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Newly unearthed records show a South Bay politician dogged by a recent scandal is the subject of numerous internal complaints for allegedly mistreating workers at a major water district. Eleven internal complaints from Valley Water employees have been filed about board member Gary Kremen since 2018, according to public records obtained by San José Spotlight through...
San Jose mayor eyeing run for Congress, sources say
For several years, Silicon Valley politicos have been clamoring about what’s next for San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo. And with just nine months left in office, the mayor has remained mostly mum—until now. At a California Chamber of Commerce executive board meeting in Half Moon Bay last week, Liccardo let it slip that he’s eyeing a...
How to watch and participate in Santa Clara City Council meetings
One of the easiest ways to get involved in local politics in Santa Clara is to follow and participate in City Council meetings. Here’s how you can watch, learn and make your voice heard at Santa Clara City Council meetings. Also see our guides for San Jose City Council and Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors meetings....
Law group probes complaints at San Jose affordable housing site
Complaints are emerging at a San Jose affordable housing complex—and housing lawyers are taking notice. Attorneys with the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley said several clients face eviction from Renascent Place, a housing site for chronically homeless and disabled people. The law group has heard complaints about property management firm John Stewart Company deactivating room keycards, maintenance workers entering...
San Jose Viet Museum recounts a journey to freedom
Behind one of the world’s largest museum collections dedicated to Vietnamese refugees is a dream of one San Jose man who wishes to keep their stories alive. Tucked in a corner of San Jose History Park, a yellow historic Victorian house is home to the Museum of the Boat People & Republic of Vietnam, where founder...
Seven Silicon Valley candidates net major endorsement
The Santa Clara County Democratic Party has announced its 2022 endorsements for candidates in six city and county races—all of whom recently received support from local labor leaders. The party, which represents more than half a million Democratic voters in Silicon Valley, gave a sole endorsement to Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez in the San...
San Jose businesses share supply chain woes
The supply chain crisis is impacting Silicon Valley businesses, big and small. The San Jose Chamber of Commerce held a breakfast Thursday where business leaders discussed how inflation and COVID-19 have impacted their shops, and shared how over the last two years things have gotten more expensive—and unpredictable. Chamber President Derrick Seaver said it’s complex to pinpoint all...
Santa Clara County sheriff will not seek reelection
After nearly a quarter-century of service, Santa Clara County’s sheriff is calling it quits at the end of the year. Sheriff Laurie Smith told San José Spotlight she does not plan to run for reelection in the June primary. The deadline for entering the race is Friday. There has been widespread speculation about whether Smith...
Silicon Valley residents say state ‘death tax’ should go
An anti-tax movement is working in Silicon Valley and elsewhere in California to gut a law that taxes transfers of inherited property. An estimated 8,000 volunteers for the nonprofit Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association have been collecting signatures across California to put a measure on the November ballot to repeal part of Prop. 19. Approved in...
San Jose libraries want funds to return to pre-pandemic service
San Jose’s budget process has begun, and libraries are hoping to get enough funding to return to pre-pandemic service levels. With an expected surplus this coming fiscal year and an easing of COVID restrictions, the San Jose Public Library Foundation sees it as an opportunity to return to normalcy—at least in terms of budget and operations....