I hope you’re enjoying your summer so far. After 10 years of budget deficits, I look forward to having some services restored, increased crossing guards, and libraries opened due to the modest $9 million cushion we have this fiscal year.
On Tuesday, August 7th, the City Council will discuss a potential ballot measure for the November election that would increase San José sales tax by 1/2%. It is also worth considering the fact that San José’s sales tax is not the only tax increase on the ballot in November – far from it! I strongly oppose these proposals. To read more about the San José Sales Tax increase proposal, click here.
All eyes were on San José over the summer, and the city was put in the national spotlight in a number of ways. After the voters overwhelmingly passed Measure B in June, San José was used as a case study for pension reform. The city received national, state, and local media attention. In addition, San José also played a part in the formation of the U.S.A. Gymnastics team in London. To read about San José’s link to the 2012 Summer Olympics and other ways San José was in the national spotlight click here.
Helping to keep the spotlight on San José with sporting events, entertainment, conventions, and other gatherings is Team San José. Team San José is a partnership between the City of San José, downtown hotels, arts organizations, and labor organizations which manages a number of city venues including the California Theater, the Convention Center, the Center for the Performing Arts, and the San José Civic Auditorium. They are also leading the hotel-tax-funded convention center expansion that is now under way. You can read about this exciting project here.
Are you planning a reunion, convention, business meeting, or other gathering? Team San José can assist you with all of your event planning needs, including venue selection, hotel reservations, catering arrangements, and more. You can find their contact information here.
The District 1 Office hosted nine bright interns this summer. They included high school students from San José, and college students from universities throughout the United States. Our summer internship program continues to be popular among students home on summer vacation. Now that our interns are getting ready to return to school, we are once again recruiting applicants for the fall session. The fall internship is normally between September to the end of December. Of course, we also welcome applicants who are interested in doing a year-long internship. To learn more about our internship program, click here. To submit an application, click here. We are also accepting referrals, so please don’t hesitate to share the application to interested people.
Tomorrow is a big day for neighborhoods in San José; it’s the 29th Annual National Night Out (NNO)! This is an event that makes me proud to be your Councilmember. District 1 continues to place top on the list year after year, and this year is no different. Out of approximately 100 registered NNO events in San José this year, 30 are in District 1. Eden Neighborhood Association is once again #1 on having more NNO celebrations than any other neighborhood association in San José. Congratulations! To read more about this year’s NNO and for a list of which neighborhood associations are hosting an event near you, click here.
Unfortunately, I will not personally be at National Night Out events this year. Last Thursday, August 2nd, I had a back surgery. I hope to get back to work in a few weeks. Although I will not be at your driveway parties and ice-cream socials, the District 1 Office will be fully represented at your events. My staff members will continue to visit as many NNO events in one night as possible. Last year, we visited over 35 NNO events in a span of approximately 3 hours! Please welcome the District 1 staff members to your neighborhood!
You will be in good hands while I am gone. You can still send e-mails and event invitations, call the office, attend office hours in the district, and meet with one of my staff members to assist you with any issues. I will also continue to send e-newsletters and updates on important district and city matters. The great thing about technology is that I can stay connected with all of you even if I am not physically in my office at City Hall.
I would like to close this message with an invitation for you to visit Starbird Youth Center and see the newly installed public art. The artwork depicts the activities that members of the youth enjoy at the center. Some of the figures even have detailed features that resemble some of the young people who frequently attend activities at Starbird. The Starbird Public Art Project has taken many years of community work to achieve. The city’s Office of Cultural Affairs, along with artist Johanna Poethig, collaborated with Blackford NAC, members of the project committee, and District 1 youth to create the design and do community outreach. Congratulations to all of you who participated in the visioning!
