Keep the Airport Curfew

Mar 08, 2010, by Pierluigi Oliverio Politics Comments (17)

This afternoon at 1:30 the Council will gather for a special meeting to discuss the City’s airport. The expansion was voted favorably by the council in 1997 with then-Councilmember David Pandori casting the only vote against. The airport, with the hands artwork that is visible driving on Highway 87, was approved in 2005. Through the selling of bonds (borrowing) the city of San Jose has spent $1.3 billion on the renovation.

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Rants and Raves

Mar 06, 2010, by The Editor Comments (11)

This is SJI’s weekly open forum, where any topic is fair game. What’s on your mind?

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Opposition to Prop 16 Grows in Silicon Valley

Mar 05, 2010, by Silicon Valley Newsroom Politics Comments (9)

If it is passed, the Proposition 16 amendment on this year’s ballot will require local governments to obtain two-thirds voter approval before they can provide electricity to new customers or expand their services. In other words, citizens could block attempts by their city councils to expand the service area for existing public utilities or create new ones.

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Students Rally at SJSU

Mar 04, 2010, by Jessica Fromm Politics Comments (41)

More than 700 protesters marched in downtown San Jose as part of a statewide Day of Action for Public Education.

Mitchell Colbert lifted a copy of his student transcripts above his head. With his free hand, he raised a lighter. “During the Vietnam War, soldiers would burn their draft cards to protest the war,” the senior San Jose State University political science major shouted into the microphone. “Well, I have for you today a copy of my transcript.”

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City’s Deficit Rises Yet Again

Mar 04, 2010, by Silicon Valley Newsroom Politics Comments (27)

There’s bad news for the City Council again. The deficit is up 16 percent and now stands at $116.2 million. The problem, says City Manager Debra Figones, is employee pension costs, and especially the pension costs for retired policemen and firemen. While they were expected to grow by $38 million during the next fiscal year, the estimate has been adjusted and now stands at $53 million. Exacerbating the problem is reduced revenue from business tax receipts, which continues to drop.

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Is the Airport Expansion Another Costly Mistake?

Mar 03, 2010, by Pete Campbell Politics, Business Comments (17)

“Those who don’t understand history are condemned to repeat it.”  When it comes to the San Jose Airport expansion and renovation project, it’s looking more and more like city officials failed to learn from the costly experience of the Taj Mahal city hall.

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