On June 5, San Jose voted soundly against urban sprawl and instead stayed the course in favor of high density housing within the city core and along mass transit. This is not only good for the environment but also for the financial stability of our city. The defeat of Measure B and the victory of Measure C was in part due to passionate volunteers. However, the main person that should be thanked is Mayor Liccardo.

The mayor made a strategic decision to allocate campaign funds from his reelection bid to the campaigns against Measure B and in favor of Measure C. This cash infusion was desperately needed at that critical time. The mayor could have chosen not to do so and increase his victory percentage; however, he took a risk for the future of our city.

Additional housing will not happen by waving a magic wand but instead by cities approving a series of developments located in the right locations that are best for the long term.

Pierluigi Oliverio
Former San Jose City Councilmember

(Published in the Mercury News June 17, 2018)