Morning News Round-Up – 1.04.10: The Brownstein Report...

Starting the New Year on a high note. San Jose’s controversy mired pension systems board heard the bad news about more retiree overpayments and one retiree not receiving enough. Oops.

The Merc sends props to two new years day babies.

Sunnyvale’s (rotating) Mayoralship is turning into a catfight. Councilmember/Community Administrator Ron Swegles issued a surprise statement saying the “critical issues” facing Sunnyvale (almost) require a “full-time mayor… I think I have more time” than fellow candidates Vice Mayor Melinda Hamilton and Mayor/Retiree Tony Spitaleri.

(rotating) Mayors are also on the minds of Palo Alto’s City Council as they welcome newcomers and elect the new Mayor.

Palo Alto wants to keep its geek-chic and proposes becoming a living laboratory exploring wages. Neil Struthers, CEO for the Building and Construction Trades Council, argues offering a “prevailing wage” doesn’t come with hidden costs and (probably) looks forward to the experiment.

Parents are hoping active courtship will bring Summit Preparatory Charter High to San Jose’s Eastside. Summit CEO Diane Tavenner calls it “wonderful” that parents are pushing and sends a reminder the competitive process continues.

Match fancy new Taser International CopCams with police accused of excessive force, sue Ferrari for not changing your life, and give Working Partnerships’ Bob Brownstein his own, very special, report are among the Merc’s Scott Herhold’s 2010 kickoff.

The Merc’s Joe Rodriguez kicks off the new year on a positive note. Former Teatro Vision director Raul Lozano’s career change helps put food into the yards of Eastside residents. With friends like the Health Trusts Fred Ferrer and Poncho Guevara from Sacred Heart, Lozano is well on his way.

Rough kick off to the new year in San Jose. Two dudes landed in the hospital after a knife fight. After the burning death of a homeless man was ruled murder, San Jose’s 2009 murder toll reached 28.

Thanks to the Merc, government watchers have a list of options this week…

• The County’s Juvenile Justice Systems Collaborative appoints a group to review the disproportionate number of kids of color landing in juve. Funny, this sounds familiar…
• San Jose City Council’s Rules and Open Government Committee looks at ways to push biofuels, makes appointments and offers changes to public meeting rules.
• Santa Clara’s Historical and Landmarks Commission considers a property tax break in exchange for a historic building.
• The Los Gatos Union School District digs into an audit report.
• Sex (education) is on the minds of the Milpitas Unified School District trying to fill the Sex Ed Advisory Committee.

Protect San Jose adds a new name to their blogroll, Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney/Candidate Jeff Rosen pens his opposition to the open grand jury and offers it’s the District Attorney’s job to decide whether to prosecute an officer following the use of deadly force. Strong words for a Police Officer Association blogger.

Mission City Lantern pokes Santa Clara Councilmember Jamie MacLeod to dish on meetings with Santa Clara Plays Fair.

Morning News Round-Up – 12.31.09:It's time to reflect...

The year’s end is a good time for reflection, and we plan to reflect on the habits of our local elected officials… next year.

Gilroy’s personal pot shop is really, this time, facing the music. The City Council approved, for a second time, calling in the legal beagles to head to court with MediLeaf.

The pesky Taser ruling this week has police in Palo Alto looking to define what “reasonable” means before releasing the zap. Police Chief Dennis Burns says “what we want… is a clear policy where everyone understands when it’s appropriate…” (former San Jose) Los Altos Police Captain Andy Galea (seems to) agree saying he still needs to “analyze” the ruling.

The Merc’s Editorial Board calls on San Jose police to keep track of who uses force calling it necessary to help officers. Assistant Police Chief Daniel Katz says the department agrees with the Merc (sort of) and is planning on counseling for officers with a zap-happy hand.

Pissed off developer John Mozart is suing Mountain View arguing affordability fees are an “illegal tax.”

The rotating Mayoralship changes hands in Mountain View on Tuesday when Councilmember Ronit Bryant (assumes she will) take the reins from outgoing Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga. Bryant aims to be Mountain View’s “Green Mayor” for a year.

Also aiming for green-ness… Los Altos plans to lower gas emissions and no, they don’t mean ditching your favorite restaurant. The ambitious (little) town plans on an 80% reduction by 2050.

Palo Alto’s naked California Avenue will get a little love from volunteers in the opening days of 2010. Volunteers hit the streets to start replacing trees. If you want to join the California Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project email or call Sharon Kelly, (650)964-6110 or visit Canopy on the web.

The Merc welcomes a new voice to the Opinion pages with Sami Monsur, a neighborhood leader in downtown San Jose. Monsur asks for changes to San Jose police shift rotations calling them a deterrent to building relationships of trust and respect within communities.

Caltrain called a temporary halt to trains this morning following a(nother) fatal train vs. person incident.

The Merc’s Scott Herhold closes the decade with a touching reminder of the fragility of life and a gentle reminder to carry the pink dot.

A paramedic, (former) drunk drivers and victims band together in Gary “Mr. Roadshow” Richards New Year’s Eve message – take a cab, get a designated driver, ride the bus or a train when you head out tonight for your last night of drinking debauchery in 2009.

Protect San Jose has no comment on the Merc’s call to count but does want to see you on the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Train.

San Jose’s $100 million deficit drove San Jose Insider Pete Campbell to a Wall Street Journal story calling on American cities to rethink the way they do business.

Mission City Lantern throws a bone to 49ers foes and suggests they should break $100 before fundraising for 2009 is over.

A big Watch Dog Woof for tonight’s revelry, we’ll see you next year.

Morning News Round-Up – 12.30.09: The busted edition…

The Governator continues to make his mark on the judicial scene in Santa Clara County. Schwarzenegger adds 6 new Superior Court judges bringing his appointments to nearly 2 dozen. Welcome to the bench Julia Emede, Maureen Folan, Ronald Toff, Daniel Nishigaya, Jesus Valencia Jr., and Theodore Zayner.

Misdemeanor + Broke = Guilty?

San Jose police were watching this week as the U.S. Court of Appeals restricted the use of Tasers. City Attorney Rick Doyle shrugged saying San Jose police already used Tasers only as a “reasonable” level of force under “some immediate threat.” The attorney for San Jose State student Phoung Ho disagreed.

Count on seeing more of the San Jose Conservation Corps, at least $160,000 more.

The Merc’s Editorial Board looked past the uproar over Alum Rocks closing of Pala Middle School to see new schools and opportunities. Editors send props to Superintendent Jose Manzo for accepting the charter school competition.

Life is filled with opportunity. For example, Gary “Mr. Roadshow” Richards knows before you got your first DUI you (probably) offered the police 87 other opportunities.

Busted. Frances Stewart is behind bars accused of stealing $100,000 from the Silicon Valley Community foundation flexible spending accounts. Translation, Stewart skimmed employee health care money.

San Jose police are looking for Jennifer Bautista as a “person of interest” in the brutal death of Alviso’s Norma Leticia Martinez. If you have information, call the San Jose police at (408)277-5283.

Protect San Jose gives themselves year-end props and wants to hear from you before making improvements. Reader suggestions to the Police Officer Association bloggers include a more active politicking along with advertising in the local paper.

San Jose Insider Danny Wool jumps into the Tech Museum fracas with a rehash of the Merc story.

Brian Darby gets a little (un)love from Mission City Lantern.

Morning News Round-Up -- 2.12.09: The electric car hum you hear is Tesla (officially?) leaving town...

Well, there was a good news/bad news Tesla story yesterday which we wrote and commented on. The good news is that the San Carlos-based electric car manufacturer is getting a huge $350 Federal loan to build a manufacturing facility. The bad news is that in early February the New Mexico Business Weekly reported that the company was in "late stage" negotiations to move the (previously slated for San Jose) manufacturing plant there...

San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed is probably not distressed at the unwanted back-to-back cross-country flights to D.C. after all. While there with 5 other California Mayors he saw the Senate and House approve the $789 billion stimulus plan. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer promised the bill would be friendly to urban areas and get some highway funding immediately in the works. Reed said, "We'll all be coming back on the parochial stuff." Don't sound so excited about it Mayor Reed...(Reed + Stimulus = Strange Bedfellows in a Sentence)

San Jose Inside/Metro’s Fly was there (or at least a former reporter was) to see SF Mayor/Gubernatorial hopeful Gavin Newsom’s introduction by Mayor Chuck Reed before Reed dashed off to D.C. (for a photo op?) The Chronicle got in on the Newsom/San Jose action too...

San Jose Councilmember Rose Herrera apparently got cold feet on the Constant-Oliverio bandwagon and yesterday suggested the tobacco money/crossing guard discussion could wait for the larger budget discussion. Again missing a quorum, the Rules Committee (Pete Constant) was unable to push the item forward to Council.

Archbishop Mitty High’s Assistant Soccer Coach/Santa Clara Sporting Coach Ricardo Sanchez, Jr. is accused of molesting two young teenage girls during his volunteer days. Mitty Principal Tim Brosnan put Sanchez on administrative leave (and let parents know after the Merc. published a story). Santa Clara Police Lt. Phil Cooke asks anyone with info to call (408) 615-4826 and notes they are also looking for additional victims.

There will be one less Deputy District Attorney to prosecute the Coach, however. That's because Judge Pat McElroy with the State Bar wants Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Ben Field stripped of his right to practice law for 4 years saying Field "abused his prosecutorial power,'' in his unethical approach to putting sexual predators behind bars. District Attorney Dolores Carr wants to read the 67 page ruling before talking about the case. Field was putting away some pretty horrible people...he just couldn't the rules apparently.

And...

Gilroy Magazine founder Sunny Pappu Kavil was facing charges of child molestation, assault, and sexual battery before Monterey County DA Glenn Pesenhofer said there wasn’t enough evidence. Kavil’s Bishop, Ben Griffin, helped ensure Kavil was innocent saying, "I have interviewed (Kavil) for his honesty, keeping the Ten Commandments and I can swear that he can be trusted for what he says.” Because the Church does such a good job of preventing sexual assault.

Between Santa Clara County’s (sometimes) overzealous prosecution of sex offenders and Monterey’s lack of prosecution, it would appear victims may need to videotape their rapists to see them behind bars.

The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board declared 26 areas “trash-impaired” and in violation of the federal Clean Water Act. Last year, volunteers pulled 125 tons of garbage out of local creeks, including 15,000 plastic bags. David Lewis with Save the Bay said "… actions have not been taken to reduce the trash, so there have to be tougher regulations." San Jose Environmental Services Deputy Director, Melody Tovar, said "We recognize that trash in our creeks is a significant and complex problem. And we understand that it affects the vibrancy of our City's creeks. But we're concerned about the expense." So, save your town some money – pick it up and make sure it gets to the recycle or garbage bin. No word from the American Chemistry Council's local lobbyist...

San Jose Police are back in the news with another Taser death. A man in his 20’s died yesterday after having been Tasered when officers were trying to take him into custody. This isn’t the first Taser-related death in San Jose and it’s likely to add to the mounting legal costs of this non-lethal (?) tool. Officer Enrique Garcia said the man, who was in an Eastside backyard, “resisted and got into a violent struggle with our officers.”

The Merc.’s Editorial Board says San Jose Councilmember Madison Nguyen behaved foolishly during the Little Saigon uproar but that is not enough reason to recall her. The Merc. wants you to vote no on the recall calling it an act of vengeance and suggests a healthy challenge in next year’s election would be the grown-up response. Unforunately, grown-up responses haven't been the norm in this fiasco...

Morning News Round-Up – 12.22.08: (Unfortunately...) Drunk Driving Edition...

The non-lethal(?) taser stays in the news this weekend. Edwin Rodriguez was killed Friday after being tased, his family says he suffered from schizophrenia and may have been confused when he was tased by police officers. Campbell Police Captain David Dehaan insists Rodriguez was struggling and not handcuffed when he was tased. Sgt. Donald Morrissey of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office is keeping mum and won’t comment on the investigation. (Un)Surprising based on San Jose's experience last week...

Hoping to keep the Peralta Action Plan (McEnery Plan) under scrutiny, Councilmember Nora Campos has requested Council access to all legal documents saying, “In order to ensure openness and transparency, the City Council must have access to all documents related to this investigation." Mayor Chuck Reed said the request will be considered in Committee before a decision to discuss in public. The problem for Campos is that the Committee in question is far more likely to delay the request due to a lack of strong Campos allies.

The Merc.'s Internal Affairs reports former San Jose police officer Sandra Woodall will, for now, keep her job as an investigator with the District Attorney’s office. Woodall confessed to drunk driving, is serving time in jail, and, more importantly, undergoing rehab. It seems to Watch Dog she’s owning up and paying penance, what about Sgt. Will Manion and Officer Patrick D'Arrigo, who covered up her drunk driving?

The Gilroy Dispatch is publishing the names of DUI repeat offenders as they’re re-arrested. Watch Dog wonders - is this an attempt to embarrass them into AA or just warn their neighbors? Sandra Woodall should take notice and avoid Gilroy...

Gilberto Vasquez Reyes blew through the red light in San Jose, hitting a mother of four. Debi Dee Parsons-Mason was on her way home from the corner market where she and her youngest son were buying chocolate bars. Police Officer Kathryn Kraus sent the grieving family a condolence card after arresting Reyes for felony drunk driving and vehicular manslaughter.

San Jose Inside posted a few more Rants & Raves over the weekend, including a gripe that there are too many new daily blogs on SJI (there’s a problem reading – or not reading – more than one story?) and an invitation from Editor Eric Johnson to Kathleen for coffee. Her grumping about editing (by removing libelous remarks) was apparently sufficient to warrant a free cuppa Joe.

Sorry, Barbara Attard, no big fat check for you. But as a lovely parting gift you get all the coffee and chocolate you need to stay wired looking for your next job. Mayor Chuck Reed politely thanked Attard (after unceremoniously dumping her) with a basket of Peet’s and Schurra’s. Not to be left out, Police Chief Rob Davis thanked Attard for the things she did to make San Jose a better place to live (that he stood in the way of) -- like pushing for use of breathalyzers...Mayor Reed was busy shopping, he gave a basket with San Jose Giants tickets and ball caps to outgoing Vice Mayor (supervisor-elect) Dave Cortese and tickets to the Jazz Society to outgoing Councilmember (soon to be Supervisorial intern/candidate) Forrest Williams. Both also received some of the delicious Schurra’s chocolates. A couple of things...does Chuck Reed not notice that a their are locally-owned coffee shops downtown? Does Dave Cortese need to report receiving these gifts from the San Jose Mayor as part of his Supervisorial reporting?...

Sunnyvale Councilmember Otto Lee has been busy since he received notification of his impending deployment to Iraq. Lee has had to wrap up his business affairs, make sure his family is cared for, attend the usual series of holiday parties, and make sure his Council seat is kept warm while he’s away (and that he can get it back when he returns). Dean Chu, who contacted only Lee before his temporary appointment, said he was surprised and had expected an appointment process. Watch Dog wonders if Chu thought that he’d get the seat only after others were invited to apply?

Merc. columnist Patty Fisher lends a voice of support for First 5 in support of keeping their $30 million out of the hands of state Legislators. Tobacco tax money funds the agency allowing them to insure children, improve preschools, keep families together, and provide parenting skills. With the state facing a deepening financial crisis Fisher is right to be worried...

Morning News Round-Up – 12.19.08: Perhaps the drunks could go to downtown Campbell?...

San Jose Revealed admits Mayor Chuck Reed was right – at least when it comes to San Jose Police arresting people because they’re poor – not drunk. Revealed, like Watch Dog, was entertained by Councilmember Pete Constant's dismissal of the Merc.'s statistical review saying, “While statistics do paint a picture, they don't always paint a complete picture." That sounds like John McCain discussing the fundamentals of the economy...(stay tuned for more on this issue...)

Nick D'Arpino's plans for a Vegas style nightclub in hopping downtown Campbell were squashed when he lost title to the Gaslighter Theatre early this year. That hasn’t stopped D’Arpino from asking County and federal agencies to investigate Susan and Mark Gaetano along with the City of Campbell for, among other things, possible racketeering. City Manager Dan Rich hadn’t heard about the charges and wisely declined to comment. Susan Gaetano said she was, "not surprised because we've already been down this road." Really Susan? You've been accused of racketeering before?

An unnamed 26 year old San Jose man died early this morning after being “tased” by Campbell Police at Valley Medical Center. For a non-lethal tool, the taser is at the heart of a number of deaths, the ACLU says the stun guns are unregulated and controls on use are inconsistent. The use of Tasers also also cost the City of San Jose some serious cash this week...

The Fly at San Jose Inside has a rundown on fundraiser for San Jose Councilmember Madison Nguyen – she raised $10,000, shrimp was eaten, and Mayor Reed said angry people would go to the polls in March. He (and Madison) better hope that non-angry people vote as well -- or District 7 may be looking for another replacement...

Cupertino’s Planning Commission is prepared to kick off the new year with a meaty discussion on the merits of a ‘Main Street Cupertino’ proposal from Sand Hill Property, Co. Commission Marty Miller sympathizes with community members who want the process to move more quickly by reminding them, "As I'm sure that most of you in high-tech know, you build quality in, you don't add it later." Resident Jennifer Griffin expressed hope that the project would bring residents to shop Cupertino saying, "What a fantastic time for the residents of Cupertino to master plan one of the last remaining holdings in the city.” ("Master Plan" as a verb?)

Also on San Jose Inside, Metro columnist Gary Singh adds to the list of successful public markets: Vancouver’s Granville Island. Singh says that a market next to the Peralta Adobe could add to a better understanding of San Jose’s history.

Home prices in Silicon Valley continue to drop, bargain hunters can pick up a home for less than $500,000 or a condo for less than $300,000. With mortgage interest rates at their lowest since 1971 maybe even Watch Dog could get an affordable loan? Pretty please?

Morning News Round-Up --- 12.17.08: Sports teams leaving, coming, and (hopefully) building downtown...

If using the Taser stops being cool, will police departments go back to bullets? This summer, after the dismissal of 70 lawsuits, TASER International was found partly responsible in the death of Robert C. Heston. (Apparently not related to this gun-loving Heston.) Yesterday, the City of San Jose agreed to pay $70,000 to the wife and child Jose Angel Rios – the City’s first Taser-death-related settlement. San Jose officials face the dismal prospect of two more lawsuits for Taser-related deaths.

After nearly three decades as a public servant, Supervisor Blanca Alvarado attended one last heated meeting as the Supervisors decided to renovate, not expand, the William F. James Boys Ranch. Supervisor Don Gage fought to expand the ranch saying, "We need to go for the 108 beds — this society is getting more violent." (Not everywhere Supervisor Gage, mostly just in your neck of the woods...)

At the same County Supervisors' meeting, and in a presumably much less contentious discussion, Supervisors decided to continue inspecting boats for the invasive quagga mussel.

Crackberry users might need a ranch of their own soon. Mr. Roadshow reminds us that texting while driving joins playing an accordion while driving as a jail-ready offense beginning January 1, 2009. Put the Crackberry and accordions down while driving people...

In spite of a request from San Jose’s outgoing Vice Mayor (Supervisor-elect) Dave Cortese and patients, Good Samaritan Hospital is closing a medical rehab program for cardiac patients. San Jose businessman Tim Bumb says it’s a mistake to close, because he has been using the facility since his quadruple bypass last year. Between Bay 101 and the San Jose Flea Market, Bumb can probably afford a treadmill if not an entire spa.

An excited Lana Malloy took office Tuesday as a Monte Sereno’s Councilmember. A fan of protecting hillsides, Malloy said serving on the Towns Site and Architectural Committee was a must before election to council and reported working on pressing issues such as correct story poles. (story poles?) Malloy fears a proposal from Russ Stanely to convert the La Hacienda Inn into a multi-story senior housing complex saying, "My fear is if [Stanley] gets his way with multi-family housing, it puts the city in jeopardy." After all, who wants those pesky seniors living nearby.

While some cities still can’t manage to get their council meetings on television (Attention Watch Dog San Mateo -- your cities of Atherton and East Palo Alto can't seem to get this right...) Morgan Hill has taken the fireside chat to a new level. As if the world was clamoring for it, now you can get your fix of City Manager Ed Tewes via podcast. Most recently Tewes chatted with Councilmember Marby Lee about the economic struggles faced by Morgan Hill.

As Sunnyvale’s Sailor/Councilmember Otto Lee leaves for Iraq the City Council voted to appoint former Councilmember Dean Chu to keep Lee’s seat warm until his return. Chu came closest (but still lost) in the November 2007 election. David Whittum (the highest vote-getter) and Chris Moylan voted against the proposal. (In an unrelated note, for those of you interested in San Mateo politics...check out what happened yesterday in San Mateo County when a seat opened up -- our northern Watch Dog is an angry dog...)

The Merc's Sal Pizzaro reports Santa Clara University’s Father Paul Locatelli accepted a replica of the St. John’s Bible worth nearly $100,000 from university benefactor Tita Crilly Diepenbrock. If you’re able to repeat the name of the Bible’s home three times “Harrington Learning Commons, Sobrato Technology Center, and Orradre Library” you can visit, and touch the beautiful reproduction.

Opera lovers are a passionate bunch but they don’t normally pay in blood. Opera San Jose’s General Director Irene Dalis is giving opera lovers the opportunity to win tickets to the opening night of Cosi fan Tutti with a donation to the Red Cross. An offer even Dracula would love.

Saratogans will soon be able to get their tea fix locally, Maria Tran’s Teas the Season received approval from the Saratoga Planning Commission – along with a request that the restaurant stay open past 4 p.m. daily and have outdoor seating.

Cupertino is filling a position for Environmental Coordinator in spite of a heated debate on the Council. Councilmember Dolly Sandoval was determined to keep the position funded saying, “I am hoping that we're not going to backtrack on that decision by being penny-wise and pound-foolish. This position is going to pay for itself over and over again." Colleague Gilbert Wong worried the State might (might?) take more money from local jurisdictions – seeking to ease concerns City Manager David Knapp said Cupertino is “…very careful with our pennies. We have an organization that knows how to react in hard times." Famous last words...

The Merc Editorial team cheers the idea of a A’s ballpark in downtown San Jose. Lew Wolff is encouraged to look for private funding ala SBC/Pac Bell/AT&T park. Unfortunately, Major League Baseball hates that idea, but Scott Knies probably loves it...

Music makes the news in Saratoga – the drum major along with the rest of the marching band of Redwood Middle School head to D.C. for an appearance in the Obama inaugural parade. The kids need your help getting there – sending 115 kids will cost $200,000. The Merc’s Patty Fisher asks you send your check for the Saratoga Music Boosters to Redwood Middle School at 13925 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070.

Vova and Jenny Ekhilevsky lost their 4 year old daughter to a mysterious illness and want to know why. Originally thought to be meningitis, the child’s death had parents in Los Gatos and the Santa Cruz mountains terrified. Now, the Coroner’s office has no idea why this otherwise healthy child died.

Apparently seeking to outdo Supervisor-elect George Shirakawa, Jr. for expensive taste, Morton's Steakhouse in downtown San Jose saw the New England Patriots chow down following their victory of the Oakland Raiders. San Jose Inside’s The Fly says that while the steaks are expensive at Morton’s it was the champagne and cognac that helped the bill tip the scales at $30,000.

Also hanging out in San Jose restaurants, Sal Pizzaro attended a farewell party for San Jose’s (fired) Independent Police Auditor Barbara Attard at Smoke Tiki Lounge. The party included De-Bug’s Raj Jayadev, former IPA now Superior Court Judge Teresa Guerrero-Daley along with a host of Councilmembers. Attard promises to continue consulting on police-oversight issues saying, "I'll still be a thorn in the sides of those who need that, and a beacon of light to others.”

San Jose Inside's Tom McEnery chides The Fly for referring to the boys in blue as “rogues” preferring instead to lay that moniker at the feet of federal judges considering the release of 52,000 inmates due to overcrowded prisons. McEnery worries that poor neighborhoods may see an influx of ex-cons.

The death of the SaberCats leads San Jose Revealed to a long diatribe about the various sporting maneuvers underway in San Jose.

Can it really be MacWorld without Apple? Yep, Steve Jobs has yanked Apple and himself from MacWorld after next months event. Rumors abound that Jobs’ health is the real reason for the disappearance from MacWorld...and the tumble in the stock price...