Who's Complaining?

By Janet McGovern

142 WARWICK STREET, REDWOOD CITY

Brand new, custom built, executive home with detached ADU in the prestigious Edgewood Park neighborhood! Exceptional craftsmanship with design elements of an organic modern concept throughout. The gracious entry leads to a light-filled, formal living room. Gourmet kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances, center island with breakfast bar that opens to the incredible dining area and family room with fireplace. Tucked off the entry you have a private en-suite to welcome family and friends. Rounding out this level is a perfectly placed half bath, office/craft room, and convenient mudroom/laundry room. Upstairs you have a grand primary suite with balcony, spa-like bathroom and walk-in closet. Just down the hall you’ll find two additional spacious en-suites. Located at the rear of the property, the 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom ADU was thoughtfully designed to maximize functionality and flow. Relax or entertain in the beautiful backyard with great patio with lovely lawn area. Located a short distance from both downtown Redwood City and San Carlos restaurants and shops, parks, hiking trails and major streamlined commute routes.

I“I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!”

Some 45 years ago, that line from the movie “Network” helped spur California’s famous tax revolt. The ensuing Proposition 13 radically reduced property taxes and set a two-thirds majority vote for future increases. Among other things, the initiative contributed to Silicon Valley’s astronomic rise in home values, which now underpin many residents’ comfortable lives and retirements. It has also been blamed for everything from poor public services to bad breath.

Today, appetites for new taxes, especially for things like schools and roads, may be higher. This month, our inveterate Janet McGovern looks at today’s seemingly more relaxed attitudes about paying local taxes and what voters are getting for their money.

Public monies flow through public officials. Many politicians these days have a well-deserved bad reputation. But especially at the city level, many others are essentially volunteers who spend a second shift every day trying to better their communities. One of them is former Redwood City Mayor Georgi LaBerge.

Climate writer Jill Singleton visited with LaBerge and her equally remarkable husband, Rev. Warren Dale, who co-founded the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center. Their story is both heartwarming and inspiring.

Far from inspiring was one of America’s ugliest chapters—the internment of citizens of Japanese ancestry during World War II. But even in a dark time prompted by bigotry and fear, neighbors and friends rose to help. In Redwood City, a banker named J. Elmer Morrish looked after the finances and businesses of many families that had been shipped to Utah, the California desert and other faraway places. In a fascinating special report, history professor Kevin Kaatz of Cal State East Bay chronicles Morrish’s efforts on behalf of his fellow Americans and the lasting gratitude that resulted.

On a far lighter note, most rock music fans know the Creedence Clearwater Revival tune, “Stuck in Lodi Again.” If that thought isn’t chilling enough, how about frigid Bemidji, Minnesota? Does anyone even know where that is? Jay Clemens, a Peninsula attorney, certainly does. His account of being stranded before dawn at the Bemidji airport one day last month will give you the shivers—and a good laugh.

And as they say on the steak-knife commercials, there’s more. Food columnist Susan Jenkins’s delightful reminiscence of the Italian Riviera includes her recipe for a sumptuous Tuscan bean soup (perfect for cold nights from Bemidji to Burlingame). Historian Jim Clifford wraps up last month’s tale of the USS Thompson, a sunken navy ship off the Port of Redwood City. And John Shroyer’s “Snapshots in Time” captures dramatic boxing bouts in, of all places, Colma. Order now and get next month’s issue of Climate for free.