Tensions are rising as a former California lawmaker seeks his old San Jose City Council seat, a position held by his close political ally. Former state Assemblymember Kansen Chu, who at one time represented District 4 in San Jose, and current D4 Councilmember David Cohen both started their political careers roughly two decades ago on...
San Jose councilmembers decry ‘racist’ politics
Two Latino leaders in San Jose want to strengthen free speech protections in the wake of recent political attacks against them. Councilmembers Omar Torres and Peter Ortiz are facing intense criticism from three local groups over comments they made related to city housing policy and unions. The groups include the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors, Premier...
San Jose free food pilot feeds those in need
Residents in affordable housing across San Jose and Palo Alto have access to free food through an effort to prevent food waste and provide support to low-income families. First Community Housing, a nonprofit affordable housing developer, is offering free groceries in a pilot program at Iamesi Village in downtown San Jose and Curtner Studios near Guadalupe Parkway....
Longtime San Jose leader first to enter District 10 race
Longtime government leader and media specialist Lenka Wright is running to represent South San Jose. Wright, a former broadcast journalist turned communications director for Mountain View, is eyeing the District 10 San Jose City Council seat to represent the Almaden and Santa Teresa area. She is the first to announce her candidacy for the 2024 election, although incumbent...
The Biz Beat: Grandmother’s finest Italian dishes in San Jose
There is something remarkable about Italian food. Even in as elegant a setting as Vito’s Trattoria in San Jose, there is an honest heartiness to the cuisine that gives it comfort food status. With recipes handed down from owner George Nobile’s Sicilian grandmother and personalized touches like engraved name plaques displayed at the tables of...
San Jose mayor accused of toxic work environment
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is facing claims of a toxic work environment from ex-employees who say the office is rife with condescension, broken promises and overwork—leading to staff turnover. Since taking office in January, six people have left the mayor’s team of about 25 people, compared to other freshman policymakers who have seen a...
Why don’t all San Jose elected officials pay their interns?
Student interns eagerly enter San Jose City Hall year-round with dreams of launching their political careers, but only some leave with a paycheck. On the 18th floor of city hall, there are currently 66 student interns who work for councilmembers or the mayor—and about 60% are paid for their time. Just seven interns receive hourly pay...
San Jose community college district selects new interim chancellor
The San Jose-Evergreen Community College District has selected a new interim chancellor with decades of experience in the education field who starts this month. The board of trustees unanimously appointed Beatriz Chaidez to the position, where she will succeed former interim chancellor and San José Spotlight columnist, Raúl Rodríguez. Chaidez has nearly 25 years of...
San Jose opens safe parking site for homeless RV dwellers
After months of delay, a safe parking site for homeless residents has opened at the Santa Teresa VTA light rail station in San Jose. The parking lot opened Monday and provides 42 spaces for homeless people living in their vehicles, a slight decrease from the originally planned 45 spaces to allow for commuter cars. Four...
San Jose homeless hotel tenants protest deplorable conditions
Christina Correa was homeless for 11 years before finding temporary housing. She moved into SureStay Hotel in North San Jose one year ago, an environment she said is cockroach infested, peppered with mold and has faucets that spew dirty tap water. She never imagined getting off the streets would put her health at risk. The...