Between Andrew Bales and Single Gal, it seems that the subject of the week is “whither San Jose’s cultural scene.” But, before that, the swearing in of our new mayor deserves a big mention. Chuck Reed’s big event was just what you would expect of it: solid, dignified, hopeful. From the casual and friendly manner of Mayor Reed, his wife Paula and his staff, to the impressive administration of the oath by a genuine hero—his daughter, Air Force Major Kim Campbell—it was just the antidote to a dismal recent municipal history. A good time was had by all.
And, after he straightens out the ethics of City Hall, balances the budget, restores confidence in city government, and reinstates Pluto as a planet—oops, that’s a bit too much even for this aggressive reformer, but the first three are absolutely necessary—then he can approach one of the noxious problems of recent times: our arts scene. I think it is a timely subject. The resources that we put into the symphony, Rep, ballet, American Musical Theatre and various museums should certainly be discussed and vetted. It is important that they are judged worthy of public investment and imperative that our citizens understand and agree. It is most crucial that the policy makers understand that their decisions are final but not omniscient. Dollars are finite, as is the patience of people who dislike good money being sent after bad.
The arts and cultural scene is the linchpin of our downtown. When all except a few hardy small businesses deserted the center of our city—cut and ran—the arts institutions persevered. Immense credit and thanks is due to them for this act of courage and faith. They have earned our support—but that support has to be measured.
I think the desire to do good things in the arts is often the result of misplaced but decent impulses. The abortive attempt to build a “super symphony hall” was one of the most misguided. Arranging the orchestra on the deck of the Titanic, inspirational as it was in history, is a metaphor that leaps to mind. Such crusades do not inspire confidence.
Let’s examine the facts: the old San Jose Symphony has folded (replaced by a more stable Symphony Silicon Valley); the REP is solid, but financially taxed; the ballet is working well with a demand-based program; and the opera seems sound. There are successes in the Children’s Discovery Museum, the TECH, the Museum of Art, and the many smaller museums of quilts and paintings and various niche areas. This is not a bad situation. Our new mayor must separate the wheat from the Mozart—not an easy task. If it were, we’d give it to someone else.
Perhaps bigger than his becoming mayor was Chuck’s daughter swearing him in, a true triumph. So feminine, even with the govt. issue hairdo, and a warrior, bringing back that big multi-million dollar fighter plane all shot up. Gotta say, those medals looked really wonderful on her uniform, and wearing her Dad’s humility and personableness—and willingness to offer BIG service over self. Better than being rich, more important than being famous. It really is a new day in San Jose, first momentous political function I’ve ever been to in this town, and I’ve been to quite a few.
As for the arts in San Jose, many really insighteful comments on Single Gal’s blog yesterday, especially regarding demographics and the arts. Palo Alto has Stanford and the arts; Berkeley has Cal and the arts; San Fran has not only more history than San Jose, but the arts, well established. Even DeAnza’s theater does well, and Carmel’s Bach Festival.
We all go to all those places. It’s easy to do in the Bay Area. But “Downtown San Jose’ is just not a PLACE. No there there yet. Even the Taliesen CPA is forlorn, though a classy building. But I have hope that Reed Reforms will include, somehow, making a real downtown, as well as an honest government. Takes an outsider like Chuck, to see the potential—like my friend Bob Keive , happily here from way back East, (who is still way ahead of the curve, and the “movers and shakers” [who neither move much nor shake]). And finally, Pete Constant’s truly exceptional and cute little family, and Sam Liccardo’s contagious smile certainly added to the occasion yesterday, and will definitely add some drama to lift the drab. George Green
One of the important organizations not mentioned was History San Jose, the non-profit that operates the historical buildings and museums in San Jose. HSJ is in dire need of help!
Recently, Parks and Recreation removed the single gardener who had been taking care of the grounds just south of Kelly Park. The grounds have gone to rack and ruin since! It is not only the fault of Parks and Recreation‘s managers, it can also be blamed on the “grey” water required for irrigation.
Fallon House and the Adobe, located in Downtown, are part of History San Jose. Those buildings and grounds also need care.
It is wonderful to have all the bond money to build new parks. It is great to require the developers create new parks, but where is the money to operate the parks that we have?
Our parks are falling apart. The P and R department managers should be outed and the landscape maintaining out sourced! it would be cheaper!
Jerry Rosenthal
Thanks for the info, Jerry. Sounds like the park situation is somewhat the same as the library situation. We should not open any new libraries until we can staff and keep open the ones we already have, and we should not open any new parks until we can insure the long-term care of the ones we have. Whoever plans the parks needs to include the long-term care in their budget. What a shame about History Park and Fallon and the Adobe. The last two unkept sites will just insure the shabby reputation of downtown.
I have pondered for years why we never have money for the amenities that other cities take for granted, like arts support, operations money for parks and libraries, higher ratio of cops per population and the basic answer always comes back to land use. The underpining of economic success and sustainable city services comes from proper land use. Can we have an AMEN!
This mayor has the potential to get us back to a manageable service delivery policy that gets proper funding. The swearing in gives me hope that a return to prudent government will mean real progress on all fronts.
Dear San Jose:
I read the other day that there’s been a 40% reduction in Parks and Rec staff. I also heard a rumor that the city’s deficit could be as high as 40 million!
To come up with the right answers you first have to fully understand the questions. I would like to suggest that the Mercury News be encouraged to do a lengthy, deep series on the true state of the San Jose city government. Take a real look at every major department and crunch the numbers. Let the people of San Jose know exactly what the situation is. AND, finally report on the new city hall stuff. (ie How much did the rotunda actually cost? Are city departments being charged “rent” on a square footage basis, or on an ability to pay basis? -remember, the building was not supposed to take away from existing programs. Why is the Redevelopment Agency housed in the new city hall at the expense of other city departments-The RDA is not funded by the General Fund). (Is the old library building a RDA property…If so, are city departments paying rent to the RDA? I don’t know the answer to this one).
Pete Campbell
#1 George, what do you mean by “S.F. has more history than San Jose”?
#2 Jerry, you are sooooo right, History S.J. is in dire need of some help.
Now is the time to ask what can we do for our city.The days of expecting the city to pay all the frieght on all cultural programs is over. It is time we as citizens volunteer more, donate more, attend more local events, and help oversee that our money is not wasted. Local businesses need to give more and city leaders need to make sure tax dollars are well invested. If done wisely, investment in the arts will realize health returns.
Many San Jose residents ask question
” Why doesn’t San Jose have sufficient tax revenues to fund adequate levels of city services and staffing?”
Here are some of many reasons why we do not have sufficient tax revenues
1) Low Jobs – San Jose lacks sufficient jobs ( less 1 per employed resident ) which generate more taxes that they use. All cities with high tax revenues have more jobs and retail sales taxes than San Jose
San Jose has 93 jobs per 100 employed resident
County average is 123 and the other 1 /2 county averages over 150 jobs per 100 employed residents with – Palo Alto 311 Santa Clara 222, Milpitas 192, Mountain View 162
2) Traffic / Air Pollution Costs – San Jose
residents travel to other cites for jobs and shopping cities which increases traffic and pollution while we pay more city street, traffic and pollution costs
3) Low Sales Taxes – San Jose loses 20-25% sales taxes because our residents work and shop in other local cites For every $100 spent $ 8 1/2 % tax paid = San Jose loses $1 to another city where money is spent
4) Low Tax Revenues – San Jose has lowest property sales and total tax revenue of any major CA city and most local cities per resident
City / Property / Sales / Total Tax Revenue
Palo Alto $228 $289 $517
Santa Clara $164 $317 $480
Mountain View $207 $197 $403
Sunnyvale $181 $173 $354
San Jose $121 $133 $254
5) Lower Resident Income / Spending – San Jose residents have lower per ( capita ) resident income with more people per household so adjust household income for household size resulting in less income to spend and tax
Per Capita Income
US Average $ 25,035
San Jose $30,769
Santa Clara County $32,795
Santa Clara $31,765
Sunnyvale $38,547
Cupertino $44,749
Mountain View $47,251
Palo Alto $56,257
http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=&geo_id=16000US0668000&_geoContext=01000US|04000US06|16000US0668000&_street=&_county=san+jose&_cityTown=san+jose&_state=04000US06&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=DEC_2000_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null®=null:null&_keyword=&_industry=
6) San Jose also has more low income people to provide housing and services than other local cities
7) More Housing than Jobs – We have more housing ( market and low income ) than jobs and meet 1.5 jobs / housing balance target while other cities restrict housing and promoting tax producing jobs
Construction jobs are necessary for San Jose economy but housing costs more in city capital and operating costs than jobs which means we are supply other cites with both workers and housing resulting in more San Jose city service and capital costs, less taxes and lower service levels and facilities for our residents compared to other cities
==
Summary San Jose’s land use, public policy, permits/ fees, city service processing time and spending decisions affect job creation / retention and tax revenues
San Jose lacks sufficient jobs especially small business jobs and retail sales taxes from stores and businesses to pay for city government
San Jose also has less city employees (7 per 1000 residents) to provide services than California average of 9 city employees per 1000 residents resulting in less services or service / processing delays
San Jose has benefited less than almost all other local cites from over 30 years of Silicon Valley growth as reflected in our less than county averages for jobs, per capita ( resident ) income and tax revenues per resident
There are no easy, simple or quick answers to what is a very complex challenge to our community’s future.
It is important that the entire community soon start to cooperatively work together to further define the issues and challenges, develop and implement complex solutions over the next 3-5 years before we have more serious city government service and revenue problems
It is difficult to find comparative demographic, jobs, city government and economic information to compare San Jose to other cities. If you know where I can obtain additional data, please contact me
Ed
408-297-2800
Additional San Jose Revenue / Spending information
1) San Jose receives tax revenues from
Property Tax 24% ( Your tax bill – 45% state/schools, 27% Santa Clara County 21% San Jose 7% special districts )
Sales Tax 19 ( San Jose loses 25-20% of our sales taxes to other cities / county because our residents shop outside San Jose)
Utility Taxes & Franchise Fees 15
Licenses Permits & Fees 14
Federal & State Govt 9
Transfers & Reimbursements 13
Other 6
2) San Jose spends
GENERAL FUND taxes on
Police $256,128,940
Fire 128,854,031
City-wide Expenses 113,235,009
Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services 61,497,871
Planning, Building & Code Enforcement 37,116,424
Transportation 33,364,908
City Management (Manager and City Council) 18,018,279
Libraries 28,094,246
General Services 20,395,398
Finance and Human Resources 17,506,373
Information Technology 15,947,488
City Attorney 12,741,927
Public Works 9,717,193
Capital Improvements 23,073,635
Transfers to Other Funds 28,925,668
Other 13,710,481
Reserves 138,501,288
Total General Fund $ 956,829,159
We also have redevelopment, capital and enterprise / special fund spending for about $ 3 billion
For Budget summary see
http://www.sanjoseca.gov/budget/FY0607/ProposedBudgetInBrief.pdf
San Jose spends 66% on staff and 34% on services
Thanks for the ammunition Ed.
#5 Peter,
Where else would you house an agency that buys the Wilcox Block for $1.23 mil and sells it for $200K 3 years later?
Dear San Jose:
Thanks to Ed Rast for providing all of the facts and figures. Why doesn’t the Merc just hire Ed for one week! And, why don’t we start a movement to encourage people to “keep the money in the family” by going a little out of their way to always shop within San Jose city limits so that all of the tax money stays here!
Everyone should save/print the figures printed by Ed Rast (#7) for future reference.
Pete Campbell
p.s. Hey Ed, how much did the rotunda cost?
Not to wax too nostalgic, but I think it is worth noting that the luster of the old San Jose Symphony was at its incandescence during those years when Tom McEnery was mayor. There were, I am sure many contributing reasons for that beyond what the mayor was doing or not doing, but I still accord him much credit for those blessed days.
For the classical music buff the Symphony Silicon Valley is a very paltry if “stable” replacement for what closed down.
What often gets lost in discussions of the local arts and culture is the jewel in its crown, which is its local library. I wanted to attend the local symphony as a youngster because the old San Jose library of the sixties, seventies, eighties had a continously growing and extraordinary collection of classical recordings to fortify my passion for what symphony offered live – all free. That collection was destroyed by a head city librarian in the early nineties who ordered the records sold off at a nickel a foot. Now the Martin Luther King Jr and its brances have a just ok collection of classical recordings (along with pop, rock, country, jazz, world, etc) – the faintest smear of the library’s former glory.
For just a few thousand continuous and dedicated dollars, the libraries’ collection could be brought back over a few years. That, combined with promotion of the collection in the public schools could build an appreciation for arts among more than just those fortunate to have home nurturing in the arts.
Then, because the public flocked to it, we might not have to lean out, close down, dumb down, corn ball, and accountant scrutinize our local classical arts.
Thanks, Old Sod, for the complements. I hope the “old” regime Councilmembers understand that as Chuck Reed says, ” … the lobbyists and fixers and special interests are through at City Hall” and the people are going to control things now. They were clueless and sadly passive for too long.
Both Oliverio and Tedesco are decent and industrious – I am working on that decision right now. TMcE
Tom,
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for all the hard work, and support you’ve given Chuck. Chuck is a good man, an honest man, and a man who really cares about our city. He and his wife, Pete and his wife are very much like the new Camelot. Hope fills my heart for a better city under Chuck’s stewardship.
I must admit that I worry about our old Council Members though. They acted very badly during the campaign, and I’m not sure I trust their smiles, and promises to work with Chuck. Labor and special interest groups aren’t going to take things lying down because there’s too much at stake for them. I fear we have not heard the last of them.
I’ve been watching the District 6 race with great interest. I have known Steve Tedesco for several years now. He’s a good man, who has done some wonderful things for the Boys and Girls Club. Those kids have been blessed to have him. I’ve watched them light up when they see him, and I see how much his staff loves him. If he wins, and if he brings District 6 half of what he’s brought these kids, they’ll be very lucky to have such a great Council Member.
Tom, between Steve and the young, inexperienced Oliverio, whom may I ask will you be supporting?
Yea, I know Steve too. He was the President of the San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce for a long time, and did a lot to build that organization. He has always been very active in the San Jose Community. He is currently the CEO of the Boys and Girl’s Clubs of Silcon Valley, and has done a lot of hard work to keep this organization open during tough economic times. The difference between young Pierluigi Oliverio and Steve Tedesco is that Steve has the knowledge of where not only San Jose, but District 6 has been, and is better prepared, and qualified to deal with the changes ahead. Steve has been a long time resident of District 6, whereas Oliverio is not. I know that the Police Officer’s Association is supporting Steve, and so are several former Elected Officals, Council Members, and many District 6 residents. I agree that Oliverio is industrious, and decent, but I don’t think he has the type of historical knowledge, or experience needed to run District 6. He is a very good salesman, and when you ask him what he wants to do for the City, the most original idea he states is that he is going to revolutionize District 6’s constituent complaint process technologically, but is at a loss to explain what he is actually going to do about those complaints, and where he is going to get the funding to revolutionize this process.
I think Pierluigi Oliverio needs to get more experience, by running for School Board, being on one of the City’s many boards and commissions, and most importantly, serving on the board of his own neighborhood association before throwing his hat in the ring for Council Member. I’m not that much older than Oliverio, so it isn’t a matter of age for me. Rather it is more an issue of his inexperience with the community and City Hall.
Tom, I also want to thank you for supporting Chuck Reed for Mayor. You did a good job as mayor, and I think with your help, downtown will become a more enjoyable place for people over 22 to dine and shop.
Tom, do you know who Mulcayhe is going to support in the District 6 race, and why didn’t he run for that seat himself? He is an aweful nice guy who would have done a great job as Council Member for that district.
Michael Mulcahy supports Pierluigi Oliverio for City Council
http://www.smartvoter.org/2007/03/06/ca/scl/vote/oliverio_p/
Why has Steve Tedesco not filled out his League of Woman Voters Questions – Where does he stand on issues ?
http://www.smartvoter.org/2007/03/06/ca/scl/vote/tedesco_s/
To District 6 Resident:
Thank you for sending us the links to the SmartVoter pages. I am a bit concerned about some of Pierluigi Oliverio’s answers to the questions. I just spoke to Steve Tedesco – he is in the process of answering the questions. I look forward to hearing his replies.
I have to agree with you Jean, Oliverio’s answers are very concerning. He doesn’t really take a firm stand on the issues. I’ve noticed he sort of hedges his answers to stay safe, without really committing to anything. Coyote Valley is a real issue, and no one wants building there until jobs are created, and housing to match. Not to mention Bart running by there.
I was concerned to see Oliverio’s answer to reducing already suffering services. Yikes! Frightening. I think he really needs to serve on a few committees and the Neighborhood Association before he becomes a Council Member. He sounds too much like a salesman, and someone who has a good heart, but no experience to back up his ambition.
Tedesco has years of experience and knows the City, and his neighborhood’s needs. Steve just lacks the gift of selling his great knowledge and skills. I’d like to see him share his experience with us, and let us know his many accomplishments. I know there are many.
I find it very odd that City Council candidates are always promising to help education. The city has nothing to do with that, nor do they help with health care. That is a County, and State concern. It seems that in most elections, the best talker, salesman, seems to win. What’s even stranger to me is that voters fall for fast talkers, and big promises… I wonder why?
Jean
You make some very good pts. I do not know why Mulcahy did not run for D6, but he has a role to play in SJ’s future. His family has been quite involved and positive , and he himself, made a significant impact in the Mayor’s race – we shall see.
The D6 race is going to be a good one to watch. I wish we could share the loser w. some other district. They would both be very good and creative on that reinvigorated Council.
TMcE
I hope all who are interested in the District 6 council race will come to meet and hear the candidates answer your questions about neighborhood planning, historic preservation, high density housing and other important land-use issues. The event is hosted by the District 6 Neighborhood Leadership Group and the Preservation Action Council of San Jose. It will be held Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 7pm in the United Way building at 1922 the Alameda. Parking is in the rear, off McKendrie St. You can submit your questions to this email: [email protected]
Hope to see you all there.
There are a lot of folks interested in meeting and asking questions of the candidates in this
D6 race. However, the two formats used during the general election were either ; no questions just speechs by the candidates or
questions submitted by the public were screened and distilled into a few general issue
questions. This did not allow us any insight into
the thinking of the candidates at all. The participants were required to give yes/no answers or keep them very short. This was
frankly a waste of time.
Will your event, Jim, allow more vetting of issues or is it more of the same?
Yes, I agree with Restless Native. I would like to know the same.
#20 and #21
I have also been frustrated at other forums. Most polititions tend to give speeches when answering questions but hopefully you will get a chance to see the different styles of both candidates. We have a time limit and can ask only so many questions so we may have to blend some questions. Our plan is to have you submit land-use questions before Monday so we can review them and submit them to a moderator. We are also open to suggestions on how we can make this the most effective and informative forum possible. Please e-mail me with your suggestion and questions. I hope to see you there.
I agree with Restless Native. I have been greatly disappointed at these forums. I give up time with my family, drive to the forum tired from work, jot down a question, only to find out some moderator has taken the liberty of either rewriting the question, or putting it in the pile to file in the recycle bin!
I’m sure we’ll hear speaches from both, but Oliverio is a salesmen by trade, so I expect to leave the forum with a whole new computer program system for my PC, thanks to his great sales job. Hum… On second thought, may be I’ll save myself some money, and stay home.
Jim
I do appreciate your work in putting this on.However we already know the difference in the candidates styles,what we need is their reasons for running,their commitment to this position or is it just a stepping stone job, their vision for a better San Jose, what accomplishments in their lives are they most proud of. In short , who are they as a person,
can they be thoughtful or just reactive. Forgive
me but land use questions are important to a
lot of people but these questions are more opened ended and tell more about a person. Their position on issues are available on the websites or mailers,how can we get beyond the fascades to get to know these men?
I completely agree with #24.
I have been hearing some very concerning things about Oliverio lately. I have asked several people why Oliverio’s bagging so many endorsements. I’ve heard one thing over and over: “Oliverio is going to be easier to manipulate than Tedesco is.” That’s pretty frightening! I’ve also been told that Tedesco stood his ground on issues in the past, and made some politicians pretty angry, and because they are holding grudges, they would rather endorse,” anyone but Tedesco.”
I also found out that Pierluigi Oliverio ran for School Board, District 3 Council, and something else and lost big time. Why hasn’t Oliverio mentioned any of that? Does he want us all to believe he’s some new, young candidate for office?
Can anyone tell me what they’ve heard about him, or what you believe are the reasons for all these heavy endorsements? I researched old documents, and indeed he did run before.
I’m trying to keep an open mind, but it’s really getting kind of difficult.
Tom, you’re pretty honest about politicans, can you give us your thoughts?