Silicon Valley voters this November will cast ballots in one of the region’s most consequential elections: From deciding who to send to Washington to a historic county supervisorial election, there is no shortage of major decisions up and down the ballot.
Robert Mezzetti, 4th-generation Santa Claran, seeks seat on City Council
Having resided in Santa Clara for more than 50 years, and a fourth generation Santa Claran, Robert Mezzetti touts his roots and commitment to the city. He says he is running for a seat on the Santa Clara City Council to safeguard the city he loves. Mezzetti did not respond to interview requests. On his...
New tax data platform fuels Prop. 15 debate in South Bay
Proposition 15, one of the most highly-contested issues on the ballot, has given hope to those who believe it will eventually lead to changes in how residential property taxed. The measure, if approved, would require commercial and industrial properties to be taxed based on their market value rather than the price at which they were purchased....
Pro-business Gary Barve wants to ‘Make Santa Clara Great’ as councilmember
Gautam “Gary” Barve’s baseball cap gives a hint about what makes him tick. Although his education and work experience are in the high-tech industry, Barve said Donald Trump fuels his passion for politics. “I began to realize while working in technology that it wasn’t giving meaning to my life,” Barve said. “Having a bold vision...
Silicon Valley Organization CEO resigns as nonprofits line up to cut ties
The CEO of The Silicon Valley Organization, Matt Mahood, resigned as eight prominent South Bay nonprofit groups announced they are cutting ties with the influential business group. “I am very sorry for the completely unacceptable image that was put up on our website earlier this week,” Mahood said in announcing his resignation. “That image and...
Furor builds over racist post by San Jose business group
A chorus of community leaders gathered at San Jose City Hall to express their outrage over a racist image posted on the website of The Silicon Valley Organization and demanded politicians backed by the group return campaign donations. “We stand here today to condemn the racist actions of The SVO and to call on all...
Anthony Becker seeks to bring millennial perspective to Santa Clara City Council District 6
Anthony Becker stops to write a personal note before dropping off his flyer at a home, addressing the residents by name and asking them to vote. When someone opens the door in answer to his knock, he perks up. “Hi, I’m Anthony Becker. I’m running for City Council,” he says. “I’d love to get your...
Silicon Valley Organization CEO Matt Mahood placed on leave as board members quit
Silicon Valley Organization President and CEO Matt Mahood has been placed on an administrative leave, one day after the organization came under fire for a racist image posted on its website. “A qualified third-party investigator has been engaged to conduct a top down investigation to determine how and why such an image was posted,” Madison...
What if your ballot is rejected? Santa Clara County extends time to correct errors
When Santa Clara County resident Scott Brown mailed in his ballot Oct. 8, he said the Registrar of Voters notified him the next day that it had been received. But two days later, he was told there was a problem. “They looked it up and said, ‘Yeah, your signature doesn’t match,’” Brown said. “I’ve done...
San Jose councilmember denounces ‘racist’ message from backer targeting her opponent
The fight over a San Jose City Council seat has taken an ugly turn, the latest controversy involving the Silicon Valley Organization as it fights to defeat progressive candidate Jake Tonkel. On its website, the business organization posted — then later deleted — a black-and-white image of Black people in what appears to be a...
South Bay Latinas target Prop. 15 ads, call them misinformation
San Jose’s Latina leaders denounced a string of “No on Prop. 15” Spanish-language social media ads that they say use scare tactics and spread misinformation. Prop. 15 would require commercial and industrial properties worth more than $3 million to pay property tax based on their current market value rather than on the purchase price. An...