Step Two: The Transition

Just like the man falling off the high rise and yelling at the 89th floor, “so far, so good,” I am happy to report that the Reed Transition is going very well.  The sky is the limit as far as the expectations of many on the multi-faceted committee representing the richness of our city.  From the Environment subcommittee with Judy Stabile and Janet Gray Hayes, to the Public Safety area with Jose Salcido of the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association and Bobby Lopez of the Police Officers’ Association, there is no shortage of ideas and energy. When the Education subcommittee gets the benefit of the county’s Superintendent, Colleen Wilcox, and also Jennifer Andeluz, the co-founder of Downtown College Prep, as well as Barbara Hansen of PACT, it’s a wonderful collision of concepts, spiced with practical knowledge.

The popular Jobs and the Economy subcommittee is chaired by Greg Jamison, architect of Silicon Valley Sports and Entertainment, aka the Sharks, and has members as diverse as restaurant pioneer Steve Borgenhagen, Pat Dando of the Chamber, attorney Tak Chang, and one of the most successful woman entrepreneurs in the valley, Maryles Casto.  The goal is to look for the best ideas and set a roadmap for progress; no more kudos for “potential”—only for success. It’s a new day.

Perhaps the most critical subcommittee is the one on reform. The mayor-elect put particular emphasis on the subject and has given great attention to it.  The vexing problem of lobbyists replete with “success” fees is being discussed as is the grave disconnect between good planning and the “pay-to-play” culture at City Hall. 

Last, but not least: at the Monday night meeting, a recommendation was made asking Chairman and new Vice Mayor Dave Cortese to provide a baseline on the last election and on the many improprieties and evasions that plagued our recent, unfortunate past. This will be critical to charting reforms for the future.  Independent expenditures, and the abuse of the same, are the most pressing problem and most immediate reform-in-waiting to be dealt with by the new mayor and council.  I know the leaders at the top are ready, willing and anxious to deal with this situation.

The Transition Committee will forward all recommendations soon.  Mayor-elect Reed is ready to enact the Reed Reforms and much more. This is the best thing for our city as we approach a new year and a new era.

11 Comments

  1. A stadium developer, an attorney, a travel agent,  a restaurant owner and a new mayor walk into a bar… 

    This “Jobs and the Economy subcommittee” sounds like a bad joke!  How is San Jose suppose to be the capital of Silicon Valley if the new mayor’s transition team has no one from the Tech industry?  No VCs, no one that has a clue about what it takes to attract technology companies.

    The Sharks are certainly entertaining, but you can hardly call them an employment and economic boon for San Jose. 
    And Pat…  please!  Enough with the politics!  Did the chamber even comment on the parking change for the neighborhood business districts?  The chamber is out of touch.

    If San Jose even wants to have a hope of attracting more companies like Nanosolar or filling downtown with startups so we might have people to fill the new residential towers, then Reed needs to recruit a new set advisers and stop listening to the usual suspects.

  2. Tom I love the sense of optimism your opening sentence provides. 

    Here is all you need to write for any future posts regarding Mr. Reed and his plans for our fair city (as opposed to our great city):  ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

  3. Sorry, I know it is off topic but I think Bob Bronzan’s death should not go without mention on this site.  The Merc did a nice article about the San Jose State legand yesterday.  His Death marks the passing of an era.  The honorable mention All American played on SJS’s greatest football team ever.  He was surrounded buy sports legands of the time.  Head coach Dud De Groot was a football and rugby hall of famer from Stanford, the advisory coach was Pop Warner, who had his past player from Carlisle,Jim Thorpe, stop by and watch practice and talk to the players on occasion.  From 37-39 Bronzan’s team beat UOP’s team coached by Warner’s rival Amos Alonzo Stagg. Bob’s Football team only lost 3 games in 3 years.  They were undefeated in 39. Today Pat Tilman stands out as a hero, in those days Tilman’s heroism was common place.  Over a half dozen of the players were recruited to the pros but all enlisted to protect our country.  Players were different , they were more than just football players, they played other sports, they were role models, good students and leaders.  Bob was a great example of this, he also wrestled for State, served as Student Body President and later got his masters and doctorate degrees.  They don’t make them like that anymore. Bob was an honorable,  a true Spartan, and will be missed.

  4. Tom—What floor did you just go zipping past?
    When I was President of the Santa Clara County Board of Education, the second time, I hired Colleen Wilcox as Supt. She wasted no time in leading the charge to replace me, though I had 25 years experience developing remedial writing programs @ San Jose City College, the only one on the Board who had relevant ed experience. Change agents are controversial. Colleen didn’t want one nearby. I hope Chuck doesn’t think radical change in education is about to occur. The COE is famous for———-
    Colleen Wilcox. Anyway, at least Chuck isn’t including too many people who didn’t include
    him—or excluding too many people who did.
    George Green

  5. #4. George: YOU hired Colleen Wilcox? Wasn’t it a Board decision, combined with the effort of a search committee? How does a Superintendent replace a Board President without the support of a majority of the Board?

    You seem to have an interesting version of events!

  6. Tom,

    It all sounds great and headed in the right direction.  And it’s nice to know that these brainstorming and idea sessions are not being held in Chucks livingroom using crayons and butcher paper.

    Broad engagement and fresh air… there is hope after all.

  7. More anonymous snipers from the COE. Tough folks. And literal minded. A group, even a board of trustees, is represented by their leader. One space on the contract for that person. Anyway, what version of events is in doubt here? And are we famous in the county for our educational accomplishments for the last many years? George Green (right out in the open, where I’ve always been)

  8. Last night’s Council meeting just confirms what many San Jose residents have seen for years –

    San Jose / Silicon Valley Chamber and Silicon Valley Leadership Group supports most San Jose conversions of industrial land to housing and wants San Jose to continue to provide most of Silicon Valley housing even at San Jose’s current and future serious financial disadvantage

    Why do we listen to these self interest business groups who either do not care what is San Jose’s best long term and financial interests but want what is best for Silicon Valley corporations and other city’s at our financial expense?

    Well intentioned non San Jose environmental groups who recommend industrial to housing conversions do not understand San Jose has serious current financial and is facing future disastrous financial consequences or because they live in other cities do not care

    Why are environmental groups are silent or ineffective while local cites have restrictive housing, more jobs than employed residents and high retail sales taxes get 2 city benefits –  lower costs and higher tax revenues while not meeting jobs / housing targets?

    San Jose meets 1.5 jobs / housing target has higher city costs and lower tax revenues per resident at our financial disadvantage

  9. I was really disappointed to see the industrial land in north san jose passed and converted to housing.  What is wrong with these council members?  A nd I can see Chuck hasn’t taken control yet.  We need these for the future of our city.  don’t let this happen with business as usual in San Jose.  I can see the lobbyists haven’t lost their power yet with that vote.  Tom you would never have allowed that in your administration going against you on a land use issue.

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