Political news, Local politics and government news reporting in Santa Clara and Sunnyvale.
Best Use of City Assets Always a Changing Target, With Several Possibilities for Soccer Park Relocation Remember the story of Chicken Little who got eaten by a fox when she was so busy looking for the falling sky that she failed to notice the real threat? Santa Clara City Council Member Lisa Gillmor wants to … Read more
Right now, no one can confirm whether the City of Santa Clara or the Santa Clara County owns the Northside Library at 695 Moreland Way. But ever since Santa Clara County issued a temporary restraining order to require that the city stop construction of the library, Santa Clara residents have been campaigning to open the … Read more
For anyone questioning the relevance of the “boring” details of legislation to everyday life, last week’s City Council meeting provided an illustrative lesson. About half the business of the one-and-a-half hour meeting addressed issues that were created by ABx26, the 2011 law shutting down California’s half-century redevelopment program. RDA Dissolution Delivers Win for Lawyers Regardless … Read more
At the Sept. 12 meeting, the Council voted 5-2, with Council Members Debi Davis and Pat Mahan dissenting, to allow Santa Clara-based SiliconSage Builders to go forward with a significantly redesigned 13-unit Newhall Terrace condominium project at the corner of Saratoga Ave. and Newhall St. Originally presented in early July, the project consists of 1,200 … Read more
Residents who would like to contribute to the quality of life in the City of Santa Clara are encouraged to apply to serve on any of the City’s commissions or committees. Residents may place their names on a list to be contacted whenever an opening occurs. To be placed on the database maintained by the … Read more
The good news at last week’s City Council meeting was that fourth quarter financials show the Santa Clara Convention Center revenues are $1.4 million over budget. Year-end profit is projected at $1 million over budget. The City will be applying for $2.4 million in 2013-2016 federal Surface Transportation Program (STP)/Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement … Read more
K-9 Ivo Retires After Nearly 7 Years on the Force Last week’s City Council Meeting recognized the retirement of a member of what is perhaps Santa Clara’s most beloved public safety unit. K-9 Ivo, who joined the force in 2006, is going to a well-deserved retirement with his partner Mike Horn, who recently took a … Read more
Democratic Club Honors Local Women Making a Difference Next Saturday afternoon, at its 32nd “Women Making a Difference” Celebration, the Santa Clara County Democratic Club will honor three women with special ties to the City of Santa Clara: Bill Wilson Center Executive Director Sparky Harlan, Ulistac Natural Area Restoration and Education Project (UNAREP) coordinator and … Read more
It was a picture-perfect California summer Sunday. But instead of enjoying a lazy afternoon on the beach or a pickup volleyball game in the park, 200 local residents turned out to protest the actions of county officials to halt work on the nearly completed Northside Library. “The outpouring of support shows how much the community … Read more
Santa Clara’s Northside Library isn’t the only casualty of the unwinding of California redevelopment. In Milpitas, school, public park and low-income senior housing projects have been delayed by controversy about RDA assets. That city also had to layoff its Parks & Recreation Director, a 23-year city employee. Riverside County had to lay off 36 employees. … Read more