October 21, 2004
Dear Friend:
A record number of San Mateo County residents have registered to vote in time for the November 2 election: 356,089 as of Monday, surpassing the previous record of 355,053 in the 1996 presidential race.
The registration deadline was Monday, but you have until Tuesday, October 26, to request an absentee ballot. Please do so if there’s any chance that you will be out of town or your schedule is too busy that day. It’s important to make your voice heard!
For information about requesting an absentee ballot, go to San Mateo County’s election site, Shape the Future, at www.shapethefuture.org/absentee/permanent_voter.asp. Incidentally, Shape the Future is an excellent source for live election results on the night of the election. Go to www.shapethefuture.org.
Can’t Decide?
If you’re having trouble deciding how to vote, stay tuned. I will send out another newsletter by early next week listing the pros and cons of many ballot measures and candidates’ races—everything EXCEPT the presidential race. (Most people understand that choice very well.) I’ll also post it on my Web site at www.terrynagel.com. If you’re voting via absentee ballot, you’ll still have time to mail in your ballot. Absentee voters can also drop off their ballots at a designated voting spot on Election Day, or sign over permission for a friend of relative to do so.
Here are two other sites offering information about issues and candidates: the California Secretary of State (www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections.htm) and Smart Voter (www.smartvoter.org).
Make Burlingame Beautiful
This Sunday, October 24, volunteers will be gathering on Burlingame Avenue at 7:30 a.m., rain or shine, to plant all 21 planters on Burlingame Avenue. Weeding and other preparations have been completed. Those who come will plant annuals and bulbs under the direction of a master gardener. They should bring gardening gloves and a hand trowel.
The planting project is expected to take no more than two hours and all volunteers will be rewarded with bagels, doughnuts, coffee and healthier foods at Chicken! Chicken! at 234 Primrose Road at approximately 9:15 a.m.
Only four planters on Burlingame Avenue remain to be adopted. Those who adopt a planter at $500 per year can specify wording for a plaque on the planter. You can learn more about the Adopt a Planter program at www.betterburlingame.org/main.php?Page=49 or by calling Monika at (650) 207-7969.
Community Wish List
Local community groups have been hit hard by the economic downturn. To help the ones that serve Burlingame, I am putting together a Community Wish List listing up to three items each that each group would like donated. The idea is that people are more likely to donate for something physical when they understand the need for it than just writing a check. Donations could also be made in memory of a loved one.
If you would like to help with this project, please email me at terry@terrynagel.com or call me at (650) 347-3576.
Community Recognition Policy
On Monday the Burlingame City Council adopted a Community Recognition Policy (www.terrynagel.com/main.php?Page=458) that addresses donations to the city ranging from park benches and trees to major facilities. It includes a Walk fo Fame to recognize individuals who have given 10 or more years of service to the community. Applications for the Walk of Fame will be solicited from the community each May.
Improve Burlingame’s Web site
During a January gathering I held to seek input from the community, many Burlingame residents said they would like the city’s Web site at www.burlingame.org to improve. Suggestions included posting staff reports before each City Council meeting, making it possible to take out permits online, setting up automatic payment of water bills and sending e-newsletters to the public. Other cities have embraced e-government far more than Burlingame, yet we have many talented Web designers and programmers living in our city.
If you would like to offer your ideas for improving the city’s Web site, please come to a meeting with City Manager Jim Nantell and the city’s current Web maintenance specialist on Saturday, November 20, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Lane Room at the main Burlingame Public Library, 480 Primrose Road. Please RSVP by November 16 to me at terry@terrynagel.com or call me at (650) 347-3576.
Free Home Repairs
Do you know someone who needs help with a home or community center renovation project but can’t afford to pay for it? Rebuilding Together Peninsula is taking requests through October 31 at (650) 366-6597 or info@rebuildingtogetherpeninsula.org. This is the organization that schedules “Christmas in April” each year, when volunteers repair homes and community centers. Suggested projects include general cleanup, roof repairs, plumbing, landscaping, electrical work and painting.
Channel 7 Seeks Story Ideas
Representatives from KGO (Channel 7, the ABC affiliate) met with Burlingame residents on October 13 to learn about local issues. If you have a story idea for KGO, you can email it to abc7listens@kgo-tv.com or call toll-free(877) 222-7777.
