At the recent televised priority session, the city council and senior staff discussed the priorities for San Jose which included the Redevelopment Agency (RDA) and the dollars spent on the Strong Neighborhood Initiative (SNI).

SNI is a policy implemented about eight years ago. SNIs are suppose to represent areas in the city that are “run down” and/or in need of “special attention.”  There are 20 SNIs in San Jose where the RDA has spent approximately $60 million.

I asked a question about the equity of the SNIs.  For example, how much has been spent to date in each SNI area and what did the overall neighborhood receive in return. This data has been attached at the end of my post.

People have asked me how a particular neighborhood became an SNI area and their concerns for “non-SNI areas” that were left out.  In addition, I also wanted to understand the equity between SNI areas themselves. I wanted to understand how funds where allocated. Was it by population or by need?

Each SNI chooses their “top ten” list and it is from this list that the RDA funds what the SNIs want. These “top ten” lists resemble what most other neighborhoods want citywide.

What if one SNI wants a million dollar community center but another SNI just wants new trees? It appears that there may be a lack of equity.  What about the “non-SNI area” who needs traffic calming or street maintenance? They don’t even have the right to a top ten list.  My concern is equity.

I applaud our city for trying to reach out and help underserved communities.  However, I think we need to “self check” ourselves.  With the city in a budget deficit, other non-SNI areas are actually becoming underserved.

SNI Projects: Expenditures by Project to Date
SNI – 13th Street
COUPLET CONVERSION 2,796,239.46
BUSINESS FACADES   384,202.70
STREETSCAPE             1,523,950.00
BACKESTO PARK               200,000.00
SNI – 13th Street             4,904,392.16
SNI – Five Wounds/Brookwood Terrace
WILLIAMS 24TH ST IMPROVE (FAÇADE)   397,416.75
MCLAUGHLIN AVE. IMPROVEMENT   858,456.00
BART STATION AREA VISIONING       837.37
SELMA-OLINDER PARK             1,000,000.00
WILLIAM ST. STREETSCAPES               50,000.00
HOUSING REHABILITATION               256,615.51
Roosevelt Comm. Ctr. Skate Park   500,000.00
SNI – Five Wounds/Brookwood Terrace 3,063,325.63
SNI – Delmas Park
RESIDENTIAL PARKING                   13.00
NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC PLAN     50,000.00
W. SAN CARLOS STREETSCAPES 1,199,387.53
AUZERAIS STREETSCAPES               573,700.00
SIDEWALKS                           60,000.00
SNI – Delmas Park                       1,883,100.53
SNI – East Valley/680 Communi
NOISE STUDY     42,120.00
SIDEWALKS 1,000,000.00
COMMUNITY FACILITIES     40,388.05
STREET SWEEPING     25,000.00
SNI – East Valley/680 Communi 1,107,508.05
SNI – Edenvale/Great Oaks
GONA NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER   243,828.17
ERCA NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER   538,076.82
MASTERPLAN FEASIBILITY STUDY 1,518,967.10
COMMUNITY GARDEN   175,000.00
SKATEPARK   440,632.52
TRAFFIC CALMING AT SCHOOLS     20,333.00
IMPROVE LIGHTING     56,000.00
SNI – Edenvale/Great Oaks 2,992,837.61
SNI – Greater Gardner
STREET IMPROVEMENTS 2,288,311.39
SCHOOL TRAFFIC CALMING     80,000.00
FULLER AVENUE OPEN SPACE   746,000.00
BUSINESS FACADES   121,974.93
W. VIRGINIA STREETSPACES   634,280.18
HOUSING REHABILITATION   130,000.00
SNI – Greater Gardner 4,000,566.50
SNI – Hoffman/Via Monte
NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER   166,456.37
ALLEY IMPROVEMENTS   443,520.49
HOUSING REHABILTATION   250,000.00
SNI – Hoffman/Via Monte   859,976.86
SNI – Union/Curtner Bus Cluste
FACADE   295,313.93
SNI – Union/Curtner Bus Cluste   295,313.93
SNI – University
O’DONNELLS’S GARDENS PARK   689,000.00
COYOTE CREEK TRAIL   546,500.00
COUPLET CONVERSION   300,000.00
PEDESTRIAN CORRIDORS   499,000.00
BUSINESS FACADES     76,715.56
STREETLIGHTS   486,000.00
SNI – University 2,597,215.56
SNI – Washington
PARQUE DE PADRE MATEO SHEEDY   731,183.18
ALMA CENTERS IMPROVEMENTS   397,255.00
STORM DRAIN IMPROVEMENTS   785,000.00
COUPLET CONVERSION   700,000.90
WASHINGTON SCHOOL IMPROVEMEN   100,000.00
ALLEYWAYS     99,719.39
ALLEYWAYS RECONSTRUCTION (CD   527,420.54
TAMIEN SKATEBOARD PARK
SNI – Washington 3,340,579.01
SNI – West Evergreen
MEADOWFAIR COMMUNITY CENTER   834,475.89
PARKS & REC SPACE       172.92
BARBERRY lANE TRAIL     84,000.00
ABORN PED IMPROVEMENTS     61,498.00
LOWER SILVER CREEK IMPROVEME     15,000.00
ADA CURB RAMPS   187,000.00
SNI – West Evergreen 1,182,146.81
SNI – Winchester
EDEN TRAFFIC CALMING     74,750.00
WINCHESTER STREETSCAPES 2,458,217.42
TRAFFIC CALMING/STREETSCAPE
SNI – Winchester 2,532,967.42
SNI –  Blackford
IMPROVE LIGHTING     70,000.00
ACCESS TO RECREATION 5,434,376.84
WILLIAMS/BOYNTON IMPVTS (FACADE)     56,177.32
STREET TREE PLANTING     9,500.00
TRAFFIC CALMING     30,000.00
SNI –  Blackford 5,600,054.16
SNI – Burbank/Del Monte
OPEN SPACE
SCOTT/AUZERAIS IMPVTS   996,755.00
FREEWAY PARK     48,812.10
PROGRAM/SERVICES INVENTORY     5,080.62
Richmond-Menker Apt Complex   320,000.00
SNI – Burbank/Del Monte 1,370,647.72
SNI – K. O. N. A.
BULK WASTE STRATEGY     10,230.00
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB   500,000.00
TRAFFIC CALMING     25,000.00
SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS     41,133.00
WELCH PARK   235,000.00
ADA REMPS   275,000.00
SNI – K. O. N. A. 1,086,363.00
SNI – Market/Almaden
NEIGHBORHOOD PARK     50,228.02
PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS 1,073,297.30
SNI – Market/Almaden 1,123,525.32
SNI – Mayfair
ADULT LEARNING CENTER 3,200,000.00
STREET LIGHTING   343,470.16
TRAFFIC CALMING   221,000.00
SNI – Mayfair 3,764,470.16
SNI – Spartan/Keyes
OPEN SPACE   140,000.00
TRAFFIC CALMING 1,053,896.00
KEYES STREETSCAPE 1,023,440.11
REVITALIZE BUSINESSES (FAÇADE)   145,186.86
NOISE STUDY     43,000.00
ACCESS TO SCHOOL     25,000.00
SNI – Spartan/Keyes 2,430,522.97
SNI – Tully/Senter
SHCOOL HUB   186,110.98
MCLAUGHLIN AVE. IMPVTS   682,683.36
NISICH DRIVE PARK 1,600,000.00
TRAFFIC CALMING     64,377.56
CHAIN LINK FENCE   120,236.98
Holly Hill Infrastructure Im   150,000.00
SNI – Tully/Senter 2,803,408.88
SNI – Gateway East
SANITARY SEWER IMPVTS   950,000.00
STORM DRAIN IMPVTS     75,000.00
PARK FACILITIES   862,401.64
COMMUNITY GARDEN     26,000.00
STREET IMPROVEMENTS   441,123.81
TRAFFIC CALMING     75,000.00
SNI – Gateway East 2,429,525.45

January 21, 2008 is a legal holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  It is a day in which we should take a moment (or longer) and pause…and think of the teachings of
Dr. King. His legacy, his goals and how he affected our society will be remembered forever.

What if Dr. King were alive today? What would he think of the USA or San Jose? The war in Iraq? What more could he have done—would have done? Could he have accomplished more?

Below are quotes by Dr. King:

“A right delayed is a right denied.”

“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”

“All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem.”

“Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.”

“I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

“It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that’s pretty important.”

“Philanthropy is commendable, but it must not cause the philanthropist to overlook the circumstances of economic injustice which make philanthropy necessary.”

“That old law about ‘an eye for an eye’ leaves everybody blind. The time is always right to do the right thing.”

“The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict.”

“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”

“Something is wrong with capitalism as it now stands in the United States. We are not interested in being integrated into this value structure. A radical redistribution of economic and political power is necessary if we are to meet the needs of the poor in America.”

When it comes to the holidays, many of us expect to have them off.  Whether it’s Hanukah, Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years, etc., the assumption is that the holidays are automatically a day off of work or that one can request religious days off and the request is granted. However, this is not always the case.

My early work experiences included jobs that were “open” on the holidays. For example, when I had a paper route at age 13, I could not take a paid vacation or not deliver the paper on a holiday. If I went on a family vacation I would have to pay someone to “sub” my route. When I worked in the restaurant industry starting in high school, I would make money only if I physically showed up and worked my shift.

These early work experiences have caused me to reflect this season about the many occupations that do not stop for the holidays in San Jose. Doctors, nurses and other hospital personnel, sewage treatment plant workers, and PG&E crews, among others, work during the holidays. Although I have not needed their services, thankfully, I appreciate that they are present and prepared.

Two specific professions that work year round are our police and fire departments.  I think I speak for everyone when I say that police and fire are two professions that go above the call of duty.

I attended the police briefing on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The police department has three shifts each day. Each shift is given a briefing at the police station where the watch commander will do roll call and inform the new shift about the latest happenings, like keep a lookout for this car or this person. The briefing reminded me of the opening scenes of the 80’s cop show Hill Street Blues and the quote, “Let’s be careful out there.” After the meeting, the police grab their cars and their shot guns and go on patrol. This was my first time attending a briefing and I found it interesting and informative.

I also visited the fire stations in the district I represent.  I went to each firehouse on Christmas Day to greet our fire fighters and thank them for their service.

A “thank you” is in order for all who work on the holidays and a “very special thank you” to our public safety officers.  We value your service.

Have a safe and joyous New Year!

History was made last Tuesday night at City Hall when over 1,000 people gathered there, packing the Council Chambers, the rotunda and all the community rooms. Approximately 200 people from the crowd spoke at the meeting. They were old and young, male and female, recent immigrants and those here for decades. The topic was the naming of a business district

As a son of immigrant Italian parents, I can appreciate the longing for names that recognize a culture from another country.  I am not immersed in Vietnamese-American politics nor have I experienced the fall of my homeland. However, one can empathize with the emotion and intellect that was displayed at the meeting.

Freedom of speech was heard loud and clear. Speakers shared their feelings blatantly, which in some cases seemed like personal attacks rather than objective disagreements. It was personally difficult for me to hear members of the community speak so harshly of Madison Nguyen and Mayor Reed. However, my colleagues and I are elected officials and we are not better than anyone; therefore, it is important for freedom of speech to prevail, despite how harsh the comments may have been. Almost all the speakers that night were in favor of “Little Saigon.”

In June I voted in favor of RDA doing outreach to come up with a name and eventually place signs on Story Road. In general I like signs. In my travels to over 40 countries I have seen signage signify distinct areas of a city: Little Africa in Paris, Little Italy in New York, Little Istanbul in Berlin, etc. Signs bring distinction and importance to a geographic area and are testament to the hard work of ALL immigrant groups. Signs should be used in San Jose to support neighborhood business districts and our distinctive older neighborhoods.

San Jose is a celebration of diversity and the immigrant experience. We are a collection of peoples from Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. It is not a surprise that many ethnicities would like to have a district named after their homeland. Signs are symbols that can bring distinction and a sense of belonging to a geographic area.

I drove to Story Road the weekend before the vote to look at the area and visualize the future signs that our city would pay for through RDA funds. Afterwards, I kept driving east from the proposed Vietnamese Business District through several Strong Neighborhood Intiative (SNI) neighborhoods east of 101 and saw that there was still a lot to do. (SNI neighborhoods are funded through RDA funds.)

So the question came to me: Do I vote on funding $100,000 for signs that divide people or spend that $100,000 to help initiatives in those same SNI neighborhoods? I would rather put that $100,000 to those SNI neighborhoods in East San Jose where the residents are united about a particular neighborhood improvement; therefore, I voted no.

Madison Nguyen is strong in character and conviction and was a brave soul last Tuesday night. She is an effective advocate for the residents of District 7 and I am proud to serve with her. Elected officials should not be judged on one vote but the totality of their deeds and actions. It is important to allow for flexibility in government and to understand that there will be votes where people will have differences of opinions.  Those differences should not be exploited but rather embraced and respected as essential ingredients of a true democratic process.

Would you pay 25 cents a mile to drive in the carpool lane? A coin is being thrown around as an option for drivers to pay when driving on Hwy 85 or 101 in a few years. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is proposing HOT lanes—not “hot” as in temperature but rather HOT as in High Occupancy Toll lanes.

We currently have High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, also known as carpool lanes. A HOT lane would allow single drivers to drive in an existing carpool lane for a fee of 25 cents a mile (less then it costs to run a Humvee based on miles per gallon). An additional lane may be created next to the “fast” lane, therefore having two lanes for carpoolers and those who pay a fee.

The idea is to apply a Fastrak device to the windshield of a car that stores the financial amount somewhat like a gift card and would electronically transmit data and debit the drivers Fastrak account.  (Fastrak is currently used for those who commute using bridges in the Bay Area.)

HOT lanes are currently in operation in San Diego, Orange County and Houston. They are also being implemented in Minneapolis, Denver and Tampa and more cities are considering it.

Drivers would be allowed to enter and exit the HOT lane(s) at certain points. The pricing could be dynamic, being equated to the amount of traffic: less traffic and lower price per mile driven vs. more traffic and higher price per mile driven.

As you can imagine, there are many opinions about HOT lanes. One complaint is that those who live farther south would have to pay more, creating geographic inequity. For example, the idea is that Highway 85 would have HOT lanes the entire length from south San Jose to Mountain View and 101 would start in south San Jose/Morgan Hill and go to around Redwood City.  Others would argue that the working poor commute longer distances for employment—yet another equity issue with HOT lanes.

Implementation has been in the works for the Bay Area for several years with the passing of Assembly bills and feasibility studies.  Public outreach will soon begin with approval going before the VTA board in Fall 2008, with a final implementation set for 2012.

So, what do you think?

Are you game for another fee?

Is market pricing a good way to manage moving cars?

Will HOT lanes get people on to mass transit?

It is difficult to enforce carpool lanes today, so can we expect the same for HOT lanes?

How do those who must commute to work every day feel about paying to drive in HOT lanes?

Veterans Day is a time to be thankful for the men and women who have served or serve in our military.  I am taking this opportunity to share why Veterans Day is important to me.
I have never served in the military, so sometimes I feel a bit “hollow” in comparison to those who have committed their lives—past and present—to our armed forces.  There are other occupations where people put their lives on the line for others; however, the military is the biggest commitment one could make, in my opinion.

Several of my friends from high school are currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. They have made sacrifices; they had to leave spouses and children behind and military life is taking a toll, both physically and emotionally. When I think about my life with a safe home to go to, spending time with family and friends etc., I am thankful.  I am not in the desert maneuvering in 130-degree weather, having to watch out for snipers, land mines, a “human bomb” or experience the post traumatic stress that our men and women serving in the armed forces are facing today.

I am also grateful to those who have served before: people like Mayor Reed, Councilmember Forrest Williams, numerous city employees, relatives, neighborhood residents who served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam and many others.  People who served have many stories to share. Sometimes the stories seem unbelievable, then you hear a similar story from another veteran and soon you realize that life in the military is like no other.

I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to grow up in San Jose free from warfare that so many other people in this world have endured.  Our quality of life is due in part to the sacrifices that men and women made by entering the military many years ago to travel overseas to keep our country safe.  One way to honor our veterans is to attend the annual Veterans Day parade downtown.  When veterans see high attendance it makes them feel proud of their service.  Please consider attending the parade next year.

On this Veterans Day, I am thankful for all the veterans and the commitment they endured.  I am hopeful that the war will end soon so that those who are still with us can return to their families and friends.

Just for today, perhaps we put aside the small stuff that we normally worry about and realize that we are lucky.  Lets be thankful for those who have served before and for those who are serving now and appreciate our special place in the world: San Jose.