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From the first moment I decided to run for San José City Council, I have been clear and consistent in what I believe are the major issues that need to be addressed by the District 1 council member and the entire city council. There are three top priorities that I will immediately address once I am elected as a city council member. If San José is to get back on track, these critical issues, Open Government, Fiscal Responsibility, and Neighborhood Development, must receive the full and concentrated focus of San José City Council. I will devote whatever energy and time that will be required to ensure that these issues get the attention they demand.
Open Government — It is imperative that the San José City Council address the critical problem of the lack of a fully transparent process of government. I will work to enact a sunshine ordinance that will include: increased access to public documents; require that documents related to agenda topics are made public at least 7 days prior to council action; require that the mayor and city council members make public any and all information and discussions that they are aware of related to agenda topics as soon as that information is available, but in no cases later than 7 days prior to council action; and ensure that all activities of closed sessions be made public when found to be improperly addressed in closed session or the reasons for closed session action no longer exist.
Click here to read an article that I recently wrote for the eInsight Newsletter about open government in San José.
Fiscal Responsibility — Even though the economy is on a steady path of recovery, the City of San José is faced with continuing budget deficits. Fiscal restraint is a necessity if we expect to deliver the residents of San José with the services they need and deserve. As a city council member I will ensure that there is a comprehensive analysis of the economic impact of each project that requires the use of public funds. It is imperative that we are fully aware of not only the direct economic impact, but also how fiscal decisions made by the council provide continued economic development, provide work for our small businesses and workforce, and generate revenue streams through sales taxes, hotel taxes, airport fees, and other related fees and taxes. We must also analyze the potential negative impact these decisions may have on existing San José businesses and ensure elements of local preference so that consumer dollars spent in San José remain in the community to continue to fuel our local economy. Additionally, we must ensure that capital projects are built at the most competitive price, completed on time and on budget. The city of San José must be more effective in enticing businesses, large and small, to move to or expand their operations in San José. Working closely with the Chamber of Commerce is a necessity to make this happen.
Improving transportation systems in San José and the region will help businesses succeed by getting the workforce to their jobs on time, while allowing workers to return home quickly to spend time with their families. We must coordinate all transit and transportation projects so that the system makes sense, each project complements each other, and the system is usable. Just as important is completing the airport expansion on time and on budget. An airport that is convenient and inviting to business travelers is key to economic development of the greater Bay Area. Above all, concentration on economic development and sound fiscal policy are the best ways to create jobs. Local businesses are the economic engine that drives our local economy. The best way to stimulate the economy is by creating incentives for businesses to move to or expand their operations in San José. Good examples of this type of policy are Sales and Use Tax Credits, Hiring Tax Credits, Business Expense Deductions, and Net-loss Carryover incentives such as those offered to businesses in the Enterprise Zone. Streamlining the planning and permit process and making permanent the pilot project for express approval of tenant improvement permits will encourage the expansion of current businesses and entice other businesses to open in San José. The easier it is to do business in San José, the more jobs we will create for our residents and the more revenue will be generated for core city services.
Neighborhood Development — Strong neighborhoods build a sense of community. Continuing to develop and empower neighborhood organizations in District 1 will be a priority for me. The fact that District 1 is in the western most portion of the city and that it is surrounded on three sides by 4 other cities (Santa Clara, Cupertino, Saratoga, and Campbell) has led to an identity crisis of sorts in the neighborhoods. Compounding this problem is the fact that in some areas of District 1 residents must have their mail addressed to the adjoining city and zip code and their children attend schools in the Campbell, Saratoga, or Cupertino school districts. This identity crisis significantly impacts these neighborhoods west of Lawrence Expressway and south of Hamilton Avenue. I will dedicate a staff member to assist neighborhoods to organize and participate in the envisioning of the future of District 1 and San José. I will create a District 1 Leadership Group that will bring together the leaders of the district’s 14 neighborhood groups. This interaction will allow them to identify common needs, develop a common vision for the district, and give them a greater voice in public concerns. Each neighborhood will be able to learn from the others’ successes and failures. This group will also be a nurturing resource for other new developing neighborhoods. And finally, I will host Town Hall Meetings in the District for all community members where they can discuss issues with me one on one. City governance should encourage information flow in all directions.
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