The San Jose City Council is grappling with scores of pressing issues, but with little time and limited resources, lawmakers each year must decide which priorities to push forward. Following hours of pitching policy proposals they consider the most imperative for the city’s progress, elected leaders on Tuesday voted to add seven new policies to...
Marshall Woodmansee works to motivate young people on his way to the ballot
Marshall Woodmansee may be the youngest person running for City Council in San Jose, but he speaks with the confidence of someone who has spent years thinking about issues facing the South Bay city. The 19-year-old District 6 native has run one of the most grassroots campaigns in the race so far. He hasn’t locked...
Lofgren: Sylvia Arenas is a clear choice for San Jose City Council
I hope Evergreen voters will re-elect Sylvia Arenas. I’ve found that District 8 residents and families can count on her at City Hall. Your choice will help shape the direction of our city. She is focused on the needs of families and neighborhoods. I’ve been impressed by Sylvia. She provides a strongly needed moral voice...
Jake Tonkel focuses on inequality in bid to represent San Jose’s District 6
Jake Tonkel is crossing his fingers that he can trade his biomedical engineering job making heart valves and surgical devices for one at San Jose City Hall. The 29-year-old announced his run for office in July, challenging District 6 incumbent Dev Davis, who was elected in 2016 with nearly 54 percent of the vote. Tonkel...
From equity to blight and guns: San Jose lawmakers outline new priorities
With limited resources and time, the San Jose City Council each year must decide where its priorities fall. On Tuesday, the lawmakers will duel on which policy proposals they consider imperative for the city’s growth and progress. Since 2011, lawmakers have crafted a high-priority list of policy initiatives to steer the direction of the city’s...
Jonathan Fleming highlights his tough-on-crime approach
San Jose City Council hopeful Jonathan Fleming wants District 2 voters to know he’s nothing like the incumbent, Sergio Jimenez. “It’s like night and day,” said Fleming, a mechanical engineer and data-driven defense government contractor. “What’s happening with our current policies are not working.” The Republican turned Independent, born again Republican said he’s eager to...
Amid spiking gun violence, Santa Clara County announces new gun team
Given an increase in gun violence in Santa Clara County, officials on Monday announced a new law enforcement team tasked with removing firearms from people with domestic violence and temporary restraining orders. The county’s Board of Supervisors is expected to approve funding for two members of the special 5-member team at its meeting on Tuesday. Officials held a news conference...
Sergio Jimenez will tackle homelessness, crime as he seeks re-election
Sergio Jimenez remembers playing on the corner of Checkers Drive and McKee Road in East San Jose in front of the El Rancho Verde apartments that were his childhood home. He watched as helicopters circled his neighborhood at night, lights flickering above as the sound of police sirens wailed. Jimenez slept on the living room...
Santa Clara County unveils new voting machines ahead of primary election
For the first time in nearly two decades, Santa Clara County is overhauling its voting system and county officials last week unveiled new voting machines that officials say are more efficient and secure. The new machines are part of a larger plan to implement the Voter’s Choice Act in Santa Clara County, making voting easier...
Barron: Vote for candidates who address root causes of homelessness
With the March elections on the horizon, City Council candidates are working hard to solicit votes by appealing to the chronic issues facing the residents of San Jose. Appropriately, a key talking point across the various districts is homelessness, which intensifies with each passing year. However, candidates continue to whitewash the root causes of homelessness....