Over the last several decades, there have been various opinions and political handwringing on what is wrong with downtown San Jose. In the past, San Jose officials have blamed the lack of downtown vibrancy on business cycles and other over simplistic issues such as daytime or nighttime population. The city of San Jose presented its...
Editorial: Use old San Jose City Hall for one-stop homeless services
In a week’s span, two decisions were made that on the surface had absolutely no correlation. Yet in a circuitous way, they did. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted to authorize an additional $1 million to the Vietnamese American Service Center. The center which opened last October is a phenomenal success. The new...
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...
Sandoval: Homeless count data points to some progress, lots of opportunity
When Santa Clara County last month released the preliminary results of the 2022 Point-in-Time Count, we learned that at least 10,028 people are experiencing homelessness in the county. While it appears and feels like homelessness has drastically increased, the data reveals only a slight overall increase in homelessness—3% in the county and an 11% increase...
Collins: Building equity with modern-day mobile homes
Several months ago, I heard a presentation about mobile homes from Franco Perez, a Santa Clara County Association of Realtors member. His presentation really opened my eyes and changed my perception of the amenities a mobile home could provide. I have had family members reside in mobile homes, mostly around the Brentwood area, that were basic in...
Robinson: Goodbye, Norm Mineta
Norman Y. Mineta was the greatest and most successful politician ever to come out of San Jose. Last week, he returned for his last time to San Jose from Washington D.C. Norm’s friends gathered to say goodbye and the tributes of former President Bill Clinton, former CIA Director Leon Panetta, former San Francisco Mayor Willie...
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...
Dewan: Transitional kindergarten is expanding
California has made a critical step forward in the expansion of early education. Transitional kindergarten (TK) has been available for children with fall birthdays since 2011. California is now expanding access to TK so that all California children can benefit. With the 2022-23 school year ahead, all children who turn five between Sept. 2 and...