David Pollack
@davidmpollack.bsky.social
Lead, follow, or get out of the way. 縁の下の力持ち。
📍Menlo Park
📍Menlo Park
Pinned
David Pollack
@davidmpollack.bsky.social
· Nov 27
Has anyone successfully gotten busy streets to allow no left turns without a light?
This was me on bicycle on El Camino Real northbound hit by a turning driver trying to beat traffic. Pictures of me where the driver hit me in the leg and ending up on the windshield.
This was me on bicycle on El Camino Real northbound hit by a turning driver trying to beat traffic. Pictures of me where the driver hit me in the leg and ending up on the windshield.
Reposted by David Pollack
We call emergency community meetings to debate the "dangers" of ebikes, but systemic vehicular violence continues to get a pass from society at large.
It looks to me like this 90-year old driver drove 177 feet down University Ave in Los Gatos in one second, which comes out to about 120 miles per hour
November 29, 2025 at 4:08 AM
We call emergency community meetings to debate the "dangers" of ebikes, but systemic vehicular violence continues to get a pass from society at large.
That coffee shop came out of nowhere.
November 29, 2025 at 1:02 AM
That coffee shop came out of nowhere.
Reposted by David Pollack
How dare they expand SFO over the objections of affluent retirees 22 miles away in Palo Alto!!! 😱😭🤯 www.paloaltoonline.com/transportati...
Plan to enhance SFO passes over Palo Alto's objections
A long-range plan to equip San Francisco International Airport with a new terminal, an expanded hangar and other enhancements received the green light last week despite objections from Palo Alto, wher...
www.paloaltoonline.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:09 PM
How dare they expand SFO over the objections of affluent retirees 22 miles away in Palo Alto!!! 😱😭🤯 www.paloaltoonline.com/transportati...
Reposted by David Pollack
I think most people would be surprised that a school district where the median home sells for $1.9M would have budget struggles... but that's what happens in California with Prop 13.
www.mv-voice.com/education/20...
www.mv-voice.com/education/20...
Mountain View schools prepare to cut $9M as revenue stagnates
Faced with stagnating revenue and rising costs, the Mountain View Whisman School District is looking to cut costs by at least $9 million annually.
www.mv-voice.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:26 PM
I think most people would be surprised that a school district where the median home sells for $1.9M would have budget struggles... but that's what happens in California with Prop 13.
www.mv-voice.com/education/20...
www.mv-voice.com/education/20...
Reposted by David Pollack
The worse behavior in the world is playing videos on your phone without headphones.
November 23, 2025 at 2:24 PM
The worse behavior in the world is playing videos on your phone without headphones.
Did you notice how affluent retirees pay squat in property taxes?
November 21, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Did you notice how affluent retirees pay squat in property taxes?
The front windows of a Waymo are not tinted so you can see that no one is driving. The back windows are tinted so you can't see that no one is riding in it. www.paloaltoonline.com/transportati...
'Nobody asked for this': Waymo cars flock to quiet Palo Alto street
Palo Alto resident Ben Baum rose like normal before sunrise on Saturday morning, coffee in hand, and watched from his window as a driverless Waymo drove by. Then a second. Then a third. In total, Baum...
www.paloaltoonline.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:36 PM
The front windows of a Waymo are not tinted so you can see that no one is driving. The back windows are tinted so you can't see that no one is riding in it. www.paloaltoonline.com/transportati...
The city is calculating that a court case is easier to deal with than the court of public opinion among its affluent residents. www.almanacnews.com/news/2025/11...
Sunset Magazine project deemed ineligible for streamlined approval, builder’s remedy
The city of Menlo Park has determined that a controversial proposal to redevelop the historic Sunset Magazine campus at 80 Willow Road does not qualify for streamlined approval under AB 2011 and may a...
www.almanacnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:05 AM
The city is calculating that a court case is easier to deal with than the court of public opinion among its affluent residents. www.almanacnews.com/news/2025/11...
Found just the right socks to wear to the next city council meeting.
November 15, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Found just the right socks to wear to the next city council meeting.
If they build homes over stores, where will everyone park?
November 14, 2025 at 9:04 PM
If they build homes over stores, where will everyone park?
Thanks Brian for pointing out the double standard for cars. www.smdailyjournal.com/opinion/lett...
November 14, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Thanks Brian for pointing out the double standard for cars. www.smdailyjournal.com/opinion/lett...
“Until we treat e-bikes with the same seriousness as cars…”
Since when do we treat cars with any seriousness? 🤔 www.smdailyjournal.com/opinion/gues...
Since when do we treat cars with any seriousness? 🤔 www.smdailyjournal.com/opinion/gues...
Why Foster City’s children need e-bike education now
The hum of an electric motor is becoming as common as the rattle of a skateboard in Foster City, as children and teens increasingly embrace the speed and convenience of
www.smdailyjournal.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:24 PM
“Until we treat e-bikes with the same seriousness as cars…”
Since when do we treat cars with any seriousness? 🤔 www.smdailyjournal.com/opinion/gues...
Since when do we treat cars with any seriousness? 🤔 www.smdailyjournal.com/opinion/gues...
Own your car-brain.
November 7, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Own your car-brain.
Reposted by David Pollack
Rep. Yassamin Ansari has set up a table and this sign outside Speaker Johnson’s office.
November 6, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Rep. Yassamin Ansari has set up a table and this sign outside Speaker Johnson’s office.
Reposted by David Pollack
The only reason the owner can afford to keep this eyesore is that California's property tax system is very, very stupid. I can understand the political reasons for fixing property tax for primary residences at artificially low levels (even it's a bad idea) but why do it for commercial space?
This is way off in the fractal details of Berkeley real estate, but an eyesore I see every day is this abandoned store on a prominent block of University Ave. The City has been trying to force these guys to reinforce the brick since ... 1989. In the 4th decade, they are starting to file liens.
November 3, 2025 at 11:57 PM
The only reason the owner can afford to keep this eyesore is that California's property tax system is very, very stupid. I can understand the political reasons for fixing property tax for primary residences at artificially low levels (even it's a bad idea) but why do it for commercial space?
It’s impossible for suburban firefighters to handle 4+ story buildings according to San Mateo’s affluent retirees. It’s a wonder I survived growing up in and around Manhattan and 12 years in Tokyo.
November 3, 2025 at 4:52 PM
It’s impossible for suburban firefighters to handle 4+ story buildings according to San Mateo’s affluent retirees. It’s a wonder I survived growing up in and around Manhattan and 12 years in Tokyo.
The cat should have worn a reflective vest and looked both ways at a crosswalk.
October 31, 2025 at 1:27 AM
The cat should have worn a reflective vest and looked both ways at a crosswalk.
Entitled affluent residents of Millbrae alleged to not give a fuck about anyone else www.smdailyjournal.com/news/local/m...
Millbrae’s police chief alleged to live in Idaho but stay in the station
Local leaders are calling for an investigation into allegations that Millbrae Police Chief Eamonn Allen has been living in Boise, Idaho, and residing at the police station while in Millbrae.
www.smdailyjournal.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Entitled affluent residents of Millbrae alleged to not give a fuck about anyone else www.smdailyjournal.com/news/local/m...
Those who can't do, do HR. Those that can't do HR call themselves "Senior Vice President of People Experience and Technology."
wake up babe, a new way of saying "we just put 14,000 people out of a job" just dropped
October 28, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Those who can't do, do HR. Those that can't do HR call themselves "Senior Vice President of People Experience and Technology."
Reposted by David Pollack
Some fun texts from Rishi Kumar's campaign for Santa Clara County Assessor! He's lying to seniors, saying he'll exempt them from property tax--which the assessor can't do.
So if you live in Santa Clara County, return your ballot by Nov 4 and vote YES on A, YES on 50, and Neysa Fliegor for Assessor!
So if you live in Santa Clara County, return your ballot by Nov 4 and vote YES on A, YES on 50, and Neysa Fliegor for Assessor!
October 27, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Some fun texts from Rishi Kumar's campaign for Santa Clara County Assessor! He's lying to seniors, saying he'll exempt them from property tax--which the assessor can't do.
So if you live in Santa Clara County, return your ballot by Nov 4 and vote YES on A, YES on 50, and Neysa Fliegor for Assessor!
So if you live in Santa Clara County, return your ballot by Nov 4 and vote YES on A, YES on 50, and Neysa Fliegor for Assessor!
Someone is concussed.
October 27, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Someone is concussed.
When I was your age, I scrimped and saved for a whole 6 months to pay off my college debt and make a down payment on a house.
October 26, 2025 at 7:24 PM
When I was your age, I scrimped and saved for a whole 6 months to pay off my college debt and make a down payment on a house.
Reposted by David Pollack
Ontario launches the perfect ad. Canadians are true brothers 💙🇨🇦
October 21, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Ontario launches the perfect ad. Canadians are true brothers 💙🇨🇦
Reposted by David Pollack
Actually building the apartment building: $35 million
Impact fees on the apartment building: $8.5 million
Now I am just a simple country planner, but it seems to me that imposing heavy taxes on the construction of new housing in the middle of an acute housing shortage is a bad idea.
Impact fees on the apartment building: $8.5 million
Now I am just a simple country planner, but it seems to me that imposing heavy taxes on the construction of new housing in the middle of an acute housing shortage is a bad idea.
Palo Alto just released a financial feasibility analysis of development in its downtown. Key takeaways:
-Nothing is feasible under current market conditions
-Removing impact fees—which are over $100/square foot and ~15% of TOTAL cost for midrise housing—would have a huge impact
-Nothing is feasible under current market conditions
-Removing impact fees—which are over $100/square foot and ~15% of TOTAL cost for midrise housing—would have a huge impact
October 23, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Actually building the apartment building: $35 million
Impact fees on the apartment building: $8.5 million
Now I am just a simple country planner, but it seems to me that imposing heavy taxes on the construction of new housing in the middle of an acute housing shortage is a bad idea.
Impact fees on the apartment building: $8.5 million
Now I am just a simple country planner, but it seems to me that imposing heavy taxes on the construction of new housing in the middle of an acute housing shortage is a bad idea.