Posted by new guy, a resident of the Menlo Park: Downtown neighborhood, on May 30, 2012 at 11:54 am

So Kelly thinks that since she is not extracting every possible dime from her servants (taxpayers) the council's reasoning is "unconvincing"?

When can we vote this one out?

Oh, and sorry, voting NO on new taxes.

Posted by MP Deception , a resident of the Menlo Park: Belle Haven neighborhood, on May 30, 2012 at 1:05 pm

The very things the UUT was voted in for is now being ignored. Was the vote in 2006 a scram to make us believe in the great mirage? Just calling it like it is!!!

Posted by Peter Carpenter, a resident of the Atherton: Lindenwood neighborhood, on May 30, 2012 at 1:28 pm
Peter Carpenter is a member (registered user) of Almanac Online

What is the amount in the 'balanced budget" to cover the current unfunded pension liabilities?

Does the budget even show the unfunded pension liabilities?

Posted by Morris Brown, a resident of the Menlo Park: Park Forest neighborhood, on Jun 9, 2012 at 4:39 am

The statement from the new City Manager:

"If you hear nothing else tonight -- your city budget is balanced,"

is exactly the kind of budget balancing act that Gov. Brown plays on the State level. Balanced only if the voters will approve a new tax.

In this case, the tax would come out of the pockets of "out of towners" visiting and staying in hotels.

Having blown $1.7 million on the downtown / El Camion miss-guided specific plan, our Council comes back to the voters for more revenue.

In previous years (John Boyle era) we heard the song “don’t worry about a deficit, we always are too conservative and will show a surplus in the end". This then led to mid-year corrections to supply needed funds to plug what indeed turned out to be deficits.

The last few councils have managed to deplete the City's general fund reserve by about one half, while continually raising fees and dipping into capital accounts to balance budgets.

Posted by Hank Lawrence, a resident of the Menlo Park: Sharon Heights neighborhood, on Jun 9, 2012 at 8:04 am

Morris,

I thank you for your comments. Disagree with the Boyle Statement though. The ideal City Council would consist of

1. Roy Thiele Sardina

2. Henry Riggs

3. Ned Moritz

4. Peter Ohtaki, and

5. Gail Slocum

I put Gail's name down so we could watch her be continually frustrated on television with a series of 4 to 1 votes. We wouldn't want people to be bored by efficient and effective council proceedings that are on track and don't meander. Heyward or Kelly could easily be replacements for Gail; but she's more fun to watch. However, Heyward gives her a run for the money.

Posted by truth, a resident of the Menlo Park: Belle Haven neighborhood, on Jun 9, 2012 at 9:22 am

[Post removed; personal attack on other posters.]

Posted by Bob, a resident of the Menlo Park: Downtown neighborhood, on Jun 9, 2012 at 11:05 am

If we want people to occupy hotels, why would we want to tax them more?

Didn't the county just vote down a similar measure?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but a budget isn't balanced if it depends on the passage of a tax. That's like a homeowner saying my budget will be balanced if I get my bonus.

Think again Menlo Park city officials.