WE TURN - The Spectrum Magazine - Redwood City's Monthly ...

As I Was Saying…(Continued from p6)
For instance — The City Council and city manager are working on a plan
to move the proposed new county jail from the downtown location to several
properties by the police station. Why doesn’t anyone question whether we
need a jail at all? Or ask for reimbursement of emergency services that are
needed by Redwood City each time they are used by the county?
For instance — Last month I wrote about the Downtown Business Group
(DBG) not speaking up to the City Council and weighing in on parking fee
increases that will negatively affect their members. I was quickly informed
afterwards that the DBG had not been told by city staff or council members
that there would be any increase. Where is the communication?
Now the DBG is holding a “Downtown Parking Forum” on Wednesday,
Sept. 8, from 6 p.m. till 8 p.m. in the community room at the Main Library on
Middlefield Road. They are encouraging business owners and the community
to come and voice concerns about the parking meters and rate increases that
will be as much as 75 cents per hour. City representatives will be on hand to
answer questions as to why the changes are needed and the rates increased.
OK, I know you are thinking the same thing I am — Why didn’t the city
do something like this before council discussions? It all comes down to
communication, doesn’t it?
I don’t know if it is realistic to expect a City Council to address all these
issues. Heck, they have so many they are working on, it would be mindboggling
for most of us to imagine. It is, however, expected that residents
who serve our community — whether it be as an elected official, city staff,
board or commission member, member of a neighborhood association or, yes,
even a writer or publisher who should be asking questions and informing our
community — should provoke discussion so results can be completed. So
step up and get involved.
Mayor Jeff Ira has announced a call to arms of sorts and asked us all to
step up by volunteering during these financial hard times, and we should do
so. I feel we have a City Council that listens to us, hears our concerns and
reacts. But they have to be told what those concerns are in order to react. We
should take advantage of that because there have been past councils here and
elsewhere that would not listen and continued on their own course until they
retired and then just got others to continue their journeys. While they do so,
the flocks continue to follow.
It is up to the rest of us to step up and not be afraid to voice our opinions
and concerns. Look what is happening with the Saltworks issue. Wouldn’t
it be nice if those involved in that process would just concentrate on another
community issue and try to make a positive difference? I have now put some
of my issues out there. We can watch what happens with those. What about you?
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The candidate list is final and the election is a little more than two months
away, so get ready to hear some campaigning. The main local races that
Redwood City voters will be helping decide include the runoff for county
supervisor between Sequoia Healthcare District President Don Horsley
and political newcomer and Coastside resident April Vargas. Both have
already been out talking to voters and gaining their support and much-needed
contributions.
The Sequoia Healthcare District Board race has seven candidates vying for
three seats. Incumbents Art Faro and Jack Hickey are running. (Horsley is
not running for re-election because he is running for supervisor.) Opposing
them are business owner and Redwood City resident Alpio Barbara, health
care professional Ruth West-Gorrin, retired engineer Frederick Graham,
physician Jerry Shefren and businessman Michael Stogner.
Hickey is running as a slate with Graham and Stogner. They are seeking
to form a majority on the board so they can abolish taxes going to the district
and shut it down. They argue that taxes should not be collected for the district
now that Sequoia Hospital is privately owned.
You might remember Shefren if you think real hard, because he was
elected to the board in 2002. He abandoned his seat after just four months. It
will be hard for him to convince voters of his dedication this time around.
Barbara is a political newcomer, although he is very well known and
respected for his business ethics and community involvement.
So it seems simple. If you want to dissolve the district, vote for Graham,
Hickey and Stogner. If you want to keep the district, vote for Barbara, Faro
and West-Gorrin.
This will be a fascinating race to watch and could prove to be the end of the
district if voters agree with Hickey.
In the race for county treasurer-tax collector the top two vote-getters in
the June primary will face off. They are Deputy Treasurer-Tax Collector
Sandie Arnott (who was the top vote-getter) and Dave Mandelkern,
community college district trustee. Mandelkern is backed heavily by unions
and was in favor of several tax increases during the past six years. It will be a
competitive race.
I will give a more detailed analysis on these races and more in the next two issues.
As I look back on the past six years of publishing The Spectrum, I am
grateful to have had a hand in presenting some of the most fascinating
and inspirational people, businesses and groups in our community. We
really are fortunate to live in such a diverse community that gives so many
opportunities to its residents.
I would like to thank a few people who have made my job much easier.
Judy Buchan — I am glad you are getting back to something you do so
well. Anne Callery — OK, for real! I don’t know what I would do without
you. James Kaspar — your photographs tell a part of our stories that is so
important. James Massey — all your hard work and dedication really makes
us and our community look good. Nicole Minieri — you have really grown
into such a valuable and quality writer; thanks for all your hard work.
Other people who add to the team: Jeff Day, Devin and Gavin Wright
(getting exercise delivering cannot be that bad), Naomi Hunter and Russ
Castle (for the special feature articles), Joe Ercoli, J. Ennis (Jim) Kirkland,
Dale McKee — all of you have been and are valuable to us for what you do.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank the loyal and remarkable
advertisers in our publication. I cannot think of any of them that do not
contribute to our community through nonprofit groups or just by giving their
time or money. They are a part of our team and we hope you will continue to
support them and tell them you like seeing their ads in The Spectrum.
Thanks to all of the above, to our readers and to those whom I will thank
in private. I would never be able to do this without you and I value your
continued support and work.
Let’s keep the ink flowing.
As I was saying…
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