May 25, 2006

ValleyViewpoints

When it comes to soccer, city needs mayor who can think outside the box

Editor,
On behalf of Soccer Silicon Valley (SSV) I would like to correct Dave Cortese in his answer to the question whether to bring Major League Soccer back to San Jose.

He says the Earthquakes were asking for the city to pick up $5 million a year in operating loses. That is not true. SVS@E who were interested in buying the team, asked for the subsidy as part of their negotiation with the city. His final paragraph states the only way for it to work is to get the voters to approve a new stadium and have it operate at little or no cost to the city.

There are numerous ways to get the Earthquakes back that would not require city money, just leadership. One way is to work with the County to build a stadium at the Fairgrounds with youth fields instead of the concert hall, which would cost double that project. Another way is to work with SJSU in getting a deal with a new potential owner of the Earthquakes. Another idea is to partner with the City of Santa Clara, which has already demonstrated a willingness to work towards a new soccer stadium.

Thinking outside the box is what this city needs in a new mayor.

John Jussen
Soccer Silicon Valley

Chamber’s COMPAC exhibiting a change
in strategy, not in vision

Editor,
The past several years have found our city government consumed by investigations, misconduct and a number of legal actions. This has diverted elected officials’ attention from focusing on issues that are critical to the vitality of our communities and caused many to lose trust in our city government. Worse yet, it has become more difficult for businesses to do business in San Jose.

The San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce has a 120-year history devoted to supporting the interests of this community. It’s a shame that our motives are now under question after COMPAC, the Chamber’s political arm initiated outreach to San Jose residents that was 100-percent factual and supported by public record. 

We are proud of COMPAC’s leadership. This is the first aggressive outreach it has taken in recent history. Our approach is legal, on point and the right thing to do. The purpose of this outreach is to expose abuses of power and special interest persuasion, while highlighting the values that should be observed by any city hall administration.

Our message is simple and focused. We need:

n Open and honest discussions by city leaders before votes are cast and decisions are made.

n To respect and protect private property rights, without the reckless use of eminent domain powers that cost our city millions of dollars and put businesses and families through years of senseless anguish.

n To restore the public’s faith in city officials so that our mayor and administration are empowered to provide quality services and strengthen our local economy.

n Critics are now attempting to deflect discussion away from these issues by launching baseless and unfounded attacks on COMPAC, including where its loyalties lie.

For the record, we will continue to vigorously support the Grand Prix, an effort that brings strong economics and worldwide media attention to the Silicon Valley. Combined with the many human benefits a partnership with the Canary Fund provides for cancer research, it is a good investment for this city. It was never the event we opposed, only the process—and those who abused it.

In the future, COMPAC will continue to advocate for issues that affect the business community through communications grounded in facts and reported in public documents. We have not, nor will we support sending hit pieces to the community, which by definition are last minute, misleading and unsubstantiated.

Additionally, COMPAC will not hesitate to disclose the past activities of any candidate whose conduct compromises the core values we believe are critical to the future leader of San Jose.  It is important that San Jose residents stay informed and do not lose focus on issues vital to our continued economic vitality.

Pat Dando
President/CEO of the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce

If you appreciate our parks, vote yes on Measure B

Editor,
I would like to encourage all of your readers to support Measure B, the Parks Charter Fund measure that will be on the June ballot.

The Charter Fund directs the board of supervisors to allot a percentage of the general funds to the Parks department and is how we have been funding the parks system since 1972. It does not increase taxes or require a new assessment; it just defines the use of monies that are already collected.

In Almaden Valley, we are very fortunate to have so many wonderful county parks near us:

Almaden Quicksilver, Santa Teresa, and Calero. The parks charter funds is how we assure that our local parks are maintained, developed per their master plans, and more property is acquired and developed (such as the recent additions of Jocque Ridge to Almaden Quicksilver and Rancho Del Oro to Calero).

If you appreciate being able to walk, bike, ride horses, jog or just enjoy the outdoors in our parks please vote yes on Measure B in the June election so we can continue to do so.

Janice Frazier
Henwood Road

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