Tom Beddingfield prides himself in being a yes man. In the funeral industry, it’s a must: With families grieving, the last thing some families want to hear is no. “In all the years I’ve been doing this, my biggest thing that I’ve always told my staff is that never tell a family no, whatever their...
Santa Clara County blames COVID-19 for not fulfilling public records requests
Santa Clara County is refusing to release records related to COVID-19 because “it is not in the public interest” for county employees to divert their time from the pandemic to collect and review public documents. But government watchdog groups say that excuse is unacceptable. County officials have a legal obligation to fulfill requests under the...
VTA faces a sea of change, tough recruitment process following Fernandez’s departure
Transit experts say it could be months before Valley Transportation Authority selects a permanent leader to replace former CEO and general manager Nuria Fernandez — who recently left her post to join the Biden administration. Following Fernandez’s Jan. 19 resignation, local leaders foresee an uncertain future for VTA and possible changes in transit initiatives across...
Valley Water directors move ahead with Pacheco Pass dam as price skyrockets
Valley Water leaders are moving forward with developing a new dam at Pacheco Pass in south Santa Clara County, despite recently learning that the price tag had doubled since 2019. “It seems to me that the directors of the water district need to take every extreme measure we can find to continue this project, moving...
San Jose AAPI leaders decry lack of representation in Biden’s Cabinet picks
President Joe Biden’s administration has already broken barriers: Biden brings with him the first Black and Asian American vice president and a host of other firsts in his Cabinet. But for the first time in more than 20 years, the incoming president — one who promised the most diverse Cabinet in history — will not...
San Jose school district accused of hiring allegedly shady contractor
A labor watchdog organization is accusing the San Jose Unified School District of hiring contractors and subcontractors that allegedly skirted California labor laws. The labor watchdog Foundation for Fair Contracting wrote letters to district Superintendent Nancy Albarrán in December accusing Glendora-based California Commercial Pools Inc., a contracting firm, of failing to comply with the state’s skilled and...
San Jose’s only Black administrator is breaking barriers in a male-dominated world
As a child, San Jose’s Planning Director Rosalynn Hughey was fascinated by her father’s work. He was a contractor, who built single-family homes from the ground up. She watched in envy as her brothers tagged along to help him create. This was the ’70s and Hughey was a girl — girls, at least in her...
San Jose advocates call Biden’s immigration plan unjust
As President Joe Biden was inaugurated at the nation’s Capitol, San Jose residents gathered to demand legal status for the country’s 11 million undocumented residents. “What do we want?” they shouted. “Papers! When do we want them? Now!” Local advocates since November have pressed the Biden administration to prioritize comprehensive immigration reform, including a pathway to...
San Jose lights up landmarks to remember COVID-19 victims
Five of San Jose’s most recognizable landmarks lit up in a warm amber light Tuesday night to honor the lives lost to COVID-19. The remembrance was part of a national movement as part of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. The sites included San Jose City Hall, Earthquakes Stadium,...
City survey: What do you want to ask San Jose’s next police chief?
San Jose is one step closer to selecting a new police chief and wants to hear from residents about what to ask the finalists. The city is hosting a forum Jan. 30 to ask the candidates questions submitted by residents. “Given the heightened scrutiny on policing this year and the need for strong leadership that...