Cite Dignity, Embarrassment, Shame and Stupidity
In a move without precedent in the city’s history, San Jose City Council Members Pyle, Campos, Williams and Chirco, have decided to relinquish their posts rather than suffer the humiliation of professional ridicule, personal disparagement and possible public stoning.
The shocking announcements were held in a group press conference in City Hall Plaza on Thursday morning, just hours after they found out the contract they signed was with a race official’s dog. And, in a cruel twist when the dog ended up in the pound last week after getting out of his backyard while his master was on vacation, a little-known provision in the contract made it null and void.
Each had their own reasons for resigning, the most common being embarrassment, stupidity, shame and preserving dignity.
“I just voted for what Cindy (Chavez) voted for,” said Nora Campos.
“It wasn’t my job to read the contract,” said Nancy Pyle.
“What happened?” said Judy Chirco. “Oh, that’s just mean.”
Subsidy cheerleader Forrest Williams was caught outside of the Stupid Quotes Emporium in Edenvale and asked his opinion. “I don’t believe they felt they had the level of support that one would want to continue to push for the future,” he stated. He also suggested that the $600,000 worth of free services set aside for future races should be honored by way of a lump sum check and sent to race organizers in Laguna Seca.
In related news, the Stanford University Neurological Institute has offered Williams $4 million to participate as a subject in their study of the affects of dementia on the mind of a kindergartner.
If ONLY the header on this one was really true. Unfortunately it’s going to take a crowbar to get rid of any of these wastes of oxygen.
THIS JUST SHOWS THAT ANYONE CAN GET ELECTED. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE I THINK THEY ARE UNEMPLYABLE IN THE REAL WORLD. DOESN’T CINDY TELL THEM WHAT TO DO ANYMORE. HOW DO THEY VOTE WITHOUT HER THERE TO HELP THEM? AREN’T THE PEOPLE IN THEIR DISTRICTS EMBRASSED BY THEIR REPS. SOMEONE ASKED WHY CONGRESS IS SO BAD , WILL WHERE DO YOU THINK THESE PEOPLE START ON CITY COUNCILS ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY. THESE ARE THE SAME PEOPLE RUNNING OUR COUNTRY IT’S VERY SAD.
It is not a joke that some people should be losing their jobs over this debacle.
Forrest Williams never ceases to amaze me with his idiotic comments. I mean, come on, we weren’t supportive enough and the race organizers knew that? So there was no correlation between the fact that the subsidy was gone and so is the race. You are right, John, an average kindergartner could figure that one out.
Campos, Williams, Chirco, Pyle
Clever, slyness, cunning, beguile
Wit, manners, substance, style
Grace, warmth, charm and a smile
Thought taxpayers money for GP worthwhile
Did number crunching to compile
Fine tuned it with their dial
Willing to go the extra mile
Citizens saw the immoral vile
Refused to swallow the bitter bile
Campos, Williams, Chirco, Pyle
March down the lonely aisle
Why are taxpayers so hostile?
Campos, Williams, Chirco, Pyle
Their free-spending ways on trial
Now they are on the trash pile
Dear John:
I always thought it would be fantastic reading if the Mercury News would print (in full) one of Councilman William’s speeches/rants.
On a serious note, the members that you listed serve to make the argument that the City of San Jose should go back to “at large” elections. I have advanced the argument that it is crazy that someone can move to San Jose from another city, and run for city council after having only lived here for six months, while someone who has lived in San Jose for over thirty years cannot, simply because he/she lives across the street on the other side of a district boundary.
Keep the district lines, but change the requirement ie: you must be a resident of San Jose who has lived here for a minimum of two years.
Pete Campbell
Famed General to Address Citizens
San Jose (FFN)—With city residents growing increasingly skeptical of the progress its leaders have made after spending billions trying to establish a safe, viable downtown, Mayor Reed today announced that General David Petraeus has been hired to come to town next Monday and address the citizens. The general, widely renowned for his ability to see progress amidst chaos and failure, is said to have prepared a report declaring the San Jose Grand Prix a historic success, one that will, in its absence, continue to provide dividends to downtown businesses in the years ahead.
“As we have proved in Iraq,” offered the general, “setbacks and disappointments are key components of progress. In fact, in the analytical system I employ, all measurements of progress are dependent upon setbacks and disappointments. To be honest, I was initially hesitant to accept the San Jose assignment, what with the great successes of Silicon Valley, but when I saw the city’s long list of debacles, I knew that this would be a good fit for my skills.”
The general’s stay in San Jose is expected to be brief, as he is scheduled Wednesday in Idaho to kick-off the reelection campaign of Senator Larry Craig, before finishing off his busy week in New Orleans, where he is expected to declare that full recovery from Hurricane Katrina is now officially complete, well ahead of schedule.
Many have been rightfully critical of Council vote giving $4.2 million or more to Grand Prix while San Jose cuts staff and services
Today blog is critical of what is not brightest Council group but fairness, which is not often practiced on SJ Inside, requires that we should look at all people and groups that supported and advocated giving Grand Prix millions before you make judgment about 4 Council members vote
1) City staff recommended giving Grand Prix millions in tax money in staff report – Documents Filed: (1) Memorandum from City Manager Del Borgsdorf and Redevelopment Agency Director Harry S. Mavrogenes, dated January 6, 2006, recommending items (a) through (f), as previously stated above. (2) Letter dated January 10, 2006, from a member of the public.
Director of Economic Development Paul Krutko presented an outline of the San José Grand Prix 2006 Second Amendment. Deputy City Manager Ed Shikata presented an outline of the notable deliverables and proposed financing.
Economic Impact
As shown in the following table, the economic impact of the San Jose Grand Prix event can be
roughy broken into direct spending (overnight visitors, day visitors and race supporting
activities) and indirect spending which results from new transactions caused by the additional
money being brought to the local economy. Direct spending associated from the race is
estimated at being $23.1 million based on estimated spending by race attendees and actual racerelated expenses. Applying a multipIier effect to represent how this money expands into San Jose’s economy brings the total estimated figure to $41.6 million.
http://www.sanjoseca.gov/clerk/Agenda/011006/011006_09.01.pdf
Public Comment: Speaking in opposition to the Staff recommendations:
Kevin Kittilo, Ross Jackson, Tessa Woodmansee, Ann Webb, Aaron Resendez (East Valley/680 NAC) and Edna Elkins.
Michael Fox and Terence Fox (M.E. Fox & Co.) and Don Gordon (Gordon Biersch Brewers) objected to exclusive use of brand names and urged the inclusion of more local restaurant businesses.
Speaking in favor of the Staff recommendations for Grand Prix:
Paul Castoro, Pat Dando (San José Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce), Cyril Isnard (Fairmont San José), Victor Arranga and Dean Munro (San José Sports Authority), Clifton Clark (Marriotts Hotel), John Southwell (Hilton), Richard Villareal (McCormick & Schmick’s), Dale Jantzen (San José Grand Prix), Dan Fenton (San José Convention & Visitors Bureau), Neil Struthers (Building Trades Council of Santa Clara County) and Don Listwin (Canary Foundation).
NOTE: Chamber, Labor and Downtown Association and many downtown businesses to include Convention & Visitors Bureau and San Jose Sports Authority supported Grand Prix
SJSA Board of Directors – few notable Board members
Gary Fazzino Hewlett-Packard
Thomas Bowen, San Jose State University
Stacy Carroll Westfield Valley Fair
Pete Constant San Jose City Council
Dan Coonan Santa Clara University
David Cortese San Jose City Council
Pat Dando San Jose Chamber of Commerce
Charlie Faas Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment
Dan Fenton San Jose Convention & Visitor’s Bureau
Greg Jamison San Jose Sharks
Paul Krutko San Jose Office of Economic Development
Larry Stone Assessor, Santa Clara County
8 Vote Approval – Campos, Chavez, Chirco, LeZotte, Nguyen, Pyle, Williams, Gonzales.
3 Voting No – Cortese, Reed, Yeager;
San Jose Statement concerning San Jose Grand Prix ( Cancellation )
http://www.sjeconomy.com/publications/pressreleases/sjgp.statement_09_11_07.pdf
Is is fair to be critical of 4 Council members when almost all San Jose and Silicon Valley business groups, labor and political leaders supported spend millions in taxes on Grand Prix while public and voters wanted taxes spent on needed San Jose city services
Okay John, you got me this time. I don’t usually like to see people beat up on when they make mistakes, but this column is very funny. I had a good hard laugh. Good job!
On a serious note, it is very frightening to see these Council Members voting on so many important issues they know absolutely nothing about, signing contracts they don’t even understand, and depending on Rick Doyle’s, and department heads opinions.
Rick Doyle must have gotten his law degree from a cereal box! This is the second or third agreement I’ve seen him and his office screw up due to short sightedness, or just plain stupidity! My God, how can you enter a contract with the wrong party, when MILLIONS of taxpayer dollars are at stake?
If people don’t start taking more time to study these candidates before they vote I’ll scream. Chirco and Campos just got reelected. Pyle is running again and will probably win. Forrest is out next year. He may run for something else. I know Campos will be running for a higher office next year. God help us all if they climb even higher!
As to animal issues, these four Council Members know absolutely NOTHING about the safety and well being of animals, and refused to listen to the facts, when they voted to pass the recent changes to the Title 7 Animal Code and Regulations. Passing a bunch of unenforceable, discriminatory laws that the majority of animal rescuers opposed are just another example of their willful ignorance and arrogance toward the public’s opinions on issues.
Brilliant J. McEnery Blog—except how does one embarass any of these people? What a stretch. Connecting dots, it’s fascinating that the unions that got these four elected pointedly vet their candidates for their lack of any detectable talent. They always have and they always will. If the unions were up to something other than their own perceived self-interest you’d think they’d look for some folks with real credentials. OOPs! Cindy will soon be able to add “Full Professor of Political Science” to her proud resume. The psychology of willfully inflicting damage on the taxpayers and just plain citizens, so important to the unions’ firm grip on the levers of power, is a true mystery to me. Using power to make things better instead of worse and worse, seems beyond their comprehension. It doesn’t have to be US and THEM. But it is in San Jose—until we get more real candidates—and voters. George Green
OMG! That is so funny! you hit every one of them right on the head..
Are you saying that these Council Members walked off their jobs?
Apparently no-one expects elected officials to be accountable for their decisions anymore. (BTW: are you fricken kidding me?!?) This is like all our congresspeople saying, naturally after the fact, that:
-oh, we didnt know there weren’t any WMDs in Iraq, we used available info (I was in college, and spent probably a grand total of 2 library visits researching… so difficult)
-oh, we didnt know what was in the PATRIOT act, we just signed it (IN-EX-CUSABLE!)
-oh, we didnt know Iraq would blow up into a huge civil war, we had no way to know (just like, we didnt know Iran would have a huge revolution and throw the US’s man out on his ear)
such UTTER BS. Completely infuriating, that in school I have to study something and be able to address questions on ANY part of it… (basic scholarly knowledge!) and our congresspeople dont even read bills they sign into law.
So, from the macrocosm, we glean the microcosm. Did our city council-people really not read any of these details? I’m pretty confident that it has a lot to do with all those new condos, all that new development, and seeing Barry Swenson Builders’ name all over everything all over the city. Money is not the only currency in politics… would it be so hard to believe that elected officials would sell us out for a little influence in the future?
We’re being ROBBED. And we cant even really blame the robbers, because we’re being repeatedly betrayed by our representatives.
Is this a race issue?
This is what you can expect when you Balkanize a city with district elections—one trick ponies who can appeal to a very small constituency and get elected with only 7,500 votes in favor of him/her, in a city of almost 1 million.
#7 – This the minimum should be more like 5 years or proof that one’s family is solidly from our area.
#10 – Where can I find out more about the animal issues you mentioned?
#15
Type this into Google.
Title 7 Animal Code and Regulations San Jose
One of the first few links should produce a copy of the recent changes.
It doesn’t sound all that bad unless you substitute the word person or people for animal(s)… or various professions for animal type.
David D.
#17 Good point – I agree. There is much about this issue I am unfamiliar with: the politics and passion that rage in the background; the history of private and public interest groups. I, like some on the council apparently did not understand the full implications of what they were voting on. When it comes to animals and how people feel about them, it appears there is little room for humor.
#17 Speaking of animals, humans and showing a little respect. I hope you can open this link. It’s well done.
http://groverphoto.phanfare.com/album/304621#imageID=18463143
Animals of the wild often have it better than some of those we call pets or property.
#19- Thank you. That was very kind of you. Nice website. Unfortunately, we are poisoning off wildlife, chasing them out of their habitats, and taking a way their food supplies. All the building in the hills and open parks are driving wildlife into residential districts. They come looking for homes and food. Idiots who move in the animal’s territory are shooting them. We poison their drinking water with chemicals from factories, oil spills etc.
Look at the problems we’ve had with squirrels. We cut down their trees, so their homes and food source is gone. People start feeding them, so they become aggressive from the lack of food sources. When they get hungry they grab food from people, and they get trapped, and killed for just trying to survive.
More and more species of fish, birds, and vital microorganisms are being killed off. Mercury poisons fish and claims are getting sick from all the toxins we use. We over fish so many species of fish are dying. Coral reefs are dying, whales, and dolphins are being killed too. It’s really sad because we are a country filled with ignorant people doing harmful things not only to animals, and the earth, but also to one another.
It’s very disheartning. When I think back 35 years ago, when I first moved here, there were orchards, vast open spaces, and gorgeous hills. Now all I see is over building, congestion, and way too many cars, and people everywhere. The days of seeing a deer family walking safely on the hillsides is dam near gone. And what’s worse, it’s all about choice. We choose to do this without regard to wildlife.
#20 Everything you say is true; and for many critters the sky may be falling. However, thanks to the media, internet and a growing number of people who care, there is much good work being done all around the country.
—Just outside Missoula MT voters block mining operations that would further contaminate the Clark Fork Riv. And now clean up work is underway to remove a small dam and the tons of toxic sediment behind it. The river will again be a clean healthy habit for both fish and those down stream.
—Throughout the Pacific Northwest osprey flourish as rail roads, public agencies and ranchers erect nesting platforms on tall polls near rivers and lakes.
—Ground squirrels in Glacier Park once obese and tame from human handouts are once again wild and more self sufficient due to public awareness and park supervision.
—Herds of Tule Elk now roam the mountains east of Calaveras Res. and the San Antonio Valley below Mt. Hamilton.
—Bald eagles now nest and raise young near many Bay Area mountain reservoirs.
—Wild salmon are returning once again up the Guadalupe River.
—Wild turkeys, boar, deer, coyote, raccoon, badger, quail, fox, bobcat and mountain lion roam the hills and parts of the valley floor.
—Shore birds and aquatic wildlife are returning to marshes and brackish waters of our south bay.
—Birders, wildlife photographers and folks who value nature are growing in number. Protecting, observing and enjoying nature is a growing industry.
Yes, everything you say is true, but hopefully it is not the end of the world. This mess was not created overnight and it will not be repaired overnight. The seeds of the future are all around us.
#21- From your lips to God’s ears.
I know there are efforts being made to reverse the damage, but I hope it’s not too late. I went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium a few weeks age. Much of what I heard was very frightening. I hope our officials are listening, or else our children won’t even know what wildlife, or animals are~
#15- If you go to the City of San Jose’s website, and look at both the May and June Council agendas, you will see the information. Please watch the actual Council Meetings. You will see that a petition of over 410 signatures signed by Vets, animal rescuers/advocates, opposing the exemption for registered non-profits, was ignored. Numerous animal rescuers came in person to oppose a discriminatory exemption putting animals back outside for sale. It is not enforceable. A ban was passed 6 years ago to stop the inhumane suffering of animals in the heat, cold, on sidewalks, etc. Flea market vendors were not the only ones violating the law with regards to humane care of animals rescuers were too.
You will also see that the Director of Animal Services was taken to task for his blatant disregard of direction from the Council on being Brown Act compliant. To this day, the Animal Advisory Committee isn’t posting agendas, or minutes in accordance with the Brown Act.
The exemption ONLY allows rescue groups who PAY the City to go outside. It does not allow ALL rescue groups the same rights and privileges. There are no real safe guards in place to ensure the safety and well being of animals. There are not enough Animal Control Officers to go out and actively regulate and enforce humane laws.
It’s a real shame it passed because animals will suffer in the elements, and must tolerate traffic noises, fumes, and large frightening crowds. The Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council Member Oliverio all voted NO. The rest voted yes.
#16- “It doesn’t sound all that bad unless you substitute the word person or people for animal(s)… or various professions for animal type. “
Try putting on a fur coat and sitting in 75-80 degree weather, on a sidewalk, or by a busy street, with large crowds poking at you. I think you’ll change your mind.
#22 – … to God’s ears? I doubt that. She has bigger fish to fry. If we humans screw this place up, she has other rocks and toys in the universe to play with. As for our home here on earth… this one is up to us; and like you, I hope it’s not too late.