There have been a number of questions since San Jose adopted the title of “Capital of Silicon Valley” in the eighties.  Some say we were undeserving or that we just assumed the title. There was truth to both accusations. I like to quote the words of our late and unlamented Senator, S.I. Hayakawa, who, when roused from his slumber during the debate over the return of the Panama Canal, shouted out: “Give it back? Hell, we stole it fair and square!”  It was a pithy, accurate comment, analogous to the current situation with WiFi in our city.

Here’s the candid situation:  if you talk to local business leaders, they will tell you they’re concerned that the scandals will hurt the city’s ability to attract business.  Many civic leaders wonder how quickly the city’s once outstanding national reputation for good government will be regained, if at all.  Everyone it seems is counting on a new mayor to put the city on the road to recovery.

By Guest Blogger Les White

I have been thinking about the current state of city government in San Jose.  While I have not been close to the activities other than to talk to a few “insiders” and to follow media coverage, I have read and heard enough that it has caused me to reflect on the past and what worked for me while I was City Manager of San Jose in the post-Measure J era some dozen or so years ago.

Without Any Accomplishments, The Supes Are Left With No Choice In Effort To Win Back Interest

In what is being regarded as an unprecedented marketing move, the County Supervisors have voted with their pom-poms and decided to “put the romance back into county politics” by announcing several unique giveaways, gimmicks and special events in a desperate attempt to interest anyone in what they are doing.

They’re in a new building, but some old business is sticking around.

As I read the weekend paper, it was so apparent, once again, that those who do not remember history are condemned to see it repeated on the front page of the paper.  They will suffer the consequences of failing to act on known information.  Such is the case in the controversy over Watson Park, once the site of a garbage dump and a 125 foot incinerator that was in use until the 1930s. It is now the location of Empire Gardens School, a popular park,  soccer field, and community garden, and much is – or was – planned for this beautiful neighborhood at the end of Jackson and Empire Streets on Coyote Creek.

OK, technically it isn’t a guest blog, but several readers forwarded us an e-mail that he sent out a few weeks back and we thought we’d share it with you.  Enjoy!

My friend Tom, who used to run San Jose a few years ago, asked me to become a blogger.  Tom doesn’t ask me for much and always includes me on his mass mailing holiday card list, so I relented.

Roving Band of Conquistadors Celebrate Early Victory In Naming Rights Battle

On the heels of the NCAA’s ruling that bans the use of American Indian mascots by college sports teams, a tiny band of Spanish Conquistadors has filed an injunction in County Superior Court to keep San Jose from using the title “Capital of Silicon Valley.” 

Tuesday, a new City Hall opened, Wednesday, Cisco opened the NASDAQ from San Jose.  Lot’s of opening going on.  Also opening: the independent investigation into the NorCal Deal.

Yesterday was the first meeting of the city council in the new chambers on East Santa Clara Street.  It was an historic day. The new building is one that evokes much thought.

This scandal doesn’t involve Ron Gonzales or Joe Guerra.  There’s no IT director or cost overruns or grand jury or even a garbage company in the story.  It’s hard to imagine, but yes it happened in San Jose.

By Guest Blogger Jerry Estruth

In 1978, when I was a candidate running for the San Jose City Council, I supported districting.  At that time, San Jose had 7 councilmembers, including the mayor, all elected at large.  I became the last councilmember to be elected city wide.  Therefore, I think that I am qualified to question whether or not districting has been good for San Jose and whether or not it has outlived its usefulness.  I think the time when the scant support of 2000-3000 people can elect a district councilmember from a district has passed.

Mosquitoes Face Total Annihilation Against “Smart” Swatters

After a 69% vote that overwhelmingly approved an increase in fees to fund the fight against mosquitoes that carry and spread the West Nile disease, Santa Clara County Vector Control launched its War on Itching by vowing to eradicate mosquitoes “cell by cell.”

No, not the City Council, the racers in the first San Jose Grand Prix, as Mark Purdy describes.

There has been a good deal of discussion and debate in the community and on this site concerning the relative powers of the mayor and the meaning of the City Charter in the specific areas of Mayoral power.  Being intimately involved in the Measure J changes that the citizens adopted in 1986, two things are clear: people wanted a strong, effective leader in the mayor and, secondly, imperative in the proper functioning of the city was a strong and independent city manager.