Most of us likely never think about kindergarten unless we have a child or grandchild of our own or work in a school. It is time that we all talk about what it takes for a child to be ready for kindergarten and the long-term impact when children enter school without the benefit of an...
Martin: Second Street Studios in San Jose changed my life
Moving in was as happy a time as I can remember after what seemed like a lifetime of struggle and pain. Almost four months later, every day I think about how much this has changed my life and feel thankful. Being a Permanent Supportive Housing community, Second Street Studios is a home to me but...
Funk: San Jose’s contract with a private Catholic school reeks
On Aug. 6, the San Jose City Council unanimously approved a contract with Cristo Rey San José Jesuit High School in the amount of $838,264 to provide work experience/paid internships for up to 24 students. The contract is paid directly to Cristo Rey to help cover the tuition cost for the students’ Jesuit education. Cristo...
Mehlinger: Cupertino deserves better
This has been something of a surreal summer for me. Late this June, I saw some comments from Cupertino Commission Chair R. “Ray” Wang about the Vallco redevelopment, calling on his readers to “Save the suburbs from an onslaught of anarchists and YIMBY Neo Liberal fascists.” Now I’m a resident of Sunnyvale, not Cupertino. But...
Vartan: Silicon Valley needs a public discussion on guns
Between toxic politics and partisan dysfunction, we now have something I believe is important to all Americans: safety and freedom. Guns have become an evil topic in just about any public setting. Many think if you talk to a “Democrat,” you might hear the only way to protect our children and communities is to implement...
Bellucci: Massive developments threaten public safety services
More. Bigger. Higher. These are the words crammed into the press releases of Silicon Valley’s largest employers. The pace of development is startling. It all sounds so exciting, but we should temper that excitement and realistically examine the impacts of development. There’s an old adage, “failing to plan, is planning to fail.” It’s sage advice...
Khamis: State legislators propose impediments to parking enforcement
My office has fielded numerous complaints of vehicles stored or abandoned on city streets, plus occupied motor homes settling into neighborhoods for stays that exceed the 72-hour limit. It’s not just an issue in District 10, but throughout the City of San Jose. Our Department of Transportation personnel responded to 55,000 vehicle abatement requests in...
Gerston: On hospital purchases, county residents win, employees lose
For most of us, the purchase of O’Connor Hospital and St. Louise Hospital is a fabulous benefit for Santa Clara County. The $235 million package has already proven its worth, given the quick response and treatment of 13 victims from Gilroy’s July 28 mass shooting. Moreover, the county is investing heavily in bringing the hospitals...
Bramson: A troubling boom on the streets
My great grandmother was born in New York City in 1902, lived there all her life, and died in 2006. After raising two children and then losing her husband at a relatively young age, she worked as a bookkeeper until she was 88 years old, helping her kids get through college and start their own...
From the editor: When the housing crisis hits home
The moment felt a little surreal. After months of planning, saving and talking endlessly about it, we moved back to California and here I was on a hotter-than-usual Saturday afternoon, turning the key to our new apartment. After living in Nevada for more than a year and fielding countless inquiries about when we’re moving back,...