Monthly Archives: December 2010

Letter to the Editor

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The following are letters written into the editor of The Pilot for the July 2010 issue. Letters can cover a wide range of topic and often are concerning local issues discussed in previous issues of the paper. 

Just a thought …

Recall if you will all the happy emotions that followed the victory of our beloved Giants during the World Series Championships. Most of us attended the games or viewed them on the TV, and nearly all of us were part of the hundreds of thousands of local folks celebrating throughout the bay area, whether in our homes or on our streets. For a moment our TVs and lives were plastered in a sea of orange and black, we stopped to just enjoy each other and the accomplishments of our underdog athletes.

In the streets, in stores, in our neighborhoods; complete strangers went out to cheer together. Against nearly all the odds, we all got to celebrate a historical moment for ourselves and our local baseball team. This is not something every city or every person gets to celebrate so we really should feel great about being part of such a momentous sporting event.

What I’m really curious about is how we can continue with this thrill? Keep the rushes of the moment going? Spread the friendliness that made our communities band-together, both strong and prideful and always positive?

I witnessed strangers wearing SF logo and Giants’ gear greeting one another with a “Go Giants”, or just starting random conversations over the boys-of-the-summer and concluding such introductions with fist bumps or a loud, smacking high-five.

We, as a community, need to try to continue promoting this universal feeling of pride and take additional steps to keep up with open, friendly communication and acts. When we see people we often forget to take the time to stop and talk. All it takes is a simple greeting or a common gesture of kindness that can and should help us grow together out of this historical achievement.

We live in a great community. We share common sentiments of wanting a clean and safe living environment. We should want to add more friendly or neighborly acts as part of the package. We need to continue celebrating our joy with our neighbors, folks just walking the pathways, family members walking as a group, people walking with their dogs, and people shopping at the Nob Hill complex. The next time you stop at an intersection give a wave; a nod to those next to you, those that may be crossing in front of you – it can’t hurt and maybe you’ll get a nod back.

We need to keep the merriment going! Let’s all embrace the moment and not allow another 50 plus years to go by without taking advantage of these positive feelings, just a thought!

— Rick Gutierrez

City Council Appoints Interim City Manager

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The City Council of Redwood City has named Human Resources Director Robert (Bob) Bell to serve as the interim City Manager, upon the resignation of City Manager Peter Ingram. Mr. Bell will assume his new duties as interim City Manager effective Monday, November 15.

Mr. Bell has been with the City for five years as the Human Resources Director and also served as the Assistant City Manager for 2 years. Among other city-wide projects, he has worked closely with the City Council and City Manager’s office on the City’s strategic plan and budget reduction process.

“Bob has an excellent sense of the organization and the Council’s priorities and direction,” said Redwood City Mayor Jeff Ira. “My colleagues on the Council and I feel Bob is the right choice to keep the City moving on the right course. We also know we will be working closely with him over the next several months in selecting our next City Manager.”

Mr. Bell has over 15 years experience in public administration and over 20 years experience in human resources and labor relations. He holds a master’s degree in public administration and will be awarded a Doctorate in Organization Leadership from the University of San Francisco in December of this year.

High Speed Rail Meeting

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Redwood City & Redwood Shores residents have an opportunity to hear a City staff update on the status of the High Speed Rail (HSR) project, as it relates to Redwood City.

Staff will make an informational update presentation at the December 6th City Council meeting. The meeting begins at 7 pm, taking place at City Hall, 1017 Middlefield Road. Council meetings are broadcast on cable channels 26 or 27, and streamed live on the City’s website (go to Government/City Council/Meetings – direct link: www.redwoodcity.org/government/council/meetings.html).

This informational report is subsequent to the general HSR community workshops which were held in Redwood City on April 29 and May 11, 2010, and the two additional community meetings held to discuss the potential for a high-speed rail station in Redwood City, which took place on October 13 and November 3, 2010.

At the December 6 Council meeting, staff will provide:

  • A Program update, including the Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement
  • An overview of the active engagement process, including community outreach meetings; Policy Working Group meetings; Technical Working Group meetings; updates to the Chamber of Commerce, Seaport Industrial Association, and Peninsula Freight Rail Users Group; and regional coordination
  • A review of the High Speed Rail project’s integration with Redwood City’s New General Plan, including key themes, urban form and land use, circulation, and economic development
  • Time for Council Q & A and discussion

 No decisions will be made at this meeting – it is purely an informational report to the City Council and the community.

More information on the Project is available on the City’s HSR information page at www.redwoodcity.org/hsr.html , or at the California High Speed Rail Authority’s web page at www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov .

Fire Safety for the Holidays

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You may know that the holidays are a time of increased risk of home fires – some holiday activities including cooking, Christmas trees, candle usage, and use of holiday decorations, are among the leading causes of home fires. Here are a few key fire-safety tips from the Redwood City Fire Department:

Kitchen safety:

  • Stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling or broiling food. Most cooking fires involve the stovetop, so keep anything that can catch fire away from it, and turn off the stove when you leave the kitchen, even if it’s for a short period of time. If you’re simmering, boiling, baking or roasting food, check it regularly and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.

Candles:

  • Consider using flameless candles, which look and smell like real candles. However, if you do use traditional candles, keep them at least 12” away from anything that can burn, and remember to blow them out when you leave the room or go to bed. Use candle holders that are sturdy, won’t tip over and are placed on uncluttered surfaces. Avoid using candles in the bedroom.

Trees:

  • If you have an artificial tree, be sure it’s labeled, certified or identified by the manufacturer as fire-retardant.
  • If you choose a fresh tree, make sure the green needles don’t fall off when touched; before placing it in the stand, cut 1-2” from the base of the trunk. Add water to the tree stand, and be sure to water it daily.
  • Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit, and is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, space heaters, radiators, candles and heat vents or lights.
  • Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory, and make sure you know whether they are designed for indoor or outdoor use.
  • Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords, or loose bulb connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini-string sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.
  • Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
  • Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving the home or going to bed.
  • After Christmas, remove the tree from your home. Dried-out trees are a fire hazard and should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside the home.
  • Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.

Additional information on home fire safety for the holidays is available from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) website, located at www.nfpa.org/holiday . More information on how to make your home “fire-safe” can be obtained by contacting the Redwood City Fire Department at 650-780-7400 or visiting www.redwoodcity.org/fire .

Redwood Shores Elementary Dedication Ceremony

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On November 4, 2010, the Board of Trustees for the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District met at Redwood Shores Elementary to hold a dedication ceremony for the many people involved with building the new school.

This all started with the citizens of Redwood Shores voting for Measure C in November, 2005 to issue the bonds to acquire the land and build a new elementary school in Redwood Shores. The School District along with Jeff Gee, then President of RSCA, selected members of the Redwood Shores community to serve on the New Shores School Advisory Committee. They were instrumental in advising the school board on site selection, and choosing the construction firm and architects.

The new school was named Redwood Shores Elementary in consideration for the community’s involvement in making this school a reality. This fall the school opened to 265 students with a capacity of 450 students.

City Council Accepts Resignation of City Manager Peter Ingram

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The City Council of Redwood City has accepted the resignation of City Manager Peter Ingram effective December 31, 2010. Mr. Ingram has worked for the City since 1992 and has served as City Manager since June of 2008.

The City Council wishes to express its appreciation for Mr. Ingram’s service to the City of Redwood City. As City Manager, Mr. Ingram has been instrumental in developing and delivering the City’s strategic plan and general plan and making recommendations to resolve the City’s financial deficits. Prior to his role as City Manager, Mr. Ingram served as the Community Development Director and Public Work Services Director. In these roles Mr. Ingram led staff through a variety of major initiatives such as the revitalization of the City’s downtown and the recycled water project.

Mr. Ingram wishes to express his appreciation to the City Council and staff for their dedication and commitment to the community of Redwood City.

The City Council will meet in the near future to appoint an interim city manager and discuss the process for recruiting for the next city manager.

Special Amnesty for Library Fines: “Food for Fines” Helps Second Harvest Food Bank

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The Redwood City Public Library, in partnership with the San Mateo County Library, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, and Second Harvest Food Bank, presents a unique way to both clear up unpaid library fines, and build community by donating food to those in need. It’s the 2010 “Food for Fines” program, which allows library patrons to pay-off their library fines by donating food during between November 15 and December 30.

Anyone with outstanding library fines is invited to deliver nonperishable food items to any Redwood City library (or to any of the San Mateo County Library’s twelve branches) during regular business hours. The higher the amount of someone’s unpaid fines, the more food they should donate! They’ll leave the library with a cleared account (up to $100 in fines may be forgiven), and the great feeling of having helped others as the holidays approach.

All food collected will be provided to Second Harvest Food Bank, and of course everyone is encouraged to donate food to help those in need, even if they don’t owe any library fines – each library has a special Second Harvest Food Bank bin where donated food items can be placed. Over 45.5 million pounds of nutritious food is delivered annually by Second Harvest Food Bank to low income people in need in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. The majority of these people are children and seniors. These millions of pounds of food are provided free of charge to 326 local nonprofit agencies at more than 700 sites, including pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and after-school programs.

Please note that food donations as part of the Food for Fines program cannot be applied towards the cost of lost or damaged library items, unique collection items, or printing fees. The program is only valid for fines and fees of to San Mateo County Libraries and Redwood City Libraries. Libraries can accept only store-sealed items, and cannot accept glass containers.

The Redwood City Public Library offers many free programs for children, adults, and families, and is the learning center of our community. For more information about library events and services you may access the library’s home page at www.redwoodcity.org/library  or call 780-7026.

Visit Redwood City’s award-winning website at www.redwoodcity.org  for information about the City and its services, the community, recreation programs, education, and local business. Subscribe to Redwood City’s email newsletter and other City documents by visiting www.redwoodcity.org/egov

Light Up the Shores

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Dress up your home and yard with lights, Santa, reindeers, snowmen and win prizes! Winning homes will be featured in The Pilot and on the web. 

If you want to be sure our judges see your lighted home, just email us at when your lights are up and give us your street address and name.

Judging ends on Friday, December 17th (7PM), so if your house is lighting up your neighborhood, be sure to email RSCA and let us know!