Author Archives : The Left Hook

Rejected Police Recruit Recants Story


“In no uncertain terms, he (Jim Unland) blamed Measure B for the departure of hundreds of officers — and he told us that it would be better for the department and for us if we would just quit, right then and there.” That was the assertion made by a young police recruit who failed to pass the rigors of training…

New Poll: Cortese Has Strong Lead


Expect to see the race for Mayor of San Jose to get a little nastier, now that council member and mayoral candidate Sam Liccardo is running so far behind in the polls. A new poll commissioned by the San Jose Mercury News shows Dave Cortese with a commanding 8 point lead in the race for San Jose Mayor.  Even with…

Khanna Running Low on Funds


With a little more than two weeks until the election, latest fundraising numbers released by the Federal Elections Commission (FEC)  show that the campaign of Congressman Mike Honda’s challenger, Ro Khanna, doesn’t have enough funds to meet its payroll and rent for the remainder of the campaign. Tweet

The Valley Movement to Improve Wage Equity


Sunnyvale is the latest municipality to boost the earning potential of its lowest paid workers.  The City Council passed a $10.30 an hour minimum wage last night.  The ordinance had been in the works for several months, and the final vote came closely on the heels of Mountain View which raised its minimum to the same level last week.  Both…

Whose Poll Is Right?


Remember this one, from Sarah Palin? “Polls? Nah… They’re for strippers and cross country skiers.”  But for more serious politicians polls can be a very effective tool in winning campaigns.  It seems, however, there is a major discrepancy in recent polls measuring the candidates in the 17th Congressional District race.  Tweet

Living Wage Challenge Issued to BOS


Santa Clara County Supervisors are being challenged to see what it’s like to try and make ends meet on a low wage job in Silicon Valley. County Supervisor Dave Cortese, who’s supporting a new, comprehensive living wage county law, took the challenge and said he understands more fully the difficulty low wage workers have surviving in one of the most…

“…Because He Didn’t Get His Way”


The former SJ Redevelopment Agency chief who was moved to scold City Council Candidate Don Gagliardi for his bad behavior, is shaking his head over why anyone would want to put Gagliardi in a position of trust on the San Jose City Council. Reached by phone at his Stockton Metropolitan Aiport office, Harry Mavrogenes,  who led the San JoseRedevelopment agency…

Strong Fundraising Leader in Mt. View City Council Race


The race for Mountain View City Council has a crowded field with 9 candidates vying for 3 seats.  So doing something to make yourself stand out from the crowd is a plus. In this case, it’s family law attorney Mercedes Salem who’s far  out raised her competitors with $32,829 in campaign funds. Tweet