Editor’s Note: This article is part of a San José Spotlight series examining the newest San Jose councilmembers and their first six months in office. A drive-by shooting at an elementary school can change the course of students’ lives. For San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres, it sparked a dedication to community organizing. At 14, Torres witnessed the...
San Jose worker strike looms while council goes on recess
Months of tense negotiations between city staff and union leaders have reached an impasse, with two large worker contracts expiring as the San Jose City Council enters a July recess. Contracts for the two unions—IFPTE Local 21 and MEF-AFSCME Local 101—expired June 30, leaving more than 4,500 city employees in limbo with more than 1,000...
San Jose officials crack down on illegal fireworks
Citing the dangers of illegal fireworks, San Jose city leaders and first responders are urging residents to leave Fourth of July fireworks to the professionals and are cracking down on violators. At a news conference last week, Mayor Matt Mahan said people caught selling fireworks will face up to a $15,000 fine and potential jail...
San Jose housing advocate jumps into District 6 council race
Alex Shoor began working in San Jose city politics more than a decade ago. Now, he’s moving his political agenda forward by running for office. Shoor, executive director of Catalyze SV, an organization that works with residents and community leaders on transportation and housing solutions, is running for the San Jose City Council District 6...
The first six months: San Jose Councilmember Arjun Batra
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a San José Spotlight series examining the newest San Jose councilmembers and their first six months in office. San Jose Councilmember Arjun Batra is new to politics and said he doesn’t think like a politician — but that’s what he feels is his best asset. Batra’s background doesn’t include the...
Meet Santa Clara County’s new top boss
While middle schoolers read books by Judy Blume, James Williams read federal budgets. Decades later he’s reading multibillion dollar budgets for Santa Clara County as he takes the helm as its new CEO and executive director. Williams steps into the role this month after serving as county counsel and former deputy county executive for a...
San Jose leaders back legislation for speed cameras
Over the last several years San Jose has watched its traffic fatalities in the city increase exponentially. Now city officials are banking on a state bill to move those numbers downward. In an effort to lower fatalities, city leaders are supporting Assembly Bill 645, which would establish a pilot program for speed safety cameras in San...
San Jose official’s stay in homeless shelter exposes reality
When San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres was challenged to sleep in a homeless shelter, he responded by staying at two different sites. Former homeless resident Sketch Oppie invited the entire city council to experience staying in a shelter to help them understand why allocating dollars to affordable housing is the better long-term solution to homelessness. While other councilmembers...
The first six months: San Jose Councilmember Domingo Candelas
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a San José Spotlight series examining the newest San Jose councilmembers and their first six months in office. District 8 San Jose Councilmember Domingo Candelas hasn’t moved far from his Evergreen childhood home. Growing up in the Brigadoon neighborhood in southeast San Jose, the freshman councilmember attended Evergreen Valley High School...
Affordable housing to be built by San Jose transit center
VTA is beginning work on a new housing development to boost the Santa Clara County transit agency’s revenue. This time it will be 100% affordable housing. The agency will use an empty lot next to the Berryessa Transit Center in San Jose to build 195 affordable apartments after signing a contract with Affirmed Housing Group last...