Opinion is Silicon Valley’s online newspaper and the official publication of the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce. It provides news, events, and commentary on business, technology, culture, and quality of life in the Valley.
So what’s new in Santa Clara? The first thing that comes to mind is that City Manager Jovan Grogan has brought order to City Council business. If you haven’t been watching or attending City Council meetings, it’s okay. Take my word for it. Council was awake and acting on our behalf when they selected Grogan … Read more
Over ten years ago, Mayor Lisa Gillmor and her council majority negotiated a deal with the Related Companies to develop Santa Clara’s 230-acre golf course. The “vision” promoted by Related was a magnificent retail and commercial center to rival Santana Row. One of the arrangements, we infer, was for the City to remove David’s Restaurant, … Read more
Get ready, Santa Clara, because you are about to become the “almost was” entertainment capital of the South Bay. We have finally gotten clarity on Related Companies’ long-awaited public district in the city’s Northside, and it will undoubtedly make Santa Clara original. What will we have that Historic Murphy Avenue, San Jose’s San Pedro Square … Read more
In April 1999, Congress designated May as National Military Appreciation Month—a time to honor the sacrifices of service members, veterans, and their families. Genuine appreciation, however, goes beyond ceremonies. It also means acknowledging the health risks they face due to environmental toxic exposures, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. For decades, the military used hazardous … Read more
In its search for tax revenue, the Santa Clara City Council has explored new, old and now an untried idea to raise funds for city operations and salaries. Here’s something that would be new for Santa Clara: How about we install parking meters throughout the city? Hmmm … when considered on the surface it sounds … Read more
My childhood growing up in Santa Clara was probably typical of many other innocent childhoods. At Pomeroy Elementary School, my classmates came in all shapes, sizes, and abilities: small, big, short, tall, skinny, fat, smart, dim, academic, artistic, and athletic. Among my schoolmates were boys and girls having family origins in Mexico, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, … Read more
California is touted now as the nation’s largest economy and also the most populous state. If you look at the headlines, you would think our state is booming. Is doing well good enough? When you read the fine print of the state budget, it has ballooned to a whopping 300 billion dollars. Governor Gavin Newsom … Read more
If you’ve been following the news, you know there are a few issues that need correction in our Golden State. Starting with our not-so-golden budget, which is “balanced” annually with Olympic-level financial gymnastics. Here are a few more that have cost Californians money and reduced our quality of life. Do you recall the ballot measure … Read more
Rotary Park is a neighborhood playground located a block from Santa Clara City Hall. For decades, it has served hundreds of neighbors and their children. However, age has taken its toll, leading to the need for some work and a facelift. Santa Clara Rotary Club, under the leadership of former Assistant Chief of Police and … Read more
Right or wrong, agree or disagree, common sense or no sense, if your thinking matches up with the majority, you are the winner. Conversely, being in the minority becomes, by default, the loser. California has a history of being on the winning side of creativity. However, like the Roman Empire, the Golden State has lost its … Read more