League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA June 23, 2015 Election
	Manh Nguyen Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of San Jose; Council District 4

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 a broad diversity of experience, from a law education to three decades as a small business owner and media professional. Having built my own business as a newspaper publisher and radio and TV producer, I understand what it takes to encourage job growth. As a journalist, I am familiar with the issues facing San Jose and the community figures involved in those issues. I am not a political insider, but I understand the way our city government operates. I also understand the needs of District 4, thanks to my deep roots in the community. I raised my three children here, and they all went to public schools in the district.

2. San Jose budget difficulties have resulted in unprecedented cuts to staff and services. How will you deal with coming shortfalls? Restoring some of the City services? And, if you think the City needs additional resources, what are your ideas for increasing revenues?

In annual surveys, the taxpaying residents of San Jose are asked to rank their priorities for city services. In the event that cuts need to be made, these recommendations should be followed.

Beyond expanding our tax base, I am a proponent of finding new ways to deliver services more efficiently. A few cost effective ideas include the use of predictive analytics to deploy police officers more efficiently as well as ending the practice of deploying fire trucks to all medical emergencies, and instead deploy two-person SUV's to increase emergency medical response times.

As a councilmember, I will be committed to these and other reforms. Common sense and fiscal prudence is valuable both in times of scarcity and in times of comfortable revenues.

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

First, we must improve the economy by helping small businesses and cutting red tape. When the business community thrives, we will have more high-paying jobs for our residents as well as a greater tax base to restore city services. We need to work on restaffing our police department, creating more affordable housing options, and improving our infrastructure. These priorities are issues that need to be solved in a fiscally responsible manner.

4. How would you balance the needs of the City as a whole while also addressing needs of your district as well as those of special groups?

While District 4 will likely receive much of the attention in coming years with regards to economic development, I will work with my fellow councilmembers to better understand the specific needs of their districts and find areas where we can collaborate to ensure that no community in our city gets left behind.

5. How much money do you expect to raise/spend on your race, and how will you assure voters that financial contributions will not affect your decisions/positions should you be elected?

It is critical to communicate with my neighbors throughout District 4, and campaign contributions help me directly express my goals as a councilmember. At this point, I have had hundreds of supporters donate to my campaign in amounts varying from $5-$500.

I am an independent thinker, who will always vote my conscience. I pride myself on the virtues of honesty and integrity. I do not generally like campaign promises, but I can assure the voters that my work as a representative of the people WILL NOT be influenced by campaign donors or special interests.

Anyone who is interested in reviewing my campaign finances can find our latest fundraising report on the City Clerk's website: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/index.aspx?nid=451

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. The answer to each question should be limited to 400 words. 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: April 23, 2015 21:21
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