Morning News Round-Up -- 12.10.09: Re-Election Campaign, Already?

Surprise. San Jose’s Mayor Chuck Reed announced he’s running for re-election. This time around Reed plans to fix the economy, really bring Sunshine to local government, and keep you safe (translation – more Police?). Also hitting the ground in the re-election zone are Councilmembers Pete Constant, Sam Liccardo, and Madison Nguyen. (Although you may not get that impression from their web presence: Liccardo is up and running, but Constant is asking volunteers to walk precincts (in 2006) and Nguyen is still celebrating not getting thrown out of office.)

The 49ers are hoping a citizen-backed ballot initiative will have them finding their way to Santa Clara. Composed of Santa Clara’s power elite, Santa Clarans for Economic Progress now faces a confused City Council to explain why their way is better. 49ers spokesperson Lisa Lang scoffed at accusations the 49ers were trying to skirt any review process saying the move put them “on a surer path to know what the voters really want.” It looks like there could be two measures that are pro-pro football in June in Santa Clara.

The San Jose City Council will be sharing text messages received during Council meetings, if colleagues agree with Mayor Chuck Reed. For future reference, Watch Dog texts look like this “Woof.”

A tale of two bills… San Jose Assemblymember Joe Coto is hoping the Assembly Education Committee members will agree that tying teacher incentives to student performance and closing failing schools are good. So far, his bill is hung up for changes… Palo Alto’s State Senator Joe Simitian fared better, his geeky bill flew through with committee support.

The Merc’s Editorial Board sends props to the East Side Union High School District Trustees after taking steps to keep an eye on the money with an Audit Committee. Editors want you to know you have until today to get your application in for this fun gig.

(Former) County Counsel/ Justice Department Deputy Assistant Attorney General Ann Ravel receives another “Atta-girl” from Watch Dog. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said Ravel’s lawsuit against big pharmaceutical companies was right on and ordered 10 of them to stop overcharging local clinics serving the poor.

Joy Alexiou, spokesperson for the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, was happy to announce $2.6 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money would be headed to a San Jose clinic for the homeless.

Because you didn’t have enough fun with water rationing before… The Santa Clara Valley Water District wants you to keep those lawns brown until next Summer. (Outgoing) Board Chair Sig Sanchez offered “we’re facing another season of water supply uncertainty.”

InnVision the Way Home tried for a second time to give away a fancy Silicon Valley home. Grand prize winner/San Jose resident Dale Swanson didn’t get a house in the hills but did walk away with an extra $100,000. Third times a charm?

More janitorial news… (Former) Los Altos Christian School janitor James Carroll heads to the pokey for a year after his kiddy porn conviction. Pissed off parent Lisa Maxe said parents filed numerous complaints and were really pissed when Carroll was spotted working on campus after his arrest.

Creekside dwellers in Morgan Hill are pissed about project delays stopping the flood. Army Corps of Engineers spokesperson J.D. Hardesty said we’d “love to do this project” but the money ain’t there. Call your Congressional reps…

Gilroy Councilmembers heard from pissed off residents about vicious dogs before they added police chief Denise Turner’s “teeth” to dog laws. People with biting pooches watch out, your dog could be heading to doggy hell if deemed “vicious.”

West Valley-Mission Community College Chancellor John Hendrickson sends a request your way: Tell State Senator Elaine Alquist and Assemblymember Ira Ruskin the economic turnaround depends on community colleges and they need money to make it real.

Protect San Jose’s Beat Cop dishes on Cops Care Cancer Foundation fun times at NASA this weekend for kids combating cancer.

San Jose Insider Pete Campbell wants the fed’s to show us the money before snagging San Jose’s old City Hall to use as a courthouse.

And then there is this tid-bit: former Cindy Chavez campaign manager Justin Schall has found his way into another community's blogosphere... Lehigh Valley, to be exact. This isn't particularly nice, but it does reference San Jose Revealed, so we thought we'd post it.