By Guest Blogger David Yarnold
Why I Read San Jose Inside:
Because scrutiny can trump arrogance.
With San Jose facing the most reckless, self-interested political machine in its history, keeping the lights on matters more than ever.
Nobody does this better than my long-time parent, the Mercury News, which does a wonderful job of reporting on what’s happening at City Hall. But the emergence of San Jose Inside provides an additional level of oversight that the current administration has proven it richly deserves.
What is San Jose Inside? A community of insiders who are obsessed with the turns of City Hall’s screws, providing a useful perspective on the morally bankrupt Gonzalez/Guerra administration. It helps provide the checks and balances that a (mostly) lapdog city council refuses to provide.
Much derision has been directed at my general agreement with Mayor Tom McEnery’s view of the current lame duck administration. Those attacks are simply the last resort of desperate interests who lack counter-arguments of substance.
The point is, Tom is mostly right about the current administration and the state of ethics in San Jose city government.
To be sure, San Jose is not a civic cesspool on the magnitude of Los Angeles, but left to their lesser natures, the current crop of elected and appointed officials could find those depths. After all, we have a city manager who, to this day, can’t see the grime attached to the profit accrued by his purchase of a home from his de facto bosses’ wife. Worse, we tolerate a mayor who lies to his colleagues, a mayor who places his trust in a Napoleonic martinet who boasts of his capacity for revenge.
To top all that off, the most powerful lobbyist in the nation’s soon-to-be 10th largest city makes a mockery of the city’s new ethics ordinances. Its director brags to confidants that the city’s laws will never be tight enough to force them to disclose their activities. As long as the doyenne of the South Bay Labor Council, Phaedra Ellis-Lampkins, can make a series of five or six calls of 5-10 minutes each—as she did to sway the council on the recent issue surrounding rental car cleaners at the San Jose Airport – the Labor Council will never meet the threshold for reporting its activities. It’s time for the Yeager-Reed-Chavez task force to revise the ordinance to base it on the number of contacts, not the amount of time spent lobbying.
So, is San Jose Inside capable of driving that kind of change? You bet. Remember: political commentary, whether on this site or on the editorial pages of the Mercury News, drives the endorsements and quotes that appear on political mailers – and that’s always in the forefront of the mind of any aspiring politician. Make those quotes count; base them on research; shine a light on the powers that want their actions to remain in the shadows.
As I leave San Jose, I’m grateful for the emergence of San Jose Inside. Another watchdog in the yard will help keep the prowlers out.
David Yarnold led the Mercury News as Editor, Executive Editor and Managing Editor as part of a 26+-year career that ended just last week. Yarnold is moving on, as Executive Vice President of Environmental Defense in New York.
Thank God, you’re gone. I boycott the MERC b/c of poor writing and boring stories and biased analysis. BTW, We will be removing the MERC EYESORE SIGN downtown.
David: You sound like the paid shrills that you hold in contempt. Please be assured that Tom McEnry had his share of ethics problems not the least of which involved his push to redevelop an area where he and his family owned property (see, FPPC regulations and Political Reform Act).
And, I’m curious, who is the most powerful unnamed lobbyist?
A self-serving hypocrite.
As well, Steals stories and ideas from here.
I am sorry, but as much as I feel Mr. Yarnold needs to look at leadership forums more than labor groups, I think it is a rotten thing to say that the Merc has poor writing. I never expect anything other than fair consideration from the reporters, and generally get that. BTW, as much as I disagree with some editorials, David was a truly courageous editor. He admitted when he was wrong.
Oh, if anyone would like to look at something that does seem unfair, why are aviation students at San Jose State getting the runaround?
David,
It would be very helpful if someone in the know could publish a network (or a program) that documents the “players” (lobbyists, developers, south bay labor, city hall, etc) and the web of relationships.
Has the merc done this or considered doing such?
Now perhaps the MERC will publish letters to the editor and other things that disagree with the same take as the poop paper, Instead of hearing from the same people (losers) whining about the same things or problems they created. AS LEAST HERE, WE CAN WRITE OUR FEELINGS WITHOUT FEAR KNOWING THAT THEY WILL BE PUBLISHED.
David Yarnold’s self-congratulations are a little misplaced. If he is the champion of clean and open government, why has he failed to expose and condemn Chuck Reed’s leadership in prematurely ending the investigation of the city hall cover-up related to Cisco?
Why has he consistently ignored what is pretty clear to most observers, the apparently corrupting influence of Victor Ajlouny on the political trajectory of Chuck Reed?
And why has Yarnold consistently ignored Reed’s very, very close relationships with controversial developers?
Could it be that Yarnold is as corrupted as he claims Gonzalez to be?
As a frequent reader of San Jose Inside I am mindful that not every posting is intended to be of a serious political nature. Yet, according to the site’s mission statement, if San Jose Inside is designed to encourage change in our city I hope that these discussions at some point move into the arena of thoughtful and deliberate action.
The action I allude to is directed to the residents of San Jose who will have an opportunity to reassert their authority as it relates to who their future representatives will be at City Hall both this year and next.
After more than a year of media coverage of scandalous, illegal and ethically-challenged conduct on the part of some of our City’s elected officials the upcoming District 7 election may reset the bar for defining candidates for elected office.
Judging by the past seven years that bar appears to have been significantly compromised and a new level of standard may be set as to what we, as residents and voters, expect of our elected representatives both in their political and public lives.
How candidates resonate with voters in this special election may be a harbinger of what to expect in the even more critical elections of 2006 where both council races and the Office of Mayor race may set the direction of our City for the next four if not eight years.
As a concerned resident, who in conversation with numerous others, including those who have worked for years in City Hall, it is clear to this observer that there is a measurable loss of faith, hope and morale as a result of what has happened in our city and the direction it has moved.
When asking about the desirable qualities of a prospective candidate I have heard that the next candidate seeking to represent our communities must truly put the concerns of residents ahead of his or her own political ambitions or fears.
What I have heard is that the next candidate needs to do the right thing first, both morally and ethically, and not do so only after having been caught with his hand in the proverbial cookie jar.
What I have heard is that the next candidate must be fiscally responsible by spending City funds prudently and not as if the city treasury was his own private bank and spending without regard to the consequences to our neighborhoods and future generations.
Though the criticisms of this current administration are varied the outcome of many of these conversations has been the same. Residents, business owners, and city employees alike are looking for political leadership they can trust. They are looking for someone they can respect, and who can restore the principle of service in the title of Public Servant which all candidates aspiring to the privilege of representing our city should embrace and never waver from.
To that end it behooves us, assuming that political change is the ultimate goal in the continual evolution of a democratic community, to scrutinize the current and next crop of candidates running for office.
The current candidates for Mayor have made their presence known on this site. Those wishing to represent District 7 should also avail themselves of this forum.
Mr. Posadas,
That was a very well-written and meaningful post. Recently, I have updated my voter registration information. I’m planning the next step which will be gathering signatures and meeting the people. I will let the people here know first when that will be.
San Jose Inside is really about people on the political outs
They complain, pout and occasionally actually tell you what they think it is all about
Ron and Joe “his self proclaimed revenger” have power and they have none
And that’s why San Jose Insider was begun
Many former politicians and special interests could not agree and fell out
What do you think it was all about
Is it who benefits most from the next tax and bond financed building spree
And that was why they couldn’t agree
Hypocrisy, poor ethics, bad politics and poor tax spending decisions for decades abound
While businesses, Mercury News, City Hall and County moved out of down town
Let’s support business, downtown, and BART by spending more taxes is their constant tune
Is this lets spend more taxes tune, another consultants and special interest profit boon
Are the Silicon Valley Leadership Group’s what is needed and tax spend priorities on the mark?
Is it truly from the heart or just more “let taxpayers pay, not us” motives from the dark
Many people are down while business profits are up and much tax spending is wrong
Do you believe the more taxes are needed from residents, not large businesses song
San Jose Insiders tell you that Gonzo and Joe “his self proclaimed revenger” are soon to be gone
While selling the same cynical old boy Chamber and large business is great for us political song
Tom tells us his business interests and the Chamber are right, and Labor is mostly wrong
Where do residents, small business owners and voters best interests and loyalties belong?
Does that mean you will be adding turbo jets to your roller skates this time?
Oh, if we want to web relationships, can the Mercury New do a story on the American Leadership Forum?
Is Pierre Bulkansky coming back from Tolstoy’s tale to Silicon Valley to join this version?
David,
Thanks for your many contributions to journalism in San Jose, going all the way back to The Spartan Daily. (Some of us have long memories!)
The District 7 Neighborhood and Community Leaders group will be having a Candidates’s Forum for all District 7 Special Election candidates on Saturday, May 7th, 1-4 pm Yerba Buena High School –1855 Lucretia Ave that will have the candidates available before and after the Forium to talk to residents and voters
Co-sponsored by Asia Law Alliance, Latina Coalition, League of Woman Voters, NAACP, and United Neighborhoods and potentially other community groups
David – interesting blog – Apparently, some think you and I and other voices are lined up solidly with the Chamber – I am calling things as I see them – like you have. I’m on the side of telling the truth. We have also made it clear that “many” were responsible for Terry Gregory’s sins and the recent silence of business and the Rotary Club is a disgrace, in my opinion. Against Labor? Hardly. I drew a line stopping the expansion of SJ that was ruining the City – we rebuild the Center and our tax base putting a lot of working men and women to work. Things the people wanted but the special interests fought. I only resent Labor or Business when they go around the citizens and buy the support of our public officials without the benefit of common sense or justification – I think most would agree w. that position.
Hello Tom
Could you elaborate on this statement. Not sure what you mean; but I’m interested.
Thanks
“and the recent silence of business and the Rotary Club is a disgrace, in my opinion”
David,
I appreciate your comments and candor. However, some personal disclosure seems to be in order here. Such as, how many of the candidates that you identify as having ethics flaws have been endorced by the mercury news?
I expect most of them. Given their small size, Metro did a pretty good article about Amy Dean and the South Bay Labor Council. The Mercury has yet to do a probing investigative article on this most powerful force in SJ city politics.
Why?
Sure. The business community was silent on the lobbyist culture, silent on the big money requests from Mayor and Council, silent on the mini-mayor devlopment problems, etc. – Edmund Burke, they were not. When Ron Gonzales spoke at the Rotary last wk., there were 2 prompted q’s & none on “tough” subjects. As I have said, in certain circles in our City, “silence” is a virtue. Our business community is asleep, coerced, or just dense.
I have found David Yarnold to be one the best editors I have ever had the pleasure to meet. The Mercury News, under his stewardship, reached outstanding heights in its coverage of San Jose, and I enjoy reading his commentary very much. He will be missed.
David, doth protest too much about certain things.
For example, did not Anna Song, when she ran for reelection see an onslaught of one group
Did this organization, after 5 or 10 calls, or people affiliated with this group decide Anna was to go? She sort of won, didn’t she?
I do not regard Ron as morally bankrupt. You are right, Ron has a lot of problems in how he is approaching things, but I think he still has some ethics, and I just ask that if we all join this organization, or that organization, that asks us to “work for each other in the future,” are we not all in the same boat.
You are an oustanding editor, Mr. Yarnold, I just believe that we can look around other places as well instead of always looking towards Almaden Road.
no teeth.
…and a shame for the members of a once poweful group of Citizen leadership. We should certainly give our Mayor the opportunity to speak to the important issues of the day – buy there is none more important than confidence in the ethics of our government. The “silence” at the Rotary shouted more than just embarassment for the speaker. To be a leader, as Rotary professes to be, you must be willing to speak up – and out. If not, the consequences are painful.
David,
Thank you for your candid and insightful comments about the state of San Jose city government. Your influence on the editorial pages will be sorely missed by us all. Many “insiders” at City Hall have been aware of the mediocrity of the current City administration and the low morale among city employees.
My concern is that the general apathy of the electorate about all current affairs—not just those at city hall—may result in tacit approval of the status quo. Hopefully, that will not occur.
Dear Mr. Yarnold:
Thank you so much for your statement “scrutiny can trump arrogance”.
After working at SBLC and watching the directors steal union dues & charitable contributions and evade law, I felt sick and alone, and thought that no one else cared.
But you statement shows me that San Jose citizens do know and care. And that possibly the citizens will pressure the city and district attorneys to clean up labor’s act.
Teddie Lavallee
Tom,
Why do you equate the Rotary Club’s refusal to open the door for more of Gonzales’ blabber with acquiescence on their part?
Most anyone who was at the meeting will tell you the lack of questions was the polite equivalent of boos and hisses. The silent room had to be downright embarassing for Gonzales.
Dear Mr. Softball D. Yarnold:
True, not very “teethey”, but a start. Now lets start the nitty gritty scrutity.
Nitty Gritty One: Where is the accounting for the toys for tots money Working Partnerships holds?
Nitty Gritty Two: Where is the money the citizens of San Jose gave to the San Jose Symphony bo buy sheet music—still held by Working Partnerships?
Nitty Gritty Three: Why is SBLC so special that they don’t have to meet comply with IRS laws regarding charities (501 C3s and C5)?
A small first step for man, a giant step for the citizens of San Jose.
Teddie
Dave:
Have you ever noticed that the people who speak the most about ethics are the ones with the least amount of it.
Instead of picking on a black man or Latino business people why didn’t you and your sidekick Danny expose the violations of the lobbying rules by Tom McEnery? Tom never registered as a lobbyist even though he was a consultant to the San Jose Sharks and lobbied the City Council on thier behalf… Must of slipped your mind.
In your quest for truth and justice why did you lie to one Chinese business owner and threaten to set another one up for prosecution by using the editorial pages if he would not answer your questions. I am sure that this in the journalists book of ethics somewhere.
Dave your oversight of the Editorial Pages was atrocious. You lead the paper to be sensational, inflamatory and personally vindictive. Instead of august and forthright discussion on public policy matters, you led the paper to a new low.
It’s not a wonder that you were passed over for publisher and forced out on the streets. Good riddance. For the sake of the environmental movement, I hope you clean up your act.
Right on. In essence all you say is what needs to be said. But as the City populates with overworked DINKS, dont expect activism. The only solution that I have heard that makes sense it the one a State Assemblyman offered, we need to find a way to influence voters to contribute a small portion each to their preferred candidate, to overcome the huge influence of development and labor, police, and fire influence.
Gary Singh’s last article in the last Metro says so much about this rutheless City Council that is methodically destroying the fabric of this City. As a Senior staff of the City I see daily the bullshit that covers for legitimate criterion for the City’s complete overhaul. And the irony is that this “Families Back to Work Admin” has put more family business out of San Jose than any previous admin.
They have no knowledge, care, or education in what builds communities and neighborhoods. Bottom line, the gravy train of high density housing interests drive the cities direction, and justify it with their phony “smart growth” mantras.