Karaoke King of D9

Mar 16, 2010, by The Fly Politics Comments (0)

Former councilman-turned-evangelical Larry Pegram is getting a lot of attention in the District 9 council race, while the candidacy of Robert Cortese, the second cousin of County Supervisor Dave Cortese,  has not been getting much press. Which is somewhat surprising, since the 37-year-old Cortese is a nationwide star on the U.S. karaoke circuit.

Continue Reading

No Child Left Behind 2.0

Mar 16, 2010, by Joseph DiSalvo Politics Comments (5)

On March 15 President Obama sends to Congress the next incarnation of the 2002 legislation we know as No Child Left Behind. Is it possible for this legislation to enjoy a little more bi-partisan support than the health care revamp? Will it be possible for the legislation to make a difference in achieving its aim? If history is any guide the answer to both questions is a resounding NO.

Continue Reading

What Would Cesar Chavez Do?

Mar 15, 2010, by Pierluigi Oliverio Politics Comments (27)

Below are a few observations from last week.
 
Monday: Council study session on Airport
Overwhelming majority of Council thought outsourcing of janitorial to save $3 million was a bad idea so it looks like we will lay people off and consider getting rid of the night time curfew in the future.

Monday Night: General Plan 2040 Task Force Meeting
Although the General Plan board members were informed that the City’s budget problems are partially due to most of our land being dedicated to housing instead of jobs, the Task Force voted in favor of adding 300,000 people with a 14-11 vote. The two options were 200,000 or 300,000 new residents. Several task force members shared that they voted no because they wanted to see higher growth of 500,000 more residents to San Jose! I voted for the option that added 200,000 people by 2040.

Continue Reading

Rants and Raves

Mar 13, 2010, by The Editor Politics Comments (28)

This is SJI’s open forum, where comments on any topic are welcome. What’s on your mind?

Continue Reading

Failing Grades for Seven San Jose Schools

Mar 12, 2010, by The Fly Politics Comments (2)

After much hemming and hawing, the California Department of Education released its list of 188 of the state’s most “persistently low-achieving schools” on Monday, a most dubious honor bestowed on seven schools in San Jose: Joseph George, Ocala, August Boeger, Herbert Hoover and Peter Burnett Middle Schools, Escuela Popular Accelerated Family Learning, and Cesar Chavez Elementary.

Continue Reading

Report Set to Clear SJPD

Mar 11, 2010, by The Fly Comments (13)

A sea of blue surged around the Fairmont Hotel last week as the California Police Chiefs’ Association gathered for its annual training symposium. The keynote was a talk on racially-biased policing from Dr. Phil Goff, lead researcher on the Consortium for Police Leadership in Equity (CPLE), the very same expert brought in by the city council last year to see if San Jose police are, in fact, engaged in racially-biased policing).

Continue Reading