Morning News Round-Up -- 6.10.09: Supervisors in the news twice...in one day!

The County Fairgrounds development plans are back on the drawing board after Catellus, a major developer, dropped out. If this makes you feel 'deja vu-y,' you aren't alone. Supervisor Kniss used that word in describing having the latest plans scrapped. (We'll have to wait and see if the San Jose Police Officers Association will pick up Supervisor Kniss' misuse of a word for their next video...)

The Supervisors must have had their busiest day in years yesterday, actually generating two news stories. The one about the Fairgrounds, and this one about their considering looking at a plan to keep Henry Coe Park open, even though the State wants to close it to help the budget. Ken, Dave, George, Liz, and Don must be exhausted after discussing two entire issues in one meeting... As an aside, interesting byline on this story online...







Watch Dog didn't see anything in the newspaper this morning about the Vigil Kathleen Flynn organized yesterday. We did see this posting on MetBlogs, however.

Even MetBlogs noted the timing was tough because as folks were honoring Police Officers, who were represented at the event by Bobby Lopez, Video Gate still rages on... And while the Video Gate video seems to be have been taken down from ProtectSanJose, it is still on YouTube.

The San Jose City Council pay-cut issue was decided last night. They are going to cut their salaries (3.75%) but keep their full ($600/month) car allowance. The vote was 10-1 to drop the car allowance issue from the table (Councilmember Constant wanted to drop the car allowance) and then passed the pay cut unanimously. Apparently Councilmember Chu sharpened his personal financial pencil... or at least his political acumen.

Here's a nice story. Community gardens are growing (pun intended) in Los Gatos and Saratoga. As the economy crumbles, it is time to get everyone's hands dirty, apparently.

With their Santa Monica-named "Third Street Promenade" project almost ready to roll in Morgan Hill, two things need to happen first... luckily, one isn't a full rebound of the economy.

Down 101 a bit further, Gilroy gang violence is a growing problem. The DA and the County Sheriff are using an unusual tactic in prosecuting a gang shooting... she is charging "All of the gang members from both sides..." in the murder of Larry Martinez. That means the gang that Martinez was in and the gang that killed him are going to be charged. Watch Dog guesses that Defense Attorneys are going to have a field day...

And some blog news...

San Jose Revealed gives a little insight into Instant Run-Off Voting, which will be discussed at a forum at the porn-filter-free MLK Library...

ProtectSanJose, the POA's new blog, has a guest post from State Assemblymember Alberto Torrico (and Ed Rast). (The Video Gate video is no longer there... but is here.)

San Jose Inside interviews the Lt. Larry McGrady, whom they dub the "Club Cop"... And the post is by Dan Pulcrano, so perhaps you should check it out. Dan is writing again, which will give San Jose Revealed something to write about too...

Morning News Round-Up -- 4.2.09: San Francisco Sports Teams (49ers/Giants) in our news...

Opening day is nearly upon us and baseball news seems to pop up daily in anticipation. The Giants, in a move they hope strengthens their South Bay claim, hopes to purchase 25% of the San Jose Giants. Giants president Larry Baer said the purchase will “reinforce” their claim while MLB officials said it has no affect. Oh, and the MLB still needs to approve it. And Councilmember Liccardo called the timing, "notable"...to say the least...

Speaking of Liccardo...

Sam Liccardo screwed up by accepting tickets to the Sharks. When the foul up was brought to his attention, Liccardo said “it was my mistake, and I need to correct that.” As part of the fallout, Liccardo won’t be voting on Sharks items for a year...San Jose Revealed chimed in on this story today. In an understatement to end all understatements, Revealed notes that Sam Liccardo is no Terry Gregory...

Also in sporting news…Santa Clara and the 49ers are close to a deal. Niner’s President Jed York and Mayor Patricia Mahan were unwilling to dish details but did confirm they are close to signing on the dotted line. The deal in the works is said to be more favorable to Santa Clara than the starting point...

Congressmember Anna Eshoo was happy to announce Federal stimulus dollars will be heading to her district. From the USGS Science Center ($6.9 million) to the Stanford National Accelerator Laboratory ($68 million to SLAC), the Peninsula is awash in funding.

The West Valley Green Leaf Committee is likely to hear from former Assemblymember/Lobbyist Manny Diaz as they try to get rid of polystyrene. Saratoga Mayor Chuck Page who says that while Styrofoam is recyclable, nobody wants it so it ends up in landfills, he’s asking the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce (sans leader) for help.

The Boss kicked off his world tour in San Jose last night. The Merc’s Shay Quillen says for any other performer the show would have been fine but for the Boss “it was decidedly subpar.” Really? Watch Dog believes there are 25,000 people who feel differently...

Sal Pizzaro is helping San Jose’s Redevelopment Agency get the word out about a survey they’re taking: What would get you to leave your shrinking dollars in San Jose’s downtown? (Springsteen?)

High Speed Rail’s introduction to California is heading for a long, drawn out battle. The November ballot measure received strong support in Silicon Valley with 53% in Santa Clara County. Now that the party is over, residents are waking up in a stupor. San Jose’s Director of Transportation Jim Helmer will be asking High Speed Rail authorities to consider tunneling through the neighborhoods south of the Diridon Station. Willow Glennies have loud and powerful voices. The Merc provides a brief Fact or Fantasy on High Speed Rail details.

S&S Tile started making glorious tiles in San Jose just before the Great Depression, today they’re called Stonelight Tile and the current Great Recession is seriously hurting their business. With clients like the Hotel Sainte Claire, Barbra Streisand, Kim Novak, and the House of Saud -- this is one of those unique businesses that would be tough to lose.

Proving there is no limit to stupidity…Five men were arrested while living large in Los Gatos. The five dudes were using stolen credit cards and shooting up in a local hotel when the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police stopped the party.

While we are in Los Gatos...bomb experts from the Sheriff’s Department blew up picric acid at the home of a recently deceased fly-fishing fan. Seems the stuff is used in feather dying. Fortunately, the fly-fisherman left detailed notes on the explosive substance so the relatives cleaning his home wouldn't blow up the trash.

San Jose Insider/Metro’s Fly roll’s out a few names hoping to take over where supervisor Don Gage leaves off next year. The newest name is perennial pol Pat Dando who seems ready to ditch the Chamber to return to government, this time as Supervisor.

In the Metro, Fly notes that the successes of BART’s Measure B left them on the hook for a $30k bonus to political consultant Barry Barnes.

San Jose Revealed blogged twice Wednesday, first to continue spanking Dan Pulcrano (is it really that interesting?) and then disclosing Revealed’s (fake) identity as Andy Diaz.

San Jose’s 5th homicide happened in East San Jose. The man’s name has not been released and San Jose Police don’t yet have suspects. If you have details from the shooting on Cotton Tail Road call Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-STOP.

Morning News Round-Up -- 3.11.09: "San Jose's Mayor, former Mayor, and three former Mayoral candidates walk into a bar..."

There was a lot of fast-breaking news yesterday. The two big stories involved the Current San Jose Mayor, a Former San Jose Mayor, and 3 Former San Jose Mayoral Candidates...(these folks are bolded for your reading pleasure...)

Former Mayoral Candidate Story 1:
The South Bay Labor Council broke the news that Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins would be moving to Oakland to head up Green For All a non-profit dedicated to building the green economy. Former Mayoral Candidate Cindy Chavez is taking over the helm of the South Bay Labor Council. This news has big political implications, but the roll-out of the news speaks a lot about who is covering and driving news in Silicon Valley these days:

Here’s a rundown of how the news broke.

• 9:39 a.m.: San Jose Revealed broke the news (hmmm...)
• 10:01 a.m.: Watch Dog caught the news from Revealed and published a brief piece
  
• 10:05 a.m.: KLIV broadcast the story, including props from Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce Leader/Former Mayor Candidate Pat Dando on the selection of former Councilmember Cindy Chavez as the new Labor leader...
• 11:19 a.m.: Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal posted props from Congressman Mike Honda.
• 12:58 p.m.: The Merc finally caught up in the afternoon. To their credit it was a detailed story with a quote from Ellis-Lamkins that watching families earn more made “it worthwhile at 2 in the morning.”
• 1:25 p.m.: San Jose Inside’s The Fly (apparently) reads Revealed and congratulates themselves for predicting the departure of Ellis-Lamkins.
  

Former Mayor/Former Mayoral Candidate Story 2:
Former San Jose Mayor Susan Hammer and Former Mayoral Candidate Michael Mulcahy are Co-Chairing the A's to San Jose Study Group. The San Jose Rules and Open Government Committee, Chaired by Current Mayor Chuck Reed will discuss baseball's prospects today. (That is different than Billy Beane discussing baseball prospects...) It’s unlikely that anyone on the Council will object, since Current Mayor Chuck Reed and Councilmember Sam Liccardo first raised the issue, their colleagues “have practically been tripping over each other to demonstrate support” according to the Merc. We also re-welcome Baseball San Jose to the local blogosphere -- we like your look...

Mountain View’s City Council doesn’t share their neighbors' (Palo Alto) disdain for high speed rail. Councilmember Mike Kasperzak has asked Mountain View be considered for a station though he’s doubtful the State will agree. Councilmember Laura Macias said no to the request saying Mountain View didn’t have room for a station.

Mountain View-Los Altos Adult Education is letting go 119 folks. The program serves 11,000 adults annually. I guess Watch Dog won’t be brushing up on those cooking skills after all…

The East Side Union High School Trustees will ditch 129 teachers, 116 staffers, charge $200/year/student for after-school sports, and ask students to raise $500,000 on their own. Superintendent Bob Nunez acknowledged the cuts will affect students and said “certain things just won’t get done anymore…” Like teaching?

Morgan Hill’s Ann Sobrato High School is raising the next generation of soil chemists, biologists, and agriculturists with the help of Cal Poly grads/teachers Myndi Muzik and Tanya Salo. Their enthusiasm and support have junior Tracey Salvador lusting for a career in floral design and sophomore Joey Cassibba heading to veterinary school. Muzik says her goal is teaching ag literacy which is critical when 2% of the population supports the other 98%.

Palo Alto business owners won’t easily accept the proposed business tax. Dozens of business owners showed up for a Finance Committee meeting to protest. Pat Sausedo, executive director of a local Realtors association, complained this was the wrong time to consider a tax. The Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce also took a stance against the proposal and called for a Task Force. Councilmembers Pat Burt and Larry Klein suggested a possible compromise was in the offing.

The Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits’ Patricia Gardner reports that only 7% of their 100 members are financially strong. More than half will be issuing pink slips and those who support the homeless and mentally ill are flooded with new clients.

San Jose Inside’s man-about-education, Santa Clara County Board of Education Member, Joseph DiSalvo, voices outrage that federal income guidelines aren’t indexed to the community. Welcome to the real world Joe...

The news from South County has reached San Jose. The new courthouse will be open in less than a month. Judge Edward Lee won’t miss their current digs which are filled with vermin of the 4 legged kind. Morgan Hill leaders are hoping the new digs are pedestrian friendly and everyone at the courthouse will schlep over to downtown to spend their hard earned dollars.

Khaled Hosseini’s family fled Afghanistan and landed in East San Jose when he was 15 and spoke no English. A year at Independence High paved the way for Hosseini to become a doctor and a celebrated author. Although Hosseini’s first novel, ‘The Kite Runner’ has been made into a movie and praised by renowned author Isabel Allende, Hosseini says it’s surreal to see his story come to life in a play in the town where his family lived on welfare.

Watch Dog note to Los Gatos Observer’s Dan Pulcrano – when you decide to publish news again let us know…

(Late) Morning News Round-Up – 1.29.09: The $6,000 Question...

Metro/San Jose Inside’s Fly takes San Jose Councilmember Nancy Pyle to task for spending $6,000 to replace old Council office furniture while staffers pack their boxes on the way to the unemployment line. San Jose Revealed spanks Metro/Inside's Dan Pulcrano for even wasting space on this earth-shattering news. Watch Dog would like to bet that if Mayor Chuck spent $6,000 on office furniture while cutting City jobs Revealed would feel differently...so would voters, if Pyle wasn't termed out...

Cupertino’s former/part-time Director of Community Development Steve Piasecki is double dipping (receiving retirement pay and a part time salary). City Manager Dave Knapp says Piasecki's lack of benefits and no holiday pay make sure the double dipper still earns less than before. Cupertino gets to keep the institutional knowledge but the City gets to pay less. What a deal...

De-Bug/San Jose Inside’s Raj Jayadev channeled Councilmember Sam Liccardo in his opening line, “Are taskforces where community hopes goes to die?” While Jayadev muffed the grammar a bit, he and Liccardo seem to share the sentiment. Jayadev concludes with, “The group [the drunk task force] certainly has the ability to usher in needed reform about problematic police behavior—it need only the will to do so.” (See Watch Dog's take here...)

San Martin is the scene of the latest pedestrian-meets-vehicle incident. William Flodberg, 75, was flown to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center after being hit by a truck driven by Raul Reyes. CHP Officer Erica Elias said neither drugs nor alcohol was a factor.

It’s called "suicide by cop" and tragic for everyone involved. Pete Joseph Valdez III told police he wanted to die when he pointed the gun at police officers, fortunately, no one was killed or shot. The 29 year old son of former 16 year Gilroy Councilmember Pete Valdez Jr. was arrested 14 months ago, arraigned last month, and now his trail setting date has been delayed for another month. Speedy trial?

There’s a guy in D.C. who believes in science. That's a nice change. So it’s good to hear the Save YSI Campaign is on track. The nature science program has youth curators and class aides who teach classes, conduct experiments, and rope in their classmates for the science fun in Vasona Park and along the Guadalupe watershed. "We do experiments and teach them about science and nature," Westmont High’s Sasha Sproch said. "We talk a lot about animals' different adaptations for survival, such as camouflage." Perhaps W. needs a lesson?...

Oops, seems some South Bay schools have sold (possibly) salmonella infested peanut butter to students...oops...See if your kid dragged home poison packed peanut products.

(very late) Morning News Round-Up – 12.15.08

Christmas came early for San Jose Councilmember Nora Campos when the bid for rebuilding a fire station in her Council District (and the busiest in San Jose) came in a million dollars under engineering estimates and $3 million under original estimates. Astute Watch Dogs with good memories will remember that when Campos got the Council behind her to vote for this fire station, it was an indication that Mayor Reed could be beaten on specific issues -- and Campos beat him first. Council colleague Pete Constant still argues against a complete rebuild for the East Side fire station saying, "When we're spending taxpayer money we should be looking for the best value." Perhaps he'll remember this as he pushes to spend money on a useless city-censorship device for library computers...

San Jose Police Department lost two of its own to suicide last month while the Walnut Creek Police Department also lost a member. SJPD Sgt. Mike Sullivan says the three suicides in such a short time has everyone stunned, "Morale is low and we're all asking 'Why did they do it?' Both were stellar police officers. That's the thing — why?"

Is San Jose Councilmember Pete Constant looking for a new wife? Constant recused himself from a discussion about benefits for second spouses saying, "potentially I could have another spouse as a retiree some time in the future, and this would affect me.” Nothing like planning for a second wife...

Who watches out for the children? That’s the question being asked as proposals come from law firms and the District Attorney’s office to represent children in court. Why is this an issue? Because the Merc did a series this year which questioned the viability of the DA’s office to adequately represent children. Chief Assistant DA Marc Bueller says the DA’s office is doing a fine job representing children, "We will continue to have the same commitment to quality representation, with experienced lawyers who have expertise in the area of dependency."

The Cupertino Union and Montebello School Districts will consider merging or shifting territory at this weeks meeting. And now that Pearl Cheng is moving on, Cupertino will also need to discuss how to fill her vacancy. With any luck Pearl won’t advocate a plot to replace herself with a failed candidate a la George Shirakawa/Eddie Garcia...

Sunnyvale’s City Council will hear a year end financial report, maybe Otto Lee will be happy to be leaving for Iraq at the end of Tuesdays meeting. Sunnyvale will also work out how to replace Lee while he’s gone.

The tumultuous meetings in Alum Rock will continue as they review the decision for a generous parting gift for Superintendent Norma Martinez along with replacing legal counsel.

Yes, Virginia, that is snow you see at Mt. Hamilton. Lick Observatory guide Wendy Hansen said the weather was unusual this early in the winter season. While no one expects it to stay long there are places you can go to play.

Cancel that party! Around the valley corporations are stepping up to help the many non-profits struggling to support area residents. Three Cheers to T.J. Rodgers (Cypress Semiconductor), Michael Hsing (Monolithic Power Systems), Paul Maritz (VMWare), Hank Nothaft (Tessera Technologies), Steve Specker (Electric Power Research), and their boards for redirecting the money for parties to Second Harvest Food Bank. Dr. Zbigniew Radzimski (Silicon Quest International) is hoping the San Jose Family Shelter will find a better use for their party money. Sacred Heart’s Executive Director Poncho Guevara says the new phenomena is an indication companies are trying to find new ways to get their employees involved.

The economic crisis has created a rush to local libraries. San Jose Library Director Jane Light says ,“the library is a natural place to go," as people live more frugal lives. There is a fear that as the crisis deepens funding to libraries will be among the first to go. This must make Larry Pegram nervous -- you know how dangerous libraries can be...

San Jose may not be the safest place in California but it among the most diverse. In fact, San Jose ranks fourth for both diversity and safety. Ironically, it is diversity and safety are the center of the San Jose drunk arrest controversy...

The Metro's "The Fly" was out late Saturday night to observe the traditional SJPD party zone shutdown. The Fly reports on San Jose Inside that club patrons paused to vomit on area businesses prior to driving off in their cars, SJPD officers arrested others, and a Metro photographer was cited for iPhotojournalism. Like The Fly says – there are a few bad apples on both sides of this ongoing problem.

The fraud lawsuit against Dan Pulcrano was dismissed when the case was settled out of court, much to the chagrin of San Jose Revealed writers...

What has been a bright spot on the San Jose sports scene -- the San Jose SaberCats may not be playing this season...owners voted to cancel the season for financial reasons. While the positive spin come from the owners sounds good -- the USFL thought it would be back too...