September 16, 2004

Campaign fundraising for City Council underway

De La Rosa event draws high-profile supporters

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

Community members and supporters assembled over shrimp, sausage, pot stickers, and campaign contributions to rally in support of District 10 City Council candidate Rich De La Rosa Sept. 9—a $250 per person barbeque hosted by Sal Rubino, Councilmember Pat Dando, former Councilmember John Diquisto, San Jose Firefighters Local 230, and the Association of Retired San Jose Police Officers and Firefighters.

Many familiar faces attended the informal gathering, including State Assembly member and Senate candidate Abel Maldonado, Councilmember Chuck Reed, Judge Ron Delpozo, Retirees Association president Jim Spencer, and San Jose Evergreen Community College Trustee Dawn Wright.

“We’re raising contributions so Rich can be victorious in November,” explained firefighter and Almaden resident Mark Skeen. “He was the best candidate when it came to public safety. He knows all of our issues in Almaden Valley, as well as throughout the city and he seems to be the best one to fix those problems.”

“We like his stands on the issues,” added retired firefighter Jack Salois. “And if Pat Dando endorses him, that means a lot to us.”

Drawing on similarities, the inability to obtain a building permit, according to State Senate candidate Abel Maldonado, was the impetus that propelled him into local politics and moved him to support the De La Rosa camp.

“It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you don’t worry about who gets the credit,” explained Maldonado.

“Rich is going to bring people together and get the job done—I believe in what he’s doing and he’ll make a great councilmember.”

Although prior commitments with the Citizens Performance Review Committee kept Dando from attending, she maintain in a written statement that it was important to San Jose, as well as District 10 that a “strong, independent voice represent us.”

Citing the high profile Tropicana victory, Councilmember Chuck Reed said De La Rosa would offer another much needed voice to city government on behalf of small business concerns.

“He learned it the hard way,” noted Reed. “He’s somebody who really understands small business, comes from that perspective, and can help me explain that to my other council colleagues. I know on the issues, he and I will work together and I’d be proud to have him on the council.”

With a 10-year career in politics, as well as experience working with councilmembers Dequisto and Reed, San Jose Evergreen Community College Trustee Dawn Wright’s bird’s-eye view of City Hall compelled her to join the campaign.

“I know what the job takes,” she said. “Rich has the best skill sets and is better prepared to do the job.”

De La Rosa maintained that his motivation and the success of his campaign—a year and a half-long effort—was due to the support of key individuals, including Hispanic Chamber member Dennis King, whom he said convinced him to run for City Council.

“You do not do it alone,” De La Rosa said. “It’s confidence like that that makes me want to keep doing the right thing—to look at the big picture.”

Rich De La Rosa will face Nancy Pyle in the Nov. 2 run-off election to replace termed-out District 10 Councilmember Pat Dando, who will leave office in December.