On this episode we have Guest Host(s): Elena Hollemon, OSJ Intern and Danielle Boulé Hennessy, 1999 San José Youth Commissioner joining our interview with San José Youth Commissioners Nicole Hoang, Gordon Chen, and Amelia Uytingco as we tackle some tough questions facing us all today but thankfully with the hopeful enthusiasm of the youth! 

Resource Links:

Welcome to one of our favorite commissions, the Charter Review Commission aka City Charter Constitutional Commission for funsies. On this episode we will cover one of the foundational legal documents that governs our city just after California and the U.S. Constitution. This episode includes audio clips from the Charter Review Commission public meetings under Public Domain.

Resource Links:

(1) Sign Up for the Only in San José Newsletter 

(2) SJ Charter Review Commission 

(3) SJ Charter Review Commission Past Meetings 

(4) Detroit Charter Commission 

(5) Shelby v Holden 

(6) Letter v Spirit of Law 

(7) At-Will Employment

In this episode we will be covering the San José Redistricting Commission which happens every 10 years following the US Census. Our guest for this episode is Deputy City Attorney for City of San José and SJSU alum Mark Vanni. Join us as we break down the work of the Redistricting Commission for 2021. Disclaimer: Our interview with Mark was recorded back in November 2020.

The City of San José's 2021 Charter Review Commission (CRC) is studying the City Charter to understand whether our City’s governance structure is appropriately suited to meet the complex needs of a contemporary community. Such as, examining the relationship between the mayor, council, and the city manager's office. Our guest on this episode to help shed light on the details of this position and the Office of the City Manager as a whole is former Deputy City Manager for the City of San José, Kim Walesh.

Join Only in San Jose as we attempt to Un-Confusing Campaign Finance & Political Practices with SJ resident Adrian Gonzales, a professional consultant in local government processes and current Chair of the Board of Fair Campaign and Political Practices (formerly Ethics Commission). Together we will breakdown the upcoming Nov 2020 Ballot Measure, nuances in campaigning for office, the mechanisms the public have to participate, and the political practices that are shaping our city’s future.

Resources Links:

Special City Council Meeting: cutt.ly/july28-special

Register to Vote: registertovote.ca.gov/

Keeping up with Only in San Jose:

Website: onlyinsj.org

Newsletter: cutt.ly/osj-subscribe

Become a Member: cutt.ly/osj-patreon

Volunteer: cutt.ly/osj-volunteer

In this episode, “The Planning Commission Part II” we will be joined by the newly reappointed and current Chair of the Planning Commission Mariel Caballero and picking up where we left off in episode 2. Join us as we take a deeper dive into the nuts and bolts of this particular commission. If you are interested in learning more please check out the following links:

P.S. - I’m still working on some background noise for phone call interviews, please bare with me! Thank you!!

The Planning Commission Part 1: What they do, their impacts and influences, some historical context, and where they are at now. If you are interested in learning more we invite you to check out the following links that served as sources for this episode:

A brief introduction into the Boards Commissions, and Committees (BCC) of San José. What they are, why they are important, when and where to apply if interested. To learn more about Only in San José (OSJ) visit us at www.onlyinsj.org

Welcome to Only in San José, a community podcast aimed at demystifying and democratizing the process of civic participation in local government--ground zero of systemic change. Join me Ellina Yin, in conversation with a first of its kind people/employee owned podcast cooperative in San José. Meaning, it is owned by you, the people and we answer only to the people in San José. To learn more by visit www.onlyinsanjose.org