I am working with the officers of BHCIA to try to develop a simple response for homeowners to recent city inspections of cracked sidewalks.  This is a developing situation, so please "stay tuned."  More information to come.  City inspectors, responding to a complaint about tripping hazards, marked cracked sidewalks and sent notices to 59 homeowners requiring repairs.  City officials have already agreed to extend the 30-day permitting deadline to 90 days.   BHCIA (Belmont Heights Civic Improvement Association) will find a volunteer facilitator to identify one "master contractor" for many repairs, permits, and inspections.  This will be offered as a voluntary convenience to homeowners.  Homeowners can still respond to the city notice in any lawful manner they choose.  If multiple homeowners band together via BHCIA to use a single "master contractor," the homeowners will still still need to pay for their individual fair share of the repairs, but the overall process should be easier, quicker, and (hopefully) a little cheaper for everybody.  More later....

I met with city staff yesterday and they confirmed that Comstock is to be repaved next summer (2025).  This is one of the most frequent complaints I get, but it looks like it is on the way to a resolution.

When I launched this campaign for city council, I promised to try to walk every street in Belmont District 4 and knock on every door where I thought I might be welcome.  DONE!  I completed the walking over the weekend.  I ended at the front door of my friend and neighbor Vivek Wadhwa, who is an astonishing guy BTW.  He is one of the most keen observers of technology, business, and life I have ever known.  He is an author, professor, CEO, TED-talker, and a bunch of other things too numerous to mention.  You should check him  out at....  https://wadhwa.com/ 

It was chilly at the city hall parking lot the annual "Trunk or Treat."  But it was a great time for families.   Ray Avianzano and the folks from Rotary Club were a big part of the success.

Thanks to all of the volunteers who walked neighborhoods over the weekend.  I couldn't get a complete group shot, but here is the contingent from IBEW!

City contractors have started work on the "Capacity Enhancement Project" for the sanitary sewer on San Juan Blvd. and East Laurel Creek.  That sewer line was installed in the early days by the builders and it was undersized for the current number of houses.  The full project will take about 5 months, but the contractors are doing a good job of working with residents to maintain local access in and out and to avoid distupting sewer service.

They won't give me an official color "I Voted" electronic sticker until my ballot is entered at the elections office.  (I'll change the photo when they give me the electronic color sticker.)  I would be most honored to receive your vote, but the important thing is that your do your research, think about the issues, make up your own mind, and get out there and vote!

This quote is from the LA Times, no less.  They rate Belmont as the 10th best place to retire in California.  We were the only city in San Mateo County to make their list.  I have to say I agree with them, but I didn't think we were big enough to get noticed by the LA Times.  Now, if I could actually retire from my day job, I might have more time to enjoy some of those wonderful amenities!

Tomorrow (10/11/24) CAL FIRE will conduct a prescribed burn near the Gate Vista Rest Stop.  This is not in Belmont, but is near us on the SFPUC watershed land.  We might see a little smoke in the areas near Sheep Camp Trail.  For general info go to CAL FIRE at https://www.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/natural-resource-management/prescribed-fire

Belmont District 4 voters should have received this mailer.  This one is from me.  It includes my committee name and FPPC number.

Some people in the district also received a mailer that looks like this.  It uses images from my website, but I did not create it.  This is what is called in "IE" (independent expenditure) mailer.  My understanding is that IE pieces are completely allowable.  I just want voters to know that I did not communicate with the senders in any way about it.  I have not received any money, endorsements, or support from the senders.  They prepared this on their own, as is typical of IE pieces.

All of the official paperwork has been submitted to the city clerk.  The campaign is official!