Week in review

Peninsula

Avenue interchange threatens homes

A number of homes near the Peninsula Avenue and Highway 101 in San Mateo could be lost if the City Council decides to pursue a much-needed new interchange.

It was reported this week that on Feb. 21, the San Mateo City Council is scheduled to discuss the option of adding southbound on- and off-ramps at Peninsula Avenue and whether it would be worth applying eminent domain. Homes along Amphlett Boulevard and possibly some along Peninsula Avenue could be torn down for the new ramps, said Public Works Director Larry Patterson.

"To add ramps on the west side (of the freeway) there will be considerable right of way issues,” Patterson said, adding that "eminent domain” is a "scary” term to use.

City employees are prohibited from talking to residents about the idea until they get the go-ahead from the council, Patterson said.

The city doesn’t know how many properties could be affected or how much the project would cost until a ramp configuration is chosen. If the council gives the go-ahead, the San Mateo County Transit Authority and the California Department of Transportation, or Caltrans, will handle much of the project, Patterson said.

Electronic Arts

lays off 145

Electronic Arts, the world’s largest video game publisher based in Redwood City, laid off 145 workers from its local campus in coming weeks as part of a transition into new consoles for its games.

The company notified San Mateo County of the pending changes as required by all local companies expecting mass layoffs. Electronic Arts confirmed the layoffs but isn’t releasing specific numbers of positions affected.

Trudy Muller, senior manager of corporate communications for Electronic Arts, said the jobs are a "relatively small percentage” of the company’s global workers. She estimates EA employs between 6,500 and 7,000 people globally and 1,600 at its Redwood City campus.

According to EA’s Web site, it operates development studios throughout the United States, Canada, Japan and England. The sales staff extends even further worldwide.

Every business unit was reviewed to winnow down layoffs and focus on "people, technology and investments,” she said.

Battle over Senate seat under way

It’s four months until the June primary, three Democrats are kicking their campaigns into high gear in what’s promising to be one of the most watched state races this year.

Three political heavyweights — Lou Papan, Mike Nevin and Leland Yee — are vying for the empty Senate District 8 seat. The seat is currently occupied by state Sen. Jackie Speier, D-San Mateo, who is making a bid for lieutenant governor, and was previously held by Quentin Kopp. With three well-known names competing for votes in a high-profile district, the challenge lies not with garnering recognition — it’s gathering just enough votes to inch past the competition.

Both Nevin, a former San Mateo County supervisor, and Yee, a current state assemblyman, announced their intention to run close to two years ago. Nevin, who has spent the most, has the largest campaign war chest with close to $435,000. Yee has collected more money, including his Assembly campaign account, but has just over $400,000 cash on hand.

The two outpace the dark horse candidate, former assemblyman Lou Papan. He has $163,475 in his campaign account, with $100,000 coming from his own pocket. Campaign manager Frank Gallagher said nearly $100,000 in additional donations have been submitted this month, some by people simply walking into Papan’s Daly City office.

Regardless of money, Papan’s name and experience is still a force with which to be reckoned. Just the Papan name alone in San Mateo County could derail Nevin’s campaign and give Yee the edge to win.

Five years ago this week, February 2001

Webvan angers grocery unions

Webvan, the failed grocery delivery company, angered its workers the week of Feb. 3, 2001 by allegedly restricting drivers and warehouse workers’ rights to unionize. Labor unions criticized the company for unfair labor practices, including work schedules that have workers switching — sometimes every day — between day and night shifts.

The company has since gone out of business.

San Mateo

officials give

cinema green light

San Mateo city officials were set to give the final go-ahead to the downtown cinema project after the final public hearing on the permanent closure of Main Street and Plaza Lane, the week of Feb. 3, 2001. After the decision, the demolition of the Main Street Garage was set to take place in April to make room for the 12-screen, 1,834-seat Century Theater and a 380-space garage. The cinema opened Feb. 7, 2003.

City names street in Gary Yates’ honor

The city of San Mateo decided to name a street in the new Bay Meadows development after former mayor and councilman Gary Yates the week of Feb. 3, 2001.

Yates Way now runs along a 700-foot stretch between Saratoga Drive and Wayne Way in the redeveloped former practice tracks and barns at Bay Meadows race track.

Yates died eight months before.

Murder conviction overturned

The U.S. Court of Appeals reversed Kelly DePetris’ 1995 San Mateo County murder conviction on a 2-1 vote the week of Jan. 31, 2001. DePetris, of Redwood City, shot and killed her husband after allegedly suffering years of abuse at his hands.

The Court of Appeals stated the conviction violated her constitutional rights because the original court judge denied the use of her husband’s journal, which contained details of her husband committing violent acts.

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