September 20, 2007

StreetTalk

by Carol Rosen

Why do you think the San Jose Grand Prix was cancelled? Will you miss it? (Asked at Via Valiente Center)

“Chuck Reed didn’t like it. It was cancelled because you can’t beat city hall; city hall wins over all matters. I found the noise of the champ cars exciting.”

Susan Frankovich, 64
Almaden
Retired


“I have never been and from what I understand it inconvenienced a lot of people to put the race on. It’s too bad that San Jose doesn’t have a better down town area; it’s got residential and commercial right next to each other. I won’t miss it because I’ve never been to it.”

Wayne Glusker, 58
Almaden
Photographer


“I won’t miss it because of all the traffic and problems and my husband’s commute [which was extended significantly]. I think it was good for business because it brought a lot of summer action when the Sharks weren’t playing and business typically was slow. But there were too many traffic problems and I think the money will be better spent elsewhere.”

Stacy Seymour, 41
Almaden
Homemaker


“It’s sad, probably politics [made it go away].”

LeeAnn Montrose, 34
Almaden
Homemaker


“It was really a great event. I went two of the three years; I was out of town this year. I think it was cancelled by politics and business. The business was skewed with the restaurants around the track doing well, but those outside the track may as well shut down."

Scott Diggs, 43
Almaden
Trains laser technicians


“I think it was cancelled because traffic was too bad downtown. I will miss it; I went twice and enjoyed it. It backs up traffic, but it was a fun thing to see.”

Rafael Sanchez, 51
San Jose
Assistant manager, PW Market


"I went the first year and I didn’t think it was well organized. I wonder if that had something to do with it. I couldn’t get food or water.”

Maureen Kane, 51
Almaden
Day care director at Resurrection School


"I think the Grand Prix was a unique event and the whole community will suffer financially from its cancellation."

Bob Calhoun, 52
Almaden
Owner, Calhoun Brothers Heavy Equipment