NeighborWebSJ

NeighborWebSJ is a local online news site that grew out of a need for San Jose’s residents to connect with each other and City Hall in order to promote civic engagement. NWSJ covers local and community news with a focus on the diversity of its residents and their efforts to make their neighborhoods cleaner, safer and engaged. NWSJ is edited and published by Janice Rombeck, a former San Jose Mercury News editor and reporter, and supported by a grant from the Knight Foundation.

Join our Mailing List.

Measure B Proving to Be Divisive Issue Among San Jose City Council Candidates

By Janice Rombeck

Jack Barnwell and Kelsey Lynn Lester-Perry

Visit NeighborWebSJ’s Election Page

Measure B, (http://www NULL.sanjoseca NULL.gov/clerk/elections/2012Election/measures NULL.pdf) the pension reform initiative aimed at controlling escalating city employee retirement costs, is emerging as a divisive issue at candidate forums in the five races for San Jose City Council.

Ten of 17 candidates running in the June 5, 2012, election favor Measure B, with the four incumbents evenly divided. Forums have been sponsored by neighborhood groups in all but Council District 2, with one more scheduled for District 6.

Measure B, or Pension Modification, was placed on the ballot by the San Jose City Council on an 8-3 vote on March 6. In short, proponents argue that the city simply can’t afford to pay benefits that were negotiated years ago and the escalating costs have forced layoffs and cuts to city services. Opponents say Measure B is illegal and will be challenged in court, taking money away from city services and putting it into costly legal fees. Continue reading

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fmeasure-b-proving-to-be-divisive-issue-among-san-jose-city-council-candidates%2F&linkname=Measure%20B%20Proving%20to%20Be%20Divisive%20Issue%20Among%20San%20Jose%20City%20Council%20Candidates)

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/twitter?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fmeasure-b-proving-to-be-divisive-issue-among-san-jose-city-council-candidates%2F&linkname=Measure%20B%20Proving%20to%20Be%20Divisive%20Issue%20Among%20San%20Jose%20City%20Council%20Candidates)

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/digg?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fmeasure-b-proving-to-be-divisive-issue-among-san-jose-city-council-candidates%2F&linkname=Measure%20B%20Proving%20to%20Be%20Divisive%20Issue%20Among%20San%20Jose%20City%20Council%20Candidates)

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/google_bookmarks?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fmeasure-b-proving-to-be-divisive-issue-among-san-jose-city-council-candidates%2F&linkname=Measure%20B%20Proving%20to%20Be%20Divisive%20Issue%20Among%20San%20Jose%20City%20Council%20Candidates)

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/google_gmail?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fmeasure-b-proving-to-be-divisive-issue-among-san-jose-city-council-candidates%2F&linkname=Measure%20B%20Proving%20to%20Be%20Divisive%20Issue%20Among%20San%20Jose%20City%20Council%20Candidates)

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/hotmail?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fmeasure-b-proving-to-be-divisive-issue-among-san-jose-city-council-candidates%2F&linkname=Measure%20B%20Proving%20to%20Be%20Divisive%20Issue%20Among%20San%20Jose%20City%20Council%20Candidates)

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/yahoo_mail?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fmeasure-b-proving-to-be-divisive-issue-among-san-jose-city-council-candidates%2F&linkname=Measure%20B%20Proving%20to%20Be%20Divisive%20Issue%20Among%20San%20Jose%20City%20Council%20Candidates)Share/Bookmark (http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/share_save)

Council’s Work on Budget Picks up Pace; Here’s How to Stay Informed, Speak Out

By Janice Rombeck

Read the Budget in Brief (http://www NULL.sanjoseca NULL.gov/budget/FY1213/05MBA/MBA01-2012-2013ProposedBudgetinBrief NULL.pdf)
Watch the budget study sessions on the Internet (http://sanjose NULL.granicus NULL.com/ViewPublisher NULL.php?view_id=2)
View Slide Presentations for Budget Study Sessions (http://www NULL.sanjoseca NULL.gov/budget/fy1213/2012-2013MayBudgetStudySession NULL.asp)

For the first time in a decade, San Jose is working on a budget that doesn’t have a huge gap to fill. But it doesn’t have a lot of wiggle room either.

The San Jose City Council held its first study session on the 2012-2013 budget (http://www NULL.sanjoseca NULL.gov/budget/FY1213/2012-2013ProposedOperatingBudget NULL.asp) on Wednesday, May 9, with the relief that it won’t face the massive layoffs of last year but the realization that there likely will be a deficit next year driven by increases in employee retirement costs.

“We continue to face significant financial challenges,” said City Manager Deb Figone. “This proposed budget allow us to set aside funds ($22 million) to help us deal with the shortfall we project the year after next, and our current reduced service levels clearly fall short of council and community expectations. “ Continue reading

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fcouncils-work-on-budget-picks-up-pace-heres-how-to-stay-informed-speak-out%2F&linkname=Council%E2%80%99s%20Work%20on%20Budget%20Picks%20up%20Pace%3B%20Here%E2%80%99s%20How%20to%20Stay%20Informed%2C%20Speak%20Out)

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/twitter?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fcouncils-work-on-budget-picks-up-pace-heres-how-to-stay-informed-speak-out%2F&linkname=Council%E2%80%99s%20Work%20on%20Budget%20Picks%20up%20Pace%3B%20Here%E2%80%99s%20How%20to%20Stay%20Informed%2C%20Speak%20Out)

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/digg?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fcouncils-work-on-budget-picks-up-pace-heres-how-to-stay-informed-speak-out%2F&linkname=Council%E2%80%99s%20Work%20on%20Budget%20Picks%20up%20Pace%3B%20Here%E2%80%99s%20How%20to%20Stay%20Informed%2C%20Speak%20Out)

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/google_bookmarks?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fcouncils-work-on-budget-picks-up-pace-heres-how-to-stay-informed-speak-out%2F&linkname=Council%E2%80%99s%20Work%20on%20Budget%20Picks%20up%20Pace%3B%20Here%E2%80%99s%20How%20to%20Stay%20Informed%2C%20Speak%20Out)

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/google_gmail?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fcouncils-work-on-budget-picks-up-pace-heres-how-to-stay-informed-speak-out%2F&linkname=Council%E2%80%99s%20Work%20on%20Budget%20Picks%20up%20Pace%3B%20Here%E2%80%99s%20How%20to%20Stay%20Informed%2C%20Speak%20Out)

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/hotmail?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fcouncils-work-on-budget-picks-up-pace-heres-how-to-stay-informed-speak-out%2F&linkname=Council%E2%80%99s%20Work%20on%20Budget%20Picks%20up%20Pace%3B%20Here%E2%80%99s%20How%20to%20Stay%20Informed%2C%20Speak%20Out)

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/yahoo_mail?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fcouncils-work-on-budget-picks-up-pace-heres-how-to-stay-informed-speak-out%2F&linkname=Council%E2%80%99s%20Work%20on%20Budget%20Picks%20up%20Pace%3B%20Here%E2%80%99s%20How%20to%20Stay%20Informed%2C%20Speak%20Out)Share/Bookmark (http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/share_save)

Churches, Cities, Neighborhoods Unite to Help Troubled San Jose Communities

By Janice Rombeck

Janice Rombeck | NeighborWebSJ

This pile reflects a morning's work of cleaning Coyote Creek.

And Dorian Silva

Faith-based communities, city governments and neighborhood associations across San Jose joined forces to repair homes, rid creek sides of debris, tend gardens, spruce up schools, clean parks and foster a sense of community pride in troubled areas targeted by the San Jose Mayor’s Gang Prevention Task Force.

The 3,500 weekend warriors of Beautiful Day (http://www NULL.beautifulday NULL.org) this year spread out across all 10 San Jose City Council Districts for two days of what the organization calls “about a hundred small things that make a difference.” Continue reading

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fchurches-cities-neighborhoods-unite-to-help-troubled-san-jose-communities%2F&linkname=Churches%2C%20Cities%2C%20Neighborhoods%20Unite%20to%20Help%20Troubled%20San%20Jose%20Communities)

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/twitter?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fchurches-cities-neighborhoods-unite-to-help-troubled-san-jose-communities%2F&linkname=Churches%2C%20Cities%2C%20Neighborhoods%20Unite%20to%20Help%20Troubled%20San%20Jose%20Communities)

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/digg?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fchurches-cities-neighborhoods-unite-to-help-troubled-san-jose-communities%2F&linkname=Churches%2C%20Cities%2C%20Neighborhoods%20Unite%20to%20Help%20Troubled%20San%20Jose%20Communities)

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/google_bookmarks?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fchurches-cities-neighborhoods-unite-to-help-troubled-san-jose-communities%2F&linkname=Churches%2C%20Cities%2C%20Neighborhoods%20Unite%20to%20Help%20Troubled%20San%20Jose%20Communities)

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/google_gmail?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fchurches-cities-neighborhoods-unite-to-help-troubled-san-jose-communities%2F&linkname=Churches%2C%20Cities%2C%20Neighborhoods%20Unite%20to%20Help%20Troubled%20San%20Jose%20Communities)

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/hotmail?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fchurches-cities-neighborhoods-unite-to-help-troubled-san-jose-communities%2F&linkname=Churches%2C%20Cities%2C%20Neighborhoods%20Unite%20to%20Help%20Troubled%20San%20Jose%20Communities)

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/yahoo_mail?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fchurches-cities-neighborhoods-unite-to-help-troubled-san-jose-communities%2F&linkname=Churches%2C%20Cities%2C%20Neighborhoods%20Unite%20to%20Help%20Troubled%20San%20Jose%20Communities)Share/Bookmark (http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/share_save)

Great America Litter Pick Up Surpasses Last Year’s Totals of Volunteers, Bags

By Janice Rombeck

Visit the Great American Litter Pickup Map and Slide Show

More than 2,000 volunteers spent three hours on Saturday, March 17, to pick up food wrappers, plastic bags, cigarette butts, bottles, cans, cups and even shoes and blankets that had been strewn along San Jose streets, creeks, parks and school yards.

And now they can see how much of a difference they made during San Jose’s 2012 Great American Litter Pickup. The numbers are in.

The 2,121 volunteers collected 1,226 bags of trash, which is a 13 percent increase in volunteers and a 7 percent increase in trash collected compared to 2011 totals. The three-hour cleanup targeted 16 locations throughout the 10 council districts. Continue reading

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fgreat-america-litter-pick-up-surpasses-last-years-totals-of-volunteers-bags%2F&linkname=Great%20America%20Litter%20Pick%20Up%20Surpasses%20Last%20Year%E2%80%99s%20Totals%20of%20Volunteers%2C%20Bags)

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/twitter?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fgreat-america-litter-pick-up-surpasses-last-years-totals-of-volunteers-bags%2F&linkname=Great%20America%20Litter%20Pick%20Up%20Surpasses%20Last%20Year%E2%80%99s%20Totals%20of%20Volunteers%2C%20Bags)

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/digg?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fgreat-america-litter-pick-up-surpasses-last-years-totals-of-volunteers-bags%2F&linkname=Great%20America%20Litter%20Pick%20Up%20Surpasses%20Last%20Year%E2%80%99s%20Totals%20of%20Volunteers%2C%20Bags)

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/google_bookmarks?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fgreat-america-litter-pick-up-surpasses-last-years-totals-of-volunteers-bags%2F&linkname=Great%20America%20Litter%20Pick%20Up%20Surpasses%20Last%20Year%E2%80%99s%20Totals%20of%20Volunteers%2C%20Bags)

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/google_gmail?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fgreat-america-litter-pick-up-surpasses-last-years-totals-of-volunteers-bags%2F&linkname=Great%20America%20Litter%20Pick%20Up%20Surpasses%20Last%20Year%E2%80%99s%20Totals%20of%20Volunteers%2C%20Bags)

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/hotmail?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fgreat-america-litter-pick-up-surpasses-last-years-totals-of-volunteers-bags%2F&linkname=Great%20America%20Litter%20Pick%20Up%20Surpasses%20Last%20Year%E2%80%99s%20Totals%20of%20Volunteers%2C%20Bags)

(http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/add_to/yahoo_mail?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com%2Fgreat-america-litter-pick-up-surpasses-last-years-totals-of-volunteers-bags%2F&linkname=Great%20America%20Litter%20Pick%20Up%20Surpasses%20Last%20Year%E2%80%99s%20Totals%20of%20Volunteers%2C%20Bags)Share/Bookmark (http://www NULL.addtoany NULL.com/share_save)

San Jose Piloting Online Community Engagement Tool This Month

San Jose is trying out an online community engagement tool through May 25 to increase communication between the city and residents. Community Voice is asking users to share ideas and comments on topics submitted by the city.

The three current topics include underage drinking, boards and commissions and the City’s website. The San Jose City Council will vote on Tuesday, May 15, on a social host ordinance that makes property owners responsible for underage drinking, will vote on a consolidation plan for boards and commissions next month and is seeking suggestions for improving the website.

The site also carries this advisory:

“The City reserves the right to restrict or remove inappropriate comments including those that have obscene language or sexual content, threaten or defame any person or organization, violate intellectual property rights or the legal ownership interest of another party, support or oppose political candidates or ballot propositions, encourage illegal activity, promote commercial services or products or are not topically related to the particular posting.”

Meet the Candidates on NWSJ's Election Page

Four San Jose City Council members face challengers for re-election in Districts 2, 4, 6 and 8, while six candidates are competing for an open seat in District 10 vacated by Councilwoman Nancy Pyle. Meet the candidates , read about their views on the Issues, learn about their campaigns and link to their websites on NeighborWebSJ's 2012 Election Page.

Candidate Forums Heating Up

Residents are getting to know candidates for San Jose City Council races at forums and debates. Candidates for District 10 have participated in three, with at least two more scheduled.

Forums have also been held in Districts 4, 6 and 8. One more is scheduled in District 6 at 7 p.m. Monday, May 21, San Jose City College, Technology building (corner of Bascom & Moorpark), 4th floor auditorium, room T415.

More on the June 5 municipal election is available on the city clerk’s web page.

Community Budget Meetings Scheduled for April and May

Haven't made it to a community budget meeting yet? There are three more scheduled before the San Jose City Council votes on the budget on June. 19. There also are two budget hearings scheduled in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 East Santa Clara Street. They will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, and June 11. For more information about the community budget meetings, residents can call Ernest Azevedo at (408) 535-8119 or visit www.sanjoseca.gov/budget.

The remaining meetings are scheduled for:

Wednesday, May 16

District 4, 6:30 8:30 p.m., Berryessa Branch Library, 3355 Noble Avenue.

Thursday, May 17

District 1, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Archbishop Mitty High School, 5000 Mitty Way.

Thursday, May 24

District 6, 6 to 8 p.m., Willow Glen Community Center, 2175 Lincoln Avenue.

NeighborWebSJ

Welcome to NeighborwebSJ

Follow us on

Quick Links

Archives

Meta

Measure B Proving to Be Divisive Issue Among San Jose City Council Candidates

Council’s Work on Budget Picks up Pace; Here’s How to Stay Informed, Speak Out

Churches, Cities, Neighborhoods Unite to Help Troubled San Jose Communities

Great America Litter Pick Up Surpasses Last Year’s Totals of Volunteers, Bags

News Briefs

San Jose Piloting Online Community Engagement Tool This Month

Meet the Candidates on NWSJ's Election Page

Candidate Forums Heating Up

Community Budget Meetings Scheduled for April and May