Julia Scott’s article about the death of AB650 does an unusually good job (for daily journalism) of laying out the subtext of the city’s failure to get relief from the state.
A year ago, City Council members were frequently quoted as saying they feared for their city’s solvency if forced to pay the entire $18 million debt. But the city ultimately earned a better bond rating than the state itself and, after some painful staffing cuts, is projecting a narrow budget surplus for the next few years.
The “collective actions of the City Council” at last week’s meeting refers to a controversial 4-1 vote to give the city manager a 25 percent raise just a few weeks after the city cut or froze 15 staff positions to save money. Mayor John Muller defended the vote, which also awarded a raise for the interim finance director, because they were contract positions already up for renewal and because both men were deserving of a raise.
Councilman Jim Grady voted against the raises, just as he cast the lone vote against settling with Keenan in 2007 and against issuing the bonds to pay him in the end.
The political schism wrought by the first Half Moon Bay bill, AB 1991, still resonates in this town, and the divisive rhetoric employed by city lobbyists at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe still makes Grady cringe.
“We vilified the Coastal Commission,” said Grady. “And I think trying to exempt Beachwood from the Coastal Act was a mistake.
The article goes on to note that the city accused the Coastal Commission of making “false and misleading” statements, and that the city will have to work with the Coastal Commission to get the maximum value out of the parcel.
Consultants' plan for Hwy 1 lacks awareness of our environment and community, Mar 11 4:43pm, Carl May — People interested in the California state trail known as the California Coastal Trail, especially what kind of a trail (or trails) it might be, can get into it by Googling “California Coastal Trail SB 908 Chesbro.” Chesbro, out of Arcata, is an ...
Consultants' plan for Hwy 1 lacks awareness of our environment and community, Mar 11 4:06pm, Carl May — “Many of your neighbors don’t care. They want a bike and foot path, as it provides access to some coastal and community features in our area.” For those who don’t get out except to go from their car to their front door, and to those so ...
Consultants' plan for Hwy 1 lacks awareness of our environment and community, Mar 11 2:24pm, Kevin Barron — An overpass will NEVER happen here. It reeks of growth, development, and an iota of suburbanization. Many here want to hold tight to no-growth-weed-ridden-squalor. Allow no infrastructure improvements, so any attempts at “progress” is denied for ...
Photo: HMB HS students ask CUSD board to keep counselors, Mar 11 12:02pm, Kathryn Slater Carter — I heard the final student comments. The comments were excellent, the students were impressive. Alternate budget cuts were suggested. One student made a particularly critical point: Students must feel safe in school, from bullies and other ...
Pacifica examines widening part of Hwy 1 to six lanes, Mar 10 6:55pm, Barbara Kossy — I wonder how much of the traffic is due to parents taking kids to school, and picking them up from school. I notice when school is out, it’s a faster drive through Pacifica. Maybe it would be more effective to re-instate the use of school ...
CUSD to finalize cuts Weds, protests planned, Mar 10 4:50pm, Katharine Weber — Well, we all got notified that we are going to be officially laid off and the letter comes Friday. That’s all five Counselors in the district, including Ilene Bragman, who has served Cabrillo Unified since 1974. ...
Pacifica examines widening part of Hwy 1 to six lanes, Mar 10 11:59am, Kathryn Slater Carter — I think TA and Pacifica need to update their assumptions, traffic studies and proposed solutions. I-80, across the Sacramento River bypass between the bay area and Sacramento is 3 lanes in each direction. Unfortunately there was no staff ...