Gee, so much for worries about the evils of suburbia

For some time, the suburbs have been considered a glaring mistake in progressive circles. The family- oriented burbs are considered wasteful in a variety of unpleasant ways.

Single-family homes, the backbone of San Mateo County and similar areas, are too large, too energy-inefficient and too expensive.

They use up too much valuable space and resources and are a chronic burden on society. They are anathema. At least that’s the prevailing wisdom out there among the social engineers who are intent on forcing change.

Now comes Gavin New- som, California’s new Democratic governor. And, guess what, he is Exhibit A in the suburban offender department. As opposed to so many of his political pals ( hello, ultra-intrusive state Sen. Scott Wiener, by the way), Newsom and his spouse and four kids are taking suburban living to the max.

According to recent published reports, our governor and his family have purchased a massive estate in suburban Sacramento in the relaxed town of Fair Oaks.

Some of the details of the Newsom all-cash deal are revealing in an age of deep liberal angst about homelessness, income inequality, climate change, unaffordable housing, plastic straws, you name it.

For starters, Newsom’s 12,000-square-foot, sixbedroom manse, located 15 miles from Sacramento and the governor’s office, cost $3.75 million.

It sits on roughly 7 acres of land and includes a swimming pool, tennis courts and a guest house.

If anything, Newsom’s decision to head to the suburbs should be an affirmation of that desirable lifestyle. It’s what so many of us and our families strive for. We should be thankful to the governor for making that crystal clear, notwithstanding the naysayers who regard such a life choice as wretched excess on steroids.

The irony (or hypocrisy) in all of this, however, is brought into focus when you consider that Newsom and his allies are in the process of suing a Southern California suburb for not doing what they want. And what’s that?

They are demanding that Huntington Beach comply with a draconian state mandate that essentially orders communities to increase housing stock by taking the town to court to try to force it to build more dwelling units. Huntington Beach, as you might imagine, is counter-suing.

We would imagine that a similar legal action will not be forthcoming anytime soon against Fair Oaks.

Going, going gone

One of the oldest eateries in San Mateo County is calling it quits this week.

Estrada’s, a Mexican restaurant located on Mission Street near the border of Colma and Daly City, shut its doors as of Thursday, it was announced online.

The North County establishment has been in operation under a variety of different ownerships for more than a century. One of its signature dishes, a sizzling salad, was a particular favorite of its customers.

County grand jury

Applications for serving on the San Mateo County civil grand jury now are being accepted. The oneyear term will embrace 2019-20.

To be eligible, an individual must be at least 18 years old, a county resident for at least one year and a U.S. citizen. Reasonably good English language skills are desired as well.

For more information and an application form, interested persons can call the grand jury office at 650-261-5066.