San Jose Inside (https://www.sanjoseinside.com)
“Tiegate” Case to be Heard in U.S. District Court
During a Thursday afternoon mayoral stump speech, current San Jose City Councilman and mayoral candidate Chuck Reed was picked up by federal marshals and detained for several hours after being charged with the desecration of the American flag.
Councilwomen Say Debate Performances Too Good
During a Wednesday press conference, San Jose City Council Members Nora Campos and Nancy Pyle once again grabbed headlines when they accused mayoral candidate David Pandori of engaging in the practice of blood doping before several debates in which his performances seemed “exceptional.”
I know that this is a long shot, but I am appealing to members of the San Jose City Council to please not get along so well. It seems that, during the current unparalleled crises of confidence in city government—the resignation under threat of indictment of one of their colleagues, the public censure of the mayor and the on-going grand jury investigations—council members continue to act in an ostrich-like manner, as if we are in the most placid of times. We are not.
“Too Much Public Participation” Say Williams and Campos
Calling for more secrecy in government and saying they want to encourage less public participation, San Jose City Council members Forrest Williams and Nora Campos are proposing a series of “sunset” reforms.
Repeal of Ban on Alcohol Sales Could Give Rise to Gasclubs
Shortly after a unanimous vote by the San Jose City Council on an urgency ordinance that gives the police chief more discretion in shutting down problem nightclubs in downtown, a committee of nightclub owners met and decided to take their business elsewhere—to the neighborhood gas stations.
I have a modest suggestion for our city manager. (No, not that one. That one should come from his bosses on the San Jose City Council.) This one is genuinely intended to help rectify some of the immediate problems at City Hall. It is comprised of four words: concentrate on your job.
By Guest Blogger Jerry Estruth
In 1978, when I was a candidate running for the San Jose City Council, I supported districting. At that time, San Jose had 7 councilmembers, including the mayor, all elected at large. I became the last councilmember to be elected city wide. Therefore, I think that I am qualified to question whether or not districting has been good for San Jose and whether or not it has outlived its usefulness. I think the time when the scant support of 2000-3000 people can elect a district councilmember from a district has passed.
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.
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.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan didn’t get the immediate boost his campaign had hoped for in Rep. Eric Swallwell’s withdrawal as a candidate and a member of Congress, but the mayor did qualify for the stage at a critical statewide debate April 22.
The Department of Homeland Security said ICE and Border Patrol have no plans to steer clear of the Super Bowl, despite the tension and unrest after the two fatal shootings in Minnesota.
Undeveloped land within the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility will be home to data centers and manufacturing campuses that power AI revolution.
The carpenters' union's stance broke from the powerful Building and Construction Trades Council, which has opposed nearly all proposals to lower hurdles for developers that do not include minimum pay levels and union hiring requirements.
The recount of the April 8 Special Election, required by the narrow margin at the close of regular vote tallies, showed Gabby Chavez-Lopez with 2,712 votes, Anthony Tordillos with 2006 votes and Matthew Quevedo with 2000 votes.
A one-day recount will begin on April 24, with certification of the final two candidates to be announced on April 28.
The convictions of Omar Torres stole the headlines from Election Day voting to replace the former council member, who resigned in November shortly before his arrest.
