Exonerated Lobbyists Fly to Rome for Beatification
Jul 13, 2007 by John McEnery IV Comments (11)
First Step in Saint-Making Process Appropriate Says Benedict
Just hours after all criminal charges were dropped against lobbyist duo Tony Arreola and Sean Kali-Rai for bribery, conspiracy, perjury, grand theft, fraud, tax evasion, kickbacks and shoplifting, the two were seen boarding a Papal Air 777 for a quick flight to the Vatican after a surprise invitation from Pope Benedict XVI.
Something Stinks at the Santa Clara County Water District
Jul 12, 2007 by Jack Van Zandt Comments (25)
If you think they are wasting our money at City Hall these days, you should take a look at the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD), the public agency created by the California Legislature to oversee supply of our water and manage flood control. They have a board of seven directors, five elected by region and two appointed by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. The SCVWD has a plush, marble-floored and chandeliered $26 million headquarters complete with duck pond, and an extremely well-compensated CEO, Stanley M. Williams.
Chicanery By Other Means
Jul 11, 2007 by Tom McEnery Comments (8)
If, as the old strategist suggested, politics is war by other means, then we are seeing something new in the epic battle between the reformers and the fixers in San Jose; namely, the introduction of legal assaults to buttress the crumbing coalition of lobbyists, developers and labor that has ruled and nearly ruined our city in the past decade. You wonder how gullible, or actually, how dumb these people feel the rest of us are.
Single Gal and Internet Dating
Jul 10, 2007 by Single Gal Comments (20)
The other day I checked my email only to find a note from my sister with the subject line: “My Friend Tried This and it Worked!” I wasn’t sure if it was a weight loss pill or some ointment, but when I opened it up, I found a link to eHarmony.com where I could set up an internet dating profile.
A Few Good Lobbyists
Jul 9, 2007 by Pierluigi Oliverio Comments (10)
City Hall Diary
As many of you know, the San Jose City Council is on recess for the month of July. Therefore, I thought I would share something lighthearted with you.
“Monday Night Live,” a comic theater production by the San Jose Stage Company, is an ongoing tradition for some. The yearly event started about ten years ago and depicts well known San Jose officials in a comical manner. The event acts as a fundraiser for the theater company and mimics the TV show, “Saturday Night Live.” “Monday Night Live” can be very sarcastic, silly and even self-deprecating. I was asked to participate this year as an Italian (what an original idea) in a “Sopranos” skit.
Open Thread
Jul 6, 2007 by John McEnery IV Comments (29)
Summer Reading and Movies
Jul 5, 2007 by Jack Van Zandt Comments (18)
Summer vacation and weather are finally here. I thought we might take time out from the usual political battles and talk about what books we are reading, films we are watching and leisure activities we are doing this summer. There is nothing better than reading a good book at the beach as far as I am concerned—unless it’s too hot, in which case it’s off to the movies where there is air conditioning!
Taking Stock on the Fourth of July
Jul 4, 2007 by Tom McEnery Comments (6)
Happy Fourth of July to all of our readers and partners. We are all in this together and we appreciate your support and participation.
It is a good time to take stock of where we are as a city as the birthday of our country is celebrated. There is a new mayor, a new city manager, four new and interesting council members, and a very new spirit in the management of our city. Reform is now the watchword of all and good planning is the hallmark of this regime. While we are not swimming in the greatest competence in some areas of the administration (when has that been true), there is much to be positive about. It is up to the council and city manager to get the most out of the employees and put the best and most ethical of managers in the correct positions of power. There is every reason to believe that this is occurring.
Single Gal and Do Men Want Marriage Anymore?
Jul 3, 2007 by Single Gal Comments (21)
San Jose has the highest number of single men of any city in the nation. The ratio of men to women is high, and most of those men are successful, well-educated, and have a great work ethic (depending on how you look at 80-hour weeks). Many of the men are in their twenties and still single. But do men in San Jose or elsewhere want to get married anymore? In my extensive research it seems there has been a shift in the mindset of men when it comes to finding someone to marry.
2006-2007: Rest in Peace
Jul 2, 2007 by Pierluigi Oliverio Comments (21)
City Hall Diary
I survived another late night city council meeting. This one was the last of the 2006-2007 fiscal year. The meeting began at 1:30 p.m. but did not end until 11:30 p.m. I am not quite sure if having a ten hour meeting allows for the time needed to go over important items like Coyote Valley, a hazardous waste facility, and Evergreen, among others. Members of the community come to the city council meetings and have to wait for hours just to be heard for one or two minutes regarding their particular issue. And, of course, we had a smorgasbord of last-minute issues that either couldn’t wait until August, or were not planned appropriately to come up at an earlier meeting date.
Here are a few important issues with my opinions.
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