Simple ways to improve San Mateo

Under the “leadership” of mayors Lee and Nash, my requests for speed bumps, flashing lights at cross walks, left turn signals, police speed traps and other public safety issues resulted in responses from the city manager or department staff, of platitudes, promise to “study” this or “add it to the list.” In three years, none of the items requested were addressed, much less completed. The city staff is too busy hiring consultants and repeatedly conducing “public outreach” to actually do any work.

I hope Mayor Newsom will drive around the city, notice missing street signs, dangerous intersections, blind left turns with no left turn arrows, and speeding of cars through residential areas with impunity, (note the recent article about “Collisions back to pre-COVID highs within San Mateo”). He should visit downtown Burlingame and compare it to the shabby appearance of downtown San Mateo, with its hole-in-the-wall restaurants, ugly storefronts, no-name-brand stores, constant litter and inadequate parking. It is shameful.

Recent Daily Journal articles, including “Job growth lags since last year,” show public finances are tight everywhere. The San Mateo City Council must focus on basic city services that benefit everyone, spend money wisely, increase police presence, put the staff to work and not fund projects which benefit only a small segment of the population. Make San Mateo better for all by raising the intelligence level of the City Council and city employees to get things done.

Michael Grubb

San Mateo