Editorial Board’s Election Recommendations

Posted by on Monday, June 05, 2006

Decision day has arrived. It’s time for a radical change at City Hall. We need new blood in the office of mayor and on the council so that we can begin to come to terms with the mess left by the Gonzales years and look to a better future. We need leaders with a strong, clear vision based on wide experiences in life that are honest, wise, trustworthy and steady, and open to innovation and new ideas in our rapidly changing world.

We of the Editorial Board here at San Jose Inside, believe that there are some excellent candidates contending for important positions in the city and county. We also believe that Measure A is a crucial issue for the future of the county. Those of you who read our columns and participate on this site may not be surprised at our choices. Whether you agree with us or not, we hope that you will follow the posting of this list by blogging with your own views. Nothing benefits democracy more than a healthy, open debate—that’s why we created this site.

The Editorial Board of San Jose Inside recommends:


San Jose Mayor:
David Pandori
An ethical and smart choice for our city.

San Jose City Council
District 1:
Pete Constant
A new principled voice.

District 3:
Sam Liccardo
New leadership from a man with deep roots and honorable intentions.

Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors District 4:
Ken Yeager
A good person with room to grow.

Santa Clara County Assessor:
Larry Stone
Competence for a change.

Santa Clara County District Attorney:
No Recommendation

Santa Clara County Measure A:
Yes
A vote for the future and for a more humane county.

U.S. Congress, District 11, Republican Party Primary:
Pete McCloskey
POMBO—need we say more!

Comments

1. I hate to repeat myself...but:

   I hope Richard Robinson chimes in as well on this fact:

   Slate mailers (of which the Diaz/Honda item was placed) are generally run by an ethically challenged bunch.  They print what campaigns send them--period.  They sometimes goas far as behaving like Tony Soprano and extort money from campaigns or say, “we’ll just put the other guy on for free.”

   For this group to claim that they got mixed up with a different candidate is almost funny.  To be quoted as such in the newspaper is probably an honor for the group who put it out.  They can add to their pitch for future business, “we’ll lie for you.”

   Here is how the piece reads:

   San Jose City Council
   Manny Diaz
   Former Planning Commission Chair who will put neighborhoods first.  He will stand up for schools and neighborhood safety.  Supported by Congressman Mike Honda and San Jose Firefighters.

   Now, does that sound like something the slate mail dude would make up?  If it is about another candidate, who?  That description fits no one else.

   Richard, this is your business…

   Posted by Manny (Darren Seaton) Diaz
   Monday, June 05 at 07:32 AM

2. Funny that is exactly what Jay James pieces say - and he’s handled by Seaton as well.

   That’s what happens when a candidate has no qualities of their own, the consultant get paid to make an image for them. And all who use Darren get the same image.

   Posted by Clone
   Monday, June 05 at 08:01 AM

3. I sure hope that Sam Liccardo and David Pandori - ethical and admirable - can come out on top in this one.  Sometimes I just do not have faith that the voters are knowledgeable enough about what’s going on in our City (SJInside bloggers excluded of course).

   Should be interesting tomorrow…

   Posted by 1,2,3..Get Rid of Ronny G!!
   Monday, June 05 at 08:29 AM

4. From what we know Jay James was helped by someone else as well.

   Posted by Confidential, On the Q.T. and very hush, hush
   Monday, June 05 at 09:40 AM

5. Pretty good recommendations except for Measure A. This is deceptive government at its best. A 30 year tax with NO strings atached. The County Board of Supervisors over the next 30 years will have carte blanche on how to use this money. It might go for BART, or it might not. It might go for social services, or it might not.
   None of us would run our households this way—why should we let elected officials run their household this way with OUR money??
   If we need a much needed tax for specific items, then be up front and honest about it. I know it would require 2/3 to pass, but if the need is real and the case can be made, it would have a chance to pass on its own merits. Not the current campaign that will be forgotten over the years as new Supervisors take office and owe the rest of us nothing.
   Vote NO on A and demand honest government.

   Posted by A No
   Monday, June 05 at 11:35 AM

6. Why are there Jay James posted on public property near San Tomas and Benton in Santa Clara?  Does Jay James have a permit to post his signs on public expressways.  Notice that his campaign will not respond.

   Posted by Jay James Sign Patrol
   Monday, June 05 at 11:42 AM

7. No recommendation for District Attorney?
   Does that mean you don’t like any of the candidates or that you could not reach consensus?

   Posted by Mal Content in Weighing The Scales Of Justice
   Monday, June 05 at 12:57 PM

8. If David Pandori gets elected, I hope you guys would be happy and put this blog out of business.  Otherwise, I recommend Micheal Malcahy for mayor of San Jose.  He would ensure the downtown gets developed and make it big-time!

   Posted by Fed up blogger in san jose
   Monday, June 05 at 01:05 PM

9. what a joke

   Posted by Pray the voters are smarter than SJs local media
   Monday, June 05 at 01:28 PM

10. Amen #5.  Given how expensive it already is in Santa Clara County, voters need to avoid the stigma of making our sales tax amongst the highest in the state.  Only in the world of comic books can having an 8.75% sales tax for at least 30 YEARS make the Valley “better off.” It’s only made worse by the fact some current Supervisors like Blanca Alvarado will be termed out of office in 2007, and her successor will likely have different spending priorities. Especially when it’s OUR money that can be used for whatever the Supervisors want.

    It is beyond time for the County Supervisors to be held accountable for spending that has grown out of control.  Examples include a proposal for a 7,000-seat concert hall at the County Fairgrounds currently now at $87 million of your tax dollars.  (It was originally projected to be $70 million).  Just over a month ago, the same Supervisors approved - without public discussion - pay hikes for top health executives.  All this despite a $160 million deficit this fiscal year.  You have to wonder what other ways the County Supervisors squander your tax dollars throughout the years.

    Think about it.  If your household was in debt and need of critical services, you’d spend on needs instead of wants.  More info on just how bad a scam Measure A is can be found here:

    http://www.taxreform.50megs.com/index.html

    Next week will have been the 2nd anniversary of my move from Sunnyvale to Santa Cruz.  The main reason I moved was from personal protest of VTA (largely) ignoring the County’s Civil Grand Jury calls for reform and fiscal responsibility.  Since I moved, the only time I ever spend money in Santa Clara County is for my lunch at work.  That will likely cease should Measure A pass. Should Measure A pass tomorrow, it will be cheaper to live and do business where I am now than in Santa Clara County. 

    If you’re tired of having your local money locally wasted, vote NO on Measure A tomorrow.  Send a long-overdue message to the County Supervisors that honest, fiscally responsible government is needed NOW.

    Posted by Eugene Bradley in Santa Cruz, CA
    Monday, June 05 at 01:43 PM

11. #5 I agree completely.  Letting politicians have carte blanche with our money without oversight or direction would be a huge mistake.  Give me something specific to vote for dealing with hospitals or transportation or anything else and when appropriate I will be happy to vote yes.  Make it this vague and I would be stupid to vote yes.  If you are going to make us the highest taxpaying county in the state, we should at least know what we are getting in exchange for a yes vote.  Not just speculation that it could go to one of many unknown different projects.

    Posted by in San Jose, CA
    Monday, June 05 at 01:53 PM

12. #9 I like your handle.  That’s what we all need to be doing or Cindy will win in a landslide.

    #5 I feel the same way and voted NO.  The supes can’t be trusted, and 30 years is a long time to have that extra money for whatever way those jokers see fit to spend it.  BART to SJ got the 2/3 with plenty of votes to spare.  If they present it as a specific tax, it’s more likely to win.  We got SR 85 built that way, among other significant highway improvements around the county.  With this Measure A thing, the money could be spent in ways 2/3 of the voters or more do not agree with.  It demands a NO vote.

    #8 Don’t you want to click in and see what people are saying here if Pandori doesn’t even make the runoff?  You can bet the sore winners from Cindy’s camp will be expending a lot of keystrokes telling everyone they told them so, dancing around Nagleeland like a house just fell on top of Pandori.

    Posted by Mark T
    Monday, June 05 at 02:00 PM

13. Fed up Blogger #8, blogs are kinda like TV stations – you change channels.  Or make an intelligent argument why you’re right and someone else is wrong.  Then again that may be too much… It’s up to you…

    And “Editorial Board” – do any of you buy anything in SC County?  Our tax rate is way too high.  I would love to hear government say, hmmm, this is what we have to cut back on instead of ALWAYS asking for more money.  Or I want the same deal for my household.

    Posted by Dexter
    Monday, June 05 at 02:11 PM

14. The way I read that County measure for raising taxes was that it was just about raising taxes to bring BART here without the necessary 2/3rds majority needed to pass.  They made it a general taxation Measure so they would only need 51% to pass. I have already voted NO

    Posted by in Willow Glen
    Monday, June 05 at 02:44 PM

15. 8 - Just how would Mulcahy accomplish that? He needed city funding to run his children’s theater so how is he going to run downtown? Give others subsidies??

    Posted by Huh?
    Monday, June 05 at 02:52 PM

16. I am sure the outcome of the election won’t affect this blog, fed up, b/c where else would you go to bitch and moan?

    Posted by 1,2,3..Get Rid of Ronny G!!
    Monday, June 05 at 03:06 PM

17. Who is the editorial board of SJI?  Was there a vote? 

    #1

    As to slatecards, they are disingenious, however, it is often the only method for getting information to a large universe of voters.

    Even a small mailer would cost .65 per household.  If you are running Countywide: that means $65,000 for 100,000 households; while you can get a message with a slatemailer out for around .05 a household.

    As campaign contribution and expenditures limits are the trend among reformers, you can expect more slates--not less.

    P.S.  Don’t shoot the messenger.

    Posted by
    Monday, June 05 at 03:20 PM

18. Rich Robinson Recommendations

    Steve Westly

    Governor--High Tech, no tax

    Steve Poizner

    Insurance Commissioner
    A republican?  Doesn’t happen often, but the reason Bustamante needs to lose weight is that he eats free at the Indian Casino Buffets.

    Cindy Chavez

    San Jose Mayor
    Works with people for the right reasons.

    Dolores Carr

    District Attorney
    The current office needs real reform, send in the Judge.
    

    Larry Stone

    Santa Clara Count Assessor
    No reason to change and I consider Pete a friend.

    Pick ‘em

    Board of Supes
    Linda and Ken would both do a good job.

    Yes on Measure A
    It doesn’t hurt that much and we need BART to SJ.

    Pick ‘em

    SJ Council One
    Don’t know, I have heard good things about both.

    Sam Liccardo

    SJ Council 3
    Good guy, will be positive force for district.

    Congress--Honda, Lofgren any Dem in Pombo District--No more reeps in Congress.

    Assembly--Beall
    Sheriff--Smith

    Unopposed--there is a reason.

    Posted by
    Monday, June 05 at 03:23 PM

19. Eugene #10--C’mon, you REALLY didn’t move all the way to Santa Cruz just to protest VTA, did you?  So now you have a huge commute just to protest VTA.  I’m sure they were shaken by your protest.

    Posted by
    Monday, June 05 at 03:32 PM

20. Fed up blogger # 8 recommends a guy whose last name he cannot spell (copy off the sign) correctly. “A” isn’t near enough to “U” for it to be a simple typo. Too bad everyone that breathes can vote.

    Posted by
    Monday, June 05 at 03:36 PM

21. The title is “Editorial Board’s Election Recommendations” The bottom says it’s posted by “The Editor”, not “The Board”. So, just who constitutes “The Board”, Tom; and who is “The (singular) Editor”?

    And no Recommendation re DA--what’s that all about?

    In the interest of full disclosure, Tom, how about disclosing who constitutes “The Board” and how each person voted on each race?  Or is this just another somewhat anonymous slate emailer?

    Posted by
    Monday, June 05 at 03:41 PM

22. Looks like Pandori picked up another blog endorsement and Single Gal too.

    http://www.willowglenextra.com/2006/06/still-undecided-about-mayor/

    Posted by Another Blog Endorsement
    Monday, June 05 at 03:43 PM

23. Rich—You don’t really believe that those deceptive slate mailers actually convey a “message”, do you? And why not shoot the messenger (I assume you mean those who produce those slimy political score cards masquerading as real information.) Those that produce the mailers are as low as those who stoop to pay to have their names listed. Any way you look at these things are deceptive, they are designed to fool as many people as possible, and bottom line is those who benefit most are those who produce this waste.

    Posted by Voter
    Monday, June 05 at 03:44 PM

24. I’m going with Linda Le Zotte over Ken.  They are both good yet Linda has a much better understanding of landuse issues.  The fact that Ken voted to demolish Del Monte Plant # 3 was the straw that broke the camels back.
    The only thing I don’t like about Linda is that she endorsed Chavez.  It is sad that she needed the labor vote that badly.

    Posted by My vote
    Monday, June 05 at 03:56 PM

25. Vote NO Measure A - but What IF A passes and Board of Sups decides to fund county hospital, social services and a few roads but no BART (Badly Administrated Regional Tranist ) - wouldn’t Silicon Valley Leadership Group be upset after their backroom deals but then they might be too busy defending themselves over the IPO, stock options / price rigging and other illegal financial reporting SEC investigations and court trails

    Posted by Vote NO Measure A - What IF A passes?
    Monday, June 05 at 04:08 PM

26. #21--thanks for informing me of the existence of willowglenextra.

    Posted by
    Monday, June 05 at 04:12 PM

27. Jay sure had to look down the list of what planning staffer needed union support, didn’t he?

    Them signs, all of them signs, I sign off on those Jay signs, but it is the director that will have to answer for those signs, and Jay doesn’t have to answer about those signs which get to stay.

    Posted by Jay James Sign Patrol
    Monday, June 05 at 04:40 PM

28. Rich R - like you I support both Cindy Chavez and Sam Liccardo. They are each incredible individuals.

    I look forward to the end of Tuesday night with each of my candidates either winning outright or being on the November ballot.

    Posted by Go Rich!
    Monday, June 05 at 04:46 PM

29. Also--

    Doug Allen for Judge

    Posted by
    Monday, June 05 at 05:18 PM

30. Wow all these no votes on Measure A, I hope your all voting for Reed for Mayor since he is the only Mayor candidate who opposed it.

    Posted by Ken Henderson
    Monday, June 05 at 05:53 PM

31. Can someone tell me exactly what a slate mailer is and how it differs from other mailers?

    Posted by SJ Downtowner
    Monday, June 05 at 06:19 PM

32. All is quiet before the storm. 
    Win or lose, I would like to thank David Pandori for giving those of us that have been fed up with the current administration an option, a plan and hope for the future.

    Posted by I Love San Jose
    Monday, June 05 at 07:53 PM

33. Whooooa!! #12, Turn this bus around!!! The story should read: Pandori’s house slams into Cindy; ethically challenged, she is unable to handle the weight of having to deal with open government and succumbs under the tremendous presure of truth.

    Posted by
    Monday, June 05 at 07:54 PM

34. Well Folks,
    It seems there is some change accomming. I went Fishing off Santa Cruz Sunday. When the sunrise captured my attention, it came to me!
    What frightened me was not the politicions in office, or the cantidates wanting to refill those positions in our fair village of San Jose.
    It was the folks that made it possible for the folks that over spent, over abused, over denied a process that is and should be in control of the village folks. 8 Long years.
    Well village folks get to it. Only you know what you don’t want. Only you know who not to trust. Only you know who you are.
    Simple! Four years aint such a long time if your having fun and making money.
    This aint about votes, it’s about life in the Village for the next 4 years.
    How can a noble process become so controlled.
    Changing one’s self will change the entire Village forever!

    Posted by The Village Black Smith
    Monday, June 05 at 08:07 PM

35. 31 - Slate mailers are those cheezy looking mailers you get from some group—sometimes a real organization, sometimes not, that list who you should vote for. Usually they will list a mix of state and local offices.They really aren’t worth the paper they are printed on if you’ve done your homework. If you look very carefully, you will find (in very small print) who put out the mailer and who paid to have their names listed on it. Since most candidates pay to be listed the listing has little validity.
    Your turn, Rich.

    Posted by Voter
    Monday, June 05 at 08:41 PM

36. A slate is defined as a mailer which a number of candidates appear, unrelated to each other, and have paid a fee to appear on the ballot.

    For xxample

    SILICON VALLEY VOTER GUIDE

    Steve Westly for Governor*

    Tom McClintock for Lt. Governor*

    Jerry Brown for Attoney General*

    Patricia Mahan for County Supervisor*

    *The following candidates have paid to be placed oin the card, and they do not endorse each other.

    The Election Code defines what a slate mailer is legally, and the disclaimers it must carry.

    Ps. Rich, Bill Murphy says hello.  Called that one right when Patty was in didn’t ya?

    Posted by James Rowen
    Monday, June 05 at 08:44 PM

37. Thanks #35 & #36 - those “slate” mailers are a joke but for the average person who is not as informed, I can see how they could be effective. I think some voters just look for a familar name on the ballot and those mailers just might provide it!

    Posted by SJ Downtowner
    Monday, June 05 at 09:51 PM

38. Tomorrow 6/6/06 will tell just how effective the Unions money was.  It’s big dollars vs. right thinking. Any bets?

    Posted by as usual Grumpy! in S.J.
    Monday, June 05 at 10:22 PM

39. #15 - Please try not to sound so uneducated in the future. If the Children’s Musical Theater had to rely on the city’s funding, CMT would be nowhere close to the largest youth theater organization in the nation. During Michael Mulcahy’s 8-yr stint as executive director of CMT, he brought in many new important sponsers, hired an excellent artistic staff, and gained the support of the community at large. He has been similarly successful with SDS Nexgen since making the managing of that company his full-time occupation. If anyone has a successful track record to look toward in San Jose, it is Michael Mulcahy. If the voters prove to be wiser than the people running this blog, he will turn around the city of San Jose. I know the man well, and I have complete cofidence that he has the ability to lead us toward accomplishing everything necessary to make San Jose the great city we all know it can be.

    Posted by in Willow Glen
    Tuesday, June 06 at 02:51 AM

40. P.S. JohnMichael O’Connor- way to publically ricule someone for typing an “a” instead of a “u”. Very big of you.

    Posted by in Willow Glen
    Tuesday, June 06 at 02:56 AM

41. 39 - My comment still stands. Nothing you said in your post changes that. He did need money from the city—why else would he have taken thousands of dollars in city aid if he didn’t need it??

    Posted by Huh?
    Tuesday, June 06 at 08:20 AM

42. Add me to the growing list of folks who disagree with your stance on the sales tax increase, measure A. This is a horribly bad regressive tax that will help make the valley even more uncompetitive and costly. Watch for more jobs to leave town if it passes.

    Posted by
    Tuesday, June 06 at 09:06 AM

43. Not all Slate cards should not be seen as endorsements.  However, each person is allowed a message that can help voters determine their views.

    In addition, the slate card may tell you a lot about the voter, depending on who sends it out and the overall message of the card.  Not everyone can get on all slate cards, in some cases the organization must endorse you first.

    Slate cards, like candidates, consultants, lobbyists and human beings are all different.

    Politics is a participatory sport--check the cards out--won’t take you long over the internet and then let the voter decide.

    As always in campaigns, cavaet emptor.

    Posted by
    Tuesday, June 06 at 09:17 AM

44. Why in this age of computers and high tech, do absnntee voters have to make arrows with a pen???

    Posted by James Rowen
    Tuesday, June 06 at 09:49 AM

45. #15- Where have you been living under a rock. How in the hell do you think the Arts groups in San Jose work. All of the organizations apply for subsidies from the city. They are given money based upon their merits and growth in the community. It is only a portion of the operating expenses. Private business and personal fund raising adds up to the bulk of the the money. Nobody hands anything to anybody with out good cause in the non-profit organizations. It takes a monumental effort to grow a business like the Childrens Theater. Take the time to see their show this summer and then see if their is any reason to take shots at the organization and the people who run it. #39 is truly right in his assessment of Michael Mulcahy. Win or lose Michael has the most upside of all the candidates because he has leadership skills that cannot be read out of a book. Now that he has name recognition the sky is the limit.

    Posted by in san jose
    Tuesday, June 06 at 09:51 AM

46. 45 - I don’t know why you and #39 feel you have to be insulting to try and make your point. Doesn’t reflect well on your guy.
    You seem awfully defensive in your tirade pointing out the obvious. I am extremely well aware of the process, having worked on both sides of it.
    The only point I raised was that Michael’s organization received thousands of dollars of city aid. I am sure that having his wife working in Mayor Hammer’s office at the time had nothing to do with it and all the funds were well deserved.
    I have no idea why you and 39 are so angry and defensive. Constructive debate is healthy and should be encouraged—perhaps if there had been more of that Michael would have been elected Mayor.

    Posted by Huh?
    Tuesday, June 06 at 10:25 AM

47. #46 Probably because you are trying to make a point that makes no sense. If you are not trying to smear him then why bring it up. Why should they not get the grant money?? It is a great organization that continues to grow unlike the bottom line on the city budget.

    Posted by in san jose
    Tuesday, June 06 at 10:46 AM

48. #45, “Now that he has name recognition the sky is the limit”

    Name recognition - Sky is the limit

    His name recognition comes from some illegal signs bosted in the “sky”.

    I love this web page listed below.  Look… up in the sky… it’s a bird.... it’s a plane.... no, it’s a illegal Mulcahy sign!

    http://www.willowglenextra.com/2006/05/mulcahy-signs-too-tall/

    Correct me if I am wrong, but didn’t The Merc. report he had over 200 illegal signs?

    Yeah, a real leader.  And based upon this, I won’t vote for him when he runs for Dirstrict 6 Councilmember.

    Posted by No More Political Blight
    Tuesday, June 06 at 11:14 AM

49. #15 & #39

    Since this is election day it would serve you to understand that seeking City support Children’s Musical Theatre and most of the local arts groups were following the voters instructions not seeking a hand-out.  The Arts Commission distributes TOT funds based on an ordiance passed many years ago by the voters who felt that a portion of local tax revenues should insure that the arts are represented in our community, much like libraries and other parts of hte community. 

    To not participate inthe process is a bit like asking a city employee who cashes their paycheck to stop accepting bribes.  Being a part of the community and using the allocated city allocated resources seems reasoned, not capricous. 

    In a democracy the voters get what they support, and they supported the arts with dedicated funding.

    Posted by
    Tuesday, June 06 at 06:03 PM

50. Pandori was a contender....

    Posted by Reality Check
    Wednesday, June 07 at 04:24 AM

51. Tom, John, Kevin, Jude, ANYONE--just WHO is “The Editorial Board” and how did they arrive at their decisions on endorsements?

    Posted by
    Wednesday, June 07 at 03:52 PM

52. John - It is all the writers and contributors - we voted, one person/one vote. Oh, but formers mayors can get two votes. I think our choices were pretty good and reflected the pulse of the city.  TMcE

    Posted by TomMcEnery
    Wednesday, June 07 at 06:17 PM

53. Thanks for the partial reply.

    ALL the writers and contributers?  I contribute, and I didn’t get to vote.

    What I was seeking is names, Tom...even if it is noms de plume, like Single Gal.  Is it all “Guest Bloggers”, too.

    A recommendation is significant only if we know who makes it.

    Posted by
    Friday, June 09 at 11:03 AM

54. # 53 John
    It is a matter of opinion that you “contribute”.

    Posted by To the Point with a smile
    Saturday, June 10 at 04:08 PM

55. To the point:  No, it’s a matter of opinion if you like what I contribute; not that I contribute.

    Posted by
    Tuesday, June 13 at 09:41 AM

56. #55 John
    I thought that you had to add value to be a contributor.  I looked it up and I was wrong .Thank you I stand corrected.

    Posted by To the Point with a correction
    Tuesday, June 13 at 11:24 AM