It is interesting that the words of a past mayor now seem to carry so much weight in the opening decade of the 21st century. Yet these words uttered by Janet Gray Hayes nearly thirty years ago reverberate now as never before: “Let’s make San Jose better before we make it bigger.”

If you want to analyze how something modern fits within the grand sweep of American history, pose the question and use a Founding Father.  If you want to suggest that democracy and freedom are at stake, use Thomas Jefferson.  Even if it’s a pretentious effort, it’s an excellent way to rebut Larry Stone.

It seems like there are a number of good ideas on how to get our public art program back on a firm historical track. As expected, we have the usual divergence of opinions on Quetzacotl and his/her/its relative worth.  Some wish it melted down or given back; others hope to use it as object d’art discussion.  Both suggestions have merit.

11th Largest City Loses To 227th Largest City

In the wake of EBay’s sneaky abandonment of San Jose as its party headquarters, Mayor Ron Gonzales has admitted that maybe the erecting of tents as a convention center to lure San Jose’s high-tech darling was not such a good idea.

Why do we need the Coyote Valley?

The answer to this question is pivotal to the future of the city and a key to determining who the next mayor of San Jose will be.  Why indeed.  It seems that the reason for developing the virgin valley that was called into being to redress the historic imbalance that San Jose has in a tax base, i.e., the ability to provide quality services like police and fire and libraries and youth workers for our citizens, has been forgotten.

Today, the San Jose City Council could decide to raise their salaries.  It’ll be an interesting vote because five of ten councilmembers are likely to be in competitive races for higher offices next year.  No candidate likes to accept a raise.  I’ve seen polling on this.  It’s like putting a stick of dynamite in your pocket and handing your opponent matchsticks.

It is time for San Jose to grow up and make a decision, as a community, as to what iconic symbol should grace the northern end of Chavez Plaza.  Perhaps it is also time to revisit the southern end of the park, and the disappointing rendering of Quetzacotl.

“Granny Units” A Trademark Violation They Claim

In what most legal experts are calling a landmark test-case, the National Association of Mothers-in-Law (NAMinL) has filed suit in Superior Court over the city’s claim that the newly approved accessory housing units are “granny units.”

In Development 101 we discussed the great growth area of Evergreen. There are three others: the virgin Coyote Valley, North First Street’s rich industrial base, and our downtown.  What happens in each affects the other, but perhaps none so much as our spiritual, cultural and historic center of Downtown San Jose.

Let’s say you work at City Hall or the state house or the White House.  Let’s say you have a story that you know will get to the press soon and you’d prefer not a lot of people see or hear it.  Let’s say you’ve decided it’s better to give it to a reporter instead of having the story discovered.  You make the call to a daily reporter on Friday – a.k.a. “take out the trash day” in the world of press secretaries and communication directors.

Thousands of Reports Said to be Mothballed for No Good Reason

An obscure room at City Hall that contained all of the reports commissioned by San Jose in its past, has collapsed and fallen through to the floor below under the sheer weight and volume of paper.

There are a number of critical decisions in the planning and development area that will be decided in the last year and a half of the Ron Gonzales’ administration.  Much has been written – including a blog by Councilman Dave Cortese yesterday – on the long term implications of growth in Evergreen.  It has been the area of tremendous action and political pressure in San Jose going back to the seventies.  Remember Willie Sutton’s comments on why he robbed banks.

Developer to Transform Historic Mansion into Condos

Ignoring protests from the Preservation Action Council, the Planning Commission, the California State Preservation Group, and the National Historic Association, the city approved the transfer of the historic Winchester Mystery House to KB Homes for a luxury condominium development.

Every once in a while it is critical to step back from the sound and fury of the day to day happenings and take stock of who we are and where we live. I have read a great deal this week, but mostly fiction and, of course, Sanjoseinside. Pass the straight line because the two are definitely different.

I will participate in a Commonwealth Club panel discussion tonight about the blogosphere.  I need your help.  Anyone with an intelligent comment to today’s blog, gets a free ticket to the discussion.  My blogging colleagues at San Jose Inside are not eligible. The “intelligent comment” standard would eliminate each one of us anyway.

Spring Training Trip Finally Off the Front Page

The news that San Jose had lost out on the $3 billion stem-cell research center came with a nonchalant shrug from the mayor who said, “At least you’re not talking about that damn Cactus League trip again.”