By Ruby Elbogen

Kudos to Lehigh Cement, the new guys that took over from “big bad Kaiser.” While not within Cupertino’s jurisdiction, they seem to be doing their corporate best to make corrections that Kaiser left undone.

The news of Lehigh’s latest move to install a single stack before their 2013 deadline, should bring smiles to the folks who have been waxing loud about the lack thereof at the facility. While I suspect that like me, many do not have a clue what a single stack does, their lack of knowledge doesn’t seem to stop them from complaining loudly anyway.

It would be a good move for people to give the fairly new owners of the cement plant a chance to make good on their promises to do the right thing before using them for target practice. Many complaints I’ve heard lately seem to come from folks who seemingly do not realize that Lehigh is not the only quarry in the area, and at times may be leveling accusations at the wrong one.

Just because someone says “it” over and over again, ad nauseam, doesn’t make “it” true.  Could all the Federal, State and County agencies be ignoring every single accusation against Kaiser/Lehigh at the same time? Check the facts before repeating accusations being passed off as the real deal.  He who yells the loudest usually doesn’t make the most sense. The nastiness that has taken hold in Cupertino is getting way out of hand. It’s mean and it is very tiring.

By Ruby Elbogen

It’s especially annoying to realize what short memories a few people who need busy work have about some city “study events.” The North Vallco Master Plan is a prime example.

To the people who live in our Vallco neighborhood, it was a travesty since—even though Former Councilmember, Patrick Kwok insisted that every single neighborhood be included in the planning because of what happened with Measures D & E, our neighborhood, one of the closest to the North Vallco area was specifically left out.

I say that, since when we brought the error of omission to the attention of the Chair. and city hall, all we got were shrugs and NO appointment of a representative. Being snubbed, but not easily dissuaded, we, of course, attended anyway.

The moderator was good, however no matter how many times people in the group told him to leave housing OUT of the mix, it would mysteriously re-reappear on the board in one form or another.

Unlike the Main Street Cupertino Focus Groups, where the ideas of WE THE PEOPLE were taken seriously, the NVMP meetings were an attempt, in our estimation, to dictate to Apple, HP and the surrounding neighborhoods what the area should be and what it should include. Being seated near the Apple and HP Rep.’s, I can say that I felt their frustration at being dictated to by amateurs.  Holding yet another $50,000. Plus No. Vallco Master Plan re-do is a NO-NO, especially in the midst of a recession.

By Ruby Elbogen

In a momentous decision on Aug. 4^th-a memorable day for many, a longtime Republican Federal District Court Judge appointed by Ronald Reagan handed down his decision that Prop. 8 should be overturned. Wow.

Just as amazing as the decision, is the argument heard and handed down by Judge Vaughn R. Walker, a conservative Republican; was the partnering to argue on the same side in favor of overturning Prop. 8 was the “odd couple” of Theodore Olson, former Solicitor General of the U.S. appointed By George Bush, and David Boies–who argued on opposite sides of the George Bush/Al Gore election debacle.

It is the absolute highest order of Democracy when two brilliant experts of the law-former adversaries, one a conservative, the other a liberal-team up to bring justice to a group of people whose civil rights were violated.

Civil rights should not be abused by hiding behind the veil of religion, especially when not every religion considers marriage a sacrament. Since marriage is a legal contract, requiring a license a couple cannot be married without, it is definitely a civil not religious act.

Religion only enters the marriage if and when a couple walks into a house of worship to have a Minister, Rabbi, Priest or Monk—who also must have the proper licensing perform the I do’s—with the added words: By the power vested in me by the State of wherever. Mere mortals should stop speaking for God it’s offensive. And, if you don’t support Gay Marriage–DON’T marry someone Gay, don’t let your OWN kids marry someone Gay, if they listen to you—but don’t speak for me or mine. Mind your own religious business, if you have time to speak for God, your own “business” probably needs your full attention.

By Ruby Elbogen

While some woman, who stood up to berate our former Dir. Of Public Works—because (if I heard  correctly) he almost had her arrested, so she was “happy” he was retiring—we didn’t even know he’d been deputized. She went on (and on) and as I attempted to follow her muttering, I wondered what she had built in Cupertino that could possibly give more pleasure than The Ralph’s– Tah-Dah:

***BRIDGE*** –or as I usually refer to it, MY BRIDGE and Darcy Paul calls, THE BRIDGE TO SOMEWHERE. He and Sharon love THE BRIDGE so much, it’s where they posed for their engagement photo, but that’s another story.

While people are allowed to criticize a public figure, it’s not fine to attempt to marginalize someone who also brought us places like Blackberry Farm, Our Library, and Community Hall to remember him by. What do you, Oh Name Caller-bring to the table besides anger?

While I realize that Ralph Qualls doesn’t give a rat’s ascot about what this woman was whining about; it’s yet another notch in a long line of nasty incidents in our collective public forum.  Mean begets mean; and anger gives courage to others to get up and hurl their craziness around at will. It’s time to dial-down the rancor. All this rudeness and disrespect is tiring.  Just because you can rant and rave at will, doesn’t mean you should.  And, Ralph – Thanks for MY BRIDGE, it’s where I go for inspiration, whenever I am bereft of words to build a story. My Bridge Rocks (metaphorically) and so do you.

by Ruby Elbogen

Not sure how many people caught the zinger by Former Mayor, Orrin Mahoney at the last City Council Meeting:  “Yes, until you were elected we just gave away money to everyone who came before the City Council.”

High Five to Mahoney, and he said it with his usual good- natured style.

The discourse, or disgrace—depending upon one’s outlook on the reputation of the City Council honoring it’s obligations– came about as “You Know Who” made a big whoop about why he would not vote yes on a small detail regarding the previous Council’s vote to move the property line in an apartment complex deeding land TO the City for a park. In this particular vote, we were GETTING – NOT GIVING AWAY.

YKW, seemingly didn’t understand the subject and thought the City Council was giving away $400,000. What should have been a blip in the agenda taking 5 minutes, went on for the usual-Let’s drag it out to show everyone how smart I am, because I’m the “fiscal conservative” hour. Council Members—ALL 5 of you NEED to do your homework, or at the very least, ask the City Manager for a Cheat Sheet.  We promise, if you let him, Dave Knapp can make you look really smart on the issues coming up before you.

We are all going through difficult times during this downturn. However, if Cupertino is ever going to attract developers of projects, our “Leaders” have to show knowledge and good faith, not kick developers and businesses to the curb. Some of us are really sick and tired of all the banal rhetoric droning on for no apparent reason except for playing to the peanut gallery. Or in this case, how about some reason over rhyme, and not the other way round.

By Ruby Elbogen

Whether or not member(s) of our City Council agree or disagree with the AQMD findings, or the statements by, and answers to questions by Lehigh representatives, they should be treated with respect—or at least good manners.

Being a sitting council member comes with an inherent ability to accuse and bully, whether it’s justified or not. So when a council member accuses,

And is just plain snarky, without explanation, the council seat becomes a bully pulpit.

Writers have a bully pulpit, of sorts-as well. So, using mine-I say listen and learn before you accuse and chastise. And, never trash a Former Mayor with innuendo and rumors. Especially when she’s not there to answer the behind her back rancor being freely dispensed. Who are you to dictate where she can and cannot work? When did that aspect of Cupertino life become the business of a city council member?

While there may be a few who agree with this nasty breach of civility, most of us do not. So, since you obviously did not listen to your Mama when she told you to be respectful, I echo your words to our sitting Mayor a few weeks ago when I say: Shut Up-and add:

Go To Your Room!!!!

By Ruby Elbogen

Could Meg Whitman be any more annoying than she was before the Primary? Uh, Yes-and it’s already blasting all over the TV.  Save us, Please—from all the slashing and trashing.

She seemingly “campaigns” with her hit ‘em hard and make no sense style, because she doesn’t have a political record to stand on, so it’s easier to jab her opponent, who does–than to actually develop a platform of her own with which to astound us. Since she’s swimming in $$$, she can afford to just shovel mud and garbage on her opponent. The best defense is after all an offense—and she’s certainly offensive.

Her experience? She was head of a big tech company—Big Whoop, in the Bay area, who wasn’t? As Governor, she can’t fire people who oppose you. You can’t tell elected officials to leave. Well, I guess you could, but who’d pay attention?

If, as she says—Calif. is headed off a cliff; do we really want someone with a Learner’s Permit behind the wheel? At least Jerry Brown proved he could steer our Ship of State to calm waters.  We really do need an experienced politician. Love or hate Jerry Brown, he does knows his way around our dysfunctional legislature, and our goofy Government process. Despite Meg’s rhetoric, he does have a good record AND the Driver’s License to lead us to calmer waters.

Meg: Please Stop the rhetoric and tell us how you’d be better than the last newcomer who couldn’t muscle his way through our California political web.

By Ruby Elbogen

A not-so-pretty side of the annual budget request meeting popped up at the last City Council meeting, and it was selfish and uncalled for.

It is altogether fitting and proper for any proponent of a cause to come before the Council to request funding. All are valid and should receive and give respect—doubly so from requestors of funding we all provide. Anything less is petty and mean spirited.

For the first time in my recollection, a requestor asked for funding, while marginalizing another she deemed unfit.  FYI, “Nobody/Everybody” isn’t just your group.  The funds you requested comes from 52,000 residents whose interests are extremely diverse.

She bashed a dog park on budget review for the first time, and it was inappropriate. The COUNTY Library is always cash infused from our CITY coffers. It’s a good thing, but not everything.

We favor CITY funding of our COUNTY Library, but not at the expense of all other projects; 8,000-ish dog owners live here and they haven’t had a turn at public funding; Thousands also favor the Historical Society’s educational projects; and giggling toddlers who love running through the fountains.

So, zip it, share, and be grateful and gracious to the City, the City Council–and City Staff who always do “the heavy lifting,” as the naysayers do the heavy bashing.

By Ruby Elbogen

Since I missed the last City Council meeting due to major partying, I watched the not-so-instant replay. The only bright spot was THE ANSWER OF THE YEAR: “This would be the biggest waste of taxpayer money we could ever do or the city has ever done.” Finally, the voice of reason is heard throughout the land.

The question: “Put aside $50,000. for a health study (and here’s where I lost track of exactly why) for a cancer study or survey because some residents at San Antonio said it was prevalent there. Maybe.

Cancer IS prevalent, the surveys and studies have shown that-1 in every 3 is diagnosed with cancer. The statistics are, indeed, grim.  The “C-Buzz’ is that old silicon-and the super fund sites had more than a little to do with that, as did asbestos, which was spread around freely for too many years.

City Council members are elected to set policy, wade through budgets, smile often, kiss babies; and as the sign says-to think before they speak. They are NOT elected to practice medicine without a license.

However, just to be sure, and to rack up Good Karma points by supporting cancer research-Fight Back with The Cupertino ACS Relay For Life. Check out the website. http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=20365

By Ruby Elbogen

Our City Manager put it very succinctly at the June First City Council Meeting-when he asked one City Council Member what the city should do with the results it might gather if an air quality/health survey that member was requesting were to be taken?

After being told by the Council Member that he felt he had been elected to protect the health of the Cupertino populace; Knapp repeated that our city has no jurisdiction over Lehigh-it is a county not a city issue-and if Cupertino did pay many thousands of dollars for a survey-what would the results prove and how could we deal with them.

As far as I know, we do not have a Physician on the City Council or on the City Staff, and I don’t believe that any are Public Health experts. So, to repeat the question, what would we do with the data we collect, and who or what would determine the health impact from Lehigh: if it’s good do we apologize for having spent thousands of dollars for nothing; and if it’s bad do we hire physicians to deal with something we are prohibited from dealing with?

We have issues we have domain over, let’s stick to solving them. Columbus is not discovering America with this one; there is no Don Quixote in Cupertino, and waving a sword at a flue is not nearly as impressive as waving it at a windmill.