San Jose Inside

Attention, San Jose:  there’s no time to waste.  Buy extra bottled water, soda and beer. Keep plenty of snacks on hand. Check flashlights and batteries.  Pay your cable bill.  It’s time for Ron Gonzales to deliver the State of the City address.

The way that city officials, the Downtown Association and downtown business interests are blithely ignoring the oncoming crises of BART construction along the length of Santa Clara Street, reminds me of the horrible early scenes of the beach goers and vacationers in Thailand who failed to recognize the tsunami that was about to consume them.  But, is it merely a case of avoidance or is it foolishness?

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.

Thanks to those of you who have written about good pho restaurants.  I’m going to try each and every one of your suggestions.  Keep them coming. But I’ve scrapped my plans to host a big pho party using a city council special events account.

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.

What the heck is going on here?  I take two weeks off from blogging while on special assignment to find the best pho restaurants in town and the city almost falls apart.

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.

Now that Terry Gregory’s resignation is a fait accompli, San Joseans may breath a collective sigh of relief representing one long, drawn out victory for good government. Former Mayor Tom McEnery first made the call for a censure investigation publicly last Fall. I followed his lead by making a formal request of the council to open a censure investigation—it died for a lack of support. Now, several months later, with the investigation finally completed, it has ended in a resignation. But resignation is just the “end of the beginning” of the Gregory saga. The council must now put into play the process for selecting his replacement. So don’t relax just yet. In fact the code word for good government advocates should be BEWARE. Let me explain.

I’m going to keep my comments brief this week so that people can go read another guest column that we’ve got up.  San Jose City Council Member Dave Cortese has written an interesting article about how Terry Gregory should be replaced.  I do want everyone to know about an upcoming show on CNN that I know will be an interesting hour spent.