He comes and goes on no particular schedule. He and his little dog live in a well-kept van on the byways of Burlingame and, presumably beyond. He walks his dog in the morning and then later in the day.
They are seemingly not a problem. They keep to themselves. They move around, not staying in one place long enough to draw much attention to themselves. On occasion, they spend the night on a road near the Caltrain tracks.
No one in our little neighborhood gives them much notice. They make no waves. Is the man divorced and kicked out of his house or apartment? Was he evicted by a landlord? Is he unemployed, jobless for some unfortunate reason? How does he manage day-to-day personal needs? How does he survive?
He is part of our shadow populace. The most recent estimate of the number of unhoused individuals living in San Mateo County was just over 2,000 last year.
These folks exist anonymously, parked along our streets and in our parking lots. Many are mobile. They are no doubt examples of the state of the economy, personal circumstances, high housing costs and, perhaps individual lifestyle choices. But that’s all speculation.
This man and his dog, in some real ways, have become part of the neighborhood when they show up and hang out for a day or so. So far, it doesn’t seem to be an issue at all.
Life goes on here on the pricey Peninsula. But it’s not easy for everyone. That man in the van could well be an example. So a little tolerance makes sense in these challenging times.
A TALE THAT NEVER ENDS: The story has become almost routine. Another day, another report that the state’s grandiose high-speed rail project has serious financial challenges. No kidding. That’s a given.
Construction on the proposed line, envisioned as running from Los Angeles to San Francisco (with extensions to Orange County and Sacramento), is years behind schedule; costs have escalated to the point of absurdity with no end in sight as estimates for completion soar into the stratosphere.
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A recent analysis pegged the price tag at $128 billion-$135 billion (almost four times the original 2008 cost). If history is any guide in this matter, we can expect that range to balloon.
But that’s really only part of this grim fiscal tale. The untold reality is rarely mentioned. What about annual operating costs, assuming the route actually gets fully built at some point decades from now?
Every objective analysis of this project has strongly indicated that significant operating subsidies will be necessary to keep it functioning (Imagine a financially-stressed BART or Caltrain on steroids). On top of that, HSR boosters have consistently over-estimated ridership projections, according to outside experts.
The federal government has promised to halt further funding, having concluded that the rail plan is a waste of money and should be terminated. Don’t expect our own state lawmakers, dominated by enabling Democrats, to agree.
They appear to view HSR in the Golden State as a jobs bonanza and they are seemingly paralyzed to pull the plug.
THESE PUPILS WERE FOCUSED: Last Thursday morning, when the election of Pope Leo XIV was announced at the Vatican to a worldwide audience, a significant number of San Mateo County school-age children were paying close attention. The 10,000 pupils at 29 Catholic primary and secondary schools (according to data provided by the Archdiocese of San Francisco) were paying close attention. The surprise election to the papacy of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, born, bred and educated in the United States, made the historic moment even more memorable for the pupils — and their instructors.
REAL NEWS FOR REAL PEOPLE: What message, precisely, is a cable-TV enterprise trying to convey when it touts itself as providing “real news for real people?” Are other information outlets catering to thoughtful AI robots with a fictional diet of fake news? Are seemingly sentient individuals who stare at the tube viewing other channels, in fact, bogus humanoids? Still can’t get my gnarled hands around this one.
CHECK ON PARCEL TAX EXEMPTION: Most public school districts in San Mateo County benefit from voter-approved parcel taxes that bolster their operational bottom lines. Some property owners (the elderly in particular) are typically exempt from those levies. Contact your particular district to obtain details if you want to access such a benefit.
You can contact John Horgan by email at johnhorganmedia@gmail.com or via instant messaging on Facebook and Instagram.
(2) comments
John - Time to hit the archives and write a small story about the 'man on the train tracks' near Santa Inez and RR ave.
Also a quip or two about Larry Putman and Carl Reyna.
Thanks for your column today, Mr. Horgan. Are we sure this man is not a notorious serial killer with a 4-legged sidekick? Or an infamous bank robber? Perhaps an eccentric millionaire/billionaire? As you said, life goes on but are we really sure life isn’t easy for him and his best friend? Sounds to me like many may be jealous of his lifestyle. And with a life all the richer because of having a 4-legged friend.
As for the train-to-nowhere, many predicted that this train would never be built and was always a union labor giveaway to reward the unions who support the Dem party. A prediction that has come true. What better way for union labor to spend a pittance to support candidates when the payoff is lifelong taxpayer funded salaries, pensions, and benefits for select workers? As I’ve said in the past, many if not all of us alive today will never see the promised route. As for parcel tax exemptions, does this mean those who access the benefit exemption cannot vote on parcel tax measures?
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