A lot has been written about the housing tragedy that we are experiencing in Silicon Valley. I say tragedy because the over-used and trite term “housing crisis” is no longer descriptive of what we’re facing. The housing tragedy that we are experiencing has caused displacement, tearing families apart and nothing is changing fast enough to...
Basseri: Don’t change Santa Clara County’s sanctuary policy
One of the many reasons I am proud to be a native San Josean is because there seems to be a place for everyone here, no matter where you come from. The innovation that’s made our city world-famous trickles down to me and I believe in our collective humanity and possibility. That’s why it’s essential...
Fearer: Incrementalism in traffic safety is literally killing us
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” –Traditional I’ve advocated in a number of ways for safer streets across the country for more than a decade now, both personally and professionally. None of this prepared me for April 19. On that morning nearly two weeks...
White: A strong mayor system isn’t the fix for failed leadership
I am always bemused by those pundits who think moving to a strong mayor form of government is some type of panacea. It is the loss of an independent professional voice when a city manager form (albeit a hybrid in San Jose’s case) is discarded. The appointment of department heads is already subject to City...
Armaline and Ramirez: Santa Clara County needs to expunge cannabis offenses
Most people are now well aware that the California Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA) — or Proposition 64 — legalized recreational cannabis in 2016. But the AUMA also allows those with certain cannabis offenses to have their records reduced and/or expunged. This is one of the most critical aspects of the AUMA in that...
Roberts: An ounce of homeless prevention is worth a pound of cure
Years ago, the cutting-edge approach toward solving homelessness was a shelter bed and a transitional program that helped people become self-sufficient. Back then, the agency I run housed hundreds of people with this approach. People would come to us who were unemployed, or struggling with emotional issues, or simply burned bridges at home, and needed...
Staedler: Why are we talking about slogans?
I was dismayed by A. Jarrod Jenkins’ op-ed about how San Jose should drop its “Capital of Silicon Valley” slogan. I don’t understand the intent of his opinion piece. especially this part: “We shouldn’t call ourselves the Capital of Silicon Valley, even if it is true. As a practical matter, greatness is something best conferred...
Jenkins: It’s time to drop the ‘Capital of Silicon Valley’ slogan
“San Jose is the capital of Silicon Valley the way Arlington, Va., can claim to be the capital of the United States because the Pentagon is there.” – Rob Morse, “San Jose: Small Town: Big Slogan.” San Francisco Chronicle, May 22, 1996 In 1988, San Jose decided to call itself the “Capital of Silicon Valley”...
Waite and Reese: We need community input on 27 acres near Evergreen college
Over the past five years, our District 8 Community Round Table in Evergreen has been engaging with the San Jose Evergreen Community College District (SJECCD) over its land use and lease plans for the 27 acres adjacent to Evergreen Valley College. In 2015, when the SJECCD Trustees selected Republic Urban as their development partner, the...
Funk: Are teacher strikes the answer?
As superintendent of the largest high school district in Northern California and proud leader of a very stable, professional and progressive Board of Trustees, I wonder what the impact of the recent teacher strikes across the country will be on my district and districts in Santa Clara County who face the same financial restraints. The...