February 9, 2007

Mayor maps out economic goals to San Jose business leaders

Record crowd at annual Power Report Luncheon proves fertile ground for Reed’s goals

By Ali Abdollahi
Staff Writer

More than 600 South Bay business and political leaders provided a receptive audience for Mayor Chuck Reed at the annual San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce Power Report Luncheon. Reed, who received a standing ovation prior to addressing the capacity crowd in the ballroom of the Fairmont Hotel, emphasized many of the same points and policies that helped him win the election last November.

Reed told the crowd that retaining current San Jose businesses and bringing new businesses and jobs to the city are his top priorities. “We want you to know that we appreciate you business,” said Reed. “We want you to stay here. We want you to grow here.”

Reed, who is the former chairman of the chamber’s board of directors, outlined plans very much in line with his perceived “pro-business” stance, including a streamlining of San Jose’s permit process. He also told the crowd that the city must not require companies to sign deals with labor unions in order to do business in San Jose.

That comment could be perceived as a thinly veiled attack on the regime of former Mayor Ron Gonzales, who was indicted in 2005 for attempting to make deals with labor unions as part of the NorCal garbage scandal.

Keynote speaker Mayor Chuck Reed gets a standing ovation from business and community leaders during the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Power Report luncheon at the Fairmont Hotel on January 23. Photo by Kymberli Brady

However, Reed’s criticisms of Gonzales were not the only controversies related to the event. This marked the first Power Report event since COMPAC (the chamber’s political action committee) sued the city of San Jose in federal court last year.

After COMPAC mailed 300,000 fliers attacking Reed’s opponent in the mayoral election, Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez, the city ruled that the fliers violated campaign regulations. COMPAC claimed that ruling was unconstitutional.

The city government seems to have moved beyond whatever tensions were created during the elections, with several city officials in attendance for Reed’s speech, including veteran city council members Nancy Pyle and Forrest Williams.

Reed, for his part, chose to concentrate on the positive, enthusiastically painting a rosy picture for the future of San Jose. “Silicon Valley is at the heart of global technology and innovation,” said Reed. “And San Jose is the heart of Silicon Valley.”

After successfully engaging an obviously friendly crowd, Reed concluded his remarks with a poignant zinger, given the nature of the audience. Said Reed, “Now go give somebody a job!”