February 22, 2008

StreetTalk by Carol Rosen

Given the protests and problems with naming the shopping area in District 7 Saigon Business District or Little Saigon, do you think the city council should put the issue on the June or November ballot even if it costs
hundreds of thousands of dollars? Asked at the Lucky Store on Capitol at Tully

“The city should save the money and not spend it on the election. Let the people in District 7 choose the name.”

Angel Rivera, 36
Evergreen
City of San Jose employee


“I personally think that the city council has already voted and that’s the vote. I think the money could be spent elsewhere.”

Gloria Chacon, 57
Evergreen
Court Manager, Superior Court


“I don’t think they should spend taxpayer money; it’s too much money. I think they should combine all four names and call it the Little Saigon Business District.”

Carol Stanford, 83
Evergreen
Retired


“I believe the shopping center’s name should remain. The city should take half the money they would spend on an election and use it for the benefit of local [District 7] business people. It’s wrong to spend $500,000 to choose a name for a shopping center that is important to only a small percentage of the city’s population.”

Sam Meza, 66
Evergreen
Retired


“No, I don’t think so, it’s not important to name a shopping area. The city should use the money for a health center or schools.”

Lena, 62
Evergreen
Retired


“Frankly, I think they should charge the association or the people associated with the shopping district. They should have to pay for it instead of using taxpayer money. It’s a non-issue for people who are not of Vietnamese background.”

Dave, 51
Evergreen


“I think that the money could be put to better use. I don’t see any difference in either name, although it might mean more to the Asian community. I think that all that money would be better spent on education or youth sports, for a couple of examples.”

Yolanda Rodriguez, 34
Evergreen
Business Administrator