Contra Costa Insider posts Fall campaign roundup
July 29, 2008
Our ex-journalist, bloggin’ friend, Pat Keeble, has just posted her roundup of the of candidate filings for the upcoming Fall 2008 elections at Contra Costa Insider. She points out possible Battle Royales in Richmond (five incumbents running for three open seats) and Martinez (downtown redevelopment and Jerry Mathers as the Beaver). See the links for Special District Seats, and City Council Filings.
Concord Councilman to hold virtual office hours via weblog
July 28, 2008
Concord Councilman, Guy Bjerke, demonstrating once again the brave leadership Concord City Council provides, has announced he will hold virtual office hours via the Internet using his blog at http://guybjerke.typepad.com. Bjerke, probably the biggest geek currently sitting on Concord Council, hopes to answer questions and welcomes comments on his posts, and will offer (for free) occasional Solomon-like commentary on current events. Next up, don’t miss the forthcoming launch of Bill “Luddite” Shinn’s reelection campaign site!
Sol Henik announces candidacy for Walnut Creek Council
July 24, 2008
Sol Henik announced today he will declare his candidacy for Walnut Creek City Council. Sol narrowly missed winning a seat on the council in 2006. According to his campaign, Sol is “determined and focused to get his message out and earn a seat on the council where his energy and passion can be put to work to better the City of Walnut Creek. As a local teacher and administrator Sol will bring a much needed change to the council and will work to represent the citizens of Walnut Creek.” Visit Sol’s site for more information at http://www.vote4sol.com/
San Ramon copies Concord?
July 15, 2008
The San Ramon Tribune says Republican Assembly candidate (AD-15) and Mayor H. Abram Wilson and the San Ramon City Council don’t listen to citizen concerns, and have already made up their minds about turning San Ramon into Concord with plans for three 8-story commercial office buildings. Congratulations to Concord’s PR machine…I think. Helen Allen will be crowing about San Ramon copying Concord, you watch.
Actually, if San Ramon council really wanted to copy Concord they would hire expensive consultants to form a citizen task force to conduct a five year study and make recommendations that will be ignored by Council. But this sounds more like an early salvo in the AD-15 campaign, but let’s see how Wilson’s Assembly race opponent, Joan Buchanan, weighs in on local planning concerning commercial office space, and land use issues. Read more
Concord in the dumps over RVs, homeless, and new garbage plan
April 17, 2008
A petition is being circulated around the coffee shops of Concord asking people to “Just Say No” to a proposal from the Council’s ad hoc committee on RV parking, to allow the Joads and other existing RV owners to “grandfather” their right to park their RVs on neighborhood streets. If you want to buy a new RV you’ll need to park it on your property behind a fence high enough so the Clampetts can’t see it. It’s not clear whether the grandfather bailout follows the owner or the current RV. But as one petition circulator moaned… “Come on, the city doesn’t have the manpower to keep track of all that.” Read more
Check out Vallejo Independent Bulletin
April 1, 2008
Word! Check out Marc Garman’s Vallejo Independent Bulletin to get all the dirt. For instance, you just won’t believe what the VIB has uncovered as the City Council’s new weapon to keep Vallejo from bankruptcy.
Concord Council to consider appointing City Treasurer and Clerk
March 28, 2008
Concord City Council will consider two important items at its Monday meeting, April 1, no foolin!
Two staff reports will be considered; first, to move Concord Council meetings from Tuesday to Monday evenings. The second, would change from elective to appointed the offices of City Treasurer and City Clerk; currently held by Thomas J. Wentling and Mary Rae Lehman, respectively.
These items could be placed on the November ballot for a vote.
City of Vallejo nears bankruptcy
February 20, 2008
NBC11 reports that, according to City Councilmembers, the City of Vallejo is on the brink of bankruptcy. In a report to the City Council last week, City Manager Joseph Tanner said the city faces a $10.1 million general fund operating deficit for the current fiscal year and a negative available fund balance of $5.9 million on June 30, 2008.
An emergency plan would cut city salaries to 5 percent lower than June 30, 2007 starting on March 28. Police and firefighter salaries under the existing labor agreements would be reduced 15 percent, by 8 percent for the electrical workers and 5 percent for confidential, management and un-represented employees.
Thirty general fund positions would be eliminated, 16 of which are currently filled and will require layoffs.
Other vacant positions could be filled by transferring employees but the reductions would reduce the general fund positions from 494 to 411, or by 17 percent. A single fire engine company would be closed each day on a rotating basis and there would be a three-month temporary reduction in truck company staffing from four to three.
What can we say…call your Congressman?
Concord Mayor to hold “Open Office,” Mar 5
February 17, 2008
Concord Mayor, Bill Shinn, will hold an “Open Office” on March 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at his office in the City Manager’s compound located at 1951 Parkside Dr. Concord residents are welcome to come complain, congratulate, cajole, and otherwise bust his chops. First come, first served.
