Editorials

The city's idea of looking at the future of the Southeast

As law enforcement investigators continue their search for missing teen Sierra LaMar, day after day, week after week, hundreds of volunteers continue to show up to help in the efforts coordinated by the KlaasKids Foundation. They search, they organize fundraisers and they continue to get the word out. The outpouring of support is heartening, and unprecedented.

The planning for development of the Coyote Valley just north of

The tangled web of Bonfante Garden bonds, housing permits and

3 CHEERS: To Santa Clara County sheriff's deputies for seizing

Cheers to BookSmart owners Cinda Meister and Brad Jones, who

No matter who wins the race to be Santa Clara County's district attorney, residents will be well served. Karyn Sinunu and Dolores Carr are highly qualified, well-respected candidates.

We spend a lot of time watching the City Council at work

Cheers to the Santa Clara Valley Water District board and employees who recently negotiated new contracts that will save the agency $7.7 million over the life of the three-year contracts. Starting in April 2012, employees will contribute 15 percent of their health care premiums and pay an increase of 1.1 percent to 11 percent of contributions toward the California Public Employees Retirement System. And, new employees who start after Jan. 1 2012 will earn a rate of 2 percent of their salary for retirement plans, multiplied by their years of service at the age of 60. Current employees maintain the 2.5 percent at the age of 55. Employees will also lose a paid holiday, reducing them to 12 per year. Sick leave payouts upon retirement are capped at 480, with a 50 percent rate of the equivalent cash value.