Author: Special to San José Spotlight

A recent San José Spotlight article explained how a state law intended to create more housing can also be used to drastically reduce home construction. The San Jose Flea Market site, an Urban Village, may have just over 25% of the original amount of homes proposed. The reporter spoke with Erik Schoennauer, who represents the...

Sometimes, compassion means taking action. And for many of our gravely disabled neighbors, that time is now. California’s families and communities are facing the devastating impacts of our mental health and addiction crises. Many of us see it every day—people suffering on our streets, in need of advocacy and treatment options. Fortunately, California legislators have...

In the heart of Santa Clara County, where innovation thrives, Santa Clara Valley Water District is taking a bold step towards a more equitable and inclusive future. Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is brought forward through our infrastructure projects, grant and partnership programs and hiring practices. Now, with the new Valley Water Next...

There is no safe level of lead in drinking water. Remember the crisis in Flint, Michigan? Or Newark, New Jersey? Old lead water service lines were the culprit. Millions of Americans turned on the faucet and wondered, “What’s in my water?” You may have been wondering, too. To be clear, there is no lead in...

We’ve witnessed extreme weather over the last few years. This past winter, we emerged from a three-year drought that concluded with an impactful series of storms, filled reservoirs and one of history’s heftiest Sierra Nevada snowpacks on record. Valley Water was prepared. We know the climate is changing, and extreme weather is the new normal....

Seven months ago, I submitted an opinion piece raising concerns about the lack of a thoughtful strategy to guide downtown San Jose’s post-pandemic economic recovery. Unfortunately, since then not much has changed. There is still no guiding plan and fundamental indicators of downtown’s economic health remain discouraging. Office vacancies have now pushed over 30%, return-to-work...

Just this August, with virtually no public notice, analysis or stakeholder engagement, San Jose city leaders announced to the world that they wanted to get into the business of delivering electricity. The city’s desire to form an electric utility company should be a cause for concern for San Jose residents and businesses, particularly when they...

It started with local chatter about the poor health of young children living in one disadvantaged and often-overlooked area near a small airport. It can end with the U.S. Senate acting to prevent lead exposure in one of the last American industries that still sells and uses a harmful pollutant. Study concludes lead levels in...

I’m thrilled to extend a warm invitation to my inaugural Picnic by the Lake Multicultural Festival and Resource Fair. Mark your calendars for Saturday, Sept. 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the beautiful Hellyer County Park. This free event is a celebration of our vibrant community, and everyone is welcome. You’ll be greeted...

Since Nov. 2018, Veggielution has worked with seven low-income immigrant street food cart entrepreneurs to explore a new model of community engagement and economic opportunity. These mobile food vendors receive technical assistance workshops, secured tax identification numbers, city business licenses, and food handler’s certificates. Veggielution in 2019 partnered with San Jose’s Office of Economic Development...