April 18, 2008

The political landscape in Evergreen

Council Countdown

By Bill Highlander
Editor

About six weeks left to decide who will represent District 8 on the San Jose City Council.

The size of political signs and their placement are regulated and can be posted only on private property. Photo by Bill Highlander

Signs are popping out all over Like wildflowers dotting the landscape, political signs are popping up in lawns throughout District 8. The size of the signs and their placement are regulated and can be posted only on private property. But sometimes they spring up at intersections, roadways and other places. The “blooming” season is short and the signs must be removed no later than ten days after the election. Red, white and blue are used most quite often for lawn signs. The patriotic theme is obviously desirable. But contrasting colors gain the most attention as drivers merely glimpse the signs as they speed by. Professional sign makers often recommend white or yellow lettering on a dark background such as black or blue. One printer says the most effective color combinations for high contrast and readability at distances are yellow on black, white on blue, and green on white.

The campaign is gearing up – debates are being scheduled, signs are popping up like wild flowers and candidates are walking, talking and meeting with voters.

The candidates will first face off at the Villages on May 1 in a debate being sponsored by the Democratic and Republican Clubs. The District 8 Community Round Table and Evergreen Times are sponsoring a debate at Evergreen Valley High School on May 3 and another debate is being planned for May 7 at the Silver Creek Valley Country Club.

In each issue of the Evergreen Times, the candidates will have an opportunity to update their fundraising totals, personal data and respond to a question about issues in the community. That update will follow below.

The first question posed was about views on education, but that was scrapped when several of the candidates said that education wasn’t a city council issue or that more definition to the question was needed. Then one campaign manager accused the Evergreen Times of playing favorites by acquiescing to the complaints. I took umbrage at that comment. The Evergreen Times may, as the election date gets closer, endorse a candidate, but until that time we will treat everyone equally.

The question in this Countdown is about gang activity and what might be done to mitigate it. Each candidate was asked to respond in fifty words or less. Some responses were edited to meet that limitation.

Council Countdown

Every candidate was given the opportunity to update the Countdown. Some did, some did not.

Sylvia Alvarez, 61
Member, Evergreen School District Board of Trustees

Contributions: $3,691 as of April 16, 2008

Years in District: 40

Upcoming Events through May 3: None reported

Top 3 Endorsers: Senator Elaine Alquist, Senator Gloria Romero, Senate Majority Whip, Hon. Congressman Howard Berman, Chair, Committee on Foreign Affairs

Response to question: Our schools know which students are at risk to be recruited into gangs. We must provide wraparound services: academic counseling and support, mental health services, rehabilitation programs, mentors, leadership development, conflict resolution training, tutors and jobs. We must also provide support services to their parents and grandparents.

Minh Duong, 30
Small business owner

Contributions: $65,140 as of April 14

Years in District: 8
Upcoming Events through May 3: None reported

Top 3 Endorsers: None reported

Response to question: We must work with the Mayor’s Gang Prevention Task Force. While intervention is necessary for gang problems, a grassroots approach by working together with youth, parents, schools and our community to foster opportunities for youngsters to be productive at home, school and their neighborhood can steer them away from gangs.

Rose Herrera, 54
Businesswoman

Contributions: $55,000 as of April 14

Years in District: 30

Upcoming Events through May 3: Meet Rose at Rose’s breakfast club every Saturday through the end of May at Campaign Headquarters 10:00 a.m. for light breakfast followed by volunteer opportunities.

Top 3 Endorsers: San Jose Police Officers Association (SJPOA)
San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce (COMPAC)
Sierra Club, Loma Prieta Chapter

Response to question: We must reach kids before high school, with gang prevention messages and alternative youth programs. The Safe School Campus Initiative, which includes city staff who are former gang members, must be expanded to middle schools to broaden the prevention, intervention and gang suppression strategies of the mayor's gang task force.

Galvin Jackson
Realtor/Loan Officer

Contributions: $23,000

Years in District: 11

Upcoming Events through May 3:
Saturday, April 19: 1 - 10 p.m. Judge Omega Psi Phi Talent Hunt Contest - Le Petit Trianon Theater, San Jose
Tuesday, May 13: 7 p.m. District 8 Community Round Table, Aborn Branch
Library, San Jose

Top 3 Endorsers: Dr. Frank Greene - CEO Technology Development
Corporation and Zero One Systems, George Perez, Superintendent, Mt. Pleasant School
District, Louis Bellson, World's Greatest Drummer and Recording Artist

Response to question: Attack the two sources of attraction for gangs by increasing 3 – 7 p.m. programs with after school teams/organizations; provide programs encouraging family participations and feelings of belonging.

Van Le, 49
Businesswoman

Contributions: $23,300 as of April 15

Years in District: 24

Upcoming Events through May 3:
April 20, Fund raising at Ha Noi Corner Restaurant
April 22, Join the Mayor’s Earth Day Bike Ride on Earth Day at City Hall

Top 3 Endorsers: Mayor Milpitas Jose Esteves, Barry Do, Former President, Vietnamese American Community of Northern California, Amy Duong, Vinado Finance – Business woman in District 8

Response to question: Develop partnerships with school districts, the City of San Jose, Youth/Gang Task Force, the County, PTA, local neighborhood associations, youth groups to reach out to gang members and to develop after-school and weekend programs and activities. They need to have activities where they feel safe, secure, successful, challenging and fun.

Craig Mann, 48
Board Member, Santa Clara County Board of Education

Contributions: $48,000

“As of March 24, 2008, my public report as required by the City of San Jose showed $48,000 cash on hand to include $20,000 of which I loaned to my campaign. May 22, 2008 is the next required public reporting date. I am well on track to funding a successful campaign.”

Years in District: 12

Upcoming Events through May 3: None reported

Top 3 Endorsers: Forrest Williams, San Jose City Council member; Rita Chavez, sister of the late labor activist Cesar Chavez; Gary Rummelhoff, Santa Clara County Board of Education.

Question: “Combating gangs has two major components: enforcement – putting gang members in jail for their dreadful acts; and prevention – giving kids safe positive activities that keep them in school and away from the dangers of crime, drugs and violence.”

Lan Nguyen, 38
Board member, East Side Union High School District

Contributions: $34,250

Years in District: 6

Upcoming Events through May 3: None reported

Top 3 Endorsers: California State Assembly member Jim Beall Jr., Santa Clara County Supervisor Ken Yeager, San Jose City Council member Nora Campos

Response to question: We’ve cracked down on wearing gang colors at school, provided intervention to rising conflicts and performed “sweeps” of our campuses to address students involved with gangs, weapons and drugs. Public safety will be my top budget priority. I will be a strong advocate to ensure after-school programs and support.”

Pat Waite, 50
Community Volunteer

Contributions: $43,500 as of April 11

Years in District: 21

Upcoming Events through May 3: None reported

Top 3 Endorsers: Tim Brosnan, Principal, Archbishop Mitty High School; Ron Pelzel, President, Viking Freight (retired);Maria Nicolacoudis, Executive Director, TransAccess

Response to question: A plan must transcend governmental and geographic boundaries and include collaboration by youth services, police, corrections, probation, neighborhood groups and citizens. Early intervention is the most cost-effective way of reducing gang problems; the city must work with schools to strengthen anti-gang education, as well as to provide after-school activities.