Milestones – The Making of a “Criminal” – Opinion

Publisher Miles Barber says District Attorney Jeff Rosen is abusing his power and persecuting Anthony Becker all in the name of politics.

About two years ago I wrote in this column that Santa Clara District Attorney Jeff Rosen never met a criminal he didn’t like. This has become the understatement of journalism. Now we know what he saves his fire power for: persecuting people who don’t have the money to fight back. As though there are not … Read more

Milestones – Farewell Good Friend! – Opinion

Publisher Miles Barber remembers the life and legacy of former city manager and Santa Clara resident Don Von Raesfeld Sr.

Every Santa Claran can be thankful for the talent, expertise, vision and innovation of former City Manager Don Von Raesfeld. He passed away last week while in church. While Santa Clara was just getting its training wheels, Don Von was thinking and asking, “Why not Santa Clara?” Because of his foresight, he envisioned Santa Clara … Read more

Milestones – Pull Back the Curtain! – Opinion

Publisher Miles Barber says Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor has mastered the art of illusion and deception in her role as City leader.

Ever notice that some things are not quite what they appear to be? This is the root of all magic. Deception is the primary objective. What you see and what you think you see is the intent of the magician. Deception is performed with skill. Even simple tricks can be fascinating and the better the … Read more

Milestones – What was, is no more! – Opinion

Publisher Miles Barber laments the fall of the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce and how the lack of management has damaged the Convention Center.

Santa Clara’s one-time humming Chamber of Commerce has fallen from stardom to humdrum. You might remember the enthusiasm emanating from the Chamber building on Warburton and Scott. The Santa Clara Chamber had worked with the City for years. They were a major force and contribution to the building of the Convention Center. Initially blossoming from … Read more

Milestones – Sanity Returns! – Opinion

Publisher Miles Barber says it's time for someone to step in and truly represent the people of the Northside instead of always agreeing with the Mayor.

When voters said they endured enough of the rogue actions of Mayor Lisa Gillmor and her council majority, voters responded. Residents were riled up and decided they were not going to take any more dumb decisions. Voters changed the dynamic in Santa Clara and the drain on our City budget where the plug was pulled … Read more

Milestones – Loose Law is a Loser! – Opinion

Publisher Miles Barber says AB 44 isn't keep neighborhoods as safe as it promises it too, in fact, it's making things worse.

Law, order and justice have been the hallmark of America’s success for more than 200 years. While there have been blips and slips in the application of law over the years, there has never been a time that law has been disregarded…until now. Some states, including California, have passed laws to cripple the concepts of … Read more

Milestones – The Santa Clara Way – Opinion

Publisher Miles Barber calls for a return to the "Santa Clara Way," where common sense reigns and the City is more important any one individual.

Santa Clara has to be thankful for the City Council majority that has returned sanity to the budget, the council and weekly decisions. It is frightening to think where the City could be if the Gillmor majority had continued to spend without boundaries. It is a puzzle in the minds of many as to how Santa … Read more

Milestones – Taxpayers Will Bail Out the Mayor! – Opinion

Publisher Miles Barber points out that several years later, David's is still closed and Related hasn't started development on the City's Northside.

You may recall the runaway railroad of the Gillmor council just a few years ago. Down was up, up was down and money was never a consideration (as long as it was City funds). The decisions being made defied gravity, common sense or economic sanity. Now the City is paying the bill for these questionable … Read more

Milestones – Needed Now! – Opinion

Publisher Miles Barber writes that in the time of food delivery apps and the ability to travel into space, speedy election results should come easier.

You just have to ask. More than that, you want an answer that is more than the double talk that spills off the lips of officials like syrup from a bottle. The question is: “Why does it take days or even weeks to calculate the elected winner of a public election?” It’s not just national … Read more

Milestones – The Last Gift! – Opinion

Publisher Miles Barber calls on politicians to implement more common sense as inflation rises, layoffs increase and housing prices sag.

Sorry, and I just don’t get it. Let’s see. Prices on most everything like groceries, gas and good times are over the top. Local companies are laying off employees like they are anathema, housing prices are sagging and our 401ks have tanked. And we are being told by the government that everything is just fine. … Read more