This week marked the 42nd anniversary of the assasination of President John F. Kennedy. I just looked at a photo of him at the San Jose Municipal Airport in 1960 and pulled down a copy of “Profiles in Courage” that he autographed to my Dad - another world. It is incredible to think of the America then - and how we have changed. How this Valley has changed from the small emerging garden city to the center of the high technology information age now. On today’s thread, let’s comment on the good and the bad of those monumental changes.
I’ll begin. We no longer have to drive to San Francisco or Oakland
for great entertainment, U2 and McCartney, Disney Ice shows,
Globetrotters, Sharks (hockey in our city: no way!) and music for
each and every ethnic group and taste in our region - that’s good!
Traffic: that’s not so good. It was easier to drive in our city when we had more canneries and fewer technology centers.
The Downtown: light years to the positive side, but it sure was nice to go to OJ’s, and a Santa Clara vs. San Jose State basketball game - and park right on the street for both.
I echo Tom’s thanks. I am also thankful that our current mayor is a lame duck and on his way out (although not soon enough.) I am thankful that at least there is a chance that ethics and integrity might someday return to San Jose city government.
I am also thankful that we have an outlet like this to express ourselves and that someday many will not have to hide behind the curtain of annonymity because of a vengeful and vindictive mayor.
Peace and happy holidays to all.
Perhaps today as we give thanks, we can also mourn the soon-to-be-lost Palomar, our city’s greatest nightclub. In the last week or two there has been much discussion on this blog about the role or lack thereof of clubs in our downtown’s vitality and how Council policy affects it. The Palomar, aka Studio 51 or Tropicana – before shuttered at the urging of downtown planners, was the last ray-of-light in the dying downtown of the 50s. The fact that it was able to revive itself in the 90s as the regions most successful Latino club never caught on with city leadership (Tom, you saw those long lines along Notre Dame Street!). Both the Tropicana and the Lido were targeted for demolition in the current Downtown Strategy Plan started under RDA Director Susan Shick. It’s an old urban renewal strategy that uses physical demolition as a tool to remove “that element” from downtowns in a mis-guided attempt to try and bring back the middle class suburbanites to the heart of our city. Too bad. Get your cameras out, its going down soon.
I’m thankful that my husband and I bought our house 12 years ago or else we would not have been able to live in this fine city.
I admit that San Francisco has some great scenic views. I love when the fog rolls in up against the tall buildings and the golden gate bridge. But other then that, I really don’t care for the city. I rather be in downtown San Jose any day of the week then San Francisco.
San Jose needs to grow up and finally make a real downtown. It is sad when two old building in downtown San Francisco built in 1898 Central Tower and Ferry building are taller then anything in modern day San Jose.
James, most of us would agree that San Jose’s skyline is not as grand as one would expect. But, that’s due to FAA restrictions, not due to the city’s refusal to “grow up.”
Dear San Jose:
Like (Flavan #1) I too am grateful that the corrupt administration that runs this town will soon be out of office. Maybe in a year’s time we can get our city back!
I’ve come to the conclusion that San Jose needs to get back to city-wide elections. The district-wide system was sold on the idea that certain groups were not being represented fairly. What do cultural difference have to do with filling potholes and managing the basic needs of the city?
San Jose needs competent leadership. I look at the current council, and I’d trade over half of them for a Rich De LaRosa or a Linda Nguyen. Here are two capable people who lost in a head to head district race, but might have won in a city-wide contest.
Part of San Jose’s problem is that the council districts have turned into little fiefdoms and the egomaniacs that run them pay little heed to the overall direction of the city.
If we can’t go back to city-wide elections, maybe we can redraw the district lines ( have five districts instead of 10).
Pete Campbell
Tom, even though I recieved an award for an article on JFK’s from the National Press Association when I was a college freshman, I still think the guy was a turkey. He was John Kerry (John F. Kerry} in mufti, more of a satyr than Clinton and owing more to special interests than George W. Bush.
Now, if he is your hero, I know why I had so much trouble with your administration.
I wonder why we don’t do more to get rid of corruption in the current administration than we did under yours.
Gelvey –
Did you write your post when you were three sheets to the wind on vino and drunk on Tryptophan from the turkey?
What are you talking about? Most of us young people still need to go up to San Francisco, Berkeley, or even Oakland for great entertainment and night life. Fillmore, Warfield, Bottom of the Hill, Orpheum, Curran, Davis, War Memorial, Giants, A’s, Niners, Raiders, etc.
Yeah Tom brilliant city.
We have the chance to be a center for Soccer culture in the US and fritter it away. Houston has more sense and they’ll end up getting the Quakes while our “mayor” runs around at baseball spring training in a handmade sandwich board and the council nitwits and idiot college president twiddle their thumbs.
Downtown hasn’t grown in 15 years and in some respects has gone backwards. Think decent cafe with music or SOFA.
Gil,
I could not agree with you more. San Jose politicians should be more concered with the basic social issues effecting SJ’s neighborhoods, and citizens, and not trying to be another San Francisco, or even trying to steal the A’s from Oakland. There should be more of a focus on what we have here right now, and help the people of this city.
I often wonder who it is that has the identity problem. Surely it’s not me or the citizens of San Jose, I never wished for our city to be as huge as San Francisco, or a place of destination for tourists to come. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s great to have places to shop, and have a sports venue where one can watch sports or concerts, but I’m angry about the city pushing to be one of the biggest cities in america. Have you seen all the open spaces being used up for housing. It reminds me of a sci-fi movie where the aliens are making millions of pods to hold humans as slaves and devour the life out of them. It almost sickens me. I’ve lived here my whole life. I was born here and I’m very loyal to my place of birth. However as time passes I often wonder if there is a place out there where life is as simple as it used to be here.
Good entertainment as long as you enjoy $7 hotdogs and beers leave downtown before 10:30 pm.
Regarding #6 Murf: FAA certainly addresses the maximum allowable height of buildings in DT, but there are plenty of under-achieving buildings that don’t even try to belong in downtown. The apartment and condo complexes between S 3rd/S 4th and San Carlos/San Fernando sts are just too typical of what should be located on Saratoga Ave, Blossom Hill Rd, etc, rather than DT.
This just highlighted our town’s desparation to get any housing, ANY, in DT.
To further compound the problem with those complexes, the residents of the few first floor units that have doors that open onto those two streets are essentially relied upon to provide the pedestrian traffic in that area. Retail, food establishments, etc anything else, with residential above would have been far better.
The changes that have occured in San Jose are monumental. Having been at the center of technology for a booming new age of information, changed us forever.
Politically, well, it’s all on the bulletin board. Let me remind the chest thumpers and the guys that don’t forget. We are a collective bunch of hard working stiffs. Sometimes you can stiff us. Most of the time we will give you the benifit of the doubt. But, when we have had enough, Asta La Vista, Baby!
Recently, the EPA released settlements for District 9. June 20,2005.
Next door to the Mexican Heritage Gardens, there were found 292 violations of the Federal Lead paint disclosure requirements. This situation existed under the watchful eyes of our politicians for so many years in District 5.
Why did it take “grass roots” efforts for change to come to the neighborhood Home of Cesar Chaves.
Why did the lead exposure to so many babies have to be at the hands of one land lord, and numerous recycled representitives and lawyers of that district. Who failed us for so long. How did they get away with it. That’s not on the bulletin Board. WHY?
It’s this attitude that must change.
I can see more Santana Rows all around us. I attended a party at Dave and Buster’s at the Great Mall. Wow! Thousands of PEOPLE. Pulsating and spending. Not one Policeman to be seen. There were Low and High Riders every where! Everyone having a good time.
I recently down loaded Google Earth. Looking at the world up close and personal, made me understand we have identity issues. Does small town USA want to emulate San Jose? So who’s idea is it to try to become San Francisco.
What’s a baseball Stadium and a new city hall have to do with forgotten Babies that are suffering with brain deforming effects of lead paint?
Politics!
We have to find the answers with in our selves. When we cannot do that politically, It’s show time for the Feds.
Asta La Vista Baby!
The Village Black Smith
Hey HoiPolli, looks like San Jose may want to be the center of soccer culture after all. Hopefully, the city comes up with something good.
Fat chance rumbler,
The city council nitwits will twiddle their thumbs and let the quakes go to Houston. You heard it here first.