Over the past four years, the Cindy Chavez political machine has worked to defeat two sitting Vietnamese American city council representatives in San Jose. Today, there are no Vietnamese Americans, or any Asian Americans, serving on the San Jose City Council. For a politician who claims to care about representation and diversity this is a...
James: MAGA school board candidates rightly called out
San Jose Spotlight’s recent article on MAGA school board candidates provided valuable help to voters in our community by identifying the local embodiment of the national, far-right movement to have candidates infiltrate local school boards, including those right here in Silicon Valley. Over the past two years, a local Republican group recruited candidates to run...
Zisser: Crime victims’ views on criminal justice reform are not monolothic
Victims and survivors of violent crime are not a monolith. Indeed, the very nature of crime makes every individual experience unique. Those of us who advocate for criminal justice reform often come under attack for supposedly being insensitive to or disconnected from victims and their families. These critics are of course right that victims and survivors...
Philbrick: How to provide more train safety and control
In its inaugural run from Seattle to Portland, Amtrak 501 derailed on Dec. 18, 2017. Several train cars crashed over an overpass and landed on the interstate near DuPont, Washington. Over 50 passengers and crew members were injured, as well as eight individuals in highway vehicles. Many of the injured required hospitalization, and three died as...
Rodríguez: Accreditation ensures quality education
A key aspect of higher education most people don’t spend time considering is accreditation. For many people, as long as the college or university they attend or graduate from is accredited, that’s all they care about. But the process of accreditation, its history and future play a key role in ensuring a high-quality education and...
Varich: Internet-era logic on full display in Spotlight’s school board story
Spotlight commenters have gleefully called out the many over-the-top accusations its article tossed at local Republicans, which was charmingly entitled “Conservatives infiltrate Silicon Valley school board races.” As one of those “infiltrators,” I’m also struck by how the article uses a number of flawed rhetorical devices. Sadly, many of these conventions have become more common in the...
Staedler: San Jose trails California in parking standards
Parking requirements have been reduced in some new housing developments with the advent of AB 2097. San Jose has been touted as leading this and the state following course. That is clearly not the case. San Jose officials voted in June to “craft a policy to eliminate parking minimums.” They should not be given credit...
Collins: Can a homebuyer find a home under $1M in today’s local market?
Lately, the media has reported extensively on a slowdown in housing sales, but what is really happening here in Santa Clara County? This month, I dig deeper into the market data and what it means for homebuyers. If we are experiencing a slowdown in housing sales, then a slowing market should lead to an increase...
Robinson: The elephants in the room
San Jose mayoral candidate Matt Mahan, county supervisorial candidate Johnny Khamis and sheriff candidate Kevin Jensen are all actively courting Republican voters in their quest for public office. Khamis and Jensen were once Republicans, while Mahan is not. Khamis publicly left the party in 2018, while Jensen—a registered Republican since 1988—changed his status to no party preference...
Davis: Five ways Cindy Chavez can improve the office of San Jose mayor
First, a confession. I figured when I endorsed Cindy Chavez for mayor I’d get a lot of reaction from my District 6 constituents and supporters. But I have to acknowledge being pleasantly surprised at the thoughtful, constructive nature of the feedback, whether supportive or critical. I am so proud to represent San Jose’s D6. And...