A merger with the San Mateo Police Department could save Burlingame as much as $750,000 annually by cutting administrative costs and duplicate services, according to city officials.
Though no decision has been made to combine the two police units, a contract to begin looking at that possibility is expected to be discussed by the Burlingame City Council next week.
Burlingame City Manager Jim Nantell said it could be several months or even years before a final decision is made, but the city wants to put an interim chief in place during talks.
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A regional Wi-Fi plan — with San Carlos and Palo Alto as pilot sites — that would have connected up to 40 cities with wireless Internet service has all but been abandoned.
San Carlos business owners know there is a Wi-Fi network ready to go in their city, but they are not using it.
The equipment and hardware for a wireless Internet network that would allow business owners to use it for their own transactions and to even sell or offer it to customers was installed roughly three years ago, but a network provider has still not been found.
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Eliminating 160 positions in San Mateo County could save an estimated $20 million annually, but union representatives say they are asking supervisors to consider cuts to management positions before those directly serving the public.
Many of the positions proposed to be cut are vacant, county Budget Director Jim Saco said. Nearly 30, however, are filled.
“Some of these positions have been held onto for years,” Saco said. “But cutting that one position now could mean hitting that budget target.”
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At least 13 mountain lions have been sighted in San Mateo County since January, including attacks on a deer and a goat, prompting county officials to close parks at one point. But some officials say it is not an increase in activity by the cougars, but an increase in people being outside.
Jeff Norris, district coordinator with the San Mateo County Department of Emergency Services, said mountain lions are out hunting and roaming all year long. It is human habits that change.
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At-large elections in San Mateo County dilute votes of minorities, according to a group of lawyers demanding county officials change voting practices.
Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights is threatening litigation against San Mateo County unless the county agrees to discuss the possibility for change from at-large elections to district elections of representatives.
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The two-story-high sign alongside U.S. Highway 101 in San Mateo marking the exit to Bay Meadows Racetrack is coming down this week.
Crews on Wednesday began work on removing the sign that has adorned the side of the freeway for decades. It will take a week to remove.
San Mateo Senior Planner Darcy Forsell said the developer will work from the backside of the sign and remove the marquee before taking down the pedestal it sits on.
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When Dale Edwards decided to lead a less-sedentary lifestyle, he knew he couldn’t do it alone.
The 73-year-old Daly City resident, who is legally blind, knew he would need someone to guide him on walks, jogging trails and trips to the gym.
As a result, Edwards began partnering with Daly City resident Mike Stallings three years ago.
The duo walks and jogs a 4.5-mile loop around Lake Merced three times a week. Edwards said he is confident the two will be ready for their second ING Bay to Breakers race on May 16.
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The five projects that could bring nearly 2,000 homes along a half-mile stretch of Delaware Street are causing concern for some San Mateo residents because they say the potential increase in traffic, congestion and noise is not being addressed properly.
Pamela Mallett, spokeswoman for the Delaware Street Coalition, said the group’s main concern is over the lack of a comprehensive plan for all projects and their effects to existing neighborhoods.
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Lisa Li, founder of youliveandyoulearn.org, a nonprofit agency that helps young fashion designers get a start, is hosting a fashion show May 1 at Solarium located at 55 Second St.
What is youliveandyoulearn.org? Our main focus is to help struggling designers produce events and illustrate to the public there are a lot of talented people out there not being recognized.
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More than $1.9 million in grant money was awarded to 26 school districts and organizations last week to help educators close the achievement gap in math.
The Silicon Valley Community Foundation awarded the grants to districts that focus on teacher and student learning in mathematics, according to foundation Program Director Gina Dalma.
The Bayshore Elementary School District, which includes students in Daly City, was among the recipients of the grants.
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An attempt to ban Styrofoam products throughout San Mateo County is in the works as cities continue to tackle the issue on their own in an effort to end environmental pollution.
Dean Peterson, San Mateo County’s director of environmental health, said a draft ordinance that would require businesses to discontinue using polystyrene-based products, or Styrofoam — often used for food storage or takeout — will go before the Board of Supervisors Environmental Quality Committee next month for discussion.
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Quinn Donnelly, president of the Princess Project’s board of directors is helping the Bay Area nonprofit provide free prom dresses to girls who otherwise could not afford them. The dress giveaway will take place at 901 Market St. on Saturday and March 27, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
How does a high school girl get a dress?
Any high school-aged girl can come to the giveaway with a valid student ID. There is no need to provide proof of income; we just need a valid high school ID for this year.
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Smokers on the College of San Mateo campus will need to walk a little farther before they can light up next school year.
A new school policy that will require smokers to remain in parking lots will go into effect this fall, according to college officials. The move was made for better enforcement of smoking policies and for health concerns.
Jennifer Hughes, vice president of student affairs at CSM, said though some students feel it is an inconvenience, others are receptive to the idea.
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A quarter-cent sales tax increase in San Mateo is slated to go into effect April 1 and is estimated to bring more than $3 million a year to the city for the next eight years.
San Mateo business owners said the tax is a minor increase that would not deter customers from making purchases.
Lynne Fitzgerald, owner of She Sells Resale, a consignment and antique furniture store on 25th Avenue, said that even with the tax increase, business is already better than last year.
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The ever-growing reliance on cell phones, wireless Internet and mobile devices has challenged cellular companies to provide for and anticipate demand, but that means more towers in open spaces, a development some people oppose.
Heidi Flato, spokeswoman for Verizon Wireless, said anticipating and providing coverage where needed is one of the main goals of wireless companies.
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