Comments by Ken Johnson
Letter: I sent this to Comcast today
Bob,
Over The Air (OTA) is Broadcast: see my prior two links above for full discussion.
Ken Johnson
Letter: I sent this to Comcast today
Anneliese,
Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) and Over The Air (OTA) have been available options on the coastside for decades. DirecTV is an example of a DBS available.
Earlier this evening, at 2030, I was watching, OTA, Charlie Rose’s interview of Sen. John McCain on 9.3 (9.3 KQEDW) then switched at 2130 to KBCW 44.1 (44.1 KBCWD) “Reaper” - not necessarily a political commentary. OTA offers the HDTV ‘fanatic’ the best possible picture and sound qualilty - AND OTA is free!
From a discussion on the subject on TOWN HALL and on an earlier thread, apparantely it is not an option for everyone on the coastside. I literally cut my cable off a couple of decades ago - I firmly embrace Leonard Woren’s “option 1. Allow [and encourage] competition (my preference)” when ever possible!
Ken Johnson
Should TalkAbout continue to allow anonymous postings?
Barry,
Maybe you are right about Agendas, otoh, if it looks like Duck droppings; and it smells like Duck droppings; and there is a Duck standing over it
Ken Johnson
Should TalkAbout continue to allow anonymous postings?
Paul,
You seem to confuse the Review with a real Newspaper when you wrote: “Review to think through their position and consider good journalistic ethics.” Just because something is printed in newspaper format doesn’t make it a newspaper.
The Half Moon Bay Review is currently a public relations publication designed to present a single point of view. At one time, it reported on both sides of an issue, unfortunately, that is no longer true. Every once and a while there is a glimmer of “journalistic ethics”, but the Review’s Publisher quickly stomps it out!
To change TalkAbout would be a drastic change to the purpose. Anonymous postings allow a single person using a variety of identities to appear to be a group opinion. It also allows the appearance that the Review actually has a readership well beyond reality.
I was curious for a moment to see how the High School racial allegations was handled and there ‘they’ were at their keyboards; wearing their white sheets and hoods, drooling on themselves. Apparently the racists in our community went so far overboard that even Editor Clay Lambert was disgusted enough to ‘terminate’ an entire thread.
So Paul, I too share the hope that the Review might again become an ‘ethical publication’ but that apparently will only happen when the Review’s owners are affected. If Wick Communications would find that the Review is no longer profitable; then we would find a management change and a return to “always appear objective to our readers”.
Ken Johnson
Coastside election results
Leonard,
President Bush and Vice President Gore? [or the other way around]
AMENDMENT XII, Passed by Congress December 9, 1803. Ratified June 15, 1804.
took care of that.
I wasn’t certain of the date either.
Yes, I preferred the old ballots also.
Do you think we are really that far removed from the ballots in Afghanistan, just as an example, with pictures for the political parties to tell you who you are voting for?
I have always been annoyed with those ‘slate cards’ received in the mail, otoh, how many people actually sit down and read the full text - e.g. CA Proposition 218 was really the prevailing authority on another question on the thread on MWSD water rates.
Ken Johnson
Coastside election results
Five votes now separate winning and loosing with a change in third (winning) and fourth (loosing) positions.
HALF MOON BAY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT MEMBERS, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DOUG MACKINTOSH 1,300 18.7%
JOHN DRAPER 1,238 17.8%
GREGG A. HOSFELDT 1,180 17.0%
BERT SILVA 1,175 16.9%
JERRY C. DONOVAN 1,159 16.7%
RON TABORSKI 728 10.5%
JOHN J. SZABO 162 2.3%
I was wrong; I presumed that JERRY DONOVAN was going to be in 1st place.
Ken Johnson
Coastside election results
The voting machines were designed for someone with the mobility of Stephen Hawkins and the vision of Mr. Magoo. I truly support the ADA objectives. My recollection thou is that the entrance to the polling place was not ADA friendly.
It was our ‘wise’ decision makers who chose to offer only one system rather than one for ADA purposes and one for everyone else. The result will probably be even further depression of voter turn out - if that is possible - on a ballot with more than a couple of items. I was NOT offered the alternative of a paper ballot. The written directions would have driven Stephen Hawkins to try and tear them up. Fortunately, the user interface was quick to work out on a trial and error basis.
As to the subject of “internet voting”; I have been involved since it was a DARPA project and I will fight my way to the front of the queue to protest any such ill informed suggestion!
Since the thread started on “Coastside election results” a word or two on Coastside election results”
MWSD results proved that PCF/CCF stands for Poor Charlie Failed!
And note that Mario Vazquez received more that one third as many votes as Jim Larimer without a ballot statement, no campaign, not even opening his mouth - just being ‘Not Jim Larimer’ !
A final reflection:
Today is Veterans’ Day - take a moment to thank those, past and present, who preserved the right to vote!
Ken Johnson
Stones, eggs, and slurs hurled at visitors to Friday’s HMB High game
“If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?”
That is the role of the press, to make that sound heard!
Events Timeline:
Friday, 2Nov07 - ‘Event’ Occurred
? - Daily Journal story: “Racial slurs spark fury”
Tuesday, 6Nov07
10:55 - HMB Review - Clay Lambert’s Blog: “High school must deal with miscreants now”
16:30 - Coastsider - Front Page
- “ Stones, eggs, and slurs hurled at visitors to Friday’s HMB High game”
Wednesday, 6Nov07
1629 - HMB Review - “Half Moon Bay High will apologize for trouble at game” [They Have NOT Done Anything Yet!]
1700 - HMB Review - Clay Lambert’s Blog “Cougars should be commended for quick response” [They Have NOT Done Anything Yet!]
Just when I thought that Clay Lambert had found his journalistic spine, he showed that his cord had been yanked yet again.
Just how is a statement from CUSD that they may do something is a “quick response” - FIVE days after the event. Actually having done something might be nice!
Still nothing on CUSD web site!
Let me be clear:
A verbal apology was late by noon last Saturday from: the coach, athletic director, High School Principal, District and School Board President to their counterparts at the other school.
A written apology was late by last Monday noon.
A school wide assembly on the incident was late by the close of school last Monday with announcement of any identified students were suspended and the cancellation of the season.
The cancellation is also for the protection of our students who will probably encounter a hostile environment at an away game.
Well, there is a CUSD Board Meeting Thursday Night, Agenda for November 8th 7:00 p.m. public session: 498 Kelly Ave, Half Moon Bay, CA
where you can ask the School Board WHAT has been done or WHY NOT.
Then watch a re-enactment of the role of the Governor performing “The Sidestep” from “The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas”. You can sing along.
Maybe the High School could perform the play next spring.
Ken Johnson
P.S. If you go to the School Board Meeting, you might ask just how the ‘New’ “Plan for Student Achievement for Cunha Intermediate School “ and the ‘New’ “Plan for Student Achievement for Hatch Elementary School” is different from the last five unsuccessful ones! “We are going to make the objectives THIS year” is not really a plan.
Isn’t it time for “Plan B”?
Stones, eggs, and slurs hurled at visitors to Friday’s HMB High game
Barry,
When our own CUSD School Board is not held accountable for their behaviour, of ignoring the educational needs of our students, based solely upon those students Demographic Characteristics; are you surprised about “accusations of Cougar players using racial and homophobic slurs at Sequoia players”?
Look at the CUSD web site for a press release! CUSD Board President Charlie Gardner found his way to Coastsider as recently as 05Nov07 at 2112, yet he doesn’t believe that this is important enough to comment on or issue a press release? The event occurred FIVE days ago!
You wrote: “One person describing himself as an HMB alumnus says, “I never knew what a “cracker” was until I played against Jefferson High School as a freshman and I had to be told that it was a racial slur against white people.”
Apparently that writer still doesn’t get it: “cracker” is usually a reference to a particular ‘type’ of white person, often preceded by “poor dumb”! Example: “that poor dumb cracker didn’t know what he really said.”
Racism is not new at the High School—reporting on it, is!
Ken Johnson
Coastside PAC’s endorse candidates
Charlie,
Finally, one thing we agree on—Please Vote!
Ken Johnson
Coastside PAC’s endorse candidates
“Lack of real results dictate we need change”, wrote Charlie Gardner—Batters up!
MWSD board actually has a new well pumping new water! Pipes repaired. Installation of the storage tanks in progress.
Now Charlie, did you think your criticism thoroughly through before hitting transmit? If that isn’t progress for MWSD, just how is that New Middle School in North Wavecrest you promised three years ago coming along? Given that, is the “New” Cunha Middle School going to be ready for the start of school next September? How is that land giveaway going? And how much money is left in the construction fund?
MWSD board has been making steady POSITIVE change.
CUSD is making steady NEGATIVE change! On Charlie Gardner’s watch, CUSD: was added as one of only two failing school districts in the county; has crashing enrolment from flight from the District; the State of California is still reporting three failing schools and it is claimed his local Elementary School failed to collect owed Federal funds.
Should the voter trust the Successful MWSD Board or the Failing CUSD Board President! Sounds like a difficult decision for the Voter. [LOL]
Regards,
Ken Johnson
Montara Water and Sanitary District
* Scott Boyd
* Kathryn Slater-Carter
Coastside County Water District
* Mario Vazquez
Video: Farallone View not in Program Improvement
Darin,
As of the 31Oct07 update, Farallone View Elementary: “PI Status: In PI - Year 1” according to California Department of Education.
As “this video, shot on October 2nd at out local PTA meeting” is valuable; yet, IMHO it is not really “breaking news” and I didn’t want to step on the election story leads and reader comments.
I didn’t want to comment, although I listened to your video a month ago on your site and noted a number of additional apparent discrepancies by your new Principal; I wanted to wait till after the California Department of Education updates and AFTER the election.
Links to the California Department of Education reports, and additional apparent discrepancies by your new Principal on the original thread http://coastsider.com/index.php/townhall/viewreply/863/.
Ken Johnson
Letter: The Time of the Ancient Larimer
Terry,
Try reading Leonard’s first paragraph, again.
“Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar”
OTOH, to me, the poem echoes my sentiment for Jim Larimer
“and never more was he to be
the monster of the water board “
Coastside County Water District
* Mario Vazquez
Midcoast Community Council
* Bob Ptacek
* Leonard Woren
Ken Johnson
Coastside PAC’s endorse candidates
Terry Gossett,
You wrote: “I am not a member of Put Community First (PCF)” yet on
Coastside Community First (CCF) there is your picture as a Director!
It is possibly a legal distinction - without a distinction in reality!
Ken Johnson
Coastside PAC’s endorse candidates
Following Barry’s link to Richard Bulan’s info, found this:
Bulan wrote:
“I have collected hundreds of pages of financial documents and have spend (sic) hours with financial experts who have backgrounds in water districts. ”
He is talking about Jim ‘Big Hat, No Cattle’ Larimer!
Just what we need, Larimer screwing up another district!
Montara Water and Sanitary District
* Scott Boyd
* Kathryn Slater-Carter
Coastside County Water District
* Mario Vazquez
Ken Johnson
Coastsider endorses Boyd, Slater-Carter for MWSD
Data in my immediately prior post provided by Quantcast Corporation, a San Francisco, CA company.
Barry Parr, et al, should be proud of their accomplishment and the public’s recognition of a web model that respects the publics’ ‘sensibility’.
Ken Johnson
Coastside PAC’s endorse candidates
CCWD users will be on extreme Mandatory Water Rationing next year, if there is a repeat of last year’s snow pack!
In violation of the first HMB LCP, written nearly a quarter century ago, (I know, I participated in the writing) requiring use of water reclamation; CCWD is still stalling, just ‘studying’ implementation of water reclamation! As far as I know, there are still wells in Pillarcitos Creek shipping otherwise potable water to the golf courses. CCWD is also supplying potable water to the cemeteries- I don’t think the ‘residents’ there would complain about using reclaimed water!
As a bit of irony, I just looked at:
JIM LARIMER from PCF “Candidates for Their Written Responses”
“If elected, what goals would you set for this Board for the next five years? 10 years?
Planning for the future is the most important issue facing the water district today. These plans should investigate the potential of recycled water as a renewable resource. This might help contain out year cost increases, but it needs to be thoroughly researched before committing to this or any future plan for water. Recycling is good for the environment and with a customer for the recycled water could pay for itself.“
Just how long does it take Jim Larimer to move from “investigate” to doing? Maybe another 25 years?
MWSD is bringing in new water sources!
CCWD’s Jim Larimer wants to “investigate” over the next 5-10 years what should have already been done!
Do you really think you should believe Jim Larimer’s ranting comments tearing up the current MWSD board?
Montara Water and Sanitary District
* Scott Boyd
* Kathryn Slater-Carter
Coastside County Water District
* Mario Vazquez
Ken Johnson
Coastsider endorses Boyd, Slater-Carter for MWSD
Ken King,
People lie on the internet? Gol-ly-Gee! Do you think maybe those shares in the Main Street Bridge might be a bad investment?
OK, as to reader reputability of:
Coastsider.com vs hmbreview.com
Monthly Unique Visits
Coastsider.com hmbreview.com
Global 6,068
U.S. 5,535 4,827
Ken Johnson
Coastside PAC’s endorse candidates
Ken endorses candidates:
Coastside County Water District
* Mario Vazquez
Half Moon Bay Fire Protection District
* Doug Mackintosh
* Bert Silva
Midcoast Community Council
* Bob Ptacek
* Leonard Woren
Montara Water and Sanitary District
* Scott Boyd
* Kathryn Slater-Carter
Each of the above candidates is intelligent, honest, independent and will work for the public good. I hope you will seriously consider voting for them.
Each and every vote counts.
Regards,
Ken Johnson
Coastsider endorses Boyd, Slater-Carter for MWSD
AMEN! This is a no brainer - sort of like the Review’s endorsement. Scott Boyd and Kathryn Slater-Carter made a savvy decision not to attend our local shopper’s session “to take questions from independent arbiters in the press” [LOL] Give me a break! You just have to wonder what level of contempt the Review’s publisher has for the intelligence level of her readers!
Richard Bulan has shown he can’t manage a single accountant to know for years he hadn’t paid his real-estate bills - yet the unbiased “Review editorial board” think his most compelling capability is his financial expertise he would bring to MWSD? The Review’s Publisher wrote “he is fantastically organized and well-informed about water issues and the finances that govern them on the coast” - oops!
Of course the sharp “Review editorial board” wrote “Larimer, Coverdell and Feldman are part of an experienced team that has generally proven more interested in serving customers than engaging in long-simmering Coastside political feuds.” Maybe they forgot about the years of the “Jim Larimer and Ken Jones Opinion Pieces” that ran ad nauseam on their editorial pages? Or again, the “Review editorial board” depends on the contempt she has for their readers’ intelligence? Apparently she believes voters don’t know how to do a search and have no memory.
The last line in the ‘Review editorial board’ endorsement: he “thinks district officials should do more to cooperate with CCWD” is chilling. Translation: Bulan will take outside direction obediently!
Please vote for Boyd, Slater-Carter for MWSD and send a message.
Ken Johnson
The Supervisors must stop treating the Midcoast like a colony, Jan 8 6:31am, Ken Johnson — Nice series of Requiem Editorials. As Kevin Lansing points out in another thread, it is about a year late. LAFCo…
Video: Supervisor's legislative aide lowers the boom on MCC over letter to LAFCO, Jan 8 6:05am, Kevin J. Lansing — Rich Gordon strikes again.
Supervisor Gordon plans to defer MCC appointments to Jan 27 meeting, Jan 7 10:00am, Barry Parr — Kevin, I'm not aware of any members of the "pro-builder lobby" on the MCC. I think you should back up…
Supervisor Gordon plans to defer MCC appointments to Jan 27 meeting, Jan 6 10:21pm, Darin Boville — Kevin, I think it is rash to accuse (as I interpret your cryptic comment) Chair Leonard Woren as being a…
Supervisor Gordon plans to defer MCC appointments to Jan 27 meeting, Jan 6 7:43pm, Kevin J. Lansing — It looks like Supervisor Rich Gordon is once again trying to silence the local MCC voice, perhaps to appease the…
Cetrella says it's closing until May, Jan 6 5:13pm, Barry Parr — The bar at Cetrella is one of our favorite spots on the Coastside, mostly because the live jazz was always…
Cetrella says it's closing until May, Jan 6 4:53pm, Robert Escamilla — while I'm sad the restaurant is temporarily shutting down, I am glad that it will be coming back. I do…
Discounts on home solar through 1BOG community organization, post 2, Jan 6 9:07pm, Seth Harris — Oh, one more point… While we certainly aren’t the sunniest spot in the bay area, I have heard that the…
A Few Hopeful Appointments, At Last, post 1, Dec 20 7:16pm, Carl May —
Recommendations for Housecleaning Service?, post 4, Nov 28 9:48am, Bruce Hultgren — If Betty is not available, try Francisco at White Glove Cleaning 728-2802 or 773-4033. He has a team that is…
History of Cunha Intermediate School, post 5, Nov 17 7:49am, Ken Johnson — Katharine Weber, If this morning at work, you walk over to the Kelly and Church Street entrance of the original…
Proposition 8, post 3, Nov 6 10:20am, Kevin Stokes — Seems most of the signs have been collected, thank you everyone.
Today: Partly sunny, with a temperature rising to near 59 by noon, then falling to around 52 during the remainder of the day. WNW wind around 7 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. NNW wind around 10 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 58. North wind around 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43. NE wind between 7 and 13 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 61. NE wind between 9 and 13 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 45.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 64.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 66.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 64.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 61.
PFC: 8:44am; AFD: 4:10am
Thu, Dec 18
Wed, Dec 17
Mon, Dec 15
Fri, Dec 12
Thu, Dec 11
Wed, Dec 10
Sun, Dec 7
Sat, Dec 6
Fri, Dec 5
Wed, Dec 3
Tue, Dec 2
Mon, Dec 1
Sun, Nov 30
Wed, Nov 26
Sun, Nov 23
Tue, Nov 18
Mon, Nov 17
Fri, Nov 14
...Looking for something even earlier? Try Coastsider's monthly archives.
