A year ago, one of San Jose’s most powerful city commissions had a majority of white people on it. Today, the San Jose Planning Commission is led by two Latinx commissioners — with a woman in the top spot as chair. It is believed to be the first time in the commission’s history that two...
Calls to defund San Jose police intensify after racist Facebook posts exposed
Four San Jose police officers are on administrative leave after being linked to a private Facebook group rife with bigoted and racist comments, but South Bay community leaders say that’s not enough. The racism will not go away simply by firing or disciplining the officers who posted on the page, said Raj Jayadev, co-founder of...
How a seven year fight to save a San Jose trestle ended
A steel bridge stored in Colorado may soon cross over Los Gatos Creek in San Jose’s Willow Glen neighborhood, replacing the nearly 100-year-old railroad structure a crew began demolishing this week. “It will be connected by fall – even if it is not paved,” said Councilmember Dev Davis. A band of preservationists fought for seven...
San Jose libraries face $1 million budget cut
The San Jose Public Library will lose more than $1 million in the upcoming budget year, leading to reduced hours and the elimination of dozens of full and part-time positions. The move came in response to the city’s request to scale back on expenses due to the budget shortfall dealt by the coronavirus pandemic. “We...
San Jose police officers removed from East Side district campuses
The San Jose Police Department will not patrol East Side high school campuses for the foreseeable future. Following a June 11 resolution supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, East Side Union High School District Superintendent Chris Funk recommended Thursday that officers be removed from schools in the upcoming school year. “I felt like it was...
After two decades, San Jose City Attorney Rick Doyle is retiring
For two decades, San Jose City Attorney Rick Doyle navigated the law through a recession, violent protests at City Hall and a full-scale transition to Zoom meetings because of the coronavirus. Now he plans to retire. He was at the helm when pension reform emptied out the police department and resulted in countless union-led lawsuits. He was there...
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo unveils host of police accountability reforms
Mayor Sam Liccardo presented a nine-point proposal for reforming the San Jose Police Department Wednesday, striving to initiate tangible changes to how the city’s more than a million residents are policed in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis. The mayor’s vision includes unsealing arbitration files that allow fired officers to keep their badges,...
UPDATE: San Jose leaders advance ballot measure for strong mayor system, campaign finance reform
Despite criticism about a lack of public input, a San Jose council committee Wednesday advanced a proposal from Mayor Sam Liccardo to expand the powers of his office. The unanimous decision means the San Jose City Council next week will consider asking 2020 voters to decide whether the mayor should have more power in city...
Downtown task force pushes San Jose to help businesses survive post-coronavirus
Downtown San Jose community leaders this week gave city officials a to-do list to help the groups limping back to an economic equilibrium following the coronavirus shutdown. The nine recommendations, compiled by a 40-person coalition of downtown business, arts and community organizations, ask officials to create a new marketing program, extend free parking in the...
San Jose lawmakers extend eviction moratorium, expand Wi-Fi hotspots
As the county’s shelter-in-place order extends into its third month and many industries remain closed, San Jose lawmakers extended an eviction moratorium Tuesday to help renters facing hardship from the COVID-19 pandemic. The City Council voted unanimously to extend an eviction moratorium until Aug. 31 for tenants who cannot afford to pay rent because of income loss...