Candidate for
Member, City Council; City of San Jose; District 9

A Plan to Preserve and Improve Local Neighborhoods

Public Safety & Safe Neighborhoods

· Faster response times to emergency calls. · A well-trained and fast-responding paramedic system. · Fully-staffed police and fire departments trained in the latest life saving and emergency response techniques. · Increased funding for the City's existing training program that prepares police officers and firefighters to respond to terrorist attacks and natural disasters.

Safer Neighborhood Streets

· Increased penalties for red-light runners and higher fines for traffic violations near schools, parks and community/senior centers. · Stricter enforcement of neighborhoods speed limits. · Ensure BART and Light Rail systems are completed to get more cars off the roads. · Improved traffic calming measures to keep children, seniors and pedestrians safe. · Clearer road signage and improved crosswalk and bike lane visibility.

Improved Neighborhood Services

· Graffiti removal in 48, not 72, hours. · Expanded youth, senior and community programs. · Faster sidewalk and street repairs. · Increased frequency of street sweeping. · Improved park maintenance. · Expand the tree-trimming program.

New & Improved Community Facilities

· Build a new branch library for District 9. · Ensure the new Camden Activities Center serves seniors and provides after-school programs for youth. · A police substation in Southwest San Jose to improve response times. · Use Measure O & P funds to improve our existing local parks and build new ones.

Better Local Schools

· Increase student performance through City-funded academic support programs such as homework centers at all District 9 schools. Homework centers provide a safe, quiet place to learn. · Ensure that school campuses are safe # before, during and after school. · Improve and renovate neighborhood school playgrounds and playfields. · Expand after school youth programs to keep children off the streets. · Provide teacher housing incentives to keep good teachers in our classrooms.

Quality of Life Issues

· Expand senior citizen recreation and meal programs to accommodate the expected increase in the senior population. · Ensure working people are paid competitive wages that allow them to support their families. · Build more affordable housing that complements existing neighborhoods and allows young families to live in the community where they were raised. · Help homeowners and renters upgrade their homes through low interest loans and grants. · Use Code Enforcement to eliminate blight, remove abandoned cars and shopping carts, and improve neighborhood conditions. · Require all new development to compliment the surrounding neighborhoods and mitigate traffic.