A sign telling motorists they’re entering Little Saigon in San Jose is close to being installed — with a fresh stamp of approval from local leaders. But it still needs a final sign-off from lawmakers in Sacramento. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution in support of a state...
San Jose homeless residents rally against looming sweep
Homeless residents living in Columbus Park staged a protest against next Monday’s encampment sweep which will displace hundreds of people. More than four dozen community activists and unhoused residents marched from St. James Park in downtown to City Hall on Tuesday, chanting “community engagement not abatement” and “homelessness is not a crime, folks are trying...
Santa Clara County selects interim assessor ahead of election
As candidates race to replace former Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone, one of Stone’s trusted assistants is temporarily helming the office. The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved Greg Monteverde, an assistant assessor under Stone for seven years, as acting assessor until the Nov. 4 special election determines a successor to fill the...
Miller: The real reason San Jose officials love digital billboards
Billboards are signs advertising products and services not available at the sign’s location. Such in-your-face advertising was justifiably banned on public property in San Jose for 46 years before the City Council in 2018 revoked that ban with limited public knowledge or approval. Last February, the council approved the first of several giant digital billboards,...
Trump’s efforts to end homeless camps put Newsom in political bind
As President Donald Trump tries to radically reduce the presence of homeless people on the streets of the District of Columbia, Democrats are grappling with how to respond given their party’s rightward shift on the issue. One of the highest-profile Democrats who has pushed his party in this direction is Gov. Gavin Newsom, who earlier...
Ex-Santa Clara official’s personal devices remain in custody
It’s been more than two years since former Santa Clara Councilmember Anthony Becker’s home was raided as part of a perjury investigation against him. Though he was found guilty last year, he still hasn’t gotten back his belongings taken in the raid. A July 29 motion filed in court by Deputy Public Defender Christopher Montoya,...
San Jose mayor signals doubt on county sales tax measure
Santa Clara County’s three-month sprint to raise sales taxes could stage a showdown between one of California’s most progressive Board of Supervisors and one of the state’s most centrist Democrats. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has declined to state his position on Santa Clara County’s proposed five-eighths cent sales tax increase measure, which county supervisors...
San Jose’s newest councilmember sworn into office
San Jose’s newest elected representative took office at the City Council meeting Tuesday — marking a new chapter for District 3 whose prior leader is behind bars. Councilmember Anthony Tordillos took the oath of office — and his seat on the dais alongside his 10 colleagues — following applause from an audience celebrating the former...
San Jose mayor teams with county supervisor to improve public safety
Two Silicon Valley officials are teaming up in an effort to help homeless and drug addicted residents who they said are scaring and attacking people living in downtown San Jose. At a town hall meeting Friday, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and Santa Clara County District 2 Supervisor Betty Duong, who’s district encompasses the downtown,...
San Jose mayor leads search for city attorney replacement
San Jose’s city attorney plans to retire later this year — and Mayor Matt Mahan is quietly leading the search for the next top lawyer to help advise and defend new city policies. City Hall sources, who asked for anonymity to speak freely, told San José Spotlight Mahan’s office is narrowing down a field of...