Guy Bjerke: Local Politics

Housing Challenge

Wed, 26 Nov 2003 14:22:47 GMT

Great editorial in Monday's Contra Costa Times - housing is a basic need and solutions to the affordable housing crisis in the Bay Area will only be successful if they are broadly based and widely supported.

PROVIDING AFFORDABLE, decent housing for low-income people is a challenge under the best of circumstances. But the task is made considerably more difficult with growth restrictions, public policy demands on developers, numerous building fees and government regulations. (more)

Sat, 29 Mar 2003 15:48:35 GMT

Changing the guard but not what's guarded John Wolfe writes, perhaps, his last "Informed Taxpayer" column as he retires from the Taxpayers Association.

"...On April 1, Kristine Hunt becomes the Executive Director (new title, same duties) of the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association. John Wolfe retires on that date and so does Carol Wolfe, the CCTA's Office Manager for the past fifteen years...."

>>>Good work, John. You will be missed.

Sat, 01 Feb 2003 13:16:53 GMT

D.A. won't investigate council leaks Inga Miller reports that the district attorney has sent a letter admonishing the San Ramon City Council about information leaks from closed sessions. The leaks came to light late last year when the media reported the choice of Gail Waiters as the new city manager before a public announcement was issued. [TriValley Herald - Local]

Fri, 31 Jan 2003 14:12:55 GMT

San Ramon Observer Rosalind Rogoff has an excellent website that follows San Ramon politics and issues. Check it out.

Thu, 30 Jan 2003 14:46:11 GMT

Murray enters supervisor race Peter Felsenfeld reports that three candidates have announced their intent to seek Governor Davis' appointment to finish Supervisor Donna Gerber's term.[Contra Costa Times - News]

Wed, 29 Jan 2003 15:05:15 GMT

Gerber picks March 3 for her farewell Dan Borenstein reports that Contra Costa Supervisor Donna Gerber has given official notice resigning effective March 3. The article also talks of possible successors and indicates of a possible consensus building for former Walnut Creek Mayor Gail Murray.[Contra Costa Times - News]

Mon, 27 Jan 2003 04:25:51 GMT

Editors and Lobbyists Wage High-Tech War Over Letters. Jennifer Lee reports that Newspapers are trying to use technology to filter out "grass-roots" letters that are really "form" letters generated by interest groups. >>>She calls them "AstroTurf" letters. [New York Times: Technology]

Sat, 25 Jan 2003 13:20:04 GMT

Election-year switch rises from dead Inga Miller reports that the San Ramon City Council will consider yet another election year switch when they meet next Tuesday. Unlike the previous measure defeated by voters last November it would shorten (rather than lengthen) incumbents terms. >>>The only problem with the article - currently there are two seats up this November (Wilson, Tatarka) and three seats up in 2005 (Cambra, Dickey, Hudson) - unless the establishment of the elected Mayor has truly rearranged the deck chairs. UPDATE 1/28/03 After reading the San Ramon Observer I now realize that Dickey was elected to complete a term so it's (Wilson, Tatarka, Dickey) this November and (Cambra, Hudson) in 2005. [TriValley Herald - Local]

Fri, 24 Jan 2003 15:30:11 GMT

Solano business group drops its president. The East Bay Business Times reports that the Solano Economic Development Corporation, better known as SEDCORP, has not renewed Linda Brown's contract and has installed its Marketing Director, Sandy Person, as interim President.

Fri, 24 Jan 2003 14:53:48 GMT

City Manager, Financial Director abandon positions. Chris Denina reports that City Manager David Martinez announced his intention to quit at a Council goal-setting session after several Councilmembers criticized his handling of a press release regarding the Mare Island energy project. Vallejo Times-Herald Jan 24 2003 5:14AM ET [Moreover - California news]

Vallejo city manager says he's stepping down. Alan Doyle of the East Bay Business Times has another version of this story with additional information.