Planning Commission Appointment

Former police officer and city council candidate Rick Jones was appointed to the Fremont planning commission seat left vacant by City Councilmember Raj Salwan. Jones was sworn in with a unanimous vote of 5-0 at Tuesday’s city council meeting. Mayor Bill Harrison has one more appointment left on the planning commission which will replace the seat vacated by former Planning Commissioner Lisa Quan.

Raj Salwan appointed to Fremont City Council

Raj Salwan secured the most votes to become the next city Councilmember. Salwan layed out many specifics to help secure the most votes. He emphasized his city government experience along with his business experience and was able to differentiate himself from the others by his track record. He got two top votes and one third vote to win the appointment. David Bonaccorsi came in second place while John Dutra came in third place.

Thermo Fisher Scientific buys 22 acres near Tesla in Fremont

Thermo Fisher Scientific has bought 22 acres just south of Tesla. Read more here.

Bye Solyndra…Hello Seagate

The business writer for BANG reports that the Solyndra building is under contract to be purchased by Seagate. Read more here.

Harrison and Natarajan Signs are up

Not to be left behind Cho, Councilmembers Bill Harrison and Anu Natarajan have put up their political signs for Fremont Mayor. We can look forward to a lot of political signs from now until November.

Center Theater for Sale

After much battle with the City of Fremont, the owner of the Center Theater, David Siddiq, is selling the Center Theater and neighboring apartments for the asking price of approximately $2.5 million.

Recall that Siddiq was denied expanding the uses of the theater by the planning commission and city council. Then Siddiq threw a temper tantrum and demolished the inside of the theater. Now Siddiq is back to the drawing board, and selling the theater.

Siddiq and the City could not reach compromise in previous years over the price of the property. Unfortunately for Siddiq, the city doesn’t have all of the dough that it once did with redevelopment money forever gone.

What do you think should happen with the theater?

Vinnie Bacon has a few endorsements of his own

Vinnie Bacon has lead the way in kickoffs, defining his positions, and now endorsements in his bid for city council. According to his website, Bacon has received the endorsements of Fremont School board member Lily Mei, ACWD Board Members Marty Koller and Paul Sethy, AC Transit Board Members Joel Young and Jeff Davis, and others in the region.

Bacon claims over 90 people attended his kickoff earlier this month.

Sue Chan seeks reelection

Fremont City councilmember Sue Chan announced this morning that she is running for reelection to the Fremont city council. The hardest question for Sue Chan is not whether she wants to run for reelection, but rather how to navigate the waters with the other council candidates: Does she run as a slate with her supporter, John J Dutra, or does she try to maintain independence?

Sue Chan in her own words:

“Dear Friend,
It truly has been my honor to represent you and be your Voice on City Council for these past three and a half years. My work and service on the City Council has been both fulfilling and challenging, but there is still more I want to accomplish, for YOU, the citizens of Fremont. That is why I am excited to announce that I will be running for re-election for 2012!

No one can deny the difficulties the City faces on many fronts and yet Fremont’s quality of life continues to flourish. Our excellent schools, new entertainment and shopping opportunities at Pacific Commons and The Block, the new Warm Springs BART station, and developing plans for Midtown – there is so much to be excited about as we look toward the future.

I have worked hard to maintain safe streets, improve public safety, and promote economic development. Now, I am running for re-election to continue to:
proactively take steps to ensure our financial stability in these challenging economic times
improve our streets and roads
maintain and support existing businesses while bringing in new ones
create more jobs
champion affordable housing
improve our historic districts

These goals require proven leadership – YOU deserve no less. My experience on the Council will help me to continue to get things done. I remain committed to being YOUR voice on the City Council for the next four years.

Thank you for your confidence, continued support, and faith in me. Together we will build an even brighter future and realize the full promise and potential of Fremont.

Here is a link to Sue Chan’s website.

The stage for the mayoral candidates has been set and the city council race is shaping up…yet we still have yet to hear from other leading city council candidates. Campaign kickoffs are starting soon with Vinnie Bacon hosting the first one on Saturday, June 9th.

Warm Springs BART station gets a name

It’s official, the Warm Springs BART station will be called the Warm Springs / South Fremont BART Station. KGO (or KCBS?) AM radio was making fun of it…”Why can’t they have only one name? Geez…”

Read more about it here.

What do you think?

Vinnie Bacon announces for council on Facebook

Vinnie Bacon has officially announced on facebook (of all places) of his intent to run in the 2012 election for Fremont city council.

“I’m kicking off my campaign for Fremont City Council in 2012. Please ‘like’ my page and tell your friends to do the same.”

Vinnie Bacon has his website up and his ticker is starting to countdown to election day. Presently, it says there are 203 days to election day. Will Vinnie Bacon pull this off or will he go defeated again?