Author Archives : The Left Hook

Silicon Valley Organization Fractured Months Before Election


The Silicon Valley Organization (SVO), formerly the Chamber of Commerce, and the SVO PAC – the political action committee that supports pro-business candidates- are at odds according to an article published by The Mercury News.  The crux of their infighting is whether or not the PAC is its own organization, independent of the SVO.  Months of feuding have resulted in…

Alum Rock Trustee Khanh Tran Served With Restraining Order


Today, Alum Rock Trustee Khanh Tran was served a restraining order requiring him to stay at least 100 feet away from Alum Rock Superintendent Dr. Hilaria Bauer.  During a recent Board meeting, Tran made personal threats to both Superintendent Bauer and fellow Trustee Karen Martinez. Both Bauer and Martinez filed police reports after the incident. Additionally, Bauer filed for and…

Policy Watch: Week of 8/20


County of Santa Clara Approving Redevelopment Successor Agency’s sale of South Hall property to City of San Jose The South Hall Site is the most significant remaining Successor Agency property slated for disposition, This site is located on the block bounded by South Market Street, Balbach Street, Viola Avenue, and South Almaden Road. It is the current site of the…

Eastside Union High School District Race Is Set


Three of the five Eastside Union High School Board Trustees are up for reelection, and with no term limits in place, it is presumed that Board President J.Manuel Herrera, and Trustees Frank Biehl and Van Le will run to keep their seats. Most recently, Le ran and lost her bid for San Jose City Council District 7.  The two early…

Milpitas Mayor and Council Races Heat Up


The City of Milpitas is full of campaign drama this year. The first hot ticket item is the Mayor’s race. Heavy hitters are challenging outspoken Mayor Rich Tran, who was condemned by the City Council for unprofessional conduct as Mayor. The most formidable is one of those councilmembers, Bob Nuñez, who is also the outgoing Chair of the Santa Clara…

Santa Clara County Board of Education Appointee Faces Challenger


In December of 2017, Santa Clara County Board of Education Member Michael Chang stepped down from his post on the Board, paving the way for the appointment of Kathleen King to the Trustee Area 2 seat.  King is up for reelection in November and will face challenger Barry Chang, a current Cupertino Councilmember. Chang, whose term ends this year, is known…

Policy Watch: Week of 8/14


County of Santa Clara  Proposed feasibility study to provide childcare services at major County campuses for County employees No summary or attachments provided online. Where:  Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors When:  8/14/2018, 9:30 AM, Board of Supervisors’ Chambers, County Government Center, 70 West Hedding Street, 1st floor, San Jose Link to item: No link for this item Link to…

Palo Alto Heads to First Election with Seven Member Council


In 2014, Palo Alto voters approved Measure D, which reduced the number of Council seats from nine to seven, and this November will be the first time residents elect candidates under the new system.  The two seats being eliminated are currently held by Councilmembers Karen Holman and Gregory Scharff, both of whom are termed out of office at the end of the…

Four Seats Up for Election on Gilroy City Council


Gilroy City Council will have four seats up for reelection, and with no term limits in place, Mayor Pro Tempore Daniel Harney and Councilmembers Dion Bracco, Peter Leroe-Muñoz, and Marie Blankley – who was appointed to the position earlier this year – are all running to keep their seats. The only confirmed opponent is Tom Fischer, a well-known community leader and…

Policy Watch: Week of 8/6


City of San Jose Khamis memo to extend standard hours for construction work Councilmember Khamis recommends that council direct the City Attorney to draft ordinance revisions to add standard hours of construction on Saturdays from 9am-6pm, present some options for revising the weekday hours of construction by raising the end time from 7pm to 9pm and implementing a standard “second…