This month’s column falls on the first day of Kwanzaa, the day of Umoja — unity, which calls us to stand together to solve problems that threaten our very existence. In Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, there is no clearer example of the heightened risk to Black life than what is happening to Black...
Kumar: Rebuttal to Larry Stone’s ‘The assessor is not a political position’
For decades, residents of Santa Clara County have endured inconsistent assessments, a broken appeals process and unprocessed refunds — all from an Assessor’s Office that has refused to modernize, standing in stark contrast to Silicon Valley’s cutting-edge innovation while maintaining a laser focus on extracting higher tax revenues from the very people who elected the...
Engstrom: PG&E utility profits are out of control — here’s how to fix it
This Thursday, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will vote on how much profit PG&E will be allowed to earn over the next three years — a decision that will directly affect whether Bay Area electricity bills continue climbing or finally offer relief to struggling customers. PG&E just posted record-breaking $2.47 billion in profits in...
Kou: Rishi Kumar offers a forward-looking vision for residents
Public trust in government isn’t maintained through slogans or longevity or staying in an echo chamber — it depends on results. The Democratic Party can only remain strong when it listens to fearless voices — and one such voice is Rishi Kumar. Kumar — a C-suite technologist, former executive board member of the California Democratic...
Stone: What exactly does the Santa Clara County assessor do?
Unlike the sheriff or the district attorney, people often ask me: “What exactly does the assessor do?” My answer surprises them. “The assessor is not a political position.” Their reaction is almost always the same: “But you get elected, don’t you?” Yes, the law requires election, but after the ballots are counted, there is nothing political about...
Editorial: What a long strange trip it’s been for San Jose
San Jose City Hall encountered a blast from the past at its doorstep Dec. 4. The moment was a reminder of how pivotal San Jose was to the nation’s music scene in the 1960s and 70s. That evening, with a brilliant full moon above, community members unveiled a plaque in the spot where 60 years...
Beall: Building trust through accountability — How the Audit Committee strengthens Valley Water
At Valley Water, we believe accountability and transparency help us better serve the public. One way we uphold these values is through our Board Audit Committee, which provides independent oversight to help strengthen our organization’s performance. The Audit Committee consists of three directors who work under a formal charter. This year, I am proud to...
Op-ed: Troubling patterns of Rishi Kumar’s candidacy for Santa Clara County assessor
Public institutions are built slowly, through decades of effort, trust and responsible stewardship. They can be weakened quickly when leadership disregards the delicate balance required to keep essential services functioning. This is especially true in Santa Clara County, where the property tax system underpins everything from public hospitals and behavioral health to schools, housing programs...
Brennan: When leadership fails, more money won’t fix San Jose parks
San Jose city leaders are discussing spending $2.5 million to place a measure on next year’s ballot to levy a sugar tax or a new property tax assessment for park maintenance. San Jose residents deserve assurance that the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department (PRNS) can be an effective custodian of current resources before being...
Philbrick: Increasing e-bike use requires safety education
On any given afternoon in downtown San Jose, you will see people of all ages zooming by — and sometimes through — traffic on electric bikes. The sales of electric bikes, or e-bikes, have grown enormously worldwide in the past decade. In the U.S., 1.1 million e-bikes were sold in 2022, almost four times as...