Only in San José

In Episode 13 we have Guest Host Adrian Gonzales, who currently serves as the Director of Regional Implementation at All Home, a nonprofit organization that advances regional solutions to disrupt the cycle of poverty and homelessness across the nine Bay Area counties. He previously served at Destination: Home where he managed the County of Santa Clara's Emergency Rental Assistance Program, a homelessness prevention program created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to his focus on housing and homelessness policy, Adrian also served as a local government management consultant who conducted efficiency studies and performance audits for over 50 government agencies over the course of a decade, including campaign finance and election programs.

Our guest interview is Neil Park-McClinktick of Silicon Valley Rising (SVR), which is a coordinated campaign driven by a powerful  coalition of labor, faith leaders, community-based organizations and  workers. SVR is in support of Measure B a ballot measure proposal to amend the San Jose City Charter to (1) move  the mayoral election from the gubernatorial election cycle to the  presidential election cycle beginning in 2024 and (2) to limit the  person elected to the Office of Mayor in 2022 to a Two-year term with  the option to run for the Office of Mayor and serve as such for two  additional successive four-year terms.

In Episode 12, as the City of San José considers expanding their Smart City and Innovation and Technology Advisory Board to include San Jose Residents, we go on a little Sci-Fi adventure with Masheika Allgood an AI Ethicist and the Founder of AllAI Consulting, LLC, a platform for providing AI education across various backgrounds. AllAI Consulting, LLC (pronounced "ally”), helps non-techies understand Artificial Intelligence, allowing business leaders and lawyers to actively participate in decision-making around the use of AI systems in their companies, and to adequately advise their clients and shareholders. Additionally Masheika is a member of the Black Leadership Kitchen Cabinet, addressing the broader social ills that are currently impacting their African American Community.

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In Episode 11 we speak with guest Jake Tonkel about Ranked Choice Voting, what is it, how it works, what are the fiscal impacts and more. 

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In Episode 10, we examine two major Forms of Government the Council-Mayor and Mayor Council, with Professor Kimberly Nelson from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Government. The episode contains audio from the March 22, 2021 Charter Review Commission's Study Session.

In Episode 6 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.

In Episode 5 we dive into the relationship between the mayor, council, and the city manager's office with our guest, former Deputy City Manager for the City of San José, Kim Walesh. Together we go over the details of this office as a whole alongside 2021 Charter Review Commission (CRC) study of the City Charter to understand whether our City’s governance structure is appropriately suited to meet the complex needs of a contemporary community.

In Episode 4 we dive into the world of Campaign Finance & Political Practices with 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.

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