JOIN US ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 6th for NATIONAL NIGHT OUT 2019
The event returns to Willow Glen at our usual location, the Willow Glen Creamery, at the Willow Glen Town Square on the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Willow Street. Thanks to the creamery and frozen yogurt shop, free ice cream will be offered to every guest that participates, 6:30 to 8:00 PM. The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association will be organizing the event with our co-host.
National Night Out is a national program (trademarked) by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW). It occurs annually on the first Tuesday of August. NATW describes the event as "an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live."
Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide
Coordinated by local police departments and grassroots organizers in every city across the United States, this is a community-based event with the purpose of awareness-raising, partnership, and neighborhood development.
In agreement with National Night out themes, WGNA regularly addresses issues related to public health and safety (police, fire, emergency response, coverage areas, public welfare, etc.). We frequently invite guest speakers from the San Jose Police Department on the topic of neighborhood watch, and other anti-crime efforts." National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances."
JOIN US ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 6th for
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
WGNA's next open house Monthly Meeting will be held in September.
There will be no open house meeting for July & 2019,
the WGNA board members will be in a private retreat meeting.
WGNA's ADDRESS ON HOMELESSNESS CONTINUES...
The previous WGNA Monthy Meeting for June 2019 featured two guest speakers and an open forum with public comments and discussion.
Starting at 7:05 p.m., guest speaker Jonathan Fleming (returning guest) spoke on Laura’s Law, AB 47, AB 57, and AB 109.
Next, at 7:15 p.m., DeAnna McNeal Mirzadegan, a neighborhood resident, spoke about a petition for a homeless encampment at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds.
From 7:25 p.m to 8:25 p.m, an open forum, and public comments were heard on the homeless, needs for transitional housing, crime and safety, addiction and health, impacts on the environment, and the state of the city.
A full hour was given to the WGNA Board, membership, and the open community to discuss and understand the issues related to homelessness, transitional housing, crime, and addiction, as well as the impacts on residential quality of life, the environment, the economy, social services, etc.
There should be no "assumed" conflation on any of these matters. They are not necessarily all one and the same.
HOMELESSNESS, HEALTH & SAFETY, THE ENVIRONMENT, & THE GUADALUPE RIVER — MARCH 2019
We engaged participation, and asked for a community a response and feedback on the follwoing talking points:
FOLLOW UP on THE HOPE VILLAGE RELOCATION
UPDATE as of Monday 18 March 2019
The Hope Village Relocation to Willow & Lelong Streets was defeated on Monday 18 March 2019.
In a meeting at Gardner Community Center that evening (7:00 PM), Councilmember Dev Davis and Mayor Liccardo announced that a decision at the Santa Clara Valley Water District earlier that afternoon (3:00 PM) would prevent the use of this site for a homeless encampment. The relocation project had also received tremendous disapproval by area residents and stakeholders.
Subsequent meetings on the topic of the Hope Village Relocation to Willow Glen have since been canceled.
WGNA Issues Position Paper on
Hope Village Relocation to Willow & Lelong Streets
Subject: WGNA Position Paper opposing the Hope Village Relocation Proposal at the site of Willow and Lelong Streets.
To: Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD)
Our position: The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association (WGNA) strongly urges the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) to deny the requested permit and the use of this site for Hope Village or any similar homeless transitional housing projects.
See the position paper here in PDF document form.
Hope Village Relocation Community Meeting (Impromptu) w/ WGNA — March 2019
The night's meeting on Wednesday 13 March was hosted by Willow Glen Neighborhood Association - WGNA at the Elk's lodge. The WGNA board members have since heard many of the concerns of the area residents and stakeholders and published a position paper to the Santa Clara Valley Water District on Monday 18 March 2019.
The last meeting on March 13th was an open house meeting, whereas the city councilmembers, county supervisors, representatives, and departments were invited to attend and speak. The WGNA Board encouraged Councilmember Dev Davis and others from the city of San Jose to participate along with all of the stakeholders in our community in an open house forum. The city chose not to attend, but the county sent its representatives.
For more follow-up questions or other matters related to Hope Village and the state of temporary housing for the homeless, please email editor.wgna@gmail.com and your message will be forwarded to the WGNA Board. WGNA has already made its position on the topic; however, beyond the recent determination, we are interested in helping Hope Village and the homeless beyond the difficult predicament.
More info on our previous meetings and activities...
SAN JOSÉ CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAM & INITIATIVES — MAY 2019
Presentation (viewable online, PDF format): San José Clean Energy program and initiatives.
Speaker: Kate Ziemba, Senior Public Information Representative, San José Clean Energy (SJCE), City of San Jose; joined with Todd Webber
Summary: San José Clean Energy, or SJCE, is the City of San José’s new electricity supplier—charting our path to a greener future. We are the Community Energy department of the City of San José, dedicated to creating a more sustainable future for our community and future generations. SJCE plays a crucial role in Climate Smart San José, the city’s climate action plan. The San José City Council unanimously voted to create SJCE in May 2017, and we began serving residents and businesses in February 2019.
Topic series: Urban Ecology; Urban Design & Vision/Planning
PLANED FIRE STATION #37 in WILLOW GLEN — MARCH 2019
The last open house meeting of the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association was a Town Hall Meeting with a panel discussion on issues relating to the San Jose Fire Department's proposal to build the new fire station #37 in Willow Glen, long planned on the site near the community center on Lincoln and Curtner Avenues. The panel members will include San José Fire Chief Robert Sapien, Jr.; Councilmember Pam Foley, District 9 (South Willow Glen); and Councilmember Dev Davis, District 6 (Central Willow Glen).
Additionally, we had a chat on the San Jose Fire Museum in downtown San Jose, with its mission on educating the public about the history of the San Jose Fire Department.
NATIONAL SAFE ROUTES
"BIKE TO SCHOOL" MONTH RETURNS
REDEEM YOUR BICYCLE COUPONS FROM MAY 2019 INTO SUMMER
Seasonally, every year, Bike to School month returns in the spring (usually May), and Walk to School Day returns in the autumn.
Stakeholders for a Safe Green Village sponsors and organizes our annual National Center for Safe Routes to School"Bike to School" activities, the next occurring in May 2019. Co-sponsors include Willow Glen Neighborhood Association - WGNA and other groups.
Through the year, and as part of the celebrations, students at our elementary schools receive bicycles, helmets, and razor scooters.
This national event is organized locally by Stakeholders for a Safe Green Village in partnership with the National Center for Safe Routes to School. Our regular co-sponsor is the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association - WGNA.
WGNA REGULAR MEETINGS:
To see a copy of the meeting agendas, see our web page at Meetings > Meeting Agendas and then click the link for that month, June 2019. This provides a document in PDF format that can be viewed online, as well as printed. Agendas are posted once we come closer to the meeting date.
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MEETING LOCATION Willow Community Center 2175 Lincoln Avenue San Jose, CA 95113 |
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Welcome to WGNA online!
— An introduction to the website
We've made it even easier for you to follow along with all of the latest events and happenings here in the Willow Glen area of San José, California.
If you're joining us for the first time, welcome! The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association was established in 1973. The organization has kept residents informed on a range of issues from traffic to neighborhood safety, all for the sole purpose of creating a stronger and more tightly-knit neighborhood for people of all ages to enjoy.
This website includes great resources for both residents and occasional visitors. Learn about the history of the area, see what types of businesses and other projects are in development, hear about events where you can meet fellow neighbors and get engaged on critical issues, and become a member to lend your voice to the neighborhood and contribute to the future of Willow Glen.
We organize special community events throughout the year, as well as monthly meetings that often feature guest speakers from around the city. We also work closely with other neighborhood organizations in the area that share our core values. There are numerous ways for you to get involved, and we'd love for you to join us.
Thanks for stopping by, and if there's anything else you'd like to see, don't hesitate to contact us!
