Hopefuls Try to Distinguish Themselves in Race to Succeed Chuck Reed
In the race to succeed Mayor Chuck Reed in his former council district, several dozen candidates are trying to distinguish themselves by establishing credibility before the March 6 special election.
Most experts predict a low turnout and thus, believe that the race is wide open.
“According to our polling,” explained Terry Christensen, Chairman of the Political Science Department at San Jose State University, “the crowded field of candidates may outnumber likely voters…we could have a statistical dead heat if they all vote for themselves.”
But during the Mercury News endorsement interviews, several candidates admitted that they would not be voting for themselves.
Candidate Jacqueline Bates decided to cast her vote for Hon T. Lien because she has the support of the mayor. “That is a very powerful endorsement,” she said. “Besides, I’m being supported by the South Bay Labor Council so I could never vote for myself.”
In order to distinguish themselves, the candidates have had to adopt bold campaign strategies and tackle tough issues quickly, the boldest of which is J. Manuel Herrera’s promise to reveal his first name.
In related news, Forrest Williams formed an exploratory committee to consider formal candidacy in District 4 before discovering, to his surprise and everyone else’s, that he already represented a district.
Hon Lien never spoke out against the state prison, because she gets her orders from the Republican Party of Santa Clara County.
Does she even know about the prison???
What’s new, Chuckie Reed, woah, woah,
What’s new, Chuckie Reed, woah, woah,
Chuckie Reed, does what he’s told,
By Victor, who bosses Hon Lien around,
What’s new, Voters in District 4?
District 4?, woah, woah,
Nothing really, because Chuckie wants Victor to run it, to run it,
Hon Lien and Chuckie are so thrilling,
and so willing to do what they’re told
to do what they’re told,
What’s New, Chuckie Reed, woah, woah,
A State Prison for North San Jose, because
The Republicans want it so much, want it so much, woah, woah,
Hon Lien won’t oppose it, oh, no, oh no,
Because she does what she is told!!
Who are all these people? Have any of them been involved in at any public level?
What happened to the days of the powerful and exciting candidate, the one with tons of money and name recognition and an impressive resume…Oh yeah, Jim Beall is an assemblyman.
Just guessing that #1 is James Rowen.. probably #2 also. I guess the pharmacy doesn’t open up until 9am.
The real action will take place in the run-off, since it is unlikely any of these folks can take it in the primary. What happened to D4? To go from the likes of Lewis, Fernandes, and Reed, to this collection of mostly inexperienced folks—oh, how the district has fallen.
And how about the heat in D6? Now Chavez is rising from the dead. I don’t know if she made the threat or not, but if you believe her statement that she doesn’t make threats, then you probably voted for her.
I think the real issue is man, oh man, where have all the qualified people gone?
You know Chavez is throwing around threats involving her labor backing. That’s all she ever had.
What is she doing now – working for labor?
Rowen can’t keep his Santa Clara Blog interesting and relevant so he has to invade San Jose with his pseudonyms. Reference to #1 and #2. Sorry James, you don’t make any points, you just irritate people. Thank God we have John to take the edge off things on Fridays.
Dave would know when things open, he likes to hang around the adult bookstores on San Carlos in the wee morning hours after the board and care place lets him out. Ps, I am a woman, not a foam one like Dave has
Kansen Chu is a well qualified candidate and hard worker. His work on the school board and as a small business owner provide a unique background. I believe he would serve the public well and I support his election to the council.
Cindy is working for labor? what happened to her churro business, I really thought she could make that work. maybe we all can pinch in and get her another cart.
So that’s where the phrase “Run Forrest, Run!” came from.
Confused: are you confused, or just satirical, in describing Jim Beall as an exciting candidate?
Here we go#5: Cindy sure has dropped off the radar. Did Phaedra decide not to re-hire her after her stunning loss?
Dear San Jose:
#6 asks the question, where have all the qualified people gone? ANSWER: They’re out there, you just can’t vote for them. Perhaps it’s time to give serious consideration to dropping district-wide elections and voting for the council on a city-wide basis as we do for the office of mayor.
I live in District One, and while I was happy to vote for Pete Constant, but I would have voted for Rich DeLarossa or Linda Nguyen (both second place finishers in their district races) over my previous rep Linda LeZotte.
Why can’t we choose from the best and the brightest?
It seems to me that if you are a legal resident in San Jose, you should be permitted to represent any council district. Consider for a moment, that someone who establishes residency for less than a year is permitted to run for office and represent a specific district, but someone two blocks away (across a district line) is ineligible.
Pete Campbell
District 4’s biggest upcoming issue, of which I see no press on or attention to, is the upcoming EIR hearings on the San Jose Flea Market – to go to Planning Commission in late March (public comment period on the draft has already closed). The Flea Market is to the east and north portions of San Jose, what Valley Fair-Westfield Mall/Santana Row is the the west, except bigger. Imagine if Valley Fair was proposing to close in order to use the site for a mega-housing complex. So where is the public discussion on this project that will put thousands out of work and destroy the city’s biggest commercial center?
once again, I got lipstick on, with the nails to boot, and you are another one that could not get a date if you tried, I live in Milpitas, pussycat
signed pussycat
does Victor really pay you Native, or do you get rewarded in other ways??
15 – And don’t forget about the traffic and other environmental impacts. As bad as the Flea Market is at causing congestion and impassable roads, at least that is only 3-4 days a week. Just wait until hundreds of housing units are built and think about how many vehicle trips a day that will generate, everyday! We’ve ruined Evergreen, now I guess it’s Berryessa’s turn.
#15. If the Flea Market is San Jose’s biggest commercial center things are even worse than we thought!
#11 taxpayer
— I find it disheartening to read hurtful, racist comments. For the few chuckles you might get for it, it’s really not worth it. I hope we all can be above that type of dialogue.
#14 Pete
— You make good points. I have lived in SJ for 29 years and I like the district system better. City-wide elections would make those with the deepest pockets and closest ties to big interests instant front runners. Neighborhood leaders and community activists would be completely out of the running. Also, city-wide would make it more difficult to diversfiy the council. I think San Jose’s diversity is something to proud of and should be reflected on the council.
#11 Is that the best you got? The churro business? It’s not funny, just outright stupid. You might want to start writing speeches for David Duke.
Dear #19:
I’ve heard your argument before, but I’m not sure that I accept it. I’m not convinced that the “deep pockets” would necessarily prevail in a city wide election. The deep pockets have been able to push through mediocre candidates under the current system, so what’s there to lose? I firmly believe that the two candidates that I mentioned (L. Nguyen and De Larosa) could beat half of the current council. Regarding your point about diversity, please see the names of the two candidates that I wish to elevate.
When we speak of “diversity,” do we always mean ethnicity and culture? What about a “diversity” of ideas?
Pete Campbell
Who is Forrest Williams? Does he work for the city or something? I don’t get the last paragraph…
Pete,
I agree that diversity means many different things. I think city-wide races would stifle diversity, not just ethnic diversity, but diversity in creativity, thought and experience. I am not sure if your analysis that De La Rosa or Linda Nguyen would win in a city-wide race is correct, but are they really the best and the brightest? And, the other problem that would arise is that candidates from higher voter turn-out ditricts (i.e. wealthier, more politically active,…) would have a leg up because they would have a greater initial following and access to fundraising. So, it would be a greater challenge for someone from a working class or traditionally apathetic neighborhood to win.
I think we both agree in the premise, that we need creative, intelligent leadership. The question is how to get there. I am always open to your thoughts on it because you have at least given it intelligent consideration.
NOTE: #10 above was written by a different “Jean”.
Pete Campbell #14: I like the thought behind your idea of electing people citywide; the problem I see is that you could end up with the entire council and Mayor living in, say, Downtown, or the Rose Garden. How would we be sure the outlying areas like, the East Side would get adequate representation?
#15
Is the Flea Market closing? That would be great.
More than once, traffic to that place has backed up onto 101, north and south, resulting in accidents, near misses, and delayed traffic on 101 simply so that someone can buy copied or stolen 8 track tapes, or some other junk items.
Traffic from any new housing will be virtually unnoticeable compared to the Flea Market mess.
Notice how Dave does not reveal his name when opens his mouth. Probably because he does not his filings revealed. what a guy!!
As an Asian American voter living and working in downtown San Jose, I am shocked and embarrassed to learn that supporters of Hon Lien have been suggesting that Brian Do is a communist. Anyone who knows anything about Vietnamese American politics is aware of how damaging such suggestions can be. It is without a doubt that Hon Lien’s advisor, Victor Ajlouny, is behind these antics. He has been famous for decades in using the “white fist/black fist” tactics of exploiting simmering issues of racial diversity in the South Bay. Ajlouny was behind the vicious attacks on Ms. Pham in Milpitas, and the cash in hand political advertisements are his trademark. Lien must withdraw from this race or fire Ajlouny. I am aware of the attacks on Ajlouny from others, and they are generally political operatives from Santa Clara with their own unethical agendas, but I stand with my community stating that Ajlouny has worked to create divisions in the Filipino-American Community and the Vietnamese-American community in San Jose for years. He directed a candidate in Sunnyvale to falsely wear firefighter uniforms at the height of 9/11, and the secret newspapers are his trademark as well. Lien and Ajlouny directed this attack on Brian Do, who is unqualified to serve on the Council, but not because of the slimy charges Victor has dreamed up. Reed must either fire Ajlouny or resign, and Lien definitely needs to withdraw from the race.
Residents resist the urge to vote for any candidates from the Eastside Union High School District Board. The School District is a mess because of these clowns and now they aspire to higher office. Their past race pandering to get elected and continued incompetency on the Board should not be rewarded. I know its tempting but although, I’d like to get rid of one of them and free up a seat so a qualified individual with some real experience in education can get elected to the Eastside Board, I’m scared @%#!-less about the damage one of them could do on the City Council. You thought Terry Gregory was bad!
Isn’t it a crime to use cash for campaign expenditures???
Sorry John, but Forest can’t possibly be as bad as Gomez on the Milpitas City Council. Check this out. Just one of MANY news articles about abuse of power by the Vice Mayor of Milpitas. I guess the old saying, “What goes around comes around,” will teach Gomez a lesson he doesn’t want to learn right now.
Milpitas Post:
CAC member blocked following election rift – by Ian Bauer
A former Milpitas City Council candidate who challenged Council-man Armando Gomez for his four-year council seat last November was declared unfit to return to serve on the citizen-led Milpitas Community Advisory Commission by Gomez during the Feb. 6 council meeting. The councilman suggested Heidi Pham’s actions during her 2006 council campaign were unethical, and that she should not serve on the volunteer commission. View Full Story
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http://www.themilpitaspost.com/searchresults/ci_5226859
http://www.themilpitaspost.com
Doesn’t Gomez work for Reed, and shouldn’t Reed ask him to quit? We heard Reed trashing Pham the other day.
Dear Jean and “No Need to be so Negative:”
Thanks for your comments. I admit that going back to city-wide council elections is not a perfect solution. A couple more thoughts… You could have it designed where the council members would still represent the various council districts as the boundaries are drawn today. Actually living in the district that you represent might prove to be an asset. And, if you don’t “deliver the goods” for your district, you’d probably not be re-elected. Again, I make the argument, how is it fair that someone from the east coast can move to San Jose and be eligible to run for the city council by establishing residency for 6 months, when someone two blocks away on the other side of the district boundary line, who has lived in San Jose for 25 years is not?
Pete Campbell
As an older resident, living near the Rose Garden, I am floored by the cyncial attitude Chuck Reed has towards the citizens of San Jose. To give Armando Gomez, who often yells at Milpitas residents with such fury, that he turns purple, a job with the budget is dangerous. Small wonder that we cannot tell how our money is being spent, Gomez lost it.
Now we see Reed saying that all standards in his office are “top down.” So as Hon Lien and Victor violate the law, does that mean Reed will disavow them?
Reed has lost our confidence and should step down.
Pete, why don’t you run for Council? You have a great head on your shoulders, and are very knowledgable. You would be someone I’d cast my vote for, and campaign for!
#33- I guess I have to ask why citizens of Milpitas voted Gomez in again? It amazes me that while he only won by 600 votes, he still won. I know Milpitas is a part time Council, and is small compared to San Jose, but after having someone as awesome as Pete Mc Hugh, why would they elect, and reelect Gomez?
What Vic, and Lien do has no real bearing on Mayor Reed’s work for our city, unless they are doing something illegal in the Mayor’s office. I know Mayor Reed is too respectful of the laws of our city to ever do anything to disgrace that office like Gonzo did.
Mayor Reed has worked hard to get along with Council Members who acted badly, and he has brought in members of every group and citizens everywhere to participate in the budget, etc. I’m proud of him for being inclusive. It’s a nice change from Gonzo.
As to Gomez, I agree, he needs to go. He is doing things in Milpitas that Mayor Reed would never do himself, or tolerate in the City of San Jose. Gomez should have more respect for the Mayor, as what he does reflects on the Mayor.
Gomez’s abuse of power is wrong. Not allowing Pham to resume a seat on a commission, she was supposed to sit on until 2008, is being done by Gomez to punish her for speaking her truth. It’s something that should be addressed by Ms. Pham’s attorney. Gomez’s refusal to allow a citizen’s oversight committee is even more unethical. I guess the Milpitas Council majority, all 3 of them, will have to learn the hard way, like our Council did. A majority means nothing, when you ignore the will of the people!
I’ve noticed many of you are bringing up Vic, Lien, and Gomez. Have any of you contacted Mayor Reed to tell him how you feel? Mayor Reed’s pretty open to criticism. I’m sure he’d listen to what you have to say.
Chuck will never dismiss me, I have the key to his real self. Bridget, if I am so awful, and Armando is so awful, then why did Chuck pick us in the first place??
A) Lived in San Jose for eight years, worked for the library for ten.
B) First posting on San Jose Inside, and I agree with Bridget, too many are not allowing Reed to respond.
C) Agree with the dozen or so posts about Armando Gomez, as I have a sister in Milpitas, and this guy yelled at her at the council meeting. An older women should get more respect, and Gomez needs to resign from both the Council and Reed’s staff, as I have been told of a dozen incients where he has been patronizing of older people.
D) Lien and Victor sponsored this attack and Do, and it is Victor’s mou to use racial issues to inflame voters. He also uses newspaper advertising as his stock in trade. He was behind this smear, and Armando knew about it.
E) It is time for Reed to clean house. Fire Armando and Victor, hire some retired council members as staffers, and move forward.
Gomez has a conflict of interest, as there are dozens of Milpitas issues before the Mayor’s office, and he is violating his standing in both cities.
How would you, Bridget in San Jose, like to see your sister, an older woman, told to “BE QUIET” before a room of citizens. That is what Gomez did to her.
I live in Milpitas and Armando Gomez is unethical, and defintely impressed with himself. He likes to boast during Council meetings that Chuck Reed will only listen to him. I think Bridget and Pete would make excellent city council members. They would support Mayor Reed, but they would tolerate Armando Gomex, who should have to resign from the Mayor’s office, after his boasting in Milpitas that he directs Chuck.
No one directs our good and decent Mayor, and anyone like Armando, who is too impressed with himself with himself needs to go. We are considering a recall campaign for his antics.
#34 Bridget,
I agree with a lot of what you have to say, but to refer to Pete Mc Hugh as “awesome” is a bit like calling Gomer Pyle a visionary. I found Mc Hugh to be an ignorant hick that did not respect the process.
#36 – To hear that Armando Gomez is actually speaking to residents in Milpitas that way, is appalling. I guess he did not learn anything from the San Jose Council, who doesn’t even do that to the Political Gadflies that read poems about mass destruction, and quote bible verses damning the Council to hell.
#37 – Bridget from Milpitas – Milpitas Residents should do a recall of Gomez for his antics. Elected officials have been recalled for less. Gomez is paid by taxpayers money, and is a public servant. A public servant works for the people, and Gomez clearly forgets who is paying his bills. If everyone on this blog who has had a horrible experience with Gomez told our new mayor, and started a recall in Milpitas, I’m sure some changes would happen in Gomez’ employment status. Maybe if he wasn’t earning $80+k a year, he’d be a little more humbled.
I think it merits mentioning that Victor Ajlouny is not a permanent employee of the City. He was hired temporarily, along with some of McEnery’s recommendations, to assist Mayor Reed in his transition as our new Mayor.
As for Gomez touting that Mayor Reed only listens to him, that is laughable. Mayor Reed is fiercely independent. He doesn’t need a 34 year old wannabe to tell him how to run the City. Mayor Reed listens to the people, and that is evidenced by the way he has included the public in budget decisions, and put a transition subcommittee of 67 diverse groups and community leaders to help him set policy.
#35- I don’t know why Mayor Reed tolerates Gomez. As to Vic, I have no clue if what these bloggers are saying about him is true, hence why I directed them to contact the Mayor themselves.
#36- I am so sorry your family member was treated like that. It’s pretty disgusting to read what all of you have experienced with Gomez. It’s not acceptable to treat anyone like that. Too bad he keeps getting a way with it. It seems to me that people like Gomez, and Gonzo need to get their ego in check. Sometimes they need a reality check by the people. I think that’s what Gomez needs. His head has gotten too big. I guess he thinks he’s more powerful than he really is.
How sad that Gomez is such a bad reflection of Reed’s Office, and is settting such a bad example to young Hispanics.
Ahh come on! Pete Mc Hugh is a great guy!
I read today that Hon Lien said she never thought she would run for city council “in her wildest dreams”….how pathetic is that? What, a candidate who knows nothing about the issues and had to be coerced into running? Talk about a sure fire loser….Aglouny and Gomez were hired by Reed, right? They must be doing something right, with chuckie racking up a huge landslide and enjoying high ratings with sanjoseans…
This message is for jean in san jose and bridget in san jose:It is as plain as day that you are the same person! Answering your own comments and questions, using the same syntax, same format, same verbage. I do not have a problem with you voicing your opinion, but your lame attempt to appear to be 2 different people is intellectually dishonest.
District based council elections was a great reform once upon a time.
But I have to agree that it might be time to re-examine it. The mini-fiefdoms have created something of a sick culture where each district has a mini-mayor that can micro-manage and veto all projects in their district even when it is to the detriment of the city as a whole.
But determined candidates don’t let little obstacles like district boundaries prevent them from running in and winning seats that they covet. I’ve seen several strategic real estate transactions prior to election cycles over the years.
The down side with doing away with districts is that small neighborhoods and ethnic communities would rarely attain the plurality to advance neighborhood leaders to a run-off in expensive city wide races.
And as for the Vietnamese community, their is deep and historic divisions within what appears to be a homogenous community that no one will easily understand who hasn’t grown up in or studies it at length. This is America, however, and in elections passions boil over and independent supporters may cross the line but this does not mean any candidate needs to step down.
If the candidates on the ballot don’t excite you, but you live in the district, start getting involved at the neighborhood level and filter your concerns up that way and maybe along the way you’ll network with others and be able to support a stronger candidate in the next election cycle.
-Blair
#44 – No, I do not write under other names. Only Jean. Bridget is a different person. And I do not have a problem with you having your opinions either, with you posting under ‘Seed of Chuckie’ and ‘Not as Stupid as you think’.
Sorry, Victor, you should have printed a phony Mercury News today, like Chuck told you to
The postings concerning Armando Gomez written by several long time Milpitas and San Jose residents due to his poor conduct in both positions has caused several people in Milpitas politics and supporters of Reed to ask Gomez to leave.
According to the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal (December 1, 2006), Armando Gomez has several conflict of interest problems, but Reed refuses to deal with them, hoping they will go away.
As we have been saying, Reed is protecting Gomez, and Gomez is the new Joe Guerra
#44- Jean and I are not the same person. I am not afraid to post under my name, what is your excuse for writing without yours? I guess you’re an Oliverio supporter. Well, I’m not, and I’m not afraid to speak my truth, using my name on my posts…
#46- Glad to hear people in both cities are speaking out against Gomez. It’s about time!
The Mercury News just endorsed Tedesco! It’s nice to see the right man is getting endorsed. Bravo Mercury News! I’m relieved to see the Oliverio sales job isn’t working. They also endorsed Kansen Chu. Another Bravo to the Merc! May be there is hope for a new day.
By the way Jean, I like how you think!
Are you single?
Bridget – I like how you think, too. You make your points in all the right places, and your posts have a beautiful flow to them. I am only single if you are asking! I would like to buy you dinner sometime!
#22 queried: “Who is Forrest Williams? Does he work for the city or something?” That would be “or something” #22.
#23 seems to assume some working class hero would always be better as a representatrive of some neighborhoods. Think Cindy, then say it again.
A big reason we get professional politicians and not real leaders, for the most part, is money. The jobs don’t pay enough to attract folks without significant outside income.
Many bloggers here appear to assume that a citywide elected representative would spurn some neighborhoods. I guess they may be right—Diane Feinstein seems to think she represents only San Francisco, and not the entire state…at least when it comes to football.
I just can’t get around the fact that district elections Balkanize a small area. We get one trick ponies who sweep to victory on one or two hot button issues that only one or two neighborhoods give a damn about. The city as a single unit suffers from such parochialism. One mayor is usually not enough to buck that trend with a mere single vote. I don’t want my councilperson to represent only Willow Glen. I want him/her to represent San Jose. The little aging junior high school cliques that we call neighborhood associations dominate the landscape, but it’s a small landscape for each of them…not what’s in the best interests of the city as a whole; e.g. cutting down three sycamore trees will now occupy police time, thus perhaps allowing a murder, rape, or robbery to occur that might have been stopped if the cops weren’t playing eco-cops for the Glenite busybodies.
#50- Well said JMO. Council Members do need to consider the City as a whole. I get fed up with the myopic view held by voters myself. Each decision made, should take into consideration, how it will affect other districts. Too much traffic, etc., will and is often rerouted into another district because some neighborhood associations are more active than others. Or pay higher property taxes than others, so they get more. It stinks.
As to Gomez. I just found out that March 6th, at the next Council Meeting, citizens, and the Commission Members are demanding that Pham be reinstated. Let’s see if Gomez backs down, and does the right thing by allowing Pham to go back on the CAC, or if he abuses his power once again to pay Pham back. Stay tuned.
If the great crybaby of Milpitpas, with his phony newspaper, does not vote for Pham, he should be asked to quit.
They should put Pham back on her commission. Anything to keep her in Milpitas and out of Berryessa. She ran for school board here a couple of years ago. We were not impressed.
Here’s an article just out from the Tri City Voice about Pham, Gomez, and the Milpitas Council you might want to read.
http://tricityvoice.com/articledisplay.php?a=7042
The viettribune ad that Hon Lein’s supporters likened Brian Do to a prison guard at a communist prison was paid in cash by a relative of her. Someone who claimed to be reporter but tote along and take picture to promote her on TinVietnews.
What do Chuck Reed nor those endorsor know about Hon Lien? What has she done for the community? How successful of the businesses she ran? What happened to her businesses? Please please think twice before endorsing someone like her to represent my district.
Does anyone recall a Metro Story in 2006 in how Ajlouny tried to get Scott Herhold to lay off a DA’s investigation for the DSA and how Reed backed him up?