Collect Pension, Return to Work ‘DOUBLE DIPPING’ by RECENT CITY RETIREES a COMMON PRACTICE to EXTEND CAREER
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Inside: Our Neighborhoods Mountain View and Los Altos JANUARY 8, 2010 VOLUME 18, NO. 1 INSIDE: WEEKEND | PAGE 18 650.964.6300 MountainViewOnline.com Collect pension, return to work ‘DOUBLE DIPPING’ BY RECENT CITY RETIREES A COMMON PRACTICE TO EXTEND CAREER By Daniel DeBolt it’s allowed in California. CalPERS, the agency respon- he cost of city employee sible for managing pensions for pensions has long been a the retirees of most California Tsubject of controversy, and cities, allows government work- that debate was given new life ers to receive their pensions while recently after three city depart- returning to work for another ment heads retired last month agency under CalPERS (which — then returned to work part- time while still receiving their See PENSIONS, page 9 pensions. To do what city officials called “critical work” for the city, library director Karen Burnett Ronit Bryant JAMES TENSUAN and employee services direc- YOU SAW ME STANDING ALONE: tor Kathy Farrar have returned to their posts after retiring in is new mayor A long exposure taken at Castro and Villa streets on New Year’s Eve captures the recent blue moon rising December. They will be paid over downtown Mountain View. A “blue moon” is a second full moon in the same calendar month — a $110 an hour and $113 an hour, By Daniel DeBolt phenomenon which usually occurs once every two to three years. respectively, while also drawing annual pensions of more than he City Council has unani- $100,000. mously selected Ronit Bry- Farrar’s annual pension could Tant to be the new mayor Outlook 2010: more tough times be a record-high $187,000 due of Mountain to her salary of $183,000 and her View in 2010. BUDGET WOES SURE TO PERSIST IN THE YEAR AHEAD — steady employment with the city The Tuesday BUT WILL HANGAR BE LEFT HANGING? for 38 years. (Burnett’s salary of night selec- $176,000 and her 8.5 years with tion followed By Kelsey Mesher and Daniel DeBolt her friend, House Speaker Nancy the city could lead to a $40,000 city tradition, Pelosi, will finally get something yearly pension from Mountain by which the ost prognosticators will done on this worthwhile project. View alone.) Calls to CalPERS council mem- say that 2010 has to be All in all, this is hardly a year for to confirm these figures were not ber with high- Ronit Bryant Mbetter than its prede- optimism, but there are glimmers returned as of press time. est seniority cessor. Would the governor of of hope on the horizon. Newly retired city attorney and who received the most votes California agree? Michael Martello is also return- (and who hasn’t yet been mayor) The state budget is once again NINSIDE Tough budget year ing to work, as interim “town rotates into the mayor’s seat. By short many billions of dollars. And Mountain View officials are attorney” in Los Gatos, where the same tradition, council mem- when Sacramento is desperate for Ten high-tech predicting a $4 million to $5 mil- he will be paid an undisclosed ber Jac Siegel was unanimously money the squeeze is put on local lion deficit when it comes time to amount while also drawing a chosen to be vice mayor. governments and school districts, breakthroughs balance the city’s budget in June, pension. He retired from Moun- Both Bryant and Siegel spoke so watch for further contractions at in 2010 requiring some painful cuts to ser- tain View with a salary of of the challenges the city faces the local level. Just like last year. vices and personnel. $235,000 last year — possibly in the coming year. Bryant said On the bright side, there could be IN BUSINESS P.15 After the city budget was cut to resulting in another unusually that, with four department heads some good news at Moffett Field, the bone to fill a similar gap last large yearly pension as he will retired as of last month, city man- where venerable Hangar One is being the South Bay’s most vis- year, many are anxiously wait- receive $101,000 from his work ager Kevin Duggan is “tasked due to lose its toxic pallor and get ible landmark. We’re betting that ing to see if this year’s shortfall in Mountain View alone. with forging a new organization” the new siding it needs to continue Congresswoman Anna Eshoo and will actually require laying off The practice of taking a pen- at City Hall. And Siegel spoke city employees. Council mem- sion and returning to work of the city’s budget problems: ber Margaret Abe-Koga said city part-time is known as “double “These are exciting times, but dipping.” And while it is illegal See OUTLOOK, page 8 in some states, such as Michigan, See MAYOR, page 7 INSIDE GOINGS ON 22 | MOVIES 21 | REAL ESTATE 26 | VIEWPOINT 13 apr.com REDEFINING QUALITY SINCE 1990 Reading between the emotional line makes the difference between finding a house and a home. Sue Dumas Carolyn Botts Mary Marley SAN JOSE N Fabulous home offers tremendous REDWOOD C ITY NBeautifully upgraded 4bd/2.5ba LOS ALTOS N Exquisitely appointed 2bd/2ba versatility. 6bd/4ba + bonus room, cathedral ceilings, home. Cherry HW floors, new carpet, crown mold- townhome in the heart of the Village. Grand separate family room leading to large deck perfect ing, + gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appli- entrance, country French kitchen, spacious LR and for entertaining. Huge backyard. $1,450,000 ances. Spacious, open floor plan. $949,000 DR, + library. Private balcony. $849,000 Erika Ameri & Lena Manugian Jerylann Mateo Judy & Jana Faulhaber LOS ALTOSNUpdated, pristine 2bd/2.5ba free- SAN JOSE N Remodeled and updated 4bd/2ba LOS GATOS N Comfortable sophistication. standing townhome in downtown Los Altos. Newly home located at the quiet end of Pine Avenue. 3bd/2.5ba TH in a great location near Vasona Park remodeled kitchen, spacious LR with FP, + separate Great kitchen features granite countertops. Formal and downtown Los Gatos. Spacious LR and DR. DR. Private garden patio. $839,000 living room + separate family room. $799,000 2-car garage. Pool + clubhouse. $715,000 Jack Earl Barb Williams Jerylann Mateo CUPERTINO N Lovely single-story townhouse. SUNNYVALE N Charming 3bd/2ba ranch-style MOUNTAIN VIEW NGreat opportunity! Updated 2bd/2ba with den which could be used as a 3rd home in La Linda Terrace neighborhood. Nicely 3bd/1ba home, ready to move-right-in! Beautiful bedroom. Private yard, 2 patio areas, + attached updated with decorator paint + newly refinished kitchen + new appliances. Nicely painted inside 2-car garage. Cupertino schools. $649,950 HW floors. Generously-sized rear yard. $599,999 and out. Oversized lot. $569,000 apr.com | LOS ALTOS OFFICE 167 SOUTH SAN ANTONIO ROAD 650.941.1111 APR COUNTIES | Santa Clara | San Mateo | San Francisco | Alameda | Contra Costa | Monterey | Santa Cruz 2 ■ MOUNTAIN VIEW VOICE ■ JANUARY 8, 2010 7PJD FT AROUND TOWN Asked in Downtown Mountain View. Pictures and interviews by Dana Sherne. Does increased airport security make you feel safer? Are you past due for your check-up and cleaning? · Service – · Smiles – “No. All I really think increased At smiles dental, we Our offi ce is equipped airport security is going to do is believe in treating our patients to the best with the latest technology to help you make the hassle of getting on an of dentistry and technology with fi rst class achieve the smile you deserve. personal service. airplane harder and it’s just going Health & Beauty to delay everything.” · Passionate – Our skilled team is Chris Walker, Menlo Park passionate about helping our patients FREE EXAM maintain healthy beautiful smiles. NEW PATIENTS ONLY INCLUDES EXAM & DIGITAL X-RAYS! SECOND OPINIONS WELCOME Dr. William Hall & Dr. Peri Eilers Call for details. Some restrictions may apply. “Sure. I personally don’t mind Offer Good for 60 Days. waiting for half an hour extra at 100 W. El Camino Real, Suite 63A the airport to be sure that nobody Mountain View else is going to create problems for (Corner of El Camino and Calderon) us. If we know that in advance, we 650.964.2626 can plan ahead.” www.SmilesDental.com Preaveen Kasi, San Jose “Yes. I can’t believe what’s German International School of Silicon Valley happened, so yes, anything that GISSV would increase security, I would The Best of two Worlds - Learning in German and English be for. I know it’s going to be expensive, some of the equipment, but if terrorism is going to continue, we need to fight against it.” Barbara Norris, Mountain View • Preschool and Grades K-12 with dual immersion language programm (German and English) Visit our • WASC accredited High School Program Open House on • German International Abitur & SAT/AP exams January 23, 2010 • Safe and nurturing learning environment 10am to 1pm • German language classes for all ages “Yes, I guess so. I didn’t see a 310 Easy Street, Mountain View, CA 94043 email [email protected] web www.gissv.org whole lot of increased security from the last time I went.” Diana VanMinnen, Milwaukee, Wis. 1ZV[e `TQ “Yes it does. If these terrorists are coming in and plotting to kill us, that’s a bad thing. So we have to heighten up our security at our JOIN NOW! airports so passengers feel safe $ ENROLLMENT 2O.1O $20.10 First when they take a flight, not all month dues nervous and scared.” Jayson Jesula, Mountain View .OLONGTERMCONTRACTSs,IMITEDTOlRSTPEOPLEONLYs!LLMEMBERSHIPSAREMONTHTOMONTHs3OMERESTRICTIONSAPPLY s.3HORELINE"LVD -TN6IEWs- &AM PM3AT3UNAM PMsWWWOVERTIMElTNESSCOM Have a question for Voices Around Town? E-mail it to [email protected] JANUARY 8, 2010 ■ MOUNTAIN VIEW VOICE ■ 3 -PDBM/FXT www.demartiniorchard.com 66 N.