Tom McEnery
A Christmas Wish
Dec 24, 2008, by Tom McEnery Comments (8)
It’s the time of year when we’re all in a very good mood. The Sharks won last night capping the best start in their era and one of the best in National Hockey League history. The rain was light. People seemed festive in Downtown and Valley Fair, although a bit harried in the latter stop.
Rogues in Robes
Dec 17, 2008, by Tom McEnery Comments (30)
Recently, a blog by The Fly referred to some cops in its title as “Rogues”—few of us who live and work Downtown see it that way. We admire and appreciate them greatly. But here’s a group of dangerous people that we should be worried about.
Very, very soon, three federal judges will be deciding whether to free 52,000 of California’s 172,000 prison inmates because of overcrowding. And we have to ask the question: “Haven’t we tried this before—and with disastrous results?”
Safe: What Does it Mean?
Dec 10, 2008, by Tom McEnery Comments (5)
Well, we are no longer the safest city in the US—we lost that title two years ago. But much like that absurd slogan, “America’s 10th Largest City,” which some lunatic believed would set us up for great international renown, this title too is not worth the banner that it’s printed on. When it comes right down to it, who cares what a few magazine writers and the guy who makes the banner think? High time to set aside childish things and look to what is important in our city
Advice from the Best
Dec 03, 2008, by Tom McEnery Comments (15)
I was in Ireland last week with a group of Silicon Valley executives and venture capitalists when a chapter from the past came to mind. It concerned the groundbreaking for a new venture launched in Ireland in 1988 by a Silicon Valley pioneer, the venerable Intel, which I attended along with a group of Irish leaders, the American Ambassador, and the eminent Dr. Gordon Moore. It was to be the beginning of what would become the roaring Celtic Tiger that transformed that small island. Intel would rise as the model for Silicon Valley’s rapid expansion in Ireland and Europe. It was good for Ireland and good for our Valley.
Think Globally, Shop Locally
Nov 26, 2008, by Tom McEnery Comments (11)
When I was mayor, I bought my cars locally at Lon Normandin’s or Don Lucas’s, I shopped at Ed Mosher’s in the Fairmont, Teel’s jewelry there too, Navelet’s, and Valley Fair, but never crossed the Maginot Line that separated San Jose and Santa Clara, and therefore consciously made my decisions to provide the most sales tax to our city, San Jose, which was trying to sustain services like libraries and parks. It seemed the sensible thing to do, and after all, I thought, if you can’t find it in San Jose, it isn’t worth having.
About the Author
Tom McEnery is an author, businessman and teacher. He was Mayor of San Jose and has lived in the city all his life—so far. His column appears on Wednesdays. He can be e-mailed at tom@sanjoseinside.com.
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