“We’ve always done it this way” is the principal argument being offered for retaining Santa Clara’s system of electing police chiefs and requiring no qualifications beyond living in the city, graduating from high school and four years of law enforcement experience. But we haven’t always done it this way. Further, the way we do it … Read more
One of the biggest issues facing the City of Santa Clara on the March 5 is Measure B – a ballot measure designed to change the City’s Charter and make the position of police chief appointed by the city manager instead of the current system in which the chief is elected. Because this is a … Read more
The trio that sued Santa Clara over the text of a ballot measure on appointing the city’s police chief — Measure B — got coal in their Christmas stocking this week when Santa Clara Superior Court Judge Thomas Kuhnle denied their eleventh-hour request to change the ballot text. The petitioners brought their case on Dec. … Read more
The 2023 Santa Clara Charter review committee wrapped up its work on Oct. 17, finalizing its recommendation for two ballot measures to change the positions of city clerk and police chief to appointments by the city manager from the present election system. If the city council approves the recommendation, the measures to change the city … Read more
At its third meeting on Sept. 14, the 2023 Santa Clara Charter Review Committee heard from Los Gatos appointed City Clerk Wendy Wood and retired Mountain View Police Chief Max Bosel. The committee asked both speakers if they ever felt intimidated by the fact that they could be fired at any moment. Santa Clara City … Read more
Santa Clara has released a citywide survey to help the 2023 Charter Review Committee make an informed decision about whether or not to change the city charter in regard to how the City selects its police chief and city clerk. The survey is just ten questions long. It includes questions on city of residence and … Read more
The Aug. 24 meeting of the Charter Review Committee was an opportunity for the committee and the public to hear from and ask questions of the City’s elected police chief and city clerk. Both City Clerk Hosam Haggag and Police Chief Pat Nikolai were present. The public comment was fairly evenly split between those who … Read more