A record number of women across the nation ran for political office last year – many first-time candidates – and despite some gender discrimination, the “pink wave” swept four women into top elected offices here in Silicon Valley. Newly-elected county Supervisor Susan Ellenberg remembers how empowered she felt watching Hillary Clinton’s concession speech after the 2016 election....
Liccardo not worried about Newsom’s threat to withhold funding
Mayor Sam Liccardo isn’t rattled by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s threat to withhold money from cities that fail to build enough housing — despite San Jose falling short of its housing production goals. Liccardo said he was “all in” to support the governor’s ambitious housing development goals. “We’ve been begging for these kinds of carrots and...
New Silicon Valley Community Foundation CEO focused on rebuilding
While many in Silicon Valley recall the scandal of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Nicole Taylor, the foundation’s new chief executive, is ready to turn a new leaf. Taylor replaces former Silicon Valley Community Foundation CEO Emmett Carson, after he resigned following claims of misconduct by a top foundation executive, Mary Ellen Loijens. Loijens resigned...
San Jose council debates Coyote Valley with developers, environmentalists
Coyote Valley – the 7,000 acres of mostly undeveloped land in south San Jose – has been a topic of contention for city planners for decades. And it was no different at Tuesday’s San Jose City Council study session. City Manager David Sykes called the issue a “balancing act” as councilmembers looked toward experts to...
Struggling seniors hit hard by Silicon Valley housing crisis
When Manny Escarega began caring for his ailing mother six years ago, the 57-year-old moved into her home and was forced to put his search for employment on hold. But when she died, his brother rented the house to strangers, leaving an unemployed Escarega to fend for himself on the streets. Six years later and...
Outgoing San Jose Councilman Tam Nguyen to keep working on housing issues
Ousted San Jose City Councilman Tam Nguyen isn’t planning to disappear now that his one term on the council is over. In a recent interview with San José Spotlight, Nguyen said he plans to continue working on finding solutions to issues like affordable housing and homelessness as a community member. Nguyen, 62, lost his bid...
“Stand up, fight back”: Women’s March takes over downtown San Jose
From City Hall to Arena Green, thousands took to the streets of San Jose over the weekend to shout their support for women — in their communities, in America and around the world. They brought signs, drums, water, food and demands. The third-annual Women’s March San Jose, organized by nonprofit Women’s March Bay Area, began...
Don Rocha outlines vision for Dave Cortese’s office
As he takes the reins of Supervisor Dave Cortese’s office, former San Jose Councilman Don Rocha says he’ll focus on bolstering Santa Clara County finances in the face of potential cuts in federal funding to a county that’s boldly led the resistance against Donald Trump. “No one knows what the White House or Congress is...
New San Jose police watchdog details plans to expand oversight duties
Shivaun Nurre is coming into the job of San Jose Independent Police Auditor with a vision to expand the duties of the office, months after her predecessor resigned amid a high-profile fight with San Jose’s police union. But Nurre, 58, leads the office at a critical time — police officers across the country and in...
Cannabis panel discusses removing barriers, ending the war on drugs
Councilwoman Magdalena Carrasco’s vision for cannabis businesses in San Jose focuses on righting the wrongs. For decades, residents in the east San Jose district have been victims of the country’s war on drugs. Now she wants to change that with an equity program. “The way that I see this is what a tragic point in...