Accomplishments

By Pat Dando

This page contains a partial list of Pat Dando's numerous accomplishments as Our City Councilmember.

I have worked hard to provide good customer service for the residents of District 10 and to finish projects that improve the neighborhoods of Almaden and Blossom Valley. Some projects include:

Easing Traffic:

• Supported funding plan to complete Highway 87 and synchronize expressway traffic signals.
• Reduced traffic delays by linking major intersections to the City's Signal Control Center.
• Proposed traffic management plan to protect neighborhoods from traffic and speeding.

I will continue to pursue state grants that will fund the linking of additional signals in District 10 to the City's Signal Control Center, although most intersections are already linked.

I have worked for months to formulate a plan to address traffic congestion and speeding on residential streets. On January 31st, a final community meeting will be held in District 10, and then I will propose specific recommendations to the City Council. I believe we need additional traffic enforcement in the City, both photo radar and traffic enforcement officers. I also believe we must change city policies to direct staff to be proactive while allowing neighbors to participate in determining the traffic controls in their neighborhoods: stop signs, crosswalks, traffic circles, speed bumps, etc.

Improving Our Schools:

• Launched 12 local homework centers to help students. Started the first city-sponsored Teen Center in District 10.
• Distributed grants for school yard improvements.
• Developed funding plan to maintain childcare on school campuses.

In District 10, I have worked to establish the first city-sponsored Teen Center at Bret Harte Middle School and am working to establish a youth sports complex at Pioneer High School. I will continue to enhance these projects for youth. I have expanded the Almaden Community Center Advisory Council to specifically include a Teen Advisory Committee and a Young Children Advisory Committee to enhance the educational and recreational opportunities at the Community Center. I will work to implement programs as recommended by these committees.

Protecting Our Community:

• Won approval to open San Jose's first community policing center in the Almaden and Blossom Valleys.
• Opened new fire station #28 and purchased new emergency equipment.
• Led effort to hire 123 additional police officers. Secured grant to install safety telephones along Los Alamitos Creek Trail.
• Secured funding in budget for an additional Park Ranger at Almaden Lake.

The Fire Department will complete its citywide master plan later this year. I will strongly support funding those recommendations in the Plan that will improve response times in the Almaden and Blossom Valley.

Last month, Councilmember Alice Woody and I proposed a citywide Vial of L.I.F.E. Program for San Jose. The concept of the Vial of L.I.F.E. (Lifesaving Information For Emergencies) Program is very simple. Individuals put personal medical information in a medicine vial and place the vial in their refrigerator. A sticker or magnet is placed on the refrigerator door to indicate that the Vial of Life is inside. This system makes critical medical and prescription information readily available in a standardized format in the event that a Fire or EMS unit responds to the residence. I look forward to introducing this new program to residents in District 10 and throughout the City.

Caring for Our Community:

• Created an anti-graffiti program that's now a statewide model.
• Successfully fought to expand services for seniors, teens and young children at the Almaden Community Center.
• Stopped development and preserved open space along Harry Rd. and Calero Creek.
• Built 5 new parks and tot lots.
• Secured $2 million state grant to extend Los Alamitos/Guadalupe Creek trails.
• Developed Neighborhoods FIRST! Program to beautify and unite neighborhoods.
• Created Adopt-a-Spot Program to encourage volunteers to clean public land.
• Installed San Jose's first ever book drop at a branch library at the Almaden branch Library.
• Remodeled the interior and added books and parking spaces at the Pearl Avenue Library.
• Pushed to ensure the expansion of the Pearl Avenue Library and the addition of a new library on Blossom Hill Road as top priorities.

I strongly support the City's effort to place a bond measure before the voters to fund the citywide improvement of library and community center facilities.

I have worked hard to build 5 new parks and tot lots during my first term. In addition, I have placed funds in my District 10 budget for the expansion of Vista Park and Meadows Park in Blossom Valley, and the building of Pfeiffer Park and renovation of Parma Park in Almaden Valley. I have also established a reserve fund to build youth sports fields. I am working with Pioneer High School and the Almaden Youth Association to identify the best location for desperately needed sports fields.