Barry Jolette - The Spectrum Magazine - Redwood City's Monthly ...

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As I Was Saying… Publisher | Steve Penna I know I made some comments last month about the “beautification” project on El Camino Real between Broadway and Brewster, but let me just say: This is a clear example of government at its worst. Disrupting traffic, practically eliminating foot traffic, decreasing business and sales tax revenues and lessening people’s personal incomes all for the sake of making elected officials feel good about making our “gateway” look beautiful. I don’t know about you, but I feel so much compassion for those businesses affected and losing so much income. It is just so wrong! You would think that maybe some government entity would try to help those businesses with financial compensation or provide some advertising or marketing dollars to encourage us all to use those businesses during this difficult time. But they don’t, so I will. I will admit that I do not frequent any of those businesses on a regular basis and sure do not want to take any dollars out of the pockets of other businesses in our community, but let’s all of us — yes, including you — try to use one of those businesses during the next month to show them our support and encouragement and that we hope they can financially survive this “beautification” and still be around when it is through. Times are hard enough right now for all businesses without having to deal with this “beautification” project and the negative effects. Once the “beautification” is complete, you will see a great big celebration with elected officials and others involved patting each other on the back. Let’s just hope it is not in front of any more empty storefronts. .… Here is a brief update on the races that will affect Redwood City voters in this June’s and November’s elections. The race to fill Ira Ruskin’s 21st District state Assembly seat will have newcomer Josh Becker facing off against political veterans Palo Alto Councilwoman Yoriko Kishimoto and San Mateo County Supervisor Rich Gordon. This will be a great race to watch if Becker runs the campaign he needs to as the outsider and newcomer. Voters are rightfully eating that up right now. The race to fill Gordon’s county supervisor seat will see at least five candidates: former County Sheriff Don Horsley, San Carlos Councilman Matt Grocott, Sequoia Healthcare District www.SpectrumMagazine.net Trustee Jack Hickey and activists Michael Stogner and April Vargas. If no one receives more than 50 percent of the vote in the June primary, a runoff of the top two candidates will be held in November. Another good race. The race to replace retiring county Tax Collector/Treasurer Lee Buffington could potentially be a good one with Richard Guilbault (president of Guilbault Asset Management), Deputy Treasurer/Tax Collector Sandie Arnott, former Burlingame Mayor Joe Galligan and Dave Mandelkern, vice president of the San Mateo County Community College District, all announcing their campaigns for the June 8 election. Sparks are already flying in this race and we haven’t even really begun. When County Clerk/Assessor Warren Slocum announced that he would retire instead of running for re-election, current County Supervisor Mark Church did what every office-hopping politician should do and declared he is running to replace him. Who cares if he will cost the county hundreds of thousands of dollars to hold a special election to then replace him? So far there is no competition against him. Former Redwood City Mayor Ira Ruskin was rumored to be a potential candidate, but that is highly unlikely considering he has his eyes on a Senate seat. Can you say boring? I am not talking about the race; I am talking about the candidate. Stacie Nevares, a former office assistant in the San Mateo County Coroner’s Office, declared she will seek to unseat her former boss, Coroner Robert Foucrault, in the June election. Talk about a candidate who literally knows “where the bodies are buried.” It looks like Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe will have no competition to fill his boss Jim Fox’s seat. Only in San Mateo County could a high office like that go uncontested when most likely there will not be another chance of doing so for some 16 years. It looks like County Sheriff Greg Munks will skate through to another four years in office, as no one is showing any real interest in taking him on. Several important Superior Court judge seats are also up, but, as expected, no one seems to be willing to step up and make a challenge. I have a lot of candid comments and insights into several of these races and can’t wait to share them with you once the candidates have all qualified and started campaigning. .… The San Mateo County Community College District is considering placing a $34 annual parcel tax before voters on the June ballot. If they do, the board of trustees will have to hold a public hearing, and if they do that, it will be on March 10. I don’t care what any consultant or board member says, if this goes before voters in June, it will fail! The district should look at making some across-the-board administrative salary cuts before coming back to taxpayers again and again. .… The recent retirement celebration to honor Corinne Centeno was a fantastic event attended by a who’s who of politicos, citizens and city staff. In attendance were council members Ian Bain, Jeff Gee, Barbara Pierce and John Seybert; former Mayors Dick Claire and Georgi LaBerge; Diane Howard; County Supervisor Rich Gordon; City Manager Peter Ingram and former City Manager Ed Everett; Police Chief Lou Cobarruviaz and former Chief Carlos Bolanos; Fire Chief Jim Skinner; city staff members Bob Bell, Chris Beth, Arnella Bibbs, Chris Cesena, Chu Chang, Karen Chew, Teri Chin, Jill Ekas, Ed Hernandez, Debbie Jones-Thomas, Jane Light, Mike Lynch, Ron Matuszak, Denise Monroe, Brian Ponty, Beth Ross, Bruce Utecht, Pat Webb, Susan Wheeler and Lucas Wilder; community leaders Warren Dale, Maria Diaz-Slocum, Pete and Ginny Hughes, Bonnie Miller, Erin Niemeyer, Tamara Piulle, Bob Slusser, Susan Swope, Paula Uccelli, Donna Vaillancourt, Shawn White, and Alex and Cherlene Wright. It was a great event and a great send-off for an employee and resident who has been such a hardworking part of our community. I have a hunch we have not heard the last of her. Best of luck! .… San Mateo County Manager David S. Boesch recently wrote “an open letter to the San Mateo County community” to several newspapers and media outlets. I still do not understand why he wrote the letter, but let’s just go with it as a gesture from the county to our community about giving. In his letter he stated that “This past year has been a difficult one for many. Unemployment is (continued on page 32)
Get the red carpet treatment Everything you need is here at On Broadway. A full-service branch featuring friendly knowledgeable staff. Validated parking. Convenient late hours and we’re open on Saturdays, too! Come see what all the fuss is about. Get a Free Movie Ticket! When you open your membership at the On Broadway Branch. Broadway St. Theatre District Jefferson Ave. your local hero When you refer a friend or family member to SMCU, 20 lunches will be donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank of San Mateo Co. on broadway • 830 Jefferson Ave • (650) 363-1725 • SMCU.ORG Offer valid while supplies last. You are eligible for membership in SMCU if you live, work, worship, or study in San Mateo County. A one-time, non-refundable membership fee of $10.00 ($1.00 for age 17 and under) is required to join. Federally insured by NCUA. When a referral is made for a new membership and account opening is verified, SMCU will make a contribution to the Second Harvest Food Bank of San Mateo County within 60 days of account opening. Must complete referral card. See branch for details. Every Woman’s Place for Fitness • Classes for all fitness levels • Personal training • Spa services • Friendly, helpful staff 10% Off Personal Training Single sessions or packages Offer good for members and non-members Offer expires 3/31/2010 VIP Pass 5 days FREE! Simply bring in this coupon to get started 650-364-9194 611 Jefferson Ave., Redwood City, CA 94063 www.everywomanhealthclub.com The Spectrum 7
Page 1 and 2: A Little Nerdy Ontiveros Named YOUT
Page 3 and 4: The Spectrum.MAR.2010 Steve Penna O
Page 5: RCSD Corner: News From the Redwood
Page 9 and 10: Celebration Begins As Courthouse Hi
Page 11 and 12: Cultural Events ‘Curtains’ Wood
Page 13 and 14: P.S. The People Speak: Letters to t
Page 15 and 16: Donate Your Vehicle 650-363-2423 Pr
Page 17 and 18: Parties Around Town Chamber of Comm
Page 19 and 20: “San Mateo Credit Union has for m
Page 21 and 22: Community Interest Foust Named to H
Page 23 and 24: Feel Warm During Winter - Shop Redw
Page 25 and 26: News Briefs (Continued) child and g
Page 27 and 28: The Spectrum 27
Page 29 and 30: Vicky Costantini Presents. . . 522
Page 31 and 32: Fundraiser to Keep ‘Danny G’ Da
Page 33 and 34: Insurance Tips: Checking With Your
Page 36: Refreshed... Renewed... Rejuvenated

Barry Jolette - The Spectrum Magazine - Redwood City's Monthly ...

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