Week in Review

Mayor David Glass’s temper was in the news this week with an Argus story about a complaint filed by a city employees’ union rep after Glass yelled at her, allegedly blaming unions for making the race “ugly.” The staffer, identified as Deputy City Clerk Deborah Padovan, said the incident made her anxious and upset and that she feared she would be retaliated against by Glass. The mayor has since apologized for the incident, saying he regretted the outburst, but was genuinely concerned about the negative rhetoric of the campaign.

Our top read story this week was the outsize overtime costs racked up by the Fire Department, which ran to more than $1 million—about $500,000 more than budgeted for this fiscal year. The department has not been able to fill numerous vacancies, forcing existing firefighters to work longer hours.

But Fire Chief Anderson said reducing fire personnel is not an option because it would mean the department would violate OSHA standards, not be able to respond to emergencies in a timely matter and potentially increase the city’s ISO rating, which sets fire insurance prices.

Another hot story on Patch this week was the surprise appointment of Gabe Kearney to Petaluma City Council. Kearney, 29, ran in the November election, but placed fifth, behind Jason Davies. He was appointed in an eleventh hour decision after council failed to reach consensus on any of the 19 candidates for the vacancy.

Mayor Glass made a speech about how leaving the seventh seat vacancy would force the council to work together, until Councilman Mike Healy pointed out that members from both sides of the “ideological divide” supported Kearney. He will be sworn in at Monday’s meeting.

Local organizations and students protested the proposed cuts by Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday, including cuts to higher education. A group of affordable housing and senior advocates also traveled to the state Capitol and met with representatives to urge them to keep funding for services.

On a lighter note, Heritage Homes, the group that works to preserve Petaluma’s historic homes, is seeking volunteers for the upcoming Butter and Eggs Day Parade.

We still don’t any guesses on our mystery photo contest. Take a look and see if you can identify the location. Winner receives gift certificate to Apple Box.

And next week? Among other things, the city council picks up discussion on Deer Creek Village, a 36,000 acre multi-use development that would include a Lowe’s, smaller shops and restaurants and a fitness center, but that opponents say will increase traffic congestion and noise along McDowell Boulevard and surrounding streets.

On Tuesday, it's Mardi Gras and even though we are a long ways off from New Orleans, there will be a brass band parade at 5:45pm at McNear’s culminating at a free R&B and funk show at the Mystic.

And on Thursday, the SMART Citizens Advisory Committee will meet at the Community Center to discuss development near the two proposed light rail stations. If you have some thoughts you want to share or just want to listen, come by. The meeting starts at 5pm!

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