A Rare Unanimous Vote Sends Tough Message

In a first for the city, San Jose Council members approved an extra $34,000 for the Mayor’s Annual speech to spend on over-the-counter stimulants known as No-Doze.  It will be distributed to audience members attending the Mayor’s State of the City Speech next Wednesday at the California Theater in the hopes of keeping everyone awake.

We must learn the lessons of the past. Mistakes that have destroyed small businesses and ruined lives should provide a cautionary tale for current leaders of our City and the VTA Board.

When I worked for Ron Gonzales I had to defend him frequently from critics who said I could not prove he had “the vision thing.”  I would invariably win the bet with a four-letter word:  BART.  This is why I own Tom McEnery’s hockey stick collection.

Just when I thought that I might never again watch the mental perambulations of the Santa Clara County Supervisors and their allies on the VTA Board, they pull me back in!

BART To County Fairgrounds Ultimate Goal

During a break from his new job sipping margaritas by the pool at a posh Club Med in Saipan, former VTA General Manager Pete Cipolla made the brave announcement that accused his former bosses of a secret agenda.

The deepening crisis at San Jose’s City Hall goes far beyond the plea bargain and resignation of Terry Gregory.  It goes to the heart of ethical conduct by the Mayor,Council and City Manager.  It is now time to do what is right.

Arnold likes Mandela, Gorbachev, and country music - somewhat eclectic, but interesting.  He insists his kids wash their own clothes, make their beds daily, and removes lightbulbs from their rooms if they leave the lights on regularly - a little weird, but interesting.

Well we must be doing something right. Last week the business and Rotary members were angry that I criticized them for their silence on assorted ethics issues at City Hall. I also said then that Big Labors’ stubborn refusal to break with Terry Gregory until the key practically turned in the jailhouse door, was an act of political cowardice.  Pure partisanship had trumped the interests of the people of San Jose.

Kevin Shelley calls Gregory’s ethics problems “bush-league!”

In a surprise announcement late yesterday afternoon from his state office in Sacramento, embattled Secretary of State Kevin Shelley announced his availability to serve out Terry Gregory’s term on San Jose’s City Council.

It is not a question of whether San Jose’ City Manager survives – barring a major admission under oath a la Jack Nicolson’s Colonel Jessup in A Few Good Men or the discovery of a dozen Cisco VOIP systems in his garage – he will.  But should he?

I like San Jose City Manager Del Borgsdorf.  I really do.  He was pleasant and cooperative during the year we worked together at City Hall.

Yeah, I know, most people treat you nicely when you work at a high level in the mayor’s office:  department heads return calls promptly, the janitor puts double ply toilet paper in the staff bathrooms, and cases of expensive wine mysteriously appear in your car trunk.  Okay, I’m only kidding about the wine—but not about the toilet paper or return calls or Del.

Throughout its history, San Jose has maintained a distinguished and courageous business community.  In times of crises, our business men and women have risen to the task when elected leaders were too craven or too corrupt to do the right thing.

One can only feel nauseous and disgusted learning that when a member of one of our most prominent business families is solicited for a bribe, what action is taken?  He calls Ticketmaster instead of the DA!

An unnamed source from City Hall leaked the news of what would appear to be a controversial new program that Mayor Gonzales intends to unveil in his State of the City speech in early February.

The No Lobbyist Left Behind Act would seem to fly in the face of the current call for ethics reform and the curtailing of veiled access by special interest groups.

Events are now in the saddle in our City. Each new day brings different and corroborated charges against members of the professional staff, one beleaguered Council Member, and the chips are falling: loudly. The sad story continues to unfold before the horrified eyes of all but a few too involved or too blind to see.

Imagine this: our County Assessor Larry Stone is standing on the mound at Candlestick Park.  It’s 1989. He’s a Sunnyvale City Councilmember and it’s Sunnyvale Day at the ballpark. Larry’s wearing a Giants cap and gets to throw out the first pitch.

The stadium is full and the fans are cheering. His name gets announced.  He rocks back.  His long arm reaches skyward and he throws the ball in the dirt – not the dirt at home plate where the catcher is patiently waiting.  No way.

The events of the last few years in municipal affairs have caused me great unease. It is now time for me and those who care about the direction of our city to speak out, for we have held our peace too long.