Hello Everyone,
Wednesday, May 26th, marked a tragic early morning for San José, as a transit employee fatally shot eight others at the local VTA rail yard and then himself. Shots were heard on around 6:30am at 100 W. Younger Ave., causing a large police force to arrive, but not before the gunman, identified as Samuel Cassidy, opened fire on a number of longtime Santa Clara County Valley Transportation Service employees and civil servants who were checking in to the VTA control center for their morning shifts. SJPD were able to enter the building when gunfire continued and subsequently save innocent lives, but not before the gunman took his own life, aware of incoming law enforcement. The suspect's house, far out from the scene of the crime, was also on fire early this morning, and ammunition was found, yet there are no confirmed connections between the arson and the shooting, but are currently being investigated. Mayor Liccardo spoke out soon after the shooting, to say "this is a horrific day for our city and it is a tragic day for the VTA family, and our heart pains for the families and the co-workers because we know so many are feeling deeply this loss of their loved ones and their friends."
Our District 5 team deeply mourns for the innocent lives lost and feels for the families, friends, and loved ones affected by this tragedy. Yet thoughts and prayers are not enough to solve this crisis. This tragic event marks just one of the 230 mass shootings the United States has seen in just the year of 2021, as of May 26th, and is a huge call to action for gun reform on all levels, local, state, and nationally to protect Americans from the horrors of gun violence. Governor Newsom even questioned in a statement on this week's shooting, "What the hell is going on in the United States of America?" acknowledging that this is not an isolated incident. The 2019 mass shooting in nearby Gilroy devastated our south Bay Area community as well, yet little progress to prevent these shootings has followed. We cannot tolerate more gun violence in our communities and must make direct change through policy, which is why our team has been outspoken in our goals for heightened gun control and will work hard to promote and ensure City safety and gun regulation in future policies.
These men were already heroes to their families and friends.
They lived surrounded in love and died loving their friends and coworkers. They left the safety of their own space that morning as they heard gunshots and rushed to the aid of others. They saved their coworkers by ushering them through back doors and hiding them from the shooter. One of the victims' last acts was saving the life of his coworker by locking her up in an office to safely avoid gunfire only to be gunned down shortly after. So often we wonder whether our lives will mean anything to others, whether we lived well and made the impacts we hope to achieve. These men died heroes so that others could live. Nine died, though because of their bravery and selflessness, so many more were able to go home that day to their loved ones. Let us remember that in moments of tragedy and darkness, our humanity always reconnects us. May these men's ultimate sacrifice of love serve as an example to us all and may they Rest In Peace.
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I wanted to take a moment and thank all of the community members who submitted a comment to our council meeting and helped secure funding for our East Side Rescue Plan! With your advocacy, we were able to pass our budget priorities!
Thank you! And remember that, the people united, will never be divided!
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The County is on track on vaccinated 85% of the residents by mid-August, but we still have a lot of work to do in ensuring our Eastside community is getting vaccinated. It is important to get vaccinated to keep our community safe. I am not taking my eyes off on the Eastside and our vaccination efforts.
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If you need information on where to find a vaccine location for your children 12 years old or older or would like to register for a vaccine appointment, please call Healthier Kids Foundation at
1-833-560-0560. Healthier Kids Foundation vaccine hotline is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and has staff available that speak English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
In addition, Healthier Kids Foundation can help find evening and weekend appointments for working families, assist with arranging transportation, find vaccination locations for children 12-17-year-old, and help parents locate the Covid-19 vaccination consent form on the county website.
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Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19th 1865, Union soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free.
This was two and a half years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation - officially made law on January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. It wasn't until the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger and his crew, that the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.
The celebration has regained recognition as social movements like the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's and more recently, the Black Lives Matter movement center Black celebrations in their narrative.
A celebration of joy and freedom - we want to wish you all a happy Juneteenth!
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Pride: A letter from Ángel Madero,
Council Aide and Member of the LBGTQ+ Community:
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Gay Pride, also called LGBTQ Pride, or simply Pride, is an annual celebration honored in June in the United States. Though there are also specific days throughout the year meant to honor lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) identity, Pride month memorializes the struggles, accomplishments, and perseverance of the LGTBQ+ community.
Pride has its roots in the Stonewall riots, which began in the early hours of June 28, 1969 after police raided the Stonewall Inn bar in New York City's Greenwich Village neighborhood. This was one of the first documented moments where the queer community fought against the oppression they endured. These riots served as a catalyst for the Queer Liberation movement.
Pride is celebrated through parties, dancing, and often culminates in a parade involving marchers and extravagant floats created by the LGBTQ+ community and allies.
To me, Pride is a celebration of everything that makes us great! A way to honor those who came before me and paved the way for us to embrace ourselves. Pride is about reclaiming the spaces, experiences, and history that was deprived form us for so long. Pride is all of us!
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San José Animal Shelter Spotlight
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Meet CUTE JOE! He is an adorable 11 year old dog currently residing at the San José Animal Shelter, patiently waiting to finally meet his new loving family! https://youtu.be/hUM6aIuNlWg
Currently over 16 dogs and 100 cats, as well as a number of other animals like birds and bunnies, and special needs pets, await adoption at the San José Animal Shelter. Abiding by current COVID-19 restrictions, the shelter has not been able to fully open to allow these animals to mingle with guests, so many animals are waiting longer periods before finding their forever home. If you're interested in adopting Saint, or any of the many cute animals at the shelter, note the A-number identification (Saint's number is A1215561) and head on over to the local shelter at 2750 Monterey Road on Wednesday, Fridays and Sundays between the hours of 10am-2pm to meet and mingle with your selected animal and test your compatibility! Adoption fees have been lowered to $10 to accommodate for the increase in available pets and the need for kind owners like you to adopt a furry friend.
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To all dads and father figures, past, present and future,
Fathers are part of the foundation of our families as they share in the rearing, household, and the formation of our pollitos. Today is a day to acknowledge and praise our fathers for the invaluable jobs that they do!
And let's not forget those men who step into the role to father those pollitos even when those pollitos are not of their own bloodline. We want to thank those tíos, padrinos, padrastros, and loving neighbors who are important role models to our kiddos. To all the dads out there, we want to wish you a happy Father's Day!
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Memorial Day is a day to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country for all things we consider sacred. We owe a great deal of gratitude to those fallen heroes.From the office of Councilmember Carrasco, we honor and thank you for your sacrifice.
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is a community-based effort to identify transportation improvements that encourage people to walk, bike, and take transit. This plan will likely result in improvements such as better bike lanes, safer pedestrian crossings, and dedicated bus lanes. The San José Department of Transportation has developed a survey to learn about the transportation challenges facing the people who live and work in the Berryessa area. Please complete the survey at the link below and help DOT create a plan that best serves the community. All responses are confidential.
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Help shape the future of City of San José's Council Districts
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Every ten years, U.S. Census data is used to redraw City of San José City Council district boundaries. This ensures the districts are balanced for changes in population. The City Council wants to hear from you on how these boundaries should be drawn. Complete the form below to tell the Commission about your community of interest - keeping communities of interest together is a high-ranking criteria in the redistricting process.
https://www.sanjoseca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/74561/637589320746600000
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Struggling to afford internet service?
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Eligible households can now apply for discounts through the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB), a temporary benefit from the @FCC.
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