Chris Sakelarios - The Spectrum Magazine

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As I Was Saying… Publisher | Steve Penna It’s the most wonderful time of this year or any election year! I absolutely get enthralled by elections and more so by the candidates and their campaigns. Even though this election has been low-key, some important decisions will be made on Nov. 8 and I am going to predict right now what voters will say. Let’s start with the Redwood City City Council race, where we have four incumbents — Alicia Aguirre, Ian Bain, Rosanne Foust and Barbara Pierce — facing off against political newcomer Paul McCarthy. In Redwood City and, to be truthful, in all areas, it is hard to beat an incumbent. You need major name recognition, a long history of community involvement, money, money and more money. There is a slim chance that McCarthy would be able to unseat one of the incumbents, but I don’t see it happening. He has gained some momentum, endorsements and support, but not getting his message out to the masses of voters and not issuing a candidate’s statement in the voter guide will definitely hurt his chances regardless of momentum he gains. But he is also the only candidate who is not in favor of the two local tax increases on the ballot. But how do voters know that? What those election watchers will be waiting for on election night is to see in what order the candidates finish. Will the snub from labor groups and emergency services groups bump Pierce from her usual top vote-getter spot? She has firm support in other areas of our community. Have the environmental militants lessened Foust’s popularity? She also has strong support throughout all community neighborhoods. Has Bain gained more support in our community and will not finish fourth? If he has a strong finish, he might be in line for a vice mayor spot. And, maybe most importantly, will a top-ofthe-group finish secure Aguirre to take over as mayor in January 2012? Needless to say, I predict the incumbents will all be re-elected. I will disagree with Mayor Jeff Ira (who called McCarthy’s campaign “sad”) and give huge CONGRATULATIONS to McCarthy for making them all campaign hard for it and giving our community the opportunity to discuss some issues that needed to be discussed. Since when is it not the right of anyone to run for political office if qualified? And who is to say how one should run a campaign? Just because a candidate is not collecting thousands of dollars or spending his own thousands of dollars does not mean he is not serious or is running a “sad” campaign. I guess the voters will determine that. .… www.SpectrumMagazine.net In the Redwood City School District race, incumbents Alisa Greene MacAvoy, Shelly Masur and Dennis McBride are facing competition from parent volunteer Lea Cuniberti-Duran. There are many issues facing the district, some of which are very controversial and important to students and the community and home values. Given that the district’s per-student spending is lower than in neighboring districts, most feel the current board members are doing an adequate job, and those parents who don’t feel that way send their children to private or charter schools. Nobrainer here — all three incumbents will win. .… In the Sequoia Union High School District race, trustees Lorraine Rumley and Olivia Martinez are campaigning against Menlo Park resident Allen Weiner, East Palo Alto resident Larry James Moody and Carrie Du Bois, San Carlos School District trustee. Despite the teachers union’s disapproval of the incumbents, they will both be re-elected and Du Bois will also be elected. .… All three incumbents on the San Mateo County Community College District board — Dave Mandelkern, Patricia Miljanich and Karen Schwarz — are running for re-election but are being challenged by Jaime Diaz, Joe Ross and Michael Stogner. Of the challengers, Ross has raised and spent the most money and has also gained the endorsements of State Assemblyman Rich Gordon, County Supervisor Dave Pine, school district board member Shelly Masur, the San Mateo Community College Federation of Teachers AFT Local 1493 and the San Mateo County Labor Council. I don’t know if he will be able to overcome the obstacles of unseating an incumbent in such a large district. The district is virtually all of San Mateo County and covers all three community colleges: Cañada, San Mateo and Skyline. But given the strength of his campaign, the recent dissatisfaction with decisions made by the current board and the controversy surrounding Measure H, I think he might be able to do it. So I will go way out on a limb and say Ross will unseat one of the incumbents; I just can’t say which one. .… Measure H has the San Mateo County Community College District asking us to pass a $564 million (yes, $564 million) bond. This is not that hard to predict — it should and will fail. It is time for district board members to start doing their jobs and make some hard decisions about cuts to classes or continual salary increases for administrators. As one opponent of the measure stated, “They need to tighten their belts just like anyone else.” .… The political action committee Redwood City Residents to Protect City Services (made up of elected officials and status quo alike), which is in favor of Measures I and M to increase the city’s hotel and business taxes, has run an unimpressive campaign, but predicting the outcome of this is not easy. My gut feeling is that both measures will not pass, but firefighters and union personnel have been walking precincts trying to create awareness and approval. In a low voter-turnout election like this is expected to be, that is so valuable and usually leads to passage. Also, voters are just not that aware of City Council politics and will be voting in trends, and it is not trendy right now to approve taxes at all. Given all that, I will go out on a limb and predict the business license tax increase, Measure M, will fail and the hotel tax, Measure I, will pass. When asked last time, voters rejected the business license tax, and the mood of the voters is not good right now. We are tired of taxes no matter how small the campaigns tell us they will be. Maybe the third time will be a charm? .… Measure K, a charter amendment regarding the sale and purchase of property, is also on the ballot and unfortunately has not gotten more attention. It generally takes away a charter-protected safeguard for residents that property sold is done so to the “highest bidder,” thus creating the most revenues possible for general services. Changing the charter gives our City Council the flexibility to take other “factors” into consideration when selling property. Many feel this might lead to favoritism toward one developer or another and that it will change as the dynamics of the council do. Regardless, this measure will pass just because no one is informed or understands the issue. .… You may remember I told you about the “option 2” on the new downtown parking meters, which gives one the opportunity to add time to an existing meter payment without having to pay again for time that has already been paid for but not used up yet. This option proved very popular with seniors, young teen drivers and those who do not use credit cards frequently. It’s fast, easy and convenient and if someone leaves time on the meter, the one coming in after can benefit from the time remaining. Why should we pay for the same service twice? I was a bit surprised when I got a few messages (continues on page 33)
Nonprofits in the News Redwood City Woman’s Club Clubhouse Centennial Celebration Sunday, Oct. 23, 2–4 p.m. Clockwise from center left: Georgia Jack gives a Woman’s Club history lesson. Club President Sally Newman cuts the cake. Councilwomen Rosanne Foust and Barbara Pierce pose with former Mayor Jim Hartnett. The Redwood City Woman’s Club, established in 1909 and a member of the California and General Federations of Women’s Clubs, meets at its historic clubhouse, built in 1911, at 149 Clinton St. the first Thursday of each month from September through June. Typical agenda: social at 11:30 a.m., lunch at 12 p.m., followed by meeting and program. Guests and new members are always welcome. For more information about membership or clubhouse rentals, call 650-363-1266, email info@rwcwc.com or visit www.rwcwc.com. Tim Griffith Foundation Gala It’s not too late to register for the seventh annual Tim Griffith Foundation Gala, A Warm Winter’s Eve. Please join us! Where: Elks Lodge, 229 W. 20th Ave., San Mateo, 650-345-4886 When: Saturday, Nov. 12 Times: 4:00 croquet (optional), 5:30 champagne reception and silent auction, 7:30 three-course seated dinner, 8:45 live auction and Fund-A-Need Donations to: Tim Griffith Foundation, 570 El Camino Real #150-427, Redwood City, CA 94063 Note: Carpooling will be provided to the croquet tournament. Please meet at the Elks Lodge at 3:45. Or just come for the evening! Charter Auxiliary for Children Charter Auxiliary for Children raises money for Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital through big monthly rummage sales at its facility at 1228 Douglas Ave. in Redwood City. All items are donated; all staff are volunteers. The group’s first sale in the Redwood City facility was in October 2010. The sales are on the third Friday of each month from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and the Saturday following that from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., except in December when the sale is held the first weekend of the month. In December the group has an Annual Holiday Boutique & Rummage Sale at which they have a large selection of holiday merchandise as well as items from their regular stock of collectibles, antiques, silver, crystal, china, jewelry, art, toys, books, clothing for the entire family, shoes, linens, kitchen items and more. The Spectrum 7
Page 1 and 2: Chris Sakelarios A “do-gooder”
Page 3 and 4: The Spectrum.NOV.2011 Table of Cont
Page 5: RCSD Corner: News From the Redwood
Page 9 and 10: SKATING TIS THE SEASON The Spectrum
Page 11 and 12: during their quest for a safe place
Page 13 and 14: P.S. The People Speak: Letters to t
Page 15 and 16: Community Interest Sequoia Hospital
Page 17 and 18: The Spectrum 17
Page 19 and 20: imbalances and causes of pain just
Page 21 and 22: 6 5 0 368-2660 Corrin Rankin 234 Ma
Page 23 and 24: Insurance Tips: Six Ways to Save Mo
Page 25 and 26: City Announces Winners of Mayor’s
Page 27 and 28: Gift cards available NOW! Presents
Page 29 and 30: ! Neighborhoood Toy Store Day Satur
Page 31 and 32: Real Estate: Michelle Glaubert at C
Page 33 and 34: As I Was Saying… (Continued from
Page 35 and 36: The Spectrum 35

Chris Sakelarios - The Spectrum Magazine

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