The San Jose City Council on Tuesday will consider approving the Cambrian Village mixed-use project that would bring 428 much-needed new homes to San Jose. Cambrian has a longtime history of being a social hub for the area, but it did not age like a fine wine. Today it stands a largely vacant strip mall...
Op-ed: Response to critique of empty homes tax
As the original folks who suggested San Jose look at an empty homes tax, we wanted to respond to Bob Staedler’s cursory critique of the idea. To start, Measure E is indeed a crucial means of funding affordable housing in San Jose. We both publicly and passionately supported the measure when it came on the...
Chandramouli: Leaded fuel is hurting East San Jose families
As a doctor, I know that lead is poison. Its effects are especially damaging to children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) put it in stark terms: “Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect IQ, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement.” The effect can result in a permanent...
Tenes: East San Jose is the gem of the city
I’ve got a bone to pick that SJ Today didn’t even consider East San Jose as one of the best neighborhoods in San Jose. First of all, we have all of the best parks in San Jose — Emma Prusch Farm, Overfelt Chinese Cultural Gardens, Lake Cunningham, just a little further up is Grant Ranch...
Viramontes: We can’t build a better education system alone
This time last year I was weeks away from my daughter’s due date, and a few months into my new role as executive director of Teach For America (TFA) Bay Area. I was preparing for a new phase of my life that I could only conceptually understand would be uniquely challenging, and fulfilling. It wasn’t...
Op-ed: What little power we have left is under threat
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has failed, and continues to fail, the residents of California in spectacular fashion by not adhering to its own mission statement: “We are dedicated to ensuring that you have safe, reliable utility service at reasonable rates, protecting against fraud, and promoting the health of California’s economy.” Under CPUC’s watch...
Op-ed: Being unsheltered while homeless is a major health risk—why do we allow this?
California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently announced a plan to channel historic sums of money to address homeless encampments. If that money is to help those communities, it is vital to spend it where it will do the most good. To find those areas we suggest something radical: Talk to people to learn their needs. Hundreds...
Cloutier: The Bay Area should be leading change for the youth mental health crisis
Our society is experiencing an epidemic wave of behavioral health disorders that’s impacting our most vulnerable populations. The pandemic exacerbated a pre-existing emotional environment for young people that led to increased suicide rates, severe depressive episodes and likely early drug addiction among our youth. Too many of those young people are being left out of...
Chester: Urban Villages aren’t a housing solution
Throughout San Jose’s mayoral race, one of the primary concerns for candidates, rightfully so, is housing. Affordable housing. Housing for currently houseless. Senior housing. All types of housing have been discussed during mayoral forums, views differing greatly from being against more housing via SB 9 to being a dense housing advocate only within current Urban...
Sadri: Making American visits and vacations possible for all travelers and families
When President Joe Biden repealed the Muslim travel ban in 2021, the Persian community rejoiced. Our family members abroad could finally visit loved ones in America. After years of separation, mothers, sons and grandparents looked forward to reuniting and hugging each other at long last. But there was a catch. If you live in 155 countries, including...