The other Club Wet shoe dropped when Club owners filed a federal lawsuit asking a Judge to block closure claiming San Jose’s regulations on nightclubs are "completely lacking in constitutionally required procedural safeguards." San Jose Police shrugged saying the Club had at least 49 chances to fix problems during the 5 months when customers were being stabbed or mauled in brawls. We wish Club Wet would let their lobbyists speak. Mr. DeRollo and Mr. Saggau were always so eloquent in Wet's defense.
Santa Clara District Attorney Dolores Carr is back in the news following (preliminary) reports that the DA’s office withheld at least 5 videotapes in child sexual assault cases. In addition to screwing up child predator convictions, Santa Clara County could be on the hook for expensive lawsuits from pissed off, imprisoned predators.
Speaking of DA Office screw ups... Protect San Jose’s Kathleen Flynn put her foot down declaring “enough is enough.” While Flynn never mentioned Vahid Hosseini it’s clear she’s pissed District Attorney Dolores Carr’s (un-ethical) handling of the case and tossing it to the Attorney General’s office gets more air time than the case itself.
Beverly Head was distressed enough about dogs racing (on leash) alongside their owners on trails that she commented to her husband about possible animal cruelty. Two days later, a leashed Siberian Husky tripped her during a walk causing her death. San Jose Parks spokesperson Mona Favorite-Hill said “there was no way to anticipate this.”
ACORN is cutting classes in San Jose following an East Coast conservative sting operation. In San Jose, ACORN is credited with raising the red flag on predatory lending practices in East San Jose where hundreds of homeowners face foreclosure. East Side Supervisor George Shirakawa, Jr., said “we probably should have listened a lot closer.”
(As an aside, Supervisor Shirakawa probably could apply that quote to Bob Nunez's former employers...)
The California High-Speed Rail Authority opened the doors to public comment after handing out the “alternative analysis” on moving people between San Francisco and San Jose. NIMBY neighbors in fancy Peninsula cities and towns will be happy to hear tunnels are under discussion. The Merc’s Editorial Board was also talking HSR, sending a message to the Fed’s in support of $4.5 billion for High-Speed Rail.
Disagreeing with the Merc's Editorial board... San Jose Insider Pete Campbell argues San Jose shouldn’t keep federal stimulus dollars and should instead send the $15 million targeted for street repair to impoverished Mississippi.
Mountain Views NASA/Ames Research Center is the place to land today as “a panel of Silicon Valley heavyweights” talks economic recovery in the South Bay – and using Silicon Valley recovery as a model for California. State Senator Elaine Alquist leads the charge with San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, Carl Guardino from the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, Santa Clara County Office of Education’s Chuck Weis and a host of “heavyweights.” Begging the question, the South Bay has recovered?
Los Altos retirement home Pilgrim Haven missed the added joys of a lawsuit when the North Los Altos Concerned Neighbors dropped plans “…to pursue litigation…”
Los Altos City Councilmembers approved a Retiree Health Savings Plan for Police Officers. Los Altos acts as trustee but is not financially responsible for investments and the “plan will incur no cost to the city” according to city human resources manager Patrick Alvarez.
Swine Flu stays in the news… Santa Clara County has declared a swine-ish emergency to open community vaccination clinics.
The Merc’s Scott Herhold wants to know why Santa Clara County Tax Assessor Larry Stone is “so weird,” according to Stone he simply has a love for campaigning and the democratic process. Stone’s deputy, David Ginsborg was in the midst of collecting endorsements when Stone announced the desire to kick off his 70th birthday with a new term in office. Ginsborg dropped his plans.
Looking to get a little college experience without the pain of homework or tests? This is your chance, according to the Merc’s Sal Pizarro. San Jose State University kicks off Classes Without Quizzes.
Showing posts with label pizzaro. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pizzaro. Show all posts
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 9.25.09: Who's in for Club Wet this weekend?
The Merc’s Editorial Board sends props to San Jose Police Chief Rob Davis for firing officers involved in a drunk driving coverup and their own Sean Webby for watch-dogging the news of imminent firings. This won't be received well (we guess) from the good folks at Protect San Jose.
As (self-imposed) furlough days go…. Palo Alto workers were all in purple as they marched outside City Hall to protest contract cuts. The Merc’s (union member) Patty Fisher is sympathetic though she shares the words of Pamela Polos wondering about the wisdom of striking these days "Instead of demonstrating for their own benefits, I wish they were out there marching for national health care reform." You and the Palo Alto City Council Patty...
Sunnyvale recycling workers received an unexpected surprise among the grimy cardboard and soda cans - $100 bills rained from the ceiling. If you think the mystery money is yours, call the Sunnyvale Public Works Department.
"Warehousing kids does not teach them what family is all about," said foster youth advocate/former warehouse resident Hemal Sharifzada. And so, Santa Clara County prepares to close the 132-bed children's “warehouse” and move abused and neglected kids to “wrap around” care facilities.
Former Mountain View Mayor Rosemary Stasek passed away in Afghanistan where she was working with the women of Afghanistan with A Little Help in Kabul. Sad story. We like Rosemary a lot...
More sad economic news comes from the Merc’s Sal Pizarro. Silicon Valley FACES ditched their fundraiser.
Swine flu fears have caused the (official) demise of Stanford’s kissing frenzy, Full Moon. How else are shy first-year students supposed to get any action then?
San Jose MetBlogger Matt Bruensteiner celebrates the demise of the plastic bag and sends San Jose’s City Council kudos.
Mission City Lantern executes a little time traveling fable drawing in the Mission City’s neighbor to the South.
San Jose Insider/Santa Clara County Board of Education Trustee Joseph DiSalvo looks for an Education Governor and tosses his support behind new Dad/ Gubernatorial wanna be Gavin Newsom. We are certain that this should put Newsom over the top...
As (self-imposed) furlough days go…. Palo Alto workers were all in purple as they marched outside City Hall to protest contract cuts. The Merc’s (union member) Patty Fisher is sympathetic though she shares the words of Pamela Polos wondering about the wisdom of striking these days "Instead of demonstrating for their own benefits, I wish they were out there marching for national health care reform." You and the Palo Alto City Council Patty...
Sunnyvale recycling workers received an unexpected surprise among the grimy cardboard and soda cans - $100 bills rained from the ceiling. If you think the mystery money is yours, call the Sunnyvale Public Works Department.
"Warehousing kids does not teach them what family is all about," said foster youth advocate/former warehouse resident Hemal Sharifzada. And so, Santa Clara County prepares to close the 132-bed children's “warehouse” and move abused and neglected kids to “wrap around” care facilities.
Former Mountain View Mayor Rosemary Stasek passed away in Afghanistan where she was working with the women of Afghanistan with A Little Help in Kabul. Sad story. We like Rosemary a lot...
More sad economic news comes from the Merc’s Sal Pizarro. Silicon Valley FACES ditched their fundraiser.
Swine flu fears have caused the (official) demise of Stanford’s kissing frenzy, Full Moon. How else are shy first-year students supposed to get any action then?
San Jose MetBlogger Matt Bruensteiner celebrates the demise of the plastic bag and sends San Jose’s City Council kudos.
Mission City Lantern executes a little time traveling fable drawing in the Mission City’s neighbor to the South.
San Jose Insider/Santa Clara County Board of Education Trustee Joseph DiSalvo looks for an Education Governor and tosses his support behind new Dad/ Gubernatorial wanna be Gavin Newsom. We are certain that this should put Newsom over the top...
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 9.23.09: City Managers in the News... (and plastic bags too)
San Jose’s Mayor Chuck Reed offered to “step out and take the lead in the South Bay to eliminate the scourge of plastic bags” at a press conference before the San Jose City Council officially said no to plastics. Councilmember Sam Liccardo offered San Jose could be the tipping point as nearby Mayors were waiting for San Jose to ban the bag. Tim Shestek of the American Chemistry Council complained San Jose simply hadn’t tried hard enough to recycle the millions of bags that find their way to the Bay. Watch Dog spies have sent numerous tips as to the lobbying effort that the Chemists (unsuccessfully) put up on the 18th floor... A tongue-and-cheek snippet from the funniest tip: "It took a team of lobbyists to get Pete Constant to vote NO."
The press from (former/fired) San Jose Independent Police Auditor Barbara Attard’s loan for a San Jose pied-à-terre was on the minds of San Jose’s City Council as they said they want to approve all home loans in the future. They might want to ask if the person they are providing the loan to is actually going to live in the home for which the loan was made...
(Former) eBay CEO Meg Whitman held her “official” candidate coming out party far from home. Whitman hit the trail in Orange County to promise an immediate RIF (reduction in force) of state employees. It sounds an awful lot like "blowing up boxes"...
This may be the busiest press week in Palo Alto City Manager James Keene's life...
Mountain View Whisman Trustee Fiona Walter said her “wish and planning would be is we keep class sizes as small as we can…” as the District faces $1 million cuts from the State (and more to come) and new school boundaries. From your mouth to Sacramento's ears Trustee Walter...
San Jose Insider/Metro columnist Gary Singh rehashed his Saturday visit to Soccer Silicon Valley’s honoring of Earthquakes/A’s owner Lew Wolff. Singh wasn’t moved by Silicon Valley Leadership Group Carl Guardino’s “sappy” introductory speech. We were...
Assemblymember Paul Fong must be quaking in his boots. Mission City Lantern broke the news that anti-49ers fans at Santa Clara Plays Fair have accused Fong of voting for State Senator Elaine Alquist's bill because of “moneyed interests."
The press from (former/fired) San Jose Independent Police Auditor Barbara Attard’s loan for a San Jose pied-à-terre was on the minds of San Jose’s City Council as they said they want to approve all home loans in the future. They might want to ask if the person they are providing the loan to is actually going to live in the home for which the loan was made...
(Former) eBay CEO Meg Whitman held her “official” candidate coming out party far from home. Whitman hit the trail in Orange County to promise an immediate RIF (reduction in force) of state employees. It sounds an awful lot like "blowing up boxes"...
This may be the busiest press week in Palo Alto City Manager James Keene's life...
- Union employees in Palo Alto are taking the Guvernators lead -- they’ve given themselves a furlough day to save the City money. City manager James Keene is pissed saying employees don’t get to just say “we’re not coming to work today” and called the employee-generated furlough a strike. You say furlough, I say strike... you say tomAto, I say tomato... tomAto tomato, furlough, strike... let's call the whole thing off...
- Meanwhile, other Palo Alto employees aren’t talking to each other. Public Works employees “ignored” Planning Department directions and chopped down 63 trees along California Avenue. An embarrassed City Manager James Keene apologized and promised to do better while Public Works Director Glenn Roberts called it “unacceptable.”
- Morgan Hill attorney Ben Tichinin’s lawyer Steven Fink said “the First Amendment doesn’t just protect acts of chivalry, it protects the weirdos and the loonies…” Yep, he was talking about his client's predilection for spying on Morgan Hill City Manager Ed Tewes.
- Ed Tewes landed in the news a second time as Morgan Hill struggles to balance the budget, deal with (likely) layoffs, and unhappy unions.
Mountain View Whisman Trustee Fiona Walter said her “wish and planning would be is we keep class sizes as small as we can…” as the District faces $1 million cuts from the State (and more to come) and new school boundaries. From your mouth to Sacramento's ears Trustee Walter...
San Jose Insider/Metro columnist Gary Singh rehashed his Saturday visit to Soccer Silicon Valley’s honoring of Earthquakes/A’s owner Lew Wolff. Singh wasn’t moved by Silicon Valley Leadership Group Carl Guardino’s “sappy” introductory speech. We were...
Assemblymember Paul Fong must be quaking in his boots. Mission City Lantern broke the news that anti-49ers fans at Santa Clara Plays Fair have accused Fong of voting for State Senator Elaine Alquist's bill because of “moneyed interests."
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 8.26.09: Any-Excuse-to-Use-Funny-Photo Edition...
The Merc’s Sal Pizarro gives a rundown of San Jose’s latest accolades: 3rd best place for kids (think skate parks), 12th best public university in the west (tied with Humboldt, Fresno, and Texas State), and, drumroll please, top water pollution control plant from the US Environmental Protection Agency (for power generation). Yay us -- 12th best in the west!
Santa Clara Supervisor Ken Yeager hopes to find a way to keep Henry Coe State Park open while colleague/ Supervisor/(soon-to-be Mayor?) Don Gage says close that puppy. The list of closing parks is expected right after your Labor Day hike, so enjoy it.
Gilroy Mayor Al Pinheiro’s biggest hater, Mark Zappa, is waiting until the Mayor returns from Portugal before filing the recall paperwork and looking to a June 2010 recall election, to save the City money. That's pretty thoughtful... For the record, Gilroy’s future Mayor?/ Supervisor Don Gage made no appearance in the story...
The race to replace Hal Plotkin by appointment to the Foothill-DeAnza Community College Distict is in the final interview stage. Foothill-DeAnza Trustees want to talk with Joan Barram (Cupertino Union School District Trustee), Richard Bernhardt (Business and student lobbyist), Jeannie Conner (Senator Joe Simitian’s political director), and Anita Manwani-Bhagat (business leader at NASA/HP/Agilent).
Congressmember Anna Eshoo’s 2nd “telephone” town hall got her props from the more than 7,000 participants. Eshoo told participants she’s doing a face-to-face on healthcare next week and testily pointed out she’s done more face-to-face town halls than any of her colleagues.
Kathleen Blanchard, the Mother of one of Gunn High Schools suicide victims spoke out at the Palo Alto Unified School Board meeting. Without pointing fingers, she gently urged change in how adults work with students and called for “attitude adjustments and philosophical adjustments” in working with kids. The Merc’s Patty Fisher digs into other teen suicides in Silicon Valley and the news is not good…
NASA Ames is ready to build “Sustainability Base,” architect Kevin Burke loves the “combination of high tech and low tech.” Meaning the building will close itself at night and use the same “technology” as historic California Adobe homes to cool off or warm up. With a little luck, there won’t be a “toxic” siding battle on this green house.
Latest perv alerts heading your way…
San Jose Insider/ Santa Clara County Board of Education Trustee Joseph DiSalvo (could he have a longer title?) has endorsed former Franklin-McKinley Superintendent Larry Aceves as his favorite for State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
San Jose Inside’s Fly celebrates a (temporary?) reprieve for the (Fly hangout) “dingy, punky, (puky?)” Caravan Bar over an (un)watered down White Russian. (apparently) The Merc’s Internal Affairs story pissed off bartenders who “scribbled down letters” (on napkins) demanding an apology. Fly's piece also proves that Metro writers are probably a lot more fun to hang out with than Merc writers...
Santa Clara Supervisor Ken Yeager hopes to find a way to keep Henry Coe State Park open while colleague/ Supervisor/(soon-to-be Mayor?) Don Gage says close that puppy. The list of closing parks is expected right after your Labor Day hike, so enjoy it.
Gilroy Mayor Al Pinheiro’s biggest hater, Mark Zappa, is waiting until the Mayor returns from Portugal before filing the recall paperwork and looking to a June 2010 recall election, to save the City money. That's pretty thoughtful... For the record, Gilroy’s future Mayor?/ Supervisor Don Gage made no appearance in the story...
The race to replace Hal Plotkin by appointment to the Foothill-DeAnza Community College Distict is in the final interview stage. Foothill-DeAnza Trustees want to talk with Joan Barram (Cupertino Union School District Trustee), Richard Bernhardt (Business and student lobbyist), Jeannie Conner (Senator Joe Simitian’s political director), and Anita Manwani-Bhagat (business leader at NASA/HP/Agilent).
Congressmember Anna Eshoo’s 2nd “telephone” town hall got her props from the more than 7,000 participants. Eshoo told participants she’s doing a face-to-face on healthcare next week and testily pointed out she’s done more face-to-face town halls than any of her colleagues.
Kathleen Blanchard, the Mother of one of Gunn High Schools suicide victims spoke out at the Palo Alto Unified School Board meeting. Without pointing fingers, she gently urged change in how adults work with students and called for “attitude adjustments and philosophical adjustments” in working with kids. The Merc’s Patty Fisher digs into other teen suicides in Silicon Valley and the news is not good…
NASA Ames is ready to build “Sustainability Base,” architect Kevin Burke loves the “combination of high tech and low tech.” Meaning the building will close itself at night and use the same “technology” as historic California Adobe homes to cool off or warm up. With a little luck, there won’t be a “toxic” siding battle on this green house.
Latest perv alerts heading your way…
- Dentist/(mock) breast health worker Benva Oshana Lazar has added another complaint to his patient list – bringing his total to 8 (so far) patients pissed to learn breast exams are not part of dental practice.
- Teacher/ perv Edward Riley Slate III was busted for a 6 month sexual relationship with a student at Santa Clara’s Wilcox High.
San Jose Insider/ Santa Clara County Board of Education Trustee Joseph DiSalvo (could he have a longer title?) has endorsed former Franklin-McKinley Superintendent Larry Aceves as his favorite for State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
San Jose Inside’s Fly celebrates a (temporary?) reprieve for the (Fly hangout) “dingy, punky, (puky?)” Caravan Bar over an (un)watered down White Russian. (apparently) The Merc’s Internal Affairs story pissed off bartenders who “scribbled down letters” (on napkins) demanding an apology. Fly's piece also proves that Metro writers are probably a lot more fun to hang out with than Merc writers...
Friday, August 21, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 8.21.09: The DA and East Side Union... again
Hoping to move investigations along faster, Trustees for East Side Union High School District have hired their own law firm to investigate Superintendent Bob Nunez’s (possible) embezzlement. The Board also received $115,000 from Save Our Sports because, as parent Patty Carrillo put it, “...the kids need sports, and that’s what we’re focused on...”
San Jose Inside is back... and the Insiders are very pleased with themselves. Inside has discovered “tagging” and direct replies… San Jose Inside also reports District Attorney Dolores Carr is not happy with Governor Schwarzenegger's plan to evict nearly 40,000 prison inmates. Well, not that many people are pleased with DA Carr either.
Fix that leaky faucet is the message coming from the Santa Clara Valley Water District. Word is Silicon Valley residents haven’t made the grade on the 15% voluntary water usage reduction. World Toilet Day is just around the corner, so you better get with the program...
Looking for someone “… qualified to build an NFL stadium...” 49ers spokesperson Lisa Lang is hopeful Santa Clara’s newly minted Charter Review Committee will find a way to make it so. Senator Elaine Alquist has similar legislation moving through the hallowed halls of Sacramento.
Supervisor (and Gilroy Mayoral wannabe?) Don Gage joins the garbage fracas telling pissed off residents “GreenWaste Recovery was able to do more for less...” (and had better lobbyists no doubt) than competitor/current provider South Valley Disposal and Recycling. Representatives from South Valley's parent company NorCal Waste Systems will (probably) show up at the Supervisor’s meeting to disagree…
Assemblymember Bill Monning (apparently) took offense to a recent story about legislators handing out raises… Monning made sure the Morgan Hill Times knew none of his staff got raises and he asked for a 10% paycut. Not to be outdone, Assemblymember Anna Caballero also took a 10% cut from her $116,000 salary…
Mountain View’s Googler/(accused) thief Leonard Izbicki was busted after walking out (and selling) $80,000 in tech-dream hardware.
Neighbors are happy. So is Babe Ruth Baseball. But there’s one very pissed off Mountain View Councilmember. Using money from “Clean Safe Creeks and Flood Protection” Santa Clara Valley Water District engineer Afshin Rouhani says all promises will be kept in creating a park/flood basin -- but that means losing some parkland but gaining two refurbished baseball fields. Councilmember Laura Macias shot back the Water District was using “basic psychology” and behaving outrageously and she is acting in her own, I mean her neighbors', best interst.
(perv/rapist) Swim coach Andrew King is landing in another court soon. Jane Doe, one of King’s dozen (so-far) victims, is suing. Also lawsuit bound are USA Swimming and Pacific Swimming with accusations of negligent hiring…
David Pilipina was busted for the stabbing death of 19 year old Kristina Harris Perkins during a brawl at the Alum Rock Lightrail Station in San Jose. The Sheriffs are looking for others, if you know anything, call Sgt. Herman Leon at 408-808-4500.
Our Psycho Donut friends want to be “the most unusual doughnut shop on the planet” but not by pissing off the entire mental health contingent. So, (new) chief Psycho/music lover Jordan Zweigoron says you’ll now see “Headbanger” instead of “Massive Head Trauma” with more musical transitions are yet to come…
The Merc’s Sal Pizarro sends props to Bert George for receiving the Boy Scouts Distinguished Citizen Award. Pizarro also dishes there’s a kid-filled Sunday on the horizon at San Jose State University with Lemony Snicket’s The Composer is Dead.
Fighting a different sort of tagging was on the mind of Protect San Jose’s Beat Cop. Beat Cop reports San Jose Police has a new online tool to send graffiti photos, as long as it’s under 100k…
Finally, let’s end this week of perv’s and embezzlers on a high note… The Merc’s Linda Goldston weaves a tale of love and horse whispering. Maddie Hodgson is living every little girls fantasy as she works with blind, and a little broken, Misty at Kids Love Horses.
San Jose Inside is back... and the Insiders are very pleased with themselves. Inside has discovered “tagging” and direct replies… San Jose Inside also reports District Attorney Dolores Carr is not happy with Governor Schwarzenegger's plan to evict nearly 40,000 prison inmates. Well, not that many people are pleased with DA Carr either.
Fix that leaky faucet is the message coming from the Santa Clara Valley Water District. Word is Silicon Valley residents haven’t made the grade on the 15% voluntary water usage reduction. World Toilet Day is just around the corner, so you better get with the program...
Looking for someone “… qualified to build an NFL stadium...” 49ers spokesperson Lisa Lang is hopeful Santa Clara’s newly minted Charter Review Committee will find a way to make it so. Senator Elaine Alquist has similar legislation moving through the hallowed halls of Sacramento.
Supervisor (and Gilroy Mayoral wannabe?) Don Gage joins the garbage fracas telling pissed off residents “GreenWaste Recovery was able to do more for less...” (and had better lobbyists no doubt) than competitor/current provider South Valley Disposal and Recycling. Representatives from South Valley's parent company NorCal Waste Systems will (probably) show up at the Supervisor’s meeting to disagree…
Assemblymember Bill Monning (apparently) took offense to a recent story about legislators handing out raises… Monning made sure the Morgan Hill Times knew none of his staff got raises and he asked for a 10% paycut. Not to be outdone, Assemblymember Anna Caballero also took a 10% cut from her $116,000 salary…
Mountain View’s Googler/(accused) thief Leonard Izbicki was busted after walking out (and selling) $80,000 in tech-dream hardware.
Neighbors are happy. So is Babe Ruth Baseball. But there’s one very pissed off Mountain View Councilmember. Using money from “Clean Safe Creeks and Flood Protection” Santa Clara Valley Water District engineer Afshin Rouhani says all promises will be kept in creating a park/flood basin -- but that means losing some parkland but gaining two refurbished baseball fields. Councilmember Laura Macias shot back the Water District was using “basic psychology” and behaving outrageously and she is acting in her own, I mean her neighbors', best interst.
(perv/rapist) Swim coach Andrew King is landing in another court soon. Jane Doe, one of King’s dozen (so-far) victims, is suing. Also lawsuit bound are USA Swimming and Pacific Swimming with accusations of negligent hiring…
David Pilipina was busted for the stabbing death of 19 year old Kristina Harris Perkins during a brawl at the Alum Rock Lightrail Station in San Jose. The Sheriffs are looking for others, if you know anything, call Sgt. Herman Leon at 408-808-4500.
Our Psycho Donut friends want to be “the most unusual doughnut shop on the planet” but not by pissing off the entire mental health contingent. So, (new) chief Psycho/music lover Jordan Zweigoron says you’ll now see “Headbanger” instead of “Massive Head Trauma” with more musical transitions are yet to come…
The Merc’s Sal Pizarro sends props to Bert George for receiving the Boy Scouts Distinguished Citizen Award. Pizarro also dishes there’s a kid-filled Sunday on the horizon at San Jose State University with Lemony Snicket’s The Composer is Dead.
Fighting a different sort of tagging was on the mind of Protect San Jose’s Beat Cop. Beat Cop reports San Jose Police has a new online tool to send graffiti photos, as long as it’s under 100k…
Finally, let’s end this week of perv’s and embezzlers on a high note… The Merc’s Linda Goldston weaves a tale of love and horse whispering. Maddie Hodgson is living every little girls fantasy as she works with blind, and a little broken, Misty at Kids Love Horses.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 8.18.09: The Final Tesla Chronicle Chapter?
San Jose has been jilted by fickle lover Tesla one last time. Ditched by Elon Musk for the allure of a geek filled campus next door, San Jose is mum about news of Tesla’s powertrain manufacturing moving to Palo Alto. But Watch Dog has not been mum... heck, we've been writing about this for ever...San Jose’s Mayor Chuck Reed (apparently) reads the Merc’s Editorial pages. Feeling the sting following an Editorial Board call to dish on lobbyist driven texts, the Mayor released a Memo calling on colleagues to ‘fess up on those lobbyist texts. [CR is POed... LMAO!]
(soon to be former) Police Officers Association President/ Blogger Bobby Lopez was one pissed off cop when he learned “wasteful spending” at City Hall caused a $5 million cost overrun on SJPD’s “second home.” The architectural professionals explaining themselves today are no doubt shaking in their boots.
If rumors of San Jose Revealed’s ties to the South Bay Labor Council are to be believed, maybe San Jose Revealed morphed into Politicon Valley. Politicon Valley started blogging, and Tweeting, late June – sans anonymous blogger snark. Recently, Politcon Valley landed a story direct from the South Bay Labor Council… Welcome to Silicon Valley Politicon Valley...
Gilroy Unified School District Trustees “enthusiastically” supported 60 hours of community service before high school graduation. Trustee Javier Aguirre said he was excited because the volunteer hours would “allow our graduates to continue being competitive.”
The Mountain View Voice Editorial Board was pissed when the El Camino Hospital Board of Directors gave a (nearly) 5% raise to a dozen top execs. Pointing to the collapsing economy, national debate on soaring healthcare costs, and the ever increasing unemployment rates, the Voice reminds readers there are 2 elected seats up for grabs in the November election.
In other healthcare news… Governor Schwarzenegger’s cuts to Healthy Families could affect 9,000 Silicon Valley children according to Saratoga Councilmember/ Executive Director Santa Clara Health Plan’s Kathleen King. Thank you Governor.
In a contentious radio debate on the elixir of life (no, not this) Palo Alto’s Senator Joe Simitian took a stab at explaining the finer points of the great Delta (water) debate – and what it means for Silicon Valley.
Great America’s dangling roller riders might be surprised to learn they weren’t the first ones to get hung up on Invertigo. Mission City Lantern joins the fray pointing at another of James Rowen’s favorite targets – Cedar Fair.
Mischief + Scott Herhold = Quarterly puppy update
Silicon Valley’s favorite philanthropists, Mike and Mary Ellen Fox, celebrated their golden anniversary and received some love from the Merc’s Sal Pizarro.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 8.17.09: LOL edition...
It isn't just teenagers that are texting constantly, apparently so are San Jose Councilmembers and lobbyists... Accusations of dragging Sunshine into darkness follow San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed according to Sunshine Task Force Member/ Working Partnerships policy wonk Bob Brownstein. Councilmember Pete Constant, who mostly texts during Council meetings, declined providing text messages to the Merc. but Councilmember Sam Liccardo provided them. (un)Surprisingly, the Merc.’s Editorial Board weighs in calling for release of personal texts and emails.Former Vice Mayor/Labor Chief Cindy Chavez goes ever more public. Pointing to a 2008 Fair Political Practices Commission report calling uncapped independent expenditures that thwart “the will of the people,” Chavez lends her support to a contentious San Jose City Council vote. Or in text, "wll o d ppl"
Expect a lot of finger pointing as the cost of San Jose’s first Police substation continues to head North. This week the San Jose City Council discusses adding more than $5 million (on top of March’s $4.5 million) to fix design flaws. Like the 15,000 gallon fuel tank listed at 1,500 gallons.
San Jose Firefighters couldn’t have been happy to see the San Francisco Chronicle’s City Insider calling them out as the highest paid of big California cities. Those pesky reporters...
During the State’s trying budget days it’s surprising to see local legislators handing out raises. Assemblymember Joe Coto gave 2 staffers raises, bumping salaries to $56,880. Assemblymember Anna Caballero bumped 6 staffers to a whopping $19,278 annually and Jim Beall increased pay for 4 staff members to $27,510. Actually, scratch that, nothing in Sacramento is surprising...
Following up on last week's news that San Jose State University is making it difficult for unprepared students… The Merc’s Editorial Board calls on high schools to prepare students for college. What a concept…
(un)Happy trails. Fremont’s Nummi plant is packing the bags and heading to Texas leaving nearly 5,000 newly unemployed in its wake. Perhaps a Fremont ballpark can actually happen now? Watch Dog sources say no...
Two groups of teenagers battled at the Alum Rock lightrail station in East San Jose. When the dust settled a 19 year old woman was dead while a 16 year old and 19 year old were hospitalized. The Sheriff’s office won’t (yet) declare this a gang related fight. If you have details, call detective Sgt. Herman Leon or detective Sgt. Ryan Elder at 408-808-4500.
The Merc’s Internal Affairs crew follows the confusing assortment of local legislators as they angle for higher office. (current and former) Assemblymembers Ira Ruskin, John Laird, and Jim Beall plan to duke it out with freshman Assemblymember Paul Fong for Senator Joe Simitian’s seat in 2010. Senator Elaine Alquist hopes to be your next Secretary of State while (current and former) Assemblymembers Joe Coto and Sally Lieber will go after Alquist’s Senate gig. Looming ahead, the inevitable redistricting after the 2010 census.
The fallout from Scott Herhold’s wishful list of District Attorney wannabe’s brought more than a little grief to Deputy District Attorney/”Most Respected” Jeff Rosen.
The Merc’s Internal Affairs also pokes fun at (former) Mayor Ron Gonzales email sign-off.
The Merc’s Sal Pizarro celebrates the opening of the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce offices and Garden City Construction’s loving restoration of a 1941 bank, more restoration for San Jose’s Civic Center, bike building at Applied Micro, and Cadence employee’s blowing through a fundraising goal to triple the joy.
Local government in action around Silicon Valley…
- The County Board of Supervisors' Health and Hospital Committee discusses reports on County programs for uninsured children – now that the State wants to cut funds.
- Cupertino Union School District talks energy management.
- Fremont Union High School District gets an update on Measure B.
- East Side Union High School gets dollars for sports…
- San Jose Unified School District Superintendent Don Iglesias hopes for an agreement with the San Jose Teachers Association.
- San Jose City Council talks Sunshine and cost overruns. (Or in text: cst ovrrns)
- Santa Clara City Council tackles charter changes for football while a 49er stadium subcommittee recommends a 2nd ballot measure.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 7.31.09: Raptors and Beer Friday
The Environmental Impact Report for Santa Clara’s proposed 49er's stadium has landed. (You may not believe it, but Steven Spielberg's imagination figures prominently...) The EIR weighs in at in at roughly 2,800 pages. The rumor that Santa Clara Plays Fair’s Bill Bailey is at Starbucks with those 2,800 pages with highlighter in hand is unfounded...Taking its lead from a recent Op-Ed by the Chamber's Pat Dando, the Merc’s Editorial Board calls on San Jose Councilmember Kansen Chu to change his tune when it comes to starting a $7.2 million library project. The low bidder was thrown out... it seems Barry Swenson and labor unions have a beef. Wouldn't it be great if there was a blog in town to describe the beef in detail...
Angry Sunnyvalians (?) are storming City Hall asking why a partially demolished Town and Country site is still a disaster a year later. Peter Pau, with Sand Hill Property, says he’s “trying” his best with the “shamefully ugly setting.”
Gilroy’s Mayoral wannabe/ Supervisor Don Gage is pissed the State is cutting Williamson Act support of local farmers. Apparently, Legislators and the Governor changed their mind about California’s future as bread basket of the world.
Gilroy girth growing by 800 acres? Could be if the Planning Commission and City Council approve requests from Gavilan College, Shapell Industries, and Wren Investors. After that, a little Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) approval, with Gilroy’s future Mayor/ Supervisor Don Gage as part of the LAFCO team. Just what Silicon Valley needs... more growth in Gilroy.
Sounding a familiar refrain, Palo Alto is facing retiree pension benefits that could cripple the City.
Frustrated Caltrain commuters abandoned the government driven 511.org and are Tweeting their way to happiness dishing details on delays and seat availability.
It was the breast implants, Officer! The Merc’s Mr. Roadshow shared the cheers and jeers from his mail bag following cartoons depicting “Sex, Lies, and Traffic Tickets.”
The Merc’s Sal Pizarro applauds Camera Cinema’s Jim Zuur (Breaststroking his way to fame and glory at the Senior Olympics), Santa Clara County Librarian Melinda Cervantes (co-leading the charge with Urban Libraries Council) and Valley Medical Center’s Chris Wilder (teaching donors to text, hopefully not while driving).
Kudos to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation as they award $500,000 in grants to non-profits keeping food in the belly and a roof over the head.
San Jose Police Officers Association's Bobby Lopez chimes in on the Obama Beer Summit on Protect San Jose. In his post, he promises this, with regards to the Consortium looking at Drunk Arrests in San Jose:
"...we welcome any fair and unbiased study of our work. If the academics come back in a year’s time and clearly prove that we do have a problem, then I’ll be the first to admit it, right here on this blog..."
Friday, July 17, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 7.17.09: Darn... that bus I never take is getting cut
An economy in free fall is where the Valley Transit Authority’s Michael Burns places responsibility for transit cuts and fare hikes. Not that it’s any consolation, but Randy Rentschler of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission said cuts are happening all around the bay “…often much worse than those in Santa Clara County.” (Watch Dog San Mateo covered the same story, but swapped out VTA and replaced it with SamTrans...)
The Merc’s Sal Pizarro highlights the historical insights of Evergreen Valley College Professors Nannette Regua and Arturo Villareal “Mexicans in San Jose” which starts with the founding of San Jose in 1777 and concludes with the opening of the Mexican Heritage Plaza.
News Flash: Palo Alto neighbors (NIMBYs) support a building taller than recommended height limits. Of course, that limit is 25 feet… Amazing.
That pesky business tax in Palo Alto won’t apply to non-profits and the rates have been modified, a lot. On to the voters.
Los Altos Hills plans on meeting State requirements to provide their “fair share” of affordable housing with the granny unit. $4 million home, separate unit in the back… Granny is going to have a nice place to live...
Morgan Hill will cough up $310,000 to renovate the Granada Theatre, decreasing the number of seats. Paul Gunsky, CineLux owner, will operate the Granada in exchange for exclusive rights at a new movie theatre a block away.
To local blogs...
San Jose Revealed is still dark... (sad)
James at Mission City Lantern is still on the "who writes San Jose Revealed" investigation... the finalists (according to James) are Justin Schall, Ash Pirayou, and Doug Winslow. We think he is missing some of the likely suspects...
Not missing a beat... Protect San Jose uses the rising homocide rate to call for more Officers.
And San Jose Inside/Fly relays a funny idea: Drug testing for Sacramento lawmakers...
The Merc’s Sal Pizarro highlights the historical insights of Evergreen Valley College Professors Nannette Regua and Arturo Villareal “Mexicans in San Jose” which starts with the founding of San Jose in 1777 and concludes with the opening of the Mexican Heritage Plaza.
News Flash: Palo Alto neighbors (NIMBYs) support a building taller than recommended height limits. Of course, that limit is 25 feet… Amazing.
That pesky business tax in Palo Alto won’t apply to non-profits and the rates have been modified, a lot. On to the voters.
Los Altos Hills plans on meeting State requirements to provide their “fair share” of affordable housing with the granny unit. $4 million home, separate unit in the back… Granny is going to have a nice place to live...
Morgan Hill will cough up $310,000 to renovate the Granada Theatre, decreasing the number of seats. Paul Gunsky, CineLux owner, will operate the Granada in exchange for exclusive rights at a new movie theatre a block away.
To local blogs...
San Jose Revealed is still dark... (sad)
James at Mission City Lantern is still on the "who writes San Jose Revealed" investigation... the finalists (according to James) are Justin Schall, Ash Pirayou, and Doug Winslow. We think he is missing some of the likely suspects...
Not missing a beat... Protect San Jose uses the rising homocide rate to call for more Officers.
And San Jose Inside/Fly relays a funny idea: Drug testing for Sacramento lawmakers...
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 7.16.09: More Wet News...
Barely halfway through 2009, San Jose is on track for a record number of murders. A man was shot to death in the Santee area. Sgt. Ronnie Lopez said it probably wasn’t a drive-by.
The Blue Ribbon Compost Task Force in Palo Alto has made a recommendation to keep composting. Seriously. We can't make this stuff up. (In fairness, it is a little more complicated than that...)
In other "News of the Weird" from Palo Alto... A homeless City Council candidate is being asked by Palo Alto Police not to take up residence outside Whole Foods. (Watch Dog guesses it might lead to some serious liberal guilt if he was living outside of Whole Foods...)
The Merc’s Joe Rodriguez didn’t get asked his opinion on un-doing the problems of the “monumental flop” called the Mexican Heritage Plaza, but that didn’t stop him from posting ideas from readers. Ideas for re-tooling the 1987 vision by then-Councilmember Blanca Alvarado include a Seattle-style Space Needle with a rotating Mexican restaurant.
Other opinions from Merc columnists... The unveiling of a piece of the Mineta San Jose International Airport drew kudos from the Merc’s Sal Pizarro who toured with “dozens of dignitaries.” Begging the question, San Jose has "dozens" of dignitaries?
Mountain View Police will soon take advantage of Google’s free WiFi. The WiFi system will also be used to enhance the water meters at the Pulte Homes' development.
Lots of Los Altos/Los Altos Hills news today...
San Jose Inside’s Fly reports Police Chief Rob Davis forced the closure of Club Wet. Apparently, the weapon used during the most-recent stabbing was the size of a pinkie finger and really, no serious wounds were left behind. Club owners dismissed the multiple stabbing as a little dance floor fight with revelers back in action after security guards swooped in. Aside from the fact SJPD didn’t close the club (club owners did), it’s nice to know that if you’re stabbed with a little knife it’s not really a "stabbing." Remember, this "stabbing" was unpreventable according to Wet's lobbyist. (A nightclub needs a lobbyist?)
San Jose Inside’s Silicon Valley Newsroom has resorted to using Watch Dog as their news source of choice having given up on reporters. The latest homage to Watch Dog is reposting the (old) news that Assemblymember Joe Coto and State Senator Gilbert Cedillo were dropped from the Minuteman lawsuit.
Inside isn't the only blog joining the news aggregating business, so is Protect San Jose...
Sadly, Revealed remains silent... pneumonia... vacation... new job?
The Blue Ribbon Compost Task Force in Palo Alto has made a recommendation to keep composting. Seriously. We can't make this stuff up. (In fairness, it is a little more complicated than that...)
In other "News of the Weird" from Palo Alto... A homeless City Council candidate is being asked by Palo Alto Police not to take up residence outside Whole Foods. (Watch Dog guesses it might lead to some serious liberal guilt if he was living outside of Whole Foods...)
The Merc’s Joe Rodriguez didn’t get asked his opinion on un-doing the problems of the “monumental flop” called the Mexican Heritage Plaza, but that didn’t stop him from posting ideas from readers. Ideas for re-tooling the 1987 vision by then-Councilmember Blanca Alvarado include a Seattle-style Space Needle with a rotating Mexican restaurant.
Other opinions from Merc columnists... The unveiling of a piece of the Mineta San Jose International Airport drew kudos from the Merc’s Sal Pizarro who toured with “dozens of dignitaries.” Begging the question, San Jose has "dozens" of dignitaries?
Mountain View Police will soon take advantage of Google’s free WiFi. The WiFi system will also be used to enhance the water meters at the Pulte Homes' development.
Lots of Los Altos/Los Altos Hills news today...
- New (rotating) Los Altos Hills Mayor Dean Warshawsky takes the helm for a second time. His big goal, annex Hidden Villa, keep the rural atmosphere, and upgrade recreation for residents. (Translation: Better access to the Fremont Hills Country Club.)
- Neighbors in Los Altos (NIMBYs) are still pissed off about a proposed Senior housing proposal approved by the Planning Commission in May. After a contentious meeting this week where NIMBY’s grumped about the noise and dust of construction, the City Council voted to have another meeting to delay their decision.
- It seems inaction is contagious in Los Altos. A lawsuit is brewing between the Los Altos School District and the Bullis Charter because Bullis administrators are pissed following 5 years of talk but no action on “...equitably shared facilities...” by the Los Altos School District.
San Jose Inside’s Fly reports Police Chief Rob Davis forced the closure of Club Wet. Apparently, the weapon used during the most-recent stabbing was the size of a pinkie finger and really, no serious wounds were left behind. Club owners dismissed the multiple stabbing as a little dance floor fight with revelers back in action after security guards swooped in. Aside from the fact SJPD didn’t close the club (club owners did), it’s nice to know that if you’re stabbed with a little knife it’s not really a "stabbing." Remember, this "stabbing" was unpreventable according to Wet's lobbyist. (A nightclub needs a lobbyist?)
San Jose Inside’s Silicon Valley Newsroom has resorted to using Watch Dog as their news source of choice having given up on reporters. The latest homage to Watch Dog is reposting the (old) news that Assemblymember Joe Coto and State Senator Gilbert Cedillo were dropped from the Minuteman lawsuit.
Inside isn't the only blog joining the news aggregating business, so is Protect San Jose...
Sadly, Revealed remains silent... pneumonia... vacation... new job?
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 7.15.09: What's $15 million between friends running for Governor?
Ready for business in 2014 and going for the green… From native plants on the roof to recycled water in the pipes, the 49er's proposed Santa Clara stadium would be the “greenest” NFL stadium ever. The York family is also shooting for a stadium able to host the Super Bowl or World Cup. (Of course, the stadium still needs voter-approval next year.)
Silicon Valley gubernatorial wannabe Meg Whitman plunked $15 million of her (anticipated) $150 million campaign loan. Her opponents didn’t seem to care much about the Whitman throw down. Whitman’s Silicon Valley neighbor Steve Poizner coughed up $4 million of his mega-bucks for the race (not to mention the money he put into previous races...)
The Merc’s Editorial Board offers props to the team assigned the unenviable task of making San Jose’s Mexican Heritage Plaza live up to its promise.
Now joining (formerly) homeless Victor Frost (address: Telephone Pole No. 1139) in Palo Alto’s wide open council race will be past (failed) candidates Dan Dykwel and Tim Gray. This all on the heals of the current Mayor deciding not to run for reelection.
School District races in Los Altos, Palo Alto, and Foothill-DeAnza Community College so far turning out to be the most boring with only incumbents picking up papers. The chance for excitement lasts until August 7 when the filing period closes.
California IOU’s have started landing and the Merc’s Scott Herhold has one he’s shopping around. Herhold actively sought out the IOU offering 110% of face value, now just trying to unload it for the story…
The Merc’s Sal Pizarro shares an idea from Joe Boyer on keeping people in downtown San Jose: cheap parking. (Watch Dog can only assume that Joe has never parked in another downtown, if he thinks San Jose parking is expensive.) Pizarro also lends a hand to fundraising efforts for Christmas in July and KKUP – People’s Radio - which needs your help to relocate.
Los Gatos firefighters rescued Phoebe the Cat from a tree limb after nearly a week following failed attempts with a basket, tree service, police, animal control, a “creature catcher” and PG&E.
And, in Saratoga news… The Planning Commission narrowly averted disaster by approving plans for a (giant) new home complete with pool. Commissioner Manny Cappello was emphatic in over-riding city guidelines saying “...a home like this should have a pool in Saratoga...” Obviously...
The San Jose Police Officers Association blog, Protect San Jose, gives space to the 18th Floor's favorite Chief of Staff/ City Council Candidate Jim Cogan. Cogan is promoting National Night Out.
Silicon Valley gubernatorial wannabe Meg Whitman plunked $15 million of her (anticipated) $150 million campaign loan. Her opponents didn’t seem to care much about the Whitman throw down. Whitman’s Silicon Valley neighbor Steve Poizner coughed up $4 million of his mega-bucks for the race (not to mention the money he put into previous races...)
The Merc’s Editorial Board offers props to the team assigned the unenviable task of making San Jose’s Mexican Heritage Plaza live up to its promise.
Now joining (formerly) homeless Victor Frost (address: Telephone Pole No. 1139) in Palo Alto’s wide open council race will be past (failed) candidates Dan Dykwel and Tim Gray. This all on the heals of the current Mayor deciding not to run for reelection.
School District races in Los Altos, Palo Alto, and Foothill-DeAnza Community College so far turning out to be the most boring with only incumbents picking up papers. The chance for excitement lasts until August 7 when the filing period closes.
California IOU’s have started landing and the Merc’s Scott Herhold has one he’s shopping around. Herhold actively sought out the IOU offering 110% of face value, now just trying to unload it for the story…
The Merc’s Sal Pizarro shares an idea from Joe Boyer on keeping people in downtown San Jose: cheap parking. (Watch Dog can only assume that Joe has never parked in another downtown, if he thinks San Jose parking is expensive.) Pizarro also lends a hand to fundraising efforts for Christmas in July and KKUP – People’s Radio - which needs your help to relocate.
Los Gatos firefighters rescued Phoebe the Cat from a tree limb after nearly a week following failed attempts with a basket, tree service, police, animal control, a “creature catcher” and PG&E.
And, in Saratoga news… The Planning Commission narrowly averted disaster by approving plans for a (giant) new home complete with pool. Commissioner Manny Cappello was emphatic in over-riding city guidelines saying “...a home like this should have a pool in Saratoga...” Obviously...
The San Jose Police Officers Association blog, Protect San Jose, gives space to the 18th Floor's favorite Chief of Staff/ City Council Candidate Jim Cogan. Cogan is promoting National Night Out.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Morning News Round-Up – 7.1.09: Post Dominatrix hangovers....
Twitter it ain’t… Palo Alto’s policy committee spoke to a nearly empty room on the fate of Peak Democracy’s online Palo Alto forum. Councilmember Sid Espinosa said the forum was of “no value” while colleagues disagreed keeping the site running.
Silicon Valley De-Bug director Raj Jayadev called on San Jose’s Police Officers Association to end the “name-calling” at a rally Tuesday night. Tossing a little humor in the mix, Jaydev had a new t-shirt on declaring “Thug.” POA leader Bobby Lopez thought better of his “ticked off” response to the Merc and allowed as how he would meet with Jayadev. Psst, the video link on Protect San Jose goes straight to YouTube. Way to make promises…
Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith apologized with tears in her eyes following the deaths of cyclists Matt Peterson and Kristy Gough last year. Yesterday Peterson’s family got the news the County is coughing up $2.3 million.
Joining San Jose Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio for the San Jose Stage political fundraiser were the Merc’s own Man About Town, Sal Pizarro, San Jose Inside’s Fly and Mission City Lantern. Show stealer, Councilmember Judy Chirco, kept her dignity and her seat. Fly reports more sex humor, less political satire while Mission City wants to know more about Councilmember Pete Constants fascination with the dominatrix.
The assemblymember formerly known as “Mr. Insurance” is currying favor with the Da Mayor. Joe “Gotcha Covered” Coto carried a controversial (San Francisco) state law change for former San Francisco Mayor/former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown – much to the surprise of San Francisco leaders. SF Supe’s weren’t pleased and killed the end run around State law.
Los Altos declared its NIMBY heart over Mountain View’s housing proposal with worries Mountain View residents would clog Los Altos streets. Mountain View Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga pointed out neighbors share…
Good fences make good neighbors, does good policy do the same? San Jose Councilmembers Pierluigi Oliverio and Sam Liccardo are voicing support for the Distinctive Neighborhoods program which might give residents more say in who their neighbors are…
Drama runs high in the preliminary hearing for gang members sharing the defense table in Gilroy. Norteno’s defense attorney, Edward Sousa, wants his clients out since one of their gang was killed.
Santa Clara County’s new courthouse in Morgan Hill hasn’t translated to more downtown dollars – yet. Could it be the economic downturn affects even judges?
San Jose Insider/Santa Clara County Board of Education Trustee Joseph DiSalvo read the recently released Civil Grand Jury report hinting it ain’t the kids benefitting from education dollars. DiSalvo muses the 31 different school districts in Santa Clara County might not serve the children…
In Los Gatos the Parks Commission issued a concern that sometimes local regulations get ignored as trees are mowed down. Really? Naked hills are a problem for Councilmember Steve Rice.
Silicon Valley De-Bug director Raj Jayadev called on San Jose’s Police Officers Association to end the “name-calling” at a rally Tuesday night. Tossing a little humor in the mix, Jaydev had a new t-shirt on declaring “Thug.” POA leader Bobby Lopez thought better of his “ticked off” response to the Merc and allowed as how he would meet with Jayadev. Psst, the video link on Protect San Jose goes straight to YouTube. Way to make promises…
Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith apologized with tears in her eyes following the deaths of cyclists Matt Peterson and Kristy Gough last year. Yesterday Peterson’s family got the news the County is coughing up $2.3 million.
Joining San Jose Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio for the San Jose Stage political fundraiser were the Merc’s own Man About Town, Sal Pizarro, San Jose Inside’s Fly and Mission City Lantern. Show stealer, Councilmember Judy Chirco, kept her dignity and her seat. Fly reports more sex humor, less political satire while Mission City wants to know more about Councilmember Pete Constants fascination with the dominatrix.
The assemblymember formerly known as “Mr. Insurance” is currying favor with the Da Mayor. Joe “Gotcha Covered” Coto carried a controversial (San Francisco) state law change for former San Francisco Mayor/former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown – much to the surprise of San Francisco leaders. SF Supe’s weren’t pleased and killed the end run around State law.
Los Altos declared its NIMBY heart over Mountain View’s housing proposal with worries Mountain View residents would clog Los Altos streets. Mountain View Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga pointed out neighbors share…
Good fences make good neighbors, does good policy do the same? San Jose Councilmembers Pierluigi Oliverio and Sam Liccardo are voicing support for the Distinctive Neighborhoods program which might give residents more say in who their neighbors are…
Drama runs high in the preliminary hearing for gang members sharing the defense table in Gilroy. Norteno’s defense attorney, Edward Sousa, wants his clients out since one of their gang was killed.
Santa Clara County’s new courthouse in Morgan Hill hasn’t translated to more downtown dollars – yet. Could it be the economic downturn affects even judges?
San Jose Insider/Santa Clara County Board of Education Trustee Joseph DiSalvo read the recently released Civil Grand Jury report hinting it ain’t the kids benefitting from education dollars. DiSalvo muses the 31 different school districts in Santa Clara County might not serve the children…
In Los Gatos the Parks Commission issued a concern that sometimes local regulations get ignored as trees are mowed down. Really? Naked hills are a problem for Councilmember Steve Rice.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Morning News Round-Up – 6.30.09: A little independence is a good thing, right?
Mountain View’s city council is looking to strengthen its milquetoast pleas for NASA Ames Hangar One. No doubt a strong retort from Mountain View will (not) sway the Navy who previously ignored congressional requests…
Linking Bay cities isn’t only a BART dream, from our Sister blog Watch Dog San Mateo…
Embezzlement troubles were set aside for MACSA’s annual 100 Most Influential Latinos in Silicon Valley according to the Merc’s Sal Pizarro. No shows included outbound executive director Olivia Soza-Mendiola and “many members of the group’s leadership.” Pizarro also shares the success of Michele Gray’s Walk through the Vineyards and opening applications for the Chamber’s Leadership program.
Celebrating American Independence will mean something different for the (really pissed) residents of Mountain View’s Americana apartments. These (un)lucky souls get to spend the long weekend moving out so the expected asbestos shake down doesn’t affect them. Irony much?
More tools in the toolbox, that’s what veteran cop Pat Dwyer hopes will help officers to back away from shooting the mentally ill. The Merc’s Scott Herhold shares Dwyer’s thoughts in his role as County mental health’s police liaison trying to prevent another Daniel Pham situation.
The Civil Grand Jury spanked school districts including Gilroy and Gavilan for not preventing $288,000 in losses with better controls. The Grand Jury wants district Trustees to reconcile inventory. Gilroy Superintendent Deborah Flores said she’s happy to involve Trustees but wonders about asking that level of micro-management…
Morgan Hill’s city council is scrambling to buy up foreclosed homes at the same time the Planning Commission recommends relieving developers of responsibility for building affordable homes.
Savvy Cellar Wines fills the gap left when Christine Tran’s deal with Mountain View to fill the Train Depot self destructed. Desperately in need of a wine bar, Mountain View residents could be heard celebrating all the way to Hangar One.
"Folks say that if you listen real close…” begins the winning entry for San Jose State University’s annual Bulwer-Lytton worldwide literary parody contest.
San Jose Councilmember/San Jose Insider Pierluigi Oliverio lets loose on non-controversial consent calendar items (the issues city staff figures are non-controversial) and invites all to Monday Night Live. More entertaining than consent… Watch Dog tipsters share the news that Olvierio refused to play along with the (semi) satirical bashing – the punishment for doing so was a special public spanking.
Mission City Lantern wants to know what’s up with San Jose Revealed.
Linking Bay cities isn’t only a BART dream, from our Sister blog Watch Dog San Mateo…
- Peninsula cities are falling just short of (actually) thumbing their collective noses at State efforts to get cities to accept their “fair share” of housing. Commissioner Lee Lippert said the “vibrant” retail on El Camino was taking a beating as housing moved in. Vibrant, really?
- Pissed off Palo Alto employees marched on City Hall the day before their contract expires. Union leader Mike Keate wants negotiations to be productive and City Manager James Keene wants them to be public, promising entertaining days ahead.
- “(We) got plenty of creative ideas…” from comments during a High-speed Rail outreach according to regional manager Dominic Spaething. A tunnel high on the list for Palo Alto, Atherton and Menlo Park…
- Foothill-DeAnza Community College District Board Vice President Hal Plotkin will join Chancellor Martha Kanter in D.C.. No doubt he’ll be pulling out of the race to replace termed out Assemblymember Ira Ruskin leaving room for Palo Alto’s Yoriko Kishimoto to do battle with San Mateo Supervisor Rich Gordon.
Embezzlement troubles were set aside for MACSA’s annual 100 Most Influential Latinos in Silicon Valley according to the Merc’s Sal Pizarro. No shows included outbound executive director Olivia Soza-Mendiola and “many members of the group’s leadership.” Pizarro also shares the success of Michele Gray’s Walk through the Vineyards and opening applications for the Chamber’s Leadership program.
Celebrating American Independence will mean something different for the (really pissed) residents of Mountain View’s Americana apartments. These (un)lucky souls get to spend the long weekend moving out so the expected asbestos shake down doesn’t affect them. Irony much?
More tools in the toolbox, that’s what veteran cop Pat Dwyer hopes will help officers to back away from shooting the mentally ill. The Merc’s Scott Herhold shares Dwyer’s thoughts in his role as County mental health’s police liaison trying to prevent another Daniel Pham situation.
The Civil Grand Jury spanked school districts including Gilroy and Gavilan for not preventing $288,000 in losses with better controls. The Grand Jury wants district Trustees to reconcile inventory. Gilroy Superintendent Deborah Flores said she’s happy to involve Trustees but wonders about asking that level of micro-management…
Morgan Hill’s city council is scrambling to buy up foreclosed homes at the same time the Planning Commission recommends relieving developers of responsibility for building affordable homes.
Savvy Cellar Wines fills the gap left when Christine Tran’s deal with Mountain View to fill the Train Depot self destructed. Desperately in need of a wine bar, Mountain View residents could be heard celebrating all the way to Hangar One.
"Folks say that if you listen real close…” begins the winning entry for San Jose State University’s annual Bulwer-Lytton worldwide literary parody contest.
San Jose Councilmember/San Jose Insider Pierluigi Oliverio lets loose on non-controversial consent calendar items (the issues city staff figures are non-controversial) and invites all to Monday Night Live. More entertaining than consent… Watch Dog tipsters share the news that Olvierio refused to play along with the (semi) satirical bashing – the punishment for doing so was a special public spanking.
Mission City Lantern wants to know what’s up with San Jose Revealed.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Morning News Round-Up – 6.29.09: Council raises meet economic reality...
San Jose’s “huge sucking sound” comes from resident dollars landing outside San Jose according to Councilmember Sam Liccardo. To fix it San Jose had a dream of North San Jose becoming a second downtown – those dreams are now turning into visions of a McCarthy Ranch redux.
Gilroy Councilmember Craig Gartman has asked colleagues to ditch their $64,000 medical benefits in exchange for a council/mayoral raise. The part-time Councilmembers will consider their 106% raise while they ask police and fire unions to take a 15% paycut. Colleague Dion Bracco doubts the lost medical benefits will be gone for more than a year calling the move whimsical, self-serving tricky politics.
Also on the frontlines of salary wars...
San Jose Downtown Association President Scott Knies and Councilmember Nora Campos engaged in a salary throwdown. Campos wants to know if Knies really really got a 19% city pay raise. Knies salary is listed on city payrolls at $134,399 and in a report from the non-profit at $68,916. $134k + $69k = $203,000, could it be…
Our Sister Blog, Watch Dog San Mateo shares this cross over story… East Palo Alto’s Housing Director Wilbert Lee called the ongoing vandalism at the Courtyard at Bay Road unforeseen. Wheelchair bound Arnold Hart complains he can’t get in, carpets used as toilets and a crowbar modified elevator are a few of the problems giving San Jose’s Community Housing a headache.
Interim Santa Clara County Executive Gary Graves is sucking it up. although disappointed by the appointment of Dr. Jeffrey Smith. Graves says “sitting in the executive chair is a whole different ballgame.” Smith said negotiations on take home pay are in the works, the last exec took home $292,000.
Gilroy’s tale of fence wars made the big time… Mercury News curmudgeon Scott Herhold heard from home invasion survivor when Chris Cote launched email to Herhold with his side of fence wars. Like Herhold, Watch Dog is sympathetic with Cote but thinks there has to be a better way than razor wire.
(Former) County Counsel/US Deputy Assistant District Attorney General Ann Ravel attended her own “wake” according to the Merc’s Sal Pizarro. Pizarro had a busy week including Falcons, interesting hands, and Teddy Bear Clinics. Los Lupenos is looking for alumni, email Barbara Perez Diaz lupenos40th@ix.netcom.com.
The Merc’s Internal Affairs entertains with various mini-soaps…
The Merc’s Mr. Roadshow (aka, Gary Richards) got the dish from the California Highway Patrol that 200,000 hands free scofflaws have been busted.
Sad news from Santa Teresa County Park, a woman was found dead on the trail by another hiker. No word if County budget woes (and a lack of park oversight) had anything to do with her death.
Today marks 2 weeks since San Jose Revealed ditched blogging for pneumonia. Could it be Revealed has ditched blogging or just ditched the moniker? Give up on all that good will, nah… Mission City Lantern suggests Revealed has headed for fashion world or maybe a Sanford like liaison.
Gilroy Councilmember Craig Gartman has asked colleagues to ditch their $64,000 medical benefits in exchange for a council/mayoral raise. The part-time Councilmembers will consider their 106% raise while they ask police and fire unions to take a 15% paycut. Colleague Dion Bracco doubts the lost medical benefits will be gone for more than a year calling the move whimsical, self-serving tricky politics.
Also on the frontlines of salary wars...
San Jose Downtown Association President Scott Knies and Councilmember Nora Campos engaged in a salary throwdown. Campos wants to know if Knies really really got a 19% city pay raise. Knies salary is listed on city payrolls at $134,399 and in a report from the non-profit at $68,916. $134k + $69k = $203,000, could it be…
Our Sister Blog, Watch Dog San Mateo shares this cross over story… East Palo Alto’s Housing Director Wilbert Lee called the ongoing vandalism at the Courtyard at Bay Road unforeseen. Wheelchair bound Arnold Hart complains he can’t get in, carpets used as toilets and a crowbar modified elevator are a few of the problems giving San Jose’s Community Housing a headache.
Interim Santa Clara County Executive Gary Graves is sucking it up. although disappointed by the appointment of Dr. Jeffrey Smith. Graves says “sitting in the executive chair is a whole different ballgame.” Smith said negotiations on take home pay are in the works, the last exec took home $292,000.
Gilroy’s tale of fence wars made the big time… Mercury News curmudgeon Scott Herhold heard from home invasion survivor when Chris Cote launched email to Herhold with his side of fence wars. Like Herhold, Watch Dog is sympathetic with Cote but thinks there has to be a better way than razor wire.
(Former) County Counsel/US Deputy Assistant District Attorney General Ann Ravel attended her own “wake” according to the Merc’s Sal Pizarro. Pizarro had a busy week including Falcons, interesting hands, and Teddy Bear Clinics. Los Lupenos is looking for alumni, email Barbara Perez Diaz lupenos40th@ix.netcom.com.
The Merc’s Internal Affairs entertains with various mini-soaps…
- Where was “No-Show Ngyuen” during San Jose City Council budget discussions? IA thinks the absences were a sign of avoiding contentious labor votes. IA sends props to council colleague Judy Chirco for donning a hat and joining discussions in spite of chemotherapy. San Jose Insider’s joined in via Rants and Raves…
- Supervisorial candidate Teresa Alvarado shot a “snarky” email to IA with a huffy retort to the implication that she and opponent Rosemary Kamei the same constituency.
- The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office anxiously awaits a report from (retired) Superior Court Judge/(former) Prosecutor William F. Martin about a “trove of some 3,300 tapes” of sexual assault medical exams. The DA’s hope they got their stories straight for the judge…
The Merc’s Mr. Roadshow (aka, Gary Richards) got the dish from the California Highway Patrol that 200,000 hands free scofflaws have been busted.
Sad news from Santa Teresa County Park, a woman was found dead on the trail by another hiker. No word if County budget woes (and a lack of park oversight) had anything to do with her death.
Today marks 2 weeks since San Jose Revealed ditched blogging for pneumonia. Could it be Revealed has ditched blogging or just ditched the moniker? Give up on all that good will, nah… Mission City Lantern suggests Revealed has headed for fashion world or maybe a Sanford like liaison.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Morning News Round-Up – 6.17.09:
Yes, that was President Obama in San Jose’s Plaza de Cesar Chavez…. Sort of…
San Jose’s big news, there is a budget… At least until the State starts their annual grab-fest. The Merc suggests labor agreements will close the (current) $73 million gap. Former council colleague/South Bay Labor Council Executive Officer Cindy Chavez suggested the Mayor should have come to unions earlier. Chavez’ first time back in chambers included a poke at the Mayor..
San Jose’s Mayor is green, with envy… Gilroy’s Fire union overwhelmingly approved a city council offer that closes one fire station for an unknown number of days, the Police Officers Association put a deal on the table to cut $1.1 million from the budget and other unions are following suit.
Assemblymember Paul Fong is getting support from the Merc’s Patty Fisher in his quest to get reparations for mistreatment of the many Chinese who helped build this country. Fisher does suggest that an actual apology would be more useful than a monument.
San Jose Councilmember Pete Constant has found a new calling, grill-meister. Sal Pizarro reports Constant spent two days preparing ribs before sleeping in his car to baste overnight. The payoff? County Supervisor Ken Yeager, Assistant Fire Chief Teresa Deloach-Reed and Mission College’s Scott Brunson declared Constants ribs tops at the Winchester Business Association cook-off. Next stop no doubt a spot at Way Out West BBQ Championships…
Santa Clara County Supervisors are recommending a 24% cut to the “social safety net” affecting the county’s poorest and most vulnerable.
In her own, inimitable, way, Santa Clara County District Attorney Dolores Carr makes it clear what she thinks about sunshine. Saying nothing “legally or factually extraordinary” was found during the initial investigation of Daniel Pham’s death, Carr is keeping the Grand Jury closed.
Meanwhile, in East San Jose a man was shot in the leg during a shootout in an apartment building.
Although foreclosure rates had been declining May saw more Silicon Valley homeowners losing their homes at the years highest rate.
(Former) San Jose Aquatics coach Andy King has perv charges being thrown at him from San Jose, the East Bay and now, thanks to a Merc investigation, Oak Harbor, Washington. USA Swimming has some explaining to do…
In a cost cutting measure the Mountain View police are recommending deregulating taxi companies. Councilmember Mike Kasperzak made a comparison to flying in unregulated airplanes. Councilmember Tom Means, apparently not understanding the analogy, shot back “Are we going to ask the police department now to regulate the number of coffee shops in town?” Regulate the Watch Dog’s lattes? Say it ain’t so.
The Merc’s Editorial Board sends the Milpitas Unified School board to detention. You remember this story from last week, foster child Shontale Taylor is one of the few foster children to graduate high school. Except, she stopped a fight. The school board (of course) stopped her from walking the stage with her peers.
The families of accused gang murderers are pissed off the DA is using the “provocative act murder theory” to try gang members that didn’t pull the trigger. Monica Fernandez, mother of the murdered boy, said “those boys are like my son’s brothers… this was no planned attack.”
San Jose’s big news, there is a budget… At least until the State starts their annual grab-fest. The Merc suggests labor agreements will close the (current) $73 million gap. Former council colleague/South Bay Labor Council Executive Officer Cindy Chavez suggested the Mayor should have come to unions earlier. Chavez’ first time back in chambers included a poke at the Mayor..
San Jose’s Mayor is green, with envy… Gilroy’s Fire union overwhelmingly approved a city council offer that closes one fire station for an unknown number of days, the Police Officers Association put a deal on the table to cut $1.1 million from the budget and other unions are following suit.
Assemblymember Paul Fong is getting support from the Merc’s Patty Fisher in his quest to get reparations for mistreatment of the many Chinese who helped build this country. Fisher does suggest that an actual apology would be more useful than a monument.
San Jose Councilmember Pete Constant has found a new calling, grill-meister. Sal Pizarro reports Constant spent two days preparing ribs before sleeping in his car to baste overnight. The payoff? County Supervisor Ken Yeager, Assistant Fire Chief Teresa Deloach-Reed and Mission College’s Scott Brunson declared Constants ribs tops at the Winchester Business Association cook-off. Next stop no doubt a spot at Way Out West BBQ Championships…
Santa Clara County Supervisors are recommending a 24% cut to the “social safety net” affecting the county’s poorest and most vulnerable.
In her own, inimitable, way, Santa Clara County District Attorney Dolores Carr makes it clear what she thinks about sunshine. Saying nothing “legally or factually extraordinary” was found during the initial investigation of Daniel Pham’s death, Carr is keeping the Grand Jury closed.
Meanwhile, in East San Jose a man was shot in the leg during a shootout in an apartment building.
Although foreclosure rates had been declining May saw more Silicon Valley homeowners losing their homes at the years highest rate.
(Former) San Jose Aquatics coach Andy King has perv charges being thrown at him from San Jose, the East Bay and now, thanks to a Merc investigation, Oak Harbor, Washington. USA Swimming has some explaining to do…
In a cost cutting measure the Mountain View police are recommending deregulating taxi companies. Councilmember Mike Kasperzak made a comparison to flying in unregulated airplanes. Councilmember Tom Means, apparently not understanding the analogy, shot back “Are we going to ask the police department now to regulate the number of coffee shops in town?” Regulate the Watch Dog’s lattes? Say it ain’t so.
The Merc’s Editorial Board sends the Milpitas Unified School board to detention. You remember this story from last week, foster child Shontale Taylor is one of the few foster children to graduate high school. Except, she stopped a fight. The school board (of course) stopped her from walking the stage with her peers.
The families of accused gang murderers are pissed off the DA is using the “provocative act murder theory” to try gang members that didn’t pull the trigger. Monica Fernandez, mother of the murdered boy, said “those boys are like my son’s brothers… this was no planned attack.”
Friday, June 5, 2009
Morning News Round-Up – 6.5.09: Children in jail, again...
Severely mentally ill, a child was booked into Juvenile Hall days after his 11th birthday, nearly a year ago. Not the first time a young child was tossed in the Santa Clara pokey, this child’s case is now being heard by Judge Paul Bernal. The child’s court appointed attorney David Avila said there’s no easy answer for questions of youth competency but didn't say he'd get the child better accomodations.
A short, scathing editorial in the Merc calls on Mayor Chuck Reed to stick to his “principles... his inclination toward sunshine in government” and allow the release of the Daniel Pham 911 tapes.
Sheriff Laurie Smith demoted Deputy James Council who killed two cyclists after falling asleep at the wheel. Karen Clarkson, Mother of Olympic hopeful Kristy Gough, was happy Council would no longer be behind the wheel. Council lost his 10 year old sister in a car accident and is said to be deeply remorseful, in spite of two previous drunk driving counts and a conviction for racing in Los Angeles.
Fence-gate is over. Monte Sereno has been ordered to pay $1 in compensatory damages – and could be liable for Joe Padgett’s legal fees, (now) estimated at over $2 million. Yikes.
San Jose Councilmembers/pension fund trustees Sam Liccardo and Rose Herrera called on fellow trustees to ditch “due diligence” trips except under “extraordinary” circumstances. City Finance Director Scott Johnson agreed. The rest of the trustees decided to keep travel alive and a split board will talk again at their next meeting when trustee/police officer Conrad Taylor shows up for the vote.
Campbell’s Brad Imamura was pissed about Psycho Donuts and got in touch with his elected officials to complain. The end result was a donut free mental health workshop. Councilmember Dan Furtado said his hands were tied and he’s unable to force a name change on the Psychos enjoying their 15 minutes.
Olivia Soza-Mendiola, Mexican American Community Services Agency CEO, wrote “it is with a heavy heart… MACSA is electing to relinquish the El Portal Charter Petition.” Superintendent Deborah Flores and the trustees said they welcome future collaboration and input from MACSA – they didn’t say, as long as MACSA didn’t do the banking. No word yet about MACSA’s San Jose embezzlement problems or the District Attorney’s decisions…
Facing a $6 million deficit, Mountain View’s city council cut park/street maintenance, code enforcement, public works staff and library services to the tune of $4 million. Councilmember Laura Macias proposed a $3 charge to non-residents using Shoreline park while Councilmember Mike Kasperzak fretted no one would drive there if the charge were in place.
High Speed Rail Authority boardmember Rod Diridon, Sr. says a reversal by the board could make HSR eligible for federal stimulus dollars. Diridon said the Bay Area would be “giving away billions of dollars,” without the switch.
Just as there’s a tiny bit of economic sunshine, commuters get hit with continuing news about fare hikes and service cuts. VTA Chair Dolly Sandoval is hoping for good economic news quick or “we will be in for more pain.”
NASA and the Navy won’t say they can’t agree, just that discussions over how and who pays for re-skinning the toxic Hangar One are a “struggle” and have “slowed.” Seems no one wants the $15 million plus restoration responsibility.
Google hosted Mountain View’s meeting on the future of the city, NASA and Microsoft were there to pitch ideas for Mountain View’s future. Google construction manager said “there is no land to build on… the only way to go is up.” Oh, and Mayor Reed, Mountain View’s planning director thinks they’re the “Capital of Silicon Valley.”
Assemblymember Anna Caballero is angling for promotion to State Senate. Ready to take her seat are Gilroy Unified School District trustee Francisco Dominguez, political consultant/(Caballero) campaign manager Rick Rivas, Watsonville Councilman Luis Alejo, San Benito County Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz, and Hollister Mayor Eugenia Sanchez from going after Caballero’s seat next year.
The Merc’s Sal Pizarro shares the news that San Jose’s own great speller, Ramya Auroprem, hits the stage in the Rep’s Spelling Bee. Pizarro can be found tonight at San Jose’s SubZero festival where the public voted to see San Jose’s Mayor, city council and police chief hit the dunk tank. No word if Pizarro will needing a post-dunk towel.
Sports Fan/Merc columnist Mark Purdy points an accusing finger at the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors for bickering over the fate of the County Fairgrounds. Purdy asks if an intimate music hall attached to a new off-track betting venue might save the crumbling fairgrounds.
Watch Dog plans to ditch the real world Saturday and hit the 3rd Annual Silicon Valley Soap Box Derby in Mountain View. As many as 40 Silicon Valley kids will compete for a chance to head to Akron, Ohio for nationals. Mountain View Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga and Palo Alto Councilmember Yiaway Yeh will be racing against Mayor’s Cup reigning champion/VTA Chair Dolly Sandoval.
Morgan Hill celebrates the grand opening of the West Little Llagas Creek bike/pedestrian path. Mayor Steve Tate said “it’s a natural coupling of passive recreation” with a needed public facility.
San Jose police have released the image of a man seen just before the city’s 10th murder of the year. Juan Mendoza was shot in early May, if you know the hoody wearing suspect, contact Detective Sergeants Tony Mata or Pete Ramirez of the San Jose Police Department, Homicide Unit, at (408) 277-5283.
San Jose Inside provides more details on San Jose’s consideration of Instant Runoff Voting. An open discussion moderated by San Jose State Professor Terry Christensen follows the Elections Commission discussion next week.
San Jose Revealed makes analogies between the slow demise of Mercury News and the Titanic as well as “the death rattle of the Third Reich,” while congratulating themselves for “scooping” Internal Affairs on the (yawn) news that Councilmember Nora Campos seeks to fill Assemblymember Joe Coto’s shoes.
San Jose Revealed’s review of San Jose’s city council agenda gives us
A short, scathing editorial in the Merc calls on Mayor Chuck Reed to stick to his “principles... his inclination toward sunshine in government” and allow the release of the Daniel Pham 911 tapes.
Sheriff Laurie Smith demoted Deputy James Council who killed two cyclists after falling asleep at the wheel. Karen Clarkson, Mother of Olympic hopeful Kristy Gough, was happy Council would no longer be behind the wheel. Council lost his 10 year old sister in a car accident and is said to be deeply remorseful, in spite of two previous drunk driving counts and a conviction for racing in Los Angeles.
Fence-gate is over. Monte Sereno has been ordered to pay $1 in compensatory damages – and could be liable for Joe Padgett’s legal fees, (now) estimated at over $2 million. Yikes.
San Jose Councilmembers/pension fund trustees Sam Liccardo and Rose Herrera called on fellow trustees to ditch “due diligence” trips except under “extraordinary” circumstances. City Finance Director Scott Johnson agreed. The rest of the trustees decided to keep travel alive and a split board will talk again at their next meeting when trustee/police officer Conrad Taylor shows up for the vote.
Campbell’s Brad Imamura was pissed about Psycho Donuts and got in touch with his elected officials to complain. The end result was a donut free mental health workshop. Councilmember Dan Furtado said his hands were tied and he’s unable to force a name change on the Psychos enjoying their 15 minutes.
Olivia Soza-Mendiola, Mexican American Community Services Agency CEO, wrote “it is with a heavy heart… MACSA is electing to relinquish the El Portal Charter Petition.” Superintendent Deborah Flores and the trustees said they welcome future collaboration and input from MACSA – they didn’t say, as long as MACSA didn’t do the banking. No word yet about MACSA’s San Jose embezzlement problems or the District Attorney’s decisions…
Facing a $6 million deficit, Mountain View’s city council cut park/street maintenance, code enforcement, public works staff and library services to the tune of $4 million. Councilmember Laura Macias proposed a $3 charge to non-residents using Shoreline park while Councilmember Mike Kasperzak fretted no one would drive there if the charge were in place.
High Speed Rail Authority boardmember Rod Diridon, Sr. says a reversal by the board could make HSR eligible for federal stimulus dollars. Diridon said the Bay Area would be “giving away billions of dollars,” without the switch.
Just as there’s a tiny bit of economic sunshine, commuters get hit with continuing news about fare hikes and service cuts. VTA Chair Dolly Sandoval is hoping for good economic news quick or “we will be in for more pain.”
NASA and the Navy won’t say they can’t agree, just that discussions over how and who pays for re-skinning the toxic Hangar One are a “struggle” and have “slowed.” Seems no one wants the $15 million plus restoration responsibility.
Google hosted Mountain View’s meeting on the future of the city, NASA and Microsoft were there to pitch ideas for Mountain View’s future. Google construction manager said “there is no land to build on… the only way to go is up.” Oh, and Mayor Reed, Mountain View’s planning director thinks they’re the “Capital of Silicon Valley.”
Assemblymember Anna Caballero is angling for promotion to State Senate. Ready to take her seat are Gilroy Unified School District trustee Francisco Dominguez, political consultant/(Caballero) campaign manager Rick Rivas, Watsonville Councilman Luis Alejo, San Benito County Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz, and Hollister Mayor Eugenia Sanchez from going after Caballero’s seat next year.
The Merc’s Sal Pizarro shares the news that San Jose’s own great speller, Ramya Auroprem, hits the stage in the Rep’s Spelling Bee. Pizarro can be found tonight at San Jose’s SubZero festival where the public voted to see San Jose’s Mayor, city council and police chief hit the dunk tank. No word if Pizarro will needing a post-dunk towel.
Sports Fan/Merc columnist Mark Purdy points an accusing finger at the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors for bickering over the fate of the County Fairgrounds. Purdy asks if an intimate music hall attached to a new off-track betting venue might save the crumbling fairgrounds.
Watch Dog plans to ditch the real world Saturday and hit the 3rd Annual Silicon Valley Soap Box Derby in Mountain View. As many as 40 Silicon Valley kids will compete for a chance to head to Akron, Ohio for nationals. Mountain View Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga and Palo Alto Councilmember Yiaway Yeh will be racing against Mayor’s Cup reigning champion/VTA Chair Dolly Sandoval.
Morgan Hill celebrates the grand opening of the West Little Llagas Creek bike/pedestrian path. Mayor Steve Tate said “it’s a natural coupling of passive recreation” with a needed public facility.
San Jose police have released the image of a man seen just before the city’s 10th murder of the year. Juan Mendoza was shot in early May, if you know the hoody wearing suspect, contact Detective Sergeants Tony Mata or Pete Ramirez of the San Jose Police Department, Homicide Unit, at (408) 277-5283.
San Jose Inside provides more details on San Jose’s consideration of Instant Runoff Voting. An open discussion moderated by San Jose State Professor Terry Christensen follows the Elections Commission discussion next week.
San Jose Revealed makes analogies between the slow demise of Mercury News and the Titanic as well as “the death rattle of the Third Reich,” while congratulating themselves for “scooping” Internal Affairs on the (yawn) news that Councilmember Nora Campos seeks to fill Assemblymember Joe Coto’s shoes.
San Jose Revealed’s review of San Jose’s city council agenda gives us
- The continued ceremonial item race.
- San Jose rents an old police building.
- Pay cuts on tap.
- Giving Tom McEnenry “conniptions”
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Morning News Round-Up -- 6.3.09: Big Buzz at City Hall...
The 49ers are one step closer to ending a 6 decade relationship with the City by the Bay. In the wee hours this morning, the Santa Clara City Council agreed on a $114 million subsidy, well below what the 49ers originally wanted. Next up, a March 2010 election. (We wonder how this will play into the politics of the 49ers...)
San Jose’s Drunk Task Force recommendations were heard by the City Council last night. Among the recommendations is to release people after they get a chance to sober up, offer up the breathalyzer (and document results), properly documenting arrests, and enhanced officer training. Well, the six months (plus) had some real results, we guess. Too bad nobody thought of these things months ago...
Which leads us to what was all the buzz around City Hall yesterday...
San Jose Police (apparently) felt compelled to seek out the (negative) limelight. Police Officers' Association head Bobby Lopez and SJPD retiree/Councilmember Pete Constant defended a controversial POA video saying Raj Jayadev (of the obscure De-Bug) used poor grammar. Seriously? Making fun of folks at a Council meeting. What's worse, POA actually paid for their video. San Jose Revealed adds to the stupidity calling it a phony controversy concocted by POA advisor Jude Barry. Watch Dog doubts that, but we do have a different theory, perhaps this was Lopez's clumsy attempt to divert attention from the Drunk Task Force findings. Here is the POA video:
The folks that the POA made fun of also put out their own video... perhaps the video editing software on Apple computers is too easy to use?
San Jose Pension Fund Chair David Bacigalupi sent a letter to fellow Trustees encouraging them to take as many “due diligence” trips as needed. (Apparently $1 billion in the hole doesn't call for restraint...) Which probably isn't the best idea. The Merc’s Editorial Board calls on Trustees to “curb their lust for travel.”
Saratoga native/film producer Andrew Trapani is turning Hollywood’s bright lights on Sarah Winchester’s spooky home. Team San Jose CEO Dan Fenton isn’t afraid of the ensuing gore and says “we welcome the chance to put San Jose on the big screen.”
Last year San Jose State’s LGBT students received a home of their own, last month SJSU graduates/Los Gatos residents/philanthropists Larry Arzie and David Stonesifer made a $1 million bequest to the center. Arzie and Stonesifer don’t want anyone to suffer the same abuse they did in the 1960’s as young gay men.
School districts around Silicon Valley will open their doors for a few this summer, everyone else can head to private offerings like those from science teacher Curtis Schneider. Oak Grove Superintendent Manny Barbara said there’s no chance of summer school next year because “we are getting hammered.”
San Jose Councilmembers are unhappy with the suggestion they cut their salary to $86,625 and get (only) $350/month for a car. Councilmember Kansen Chu complained that as a “recent immigrant” he didn’t have other resources. Watch Dog notes Councilmember Chu has been here more than 3 decades, owns rental property, and sold a successful restaurant last year…
County Supervisor/VTA Boardmember Don Gage predicted last month Caltrain would keep rolling South to Gilroy. Yesterday the “cut Gilroy” proposal was off the table.
The Merc’s Sal Pizarro will be found walking the streets of downtown San Jose today checking out restaurant samples for the kick off of “Dine Downtown.”
San Jose’s Drunk Task Force recommendations were heard by the City Council last night. Among the recommendations is to release people after they get a chance to sober up, offer up the breathalyzer (and document results), properly documenting arrests, and enhanced officer training. Well, the six months (plus) had some real results, we guess. Too bad nobody thought of these things months ago...
Which leads us to what was all the buzz around City Hall yesterday...
San Jose Police (apparently) felt compelled to seek out the (negative) limelight. Police Officers' Association head Bobby Lopez and SJPD retiree/Councilmember Pete Constant defended a controversial POA video saying Raj Jayadev (of the obscure De-Bug) used poor grammar. Seriously? Making fun of folks at a Council meeting. What's worse, POA actually paid for their video. San Jose Revealed adds to the stupidity calling it a phony controversy concocted by POA advisor Jude Barry. Watch Dog doubts that, but we do have a different theory, perhaps this was Lopez's clumsy attempt to divert attention from the Drunk Task Force findings. Here is the POA video:
The folks that the POA made fun of also put out their own video... perhaps the video editing software on Apple computers is too easy to use?
San Jose Pension Fund Chair David Bacigalupi sent a letter to fellow Trustees encouraging them to take as many “due diligence” trips as needed. (Apparently $1 billion in the hole doesn't call for restraint...) Which probably isn't the best idea. The Merc’s Editorial Board calls on Trustees to “curb their lust for travel.”
Saratoga native/film producer Andrew Trapani is turning Hollywood’s bright lights on Sarah Winchester’s spooky home. Team San Jose CEO Dan Fenton isn’t afraid of the ensuing gore and says “we welcome the chance to put San Jose on the big screen.”
Last year San Jose State’s LGBT students received a home of their own, last month SJSU graduates/Los Gatos residents/philanthropists Larry Arzie and David Stonesifer made a $1 million bequest to the center. Arzie and Stonesifer don’t want anyone to suffer the same abuse they did in the 1960’s as young gay men.
School districts around Silicon Valley will open their doors for a few this summer, everyone else can head to private offerings like those from science teacher Curtis Schneider. Oak Grove Superintendent Manny Barbara said there’s no chance of summer school next year because “we are getting hammered.”
San Jose Councilmembers are unhappy with the suggestion they cut their salary to $86,625 and get (only) $350/month for a car. Councilmember Kansen Chu complained that as a “recent immigrant” he didn’t have other resources. Watch Dog notes Councilmember Chu has been here more than 3 decades, owns rental property, and sold a successful restaurant last year…
County Supervisor/VTA Boardmember Don Gage predicted last month Caltrain would keep rolling South to Gilroy. Yesterday the “cut Gilroy” proposal was off the table.
The Merc’s Sal Pizarro will be found walking the streets of downtown San Jose today checking out restaurant samples for the kick off of “Dine Downtown.”
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