Councilmember’s Tough Week
In politics, timing is everything. Some might say that Councilmember Nora Campos picked the wrong time to play politics.
As the city’s budget process drew to a conclusion, Ms. Campos decided to take on Mayor Reed on the issue of public safety. “The Mayor’s proposal puts our city in danger…the Mayor needs to show he is not out of touch with our city.”
In an editorial published by the Mercury News, Ms. Campos suggested that money to hire more cops could be found if the city simply adjusted its priorities. In her piece, she suggested that traffic calming initiatives were not a top priority for San Jose residents.
In his June 18th column, Scott Herhold wrote, “If anything, her failed attempt at cutting traffic calming—and her claims of a city endangered—showed it was Campos, not Reed, who was out of touch.”
And in The Metro, Campos was quoted, “It’s fair to say that I am playing politics…once you step into this role, it’s about politics and making sure my voice is heard.”
Given the level of attention that her comments received by the press, it’s safe to say that Councilmember Campos’ voice was definitely heard. Now the only question is: Will anyone listen to her again?
Her comments only reaffirm what those who have watched her closely already knew—she is a lightweight not to be taken seriously.
Oh my gosh – mayor?! To put it as diplomatically as possible, there are sitting council members who, if they had an original thought, it would die of lonliness.
The prospect of a ‘Campos for Mayor’ campaign has the potential to put the ethical San Jose voter in a very awkward position, that being: how low is it acceptable to go to defeat a well-funded candidate whose gross incompetence is well-disguised by a polished political machine? Could an opposition that sticks to the high-ground sufficiently expose Campos’s unsuitability as well as the unscrupulous operatives pulling her strings? Or would it be necessary—even noble, to hit her hard, often, and with a level of brutal frankness that neither she nor any of her incompetent peers or predecessors ever had to experience?
Our system of government has been ruined by special interests and the vacuous, obedient candidates they invent, fund, and fool the voters into supporting. Nora Campos is attractive, female, and Hispanic. I’ll stop there because she stops there. Propping her up for photos next to the firefighters’ and police union presidents does not convey upon her the necessary talent or wisdom for elected office, it just conveys the illusion of such things. San Jose cannot afford any more illusions or incompetence. We’ve played along with political correctness long enough, and need to start saying no to cardboard candidates. Personally, I think we need to be willing to get mean to protect ourselves.
Who knows? Maybe we can save our city. It may hurt like hell, but just think how much better things would be today if only the Republican national party bosses would’ve held out for competence eight years ago.
If the city simply *adjusted its priorities* it could hire more librarians instead of cops.
Kenny2008 said on MercuryNews.com 6/18/2008 14:38:
>> Nora Campos is the girl who cried “Endangering Our City!”
And “Public Safety Hazard!”
And “Fiscal Disaster!”
She’ll have something important to say one day, but no one will listen. <<
#3- Frustrated Finfan,
A politicians voting record speaks volumes. If voters looked past the nicely trimmed package candidate’s PR people, and the far from neutral local media present us during election time, and actually took the time to VOTE, research the candidate, attend debates, stop being ONE issue voters, we wouldn’t be in this mess~
Well said Kathleen in San Jose!
Looks like it’s time to start grooming someone to step up to the plate that is worth holding the office of Mayor of San Jose – definitely not Ms. Campos!
Budget& San Jose Police
I constantly watch how the past two Mayors have wanted to hire more Police officers.
I have a comment
If the police department got out where on the roadways and in the public it would solve several problems
The Budget – if they were out on the roadways giving tickets to the speeders on our freeways and those with cell phones, it would add revenue to the Budget and keep lives saved. I drive the 280 freeway every day and its a rare day that I ever see a San Jose Police officer on the road. They should be assigned a particular area and have police officers assigned throughout the day/evening hours. It would send the message that drivers need to slow down and be safe or get a ticket.
Has this happened? No…..Police officers are not seen on the busy roadways.
But I do see them at your local Starbucks or I have even seen them behind public buildings off White Road sitting in groups (3-5 cars) sitting there just talking to each other.
They are allowed to constantly assemble in coffee shops but not get out and do the job they need to be doing.
Also I was at an even this past weekend and someone was having health problems. I saw a police car, a fire truck and an ambulance show up on an upset stomach. Ehy is the City sending out costly fire trucks and staff on a minor call? A waste of City money. Do they not have greater challenges to be tending to?
I’m not down on our police & fire, I just would like to see them out doing their jobs.
I disagree with hiring more police. I think you really need to review what they are doing, why they are doing it and for the safety of those in this City, send them where they need to be – out in the community and roadways – not at Starbucks or congregated behind public bldgs.