Week in Review

Drivers across the country might be forced to lower their speeds in an attempt to save gas if Congress passes a bill introduced this week by U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier, D-San Mateo.

Speier, introduced her first bill, The Gasoline Savings and Speed Limit Reduction Act, which would sets a national speed limit at 60 mph in urban areas and 65 on less-populated stretches of highway. Speier's introduction of the bill comes on the heels of a similar suggestion by a Virginia senator last week.

"Americans need relief from the rising cost of gasoline now," Speier said in a press release Thursday. "There is no need to wait for the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries or the oil companies to help us out. Every driver can affect change simply by easing up on their right foot."

Numerous studies prove lower speeds reduce gas use.

Speier sites figures from the Environmental Protection Agency that state gas mileage decreases rapidly after 60 mph.

City manager resigns

When Millbrae City Manager Ralph Jaeck reaches the four-year mark in his position, he'll be celebrating by taking on a new, undecided challenge.

Jaeck is not sure what he'll be doing in the future. But one thing is clear, it will not be leading Millbrae. Jaeck, 63, announced his resignation this week. His last day will be Sept. 30. Jaeck came to Millbrae in October 2004 during a time of numerous challenges, particularly financial.

"The city's in good shape," said Jaeck. "We've had a turnaround."

A desire to spend more time with his family inspired the decision which was a surprise to Mayor Gina Papan.

"Ralph has been a tremendous asset to the workings of this city," she said. "He has worked hard for us and at a significant personal sacrifice in that he has been separated from his family. We are sorry to lose him, but we understand his strong desire to be with his family. We are grateful for his dedicated service these many years. He has been a great asset to all of us. We will miss his exceptional skills and his diplomacy. I, personally, will miss his friendship and counsel."

Vacant market site no more

Grocery options will be expanding in San Carlos after Foodville owners inked a 30-year lease for the vacant Bell Market site allowing the development of Bianchini's -- a store that will cater to specific community requests.

Brothers Chris and Kevin Bianchini, owners of Foodville on Laurel Street, signed a 30-year lease for Bell Market which closed in November 2006. The expanded space gives the family business a chance to create a store personalized for San Carlos. To make it personal, the family will be surveying the community hoping to learn what items they want within the expanded location.

"Right now what we have is a mom and pop deli in the meat department, which we want to expand on. The community will tell us what to do," said co-owner Chris Bianchini.

Maintaining the standards of high quality and service are top priority when expanding the store from the 8,000 square feet it currently occupies to a 20,000-square-foot location designed with a traditional grocery store layout.

Having a clear vision for the site was welcomed by city leaders.

"We're certainly excited about it," said Assistant City Manager Brian Moura. Moura went on to describe the upscale market as a perfect fit for the area. He was particularly interested in the surveying process.

Bianchini's will be the second location for the family which opened the first in Portola Valley in 1998.