Comments by Brian Ginna

David Gorn resigns from HMB City Council

Ms. Zich,

I trust you mistakenly assumed that I “recommended” anything and did not try to put words in my mouth.  I merely questioned why a vote did not take place at the time.  Of course, it was a rhetorical question the motion to appoint was put forth by the person formerly in control.

Should they appoint someone in the “McCausland/Gorn mold?” Based on the law of averages, I guess they would indeed get someone who would probably only be able to serve for the year and 1/2 left on the term.

“Are there leaders among the elected councilmembers?” Yes, and it would behove them to pick someone who can represent the community as a whole, not just the part that you feel needs representation.

I’ll just pick two events from Mr. Gorn’s term which conveniently overlapped with Ms. Taylor’s term.  Let’s see if they represent the city as a whole:

1. 144 Kelly “conservation”

2. $3MM credit card purchase for parkland

In a city with more open space than it knows what to do with (or, better yet, what NOT to do with), why was that roughly $3.5MM spent without regard to public opinion?

David Gorn resigns from HMB City Council

Dana,

“...but I certainly hope we get some solid representation via an election and not any heavy handed appointments.”

You do realize that Mr. Gorn was appointed, right?

Taken from the March 28, 2005 Council minutes:

A motion was made by Councilmember Ferreira to adopt the resolution appointing David Gorn as a
Councilmember to serve for the remainder of former Councilmember McCausland’s term. The motion
was seconded by Councilmember Taylor and upon a voice vote, the motion carried by a vote of 3-1,
with Councilmember Fraser voting no

The third vote FOR was Grady.  How does that not fall under the category of “heavy-handed?” Why wasn’t there a vote that time?

I thank Mr. Gorn for his efforts in support of Measure S and truly hope that he continues to “work toward helping the schools, finding a permanent home for the Boys and Girls Club, parks, trails, and open space and other community projects.”

Coastal Commission alerts HMB to problems with Foothill Bypass

“Mark knows a lot about coastal issues and the Coastal Commission in particular.  He’s also got a great fund of knowledge about what has worked and not worked in other coastal communities.”

probably more than I may ever know (or care to).

“I’d like to see more contributions from him on the site. I think we’d all learn something.”

I do not doubt it for a second.  Do I want him to sugarcoat anything? No.  Do I want to see him do hit-and-run posts abusing people and projects?  Not particularly, especially when he abuses people who did not vote for a particular candidate.  I do not think that is going to help us save us from ourselves.  I do not want to label him, but that seems to be his mission, whether we asked him to or not.

Measure S loses with 61% of the vote

Mr. Johnson,

At least you are somewhat gracious in your “win.”

You have made obvious hints at it, but now you show your true colors.  Your efforts were not about kids or teachers, but about Mr. Gardner.  You (and others) allowed a personal dislike for school board members (Mr. Gardner in particular) to saturate (infect?) your opinions about how a school district should be run.

For that, you should be ashamed.  You seem to delight in the fact that it didn’t cost you anything out of pocket.  It will, just going to take some time.

For you, and seemingly Mr. Pettengill, it was truly a referendum on the school board, the school system and the personalities involved.  You don’t seem to be anti-tax.  That is why I referenced “holding them hostage.” Taxpayers lose a bit (eventually), teachers lose a little, kids lost big time.

Thanks, buddy, you win.  If “your” alternative makes it to ballot, chances are I would vote for it, giving you two wins in one year.  Good luck.

PS Mr. Falcone - you could have just donated the money, felt good about it and left it at that.  I am not sure what you gain by publicizing your gesture.  If you donated $20,000 and wanted to challenge people, recognition would be in order.

Albertsons closing in HMB

Not a big surprise at all.

Trader Joe’s, please.

Big Wave project gets its first public hearing

no, that would be trying to change my point.

I find it particularly disturbing that someone would poke fun at it by referring to “ferris wheels, etc” instead of simply dismissing it for its faults (and there may be many).  We both know that many of the “adults” never rise above the level of children, both mentally and physically.

I am just surprised he didn’t say anything about helmets.

Big Wave project gets its first public hearing

The casual reader should note the rather snide comments above from Mark Massara and consider this.  Mr. Massara is an employee of The Sierra Club.

I truly doubt The Sierra Club has a policy of going around and publically disparaging projects involving developmentally disabled children.  Have you donated to them?  Did you expect them to be running around with this kind of attitude?  Forget for a moment that “developer” types are involved (although Mr. Massara will not).  Would you not rather have people trying to find solutions rather than making these kind of remarks?

Perhaps next time you open the mailbox and see yet another mailer from The Sierra Club looking for $$ to support Mr. Massara’s comedy routine, you’ll consider some alternatives that have far less administrative bloat and considerably more effectiveness.  Two of my favorites:

http://www.sempervirens.org/

http://www.easternsierralandtrust.org/

They fight the good fight, but they do it honestly and they don’t have to resort to this type of nonsense.

SamTrans hasn’t addressed Coastside concerns

“ If the BoS has ever seriously discussed the limits to coastside growth, I haven’t heard it.” Nor have they discussed doubling population.  You infer from the LCP update that the “buildout numbers” double the population.  They do not.

Step back into reality, and you see the impossible.  That kind of construction is NOT going to happen.  Utterly impossible.  Market cannot bear it.  Assuming 3% average over 24 years does not reflect normal economic cycles and is completely bogus.  Next…

SamTrans hasn’t addressed Coastside concerns

“...an LCP update that will more than double the population of the midcoast.”

double the population?  It doesn’t do that.  It provides a plan for how to deal with possible growth.

“...if Hwy 92 became a four-lane freeway...”

it is already...in San Mateo, Foster City, & Hayward.  I do not see any plans in place to make it four lanes other than from SR1 to Hilltop (less than 1 mile?), so what is this assumption based on?

Neither the BoS or ANYONE is looking for a doubling of population or superhighways.  Pure rhetoric.

SamTrans hasn’t addressed Coastside concerns

“...alternative to paving the coast with a tangle of superhighways.”

Who is planning that?

Video: Measure S debate at MCC

Please vote YES on S!

I have no problem with demanding accountability.  I DO have a problem with holding a struggling school district hostage.

Caltrans seeking consensus, not approval, from HMB on traffic light

I decided to do a quick traffic study this morning since I had a little extra time.

At 7AM this morning, there were five (5, cinqo) cars heading eastbound on 92 between roughly Hwy 1 and Hilltop.  I’d guess average speed was 32 mph.

Yes, I know it is a Friday on a holiday week.

Is there a timeline for removing the unused lights?  Should I email Mr. Keyhan Moghbel for an update?

Letter: It’s time to conserve water and save money

Ms. Freer,

I agree with you 100% that conservation education (both water AND energy) should be a priority.  What I do not agree with is your attempt to essentially legislate yet another requirement on homeowners.  Obviously, this disagreement stems from a fundamental difference in opinion on the role of government.

Perhaps your time/efforts would be better spent on spreading the word on how people can best educate themselves, avail themselves of rebates for things like old toilets and find more resources on landscape planning.

Tim’s ideas and practices are spot on the mark.  Our water heater is plugged into a timer.  Our sprinklers are currently on “rain” due to Sunday’s relative deluge.  The lawn was still a tad soggy when I cut it last night.  People GET IT.

By the way, your letter did prompt me to get over my writer’s block.  I started drafting my letter voicing my “approval” of the proposed increase in water rates.

Highway 92 travel times are now online

small update on 92

“But SpeedInfo recently installed sensors along Highway 1 and at the 92 interchange at Highway 1 and I-280. Because of the lack of available poles, they were unable to install more sensors along 92. Regional officials will install toll tag readers along 92, providing traffic updates that can be made available through 511.”

http://www.mercurynews.com:80/mld/mercurynews/14663607.htm

I doubt SR1 would be covered anytime soon.

Letter: Questions for Supervisors Rich Gordon and Jerry Hill

Steve,

Your assessment of the market seems to me to be right on the mark.

In my opinion, Kevin’s question #3 with the long exemption list (echoed here many times by Ms. Mauz as part of the big “fraud") is designed to distract from a reasoned assessment (such as yours) of how the Coastside market could or could not actually absorb new houses every year or two years.  It cannot.  Maybe not even 20.  Demand simply isn’t there and will not be there in the foreseeable future due to higher interest rates and the supply side issues you mentioned.

Thanks for your professional opinion.

Coastsider endorses Leland Yee for state senate

I think it is more signficant that there is only one positive comment for Mr. Yee.  Anyone else?

Coastsider endorses Leland Yee for state senate

taking environmental issues off the table for a second, how can someone claim to support small businesses AND fight for “living wages?”

He makes a token nod to “controlling workers’ compensation costs,” however, he is actually trying to roll back some of the workers’ comp. reform.

A study in contradictions, and these are some of the more minor issues.

Caltrans may end “free” right turns onto Hwy 92 for HMB commuters

Brian D,

All excellent points, however, I don’t see a problem with the left turn off of 92 E onto Main S being open in the evening.

The problem is left turn off of 92 W onto Main N.  Anyone who wants to access North Main should be going 92 N then south on North Main.

92 E traffic should be stopped very infrequently by a short green for Main N & S.

People coming out of Cypress Cove/Stone Pine should be able to get through the light at some point and not have to go through downtown to get onto 92 or go north on Main.  Closing off the light completely is a little extreme for the evening (but not for morning).  If they want to wait at the light (long as it may be), the should have a choice.

Didn’t realize people were being told to make U-turns at Kelly.  It is already having an effect.

Caltrans may end “free” right turns onto Hwy 92 for HMB commuters

Now this is what I call “incendiary.” Is this something like “democracy in action?” I smell civil war.

Living south of 92, I don’t like it, however, a sacrifice is in order.

I am going to hire Carl May to be my driver, effective when the light starts working.  I am tiring of a life “misspent driving.”

Seriously, Kelly/1 is going to be a gigantic mess.

Opinion:  Foothill Bypass, Part II: A legal (and literal) quagmire

“news analysis” = calling people liars?

Of course, Mr. Ferreira knows he cannot name names, that would be slander.  But he does it in such a cute, innocent way.

Mr. Ferreira should be ashamed.

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