Strange bedfellows

Bob Wackerman has responded sensibly and responsibly to 95% of those he's chosen to respond to but this latest LED https://www.smdailyjournal.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/strange-bedfellows/article_dce50a35-2df9-4bdb-aee0-6799ebfc1543.html - he's hit it out of the ball park, down the street, Fitzgerald Field!

The 'pounded into our heads' mantra that 'build it and they shall come' has been 'Kool-Aide' for the residents of San Mateo. I only wish two beloved former bloggers were still with us here on earth, but at least where they are now has a good view.

Al Ferrer and Johnny Chiappe would concur with Bob Wackerman in a blink of an eye and would flood the Daily Journal with their allotted Letters to the Editor. The theme of many of their letters to the editor were to ask why this neighborhood or this building needed to be replaced, or why an entire city block needed removal and replaced with cute names but with no tenants.

To quote Mr. Wackerman, the truer bromide (a trite and unoriginal idea or remark, typically intended to soothe or placate IE "feel-good bromides create the illusion of problem solving" - is if you build it, they aren’t coming. Today’s commuters are using ride-hailing, not public transit. To school, to work, to the airport, to play.

Hillsdale Mall is the latest sham.

Decades ago, some of our best city councilmembers, mayors and dignitaries applauded the new Cinema in downtown on B street (2003) / Main Street. Two of my favorites even shared a scenario they dreamt about on how San Mateo families (say a family of 4) would leave their home(s) from Aragon neighborhood, Baywood Area, Beresford neighborhood, Hayward Park neighborhood and all 4 would bike downtown, secure their bicycles, buy some snacks and watch the latest movie.

I guess those who shared the thought of an Ozzie and Harriet foursome bike ride 4-8 miles away to down town boarding the RR tracks and East San Mateo didn’t do many test runs.

Don’t forget that Bay Meadows had the all important ‘live near transit” is a must running their amok campaign to the point that an historical race track was no match for the Alberti and Singer group from Los Angeles. https://singersf.com/adam-alberti-getting-comfortable-in-the-hot-seat/

The Singer group even had employees who hung out at Trags market outdoors in case some of San Mateo’s old time family names appeared to be making progress, pushing back against the so-called evil empire.

I don’t have the heart to post who ran our city in those days but you would recognize the familiar names. Separate from Hillsdale Mall and Bay Meadows was the 7Eleven fiasco that took over Stangelini’s property. https://patch.com/california/sanmateo/7-11-on-north-san-mateo-drive-in-violation-of-city-zoning-code - Although the ‘good guys’ got 7 Eleven to leave, one San Mateo city councilman had to recuse himself from the vote because his firm was doing work on the site.

And let us not forget how many ways Rick Bonilla has made it his purpose in life to ‘serve’. https://justfacts.votesmart.org/public-statement/1639443/recognizing-the-service-of-mayor-rick-bonilla-on-the-city-council-of-san-mateo-california -

Serving created a Lifetime of GOOD for like Nelson Mandela. Serving on the council, city mayor, advocating for the Trade’s unions and jobs for good people sound so rich and honorable, I just wish in doing so it doesn’t make it mandatory to rub shoulders, and if not mandatory, have it been something that just happens when the ends meet the middle.

Bob Wackerman - FYI, Fixin' San Mateo County is a nonpartisan nonprofit group of volunteers that seeks civilian oversight of the county Sheriff's Office, nothing to do with the city of San Mateo. (FixinSMC dot org)

Thanks for your letter, Mr. Wackerman, and your strange bedfellows observation. Do you really think the city cares what neighbors think? I see it as the San Mateo City Council being willing to get into bed with anyone as long as they’re able to increase the amount of money paid to the government – to continue paying ever increasing salaries, pensions, and benefits. To me, it’s all about the money. Money for union jobs, money for ever-increasing union workers, money for city infrastructure and slush funds, etc.

Today’s related article, “San Mateo City Council weighs in on Hillsdale redevelopment” highlights that the project is estimated to generate an addition $1.2 million to $2.2 million if the project moves forward. The article also highlights Adam Loraine’s stance as he essentially sweeps away concerns about traffic, environment and city infrastructure, “Deputy Mayor Adam Loraine said the concerns were valid, however, he also said the project is in line with the city’s long-term vision.” “I also ask for some open mindedness for the change that a project like this could bring to our city, remembering that this is a project that will be coming in the present but largely into our future and serving future needs,” Loraine said. Maybe it’s just me but it sure sounds like a done deal as far as Loraine is concerned. Loraine asks for open mindedness but is this as long as you agree with his version of mindedness? Time for environmental impact lawsuits? Other lawsuits? Other locations? Bridgepointe has plenty of land...