If you don’t have school age children, you may not even be aware of an issue which has had many residents upset in recent weeks.  There was a proposed budget cut which would have eliminated crossing guards at our 3 elementary schools.  The cut would have been a $21,600 reduction to the city’s budget. There was a call to action from the schools PTA members to get out there and have your voice heard. 

There was a strong showing at Monday night’s City Council meeting from parents of children currently enrolled in school as well as those whose children are older, but have experienced the benefits the crossing guards offer. The main issue was whether crossing guards and the safety and service they provide to our youngest citizens, falls to the school district, or is a Public Safety issue, thereby falling to the city, specifically under the police umbrella.  There were a total of 9 people (myself included), who requested an opportunity to voice their opposition to the proposed cut. 

I could not have been more impressed and proud of my fellow speakers.  We all touched on different aspects, but of course, it all came back to the safety of our children.  This group definitely did their homework. 

Well, the work paid off. The city agreed with a 3 to 2 vote, to extend the payment for 1 more year, with the proviso that a focus group will be formed to include not only Council members, but police and parents, to come up with alternatives for funding in the coming years.  The school district (who funded the program up until 1994 when they asked the city to take over due to budgetary contraints) will also be asked to participate.  A meeting of the minds if you will. There were some great suggestions, such as grant money which the Foster City Police Department brought to the Council’s attention just prior to the start of the meeting, which can indeed be used for crossing guards. 

Ultimately, the Council’s decision last night bought us time to come up with other viable solutions, as of course, we are still dealing with a city budget which is in deficit mode, and cuts have to be considered in all areas to maintain our city reserves. This was a result of citizens coming together and voicing their opinions in a direct and concise manner, and utilizing the system of the people of our city having the opportunity to voice their concerns.  We were heard.

If you are interested in being a part of the group which will be formed with the city to look at alternatives, please contact the city.  I also encourage you to get involved in city issues which you have a passion for, don’t sit on the sidelines and be a Monday morning quarterback….

I love Foster City.  Let me just put it out there loud and proud for everyone to see.  I could be a bit biased; I was raised here, went through elementary and middle school here, learned how to drive in an empty parking lot here, learned to kick a soccer ball, throw a softball, had my first kiss, first heartbreak, had my first job here and now my husband and I are raising our 3 kids here, are you ready for this?  In the very house I grew up in, so yes, I might be biased I will admit, BUT…..I love Foster City (nickname: The FC), for so many other reasons.

I love the weeknights and weekends at Sea Cloud Park (even with the bone chilling inevitable winds the FC haters always feel compelled to remind me of), which is a true social scene peppered with baseball, softball and soccer games.  I love how I always feel I have tabs on my kids, even when said “tabs” are often other people, or other people’s kids reporting back to me the location of my kids.  Foster City kids at Sea Cloud are always on someone’s radar.  I love when someone thinks their kid is lost (more likely just out of sight), they need only mention it to one person, and it spreads like wildfire.  The “lost” kid is usually found with other “lost” kids over on the turf field or behind the batting cages.  I actually love that I cannot walk into any store or eating establishment without knowing at least one person (usually three or four), and yes, even when I am trying to be incognito.

Yes, FC haters, I love it all.  I still let me kids swim at the lagoon beaches (yes, we FC originals still call them beaches), where I used to swim everyday in the summer, even though the FC haters protestations tell me the water is “gross.”  I actually think the water is better treated and maintained than when I was a kid, and guess what?  My friends and I never became sick or infected in all the years we swam there, and am happy to report, we don’t have any extra toes or any other abnormalities from the “gross” lagoons.  I love when the Dragon Boat clubs are out in the water and you can catch a glimpse of them while driving over a bridge, or even fortunate to watch them race by in your very own backyward on the water.

I love the people I know who tell me they would never live here as it just doesn’t have enough “charm” or “character,” yet somehow their kids are in class with my kids and on soccer and softball teams with my kids (a whole other blog post).  I on the other hand, love the small town feel of FC which you don’t get in San Mateo or Burlingame, even with their charming older houses with lots of character, and yes, the bigger yards which the FC haters mention to me all of the time too.

I do love charm and a rambling Spanish style house which I know I will never have in the FC, but I’ll take my “charmless” and “lacking character” windy, dust bowl of a city with the “gross” lagoons (which by the way will swallow up all of our houses in a big Earthquake), knowing my kids can never get away with much as most likely, someone will tell me of their wanton ways, the social scene at Sea Cloud and the true sense of community, any day of the week.  So FC haters, keep on hating. Just keep it out of the 94404.