When it comes to openness and sunshine in government, Sam Liccardo has a better record than his opponent for mayor. He also has a plan. He has been accessible during his terms of office and doesn’t dodge tough issues or constituents.

The tax increase is a small price to pay for the quality of life brought by an abundance of open space. Vote yes on Measure Q.

We support Measure G to strengthen the independence of San Jose’s retirement boards so they can focus more on their financial stewardship.

Bay 101 owners are hedging their bets, pouring $200,000 into Measure E, which would allow them to take their $8.4 million in yearly tax revenue to Milpitas.

We support three Palo Alto measures: one to modernize the utility tax, another to up the hotel tax and one to shrink the size of the City Council.

We have an opportunity on Election Day to protect two critical resources that are inextricably linked: open space in our local watersheds and the life-giving water that flows through our valley.

Remember when broadcast television was the only game in town? Rooftop antennas and three major networks. If you prefer that over the entertainment options today, you're living in the past—similar to those who continue to resist innovation in our public schools.

Videotape evidence appears to show Chris Stampolis, a Santa Clara County Unified School District board member, forming his hand in the shape of the gun and aiming it at a school principal.

Summer is officially over and it seems like an appropriate time to reflect on the activities, challenges and accomplishments of the past few months, along with the people who really distinguished themselves by their work.

The San Jose mayor’s race has been unfortunately distilled down to a contentious debate on public safety, crime and pension reform. But if the next mayor focuses on one different issue, he will be able to address all of the aforementioned topics.

California made history this month by ending its "Wild West" policy of allowing uncontrolled groundwater pumping by nearly any landowner in the state.

Did someone pull off the perfect crime last week in San Jose? Consider the elements: The house in question, including the address, was published in many news accounts. The occupant was publicly known to be traveling during the break-in. Police in San Jose, due to a lack of officers, do not respond to crimes in progress unless bodily harm is imminent. Oh yeah. And they don't investigate burglaries after the fact.

I have been to Chicago many times, but while visiting in August I was given a special tour of several parks, courtesy of Gia Biagi, chief of staff for the Chicago Park District. San Jose would do well to model its park system after the Windy City.

Joseph D. McNamara served as San Jose's police chief from 1976-91. He was a smart and courageous leader who brought national and international prominence to San Jose, introducing the city to the best practices in law enforcement.

While the world focuses on the National Football League and its policies toward domestic violence—as well as the all-important question of what commissioner Roger Goodell knew (and when)—the bigger story here is the failure of the justice system.

It is curious that three local school boards viewed petition’s from two charter institutions as educationally sound programs, but Morgan Hill Unified School District continues to resist.