Around Town Around Town (January 18, 2006)

FADE TO BLACK . . . The Palo Alto Police Department's new digital video cameras, purchased to record officers' interactions with the public, have been taken temporarily offline due to a few serious glitches. The cameras and microphones, which were originally installed in the patrol cars in early December, were recording the wrong dates and times, improperly turning off and on, and only hearing audio from 125 feet away, not the 1,000 feet promised, according to Police Chief Lynne Johnson . The company that installed them, Kustom Signals Inc., is trying to fix the software; police officials hope to have them running again by the end of February. The problems are the company's responsibility, Johnson said, and will not cost the city any additional money. Units for all 26 of Palo Alto's patrol cars cost approximately $200,000. Police officials also hope to install similar cameras -- functioning ones -- on department motorcycles soon.
SOCCER FIELD DELAY . . . Construction of the new Stanford-Palo Alto Community Playing Fields, planned for the corner of El Camino Real and Page Mill Road in Palo Alto, was slightly delayed by the heavy winter rains. City officials hope they'll now be ready to open in April, according to Community Services Director Richard James. "Everything's moving along nicely," he said. The fields, which Stanford University is constructing on its land for public use, were acquired through a complex agreement between the city and Stanford. In return for constructing the fields and nearby new housing units, Stanford was assured additional development rights in its research park.
BUSY, BUSY COUNCIL . . . Three new City Council members took office in Palo Alto last week, and this week they're getting a figurative trial by fire with four meetings in one week -- all focused on weighty topics. Last night, the council was scheduled to discuss its long-range finances and consider requesting proposals from businesses interested in partnering on a citywide, high-speed broadband project. Tonight, the council is holding a town-hall hearing on emergency preparedness, which Mayor Judy Kleinberg convened. On Saturday, the council will hold its annual retreat to discuss its priorities for the year and review protocols. And finally, next Monday it'll hold a public meeting at which it'll consider starting a registry fee on all businesses in the city. Phew!
UNCOMMON CHAIR . . . Palo Alto resident Robert Saldich, retired president and CEO of Raychem Corporation, has been named chair of the board of governors for the Commonwealth Club of California, the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum. He'll be the first chair to come from a background in Silicon Valley industry, according to a press release. "I am honored to be a part of this important organization that has stimulated debate in California and the nation for over 100 years," Saldich said in a statement. "I respect and enjoy the Club's ability to take on tough and controversial subjects with an even hand." Saldich and his wife also have a home in San Francisco.

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