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A mysterious text poll is gauging potential mayoral candidates’ viability in the race for San Jose’s top political seat. San José Spotlight learned about the poll from residents who received it. The poll in part asks respondents which potential mayoral candidate they’ll support. The election is next year, with Mayor Sam Liccardo terming out of...
San Jose professor joins state advisory board on racial profiling
A San Jose State University professor is joining a broader effort to help research and combat racial profiling in California. Earlier this month, Sen. Toni Atkins of San Diego appointed William Armaline, professor of sociology and founding director of the school’s Human Rights Institute, to California’s Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory Board. Armaline is known...
Another round: To-go alcoholic drinks continue in San Jose
After a year of relying on take-out sales to stay afloat, bars and restaurants in San Jose can continue selling alcoholic beverages to-go through Dec. 31 thanks to a recent extension of state rules. Five Points, a cocktail bar in downtown San Jose, closed in March 2020, but was able to resume operations two months...
Silicon Valley business group director striking out on his own
The Silicon Valley Organization has suffered another blow. After the ousting of former CEO Matt Mahood due to a racist ad in October, the beleaguered chamber of commerce is losing Director of Government and Community Relations Eddie Truong. Truong, known for his public policy and business advocacy, is leaving to start his own lobbying firm...
San Jose city manager resigns after 34 years
After more than three decades at San Jose City Hall, the city’s top administrator is calling it quits. With the city reeling from a mass shooting at a VTA rail yard earlier Wednesday, City Manager Dave Sykes sent an email to the city’s workforce letting them know he’s retiring this summer. “I immigrated to the...
San Jose lawmaker floats ‘Good Doctor’ tax
ABC medical drama “The Good Doctor” is set in San Jose, but doesn’t actually film here. One city official jokingly said City Hall should capitalize on that. The television show stars an autistic savant aspiring surgeon played by English actor Freddie Highmore who does his residency at the prestigious—but fictional—San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital. The...
Silicon Valley education leader pays legal fees with campaign funds
After dropping a lawsuit against the Santa Clara County Board of Education, Trustee Joseph Di Salvo had one last thing to wrap up: legal fees, which he paid off with campaign funds. According to Di Salvo’s latest campaign statement covering Oct. 18 to Dec. 31, 2020, he owes $4,885 to law firm Berliner & Cohen, which represented...
Morgan Hill Mayor Rich Constantine running for county supervisor
Morgan Hill Mayor Rich Constantine has joined the contest for Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman’s seat. Constantine joins former councilmember Johnny Khamis, County Board of Education President Claudia Rossi and Los Gatos Vice Mayor Rob Rennie in vying for the District 1 seat on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. Wasserman’s term will...
Kansen Chu returns to his roots: The Berryessa school board
It’s Déjà vu for Kansen Chu. After nearly two decades, the former assemblyman is back on the Berryessa Union School District Board of Trustees. Without much fanfare, Chu was unanimously appointed to the school board in February. He beat out four other candidates. Chu, who lost his bid for county supervisor last fall, filled the...
Santa Clara County seeks redistricting advisory commission members
Fifteen county residents will soon help reshape Santa Clara County government’s political power. Santa Clara County supervisors are creating a new advisory commission to complete redistricting obligations by the end of the year, in light of census data delays. Every county is required to redraw its supervisorial boundaries in 2021 according to federal, state and...
