League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA June 8, 2010 Election
	Donald Rocha Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of San Jose; Council District 9

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?

Prior to my current work as a Business Development Officer I served as a Chief of Staff to one City Councilmember, and as a Council Asistant to two other Councilmembers. I have also served as a District Director to a State Assemblymember, and as a Legislative Assistant to another State Assemblymember.

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

• Balance the budget at City Hall and get "Back to Basics", spending tax payer dollars on those services and programs that are most important to residents.

• Improve our local economy through the attraction and retention of employment opportunities with public partnerships supporting the corporate community.

• Ensure that neighborhood services such as community center programs for our youth and seniors, library funding, homework centers, crossing guards, and street pavement management are not cut to unacceptable levels.

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

I will work just as hard as a Councilmember as I have as a School Board Member on behalf of children and teachers. I will do the same on the City COuncil in order to save City Services that residents pay taxes for and consider their priorities. I will be an advocate for the residents in order to ensure that those critical services are maintained. Services such as:  police and fire;  keeping libraries open more then three days a week;  maintaining our parks and ensuring they and the restrooms are open in the evening and on the weekends;  community centers and the programs they offer our youth and the seniors.

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?

Despite the current economic conditions, my goal is to raise the full $96,814, and I am also committed to a reasonable personal contribution to ensure victory. I am honored to say that in the first two contribution reports I continue to lead in fundraising. I can assure the public that financial contributions will have no impact on any decision I may make as an elected official. My role as an elected official is as a public servant, and my focus will be to serve the public, not special interests.

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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: May 9, 2010 11:39
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