Move Seen as First Step in Winning Back City Hall

Following the successful city council vote in Oakland limiting the amount of dogs allowed in a household, the San Jose City Council sent a strong signal on Tuesday night when they voted unanimously to limit the number of elected officials that individual lobbyists could own.

According to the Fly in Metro, things sometimes aren’t so great either downtown or at Santana Row.  Some downtown club owners feel like they’re the victims of over-zealous enforcement by police.  And Santana Row seems to have been a poor choice for the Italian Family Festa.

Once again our neighbor to the north has an intriguing proposal by the mayor of San Francisco. Stealing a march on San Jose, the true epicenter of innovation, Gavin Newsom has positioned this new program as a way to offer universal and affordable broadband Internet access to the city’s residents and businesses.  Google has responded in a big way, promising free wireless Internet service. The Mountain View company has a pile of cash and is thirsting to make a big impact.  This is important because it is unique and ground breaking.

Observant San Jose Inside readers, of which there are legions, will have noticed that we link to a variety of other websites. (link)  For those of you who haven’t observed this, do not be ashamed.  Not even our duly elected leaders catch all the details all the time, like the fine print in garbage contracts or signs at press conferences.

Ok, well, yes, dammit!  I am single.  I am SINGLE.  It’s bad enough that I have to answer the question of “how is your love life?”  500 times at family functions.  Or that I always give the same answer, “Non-existent, thank you.”  I don’t tell you this so you can feel sorry for me, but I tell you this because I hope that I can bring you a little bit closer to the sheer hell that is being a single gal in the city, in our city.

Move Necessary to Offset Spike in Gas Prices Decimating City Budget

One of the lesser casualties of hurricanes Katrina and Rita has been the spike in fuel prices that have decimated municipal budgets due to city supplied cars and gas allowances, prompting the federal government to move in and implement President Bush’s plan for oil exploration in the Alviso Slough.

That’s what we’re all hoping to be able to do, but it looks like we won’t get the chance.  Barry Witt has a story in the Mercury News about the fate of the documents.

I know a few things about mistakes. I have made my share of them, sometimes before rather large audiences.  In the last two weeks I have noted two doozies that deserve to be nominated on this year’s list.

Welcome to banned book week.  To celebrate, I’m going to do something covert and read a Harry Potter book.  Yes, the popular book series is on the lists of 100 most frequently banned or challenged books. (link)

By Guest Blogger Randy Hahn

With the Sharks returning to the ice, the Athletics in a pennant race, Bonds hitting splash home runs again and the 49ers and Raiders back on the gridiron, the biggest sports success story of the year is getting lost in the shuffle. The San Jose Earthquakes are the best team in Major League Soccer. And by the way, you better hurry and see them soon because they’re getting ready to leave town for good.

Use it as you will.

Another thought-provoking cartoon from DeCinzo.

Turmoil on Immigration Forum

The off-again-on-again forum on immigration and enforcement at the Mexican Heritage Plaza is now on again.  That’s good.

Picking the best movies lines of all time is a challenge similar to picking your favorite quote from a San Jose mayor.  Well, okay, it’s not exactly like that.  Alright, it’s not like that at all. 

By Guest Blogger Carl Guardino

Humility is not a word often associated with Silicon Valley.

But it is a vital word to add to our vocabulary, if we are to revitalize our region.

Councilman Wanders Aimlessly Around City Hall Plaza Encouraging Visitors to Kick His Ass

In a rare show of solidarity, and just moments after a heated debate over the mayor’s official grand jury response regarding Garbagegate, the council voted overwhelmingly to place a “Kick Me” sign on Councilman Forrest Williams for his refusal to abandon the Titanic of local government that is Mayor Gonzales’ administration.