League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA June 5, 2012 Election
	Brian O'Neill Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of San Jose; Council District 10

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What experience related to city government would you bring to the City Council?

I have the leadership and the background to work with the City Council, the City's workforce and our community. Working in the public sector I've learned how government functions, how to make necessary adjustments to make it more efficient while continuing to provide quality public services in trying times. As a faculty member at San Jose City College I have become all too familiar with ever decreasing budgets and the impact this has on students and our community. I know what it takes to be a leader and have proven to be successful in bridging the gap when it seems compromise cannot be reached.

2. What concerns are of particular importance to the city and how would you address them?

Create Jobs: Job creation must be our top priority. Our city must invest in entrepreneurship and ease restrictions on the small businesses that are the backbone of our economy. With millions of dollars in infrastructure projects on the horizon, we must work to maximize this opportunity and create a pathway to a strong and sustainable economic recovery for our city.

Craft a Sustainable Budget: We must reevaluate how the City spends our tax dollars and work to craft a sustainable budget that addresses the needs of all our residents. Our elected representatives must work together and bring community, labor and business leaders to the table, as these decisions affect all of us. Fiscal sustainability can only be achieved through collaboration and compromise, not through political stalemate.

Improve Neighborhood Services: San Jose residents expect their government to deliver basic services efficiently. We want safe, clean communities, smooth roads, bike lanes, accessible parks, and a top-notch education system.

We need to conduct a thorough review of all city departments and engage in transparent discussion about how to streamline and improve city services. We must embrace the latest technologies to make delivery of basic services.

3. How would you balance the needs of the city as a whole with groups’ interests?

Government cannot solve problems facing our community alone. We all need to play a role. Non-profits, community organizations, private sector, labor and the residents of our community need to come together to set priorities and get directly involved in solutions. If we come together to focus on the nuts and bolts and encourage all sectors to play a role in the day to day betterment of San Jose, we will all rise together. My experience as a small business owner, city worker and union leader gives me a unique perspective on how to bring people together towards tangible solutions.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Word limits for answers are 400 words for all questions. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: May 10, 2012 09:34
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