Newsletters
Sign up for Terry’s free electronic newsletter to learn about the latest news and issues affecting Burlingame.
June 6, 2009
May 12, 2009
April 22, 2009
April 6, 2009
March 24, 2009
To measure PG&E's performance, we need to log all power outages--even short ones. Please make a Power Outage Report.
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Neighborhood Network
The Neighborhood Network program encourages citizens to work cooperatively in neighborhood teams to prepare for disasters. In the process of getting better acquainted, neighbors are inspired to plan other events such as block parties and holiday get-togethers. Their sense of community fosters a “Neighborhood Watch” awareness that helps prevent crime.
To learn more, click on "more" or contact Terry at terry@terrynagel.com or (650) 347-3576.
Civic Engagement
Here’s what I learned at a civic engagement seminar on March 6, 2009, called “Focus on Community Engagement." It was presented by FOCUS (a partnership of four regional agencies in the Bay Area) with Common Sense California and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group
You can read what Burlingame is doing to foster civic engagement here.
Carl Guardino of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group pointed out the value of community participation by asking, “Do you feel more ownership if you build it or you buy it?”
Public engagement enhances government’s effectiveness and improves the quality of its decisions
Housing for the future
We’re having a spirited conversation now in Burlingame that will take place in every city in the Bay Area sooner or later.
It’s about how much height and density to allow in areas near major transit corridors. This discussion isn’t just about what you and I want. It’s about trying to anticipate what residents and businesses in our cities will need 10, 20 and 30 years from now.
How to Get People Out of Their Cars
With gas close to $5 a gallon and vehicles causing 50 percent of carbon emissions in our cities, it’s time to get serious about getting people out of their cars.
At the San Mateo County Council of Cities meeting for council members, two experts on transportation recently offered Top 10 lists for how to encourage people to use alternatives to cars. Here’s what they had to say.
Christine Maley-Grubl, executive director of the Peninsula Traffic Congestion Relief Alliance
No. 10 – Encourage employers to offer telecommuting as an option for employees to leave their cars at home. The Alliance can provide information on establishing a telecommute program.
No. 9 – Encourage employers to urge employees to vanpool if they are commuting long distances. Vanpool providers such as VPSI or Enterprise can provide the vans. The Alliance can help coordinate vanpools and also offers cash incentives to vanpool drivers and to riders.
Earthquake Lessons
Stewart Brand happened to be driving by the Marina in San Francisco on the fateful evening of October 17, 1989. As the chaos of the 7.1 earthquake unfolded, he helped rescue victims and made mental notes of what worked and didn’t work. Later, he recorded his impressions and interviewed others to create a comprehensive record of what it’s like to go through a major catastrophe.
Mr. Brand, who is best known for founding the WELL (an early online community) and creating The Whole Earth Catalog, has kindly given permission to use this article "in any way you like," so feel free to print it out and share it with others. By the way, he’s still very busy. These days he lives on a tugboat in Sausalito and runs the Long Now Foundation, which is dedicated to encouraging long-term thinking.
Download "Learning from the Earthquake," by Stewart Brand, here.
Claims for Power Outages
Map of Outages
The Greening of Burlingame
There is overwhelming evidence that our planet is undergoing significant changes that may compromise the future welfare of our children and grandchildren. We need to begin acting immediately to reduce carbon emissions and implement more sustainable practices.
Burlingame has already taken significant steps to “go green.” You can read more about the city’s progress to date on the city’s Web site. There is much more to be done.
Report a Power Outage
It is critical for us to be able to provide PG&E with an accurate report of outages and their impact on our community. If you have experienced an outage, please enter the details in this Power Outage Form.
You can review the latest Log of Power Outages based on the most recent outages reported.
Terry's Vision
Terry has a vision for Burlingame that includes open government and public participation where all community members can get involved and connected to one another. Her vision includes smart development – the kind that meets our city’s high standards of excellence.
Emergency Contacts & Helpful Info List
Whom should you call to fix a pothole? Replace a streetlight? Report a crime that happened a week ago?
Burlingame offers a list of Emergency Contacts and Other Helpful Information that you can download and keep handy by your phone. We suggest that you print it on both sides and also keep a copy with you wherever you go because the list also includes very basic information about what to do during an emergency.
Download a copy here. (Click on the PDF version at the top)
Citizen Participation in Burlingame's Government
I believe in government of the people, by the people and for the people. Democracy works best when citizens become informed about issues and actively participate in government.
The current Burlingame City Council has opened the doors of local government to the public and invited participation in goal setting and budget sessions. The process works well. With Safeway’s full concurrence, we are currently using a collaborative process to work on a new design for the supermarket.
Contact Terry
Terry welcomes your feedback and comments on any issues relating to Burlingame. Go to the Contact form and send your message. Terry will get back to you very shortly.