January 17, 2008

StreetTalk

by Carol Rosen

Mayor Chuck Reed has been in office for about a year now. What kind of a job do you think he is doing? Anything he could be doing better? (Asked at Via Valiente Plaza)

“I think he’s doing fine. He’s trying to be fiscally responsible and work on city affairs. I want to hear more about rapid transit. I would ride it if we had it.”

Barbara Henry
Almaden
Retired


“He’s doing better than Ron Gonzales. I would like to see cleaner roads here in the southern part of the city. Our roads need the weeds and trash cleaned from them.”

Gloria Howell, 58
Almaden
Homemaker


“This year I’ve been following national politics a lot closer than I have city politics. I’m fine with the way things have been going. At least we’ve had no major scandals.”

Rona Buschbaum, 38
Almaden
Nursing student at San Jose State


“I think he’s doing a good job. I haven’t heard people complaining about him. From the things I’ve read about him, he’s smart and he seems to be getting things done, unlike the recent past."

Perry Segal, 63
Almaden
Retired


“From what I’ve been reading, he’s been trying, but he’s not up the expectations about him. He’s hit a few roadblocks within the council. I’d like to see the downtown area come to life. I think a lot of people would like to see a livelier downtown. It still needs a little something. I also hope the new airport will live up to international standards.”

Frank Loya, 65
Almaden
Wine


“He’s been quiet compared to Ron Gonzales, who I’m embarrassed to say I voted for twice. What I’ve seen of Chuck Reed is that he’s doing well. He’s fiscally conservative [which is a good thing]. I don’t see him creating stories about himself. He’s low key and I think he is the opposite of a publicity hound. But I’d like to see him voice the issues more and get more coverage.”

Jay Wiener, 62
Almaden
High tech start-up


“He’s doing better than the last guy, Ron Gonzales. I didn’t like him at all. He cheated on his wife. I think Reed has really good intentions and feel bad that he doesn’t have the tax base to accomplish the things he wants to get done like his Green Vision.”

Steve Boyer, 58
Almaden
IBM research scientist