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.
Another troubled spot downtown recently seems to have been at City Hall, where a staffer is suspected of having stolen a briefcase, according to Sandra Gonzales in the Mercury News. The Merc also wrote an editorial about the bewilderingly long time it took to put the suspected staffer on leave and what that says about the ethical state of city government.
This week in the Willow Glen Resident:
Light rail comes to West Valley… By Moryt Milo.
Library art committee selects three finalists for Willow Glen branch… By Mayra Flores De Marcotte
Rotary lends hand to those in Katrina’s path… By Alicia Upano.
Willow Glen resident Harold Schapelhouman returns with his search and rescue team from New Orleans… By Alicia Upano.
LA Times printed an article about the controversy of former chairman of the California Energy Commission William Keese becoming a board member of Calpine. Mr. Keese was one of two commissioners who oversaw the certification of Calpine’s Metcalf Energy Center in Coyote Valley.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-energy29sep29,1,2834176.story
Kevin,
Under the current regime, City Hall ethics has become an oxymoron.
TJ
I may have missed some mentions, but the very best weekly newspaper in town is the San Jose Business Journal, and I never seem to see links on this web site to its outstanding and groundbreaking stories about subdivision developments, redevelopment agency abuses, city agency financing issues, corporate bankruptcies, toxic substance storage, and so on.
Let’s face it, the SJ Business Journal provides much better coverage of these kinds of issues than even the monopoly daily paper in San Jose. The SJ Business Journal is a serious newspaper.
For example, the only print media covering the rushed development of a new downtown along North First Street seems to be the SJ Business Journal. And what a story it is! Now the city has discovered it will have a very difficult time securing adequate water for its ambitious new downtown…something that should have been explored by the city council at the EIR level befire it voted for the new downtown on North First in June 2005.
Keep up the good work of providing links that enable residents to understand more about the wonderful City of San Jose, its residents, and its malefactors in high places.
I’m not sure what Santana Row ‘The Fly’ was at, but it definately wasn’t the Santana Row that my family and I were at. The Italian Family Festa was the best italian festival I’ve attended for the last 15 years!
It was a nice, clean enviroment that I enjoyed taking my children to. The entire Santana Row was packed with people of all ages – not only the older folks that ‘The Fly’ mentioned, but also lots of other families and young children. It was great to see so many families with young children having a wholsome, good time. After taking the family there on Friday, my kids begged me to go back – so we spent Sunday there as well.
The ‘less-than-elegant food booths,’ as the Metro referred to them, served up good food that my family – and everyone else in sight – enjoyed. And being served at those prices in Santana Row seemed like a bargin compared to the restaurants in the row. Restaurants, by the way, that were packed as well, brimming with business.
I had the opportunity to talk to dozens of people there, both people who went for the festa and those that were just there shopping, and everyone was very positive and having a good time.
Food booth vendors were happy, the restaurants were full and happy, the families were happy, and even the cops directing traffic were smiling! What more could you ask for? The only complaint I heard was that there was too many people and not enough tables and chairs for all the people to eat.
In my opinion, Santana Row seems to have been the perfect choice of locations for the 25th Annual Italian Family Festa!
Don’t just take my word for it, feel free to check out some of the photos I took while there – and see for yourself:
http://www.photoreflect.com/scripts/prsm.dll?eventthumbs?event=05ZK003W
I agree with Pete. Not only were we a happy sponsor but we enjoyed the food too. This Fly story misses the fun altogether. A new restaurant called Sino was filled with festival goers enjoying the authentic Chinese food, the Tequilla bar was filled with folks. The food booths typical festival food booths not meant to be congruent with santana Row. The only negative thing that is associated with this festival is the Fly story. Capish?
DC
Dale,
While I agree that the Business Journal is a good publication and has an excellent record on reporting land use decisions it has an annoying habit of turning non-stories into news. A good example is this week’s page one story that speculates on Tom Campbell possibly running for Mayor of San Jose.
Under the headline “Draft movement has one flaw” the story tells of a conversation in which Pat Dando suggested to Campbell that he might make a run “and he didn’t say no.” After laying this groundwork which suggests that Campbell might be interested the story jumps to page 53 before quoting Campbell as saying “I have no plans to run for Mayor of San Jose.”
Huh? First they create a false scenario, then they debunk it.
While there may well be a “draft Campbell” movement if the man said “no” that’s the starting point of the story. Anything else is a tease.
Looks like Peter got it right and the Metro got it wrong. No surprise there.
I was there too. Had a great time, ate too much.
Its surprising that the paper gave it a bumb rap, it was the cleanest cultural event that I been to in SJ. Much better then the downtown events where you’re tripping over people who drink too much and want to cause trouble. And as far as I know the Italian group doesn’t owe the city and county millions… even after being subsidized to put on a cultural event downtown! They put on a great event a clean event a fun event and arn’t being sued by the city and county.
The media should be applauding successful family events. Not jealous because an event at the successful Santana Row turned out well. Santana Row proves it again, there are people who can and will have fun outside of downtown…and others will begrdge them for doing so!
There is no truth to the rumor that the Fly reporter who wrote the atricle on the Italian Festival at Santana Row was Gary.
Metro is sour grapes on Santana Row yet they gladly accept the advertising dollars from the bars and restaurants there.
I’ve changed my mind about this whole thing. It’s hard to say Santana Row was ill-conceived when everybody knows if it was built downtown it would face a similar fate as the DOA downtown retail pavilion. Until those high rise residential towers get built out, the city has no business trying to put a SR type project downtown.
People are enjoying SR for what it is, and where it is. Someday there will be an equally inviting retail complex downtown. That day just isn’t here yet.
Anyone who encourages fun activities outside the downtown core is a loser! Downtown is the heart of the city, and if the people of San Jose don’t encourage it, they’re a losing mess. What a waste of precious real estate out in the outskirt of San Jose. It should be left for open space while downtown is utilized. The people of San Jose ought to advocate doing everthing in downtown even though downtown lacks entertainment and shops. Don’t depend on politicians and other people putting all those things in downtown and improving it. You, individual San Joseans, do something about it yourselves and make downtown great. That’s what they do in Europe, and there’s no excuse for this. Does that mean we have to have less than third world living standard which we’re bored with nothing to do and rely on our cars to go to spread out places to do anything and having fun? That’s right, even cities in third world countries have decent downtowns with things to do and people do their daily routines. Right now, San Jose is way less than that. It tells you about the quality of miserable people of San Jose. So, go out and get rid of your stinking car lifestyle and start making downtown a great place for people who like to do business or pleasure and like to use downtown as a meeting place. That way, we can have a real American dream and be even a better place than anywhere in the world. Stop whining and start doing something about this. Suggestions: open boutiques, entertainment venues and bookstores/coffee houses in downtown San Jose. You, San Joseans, show that you’re not the crummy people as everyone think you are and start consolidating all your activities in the downtown core. That’s how we can improve the quality of life in this city and improve air pollutions and traffic in the area.
After reading all this, I went back and reead the single gal’s post. Alot of people have lost sight that the night life, bars, and 24hr downtown has absolutely no appeal to family life. There is a large contingent of families out there and SJ needs more good clean family events like the Italalian Festa and this weekend’s pumpkin event at Guadalupe River Park – though I’m sure it would be better if it was held at Santana Row.
There is a lot od good things outside of the downtown core. Trick or treating in Willow Glen is a great example. So would have been the soccer fields in Almaden if they could have been given a fair chance.
Hopefully Paul (#10) is speaking in satire.
Downtown, while important, is not the only key to making SJ great. This is the problem with many people, including the elected officials, who put way too much emphasis on one area. SJ needs to be planned for, and operated as, a whole city. Many people see no need and have no desire to travel downtown for everything. Events like the Italian Festa are perfect for places like Santana Row.
And there is a great bonus to attending an event in plcaes like Santana Row: there are other things to do, places to go, and places to eat beofre, during and after the event. How much stuff is there to do downtown on a Sunday afternoon? And I bet there was a lot less taxpayer dollars invested into Santana Row there there was, and still is being invested in downtown. A comparison of revenue the city receives from sales tax revenues I’m sure would show that the Santana Row/Valley Fair/ Winchester Blvd./Stevens Creek area would put downtown to shame.
Just another example of private business fueled by a free market economy will out do government subsidized projects any day!
If you want something to work – keep the government out of it! (and you’ll probably make it home with your briefcase, with the same amount of money and your thumbdrive still inside)
So how did San Jose Inside manage to be relatively silent on the briefcasegate?
Not only is it another example of the ethical anemia that is so ever present at city hall, it also shows the cluelessness of some of our elected officials.
Nora Campos, it seems, doesn’t have a clue about the basics of employer/employee relationships. As the Mercury News stated:
“And as recently as midafternoon Monday, both Campos and mayoral spokesman David Vossbrink seemed not to understand why it might be a problem having someone under suspicion of committing a crime while on the public payroll continuing to do the public’s business.
Campos at first said Burnett was not placed on leave, although the council member was “concerned.’’ The only reason to suspend Burnett might be “because of a situation we are facing here in City Hall as a council office,’’ Campos said, but refused to explain what that meant.”
She couldn’t even make a coherent sentence!
then:
“Would that be paid leave?
“I didn’t even ask that question,’’ she[Campos] said. “I guess I need to find out what that process is.’’ “
and finally:
“An inclination among many office-holders to place sympathy for, and deference to, their colleagues above the need to take a public stand on principles. And an abiding belief that if something isn’t a crime, then it’s just fine.
It’s a pathetically low standard for ethical government.”
The members of the city council and all of the residents of San Jose should be outraged that someone on our city council is so clueless. It’s time that we elect someone with some common sense and intellegence to the city council.
I never could have dreamed the Merc could be so right, “pathetic” !
“Anyone who encourages fun activities outside the downtown core is a loser!”
“San Joseans, show that you’re not the crummy people as everyone think you are”
“It tells you about the quality of miserable people of San Jose.”
Paul,
Do you by chance work at the San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau?
I’m a loser and /or crummy because I do not go downtown or advise others to do so? It might have something to do with how whenever I step out of a club around 1:00ish, I feel like I’m suddenly in Nazi Germany or how the occupants of said clubs look like the graduating class of San Quentin. Nah I’ll stick to Sunnyvale and Campbell.
Kevin Johnson # 13:
Right on!
Let’s see: I steal someone’s briefcase, I (maybe) take some money from the wallet and a memory stick, I get caught, and my punishment from my boss—PAID adminsitrative leave.
So, I draw a salary and I don’t have to work. WOW, where do I sign up for a staff aide job in City Hall? I’ll troll around The Taj Gonzal, steal some stuff, and get to play golf EVERY day and still get paid. Only in America!
Many folks forget that the presumption of innocence applies only in the courts. They have this woman on security video. While she may be presumed innocent IN COURT, she’s pretty clearly factually guilty. And she draws a salary that we pay. Outrageous!
Those of you surprised by Nora’s comments haven’t been paying attention. She was that way when she was a staffer and most people would have named her the “least likely person to be a councilmember.” But San Jose is a different breed of political horse. Obviously, anybody can be on the city council regardless of experience, ethics, smarts, etc. Kind of like being nominated to the Supreme Court.
And speaking of the week’s low lights, how about Cindy and her band of bumbling warriors refusing to expedite Delbert’s review. Alfred E. Newman would be so proud of these “leaders” as he smiles and says, “What, Me Worry?”
The public should be yelling loudly as our City sinks lower and lower. Call your Council office and complain, write letters to the Merc, talk to your neighbors, etc. These people have got to go and should not be rewarded with higher office and certainly not be our next Mayor. We can’t afford a Chavez/Gonzo regime!!
In re last comment:
You see crime/politics does pay in San Jose!
Are they hiring?
Joker:
You’re not saying you can have either good looks or brains, spine, and ethics, are you?
The problem with many (not all) politicians is that they don’t want to lose office, because then they might have to go out and get a real job, where their intellectual and ethical shortcomings would become readily apparent.
The 2b definition of “politician” in Webster’s Ninth Collegiate Dictionary (yeah, an old edition, I know) is as follows: “a person primarily interested in political offices from selfish or other narrow usu. short-run interests.” Sound like anyone you know???
#15 (DH):
The reason for the “Nazi Germany” police presence, as you term it, is the very San Quentin graduates you also ackowledge are downtown. You forgot to give credit to those from Soledad and Folsom, who far outnumber the San Quentin types.
But of course, as we all recognize, they have the Constitutional Right to assemble.
Quick, someone get the swatter for that pesky Metro-fly! I have been attending the Italian Festa for 25 years and this last event bar-none was the most exciting yet! Who could ask for a better backdrop for our Family Festa than the Euro stylings of Santana Row! EVERYONE I spoke to from the Santana Row merchants to the patrons who attended loved the setting, food and the entertainment. Smiles were everywhere and the vibe was very positive. Could there be improvements, always…but the “Fly” got stuck in his/her own muck and overlooked the spirit and pride that the Festa rekindled for the Italian-American community. Nothings perfect in this world but this Festa took the right step in the right direction….La Dolce Vita Mr. Fly!!
#20 JMC
I like to assemble, very much so, but I like it enjoy it too. I think the Nazis got there first but no matter, I’m not going. Honorable mention: I forgot to acknowledge the annoying ones who keep hitting on my dates who also appear to be not at all interested in the few but single women also present. Read the article “ManJose” perhaps?
Hey DH, blow off downtown and go to Santana Row!
The Merc says Christine Burnett, Ms. Campos’ chief of staff, lives in La Selva Beach. If councilmembers are required to live in San Jose, I think the same should apply to their key staff members. Living in the district would be even better.
TO DH:
Been there as I live in the hood (not in Santana Row-who can afford it). Great place to eat but the Vbar wasn’t too impressive. Bunch of lounge lizards and snooty bartenders (may be wrong there-just one experience, I dared to only tip a dollatr) but it had great decor and view. Definately a step up from downtown (which has to reach up to touch bottom). Like I said, I go downtown Sunnyvale or Campbell for music and dinner at Santana Row. Want an experience? Try downtown Austin in Texas. Funny, picture downtown Sunnyvale 6 blocks long and three blocks wide with all sorts of people and there’s not a moment of hostility. Hmmm.
Blogging this week from warm, sunny (clear even!) and bustling downtown Pasadena. In about 10 years they transformed this downtown and all the old buildings and storefronts now house upscale chain stores as well as independent businesses. Something for everyone. This place doesn’t empty out after 5PM like SJ’s downtown does. SJ tore down so much of its inventory of nice old buildings and storefronts that they will have to now recreate all of it Disney style just like at SR. It’s really a sad commentary.
#24 – It would also be a good idea if top city officials lived in SJ. Maybe if they had to live with the decisions they made they might be more sensitive towards those of us who actually live in San Jose.
What! Sensitivity in San Jose from public officials? Whats next? Expecting them to actually live in SJ. I sure miss living in Santa Clara. I have a story to tell but I need to see how the final act plays out. Another horror story of life with the rich and the shamless.
Steve #24:
So, the little thief—excuse me, alleged thief—gets to enjoy our beautiful coast during Indian Summer while she’s on paid administrative leave. Some punishment. As I said earlier, where do I sign up for a job where I can steal stuff and get to stay home and get paid while the lawyer sorts it our with the D.A.?
#30:
So, by your definitions, where is San FRancisco’s dowtown? It would seem it has more than one, using your criteria.
Are you saying to have a dowtown anywhere that there must be free all day parking? Name me any large city that has that. Or are you saying that the only way SanHozay can get a real dowtown is to have all day free parking? Is dowtown just a day thing then, and parking reverts to paid at night?
I am coming to the view that dowtown in this part of the world is a 20th century anachronism. Redevelopment agencies in some places have succeeded in revitalizing old dowtowns; but out west regional stuff like Sanata Row is the wave of the future. Many big cities have “Districts” which concentrate certain aspects of urban life—theatre district, shopping district, nightclub district, etc.
Rarely does a city’s civic center appear in any of these districts; yet we built The Taj Gonzal to attract people “dowtown”? Huh? Is sixth and Santa Clara even downtown? No better than on the fringe, by any definition. And how many people who are employed in The Taj Gonzal remain after 5:00? So, a bunch of low price eateries will spring up around the Taj, since it has no cafeteria for those who are employed there. That’ll sure help revive downtown.
Many thanks to David, Joe, Kevin and Pete for their positive comments about the 25th Annual Italian Family Festa at Santana Row.
The “Fly” does not have his or her facts straight. If only the Fly had been at the Festa on Sunday. We had at least 10 people sign up for the grape stomping and it was held on the large stage, the Roma Stage. Implying that our organization or we as an ethnic group would be more comfortable at the county fairgrounds is a slap in the face. I am extremely proud to an Italian Ameircan and would never consider taking jabs at other groups.
Thank you Kevin for pointing out that many of us do not want to attend events in the Downtown SJ area because of the people who drink too much and cause trouble. Families and friends all felt safe at Santana Row and welcome. All indications so far have been very positive and we are all very happy to have put on a successful Festa. Our organization has never held out our hand for anything. We are self sustaining and work very hard to keep it that way.
The Fly owes the Italian American community an apology.
Does San Jose have a “Downtown” or is it just another neighborhood area?
A downtown is normally defined as
1) a land use category that encompasses high density, high-rise office and commercial services in the heart of a city. Viable downtowns normally have a variety of urban retail, institutional, tourism-related and residential uses which provide services to the entire city and the metropolitan region.
2) downtown or central business district is the commercial center of a city.
3) downtown is often referred to by the common acronym, CBD, which stands for Central Business District in Europe or other countries.
If you apply the traditional definations it could be argued that San Jose
1) does NOT have a downtown or central business district since most of our business, retail, and government are not in the area commonly refered as San Jose’s downtown area
2) it is not a high density, high rise, retail commercil and residential area but just another neighborhood area with some commercial buildings and a large club / sports entertainment area
3) The billions of public tax dollars and decades of poor city planning where our politicians talked about creating a – viable downtown – but where the majority of actual approved development was in the suburbs and downtown development created a shadow of a downtown that does not provide sufficiently unique urban retail, services or other attractions to encourage them to overcome the negatives of our current downtown and it’s transportation access/ parking problems .
It has future potential but we are years or decades from achieving the type of viable downtowns like Portland, Seattle, or Austin.
We will not achieve a true “downtown” until we
1) actually implement a rational comprehensive mixed use downtown plan that has all day free parking and easy multiple route regional transit access
2) encourage the necessary very large private retail / residential / entertainment complex investment to provide the many unique urban products, services and entertainment to the entire city and region that are NOT available in the surburban neighborhoods.
People go to Santana Row for it’s unique products, services and experiences that they do not have available in their neighborhoods
Having a viable downtown does not mean you cannot have exciting neighborhoods. As an example look to Vancouver, BC which ranks as one of the most livable cities in the world.
It has a bustling downtown where people live and work, but it also has beautiful neighborhoods with many shopping districts, parks and everything needed to make life comfortable.
It is possible to have both.
Kevin, Novice, DH and all you San Joseans, I’m ashamed that you love LA style of development where alot of open spaces are wasted on ugly sprawl that consumes the area of Santana Row, Sunnyvale and other communities. There’s no soul in San Jose, and the people of SJ are among the worst quality in the world when it comes to suburban habbits/tastes. What a social disaster! The city is so isolated and lonely, and phony places like Los Gatos and Santana Row can’t even begin to make up for the lack of true downtown, and San Joseans are 100% blamed for this. Even in third world, people love their downtowns and would personally commit to the downtown communities among themselves. As for me working for Convention and Visitor Bureau, no, I don’t. I have lived in San Jose for 5 years, and I’m finding it( People) here are a disaster! Man, I’m planning on moving out of here! Suburban, LA style urban area is an evil culture, and people,here, are big part of it and responsible for the way it is. I want no part of it, and San Jose is the world worst city when comes lifestyle. Sorry!
While constructive criticism is always welcome, the mischaracterization of the light-hearted Fly item as “Trouble at Santana Row” by blogsters, competitors and assorted pilers-on constitutes the real fact-twisting in this ridiculous thread. C’mon people, get a life! The column is known for its snarky edge and humorous look at our collective existence and occasionally manages to be good-naturedly offensive or politically incorrect. Regular readers know to view its observations in this context. It is a badge of honor to be ribbed by the Fly. As a fellow spaghetti-bender, I am proud that this festival was a success and worthy of mention in one of the valley’s best read columns.
Sorry Paul, I am dedicated to my downtown but a losing battle is a losing battle. Its our leaders that are not dedicated to downtown.
As for phoney places like Los Gatos and, you forgot, Shallow Alto, I’m not interested and I don’t go there. The strongest thing you can do when you don’t like someplace is to not go there and spend your money elsewhere.
As I said downtown is bad because our leaders make it that way or allow it to stay that way.
What would you like me to do? Complain? I’m already doing that and actually enjoying it.
For more evidence-see previous posts.
Actually I’m in Austin Texas at this very minute and I’m going downtown tonight. Their downtown, believe it or not, makes San Jose look ridicolous-well downtown Spokane can do that and not leap tall buildings. Austin has blocks of bars and live music plus many cops and guess what? No trouble, no attitudes, businesses that actually appreciate customers, no you say-yes, San Jose pay attention! And they don’t name their trolleys after cat dodo either. Alas unfortunately downtown SJ will not get the message and most likely never will. Oh well.
Hmmm, can anyone define snarky? What does snarky mean? Can You use it in a sentence perhaps? Honey I’m feeling extra snarky tonight… Take a valium, you’ll feel better. Ok, thanks, I have a life already.
#37:
Snarky is defined as an inaccurate description of a community event as reported in the journalistically-challenged section of a minor publication described by it’s CEO as “one of the valley’s best read columns.”
(Note to Dan Pulcrano: Now THAT’s snarky!)
Snarky is wimpy when you are anonymous.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=snarky
#39. Speaking of anonymity, who doesn’t your “Fly” column have a by-line?
Wimpy is as wimpy does.
I’m tired of people bashing San Jose and comparing us to other cities like Los Gatos, Palo Alto and San Francisco. Why do we have to conform to the way all the other cities are. Okay, so we don’t have a vibrant downtown. We have other vibrant places. If I wanted to live in a huge, overcrowded, dirty city, I would have moved to SF a long time ago. For those of you who hate San Jose your taking up space, you should just leave and make space for those that do want to be here.
Wow, if you think SF is a huge, dirty, and overcrowded city-try the east coast specifically NYC. It is a shame that an Jose’s downtown is a failure but there are other places in the area such as Sunnyvale, Mountain View, and Campbell. I’d say this blog is done and time to move to another…
Wow! I ran into this blog by accident and I think I like it. So many people and so many opinions.
Born and raised in SJ and I got to agree with most of you that the SJ nightlife down town gets a little scary at night. Some places try to get at a level that will bring a tear to the likes of Santana Row but it doesnt last. As a party goer, I see a lot of rookie rockstars who dont know how to act after a couple of drinks. Most people have attitudes is the downtown SJ area…(not that Santa Row / Los Gatos doesnt) and have lots to learn from the SF night life. I have not had to deal with drama when hanging out in SF. The police dont bother you like they do in SJ…whats up with SJPD lately? They are EVERYWHERE at 1am after a night at a bar? …funny thing is, I dont feel more safe with them and their patrol cars
Hi Folks,
After spending time in Phoenix, Atlanta and some other large cities San Jose has nothing to worry about. Yes maybe some more high rises…and active night life..would spark more interest downtown…but at least we don’t have the murky underworld that exist in other cities…..Yikes Atlanta was truly frightening
Don’t be so sure of that, San Jose has an underworld-its just better than others in hiding it.