If our new mayor brings his efforts to bear on three areas of municipal government in the New Year—ethics, development and the budget, and our downtown—the citizens of our city will be very well served.
On the ethics front, Chuck Reed needs little advice. He will have the recommendations of the Sunshine Task Force and the Transition Committee to encourage the various members of the city council that still seem in thrall to the special interests (that were so roundly trounced in the last election) to reject their past transgressions and adopt ethical behavior. Tightening the revolving door for employees, banning all gifts, and opening the doors to the light and scrutiny that have been sorely lacking for far too long are only a few of the many reforms that we will shortly see in place.
In the development area, the General Plan will hopefully become a document to reflect the will of our citizens and not merely a moth-eaten grab bag for every major developer and two-bit lobbyist. Two transition subcommittees are recommending major changes, including a “once only” annual review and amendment of the General Plan. This will change the Middle-Eastern-bazaar mentality that so many now have. And, of course, we all know that the budget has not been adequately monitored in the capital improvement and service areas. The new mayor must address the cavalier manner of making unhealthy budgeting decisions that have changed the steady march toward a stronger tax base that was so carefully proceeding for many years. It will take some time to redress the many development mistakes of the past decade, but with the rejection of foolhardy plans for Coyote and Evergreen in the next few months, it can be done.
Much of the hopes and dreams of our city are involved in the success of downtown. A renewed emphasis is needed for supporting the small businesses and neighborhoods—new and old—downtown and in the central part of the city. It is not a place to cluster rowdy clubs and subsidized white tablecloth restaurants. It has to be made into a place to live and work in safety and tranquility. The sleepy Downtown Association has been a front and apologist for nightclubs and criminally callous behavior for far too long. This must stop. The major stakeholders—big and small—have to come to their collective senses, forget the baseball and other delusions, and build on the many cultural, artistic, and sports venues already in the downtown area. City Hall must be a catalyst in this or all else cannot be effective.
If we move positively in all three of these areas, this year will lay the groundwork for the remarkable city that we all want and, with hard work, will surely achieve.
Why don’t the good poeple of the downtown, nice restaurants, businesses and people living there become part of the downtown association and do something about the people in that group supporting these troubled locations. I know it is difficult for property owners to find tenants so they give into these fast buck guys for clubs who pay lots of rent. We need help from city to find tenants for their bad properties.
HJ and other McHenry apoligists,
Your missing Tom Mac’s agenda. Downtown is already a boring sleepy place to live (or try to live) in tranquility.
His issue with the clubs is regarding his families wish to sell thier san pedro parking lot and small business infested property to developers for more new condos. He is looking to line his pockets and feels nightlife is not good for his future sale price.
Remember, the stealth slimy lobbyist gets the most in this city. It’s a new day in the life of lobbyist!
I am impressed and pleased that Jude Barry has been selected by the San Francisco 49ers to organize political support among the region for a new stadium.
Jude focuses on the important relevant strategies, and those of us in Santa Clara that are questioning the value of a stadium would be happy to work with him, as even the critics of the proposal feel comfortable with Mr. Barry’s presence on the team.
Now Kevin Moore can go back to his Archie comics.
Mr. Barry should be able to win over a lot of Santa Clara leaders that Mr. Moore decided to disrespect. It is a lot like bringing in a unifer and a master strategist, when all the 49ers had before was a cheerleader.
Now they can get some work done.
The problem is that the good residents downtown are too busy trying to lead normal lives to try to get involved and play politics in insular groups like the downtown association. Dealing with special interest groups is not for the faint of heart. Hopefully with new blood at the Taj Gonzales the influence of these special interest groups will wane.
Tom—A real Downtown SJ is more than residents getting together. THERE’S NO PLACE TO SHOP! And not likely to be as long as your buddies on the University Neighborhood Assn. control the “planning” “dynamic” there. They don’t WANT a downtown, and used their large influence with Cindy (with the promise of votes and dough, delivering neither) to disrupt the Planner’s every strategy to build one. Hopefully Sam is not so indebted to them. Their strategy, still in place, is to move ONE MORE, and then one more, funky old “historic” structure into any space that could be enjoyed by anyone other than themselves. Have to get back to Hart’s and a Penny’s like the old days, with a Macy’s a Nordstroms and a Sak’s, maybe a Gucci,
to get the crowds that make a downtown, and make a Santana Row. An ugly city hall most certainly doesn’t make a downtown, as we can know now for certain. Heck, even the days when the Tower Saloon’s bar was graced by you and John, San Jose was more of a downtown than it is today, even with the rowdy nightclubs. A “neighborhood” of old houses could be knocked down to build a great design center like LaBrea in LA, where people come from Vegas, SF—San Jose—to find and buy and shop great stuff. I know. Way too drastic for this village. Carmel is a village—with world class shopping, crowds, and lots of historic, liveable, second homes. Lots of great examples, but how to get past the Old Guard? Can Chuck do it? He did beat them fair and square. But co-opting is always a danger. George Green
Mayor Tom is being kind in his criticisms –
” The sleepy Downtown Association has been a front and apologist for nightclubs and criminally callous behavior for far too long.”
Downtown Association composed of downtown property and business owners is MAJOR REASON WHY Downtown has FAILED and NOT been Successful. NO ONE ELSE
1) Many large attractive Santa Clara County shopping areas have been developed in last 10-20 years but NOT downtown. Why have almost all local cities developed attractive downtown, shopping and entertainment areas while San Jose downtown has NOT?
Downtown Association’s FAILURE
2) It is NOT that people do not have the money to spend. You can see your downtown friends and neighbors traveling to other cities ( Santana Row, Campbell, Milpitas , Gilroy Santa Clara Palo Alto etc ) or San Jose shopping areas everyday to spend their money outside of unattractive Downtown
Downtown Association’s FAILURE
3) City government is NOT responsible for developing downtown only to providing efficient city services. San Jose has spent billions to fix many buildings, public areas and continues to pay millions for downtown events while downtown becomes less attractive to most people especially families and singles with money to spend except gangs and troublemakers
Downtown Association’s FAILURE
4) Customers vote everyday with their wallets and feet to SHOP ANYWHERE but Downtown
Downtown Association’s FAILURE
5) Retailers will not locate Downtown – Successful Coleman Center is NOT Downtown and has free parking
Downtown Association’s FAILURE
Downtown Association, property and business owners are PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE for downtown getting worst and have FAILED since they
1) ignore or makes excuses for downtown’s problems or blame everyone else for downtown failures to include their primary customers ( downtown residents ) who mostly shop outside of downtown and potential customers ( non downtown residents ) by not listening to their concerns – public safety / parking / great customer service etc – downtown’s potential customers don’t buy in downtown since they have many more desirable places to spend their money
2) do not work with downtown residents ( primary customers ) to develop workable successful livable downtown improvement plans and after year’s ignoring customer’s concerns – People shop elsewhere
Downtown Association as primary business group in downtown is therefore is RESPONSIBLE for downtown FAILURE or Success like other city’s Chambers or Downtown Association’s
Downtown Association’s FAILURE can change to SUCCESS when they retain downtown resident customers and attract potential non downtown customers rather than makes excuses and continue to blame others
Tom,
Which 3 of your 4 – ” ethics, development and the budget, and our downtown ” should Mayor bring his efforts ?
My choice – first 3 – Downtown is not city wide problem or spending priority
Few voters care to can spend more money on downtown after billions taxes wasted
Spend taxes on fixing other city problems first
Grey Howe – You are right about San Jose’s Future Bankruptcy
San Jose does not have taxes to pay for many billions in retired City employees lifetime health care premiums, excessively generous pension benefits, city streets / building repairs, city hall and other bond payments that will in 5-10 years put San Jose in bankruptcy or more cuts in already inadequate city services and staff
Unfortunately, Mr. Howe is correct. Too much money earmarked for former employees’ retirement and health. An unsolvable problem ?
What is solvable are the internal problems within the various departments: parks and wreck comes to mind. Mass firing of management would certainly get their attention and allow the people doing the work to get on with it! Maybe outsourcing all of the landscaping is the way to go… Silver Creek and the Villages have gone that route and things are looking good.
Another place that needs looking into is the Rewnal agency… no one there has a clue!
Maybe someone from the Grand Jury could read the blogs and look into things??
J.
Dear San Jose:
I agree with Tom McEnery’s comments. I would like to add that the Reed Administration will not be able to solve all of our city’s problems overnight. It’s going to take time (perhaps a year or two) to really get the city back on track. We need to get the jobs back and we need to find a way to increase revenues without raising taxes. (Perhaps we can all play a small part by going out of our way to do all shopping within San Jose city limts so that the sales tax revenues go to our city. How about a “Shop San Jose” campaign?)
Finally, the citizens of San Jose owe Tom McEnery their thanks for his leadership on the Reed Transition Team. The former mayor did our city a great service by leading the effort.
Pete Campbell
Listen, guys, Tom is right. Downtown will never be a retail center, but it’s still an exciting downtown. If we take 2 of 3 steps recommended, we’ll have a great city! As for nightclubs, we need live music and piano clubs.
Mr. Rosenthal is correct. Our Council was indebted to Labor for so long that the future of the City is in danger. Speaking of Departments in disarray, how about Code Enforcement or better Code NON enforcement. This Dept is a joke. Instead of enforcing the Codes they make excuses for non-enforcement. In our SNI we have taken the position That we will not work with them in the future until changes are made in the Dept. Replacing some of the managers in this Dept. would be a step in the right direction.
Carlos DaSilva
George Green
Blaming the University Neighborhood Assn for controlling downtown “planning” “dynamic” sounds like more excuses from downtown property and business owners about why downtown is not successful – Take some responsibility and stop blaming others for your failures
George sounds like you are another Downtown Association leader who can’t work with your customers / downtown residents to improve downtown since you ” know better ” while blame others for Downtown Association and businesses failure when other San Jose neighborhood business district and other city’s have been successful
Do you even know the University Neighborhood Assn? What are their objections to your downtown projects and have you tried to work with them?
University Neighborhood Assn is only 1 of 13 downtown neighborhood associations – So have you worked with any of the other downtown neighborhood associations?
http://www.ci.san-jose.ca.us/council/dist3/myNeighborhood/neighborhood_map.htm
Successful People Take Responsibility for Their Actions. They don’t make excuses. They don’t blame others. They don’t whine and complain as San Jose Downtown Association and business people alway do
13 Characteristics of Successful Business People
http://www.succeedinginbusiness.com/JMArticles/13characteristics.shtml
Count how many of these characteristics downtown businesses lack – Most
The thing that everyone seems to forget is that a lot of the problems that occurred at CH were due to the ineffective City Manager who took his marching orders from the Mayor. He totally disregarded the fact that he is accountable to the whole city council not just the Mayor.
San Jose now has an effective, dynamic “interim” City Manager who is forthcoming with ALL the Councilmembers as well as the Mayor. Although he has been at his job for less than a year, all the City employees have noticed the differrence in organizational culture and employee morale. The sad thing is that San Jose is spending excess dollars for a recruiting firm to find another City Manager for the City. Why not give Les White an offer he can’t refuse? How can we get anyone better?
Tom, regarding the budget and a stronger tax base, I fear that much or all of any increase in City revenues will be reserved to cover the billion dollar unfunded liability for retired City employees lifetime health care premiums. That, in conjunction with generous pension benefits, may well put us in the same position as the city of San Diego… near bankruptcy.
Aline, agreed… Les White is a breath of fresh air, one who is unafraid to tell it like it is. While I don’t know Mr. White’s plans, Mayor Reed would do well to retain him as City Manager.
Tom, do you have any insight into this possibility?
If SJ can’t do better, much better, than Les White, then nothing serious is going to change in the bureaucracy of the village of San Jose.
As a taxpayer and property owner downtown, I have had a serious complaint against one fiefdom of City Hall—and nowhere to take my complaint. In desperation, I sent off a letter to Les White, with pages of evidence, including photos. MONTHS later, get an answer from Les ignoring every particle of evidence, dates, photos, etc., and without offering anything other than the assurances of “his” employees that they did nothing untoward, blew me off.So much for the responsibility of disciplining the workforce. No wonder the bloggers from the city love the guy. Les looks serious. Tom likes him. I hope Chuck looks long and carefully at someone with no prior SJ bagagge. George Green
Aline is correct! We need Les here. Chuck should make putting a package together to keep Les a top priority. Les may want to retire but a deal that pays him what he is worth to San Jose might persuade him otherwise. Let’s hope the Mayor is listening.
21 – Since none of us know what you are talking about, perhaps neither did Les.
#3 Hey – maybe Tom’s issue – and my issue too – with the nightclubs is that they attract a bunch of people who get arrested, fire rounds at police or merely destroy property around downtown. It makes downtown look like shithole which is not good for property values (“full disclosure” – I am a home owner) and not good for quality of life.
George
Many complaints by downtown property and business owners maybe valid but many are not and without details those complaining have little creditability since they except little responsibility blame others and refuse t work with other groups to improve downtown
Downtown Association’s attitude, acting as front and apologist for irresponsible businesses, blaming everyone else except themselves, and taking little responsibility and always asking for tax subsidies is major part of the problem why downtown is not successful
Many other cities ( like your home town Los Gatos which did not spend large amounts of taxes on businesses ) and business districts have been successful in the last 10-20 years while downtown after billions in taxes is still unattractive and a problem so customers shop elsewhere
George
Since you want to be the complaining and blame others voice of downtown property owners and businesses – please answer questions asked of you
One of the first city agencies that the transition team should look at is Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services. This agency has been allowed unchecked growth and is a resting place for all those little projects that have no place to call home. Their budget is not mamaged properly, the parks maintenance is a disgrace, the restrooms are filty, the swimming pools are closed. House cleaning is necessary from the top down. It has been suggested that the Civil Grand Jury be called in to institute a complete investigation. As reported in recent newspaper articles, people have to wait in line to use the parks for sports and recreation. That’s really a shame!
Greg – Les is an outstanding person and City Manager. He has taken on this job at great personal sacrifice. He will continue to serve until a new Manager is chosen. It is the most we can ask of this good man. He has filled a crucial role. TMcE
Mr. Tom McEnery,
What of the post on #3? Are you selling your property’s and land? Why don’t you respond?
Is this why you don’t what bars / clubs in downtown?
Would love to hear your response.
Les White is a great City Manager and will be staying until June 2007 Les wants to retire and is best person to help select new City Manager
City Charter
http://www.sanjoseca.gov/clerk/charter.htm#Art7
Charter says – The municipal government established by this Charter shall be known as the “Council-Manager” form of government.
It does not say Strong Mayor government and Gonzales only became one when others failed to do their duty
SECTION 700. Appointment, Term and Compensation.
—— The Mayor shall nominate one or more candidates for Council consideration for appointment to the position of City Manager.
The City Manager shall be appointed by the Council for an indefinite term. The Council shall fix the compensation of the City Manager.
San Jose’s former City Manager failed almost all of his duties and while many blame Gonzales you should also blame City Council who City Manager worked for not standing up and doing their duty
City Manager duties
(a)———, the City Manager shall appoint all officers and employees of the City; and, when he or she deems it necessary for the good of the service, the City Manager may, subject to the above-mentioned limitations, suspend without pay, demote, discharge, remove or discipline any City officer or employee——
(b) Except as otherwise provided elsewhere by this Charter, the City Manager shall direct and supervise the administration of all departments, offices and agencies of the City;
(d) The City Manager shall be responsible for the faithful execution of all laws, provisions of this Charter, and acts of the Council which are subject to enforcement by the City Manager or by officers who are under the City Manager’s direction and supervision;
(e) The City Manager shall prepare and submit the annual budget to the Council in accordance with the provisions of Section 1204.
(f) The City Manager shall submit a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the City
No, not selling the buildings, Mr.29, but are negotiating a condo project on the empty lot. You know “real” men and women and families living there. As for bars and restaurants downtown, run by real businessmen – I’m all for as many as we can get. Nightclubs can be fine too. Now, nightclubs where 5 people get shot ( as happened last yr. ) are very bad; clubs that regularly have customers beaten and stabbed ( that happened last month) – that’s quite bad; clubs that demand 30 officers pulled from other neighborhoods to close safely are horrible. I live and work there and love the businesses of downtown, large and small. No shills or one yr. fast buck artists will change that fact. Any more ‘honest’ questions ? TMcE
Another Downtowner –
Who does like the way that most clubs and bars are run downtown? Gang members? Minors who loiter and cruise the streets? People who destroy property? We wouldn’t want to piss them off, would we?
29 – It appears your ignorance and bias is showing. I doubt you will find many folks in or out of City Hall who will agree with your narrow assessment of Les White. Les has returned integrity and professionalism to the City Manager’s office—some that was non-existent under the previous CM.
If your recounting of the 8.8 council meeting is accurate, that is one isolated incident compared to many, many positive actions this CM has taken. He has raised morale that had bottomed out under the Gonzales/Borgsdorf debacle, he has provided professional responses to the city council—whether they wanted to hear all the facts or not. He has encouraged staff to speak up and provide ALL the information to the council, which was opposite of the previous CM who prohibited staff from giving the council full information.
San Jose is fortunate to have Les here and would be very lucky to have him stay as long as possible.
#30- I’m not going to get into a personal battle with you. You are entitled to your opinion and I’m entitled to mine, but calling me ignorant and bias is going too far. Clearly you are a member of City Staff, and after Del, anything would put a smile on your face. I can understand that.
I attend or watch Council Meetings and base my opinion on fact. A former Council Member had a very bad experience with Mr. Wonderful. Under Les’s direction the Fire Department was cut back so far that the ladder on the Fire Truck for downtown didn’t work. Had there been a high rise fire, people would have burned to death. Les allowed a new Fire truck to be purchased, only to find out the truck was so large, it wouldn’t fit through the Fire Station door, and had to be stored elsewhere. Duh…. Shortly there after, Les resigned. I think that spoke for it’s self.
No ifs about it. Watch the Council Meeting. The staff member was saved by Les, even though he had been continually breaking the law. By the way, no action has been taken to punish this Department Head either. ( And to me, ONCE is too many times.)
I agree that Del was a looser. He was everything you’ve sighted and more. I don’t think Les is as bad as Del, but I do think he runs a good close second to him.
I don’t share your opinion that Les White is a great, or even a good City Manager. I’m glad he’ll be gone in a few months.
I have watched him cover up for incompetent City Staff. I watched Les purposely cut a staff member off, when the staff member was being questioned by several Council Members, to keep the truth from coming out. This Department Head was being called on the carpet for holding meetings that did not comply with the Brown Act, and then trying to push through ordinance changes that several members of the public objected to. Les told the Department Head to “Stop right there! We’ll discuss this later!” Tune into the August 8th Council Meeting and see for yourself. So much for open government in the world of, “Les White the Magnificent One, Master of Many Disguises!”
Les White is always finding projects that line the pockets of City Staff and leave constituents on the loosing end. I have seen several constituents come before Council to complain that Les has blown off their complaints, or concerns. Les just sits there like the arrogant jerk that he is.
I say good ridden to bad rubbish!
31 – First, you are wrong. I am not now, nor have I ever been, on city staff. In fact, you sound more like a staffer than I do.
I also question your facts, but no amount of back and forth between us is going to change our minds.
Let’s just leave it that I am very glad Les is the City Manager and obviously you are not.
#32- Easily remedied, look it up in the City’s archives. Facts are all there. Sad but true.
We can agree to disagree, but I do want to say that differing opinions don’t need to result in personal attacks or insults. I noticed that a previous poster expressed his dislike of Les’s behavior, and was bashed for it. I don’t think that is right because clearly he had a very bad experience with Les that he was endeavoring to share. I encourage him to explain further, if he’d like to.
Open discussion on Les, and any other person in government, or topic that concerns us is awesome. I think it helps us rethink our views, helps educate one another, or pass on vital information. No two people are always going to agree all the time, but I don’t think personal attacks or insults encourage healthy, reasonable sharing either. So, I’ll agree to disagree with you, and respect your right to sing Les’s virtues, while maintaining that I’m glad he’s leaving.
And no I’m not on City Staff.