League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA June 8, 2010 Election
	Tom Johnston Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of San Jose; Council District 1

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County 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?

14 years as a employee for the City of San Jose, working for children, youth and families.

Worked as council assistant; learned the importance of accountability, honesty and delivering on promises.

I worked to bring quality/affordable child care to San Jose families.

I helped update the Department of Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services Youth Services Master Plan for before/after school programming for San Jose youth and teens.

I worked at the policy level with all 19 school districts superintendents in San Jose city limits. Focused on joint-use agreements between the City and the schools, state legislation that favored San Jose schools, and developed a strategic work plan that focused on teacher recruitment/retention.

I currently work as a community coordinate in distressed neighborhoods. Work to help neighborhoods recruit/retain residence for neighborhood associations/groups. Help neighborhoods navigate the City bureaucracy during event planning, or if bureaucracy is in the way.

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

There are three issues that are of extreme importance to the City; 1) Fixing the pension system - with priority on police and fire.

2) Making the government work - finding efficiencies, eliminating bad policies & procedures, and making government more responsive to the residents - all of which will bring savings to the general fund.

3) Protecting the vital District One resources like parks, libraries, community centers, recreational/education/and nutritional programming for youth and seniors from the proposed budget cuts.

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

In the seven years I've been a community coordinator, without question the most important skill I've learned is good communication; communication which leads to a good relationships. If you communicate effectively, and honestly, any difficulty, such budget cuts, can be dealt with.

4. 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?

I started my campaign in mid-March but am actively fund raising.

All of my contributions have come from friends and family; many of whom who do not live in the San Jose which leaves little room for effecting my decision making.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: April 20, 2010 21:22
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