May 16, 2008

ELECTION ‘08

Council Countdown

By Bill Highlander
Editor

The race is on and here comes…

Three candidates are vying to replace Pete McHugh as the District 3 representative on Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. They are experienced public servants – Otto Lee, a former mayor of Sunnyvale; mayor Jose Esteves of Milpitas, and San Jose vice mayor Dave Cortese.

The Evergreen Times is endorsing Cortese who has represented Evergreen and District 8 on the city council for two terms. District 8 has been well-served by Cortese with his support of parks, education, community events, traffic concerns, public safety and quality of life concerns.

Four of the five current supervisors have also endorsed him (Pete McHugh, the incumbent supervisor being termed out is not endorsing anyone in the primary election). Cortese has garnered an impressive list of supporters: San Jose mayor Chuck Reed, Sheriff Laurie Smith, Silicon Valley — San Jose Chamber of Commerce, leaders among teachers, police, firefighters, labor and the Latino community.

The crowded field of hopefuls to represent District 8 on the city council is becoming filled with intense campaigning. Mailboxes are overflowing with literature. Debates have been held. Volunteers and candidates are walking precincts, knocking on doors and soliciting support.

The debates have not clearly distinguished any one candidate. The issues are similar and the responses are mostly platitudes instead of solutions. Candidates have become more specific in recent mailers, although some of the promises are goals rather than reasonable expectations. For those reasons, the Evergreen Times editor is withholding endorsement during the primary.

However, Evergreen Times newspaper publishers William and Sandy Bellou are endorsing Rose Herrera for District 8 City Council. See the full text of the endorsement on page 4. Herrera has received a number of key endorsements, including Former San Jose Mayor Susan Hammer, former San Jose Vice Mayors Susie Wilson and Pat Saucedo, Almaden’s District 10 councilmember Nancy Pyle, Cambrian District 9 councilmember Judy Chirco, the Police Officers Association, the San Jose-Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, the League of Conservation Voters and the Sierra Club.

Relatively small but actively interested crowds attended the debates at the Villages and at Evergreen Valley High School. The Democratic and Republican Clubs at the Villages hosted a session attended by seven candidates (Sylvia Alvarez had dropped from the race a few days earlier.)

About 150 citizens came to hear the May 3 forum for county supervisor and city council hopefuls. The sponsors for the forum were District 8 Community Round Table, Evergreen Business and Professional Times, Evergreen Times, Evergreen Valley Education Foundation, North Valley Community Association, and Eric Parker, Nicki Brown, Ralph and Rachel Rodriguez and Kerry Sexton of Alain Pinel Realtors. Boy Scouts provided directions to the event and sold refreshments.

Len Ramirez of KPIX moderated the debate, directing the questions and monitoring the time limits. Galvin Jackson opted not to participate in the exchange, stating only that he had to set priorities on his time and attend to an emergency situation. However, he did have his volunteers distribute campaign literature.

All the candidates did appear at a sparsely attended mixer at the Silver Creek Valley Country Club on May 7.

Civility has reigned during the dialogue at public events, but acrimony is creeping in with negative campaigning and allegations about improper campaign signs, removal of signs and complaints to the City’s Code Enforcement Division. See related story.

Someone without the courage to sign a name is sending smear letters about candidates. The Silicon Valley-San Jose Chamber of Commerce’s political action committee (COMPAC) has fired a negative shot with a mailer recalling accusations against Craig Mann for credit card use while a trustee of a school district. An article in Metro also recounted the charges, but, calling him Teflon Mann, noted that Mann had responded to those and the voters in previous elections had apparently disregarded them.

Each of the candidates list the budget concerns as high priority, followed by public safety, traffic, residential and business development and after-school programs. The question of the week asks the candidates to succinctly state why he or she should be elected. Their responses will hopefully allow the readers to compare and decide whom to vote for. You may also go to their Web sites for more information.

Minh Duong, 30
Response to Question: A successful small-business owner who had to balance a budget and provide for his family is a perspective missing on the San Jose City Council. I will bring a fresh perspective that focuses on the bottom line. We must invest public funds wisely and every tax dollar we spend must yield a return on investment. I’ll bring my enthusiasm, energy and an open-mindedness to try new things to get things done. For too long we’ve depended on politics as usual. City Hall needs fresh blood and new thinking to help manage the challenges ahead. I respectfully ask for your votes. www.minhduongforcouncil.com.

Rose Herrera, 54
Response to Question: I am your neighborhood candidate. I have the business and leadership skills necessary to represent District 8 and help the City of San Jose through difficult economic times. I will listen and be a bridge to all communities in Evergreen. I have served my country in the Air Force and my local community most recently as the founder of Involved Evergreen. The overwhelming number of endorsements I have received demonstrates the confidence groups have in me that I will stand up for prosperity, and preserve our quality of life for District 8 and all of San Jose. I will Stand Up for You! www.roseforsanjose.com.

Galvin Jackson
Response to Question: I have worked for the two school districts that are physically located in District 8 as an educator and as an elected official. I was appointed as Senior Commission for District 8 by the Mayor and City Council. I was appointed to the Santa Clara Valley Water District Independent Monitoring Commit-tee – the clean water you drink and the un-flooded streets you drive on are examples of how my work has made life better for each and every person living in the district. Election to the City Council is the next step to enable me to continue to serve my community. www.galvinjacksondistrict8.com.

Van Le, 49
Response to Question: I’ve been very proud to have served in many cultural, educational and political projects for the City of San Jose since 1984. I have a record of accomplishment as a community volunteer, a former City of San Jose employee and a successful business owner. My experience has given me the skills and diplomacy to lead and manage cross-cultural teams within government agencies, community-based organizations and the business community. I am a leader that has the experience and compassion to make the critical changes that will improve the quality of life in our City and Neighborhood. Please vote for Van Le for City Council. www.vanle4d8. com.

Craig Mann, 48
Response to Question: City government must get back to basics, “focusing on core neighborhood services" like street and park maintenance, traffic congestion and stopping runaway growth, not superfluous extras. I am the person with the experience to make it happen. As a Santa Clara County Board of Education member and former East Side Union High School Board member, I’ve overseen more than $2 billion in taxpayer dollars, helped cut fat and focus taxpayers dollars on where they would be most beneficial -- in classrooms educating students. As a 20-plus year high-technology manager, classroom teacher and former city hall chief of staff “I have the right experience for Evergreen.”www.craigmann.org.

Lan Nguyen, 38
Response to Question: As a Board Member of the East Side Union High School District, I helped lead the district out of a budget crisis, worked to ensure math and science programs were fully funded, and student test scores have steadily increased over the last 3 years. Because of my dedication and hard work, I was elected Board President.

My priorities as your Councilmember will include improving our schools, reducing traffic congestion, keeping our neighborhoods safe and attracting vibrant retail and restaurants to Evergreen. I’m endorsed by County Supervisor Ken Yeager, Councilmember Nora Campos, Councilmember Sam Liccardo and many others. I’d be honored to earn your vote. www.lan4district8.com.

Patrick Waite, 50
Response to Question: First and foremost because I care deeply about the people of District 8. Through my community involvement over the past 24 years I’ve established strong relationships and developed an understanding of the issues we face here.

Second, San Jose has serious financial problems and I have substantial experience with large, complex budgets and organizations. I will bring my 20-plus years of financial and complex systems expertise to bear as I work on improving our quality of life.

Finally, I am passionate about doing this. I will work tirelessly, delivering results that matter to all of us in District 8. www. patwaite.com.