting the endorsement are not one and the same, especially since the Horsley campaign immediately called the party’s headquarters on Sept. 30 and “rejected the unsolicited and unwarranted endorsement” from the “My Liberty” group through a mass endorsement on the Tea Party website.

Four days later, on Oct. 4, the Horsley campaign wrote a letter to the party once again rejecting its endorsement, and requested that his name be removed from their website, which was done within 48 hours.

On Oct. 10, Vargas attempted to back up her claims to discredit Horsley by posting a “cached” version of the Tea Party website that was from Oct. 2, instead of using the most current and updated form.

Vargas tried to turn the tables and link Horsley to a new-wave political party that enjoys very little support in a county where the registered voting base is over 50 percent Democratic, yet in the process of her misrepresentation ended up damaging her own credibility.

San Mateo Daily Journal editor in chief Jon Mays said in an Oct. 13 article, titled, ‘Local races get negative, weird,’ that he was “confused” why Vargas went the route of calling out Horsley for an affiliation to a party he chooses not to be associated with, especially since her campaign platform bears more of a resemblance to that of the limited government, low-tax Tea Party movement.

Mays wrote: “After coming in second to Horsley in June and forcing the runoff, Vargas dropped her message of green jobs, concern over sea level rise and finding a way to give loans to residents who can afford installing energy-efficient solar panels and modified her message to one focused on fiscal responsibility — exactly what the Tea Party calls for. And yet she calls the group’s presence a “cause for concern.”’

Horsley on the other hand is committed to many of the issues Vargas feels are now insignificant. He believes the High Speed Rail (HSR) project, which Vargas refused to give an opinion on, could create a number of green jobs, is pro-sea wall in Pacifica and would like to “offer homeowners low-interest or zero loans for solar panels or other energy-saving home
improvements.”

Understandably, there has been no official statement issued by Horsley in reaction to Vargas’ deceptive claims of his association to the Tea Party movement.

Horsley, the County Sheriff from 1993 to 2007 and outgoing president of the Sequoia Health Care District board, is running on a campaign platform that includes innovative leadership, experience working with county officials and within the community, focusing on public safety and health care, as well as finding new ways to shrink the gap in the county budget deficit.

It has been well known for some time now that Horsley, a resident of Emerald City, has been planning to throw his hat into the political ring specifically for the job of supervisor, and has stated on more than one occasion that if elected he has no intention of using the seat as a springboard to advance his political career.

Horsley, whose campaign has been officially endorsed by many elected officials on a local and state level, possesses the type of leadership skills — integrity, passion, intelligence, and imagination — that will be necessary to guide the county’s third district into the next decade.

An area covering 345 square miles — that stretches from Pacifica down much of the coast side to Half Moon Bay and east to San Carlos through Atherton and Woodside ending near Portola Valley — District 3, with its 20 incorporated and 17 unincorporated cities, is a virtual cross-section of every race, ethnicity, and socio-economic class.

Posted by Steve Sinai

Speaker Pro Tem Fiona Ma Invites You to Join Her tomorrow (10/16) at the Pacifica Democrats Breakfast Meeting at Sharp Park Golf Course

 

Barbara Arietta

President - Pacifica Democrats

415-246-0775

 

Speaker Pro Tem, Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, will be the guest speaker at the next Pacifica Democrats monthly breakfast meeting on Saturday, October 16, 2010 in the banquet room of the Sharp Park Golf Course, Francisco and Sharp Park Blvds., off of Hwy 1 in Pacifica.

 

Elected to her second term in November 2008, Ma represents the 12th Assembly District which includes San Francisco, Daly City, Colma and Broadmoor. As the Speaker Pro Tem, she presides over Assembly Floor Sessions and policy deliberations. As presiding officer and member of Speaker Perez' leadership team, Ma guides members through the daily business of the House, responds to parliamentary inquiries, issues rulings on points of order when necessary, and is responsible for guiding legislative priorities. She has authored groundbreaking legislation to protect young children from dangerous chemicals, help California's working families pay the bills, prevent the spread of Hepatitis B, increase access to quality healthcare, provide equal rights for all Californians, and grow the state's economy. She has also been a strong advocate for better neighborhoods, authoring laws to combat graffiti, recycling theft and disabled placard abuse.

 

Ma received her B.S. from the Rochester Institute of Technology (NY), her M.S. in Taxation from Golden Gate University (SF), and an MBA from Pepperdine University (Malibu). She is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in California.

 

Also stopping by to say hello to the Pacifica Democrats  on Saturday mornng will be San Mateo County Treasuer-Tax Collector candidate David Mandelkern.

 

All Pacifica Democrats meetings are open to the general public. A full breakfast is available for $12; continental for $6; coffee for $3. Doors open at 9:00 a.m. Attendees are requested to arrive between 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., so that all guests may be seated by 9:30 a.m. The meeting runs from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. RSVP's are requested for Assemblywoman Ma's appearance. For further information, pleae contact Barbara Arietta, club president, at 415-246-0775 or email: barietta@hotmail.com.

Pacifica Elementary School District Candidates - Meet Mike O'Neill

Text and picture from Pacifica Tribune online 10/14/10.

The Pacifica Tribune sent questionnaires to all four Pacifica School District Board candidates. Their responses are published in their entirety.

1. What is your background, training and experience that qualifies you to manage the affairs of the Pacifica School District.?Please include your occupation and any personal information you would like to share. Why are you running? I am the father of three children who graduated from the Pacifica School District. My children attended and graduated from both Cabrillo and Ingrid B Lacy. I have been a resident of Pacifica for over 25 years. I met my wife, Liz, here in Pacifica, and have worked in the community for many years. I have served the children and citizens of Pacifica for three terms on the Board of Trustees. Prior to my election to the Pacifica (previously the Laguna Salada) School District Board of Trustees, I served on the City of Pacifica Disaster Preparedness and Planning Commissions. I have an interest in and dedication to public service and believe that we should all give back to the community we call home, each in our own way, each to our interest, and each to our abilities. I believe in public education and in what an education can do for each person as well as for our country. I believe that education is what preserves the middle class in America. A good education is a gift that cannot be taken away or returned; it can only be used or passed onto the next generation.The Pacifica Tribune sent questionnaires to all four Pacifica School District Board candidates. Their responses are published in their entirety.

2.  How can we make sure that positions that are eliminated, when brought back, will be filled by those who have lost their jobs in the district?  I would certainly feel that when we have the funds available to rehire those friends and neighbors who have been laid off, those laid off be given preference. The agreements we have in our negotiated contracts would cover the rehiring procedures. I can only hope that we will be able to start rehiring very soon. Our ability to rehire would mean that we have turned the corner economically.

3.  What would you consider unwise parcel tax expenditures?  Commitments that are unsustainable if the parcel tax is not renewed by the voters, and thus we cannot stop the expenditure. I would also consider it unwise for us to make commitments that are more than the estimated amount of funds we receive.

4.  What are the major issues facing the Pacifica School District? The ability to maintain the excellent education that the children of Pacifica are getting at this time. We need to continue the standards which we have promised to the citizens of Pacifica. The people of Pacifica have entrusted us with the most precious asset we have -- our children. The ability of the Pacifica School District to maintain our educational excellence, our staff and our physical buildings is integral to sustaining our program. The idea of doing the same or more with less will be facing our country for several years. Our challenge will be to perform at the level our community has come to expect from the Pacifica School District.

Posted by Kathy Meeh