Fire Assessment Commentary

Our mail-in fire tax ballot came today. It's worded a little funny. The yes box says, "Yes, I support the proposed assessment on my parcel for fire suppression services, including firefighter personnel, equipment and apparatus. while the no box simply states, "No, I oppose the proposed assessment on my parcel for fire suppression services."

I went on-line to see how much our firefighters actually earn because the fire tax ballot mentions it will help pay for personnel. The state controllers web site has the amounts for 2009. Two of our three Battalion Chiefs earned over $257,000 each with more than $120,000 of that in overtime. A Fire Captain earned over $153,000 with over $40,000 of that in overtime. The rest of our firefighters earned over $120,000 on average and that's not including benefits. I can see why given these amounts the city manager wants us to tax ourselves more on behalf of the firefighters. Perhaps a better solution would be pay cuts for our hero's. At least it would show some empathy from the public sector toward us regular schmoes.

The ballot came with a breakdown of who will pay what if you vote yes. If you vote for this parcel tax and are a resident you will be adding $73.17 to your annual property tax bill, you will also be adding the whopping sum of $678.28 to the property taxes of all our local businesses and $41.13 per acre of undeveloped parcels like Dave Colt's acreage on Pedro Point.

I'm voting NO because I think it an unfair tax. The thought that a yes vote will condemn business owners like my favorite mechanic or restaurant to an additional $678.28 a year is just too much to bare, and that friends of mine will pay an extra $41.13 per acre for land that is undeveloped is just plain mean knowing how combative we as a community can be toward development. 

I'm sorry but given the impact on others I live with I can not in good faith vote for this tax. I urge all city employee's from our city manager to our lowest paid hourly contractor to take a 5% pay cut and pay into your own retirement like the rest of os do. We are hurting too and it would be nice if you could show you understand that. A simple 5% wage cut would more than equal the fire tax. What do you say folks? 

Todd McCune Bray

“Obama at Mid-Term: A Report Card”

 


“Obama at Mid-Term:
A Report Card”

The 30th Annual Presidential Symposium
Monday, March 14, 7:30 p.m.105 Stanley Hall, UC Berkeley
  Campus map
Free and open to the public

Halfway through his term, how do we assess the presidency of Barack Obama? How did he deal with the economic and foreign policy dilemmas he inherited? How did his election change the dynamics of both parties? And in the wake of the mid-term elections, how should he seek to lead the country for the remaining two years of his term. Halfway through a historic presidency, a panel of experts puts the Obama Administration under the magnifying glass.

For more information, including registration form, click here.

 

Panelists:
• Claudia Anderson, managing editor, The Weekly Standard
• Daniel J. Balz, national political writer, The Washington Post
• Ann M. O'Leary, executive director, Center on Health, Economic and Family Security, Berkeley Law School
• John J. Pitney, Jr., Roy. P. Crocker Professor of American Politics, Claremont McKenna College

This is the 30th Annual Review of the Presidency sponsored by the Institute of Governmental Studies

Sponsored by Robert T. Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service, part of the Institute of Governmental Studies & Berkeley Extension

Submitted by Marky-Mark Stechbart 

City Council meeting February 28, 2011

City Council meeting agenda 2/28/2011.

Bernie Sifry called yesterday and suggested getting in the habit of reviewing the entire city council meeting agendas (including the detailed summary documents) as they occur. Thanks for that reminder, Bernie!  It takes a little longer to review the entire Agenda, but a much higher level of understanding city issues occurs.  For those who will only focus on selective issues of interest, you're still  ahead.  The 2/28/11 City Council meeting agenda is full of topical city "goodies" this time, particularly closed session, and consideration items 9 (summarized below), all of 7, 8 and 10.  

Closed session. Itemized are 3 lawsuits, and 2 negotiations.  Item 5:  the Emde v. City of Pacifica and Recology of the Coast lawsuit is additionally itemized under Consideration, item #9, because it will be advanced as an approved lawsuit settlement.

Emde v. City of Pacifica and Recology of the Coast approved lawsuit settlement, Consideration, item #9, summary report, pages 22 and 23. "The Agreement makes clear that the City's position is that  Proposition 218  does not apply to these rate increases and fees.  However, the City and Recology have agreed to provide additional notice to ratepayers of any future rate increases.  In addition, the City has agreed to cap the amount of franchise fees at $805,000 per fiscal year through December 31, 2017, eliminate a $10,000 per year contingency fee and limit its AB 939 Fees to $30,000 per fiscal year.  The City will also pay $55,500 to the Plaintiff's attorney as a negotiated sum for attorneys' fees and cost." ...

Fiscal Impact.  "Cap on City's franchise fee revenue until 2017 which could result in reduction in revenue beginning in year 2012 (this could total $350,000 by 2017 assuming a 2% per year increase in the fee); reduction of anticipated contingency fee revenue by $10,000 per fiscal year; one-time payment of $55,500 in attorneys' fees and cost." 

There following, mid-year budget review 2010/11, note item #7, page 18, 19, general fund Franchise Tax loss from solid waste (defined as garbage):  -$332,000. The entire item #7, city income and expense report, pages 16-18, is worth spending some time reviewing. 

-------------------
City council agenda guide. 
Closed session. Items discussed and advanced among city council members and not open to the public until resolve at which time the public is advised, example (above) the Emde v. City of Pacifica and Recology of the Coast lawsuit. 
Consent Calendar.  Items usually passed-through (approved by city council as stated) unless objections occur from the community prior to the meeting, in which case an item may be moved in to Consideration  where the public may speak to the issue, and the same item will be discussed, may be debated by city council prior to approval, modification, delay or rejection. 
Summary Reports. Detailed Agenda items, resolutions and reports (these documents follow the city council agenda). 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Planning Commission Candidate Comment

I decided to remove this particular article because I believe it was submitted under a false name. If Alexis Andersen cares to demonstrate she's a real person, I'll be happy to put it back up.

Your Blogmaster Steve Sinai

Sharp Park Working Group Vision

*** Press Release *** A Vision for Sharp Park Comes into Focus Restoration of Laguna Salada Wetlands Would Help Protect SF Garter Snake and California Red-Legged Frog For Immediate Release February 23, 2011 Contact:          Elton Pon Phone:            415-831-2782 E-Mail:            elton.pon@sfgov.org SAN FRANCISCO - A vision for Sharp Park could balance ecological and recreation objectives, according to findings released this week by a working group of land managers from local and federal agencies including the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Mateo County, the City of Pacifica and the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department. The short-term restoration of the Laguna Salada wetlands at Sharp Park will be the first step in the recovery of the endangered San Francisco garter snake and the threatened California red-legged frog.  Restoration efforts would triple the current amount of habitat available to those species by moving built up sedimentation in the wetland area and by forming a connecting channel to nearby Mori Point by moving the 12th hole of Sharp Park's golf course. Over the long term, Sharp Park will face serious challenges from climate change, expected to cause a rise in sea level between .6 and 2 meters by 2100.  A long-term plan to naturally manage the coastal areas of Sharp Park was found to be the most sustainable and cost-effective approach to creating additional habitat and breeding opportunities for the protected species.  A technical study, followed by development of a range of alternatives to be set forth in an environmental document, will explore viable ways oftransitioning from the current seawall to a more natural beach and lagoon barrier system. Further armoring or heightening of the existing seawall was not recommended to be part of any future plan because it would result in the continued and accelerated erosion of the beachfront. These land management changes are similar to those called for in the recently released Sharp Park report of Wild Equity Institute and the Center for Biological Diversity. The working group noted that with consideration of the needs for sustainable species habitat and the more natural function of a barrier beach and lagoon system, the 18-hole golf course could be redesigned to coexist with viable populations of sensitive species in the long term.  Any long-term solution would need to address periodic flooding of the residential area.    "Our priorities have been to meet the ecological requirements of the species and to maintain golfing as a valued recreational pastime at Sharp Park," said Phil Ginsburg, General Manager of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, which owns and manages the park.   "We also accept the consensus which is forming to naturally manage the coastal areas at Sharp Park over the long term. The working group's findings suggest there is a win for all parties and interests at Sharp which we intend to pursue." Sharp Park is a multiple use facility owned and maintained by the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, located in the City of Pacifica, San Mateo County and within the boundary of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Members of the working group include Dave Holland (San Mateo County Department of Parks); Steve Rhodes (city manager of City of Pacifica); Dawn Kamalanathan (San Francisco Recreation and Park Department Director of Planning and Capital); and senior staff from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.  Amy Meyer, co-chair for People for a Golden Gate National Recreation Area and a former Recreation and Park Commissioner, facilitated the six-month study. The report can be found here: http://sfrecpark.org/documents/SHARPPARKWORKINGGROUPSTATEMENTANDLISTOFFINDINGS.pdf Submitted by both Todd Bray and Richard Harris

Pedestrian killed by suspected drunken driver in Pacifica identified

Bay City News Service Posted: 02/21/2011 11:58:17 AM PST Updated: 02/21/2011 11:58:17 AM PST PACIFICA -- A pedestrian who died after being hit by a suspected drunken driver in Pacifica early Sunday morning has been identified by the San Mateo County coroner's office as 25-year-old Scott Garrigan.  Garrigan, a Pacifica resident, was found dead near Skyline Boulevard and Sharp Park Road at about 1:35 a.m. Sunday. While officers were at the scene investigating the death, a motorist pulled up and admitted to hitting someone walking in the roadway, police said. The driver, San Bruno resident Leopoldo Tobilla, 57, was arrested on suspicion of DUI resulting in death, leaving the scene of a collision that resulted in a fatality, and vehicular manslaughter, police said. He was taken to San Mateo County Jail in Redwood City. Anyone who might have witnessed the crash is asked to contact Pacifica police at (650) 738-7314. Posted by Steve Sinai

“We Are One” - Candlelight Vigil in Solidarity with Wisconsin Workers

What is currently happening in Wisconsin concerning worker's rights is extremely serious, not just for that state, which has a long history of standing for worker's rights, but for all worker's rights throughout our nation. As Wisconsin goes, so might the country...There will be a "Candlelight Vigil in Solidarity With Wisconsin Workers" on Tuesday, February 22nd at 5:30pm in Sacramento, CA. If you have been reading about it in the newspapers, listening to the radio reports or viewing the TV clips and want to know what you can do to voice your support for those workers and their families, please read the following:

Barbara Arietta

Dear Barbara,

Collective bargaining is the heart of organized labor.  It is the right of employees within a bargaining unit to negotiate their contracts with employers through use of a bargaining agent (i.e. their union representative), and has been in practice since the formation of the AFL-CIO in the 1890s.  It is all about an employee's right to secure the best working conditions possible.  This same right is under attack in Wisconsin, with Governor Scott Walker's "budget repair" bill introduced to strip unionized state employees of the majority of their collective bargaining rights.  This sort of attack on public employees is not unique to Wisconsin;

• In Ohio, state senators have introduced a bill to eliminate collective bargaining rights for tens of thousands of workers—including nurses, firefighters and child care workers. But yesterday, more than 5,000 people flooded the Ohio state capitol building.
• In Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana and New Hampshire, CEO-backed groups and legislators are working together to pass laws to lower wages, undermine benefits and weaken workers’ collective bargaining power. But hearing rooms in state capitols are packed—overflowing with workers who demand their legislators stop these bills now.
• And in Florida, the governor is leading a charge to force public employees to pay more into their pensions, while slashing taxes on Big Business. So workers are banding together to make sure they are not told to bear the brunt of an economic collapse that isn’t their fault.

Similar attacks are also occurring locally, with jurisdictions throughout the state launching attacks on the retirement security of their public employees.  The same employees who maintain our neighborhoods, collect our garbage, and answer the phone when we call 911.
For all of the reasons above, the California Labor Federation will be having a candlelight vigil on Tuesday, February 22nd at 5:30pm at our State Capitol.  The vigil will show our solidarity with Wisconsin workers, and with workers throughout the Country that are finding themselves under attack.  Will you join me at this important event?

For more information, or to find an event near you contact kgjertso@aflcio.org or call your local labor council.

We must stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Wisconsin, and with all workers who stand to lose this fundamental right.  I hope to see you Tuesday, and thank you in advance for making this fight a priority.

In solidarity,

Alissa Ko                     Julie Lind

CYD President            CYD Political Director


Submitted by Barbara Arietta

Tax Ballot

Last weeks partial argument by Mayor Nihart supporting property owners further taxing themselves through a simple majority of a mail in ballot tax assessment measure assures us that city staff and employees have taken drastic cuts in pay and now it is our turn, property owners to step up. Step up to what? Out here in the private sector where our labor creates wealth there isn't much room for  extra expenses like further taxing ourselves in order to continue the quality of life of publicly funded employees, be they senior staff or city employees, firemen or police. 

This upcoming mail in ballot measure requires a simple majority of returned ballots to pass. What was missing from Mayor Nihart's article was an explanation that the majority count will be of only these ballots that get returned. If you want to vote against increasing your property taxes you must mail in your NO ballot. Not returning you ballot isn't a no vote, you must physically return your NO vote ballot. Consequently if you want to vote YES you must also return your ballot. Ballots that are not returned are simply not counted at all. and will not affect the measures majority in any way.

Simply put if you are a property owner and you receive a ballot for this tax increase you must return the ballot for it to be counted toward a simply majority whether you are voting No or YES. Currently I'm a NO vote but I'm still open to being convinced otherwise. I hear there will be a community workshop or two to sell this tax increase. They should be fun. 

Todd McCune Bray

Please Come to Jerry Hill's "State of the State" Address at Pacifica Democrats Breakfast Meeting on February 19th

BARBARA ARIETTA
PRESIDENT - PACIFICA DEMOCRATS
415-246- 0775

Following on the heels of January's "State of the City" address by Mayor Nihart, the Pacifica Democrats have now asked that an assessment, of where the State of California now stands and where it is headed, be given to them by Pacifica's Assembly representative.

In response to that request, on Saturday morning, February 19,2011, 19th District Assemblymember Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) will come to Pacifica to give a "State of the State" report to the Pacifica Democrats at their monthly breakfast meeting. The 9:30 a.m. mid-morning meeting will be held in the rear banquet room of the Sharp Park Golf Course Restaurant, Francisco and Sharp Park Blvds, in Pacifica.

Hill, now in his second term representing the 19th Assembly District since his election in November 2008, has proven himself to be a whirlwind of a legislator, having introduced numerous bills to the California State Legislature. In the 2009-2010 legislative session, 20 of his bills passed out of the legislature with 95% of them receiving bi-partisan support, including measures that address government efficiency, consumer protection, the environment and public safety.

Hill chairs the Majority Caucus in the Assembly and is a member of the Assembly Speaker's leadership team, where he is responsible for negotiating key issues and guiding legislative priorities. As a member of the newly formed "Committee on Improving State Government", Hill has been participating in hearings throughout the state, developing reforms that will make government more efficient and transparent.

Chairing the Health and Human Services Budget Subcommittee and the Select Committee on Biotechnology, Hill has tackled some of the most pressing issues facing California including healthcare and economic development. Hill also serves on the Agriculture, Business, Professions and Consumer Protection, Government Organization, Natural Resources, and Public Safety committees.

He has fought to preserve thousands of acres of parks, open space and coastal areas in San Mateo County, while working to set tough limits on air pollution and global warming emissions.

Prior to his election to the Assembly, Hill served 17 years in local government, first as a member of the San Mateo City Council and for 10 years as a San Mateo County Supervisor. As a Supervisor, Hill led the effort to expand health insurance coverage to every child in San Mateo County without raising taxes. He helped foster a healthy local business climate and he helped deliver a balanced budget for San Mateo County with a fair approach of cuts, belt tightening and fee increases where appropriate.

He has served on a number of regional boards including the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the Transbay Terminal Joint Powers Authority, the Caltrain Joint Powers Authority, the San Mateo County Transit District and the San Mateo Medical Center.

Hill,a graduate of UC Berkeley, received his teaching credential from San Francisco State University, and is currently a business owner. Hill and his wife, Sky, reside in San Mateo.

The 19th Assembly District includes the cities of Belmont, Brisbane, Burlingame, Daly City, Foster City, Half Moon Bay, Hillsborough, Millbrae, Pacifica, San Bruno, San Mateo, South San Francisco and parts of unincorporated San Mateo County.

All Pacifica Democrats meetings are open to the public. One does not need to be either a member of the club or a Democrat to attend.Doors open at 9:00 a.m. Seating is between 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Meeting runs from 9:30a.m. - 11:30 a.m. A full breakfast is $12; continental breakfast - $6; coffee only - $3. However, no purchase is required. For further information or to RSVP, please call 415-246-0775 or email: barietta@hotmail.com.

Supervisor Don Horsley announces Coastside Office Hours

‘Donuts with Don’

San Mateo County Supervisor Don Horsley will be holding Coastside office hours in upcoming weeks at various places in the county in order to provide opportunities for constituents to personally discuss their concerns with him.

On Friday, Feb. 25, Supervisor Horsley will be at the Sheriff’s Office substation, 500 California Street, Moss Beach.  The supervisor encourages you to drop by, but if you would like to make an appointment, please contact his staff at (650) 363-4569.

On Friday, March 4, from 10 a.m. until noon, he will be at the Oceana Market, 200 Eureka Square, in Pacifica.  There is a community room on the second floor of the grocery store where Supervisor Horsley will be meeting constituents. 

On Friday, March 11, Supervisor Horsley will be at the Sheriff’s Office substation, 500 California Street, Moss Beach. 

Supervisor Horsley will not be available on Friday, Feb. 18.

Future dates and locations for Supervisor Horsley’s Coastside Office Hours will be announced on a monthly basis.

 

Chris Hunter Chief Legislative Aide
Office of San Mateo County Supervisor Don Horsley

Hall of Justice and Records
400 County Center
Redwood City, CA 94063-1662
Tel. (650) 599-1024

Fax. (650) 363-1856

Needs assessment survey for YOUR future Library

Please participate in completing the survey or attend the 2/17 meeting - we can do this!

County survey introduction:  The San Mateo County Library (SMCL) is leading an effort to understand the community’s current and future needs regarding Library Services in Pacifica. Your participation is very important. Please take a moment to complete this questionnaire. It may take no more than 15 minutes to complete. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/B89NFJ6
Local invitation to attend the community outreach meeting:  "If you are a Pacifica resident... please join us for our Library Needs Assessment on Thursday, Feb 17th at 7:00pm at Ingrid B Lacy School. If you cannot attend PLEASE PLEASE fill out the online survey," Paula Teixeira, Pacifica Libraries Circulation Supervisor. 
Other references
Pacifica Library Foundation.  Outreach meeting notification/ flyer, and benefits of a modern "learning center". 
San Mateo County Libraries.  On-line services, and get a library card if you don't have one.
Pacifica Tribune.  On-line front page library 2/17 needs assessment article (if the electronic Tribune has been updated from 2/9).
 

Submitted by Kathy Meeh

General Plan Development

I attended the General Plan community meeting on January 29th. It reminded me of a Hatfield/McCoy reunion. All the usual suspects were in attendance with all the usual agendas. Build, don’t build. We’ve heard it over and over. It’s time to move past the rhetoric and get down to the brass tacks of the issue. Will Pacifica be an economically viable city in 10 years? Yes or no. It’s that simple. All this talk is nothing more than that, talk.


We were presented with 8 commercial areas with 3 options each. I would like to suggest that we were missing one very obvious option, a no change option. That gives us 32 options for 8 commercial zones. How do we determine which option for which zone.. The number one parameter should be the economic return on that option.

Let’s look at the quarry, probably the biggest bone of contention in this city. The three options present scenarios from full build out to limited development. If we include the no change option (and we know how that is working already), then do a highest and best economic study for each option to determine the financial consequences, good or bad for Pacifica, we’ll have a starting point.

If this town wants no development in the quarry, how is that lost revenue made up elsewhere? Larger development of the Sharp Park sites? More aggressive rezoning of other sites? Each option for each site has important economic impacts that we need to understand will interact with each other either producing negative or positive income streams. If at the end of the exercise the revenue generated from our economic zones won’t support Pacifica, we are partaking is an exercise in futility.


There will always be differing opinions on what is best for Pacifica. This general plan must wrestle with those differences in a rational, objective way. Taxing, borrowing, and scrambling for funds does not have to be our fate. We can insist that a viable, self supporting general plan is the result.


This article was presented as a Pacifica Tribune letter-to-the-editor, titled "Reunion" 02/07/2011.


Submitted by Jim Wagner

Let's all do the Frog Dance!!!!

Let's all do the Frog Dance!!! This video was taken at the WEI offices after the so called "peer review" paper was submitted.

...and tobacco company scientific studies have shown that tobacco is harmless

Another piece of work by Peter Baye, the Center for Biological Diversity's "scientific expert."

Renee Batti, Lionel Emde's better-half, received the following press release from CBD :

For Immediate Release, February 10, 2011

Contact:

Brent Plater, Wild Equity Institute, (415) 572-6989 Jeff Miller, Center for Biological Diversity, (510) 499-9185

First Peer-reviewed Study of Sharp Park:
Removing Golf Course, Creating New Public Park Is Least Costly, Best Option

SAN FRANCISCO— A new report by independent scientists and engineers says that the most cost-effective option for Pacifica’s Sharp Park is to remove the golf course and restore the functions of the original natural ecosystem, which will also provide the most benefit to endangered species. Experts on coastal lagoon ecosystems have prepared the first ever peer-reviewed restoration study for Sharp Park, an 18-month assessment of Laguna Salada and Sanchez Creek. The report makes several key findings:

• Restoring Sharp Park is the cheapest public option, particularly compared to the San Francisco Park Department plan or the option of maintaining the status quo.

• Restoring the natural processes of the lagoon and surrounding wetlands will provide the best flood protection for neighbors against sea-level rise and coastal storm events.

• Removing the golf course to restore habitat to the east of the lagoon is essential for the long-term sustainability of endangered species found on the site.

“This report lays out how we can create a better public park at Sharp Park that everyone can enjoy, while saving taxpayers millions of dollars,” said Brent Plater, director of the Wild Equity Institute. “Restoring Sharp Park is the sensible decision for our pocketbooks and our hiking boots.”

The new restoration alternative would allow beneficial natural processes to reconfigure the Laguna Salada wetlands and beach to a natural dynamic, providing the most benefit to endangered species, protecting the beach from erosion, ensuring resilience and adaptivity for habitat to respond to sea-level rise, and improving flood protection for adjacent residential areas, all with lower long-term costs and maintenance requirements. The authors of the report and peer-reviewers have unparalleled expertise in Bay Area coastal and aquatic ecology and wildlife, hydrology, coastal engineering and ecosystem restoration.

“This is the first credible scientific evaluation of how to revive the Laguna Salada wetlands and nearby habitat for the long-term survival of the San Francisco garter snake and red-legged frog,” said Jeff Miller, a conservation advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity. “It’s clear the best option for Sharp Park in terms of economy, environment and recreation is removing the golf course and restoring a functioning natural ecosystem. Adding the park to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area is the most common-sense approach for wildlife and taxpayers.”

The report findings clear up some common misconceptions put forth by supporters of the golf course and the Park Department, among them:

• Laguna Salada was historically a brackish-fresh water lagoon, not a saline tidal lagoon, and it supported thriving populations of the San Francisco garter snake and California red-legged frog;
• The golf course did not “create” freshwater habitat for the frog and snake;
• The sea wall is not necessary for protecting endangered species habitat or to prevent flooding of neighborhoods; it is, in fact, contributing to flood risk and the unsustainable character of the existing land use.

The new restoration plan is estimated to cost about $5 million over a 50-year time frame. In contrast, the Park Department preferred plan would drain taxpayers of between $12 million and $18 million in short-term costs (including seawall construction) along with hundreds of thousands of dollars per year for infrastructure operations and maintenance, and continuing liability for fines for Endangered Species Act violations.

“The restoration proposed by these experts is the most responsive to modern recreational demands and meets the restoration directive by the city’s board of supervisors,” said Miller. “The Park Department’s 2009 golf enhancement plan would squeeze endangered species between the uninhabitable golf course and the seawall, limiting suitable habitat and forcing freshwater species into the areas most impacted by rising sea levels and salinity. It would also bleed taxpayers indefinitely to pay for expensive and futile infrastructure and cause erosion that would destroy the beach.”

The report was prepared by engineers and aquatic ecologists with expertise in coastal restoration from the consulting firms ESA-PWA and Ecological Studies, along with coastal ecologist Dr. Peter Baye. It was peer-reviewed by experts in historical and coastal ecology at the San Francisco Estuary Institute and San Jose State University.

Read the report and a summary of its key findings and recommendations along with the relevant experience of the report authors and reviewers. For more information on Sharp Park visit the Wild Equity web page.

The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 320,000 members and activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.

The Wild Equity Institute is building a healthy and sustainable global community for people and the plants and animals that accompany us on Earth.

***************************************

Jeff Miller

Conservation Advocate

Center for Biological Diversity

351 California Street, Suite 600

San Francisco, CA 94104

Phone: (415) 436-9682 x303

Fax: (415) 436-9683

Web site: www.biologicaldiversity.org

  

*Blogmaster's note: I've read through parts of the report, and it's merely a rehash of what CBD always says. The report is 213 pages long, and reminded me of papers I used to write in school hoping the teacher would give me credit for quantity over quality. And it was about as convincing as scientific evidence proving Intelligent Design, i.e., not very.

It also looks like the people doing the peer reviewing were friends and colleagues selected by CBD, which makes a mockery of the peer review process. An impartial referee, such as the editor of a scholarly journal, is supposed to decide who does the peer review.

Submitted by Lionel Emde

Charges likely in crash that killed Pacifica man

 By Joshua Melvin

jmelvin@bayareanewsgroup.com

Posted: 02/10/2011 06:00:00 AM PST

Updated: 02/10/2011 06:36:35 PM PST

Criminal charges are likely against a driver involved in a crash that killed a Pacifica man as both drove through an intersection early Thursday morning, police said.

Leonid Stoliarov, who was identified by the San Francisco Medical Examiner's Office, was driving a Toyota north on Arguello Boulevard around 2:15 a.m. when an Audi headed east on Geary Boulevard slammed into him, said San Francisco police Lt. Lyn Tomioka. Stoliarov, 57, died instantly.

Witnesses told police the Audi's driver, whose identity has not been released, was going very fast and blew through several red lights before the collision. Tomioka said the driver was being checked out by doctors late Thursday and had not been arrested.

However, she said criminal charges are likely.

Tomioka said it is unclear what the charges could be, but added authorities are investigating several things, including whether the driver was under the influence and the car's speed.

The intersection of Geary and Arguello was closed until 7 a.m. as investigators worked at the scene.

Contact Joshua Melvin at 650-348-4335.

http://www.mercurynews.com/san-mateo-county/ci_17355500

Posted by Steve Sinai

Nick's Renovation

It may behoove those of us that would like to see some economic activity in this town to attend this important study session. I'm sure it won't be smooth sailing (although, I think it would be short sighted to obstruct this project) and attendance and support will be important tomorrow. I would share this with others interested in the resurgence of our city.

Jim Wagner
 

http://www.cityofpacifica.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=4155

City of Bell, CA, councilmembers looking for less time

The defense against their corruption:  "... they are elected council members not professionals."

Lawyers for six current and former Bell leaders said their clients have rejected plea deals that would have brought them two-year prison terms in exchange for admitting guilt and paying back all the money they allegedly looted from the city treasury. The news emerged Monday as the six defendants -- council members Oscar Hernandez, Teresa Jacobo and George Mirabal, and former council members Luis Artiga, George Cole and Victor Bello -– faced the first day of a preliminary hearing in Los Angeles County Superior Court in the Bell corruption case....

"The case against the council members is going to be lot tougher to make than against a professional like (Robert) Rizzo (City Administrator)," (Dmitry) Gorin (a defense attorney and former deputy district attorney) said. "The council members are not involved in the day-to-day running of City Hall and rely on the staff for advice. What they have done may be reprehensible but their lawyers will argue it was not illegal. They, after all, are elected council members not professionals." Gorin said the prosecutors have to show they knew they were doing something wrong. "Rizzo by contrast had his fingers in every cake," Gorin said. "The case against him is far stronger."  Full story Los Angeles Times, 2/7/11.

The early story:  Bloomberg 7/20/10, and Fox News. 9/21/10.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

A little dated, but...

 

First Look at the Pacifica, California Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market Store, One of the First Opening in Northern California in Early 2011

http://freshneasybuzz.blogspot.com/2010/12/pacifica-look-at-one-of-first-fresh.html

Posted by Steve Sinai

Out of this world - 54 "Goldilocks" planets

Earth size and temperature. Pacificans may live or vacation there one day.

 NASA has discovered 54 new planets that might be habitable to humans, either giving us a planet for vacation homes or an escape plan for the end of the world. The planets are part of a larger discovery by Kepler telescope that includes 1,235 possible planets outside Earth's solar system. Exciting! But...the Christian Science Monitor reports, "The potential finds, which must clear an arduous, detailed confirmation process, still fall short of the ultimate goal, finding an Earth-size planet orbiting a sun-like star at Earth-like distances."  The Village Voice blog 2/4/11.


More articles
Kepler-11. Times Live 2/4/11.
NASA discovered more than 1,200 new planets in the past year. The Washington Post 2/3/11.
68 planets about Earth size, 54 are Earth's size and temperature..potentially habitable.  San Francisco Chronicle 2/3/11.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Good news - 100% adoptable animals placed in 2010

Peninsula Humane Society track record for the 8th consecutive year 
 
Despite a 7 percent increase in animals surrendered to the Peninsula Humane Society in 2010, officials said the shelter was able to place 100 percent of adoptable animals into new homes for the eighth consecutive year. In 2009, an estimated 2,955 pets were surrendered by owners who were no longer willing or able to care for their animals. In 2010, that number grew to 3,162. There were 3,749 animals adopted from the center in 2010, of which 3,077 were dogs and cats. The others were small domestic animals. "The numbers really don't tell the story. The story is in the relationships we form with them" said shelter President Ken White. "They are living sentient beings who add so much to a family, and really ask for very little back."  Full article San Mateo Times 2/4/2011.

Posted by Kathy Meeh
 

Pacifica Historical Society needs your email for local grant

I am a member of the Pacifica Historical Society and I believe it is one of the best organizations here in Pacifica. If you can take a second to shoot an email supporting the Society, please do. And don't be shy about sharing.
Thanks
Jim Wagner

 

The new Fresh & Easy Market will open, in the Pedro Point Shopping Center, on March 9th.

For each new store opening they invite neighbors to nominate a local non-profit organization

to receive a $1000.00 donation.  Based off the nominations received, store employees will select the winning charity.

Please go on line at www.freshandeasy.com/goodneighbor and nominate the Pacifca Historical Society to receive these funds.  Tell them why we deserve these funds in 150 words or less.

We currently are at a "stand still" in the LBC restoration project because of lack of funds

and we really need this donation.  Please ask your relatives, friends, and neighbors to

submit a request in our behalf.  Thanks!

 Kathleen Manning
Manning's Books/Prints Old & Rare
580 M Crespi
Pacifica, Ca 94044
800 879 6277

Foster City proposes to raise TOT tax from 8% to 10%

to avoid dipping into the city $17 million reserves, November 2011 ballot

From The Daily Journal, 2/2/11.  Foster City residents will decide in November whether out-of-town guests at the city’s two hotels should be taxed a little more to help trim the city’s ongoing structural deficit, now approaching $5 million. In the meantime, Foster City’s annual Fourth of July celebration will continue with help from the Lion’s Club and the city’s Arts and Wine Festival and Summer Concert Series will continue with the help of some private partnerships. These events add to the character of the city, Mayor Linda Koelling said. “These special events make us a community. It brings us all together,” she said.

Still, the city’s deficit is growing. In November, Finance Director Steve Toler projected the deficit to be about $3.4 million for fiscal year 2011-12 but the city is realizing less in property tax income than it expected. The council voted 3-2 Monday night to put a measure on the ballot asking voters to approve an increase in the transient occupancy tax by 2 percent, from 8 percent to 10 percent.

Foster City currently has the lowest hotel tax in the county. “This is not a tax on Foster City residents,” Koelling said. “It is a revenue generator.” The council did not ask to increase the tax previously, like other cities did, out of concern for the hotels, Koelling said.  “We are way behind the curve here,” she said. Revenue from the tax could generate about $300,000 a year, she said.

The two no votes were councilmen Rick Wykoff and Charlie Bronitsky. Both say more belt-tightening needs to take place before voters are asked to raise a tax. “I’m a fiscal conservative. I don’t like taxes,” Wykoff said. Since guests to the city have no say in the tax, it is not fair to them, he said. “It is basically taxation without representation,” Wykoff said.  Although Bronitsky said the increase to the hotel tax would not be outrageous, he did not support it because he said the city needs to find cost savings elsewhere. “There are areas and places to reduce expenditures that need to be fully explored,” Bronitsky said. “There has not been sufficient belt-tightening.” The mayor is not interested in making any cuts to the fire or police departments. “I’m not willing to chop from fire or police,” Koelling said, adding that shared services has benefited the city. “Sharing the fire chief with San Mateo has saved us money.” The city intends to have a fully balanced budget by the end of FY 2012-13 without dipping into the its reserves, roughly $17 million. 

Posted by Kathy Meeh