The hundred-year flood

Asking citizens to tax themselves would seem like a losing proposition unless you realize that if this measure doesn’t pass, flood insurance rates could almost double and that 80 percent of the impacted homeowners would remain in the flood zone. If passed and the repairs are completed, most of the homes will be off the flood map and off the FEMA insurance hook. It’s also hard to say no to the group of citizens who are running the grassroots campaign in their neighborhood. FACT includes Mayor Brandt Grotte who lives in Shoreview; Rich Hedges, Harbortown; Marshall Loring, 19th Avenue/Park; Rick Secuda, Marina Lagoon; Barbara Finnegan and Mimi Lu, Edgewater Isle; Peter Handley, Harbortown; and Gil Rosoff, Las Casitas, Harbortown. Other neighborhoods affected are Sunnybrae, San Mateo/Glendale Village, Fiesta Gardens and Lakeshore. Overall, the flood plain consists of all neighborhoods east of Highway 101 and north of State Route 92 and some west of 101. Areas south of 92 will come into play in 2010. It’s in the self interest of homeowners in the flood zone to turn in a "yes” ballot, according to Hedges.

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When a friend invited me to join Facebook to see photos of her grandchildren, I signed on. But I was reluctant to share information on-line which was not directed to individuals I knew. Then my granddaughter, who spends more time on Facebook than she does in school, came over to update my page and expand my network of friends. I received my first political Facebook message the other day. It was from a friend of Chris Kelly. Kelly is running for state attorney general. He’s also the chief privacy officer for Facebook and must have lots of friends. While his bio is traditional (and very impressive), his Facebook material also includes a list of his favorite books, music, movies and television shows. I don’t know if that’s supposed to attract voters. But it’s dangerous territory. Suppose I don’t like the same books, music, movies or TV shows. Does that mean he is not my candidate? But don’t panic, Chris. I did approve of some of your choices.

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The newest member of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, Carole Groom, loves her new job. But it is very different from her previous position as a member of the San Mateo City Council. For one thing, it’s full time. As a supervisor, she has a staff of three. As a councilwoman, she had to share the city clerk with her four colleagues. And she has a real office. Groom has retained two of Jerry Hill’s staff, Juda Tolmasoff and Eric Powolski. She has hired a third, Gina Quiney. The supervisors deal mostly with institutional issues — the jail, hospital, welfare, etc. There are no study sessions before the regular meeting, a staple of council procedures, and no regular time to talk to each other at a public meeting. Each supervisor is appointed to at least two committees and that is where the bulk of the work occurs. Groom is a member of the county’s Blue Ribbon Health Care Committee which is examining how to fund health care for adults without insurance. She is also a member of the Bay Area Air Quality District, the Transit Authority and the City/County Association of Government.

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Some councilmembers are urging that the South Bay Waste Management Authority be represented by elected officials instead of staff. This may or may not be a good idea. The issues are complex and are best removed from political influence. But the trend is in the direction of making a change. The electeds would still rely on a technical advisory committee. Most of the controversial work has already been accomplished. A new garbage collector and a new operator for the recycling plant in San Carlos has been chosen. The latter was an interesting vote. The staff representatives on the SBWMA voted for South Bay Recycling. It had the lowest bid and was ultimately selected by most cities. The county had overruled its own staff’s recommendation and opted for the other bidder, Hudson Baylor, one supported by the Teamsters Union. East Palo Alto was the only city who agreed with the supes but the SBWMA staff recommendation held.

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It looks like David Lim will be a major contender in the November San Mateo City Council race. He has been endorsed by Assemblyman Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, councilmen John Lee and Jack Matthews in addition to Rich Hedges (who considered running himself). There’s a good chance he will receive labor’s nod. Jan and Dave Lamphier, Hillsdale residents and well-known city volunteers (fire department, neighborhood watch, library) hosted a coffee for him. If elected, Lim would be the first Asian American on the council. The two other major candidates are Fred Hansson and Bertha Sanchez.

Sue Lempert is the former mayor of San Mateo. Her column runs every Monday. She can be reached at sue@smdailyjournal.com.