There's a saying that a "gaffe" is when you say something true that no body wants to hear.

I attended the forum last night and am quite concerned about three of the candidates.

The first question was on the transfer of Rosemead Blvd from the State (Caltrans) to the City.

As far as I know this mater is under investigation and a report is being prepared.
No one has enough information to make an informed decision at this time.

I found this Pasadena Star article to be very appropriate at this time.  No matter how many vows I make to myself not to get caught up in unrealistic expectations or any expectations or comparisons with past holidays, the cooking, the shopping, the tinsels of it all--it somehow kind of creeps up on you when approaching "THE BIG DAY".

I haven’t been following this story very closely, either, but I do know enough to know that seven felony convictions might make it harder for Ted Stevens to get reelected to the U.S. Senate. That could mean an unexpected pick-up for the Democrats. Depending on how you feel about divided government, this is either a good thing or a bad thing.

When Senator McCain needed to give an example of an Obama earmark during the last presidential debate, his example was a "$3 million overhead projector." Of course, my initial reaction was to try to envision what a $3 million overhead projector would look like. I assume McCain wanted me to imagine some kind of crazy boondogle. Instead, I envisioned a planetarium projector. And that’s exactly what the (unfunded) earmark was for.

John McCain cancelled on David Letterman last night. David Letterman didn’t take that too kindly. "Racing back to Washington," he said. But McCain’s still in New York today! [First link is to YouTube; second is to Christian Science Monitor story].

I don't normally take the time to write about an issue, but my concerns have compelled me express my opinion.

Last year, we finally got rid of the old Parks and Recreation Director.  Since that time the Rosemead Parks and Recreation Department seems to have been operating very well.  They put on one of the best July 4th events in many years, a concert in the park (on the hottest day of the year), a great Oktoberfest, and have planned a City Yard.    Recently, a new Parks and Recreation Director was brought in.  Since his arrival, I have observed the following.  1) The Recreation Staff morale appears very low.  I regularly attend city events and use some of the city facilities.  During these events, I have overheard discussions on how the staff hours have been cut, and that there is just not enough staff, and just to much work to keep up with.  I have attended two events where the new Parks and Recreation Director has been present.  At the first event, he had a meltdown over a cracked cookie plate.  At the Freedom Boat Event, it was obvious that he had no interest in this event.  2) Like the past Director, he does not seem to care about what the public wants.  Last year it was agreed to have a Summer Concert Series at Rosemead Park.  The last I heard was that we may have 4 concerts (What happened to the  8 concerts, Mayor Tran promised last summer).  Why bother having 4 concerts, when the surrounding cities have at least 8.  Then I received a letter this week asking for donations to sponsor the concerts.  Has Rosemead become so poor in the last few months that we can't afford enough recreation staff or 8 concerts in the park without having to try and get handouts from the community.   I think the "new" City Manager should spend a little less time traveling, and get involved in the Parks and Recreation Department to make sure he brought in the right person to be the director, before we get stuck with another Parks Director who doesn't care about what the community wants or the morale of his own staff.