The Business Journal so much reminds me of that old saying about editors: that they “come in after the battle and shoot the wounded.” Never was it truer than in their recent editorial about Cirque du Soleil. They have been absent in past years concerning the takeover of City Hall by lobbyists; absent on the unconscionable stealing of our future by the transfer of 1400 acres of industrial tax base to residential housing; absent on any meaningful discussion of the proper support for small businesses in the downtown; and absurdly critical of candidate Chuck Reed on some relatively minor issues in the recent election. Not much of a record.
And now they cite the “unbridled zeal” of the Redevelopment Agency to get more people downtown by putting the Cirque on the San Jose Water Company location, now owned by Adobe. They even compare it to the infamous Grand Prix decision. “It’s the difference,” as Mark Twain says, “between the lightning bug and the lightning.”
They say the “traveling show” would be happy where they were. Oh really? Maybe the Coyote housing cartel would be happy in the pristine Coyote Valley; maybe the police union would like the “rule of three” and “management prerogatives” placed in their hands; and, perhaps the nightclubs and promoters would like the cops downtown to take Saturday and Sunday off. That’s not the point.
The object of sound public policy is to put before the people good ideas and to finish the portions of directions that have not been implemented, but are embraced by the majority of our citizens. The placing of the Cirque is not about a few more dinners for restaurants. That is laughably cynical. It misses the entire point and the work of small business owners, and historical preservationists and neighborhood activists of the last forty years: namely, to have our downtown become the centre of commerce, history, transportation and entertainment for our valley. It is a noble goal that cannot be tarnished by such criticisms and one that has withstood far more than the half-baked editorial slights of a group of Johnny-come-latelys who could not find First and Santa Clara Street if they had a map and a week.
Since few people read the SJ Business Journal, why did you not post the link to the editorial?
http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2007/08/27/editorial1.html
I subscribe to and read the Business Journal. I like the publication. Their reporters do a good job going in depth on stories.
But I must admit that they seem to lack an understanding of public policy on their editorial pages.
A simple solution would be for them to have an advisory board that helps them think through these issues. They could meet monthly.
Heck, Tom McEnery could chair it.
Dale
As usual you take things out of context to attack
Mercury Your quote was published on Friday, August 24, 2007 by the Los Angeles Times
No Thanks, and Keep Your Farm Aid –
Taking a stand against U.S. subsidies that help cripple Third World economies
by Joel Stein
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/08/24/3382/
Is your point that Mercury cuts and pastes other newspapers stories and opinion to fill paper – ok but at least use a better example
Yes Mercury as well as Business Journal could do better covering local stories but with declining readers and ads they are in financial trouble so their coverage is less – so
Mercury as do most San Jose residents has opposed Coyote, Evergreen but supports building out North San Jose and downtown where growth of jobs and homes should be but not you
Redevelopment will bring Cirque du Soleil back to Council in few weeks to show that San Jose will benefit by moving from civic center parking lot
Is this another downtown Grand Prix deal with numbers no one believed? We will know when we see numbers
If this is such a great deal, why did RDA wait until almost the last minute to bring it forward? Cirque has been scheduled for a long time, has advertised the Taylor Street location, and now RDA wants to scramble and relocate it. If it is such a great deal for downtown why wasn’t this plan in the works long ago? Are we about to see magic numbers ala the Grand Prix?
Something doesn’t seem quite right (again).
The Business Journal really stinks since they don’t report on downtown, and they’re not the fan of downtown, either. Sharon Simonson should be fired since she doesn’t care about downtown and future thinks of that place-“oh, it’s not there yet”, all the time. The Business Journal has no passion about downtown onces-so-ever! 15 years ago, they used to have a special section about downtown’s progress, and now, they have none. The chief editor has got to go! He’s so anti-downtown and pro-Silicon Valley, suburban! He’s horrible to the community of San Jose. Let’s overhaul the Business Journal once for all! They’re so irrelevent to the community and have few readers. They’re a disaster, period!
But here’s the point…What sort of return will the government get from their $700,000? Why does the city as a whole have to continue to pay for things that benefit the downtowns’ interests? As I mentioned in a previous blog, the restaurants would have to generate over ten million dollars in extra revenues before the city/RDA would get back its 700K. The city and RDA keep pouring money into PR and marketing campaigns that have mostly been “loss leaders.” (If you want to throw money at something…give the people free parking!)
p.s. Single Gal made a great point yesterday…”…you would think smart leaders could get all these things done.” But that’s just it, we don’t have enough of them (1 or 2 at the most!)
Pete Campbell
Tom: You and many others decry the conversion of industrial lands to housing. Just what industrial uses do you envision ever starting up here? Land is too expensive and wages are too high. The Third World countries can make it better (except when paint is involved, it seems0, and cheaper, even including shipping costs. Price is everything these days. Ask Don Wolfe of Wolfe Computer.
Your nostalgia for these non-existent industrial uses is as misplaced as Greg Howe’s (#1) for Hart’s and Hale’s. Jeez, Greg, they’ve been gone for what, 30 or 40 years? There’s a reason they are gone (like Bergmanns & George & Inman in Willow Glen) and won’t come back. Nobody wants what they had any more, and they never will. It’s like Kathleen in another post pining for shops downtwon to “browse”. No shop owner can survive on browsers. They need buyers.
All y’all need to get over it. Things have changed. Industrial and manufacturing are fleeing SJ, indeed the entire USA, in droves due to high wages here, union and non-union alike. They ain’t comin’ back…ever. Move on.
Tom, you bristle when I say it, and I am not accusing you of venality, but you have a particular interest in more $$ being funneled to San pedro Square. Your conflict of interest on the matter of spending tax $$ to help San Pedro Square businesses is HUGE. There is no justification to spenD $700k to bring the Cirque closer to your family holdings of restaurants to increase their business unless the public gets a benefit, not your tenants and you…the public.
So, unless brining it downtown will generate more TAXES to the City of San Jose, there is no moral or legal justification to spend the public’s$$, particularly when poools are closed and the roads are, in your words to me @ SJAC “Third World”.
It matters little if gross revenues of downtown businesses increase in order to justify spending tax dollars. There must be a tax benefit; i.e. ADDITIONAL taxes generated must exceed the subsidy.
RDA has postponed the Cirque du Soliel matter. Why? To make it another last minute Chavez-like decision re Grand Prix subsidies?? To hope fewer opponents will show up to protest if they keep continuing the matter??
THe RDA has been a complete flop when it comes to negotiating deals (Pavilion, Fairmont, etc.). How many BILLIONS have been spent to prop up the moribund downtown, and what do we have to show for it?—-a ghost town after 6:00 p.m., except the nights when the gangstas, lowriders, vatos locos, and other undesirables come to help inflate the Police Dept. overtime budget.
Speaking of half-baked, someone in the last week or so on this blog said the Phoenix Grand Prix would be cancelled this week. They were correct:
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0829racetwo0829.html
What do they know that we don’t? Or at least our elected officials don’t seem to know.
Greg – yes, I do believe that all salaries should be published – it’s the people’s money. And #4, if nominated, I won’t chair, if selected, I’ll move to Europe. Oh, and John Michael, please don’t confuse my boredom with your comments c. San Pedro Sq. with anger. Far from it. I have always had a simple policy on supporting the downtown, holding the line on housing expansion, and full disclosure on any ethical items. Of course, if you or others think my opinions are formed on “selling a few more hot dogs at Peggy Sue’s”, you are free to that opinion. Downtown is composed of some big deals, Fairmont, HP Pavilon, and the TECH, and many small businesses – our backbone. I support them all, and you should be part of the solution,not a “pot shotter” from the sidelines of life. TMcE
#10 John Michael O’Connor, I agree with you 100%. Although, I would’ve liked your post more, had you criticized me too. You see, I am a pathetic loser, a deranged lunatic, a moron, idiot and dope. I am clueless and despised by society. I make people’s skin crawl. I am hopeless, helpless and lost. Please, in your next post mention my name, of course, do so in a derogatory and denigrating fashion. And yes, I’m allowed to vote.
US open-wheeled racing (Indy Racing League and the Champ Car circuit) has been struggling for years, ever since the original single US open-wheel racing series split into two camps way back when.
That’s why San Jose has the Grand Prix (Champ cars) and Infineon/Sears Point/Sonoma has the competing IRL races.
Many of the teams are barely capitalized, and the very good drivers keep bolting to NASCAR or Formula 1 for bigger paychecks.
Too many teams/drivers/cars, too many venues and not enough advertising, TV or ticket revenues. It’s tough for the two series to co-exist—a lot of people are hoping they will fold back into one.
Maybe San Jose should quit the GP circuit, and instead sponsor a 24-hour race of all-electric vehicles. Who knows – it might work.
Tom,
Good commentary – I especially appreciate your words regarding the transfer of industrial land to residential use. The pockets of lobbyists and developers have become lined with gold as a consequence.
I don’t know if the Downtown area will ever return to it’s former glory in terms of commerce and retail activity. I have fond memories of Downtown in the 50’s and 60’s, Hart’s Hale’s and so many other fine locally owned establishments that once graced the area and so well served their patrons.
On another subject, what do you think about the State Supreme Court’s ruling yesterday regarding disclosure of Government employee compensation? I’m in total agreement with the ruling and I’d bet that Mayor Reed is as well – his Sunshine Policy is now, in part, the law of the land.
Tom, thanks for your reply.
George, I agree with you wholeheartedly – being denigrated by JMO is a badge of honor.
JMO, do have any concern whatsoever about non-renewable resources?! C’mon, what does it take for you to recognize that water, energy and clean air are in very short supply?
We’ve had a very cool and delightful summer yet, we’re now in the throes of repeated energy shortages throughout the State. As well, one more year of lower than average rainfall will push us into a major drought. Air quality is similarly impacted.
Do your remarkable soothsayer powers transcend what’s obvious to the rest of us? Just what is your solution to adding tens of thousands of new homes here in the Valley without further exacerbating our dilemma of dwindling water, energy and clean air?
I must disagree with former Mayor McEnery’s criticism of the Business Journal on the ground that it has been “…absent on the unconscionable stealing of our future by the transfer of 1400 acres of industrial tax base to residential housing…”
As a matter of fact, I have noticed that the Business Journal is far more forthcoming on the issue of conversion of employment lands to residential lands than the Mercury News.
As far as the other criticisms go, I cannot comment, but the Business Journal is far more detailed, and much more informative on questions of conversions of land classification and zoning than any other medium in San Jose.
It is the Mercury News that can barely crawl out of its hole to peep out at what is going on in the real world. Yesterday its concept of reality was that “farmers are just a half-step up from fire starters and cave painters.” Can you imagine any other newspaper making such a claim? But it does show that the Mercury News has a very slender grasp on the world around itself, including land use. To Mercury News executives and editors, food is manufactured in the back room of grocery stores, and the vital need to preserve employment lands for jobs in San Jose is a surreal concept.
And Mr. Mayor, if you are willing to call what has happened in the past in regard to conversion, “unconscionable stealing of our future,” get ready to roll out an even stronger vocabulary when you see what the planning department has prepared for the General Plan Review committee to recommend to the City Council. It’ll knock your socks off.
Two recent articles from the Mercury News:
“Repair needs taxing San Jose”
“San Jose may spend $700,000 to move Cirque show downtown”
Despite the different funding sources, this confused message out of city hall just makes residents even more cynical about our leaders.
We need leaders who can clearly articulate the need for spending so much to move the circus. It is nice to talk about the policy of supporting downtown but not blindly and at any cost.
JMO- Many of us who enjoy quaint shops do more than browse! I tend to buy more from family run businesses, and “quaint shops,” because they carry food or clothes from Ireland, or handmade items that make lovely gifts. I personally am not big on getting or giving ordinary gifts from big chain stores. Small businesses go the extra mile for we browsers. If unique stores/shops aren’t successful, why have so many of them been in business so long?
I’m from back east, and most all businesses are family run. They are friendly, inviting, and are usually the backbone of many small towns. Unlike San Jose, other local cities love, welcome, and work hard to make getting a business going ASAP.
Tom,
You have every right to protect your businesses and to want a more desirable downtown to attract people. It’s pretty unrealistic to say that that is what motivates your every opinion though. You served as Mayor, and didn’t do too bad a job, I might add. You’ve always been civic minded, and involved in our community. I support your vision of downtown growing into a beautiful, well run place for families. It sure beats what we have! Drunken brawls, public urination, gang bangers, and clubs that encourage too much alcohol consumption!
#18 Greg – Take a look downtown, there are many high-rise buildings currently going up, all full of high density housing.
What you don’t understand is that using land for housing is a losing proposition because the infrastructure required costs more the than the tax collected.
Keep building housing and we will continue to see the streets fill up with pot holes and the costs for our police and firemen skyrocket.
All this means more taxes!!
Tom-
You frequently rail against industrial conversion, but consistently provide no solutions for the housing crisis.
Where, in your view, should people live?
Tom McE #12—if you were so “bored” with my comments, I doubt you would have responded as you have done in person @ SJAC and above.
Perhaps I was unclear in making my point, however. I believe it is perfectly appropriate for you as a downtown landowner/lessor to do all in your power to boost downtown and the businesses to which you rent your properties.
And I am sure that most readers/contributors are aware of that ownership. But, as financial reporters do, for instance, you should have a disclosure of your interest in your posts; so that those who may not know can evaluate your comments in that light. Is it appropriate for you to boost downtown? Absolutely. But do you have an undisclosed conflict of interest (advocating spending $$ downtown vs. Almaden, for instance)? You bet.
You want a suggestion to improve downtown—call off the dogs on law abiding clubgoers and concentrate them on where they belong—the disturbers of the peace and the clubs that allow it to happen. Invoke existing law to warn them approriately and then shut them down if they fail to comply. There is no reason law abiding people should get the bum’s rush @ 2:00 a.m., 3:00 a.m. or any other time. One size fits all in the way cops treat dowtown clubgoers is lazy and inappropriate. There is every reason that the troublemakers should get the bums rush, until they go elsewhere to disrupt things.
Subsidies for downtown business should cease forthwith. Chains like McCormicK & Schmick’s, Grill on the Alley, (I don’t know about Morton’s) get subsidies, when long time downtown people like the Borkenhagen’s who lived through the mess of light rail got zilch. Those who lived through those rough times may have deserved a subsidy, but the newcomers do not. If I had to err on one side I’d err by giving no-one a subsidy.
Re Cirque Du Soliel, spending $700k to generate less than a tenth of that in new business revenue (not new tax income, but business gross revenue) is a waste of $$ that could be better used for dowtown infrastructure repair and maintenance.
It’s Redevelopment, isn’t it? Of “blighted” areas? Then use it for building seismic improvements, or new downtown sewers, or paving streets other than the Grand Prix Circuit. Don’t give it away to a Circus that’s here for a couple of weeks.
johnmichael o’conner #20
With all due respect, you are very ignorant of why the officers downtown are forced to treat everyone the same if you truly believe “One size fits all in the way cops treat dowtown clubgoers is lazy and inappropriate.”
The officers who are working downtown to babysit the nightclubs have little discretion when it comes to dealing with the public in the nightclub zone. If they do not treat everybody exactly the same way, then they are raked over the coals, mainly by special interest groups, for either being racist, or by the club owner for picking on the young people downtown at 3 A.M. who happen to be drunk.
Unfortunately, the police have been forced to deal with everyone downtown in a one size fits all mode to avoid accusations of prejudice against any particular group, and not because the police are lazy.
Greg#15—you’ll have to point to something I said in this series of posts that made you comment: “JMO, do have any concern whatsoever about non-renewable resources?! C’mon, what does it take for you to recognize that water, energy and clean air are in very short supply? “
Of course I am concerned about those things. But R U considering anything more than local water supply? People have to live somewhere, so although SJ may save water by not approving more residential uses here, the people will go somewhere in California. And Cal. water mostly comes through the Delta.The issue isn’t local; it is a huge issue for the entire country west of the Rockies and south of Oregon. It will remain an issue as long as the population keeps increasing. And now that a US District Judge has decreed that a small fish is more imprtant than the 30 million people who depend on Delta water, the issue is even more critical.
Oh, no, Steve #21, I am acutely aware that the cops have caved in to Rick Callender and others who throw out the race card when some black gangbanger gets popped for illegal behavior. Lawbreakers are lawbreakers, irrespective of their color, and all of them should be busted, black, white, brown, or whatever. But those not breraking the law should not be treated the same way as those who do break the law or cause a disturbance of the peace, irrespective of race, religion, or national origin, etc.
But that’s not what we get. We get so-called spokespersons pulling a race card at every opportunity against the cops, and that just ain’t right. It’s total bullsh*t, but the cops and the administration have caved in to it for fear of being called racist. A criminal is a criminal, regardless of color, and criminals should be treated like criminals. Non-criminals should not be subjected to the same treatment as criminals just to shut Rick Callender up.
Last Thursday’s Music in the Park was a perfect example. We were deluged by every ghetto resident from Richmond to Fremont due to the bands that the SJDA/Metro scheduled. It was a type of diversity I can do without. I came from a wine tasting @ the Ste. Claire and thought someone had transported me to the hood I grew up in—Inglewood, and that gangstas from The Crenshaw and the LBC came down to party here, as well. Loud, obnoxious, car-stereo- blazing lowlife hoodlums everywhere. I don’t know why any out of town guest at that function @ the Ste. Claire would ever return to downtown San Jose after seeing what was going on.
A female friend had parked her car in the Kinght Ridder Building lot, and I dropped her off there. She phoned me in a panic a couple of minutes later to report she was accosted in the elevator on the way to her car by a couple of ghetto thugs, and then found three gangstas leaning on her car in the lot giving her verbal sh*t. She came back upstairs and I transported her out of there.
Scott Kneis and Dan Pulcrano, if you read this blog, be far more careful of the acts you book next year. We don’t need to get Richmond’s murder rate; and we don’t need ANY of the out of town folks who came down here last Thursday to EVER darken our doors again.
And Steve #21, we do NOT need cops to treat you and me like gangtas just to shut up the race-card players.
Why not put cameras on 10 block downtown streets and in police cars that patrol downtown trouble areas?
Video tape will show what actually happened rather than more he did , no he didn’t between all the usual downtown players An few
Got a better idea, say so or we continue with same result and questions about downtown drives away customers