SAN JOSE: Embroiled in scandal, mayor won't resign-Gonzales apologizes for questionable dealings...

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 12/8/5 | Dave Murphy

[SmithL]

Despite increasing criticism and the threat of a City Council censure because of his alleged role in the Norcal Waste Systems scandal, San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales does not plan to resign, his spokesman said Thursday.

"He plans to finish out his term as scheduled," spokesman David Vossbrink said. Gonzales, whose term expires at the end of 2006, was at the National League of Cities conference in North Carolina and will not be available to the media until Saturday.

Pressure on the mayor -- including a call by City Councilman Dave Cortese for his resignation -- intensified this week when investigator Chris Scott Graham of Dechert LLP essentially confirmed what a Santa Clara County civil grand jury reported in June: Gonzales allegedly cut a backroom deal in 2000 that eventually ensured an $11.25 million pay increase for the garbage collectors -- without telling the City Council.

Although Gonzales had denied the grand jury's allegations back then, he issued a written apology Wednesday.

"With the benefit of hindsight, it's clear that I should have handled these matters differently," Gonzales' statement said. "As I have previously stated, I should have disclosed more information sooner to the City Council and the public regarding all the issues related to the Norcal contract, labor costs and garbage rates."

[SmithL]

His career's in the dumpster.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Corruption among Democrat officials! Who would have thunk it?

[mvpel]

We sold our house in San Jose a bit over two years ago and moved to New Hampshire, and haven't looked back.

[Hank Rearden]

San Jose's a low-class dump with a statue of dog crap in the park. But the mayor's Mexican, so HONOR HIM, DAMMIT!

[dc27]

Didn't Cortese's dad go to prison?

[NormsRevenge]

We sold our house in San Jose a bit over two years ago and moved to New Hampshire, and haven't looked back.

---

You,, You ,, You,,

lol.. Good move. How's that snow blower working ? ;-)

[NormsRevenge]

Quetzocoatl ping

[blam]

"We sold our house in San Jose a bit over two years ago and moved to New Hampshire, and haven't looked back."

Did the same from the Campbell area in '73.

[GoBucks2002]

Corruption among Democrat officials! Who would have thunk it?

How do you know he's a Dem? The article made no mention of his party affiliation whatsoever.

I may have answered my own question there....

[martin_fierro]

Quetzalcoatl
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[claudiustg]

We sold our home in Moss Landing and moved to Montana. I'm developing a taste for cold weather deer hunting, but now it's time for cross country skiing and ice fishing already. Good early cold winter, not dribbly like last winter.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

I could have said that I was just going with the probabilities. But, as an ex-San Josean, and nearby resident, I can attest to the fact that the corrupt Democrats have been running San Jose for many years. Gonzales is only the current head of the crime family. Best of all, he has a "minority status" "get-out-of-jail-free" card: "Me minority. You Racist. Is sue. ACLU." (TM Savage).

[CounterCounterCulture]

Ah, so that's where you ran off to.

At least you coulda left a trail of bread crumbs so we coulda followed you. ;-)

[dersepp]

Add this to:
1.) Sexual tryst with his 20-something employee and then leaving his wife for her.
2.) His phallic entrance to city hall
and
3.) Threatening to take over the Salvation Army's four acre facility and property, while citing the recent decision regarding imminent domain by the Supremes. I may cash out and be in Knoxville, TN in a couple years.

[mvpel]

You still can. ;-) I got my concealed-carry license a week after arriving here, and then finally, later, got around to switching my driver's license.