Milestones – Is Becker Bad…or Badgered? – Opinion

Publisher Miles Barber says much of what has befallen Council Member Becker has to do with the connection between Mayor Gillmor and D.A. Rosen.

Councilman Anthony Becker has been set up to go down. Mayor Lisa Gillmor wants him off the council and in jail. What is the crime he committed? He ran against Gillmor for mayor in November and came within one percent of winning. Almost immediately Becker’s life became a living hell. The infamous grand jury report … Read more

Milestones – A Common Sense Council – Opinion

Publisher Miles Barber says common sense displayed by the Santa Clara Council majority helped bring in an experienced leaders to the City.

Do you remember your school days? There were always a few students who were always able to get it right. They were somehow able to connect the dots. You know, they had common sense and used that skill to find the right answers. As a result, they went to the head of the class. Some … Read more

Milestones – A Birthday of Bafflement – Opinion

Publisher Miles Barber worries that the current laws that allow repeat offenders to return to the streets will throw off the community's moral compass.

Salute to America and another memorable birthday and you must wonder, how much longer this can go on? Based on the actions of our governments, state and federal, can we make it for another generation? Given the undercurrent and overt behavior by politicians, both in California and the national scene, you may have some doubts. … Read more

Milestones – Future Fantasies into Fact? – Opinion

Publisher Miles Barber says the current council is turning things around fiscally, now it's time to focus on projects like the swim center and Related.

It is not a fantasy. Santa Clara is in a fiscal fight to rebuild reserves and return sanity to the budget. The millions that Mayor Lisa Gillmor and her majority council wasted on worthless “wants” have been reversed by the current council. While the City is still paying off some of these bungles, they will … Read more

Milestones – Change is Inevitable – Opinion

Publisher Miles Barber wonders what elected City Clerk Hosam Haggag does, considering that the previous council stripped the office of many duties.

What does City Clerk Hosam Haggag do? While the City’s website has a list of activities assigned to the Clerk’s office, what is listed doesn’t necessarily tell the story. The website lists several honors attributed to the Santa Clara City Clerk, but these were awarded during Rod Diridon Jr.’s time in the office. Since Diridon’s … Read more

Milestones – “It’s Time for Change!” – Opinion

Publisher Miles Barber says the City Charter was created decades ago when Santa Clara was a small town, now the City needs a change.

Amazing, isn’t it? There are residents who are still fighting the existence of Levi’s Stadium and the SF 49ers. This is despite the national notoriety of Levi’s hosting Super Bowl 50, the 49ers and their winning seasons, and celebrity events that residents are still talking about. Add to this the selection of Levi’s for Super … Read more

Milestones – “Excess Abuse?” – Opinion

Publisher Miles Barber calls out District Attorney Jeff Rosen for prosecuting Council Member Anthony Becker while allowing criminals to go free.

The current wave of lawlessness is changing our country and not necessarily for the better. It’s our own fault. We voted for this. Yes, it was cleverly slipped into one of those bills we voted for a few years ago called the Safe Schools and Neighborhoods Act. It sounded good, looked good and yet paved … Read more

Milestones – Power to the People! – Opinion

Santa Clara is known for cheap electricity and that attracts businesses, but Publisher Miles Barber asks if some businesses are paying less than others.

There are always issues and that’s the nature of business, politics and life. Even something as popular as the city owned electric company isn’t free from thorny issues, though they may be less obvious. On the outside, residents benefit. Because the City owns its power company, Santa Clara provides electric power to residents at a … Read more

Milestones – Levi’s is Alive! – Opinion

Santa Clara doesn't just receive money for the general fund for events at Levi's Stadium, it also receives money that goes into a demolition fund.

It’s not the days and nights it sits empty that makes Levi’s one of the best stadiums in the country. It’s the events that fill its 65,000 seats. It is one of the best venues anywhere to view football, soccer or a special celebrity event. Sell out performances have produced record crowds and record revenues … Read more

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