San Jose Inside

Temporary Stadium Proposed

During a press conference late Thursday night, a mere week after his State of the City Speech, Mayor Gonzales finally released details for his plan to bring Major League Baseball to San Jose.

It is wonderful to dream—one of the freest and most enjoyable things in life.  Yet, dreams can be destructive and deflating if they substitute obsession, cant, or hype for reality. Dreams must not become your master.

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.

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.

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.

You see the trees better when you’re not in the forest.  I don’t know if someone said that, but someone should have.

Anyway, that’s the way I feel about San Jose City Hall.  I left four years ago - close enough to have understanding, but far enough to have perspective.