The Most Important Thing You Can Do
Over the course of the last weeks and months, we’ve had a conversation about what we can do to make our city safer by making our government smarter.
Throughout this time, thousands of residents of San José have joined our campaign, signing up to walk precincts, make calls and host house parties. I’m so appreciative of all their support. But there is one thing left to do – and it’s the most important thing:
Vote....
Just Six Days to Go!
We're in the homestretch with just six days to go until Election Day! This is a critically important moment in the campaign and we need your help.
If you vote absentee, the first and most important thing you can do is make sure you return your ballot right away. Remember, ballots must be received by the Registrar of Voters by Tuesday, June 3. If it arrives after that, it won't be counted. So, put your ballot in the mail TODAY or drop it off at the 24-hour drop box at the Registrar's Office to make sure your voice is heard.
If you don't vote absentee, you can still ...
Mercury News: The case against Casino M8trix’s owners is a personal one
By Scott Herhold
In the 33-page report on Casino M8trix prepared by the state attorney general's office, one mantra is repeated again and again about casino entrepreneur Eric Swallow.
"Swallow is not a person of good character, honesty or integrity, and his prior activities pose a threat to the effective regulation and control of controlled gambling," it reads.
The report exhaustively detailed how Swallow and his partners, Peter and Jeanine Lunardi, allegedly set up a variety of shell organizations designed to minimize the casino's profit.
These entities ...
Mercury News: San Jose mayoral poll: Cortese and Liccardo winning big among English speakers
By: Mike Rosenberg
With just 1½ weeks until the June primary, a poll on the San Jose mayor's race suggests that two contenders -- Dave Cortese and Sam Liccardo -- could be headed to a runoff in the November election.
But there is one big caveat: The pollsters acknowledged the survey was conducted only in English.
That would potentially leave out a large part of the base of support for another major contender, Vice Mayor Madison Nguyen, who is supported by the city's large Vietnamese-speaking community.
The poll by SurveyUSA, commissioned by KPIX-TV, is the first ...
Mercury News editorial: Campaign slime and how to recognize it
Mercury News Editorial
'Tis the season, and it's getting less jolly.
Political campaigns are winding up, and it's ugly out there, mostly thanks to independent committees wading into the mud while candidates they favor can stay starched and pressed.
So here's a reminder to peruse campaign mail, advertising or emails with care these final days before the June 3 vote, and keep a salt shaker handy for taking things with a grain. Or a ton.
Here are some tips:
Consider the source. Unions really, really don't like Armando Gomez, the Milpitas city councilman and ...
NBC Bay Area: Election Blog: Measuring Up in San Jose
By Larry Gerston
If you live in San Jose and voted in the June 2012 election, you might take a moment to recall how you voted on Measure B, the pension reform measure proposed by Mayor Chuck Reed. The measure had several parts including the right of the city to decrease pension benefits, reduce salaries of incoming employees, and change pension rules for new employees.
Measure B passed with a whopping 69 percent of the vote. Eighteen months later, a judge overturned the portion that would have allowed the city to reduce retirement pensions of current employees, ...
A Message From Your Mailbox
This is your friendly mailbox – with a quick reminder!
If you haven't already filled out and mailed your absentee ballot for Sam Liccardo – now is the time.
Please join Mayor Susan Hammer, District Attorney Jeff Rosen, the Mercury News and a coalition that includes nearly 10,000 leaders and supporters who agree – a smarter government brings a safer city!
Please don't ignore your mailbox – vote Sam Liccardo today!
And if you are not an absentee voter – don't worry – you can always vote early here:
Registrar of Voters' Office:
1555 Berger Drive, ...
How to improve public safety, and pay for it
During the best days of my tenure as a criminal prosecutor in the District Attorney's Office, I felt inspired by the courage of victims and witnesses who came forward to tell the truth. I marveled how a trembling teenager could overcome intimidation and even threats to take the witness stand, offer her tear-filled account and identify her assailant sitting nearby in the courtroom.
Our community is made safer by their courage, and by that of the police officers who serve us daily.
We should expect no less courage from our elected leaders. Too often, though, we hear ...
Board of the Santa Clara County League of Conservation Voters Endorses Sam Liccardo for Mayor of San Jose
PRESS RELEASE
Board of the Santa Clara County League of Conservation Voters Endorses
Sam Liccardo for Mayor of San Jose
San Jose, CA – The Board of the Santa Clara County League of Conservation Voters has endorsed Councilmember Sam Liccardo for Mayor of San Jose after extensive background research, detailed examination of questionnaire responses, and extensive interviews with the principal candidates. The endorsement is based on the careful evaluation of the candidates' past and promised environmental record.
While each of the candidates who requested interviews ...
David Pandori: San Jose mayoral candidates should reject casinos’ support
By: David Pandori
Special to the Mercury News
Gambling and politics have always been a bad mix in San Jose. In the 1980s, officials of Garden City card club skimmed money from the cash heavy business and laundered campaign contributions to city officials through straw contributors. No city officials were found guilty, however a number of card club officials were convicted for these acts. In the following years, contributions from card clubs continued to pour into the campaigns for mayor.
Tracking card club revenue continues to be a daunting task. The California ...