San Mateo’s Board of Supervisors recently approved over $100,000 in funding to pay for initiatives to support to local nonprofits fighting foreclosures in the county. For credit counselors such as Keisha Woods with Northern California Urban Development in East Palo Alto, that aid means hope for homeowners in a county underserved by larger organizations battling foreclosures.
On Oct. 4, the San Mateo City Council voted unanimously to support Proposition 22, the ballot measure that seeks to limit the state’s authority to borrow or withhold certain public funds from local governments. Opponents of the measure, on the Nov. 2 ballot, include the California Teachers Association and the California Professional Firefighters unions. Municipal governments across California want increased control over local funds.
Bay Area cyclists contend that Caltrain does not have sufficient space for bicycles, even though Caltrain increased on-board bicycle capacity by more than 30 percent last year.
Approved by voters in 2008, the California high-speed rail project has faced opposition from several communities in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. The new chief executive officer of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, Roelof van Ark, made his first public speech in the region on Sept. 29 in San Jose. He promoted the project’s benefits and said the authority needs to do a better job of communicating its message to opponents on the Peninsula. Leaders in towns such as Palo Alto and Menlo Park, which are suing the authority, are still not convinced.
After years of controversial incidents involving law enforcment, San Jose is searching for its next Chief of Police. Both city officials and leaders of prominent minority groups say they are hoping to begin a new era of trust and openness between the public and the police.
On Nov. 1, the city’s 26 sworn officers and 34 other full-time employees — along with police equipment and facilities — will become part of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, which is taking over law enforcement for San Carlos.
Palo Alto’s El Camino Park is rich in history and characters, but Parks and Recreation officials say it needs a major upgrade to become a more inviting place for families.
East Palo Alto officials at a recent city council meeting outlined 15 major building code violations at the Soul Brothers clubhouse, which, if not addressed, could result in the facility being shuttered this year.
Former Congressman Pete McCloskey, co-founder of Earth Day, received an award from the Sierra Club. Accepting the award, he reflected on his past accomplishments and California’s future – including the legalization of marijuana.