Several San Jose city union representatives fear that city leaders will be beholden to political agendas if a ballot measure in November expands the authority of Mayor Sam Liccardo. That measure, which last month was narrowly advanced in a 6-5 vote, would give the mayor the ability to hire and fire the city manager and would allow...
Alum Rock community demand answers after DA Jeff Rosen declines to charge contractor
Community leaders on Monday demanded an explanation for why criminal charges won’t be filed against a contractor accused of mismanaging millions of dollars and violating the law while under contract with the Alum Rock Union School District. Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen announced last week he wouldn’t pursue legal action against Del Terra...
As country grapples with racism, activists renew call for justice in SJSU killing
In the early fall 2008, Gregory Johnson Jr. could be found riding around the San Jose State University campus on his longboard, going from his classes to his job as a personal trainer at Bally’s Total Fitness nearby. He was an exemplary student, excelling in his classes and on the school’s wrestling team. He aspired...
San Jose residents receive fireworks warnings in error — again
As San Jose residents blasted their way through an arsenal of fireworks on July 4, Charlie Murray was frustrated. The explosions rattled his Blossom Valley home and caused his 4-year-old Golden Labrador — Brody — to cower and whimper in terror. The next morning Murray spotted a bit of chalky ash on his daughter’s car...
After years of debate, San Jose releases study on commercial development fees
For years advocates have demanded Silicon Valley charge high-tech office developers fees to fund affordable housing. And now San Jose has taken the first step by releasing its first study on commercial linkage fees. A commercial linkage fee is paid by developers of new commercial development to fund affordable housing. The fees, which are based on...
San Jose nonprofits say city hasn’t coughed up money for free meals
As the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated hunger in San Jose, nonprofit food distributors say city leaders have stalled on reimbursing their costs to supply food to the South Bay’s most vulnerable residents. Nonprofit executives say demand for food has tripled since the pandemic shuttered businesses and slashed jobs in mid-March following Santa Clara County’s shelter-in-place order....
San Jose is losing its top communications official amid the pandemic
When Rosario Neaves became the face of San Jose in 2017, the city grappled with sharp criticism and fallout from a failure to communicate amid massive flooding nine months earlier. Neaves was given an important task from her boss, City Manager Dave Sykes. “His challenge to me was to modernize our communications approach so we...
From Fallon to Quetzalcoatl: San Jose statues, monuments tell a complicated story
As the controversial likeness of Thomas Fallon sits atop his horse northwest of Downtown San Jose, some are hoping he joins the list of toppled statues across the country. More than a dozen protesters marched Tuesday from Fallon’s historic house to the statue, at the intersection of West St. James and Julian streets. Against the...
Newly-approved San Jose police union contract leaves door open for changes
Despite calls for increased accountability and defunding of the police department, the San Jose City Council extended its contract with the Police Officers’ Association for another year with no changes — at least for now. “The conversation has to continue,” said Councilmember Raul Peralez, who is himself a reserve police officer. It was not necessary...
San Jose police killings leave taxpayers footing a ‘blank check’
For the families of more than a dozen people killed by San Jose police since 2003, the cost of losing a life is immeasurable. But the financial cost of police killings in San Jose lies on the shoulders of taxpayers. A public records request from San José Spotlight revealed police killings have cost the city’s...