May, 2003 editor: Larry Ames
May General Meeting
Wednesday, May 14, 7 PM
Willow Glen
United Methodist Church
(on Minnesota at Newport)
topic: “Learn How to Fight Crime,”
a program by the San Jose
Police Department’s
Crime
Prevention Unit
~~~
Election for the WGNA Board.
Letter from the President
John Gibbs
As I end my term as your President and prepare to leave the WGNA Board after 8 years, I wanted to share some brief thoughts on my time with the Neighborhood Association.
First and foremost, I must acknowledge the dedication of those individuals I have had the opportunity to work with over the years. Whether it has been fellow Boardmembers, or other members of the Association, I have been impressed by their willingness to devote their time and energy to make Willow Glen a great place to live. Residents have gathered to debate issues, grill City Council Candidates, plant trees, clean-up neighborhoods, paint-out graffiti, and volunteer at Founders’ Day. I have been proud to be the President of a Neighborhood Association made up of members who truly make a difference in our community.
As always, I encourage members to visit our web site at www.wgna.net to view positions we have taken, letters we have written, and to learn about developments in our neighborhood. I also encourage you to attend our regular meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Willow Glen United Methodist Church. You can always email the president of WGNA at president@wgna.net.
It has been my pleasure to serve as President of your neighborhood association.
Los Gatos Creek Trail Update
Larry Ames
Things are beginning to happen on extending the Los Gatos Creek Trail to Downtown! At a well-attended public meeting on April 17th, Councilmember Ken Yeager, Parks Planning Manager Dave Mitchell, San Jose Trails Coordinator Yves Zsutty and other City staff presented plans, alternatives, and timetables.
Few people know it, but nearly a quarter mile of trail already exists. It was built around 1985 by the developers of the Safe Place storage facility on Lonus (see “D” on the map.) This section was never opened to the public, however, as it has remained a dead-end trail this whole time. But now the City is getting ready to construct a bridge (“C”) over the creek to Gregory at Fuller: the City is reviewing various contractor bids as we go to press. This bridge will make the existing trail segment usable. It will also tie the rather isolated Gregory Plaza district into the fabric of Willow Glen, and will make it easier for others to access the Biebrach city park and municipal swimming pool.
The City also presented engineering plans for
extending the Los Gatos Creek Trail under I‑280 and up to Auzerais
(“B”). Two alternatives were presented:
“Alternative 1” (shown in the dot-filled line) is close to the
top-of-bank, generally avoiding private property but requiring considerable
embankment construction and mitigation for lost habitat. “Alternative 2” (shown in the hollow-line)
is a little further away from the bank, and loops out around a San Jose Water
Co. well at the end of Home St. It
allows for a wider trail with shoulders, and it costs less, too (less bank reconstruction
and required habitat mitigation). Both
alternatives are generally above the “100-year-flood” level, but both drop down
to about the 50-year flood level under I‑280, meaning that the trail
might have to be closed every once in a long while.
The existing trail is to be extended towards downtown Willow Glen as well, towards Lincoln Ave. and/or towards Coe. Again, there are alternatives. The Lincoln entrance (“E”) is to be adjacent to the PG&E towers, next to an existing driveway. One option sticks close to the creek bank (again requiring the construction of the trail atop a retaining wall, like that across from Blackford School), while other another option (“Alternative 4”) loops out more, requiring the purchase of land that is now used for parking trucks, but which could become a beautiful “park in the glen” along the trail, perhaps even with a few picnic tables.
The
other trail branch, heading south to Coe, will cross the existing railroad
trestle. It is not safe to go on now
(e.g., the guardrails are nothing more than a wire cable!), but it will be refurbished
with a 12' wide paved trail with guard-walls and fencing. Again, two choices (“F”): should most of the
railroad property be sold off for housing, preserving a narrow corridor for the
trail, or should the entire width be preserved, so that the trail can meander,
perhaps again allowing space for benches, maybe a place to walk your dog, or
other passive park activities.
(From Lincoln/Coe, the trail is to be just a bike lane or bike route on Lincoln (“G”) down to Willow, and thence over to the Meridian entrance to the existing trail: in between, there is no room for a trail as the stream is in a narrow, deep channel with houses and yards right up to the top-of-bank.)
Two more questions are being asked of the public: would we like an “entrance archway” at Auzerais to mark the beginning/end of the trail (at “A”)? (But the trail is supposed to eventually continue on downstream to the confluence with the Guadalupe near the HP Pavilion.) And, if funding runs short, which would we rather have first: the Coe connection (thereby preserving the train trestle, anticipating that the Lincoln site would develop in the future and would occur with setbacks suitable for trail development), or should we ask for the Lincoln Ave. connection now and hope that the rail right-of-way doesn’t get bought up for housing?
These are questions being asked of the public. Many of those at the April 17th presentation expressed their opinions, but you are encouraged to give your opinions as well. Contact Yves Zsutty at 408/794‑1302 or by email at yves.zsutty@ci.sj.ca.us, no later than May 7th. Yves requests that you entitled your emails: “Public-Input - Los Gatos Creek - Reach 4” so he can easily track and file the input.
Given the anticipated higher population density as various in-fill projects come on line (Tamien, Diridon/Midtown, and the ex-taxi site at Virginia and Bird), it is critical to provide additional open-space and recreational facilities. This trail project will be a great asset for the community, and will improve access to other parks as well.
Estimated
Timeline:
· July/Aug. ’03: select the preferred alignment alternatives
· Feb. ’04: complete the environmental assessment
· 2004: acquire land. (Various grantors do not allow the purchase of land until the preceding steps are completed.)
· 2004: negotiate permits with regulatory agencies (~1 year); negotiate joint-use agreements with SCVWD.
· June ’05: out to bid. Construction in a stream channel is only allowed in certain months of the year: allow two seasons for construction.
· Oct. ’07: done.
At least the funding is all lined up, including funds from the 2002 San Jose Park Bond.
Progress is also being made on the Rail-to-Trail conversion (“H”) that will connect the Los Gatos Creek Trail to the future Guadalupe River Trail and Kelley Park (and the future Coyote Creek Trail), with the City actively pursuing funds for the acquisition of property along the rail line.
Pre-register for the National Do Not Call Program
Blanca Alvarado, County Sup., Dist. 2
Californians can now pre-register here for the nationwide Do Not Call list that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will launch this summer. California is joining the national Do Not Call registry, which is FREE to consumers.
If you sign up today, you can stop unwanted telemarketing calls beginning in October 2003 under the nationwide program.
The State of California will deliver the pre-registered California telephone numbers to the FTC as soon as the Federal agency is ready to receive them – most likely in July 2003.
Only California residential and mobile telephone numbers are eligible for this program. Business telephone numbers are excluded.
Beginning October 2003, telemarketers must stop calling consumers whose telephone number is on the national Do Not Call list.
While the FTC will prohibit most telemarketer calls, there are certain exceptions. Charities and companies that have an established relationship with a consumer, for example, will still be allowed to make calls.
For more information about the Do Not Call list or to Pre-register for the Program, log on to:
http://caag.state.ca.us/donotcall/.
SARS in Santa Clara County
Blanca Alvarado, County Sup., Dist. 2
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is investigating a new pneumonia-like illness called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) that has been reported in Asia, North America, and Europe.
As of April 13th, about 190 suspected cases of SARS have been reported in the United States—11 of which have been identified in Santa Clara County and 1 of which is confirmed.
Symptoms of SARS
· Fever greater than 100.4° F
· Headache
· Body Aches and Chills
· Shortness of Breath
· After 2-7 days, a dry cough may develop
How is it Spread?
SARS is spread much like the common cold. SARS can be spread through touching the skin of infected persons and then touching your nose, mouth, or eyes. The disease can also be spread when someone who is sick with SARS coughs or sneezes droplets of saliva or mucus onto themselves or other people.
What is being done?
The County Public Health Department has initiated a public campaign to educate residents and the medical community about SARS. Health Alerts and Clinical Guidelines have been issued to increase awareness of SARS among physicians and medical staff.
Residents of Santa Clara County should not be alarmed about SARS. To date, all of our suspected cases have traveled to one of the affected regions.
The CDC is advising people who are planning nonessential or elective travel to China, Hanoi, Vietnam, Toronto, or Singapore to postpone their trip until further notice.
For more information about SARS:
· Call the Santa Clara County Department of Public Health at (408) 885‑3980. Hours: 8am–5pm, M-F.
· Call the CDC at (888) 246-2675. Hours: 8am–11pm EST, M-F and 10am–8pm EST, Sat. and Sun.
· Visit the CDC SARS webpage at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars
The Budget Crisis and Santa Clara County
Jim Beall, County Sup., Dist. 4
Your elected representatives at the city, county and state levels of government are struggling with how to drastically reduce expenditures without seriously affecting the quality of services to the public.
The County of Santa Clara has major responsibilities for public safety, health and human services. At the same time that our revenues are decreasing, the need for many of our services is increasing. The Board of Supervisors has modified our budget process in an effort to give the public and County employees an opportunity to suggest efficiencies and to indicate priorities. County departments were asked to submit proposals for budget reductions ranging from 12 to 14%.
The Board of Supervisors have been reviewing these proposals and listening to public testimony at our regular meetings. Following this, the County Executive will submit a recommended budget to the Supervisors. Special Board workshops will be held May 12-14 to consider these recommendations. Final action on the budget will be taken in June.
But this will not be the end of the budget reduction process. Many of our programs depend, to a great extent, on funding from the state. When the state budget is finally adopted, it is expected that there will be substantial reductions in the dollars allocated to counties, requiring another round of budget meetings and further cuts in county programs.
The Board of Supervisors has already proposed delays in capital projects, use of special reserves, and elimination of many County employee positions. I have specifically sought to find cost saving alternatives to cutting program services, such as identifying more efficient ways of providing services, modifying financial policies, and offering early retirement. However, these alternatives will not be enough to balance the budget – we will have to cut programs.
As chair of the Children, Seniors and Families Committee, I have a special responsibility to programs that protect children, our low-income communities, and the elderly. I hope that you will share with me your opinion of any of these programs with which you are familiar. We need to hear from the community to assist us with the process of reducing expenditures.
If you have questions about proposed reductions in any area, or wish to make suggestions about ways the County might reduce expenditures, I hope you will contact my office. You can e-mail me at Jim.Beall@bos.co.santa-clara.ca.us, call my office at 408/299‑5040 or write to me at 70 W. Hedding, 10th Fl., East Wing, San Jose, CA 95110.
The Budget Crisis and the City of San Jose
Ken Yeager, San Jose Councilmember, Dist. 6
I have received many questions from neighbors who are as anxious as I am about the upcoming City Budget. My greatest concerns in this time of economic challenge are protecting city services to our communities and maintaining city funding for community groups that provide vital support for our residents.
I am proud of the many proactive steps the City has taken to soften the impact of this economic downturn we saw coming a couple of years ago. Instead of increasing our spending with our record revenues in 2001-2002, we established a Reserve for Economic Uncertainty with $15.8 million in surplus funds.
In 2002-2003 we were able to close a $40 million budget gap without significantly affecting our services by eliminating several positions and with strict budget decisions.
With the continuing decline in revenues, the City has enacted a hiring and wage freeze as well as restricting travel and meal expenses for all its employees.
We have continued to have historic decreases in our sources of revenue including sales tax, utility tax, motor vehicle in-lieu, and transient occupancy tax. These decreases have created a budget shortfall for the fiscal year July 2003 to June 2004, which is undetermined because of uncertainty on what the State Legislature will cut.
Our budget shortfall depends in large part on what actions the state takes to handle its own budget deficit. Our current shortfall estimate is $72.6 million, but it is possible that State changes could increase this deficit to $130 million. This figure would equal 20% of last year’s total revenues.
To prepare for the possibility of either amount, the city is developing a two-tiered budget strategy; one addresses the City’s own declining revenues, while the second strategy takes account of both shortfalls. Part of this strategy is to move forward on key community projects that already have contractual agreements, including Willow Glen Street Lighting, Cahill Turnkey Park, and Lincoln Glen Park Renovations. By proceeding with these projects we will be able to keep jobs in our area and have a positive impact on our local economy.
A list of other projects that have been put on hold pending action by the State has been prepared, as well. These “second-tier” projects will only be cut if the State goes ahead with the proposed reductions that would double our deficit.
The Library Improvement Project and the Parks Improvement and Renovation Project are continuing because they are financed by bonds that voters approved for these specific projects and cannot legally be used for other projects or operating expenses. In addition, I’m pleased to have supported the Council’s recent action to keep funding in the Healthy Neighborhood Venture Fund for community groups and not shift it from these valuable services to the City’s General Fund.
There are still many decisions to be made. The next step for the budget is on May 1 when the City Council receives the proposed budget from the City Manager’s Office. There will then be a number of budget meetings in May and June, which I encourage you to attend. A final vote on the budget is planned for June 17. Please contact me if you have any questions or comments at ken.yeager@ci.sj.ca.us or 277-5166.
Think Global, Shop Local
Sharon Fierro
The economy is on everyone’s mind now. Our convenient local businesses on Lincoln Avenue and neighborhood shopping areas depend on our support so they can survive these tough economic times. Our vibrant shopping district with really good stores and restaurants is one thing that makes Willow Glen so special. Consider shopping in Willow Glen and using local services, and recommending them to your friends.
Dancin’ on the Avenue
by Norma Ruiz, submitted by Ellen Santomauro
Dancin’ on the Avenue is an event that has become a tradition in Willow Glen and is much anticipated by the community. This years event will take place on June 14th between 5 - 10 p.m. on Lincoln Ave. between Minnesota and Willow St. The streets are closed at 3 p.m. and the set-up of the stages and booths begin. Volunteers from local businesses, service groups and the neighborhood will arrive to staff the many booths. By 5:00 the event will kick off. The street will begin to fill with the early crowd lining the street with strollers, children and dogs. Lines begin forming for the delicious food from the booths set up by the local restaurants and outside vendors. Many businesses will stay open through the event inviting people to visit. The participants will look forward to three stages of entertainment. The early crowd is entertained at the Community Stage by performers from local dance troupes, dance schools, gymnastic schools and others. A local band will perform on one of the stages, while Joe Sharino headlines the 2003 event as he has the last 4 years. Joe Sharino has a huge following, drawing people from the Bay Area. The energy level picks up as Joe takes the stage. There is great community spirit as friends, neighbors and family celebrate in dance on this summer’s eve.
Norma Ruiz is
Executive Director of the Willow Glen Professional & Business Assn.
PO
Box 8086 San Jose, CA 95126-8086 408/298-2100
website: DowntownWillowGlen.org
How to Enjoy Your Creeks and Bay
Cathy M Marshall
Ride a bike along a creek: visit www.parkhere.org for trail information. Take a walk along the wetlands with a naturalist: call the Don Edwards San Francisco National Wildlife Refuge at Alviso at 408/262‑5513. Find volunteer opportunities to help protect your watershed (be a watershed steward): call the Hotline at 866-WATERSHED or visit the website at www.WatershedWatch.net. Call Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program at 800/794‑2482: ask for their GROW IT! guide to The Less-Toxic Garden: Control Pests & Plant Disease Using Less-toxic Methods.
What is a watershed?
A watershed is a land area that drains into a creek, river, lake, wetland, Bay or groundwater aquifer. In the Santa Clara Valley, all the water from rain and irrigation which flows over the land surface (called runoff) goes into storm drains, creeks and rivers that flow directly to San Francisco Bay. You live in a watershed that flows to a local creek, and all of the runoff from your home, yard and neighborhood flows to that creek.
What’s important about watersheds? Watersheds are more than just drainage areas in and around our communities. They are necessary to support habitat for plants and animals, and they provide drinking water for people and wildlife. They also provide the opportunity for recreation and enjoyment of nature. Protection of the natural resources in our watershed is essential to maintain the health and well being of all living things - both now and in the future.
What is being done to prevent pollution?
The federal Clean Water Act and the California Water Code mandate that all cities and counties, as well as businesses and industries, take steps to prevent watershed pollution. However, individuals also cause pollution and each of us can prevent it by making very simple changes at home, work, school, and play. Preventing pollution is much easier and less expensive than cleaning it up.
Easy Ways to Prevent Watershed Pollution
1. Find some alternative ways to control pests inside and outside your home, without toxic chemical pesticides. If you do use pesticides, use them sparingly and according to the directions specified on the container. Do not use if rain is forecast within 24 hours. Take unwanted pesticides to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event.
2. If you change your own oil, recycle the waste oil at the weekly curbside pick-up or take it to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event. Regularly maintain your car to avoid leaks of auto fluids. Never pour oil or other automotive fluids into a storm drain or onto the ground.
3. Clean up trash outside your home. Pick up leaves and yard clippings and recycle as green waste. If you see litter, pick it up and put it in a trash can.
4. Wash your car on an unpaved area or better yet, take it to a commercial car wash.
5. Pick up your pet droppings and dispose of them in the trash or in your toilet.
6. Use kitty litter or other absorbent materials - not your hose - to clean up spills and leaks on paved surfaces. Remember to clean up and properly dispose of the used absorbent.
7. Rinse latex paint brushes, pans and rollers in the sink. Filter and reuse oil-based paint thinner or brush cleaners. Take leftover latex and oil-based paints and solvents to a hazardous waste collection event. Never pour paint or solvents into a storm drain, sink or onto the ground.
8. Control erosion around your property to prevent dirt and debris from being carried into the storm drain.
9. Divert rainspouts and garden hoses away from paved surfaces to prevent water from carrying pollutants directly into storm drains. Provide landscaping next to sidewalks and driveways to collect runoff from Paved surfaces.
By protecting the watershed, creeks and the Bay, you are protecting the environment for your children and future generations.
Farmers’ Market
The Willow Glen Farmers’ Market has reopened for its
seventh season. Located in the parking
lot of Willow Glen Elementary School, in downtown Willow Glen at the corner of
Lincoln and Minnesota Avenues, the market is open every Saturday through
November from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Throughout the season, the Farmers’ Market hosts special
events to provide a venue for local families to learn about the importance of
sustainable agriculture in our world: make the connection with the person
growing the food and delivering it to the community
For more information about the Willow Glen Farmers’ Market,
contact South Bay Farmers’ Markets at 408/353-4293.
“Community Recommendations” Webpage
Larry Ames
By now, many of you have found the WGNA “eList” to be a
great community resource. (If you
haven’t tried it yet, send an email to admin@wgna.net with the words “add eList” in the subject line, and we’ll
get you signed up. It’s free, and easy
to leave if by chance you don’t like it.)
One of the many uses has been for members to ask their neighbors for
recommendations: “anyone know of a good plumber in the area?”, “what’s that new
restaurant like?”, etc. Often, several
people will respond with good leads and helpful hints. The problem is that, unless you also are in
the need of a plumber, you probably didn’t note the recommendations, and by the
time you do the emails have fallen out of your in-basket.
To accommodate this need, we are setting up a new service: a
webpage of community recommendations.
This will be a collection of recommendations from the eList community,
saved and organized so that you can find the plumber’s name when you need it. Note that these are recommendations of
individual eList subscribers, and do not represent an endorsement by WGNA.
I will be asking eList users to send me their
recommendations: just “cc” me at recommendations@wgna.net. The format of the
webpage will be by category (i.e., “plumber”, “gardener”, etc.), followed by
recommended vendors, each with a list of email addresses of those who have
recommended them. If you have a
question about the service a specific vendor provides, you can email those who
gave the recommendations. (As I will
only post those recommendations sent to the “recommendations” email address, if
you don’t want your name on the webpage, just don’t cc me at that address.)
This can also be a site for local services to announce
their availability (e.g., babysitters, house-cleaners, etc.). The names would be listed for free, along
with contact information, but might or might not be followed by community
endorsements.
Report from the Nominating Committee
Kris Cunninmham
This year our Nominating Committee was fortunate to have a number of excellent candidates to consider as nominees for the WGNA Board. The Nominating Committee spent two weeks contacting candidates who submitted their names for consideration or whom others suggested as potential board members. We also asked each of the present Board Members whether they were interested in serving another year. Of the eleven current members, six wished to remain on the Board.
The Nominating Committee consists of five WGNA members who are chosen the previous year in the Spring General Election. Our charge is to recommend to the General Membership a slate of candidates for the five Board of Directors and four Elected Board Members, as well as recommend the next Nominating Committee. The General Membership may cast their vote of approval for these volunteers who have offered to serve WGNA by either mailing in a ballot or voting at the May General Meeting.
Other members can submit their names for election separate from the Nominating Committee. The President elect can also appoint up to 4 (four) new members to the Board during his/her term. The Nominating Committee will forward to the incoming President several names of members who volunteered but were not selected for the ballot. They have great potential and we would like them to become more involved.
The Nominating Committee used several criteria for selecting this year’s slate. We looked at the candidate’s dedication to the WGNA mission, “to preserve and enhance the Willow Glen Neighborhood”. Their knowledge of neighborhood issues and their availability to attend community meetings relating to planning, land-use, traffic, and other neighborhood concerns were important considerations. As you will see from their biographies, all of the new candidates have served WGNA and our community in some capacity.
We selected the Officers of the Board carefully. It is required that they be members of WGNA for at least one year. Helen is a proven neighborhood advocate and leader. Ellen has been very active this year. We need very stable and trustworthy people in the positions of Secretary and Treasurer, and Margaret Hardy and Cathy Marshall are proven WGNA Board Members. Larry Ames was asked to serve as First Vice President because of his years of service and loyalty to WGNA. Traditionally, WGNA’s First and Second Vice Presidents do not necessarily go on to be President: they serve as solid leaders of the organization and may or may not assume the Presidency. We also selected a slate for next year’s Nominating Committee that consists of the required two members from this year’s Committee, and WGNA members that have demonstrated a sound understanding of WGNA’s mission.
We are very pleased with the people who have stepped forward to serve on the Board, both the new candidates and those who are returning, and we are excited that the coming year will bring a new surge of energy and activity.
In closing, I would like to thank the members of the Nominating Committee, Larry Ames, Ann Leever, J. Michael Gonzales, and Phyllis Ward for their dedication and wisdom in helping to select this year’s slate. I would also like to encourage every WGNA member to take the time to affirm the Nominating Committee’s work. The members who have come forward are willing to put in many volunteer hours by responding to our neighborhood’s concerns. I hope you will take a few minutes to thank them by sending in your ballot or attending the May General Meeting and voting in person. This simple act is one way you can help to make WGNA strong. By voting you show that you care.
Best Wishes, and See You in the Neighborhood!
Kris Cunningham is Chair of the Nominating Committee
Meet the Candidates
To better understand the slate of candidates, we herewith present a “voter guide” of biographies.
Helen Solinski: President
Born and raised in San Jose, her family owned a cry cleaners on Lincoln Ave. in the ’40’s. Helen has been on the WGNA Board for about six years now, and has been involved with neighborhood cleanups, has worked with code enforcement, and was the driving force on last year’s Founders Day Festival Planning Committee. She is director of Aluminum Sales at Campbell Metal Company.
Larry Ames: 1st VP
Past WGNA President; newsletter editor, database manager, web-master, eList admin;
Member of: City of SJ Guadalupe River Task Force, SCVWD Environmental Advisory Committee, Santa Clara Co. Parks Strategic Plan Task Force, and the WGNA Board;
Santa Clara County Park & Recreation Commissioner.
Day job: “chief scientist” for the metrology subsystem of a satellite that will one day look for planets around nearby stars.
Ellen Santomauro: 2nd VP
Completing first year on the Board. Two sons at Willow Glen schools. Involved with elementary and middle school PTA’s, worked on the 2002 Founders’ day committee, working with WGBPA on 2003 Dancin’ On The Avenue. Concerned with local building and traffic impact to neighborhoods.
Margaret Hardy: Treasurer
A resident of Willow Glen for more than 40 years, my five children made their way through Broadway Elementary, Edwin Markham Jr. High and Willow Glen High School; along the way they enjoyed the after school and weekend recreation programs at Willow Street Park. I have been involved with WGNA for 5 years and enjoyed being part of the team that brought the 75th Founders’ Day celebration to the community last September. I love Willow Glen, where “everybody knows your name”.
Cathy Marshall: Secretary
Moved to Willow Glen 10 years ago; was a member of the WG Beautification Project Cmte for 6 years, now serving as liaison to “United Neighborhoods.” Served on the Mineta San Jose Airport Curfew Committee for 2 years, now acting as the Airport liaison between WGNA and the Airport. Last year worked with the residents of the Palm Haven District assisting in the introduction to obtaining grants and fund-raising ideas to fund their restoration of the pillars that are the entrance gateways to their neighborhood. Worked with the WGNA Board in putting on the 75th Anniversary celebration of our Founders’ Day celebration.
Charlie Luckhardt: Elected Board Member
Charlie Luckhardt and his wife raised their family in the Southern section of Willow Glen. After many years as a successful attorney, Charlie decided to retire and now feels he has the time to volunteer as a neighborhood advocate. However, Charlie is no newcomer to WGNA. For years he has helped monitor airport noise over Willow Glen. Charlie was instrumental in the Federal Airport Administration’s (FAA) directive that established the Fairgrounds Visual Approach. This helped to limit large aircraft flights over Willow Glen and other populated areas. He has attended Airport Noise Monitoring Committee Meetings and reported to WGNA on a regular basis. Charlie often attends WGNA meetings and looks forward to becoming even more involved in Willow Glen’s neighborhood issues.
Edward Rast: Elected Board Member
Resident of Willow Glen since 1989, member of the North Willow Glen Strong-Neighborhood-Initiative Project Area Committee. Has an MS in transportation (thesis title: “Financing Alternatives for Urban Mass Transit”). Interests include flood zones and tracking changes in the Tamien Station Master Plan.
Mary Salcido: Elected Board Member
I have been enjoying life in Willow Glen with my husband for nearly 20 years. We have two teen-age sons who attend local schools. I’ve been a member of the Beautification Committee, and my family and I have volunteered for the Founders’ Day celebration. I’ve had the opportunity to attend many of the WGNA meetings and have seen the important role this association plays in our community. I feel I can be a contributing member on this board. There is a vital link between our Downtown Willow Glen and the surrounding neighborhoods that gives us that small town feeling. I hope to continue to build the relationship between WGNA and the Business Association to coordinate improvements and events that meet the needs of the whole community.
Jim Spence: Elected Board Member
I spent 31 years with the San Jose Police Department. During that time I lived and worked in The Willow Glen area. I am well aware of the on going projects and problems of our area. I joined the WGNA board in 2001 and have been active in the Founders’ Day parade, Lincoln Ave. cleanup, and traffic problems in our neighborhoods just to name a few issues. I look forward to continuing my service to the neighborhood of Willow Glen.
Nominating Committee
This is the slate of nominees for the Nominating Committee: these are the folks tasked to assemble a slate of candidates for 2004 - 2005:
· Kris Cunningham – Chair
· Sharon Fierro
· Jim Gardner
· Ann Leever
· Susan Phillips
·
Phyllis Ward – alternate
Voting details:
If you have a household membership (as indicated by the “H” on the backside of the ballot), then each of two members of the household may vote: one member marks the choices in the left column, and the other member checks the right column of boxes. If you have an individual membership (with an “I” on the backside), you are entitled to a single vote: use the left column of boxes—any marks in the right column will be ignored. If you are a new member (less than six months), have a non-voting “Associate” membership, or have a complimentary membership (for city/county, churches, etc.), then sorry, but you may not vote (as indicated with an “N”). If your membership has expired (indicated with an “X”), you may vote if you include your renewal dues with your ballot.
How to vote:
If time is short, feel free to vote by mail (it must be postmarked by May 14th). Or, better yet, bring the completed ballot to the General Meeting: you’ll save postage, and you’ll get a chance to meet neighbors and friends and to participate in an interesting and informative presentation.
Results:
After allowing time for the post office, the ballots will be collected and tabulated by impartial observers. The results will be posted on the wgna.net website, released to the media, and reported in the next newsletter (probably sometime in the fall).