Interest rates will remain low though 2012

News email from Los Angeles Times, 6/20/12.  "Fed extends 'Twist' program to drive rates lower"

Interest rates will stay this small

Not quite this low

"The Federal Reserve is extending a program intended to further lower long-term interest rates, noting hiring has weakened, consumer spending is rising more slowly and the economy needs more support.

The Fed will continue Operation Twist through the end of the year. The Fed has been selling $400 billion in short-term Treasurys since September and buying longer-term Treasurys. It says it will shift another $267 billion through December. The Fed wants to spur more borrowing, spending and growth." 

Updated full story see Los Angeles Times/Business, "Federal Reserve extends Operation Twist until end of 2012," includes embedded Associated Press video of Federal Chairman Ben S. Bernanke's report, 59 seconds.

Kathy Meeh

City Council meeting, Monday June 25, 2012

Attend in person, 2212 Beach Boulevard, 2nd floor.  Or, view on local channel 26, also live internet feed, pct26.com.  The meeting begins at 7pm, or shortly there following.  City Council updates on City website.   Agenda, 6/25/12, 53 pages.

Nicks's restaurant 85 years in business in Pacifica

A.    Closed session - None. 

B.    Open session (7:00 pm)
Consent Calendar (pass through)
1.     Approval of cash disbursements.

2.     Approval of Minutes (meeting of 6/11/12).

3.     Cancellation of August 27, 2012 city council meeting.

4.     Approval of city street light ($33,280.50) and street sweeping ($111,711.60) private services maintenance agreements,  previously approved in with fiscal year (7/1) budget 2012-13.
5.     Approval of consultant services (HF&H) to review Recology of the Coast rate application, annual year 1/1/13 through 12/31/12. Fee estimate to review $39,446 (page 23). 
6.     Approval resolution amending JPA North County Fire Authority (NCFA) agreement updates. The NCFA includes Daly City and Brisbane, agreement pages 24-34.
7.     Sewer collection system capacity improvements Palmetto Mainline upgrade. Sewer mainline line pipe relocation away from water line requires new manholes every 300 feet x 6 (unit price $7,500 each), change order $45,000 (page 35).  
8.     Resolution supporting Measure A Highway 1 San Pedro Creek Bridge Replacement, request for $2 million additional for San Pedro creek widening work, page 39-40. 
Special Presentation - Proclamation:  Nick's Seashore Restaurant 85th year anniversary
Public hearing - None. 
Consideration
9.     San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA) 5/25/12 call for projects, submit application due by 6/29/12:  Highway 1/Calera Parkway (Westport Drive to Fassler Avenue) widening project, (page 37 and 44-51).
10.    Palmetto Avenue utility undergrounding and streetscape project, information update only.  
Adjourn

Posted by Kathy Meeh 

Response to Dan Underhill

Pacifica Tribune letters-to-the-editor, 6/13/12. "Misinformation" by Therese M. Dyer 

Spin award

Facts, fairness trophy not yours

Editor:  This is in response to Dan B.Underhill's letter "Misinformation" accusing the developers of the assisted living project of being behind the Recall. Boy! have you been misinformed. 

 I don't need anyone behind me to decide what I want to do or not do. Let's make it crystal clear that I was for the quarry project and any other project that brings this city revenue. As for being called foolish, I've been called a malcontent by the Mayor himself, half baked by Paul Savin. Wow! how gallant. All men who are afraid taking a stand. You can't imagine how those comments keep me awake at night. Ha, Ha, I have names for you too, but unfortunately they can't be printed.

Bull?  Give bulls a better name than that

As for Ian Butler, he must think he owns Channel 26 (we pay for it through our Comcast bill.) If I'm paying for it then I should be interviewed regarding the recall, not be bias and give all the air time to the Mayor. That is, if you live in a free society. But we don't as Pacifica has become a third world city and that's the reason we should become a Charter City, recommended for cities that are underdeveloped. You left your letter stating saving other subjects for another day. I can hardly wait.

Reference - Dan Underhill, "Get your information from Pete" Pacifica Tribune Letter "Misinformation", 6/6/12. "I keep finding a great deal of misinformation in the letters to the editor. It is hard to know where to start. For a more accurate understanding of the "recall" foolishness, and why the residential developers who are pushing it are wrong", etc.
 
Posted by Kathy Meeh

Our economy is your failed ideology

Pacifica Tribune letters-to-the-editor, 6/13/12.  "Marketing Pacifica" by Bob Hutchinson

I've been to Riptide, its birds not economy

Editor:  Great letter last week from Bill Moore about marketing Pacifica. You nailed it about Sue Digre's tunnel vision concerning her idiotic old assertion that "our environment is our economy."

Our "economy " is our wishful thinking 

Sue's failed ideology has helped dive us to the brink of bankruptcy. With only a $900,000 surplus in our general fund we are one lawsuit away from insolvency. And what does Sue Digre want to do? Continue to block development and much needed property tax income, try to tax Pacifica businesses more and build trails to nowhere. It hasn't worked in over 10 years, Sue. It's time for you to go.

Really, its true

Alternatively, the letter from Dan Underhill titled "Misinformation" seemed more like an autobiography since he's the one giving false facts. Dan said the recall campaign against Sue Digre and Pete DeJarnett is funded by big developers from outside Pacifica. That sound like some of the bull the cigarette makers were pushing on us about Prop 29. Then Dan without giving any real facts, says we should all go to ultra liberal minded John Mayberry's blog (Riptide) for the real "facts." I've been to Riptide. I've never seen so many intolerant, anti-business anti-development people in one place. A real beacon of the truth. Not.

If you want to join our grass roots effort to help save Pacifica from the likes of Sue Digre and Pete Dejarnett contact Therese Dyer theresedyer1932@gmail.com

Reference - Bill Moore, "Marketing our passing through environment"  Pacifica Tribune Letter "Marketing Pacifica", 6/6/12.. And, Dan Underhill, "Get your information from Pete" Pacifica Tribune Letter "Misinformation", 6/6/12. 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Get your information from Pete

In all fairness to Dan, I think this was not his best letter to the editor  (his national political views are usually worth reading).  Ian's interviews on Wavelength programs are consistently good. 

Ian Butler interview with Pete DeJarnatt

Pacifica Tribune letters to the editor, 6/6/12.  "Misinformation" by Dan B. Underhill

"Editor:  I keep finding a great deal of misinformation in the letters to the editor. It is hard to know where to start. For a more accurate understanding of the "recall" foolishness, and why the residential developers who are pushing it are wrong, go to pacificariptide.com and see the discussion sparked by the "Wavelength -- Ian Butler Interviews Movers & Shakers" interview that Ian did with Pete DeJarnatt. Lots of input from several people. It wouldn't fit into one letter to the editor. I think I'll save other subjects for another day."
 


Reference - Ian Butler "Wavelength", channel 26, interview  with Pete DeJarnatt, 5/14/12 (interview #34).

Where did the environmentalists go?

Elephant in the room, the economy?

35 minute interview, a selective recount and important highlights of  Mayor DeJarnatt's 16 years on city council. DeJarnatt talks mainly about all the good he and other city councilmembers did with grant money for the environment (namely Linda Mar Beach and flood plain, city money spent not mentioned).

What was not mentioned was any effort or strategy on the part of  DeJarnatt or that long term city council to improve the deteriorating economic condition of this city.  That is the "big elephant in the room" which was not discussed, along with the reason that Vreeland, Digre and DeJaranatt all deserve to be recalled.

Related - Other "wavelength" channel 26 interviews.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Keeping our coastal development scarce and high cost

There goes our pristine coastal wilderness again.  This time near downtown Half Moon Bay. 

Finding Oak killing spores at the creek

From Half Moon Bay Review/Mark Noack, 6/14/12.  "City OKs 12-home subdivision." 

... "Overriding some public concerns, elected leaders unanimously approved a new subdivision map that could create a 12-home subdivision on land bordering Pilarcitos Creek."   Gibraltar Capital, Inc.(the funding development corporation) with environmental studies completed  "assured the city council that this project is complying with local coastal protections, pointing out that two-thirds of the property would be kept in open space." 

....  "Half Moon Bay resident Jimmy Benjamin, who is currently embroiled in legal action against the city for allegedly ignoring watershed protections, warned that the new housing community would be built directly on a recognized endangered species habitat. He recommended the city consider mitigation measures if it went forward with this development."

Where's the creek?

“This exact area is a location where the San Francisco garter snake, a federal and state endangered species, occurs,” he said, referring to a 2009 biological report. “It really is there; it’s not a maybe. These things don’t go stale.”  Read Article. 

Reference - Wikipedia, Pilarcitos Creek, Half Moon Bay.

Related - top picture with article, .San Francisco Chronicle/Peter Fimrite, 7/24/09, picture by Michael Macor. "How oak death spores survive baffles scientists"  "UC Berkeley researcher Catherine Eyre collects samples along Pilarcitos Creek in San Mateo. The pathogen that causes sudden oak death has been found in waterways after all known sources of the disease have been cleared."  

Related - bottom picture with anouncement -  Coastsider/Jo Chamberlain, 1/19/11, Coastside Land Trust "Habitat restoration day at Pilarcitos Creek, Saturday 1/22/11". "We’ll provide gloves and trash bags. Wear layers and sturdy shoes."

Posted by Kathy Meeh

West Nile virus spray restraint, and a new container mosquito arrives

January, 2012, new regulations that require extra permitting to spray water supplies has "unintended consequences."  Good news so far,  no known cases in San Mateo County.

Look out below Sharp Park

 "Public health experts are bracing for an especially active West Nile virus season resulting from an unusually warm winter combined with a new federal regulation that is hampering efforts to control virus-spreading mosquito populations.

State vector control agencies have identified eight times as many cases of West Nile virus in dead birds and almost 20 times as many cases of the virus in mosquitoes this year compared with last. West Nile has been detected in 15 California counties, including Contra Costa, Solano and Santa Clara in the Bay Area.

.... A bill that would repeal the new regulations is before the U.S. Senate. Environmental groups oppose the bill because they say it would weaken the federal Clean Water Act. But the new regulations may actually lead to more 

pesticide use, said officials with the vector control association."  San Francisco Chronicle/Erin Allday, 6/16/12.  "West Nile virus:  State set for spike in cases."  Read Article.

Asian Tiger mosquito

 "Vector control officials here in the Bay Area are taking steps to halt any northern migration of a pest that has begun showing up in Southern California.  “The Asian Tiger Mosquito is a real game changer,” said Russ Parman, acting director of the Santa Clara County Vector Control District. “That’s because it’s a container breeder – which means it will breed in any container – from a saucer with a quarter inch of water, to potted plants, anything that holds water.” CBS San Francisco, 5 Connect, KCBS News.  "Dangereous Asian mosquito nears the Bay area."  Read Article.  

Related -  San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District.  "In San Mateo County, we pride ourselves on using an integrated mosquito and vector management system. The theory behind an integrated approach is to utilize multiple surveillance tools, take a preventative approach, and use targeted control measures to control mosquitoes in their larval stages."

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Sharp Park to be featured on Golf Central 6/18/12 at 3PM PDT

Sharp Park will be featured Monday June 18, 3PM and 8:30PM in the one hour Golf Central show on The Golf Channel! This show airs today, Monday, June 18 at 3PM PDT (and again at 8:30PM PDT). If you get a chance, check it out, it promises to be good.  It will be re-aired at later times.  We'll be posting further information about re-airs on our Facebook site. Thanks! Save Sharp Park! Donations are greatly appreciated. To donate, please visit our website: Donations Page

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

Planning Commission meeting cancelled tonight, Monday June 18, 2012

This year the entire Planning Commission month of June has been cancelled in celebration of "our environment is our economy".  

"Notice is hereby given that the regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission of June 18, 2012 has been CANCELLED."  City of Pacifica Notice.



Posted by Kathy Meeh

Will America's Cup racing boats scare birds on the bay?

Answer:  YES.  Advisement "free", save $225,000.   No doubt some birds will die.  And do fireworks scare and temporarily displace wildlife, in San Francisco, Pacifica and elsewhere.  Any studies being made about that?  


San Francisco Chronicle/Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross. 6/17/12..  "San Francisco to study birds to keep America's Cup afloat."

"To keep the big America's Cup contest afloat, San Francisco has agreed to spend $150,000 to study whether the racing boats - and their towering sails - will scare birds on the bay.

The study, which will be conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, is part of a settlement of a lawsuit brought by a group that included former Board of Supervisors President Aron Peskin. .

...In addition to spending $150,000 on the bird-disturbance study, the city will come up with $75,000 for another type of bird - the legal eagles who filed the suit and could have tied up the America's Cup for months."  Read Article.

Related - America's Cup, includes 3.43 minute video. The best sailors, the fastest boats."  "The boat is an essential element of the vision for the 34th America’s Cup, which will feature 72-foot catamarans raced on San Francisco Bay in the Finals in 2013."

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Happy Father's Day, Sunday June 17, 2012

Just like me

Funny,  daddy 

Quotes:  "I wish you a day, filled with love, joy, care and fun. I am glad to have you as my father. ....  You taught me how to talk, you even held my hand and made me walk. You filled my mind with knowledge and understanding, that I would never be able to learn if not for you.

....  This day is not special only to me, but to all those people whose lives you have touched with your kindness and generosity. I feel so blessed to have you as my Dad. I love you Daddy." "Father's Day quotes" Apihyayan blog.

Its not easy being a Dad. "Men, the truism went, did not do their share of the grocery shopping or diaper changing. They let women pull the double shift. But several studies show that fathers are now struggling just as much — and sometimes even more — than mothers in trying to fulfill their responsibilities at home and in the office...  

Best daddy ever

High five next!

...  In dual-earner couples, 59 percent of fathers report some level of “work-life conflict,” compared with about 45 percent of women, according to a 2008 report from the Families and Work Institute in New York.  New York Times/Tara Parker Pope, 6/19/10. "Now, Dad Feels as Stressed as Mom."  Read Article.

Related - Wiki How, "How to be a Good Father" eight (8) steps.  History of Father's Day.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Patch report on Pacifica downgrade

Good breakdown on the S&P report from the guest editor of Patch:

 

http://pacifica.patch.com/articles/pacifica-s-credit-rating-downgraded

Submitted by Lionel Emde

Vector Control District Report - accountability

I learned that from their accountant !

Palo Alto Daily News/Bonnie Eslinger, 6/15/12. "Mosquito district should be dissolved and put under San Mateo County's watch, report says.".

The San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District, which became embroiled in an embezzlement scandal last year, should be dissolved and its responsibilities administered by a county department under the board of supervisors' watch, an oversight organization recommended in a report released late Thursday.   

....  The review was launched by the San Mateo County Local Agency Formation Commission in response to concerns raised after the arrest of the district's former finance director and her deputy. Both were charged in December with embezzling $635,000 from the taxpayer-funded district.   

Since we're neighborhood lets be friends

The commission's recommendation does not trigger any action. Dissolving the district would have to be initiated by the commission, the county, the district, the county's cities or "by petition of 10 % of the voters or landowners within District boundaries," the commission's report concludes. The commission board is scheduled to consider the report at its July 16 meeting.  

Why do they always pick on me?

....  The board of supervisors would be the governing body and the district's responsibilities could be administered by a department such as the county's environmental health division, according to the report.   Read Article.

Reference -  SM County Mosquito and Vector Control District Report 6/12/12, pdf,  35 pages.  The follow-up report was required by Government.to "enable legislation and accountability." (page 33).

Related - eHow health "How to treat a mosquito Bite", 11 steps article and 1:21 minute video. 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

US open at the Olympic Club June 14-17

Some Pacifica golfers are currently involved with this event.  This prestigious golf event will also improve Pacifica's economy, (see comment by Chris Porter).

From Daily Mail /Sports, 6/14/12, UK

San Francisco Chronicle/Business Report Bloomberg/Andrew S. Ross, 6/14/12.  "US Open brings millions to Bay Area economy"

"In honor of the U.S. Open, under way at the Olympic Club, this column is devoted to "a key industry contributing to the vitality of California's economy."

First off, according to the United States Golf Association, the week's event will contribute between $140 million and $170 million to the Bay Area economy.

Much of the money will be spent on hotels, restaurants, entertainment and other purchases by the estimated 215,000 to 225,000 spectators at the event. Approximately half of the spectators, who are from outside the Bay Area, will be utilizing up to 70,000 hotel room nights."  Read Article.

 

Reference - History, information.  About.com,  US Open Golf Tournament. "The U.S. Open golf tournament is one of the four golf majors, and it is the one run by the United States Golf Association, one of golf's two governing bodies. It is played every year in June, and is the second major on the golf calender, after The Masters and before the British Open. The U.S. Open has been played since 1895."

Related - Event schedule.   Zap2it blog. "2012 US Open golf TV coverage schedule".."  Also, 2012 U.S. Open golf championship link to link to live coverage. . 

Related - local article request for photos.   Pacifica Tribune/Sports/Horace Hinshaw, 6/12/12. "Are you working US Golf Open at Olympic Club?" "The Pacifica Tribune is interested in publishing pictures of Pacificans at the golf tournament." 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

All San Mateo County votes are counted, certification by July 3, 2012

San Mateo County Journal/Michelle Durand, 6/14/12.  "All ballots counted, car tax wins."

 36.5% County registered voted, 63.50% did not.

....  "The Elections Office must still conduct a 1 percent manual tally and certify the vote before the results become official but all of the ballots have now been counted. 

....  The additional votes also bolstered voter turnout, bringing it up to 36.5 percent with 123,312 ballots cast out of the 337,702-person pool. A presidential primary usually brings in about 56 percent, according to David Tom, deputy assessor-county clerk-recorder.

The Elections Office will begin its 1 percent manual tally of the votes Friday, June 15. The tally confirms that the election was accurate by randomly choosing precincts to double-check. The process, which is open to the public, should take three to four days and the results finalized no later than July 3."   Read Article. 


Reference.-  For current results:  Shape the Future Race Tracker.  Although the count has changed, there has been no pass/fail results changes as shown on the Fix Pacifica article 6/5/12 Election results.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Special - view from the Eiffel Tower, and "European Socialism"

Where there is a humane society, it seems there must be fair amount of social sharing.  Governments are formed to provide protection, shared services, and aid innovation.  Since "European Socialism" is being politically tossed around, here's one city (Paris) in a country (France) that has a wide range of social benefits for its population. Some of you may enjoy the view from the Paris photo link below.

  Paris 360 degrees.

Photograph aerial view of the city from the Eiffel Tower, 360 degrees. Note:  the introductory song quits in about 20 seconds. Use the arrows to manipulate the view. Otherwise the movement of the view travels slowly.  Paris is an old civilized city.

 

Reference - Quick history of Paris, from About.com (New York Times). "Paris has been a thriving metropolis and a center of intellectual and artistic achievement for centuries. The city's roots reach to the 3rd century B.C., and influences as diverse as Celtic, Roman, Scandinavian, and English are woven into the city's rich heritage."  Link to key dates in Paris history and more.

Reference - What is European Socialism?   Able2know.org. "Politicians and bloggers have been throwing around that term quite a bit lately. I've searched briefly for examples and definitions of what exactly is "European-style Socialism" and only find people using the term, not anything that defines the term and points to specific countries and practices in Europe."  Wikipedia definition of socialism, "Socialism  is an economic system characteriised by social ownership of  the means of production and cooperative management of the economy,^[1] and a political philosophy advocating such a system."

Related articles - George Mason University's History News Network/Philip Nord, 7/11/10. "European Socialism isn't as socialist as you might think."  "It would be wrong, moreover, to think of post-World War II Western Europe as socialist-run."  Includes a "Look inside" of Philips Nord's  book:  Frances' New Deal (from the 30's to the postwar area."   Nord is a Rosengarten professor of modern and contemporary history at Princeton University.  New York Times/Steven Erlanger, 9/28/09. "Europe's Socialists suffering even in downturn." "Even in the midst of one of the greatest challenges to capitalism in 75 years, involving a breakdown of the financial system due to “irrational exuberance,” greed and the weakness of regulatory systems, European Socialist parties and their left-wing cousins have not found a compelling response, let alone taken advantage of the right’s failures. ...Voters also punished left-leaning candidates in the summer’s European Parliament elections and trounced French Socialists in 2007. Where the left holds power, as in Spain and Britain, it is under attack. Where it is out, as in France, Italy and now Germany, it is divided and listless."

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Pacifica's credit rating downgraded

 

Hello all,

Pacifica Index is reporting a downgrade in Pacifica's credit rating.

 

http://www.pacificaindex.com/index.html

 

I guess all the happy talk about a balanced budget should be taken with a large pinch of fairy dust.

 

Submitted by Lionel Emde

California plans to utilize reserves to close budget gap

San Francisco Chronicle/Wyatt Buchanan/Marisa Lagos, 6/12/12.  "California budget set to pass legislative panels."

CA Reserves "good to the last drop"

"Lawmakers are expected to approve a framework for a state budget Tuesday, retaining most of Gov. Jerry Brown's plan but significantly reducing his proposed cuts to welfare, child care and other services that help the poor. Instead, lawmakers want to protect the programs in large part by slashing the state's proposed reserve nearly in half.

....  While their plan closely mirrors the proposal offered by Brown in May, numbers outlined by the Assembly call for a far smaller reserve - $614 million compared with the governor's $1 billion."  Read Article.

* Catch word Branding.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Menlo Park - hotel tax increase is almost a no brainer

The June 5, 2012 ballot Measure U did not pass.  The proposed tax would have increased the hotel tax 2% (from 10% to 12%) in unincorporated San Mateo County (primarily affecting San Francisco airport tourists and business travelers).

However, increasing the hotel tax in Menlo Park 2% (from 10% to 12%) might pass.  Why?  Because eight (8) other San Mateo County cities have been successful in passing such a tax. After all, visitors rather than residents pay this tax.  Still best tax deal?  Stay at a convenient location near San Francisco airport, pay 10%, save 2%. 

Menlo Park home of  Facebook

Palo Alto Daily News/Bonnie Eslinger, 6/9/12.  "Menlo Park could be next to seek voter approval of hotel tax increase." 

....  "Mayor Kirsten Keith said she believes the city has a strong case because it has cut some services, reduced pension benefits for new employees and taken other cost-cutting steps in recent years to whittle away budget deficits.

....  Also, a 12 percent tax on room rates is what's being charged in surrounding cities, so Menlo Park isn't likely to lose business from visitors looking for cheaper lodgings elsewhere, she said.  Hotel room rates in Redwood City, Palo Alto, Burlingame, San Mateo, Millbrae, San Bruno, Pacifica and Brisbane all are taxed at 12 percent, according to Augustine."  Read Article.

Reference -  Hotel cost examples:  Expedia, Menlo Park Hotels, (really Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Redwood City.  Or,  Expedia, San Francisco Airport Hotels, (really South San Francisco, Burlingame, Millbrae, San Bruno, Foster City).

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Get to work and convince these people to stay in Pacifica

Hotels between Half moon bay and San Francisco

"Are there any hotels anyone Cannes recommend between the two places? Would prefer it to be by the ocean. Budget is about 300 dollars for either a suite that slepes 5 or 2 double rooms. We travel with three children."

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g28926-i29-k5499686-Hotels_between_Half_moon_bay_and_San_Francisco-California.html#41541959

Posted by Steve Sinai

It's official - Measure Y passes

Measure Y
School Parcel Tax
Jefferson Union High School District
2/3 Approval RequiredPass: 10,937 / 66.9% Yes votes ...... 5,420 / 33.1% No votes
See Also: Index of all Measures

Kalimah just told me that the new count is 67.2%

Thanks to all for your support.

Tom  Minshew (Superintendent of Schools)

Posted by Steve Sinai

Family net worth plummets almost 40%

By Charles Riley @CNNMoney June 11, 2012: 4:07 PM ET NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- The average American family's net worth dropped almost 40% between 2007 and 2010, according to a triennial study released Monday by the Federal Reserve.

http://money.cnn.com/2012/06/11/news/economy/fed-family-net-worth/

 

Submitted by Jim Wagner

Pension reform, its time

"Public-Employee Pensions Face a rollback in California" NPR/Associated Press, 6/9/12.

Stop futzing around, what would Tony do?

For years, companies have been chipping away at workers' pensions. Now, two California cities may help pave the way for governments to follow suit.

Voters in San Diego and San Jose, the nation's eighth- and 10th-largest cities, overwhelmingly approved ballot measures last week to roll back municipal retirement benefits — and not just for future hires but for current employees.

From coast to coast, the pensions of current public employees have long been generally considered untouchable. But now, some politicians are saying those obligations are trumped by the need to provide for the public's health and safety.  Read Article.     

Note:  Jim Alex sent a page of picture choices, all Tony Soprano.


Submitted by Jim Alex

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Reminder - City Council meeting tonight, Monday June 11, 2012

Attend in person, 2212 Beach Boulevard, 2nd floor.  Or, view on local channel 26, also live internet feed, pct26.com.  The meeting begins at 7 PM, or shortly there following.

Fix Pacifica article  City Council Agenda 6/11/12.  Item 10.  Two appeals to the proposed Assisted Living Center project.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Shopping shuttle coming to Pacifica

Measure A public transportation money at work, plus 25% matching city and private monies. Recology of the Coast has already pledged $7,500 annual contribution.  

Is "free" shuttle service one less thing for Tripdvisor commenters to complain about?  Will the shuttle connect to transportation out-of-town?  The benefit to locals without cars is obvious.  Where will hikers that use this shuttle park?  What does Pacifica lose by accepting $7 million Measure A monies to adopting this shuttle service?

Visit destinations, end with dinner

The Daily Journal/Brendan Bartholomew, 6/11/12.  "Shuttlebus for Coastside in the works."

"The city of Pacifica hopes to make itself a more attractive and convenient destination by offering a free weekend shuttlebus service, but plans are temporarily on hold over details of the route.

Shuttle bus, something like this?

 Councilmember Mary Ann Nihart quoted in the article:  "You come to town, check in to a hotel, and you have a parking place at the hotel.  Then somebody tells you there’s a beautiful walking trail that will take you to the fishing pier or the beach or any number of other sites and you go exploring. And then you get tired and you don’t want to walk all the way back to your hotel. Well, this gives you options. If you know there’ll be a free shuttle coming along every hour, you won’t hesitate to set off on those kinds of adventures,” she said. .... The hiking trail and scenic area that’s part of the Devil’s Slide bypass project is another reason the city needs a free weekend shuttle, she said."

.... The planned shuttle bus will be smaller than a full-sized bus, with seating for approximately 20 passengers. One feature that Nihart speaks of with pride is that the shuttle will be fully able to serve disabled residents and visitors."  Read Article.  

Submitted by Jim Alex

 Posted by Kathy Meeh