October 5, 2006

StreetTalk

by Carol Rosen

Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez recently released her tax statements and reimbursements from the city for the past few years to the media and challenged Council-member Chuck Reed to do the same. Will the results of these disclosures influence your vote for mayor?
(Asked at Almaden Center)

“The bottom line is that you hate to see candidates do things that don’t show ethics and integrity. It’s disappointing but you have to look at the full picture. I don’t know if it will affect my vote. It depends. I need to do more research on the issues and what each candidate stands for. I typically make my decisions nearer to Election Day. I’ll weigh the issue into all the factors, but I doubt it will change my decision.”

Joe Dean, 34
San Jose
Software architect


“Being in real estate, I believe in full disclosure. It’s the best thing. I tend to vote for whoever is up front and honest. It won’t change my vote, I think the matter is suspect at best when the issue is put forth this close to Election Day.”

Mike Herkenrath, 34
Almaden
Real estate


“It will change my vote. I don’t think he should charge his personal contributions as an expense for taxpayers.”

Rhonda Mueller, 35
Almaden
Sales


“That’s not a good thing to do. No, it won’t affect my vote, but I want to find out more about both candidates before I make up my mind.”

Beth Profio, 40ish
Almaden
Homemaker


“The thing is that all agencies have their own protocols. Sometimes it gets things done. It depends on the protocol. My vote depends on all the issues. The only way this will affect it is if it’s a violation of [city] protocol."

Mike Simms, 38
Almaden
Probation


“He paid the city back, but he probably never should have put himself in that position in the first place because your actions are a reflection of who you are. Yes, it probably will affect my vote because when the mayor got caught with someone other than his wife it proved my feelings were true. I already had a bad image of him and this strengthened it. If it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck, chances are it is a duck.”

Steve Morrill, 48
Almaden
Customer supervisor, Postal Service