As a New Year dawns (I love using that phrase so full of hope), it is time to take stock of our city and community. There are things that we should hope for in the New Year; and, more than that, we should work fervently for them to occur. It is critical to build in the present if you want a future to be proud of.
At the top of any list is the restoration of fiscal stability in our city. This involves balancing the budget, reining in the spiraling retirement costs, reestablishing prudent land use policies—the sine qua non of any sane budget—and bringing professional and competent management back to the city.
The start has been promising. The mayor has begun a long-necessary restoration of the ethical climate of the city. To their credit, most on the council have been strongly following his lead. Secondly, the General Plan review has been commissioned and the leadership at the top is reassuring. Thirdly, a fine and dedicated city manager has been hired. (She has her work cut out for her.) These are solid achievements.
I recently remembered a quote from John Wayne—a most unlikely source—that goes like this:
“Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. It comes in to us at midnight very clean. It’s perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands and hopes we’ve learned something from yesterday.”
Tomorrow is here. We must hope that all elements of the political structure here—labor and business—learn from the past and abandon the slash-and-burn tactics of previous years. We have a great chance in San Jose to do something unique in a major American city: keep it livable and thriving.
Changes must be made. The biggest ones are in motion. However, success will take a collective change in the mindset of elected officials and city staff, as well as business, labor and industry. All have drifted into some bad habits in the locust years of recent city history. It is time to awake from the ethical clouds, the reign of incompetence, the acrimony and the confusion. We must set priorities.
There is so much promise for the future. I believe you only have to drive around our city and see our booming industrial areas and the stability of most of our neighborhoods to know that simple fact. Just visit our Christmas in the Park, skate under the palms, enjoy the dinosaur show at HP Pavilion or the recent, “It’s a Wonderful Life” at the beautiful, renovated California theatre, and savor it. Try a play at the Rep, bring your kids to the CDM, or friends to the fascinating “Body Worlds” exhibition at the Tech, and you begin to realize the truly remarkable place that we have built here in the last 25 years on the shoulders of our predecessors. It is quite a collective accomplishment. Our home is interesting, friendly, and economically vibrant. It is, quite honestly, all in all, the best of combinations.
When asked what form of government the new country had, one of our founding fathers answered: “A democracy, if you can keep it!” Well, we have that fascinating, great city right now in our grasp—if we can keep it. We can build tomorrow by our work today. The year begins now.
Next week: Building for Tomorrow Part II—the A’s, 49ers, Earthquakes, the Great Recall Fiasco, BART, and more about the fateful year of ‘07.
We need to move forward also with the many small land owners in Evergreen who want to develope their properties. I am one of those people. We have waited so long for the day that we can move on to a better life. I have lived here in Evergreen since 1946 and on the same property. We are at a point now that we can’t take care of the land any more since we are past 70 years old. We would love to see our place developed with some beautiful homes rather than the way it is now.
So, the city council better set some priorities
on the development in Evergreen.
I say that 2008 needs to be the year everyone in this country needs to hold government at all levels accountable.
As well documented here, there is a serious lack of accountability at all levels of government (City of San Jose, VTA, the County, and in Sacramento and Washington). When too few people write their elected officials, as I found out, this is what ultimately creates $500 million dollar (and growing) City Halls like what’s in San Jose now. It’s also how VTA can get away with ignoring County Grand Jury recommendations for reform. It’s ultimately how our state government can have a $14 billion deficit with across-the-board service cuts likely to come up as part of the “solution” to this issue.
Many people I’ve talked to are stunned to learn that VTA will be radically changing bus service in the county January 14. Much of the changes affect areas outside San Jose. Perfect example of this is in Alviso, which will only have weekday morning and evening rush hour service as of January 14 instead of the current all day, 7 days per week service.
As someone who monitors VTA for the last few years, I’ve recommitted myself to teaching YOU how to hold VTA accountable. To that end, I am willing to talk to any neighborhood, civic, social, or non-profit group on how to hold VTA accountable. Email me at [email protected] if you want me to talk to your group.
By not holding our government accountable today, we will always get the waste and mismanagement, and scandals we deserve tomorrow.
Tom, I agree, the budget deficit and the spiraling retirement costs should be top priority for this city council and mayor. But politics such as they are, they are not popular issues so they are avoided as much as possible. So how to make them attack these issues? Please use your influence and experience to persuade them to face them. Our city depends on it.
Tom, What an optimistic and cheerful call to arms! But as always, no mention of means. or even ways to deal with all the serious mistakes that were Todays for the last 20 yrs.How about the Shitty Hall, with a specially built $750K machine to wash the “windows” on the inside of the Hood Ornament, the tens of millions paid every year, for years, to buy the whole mess, and the thousands of folks in that building and the old library and everywhere else, on the public nickel, who disappear every year from Thanksgiving until Valentines Day. Then there’s the “Preservation Action Committee” suing the crap out of the city, once again, over Bldg 125, stocking the History Park with old, rotting buildings visited only by the many volunteers who love the place. Pierluigi’s 2 million dollar golf course net, or the Rosegarden that CANNOT be attended to by City Gardening staff—because there aren’t enough of them. And what’s Chuck to do about any of these problems? The slightest move at correction will piss off the unions—or the Murky News—who thinks that Chuck needs only to talk to Ms.Lamkins to set things right, though she is, in many ways, entirely in charge of the budget and the agenda—with Bob Brownstein’s sage advice, of course. The Murky would appear to be in a death spiral, so there’s some hope for real change in the way the city could be headed. But Prof Terry’s mini mayor system is still in place. I too have had great hopes for San Jose, downtown in particular. What potential! But two weeks ago, meeting friends from Petaluma for lunch at the great new restaurant in the Marriott, on a Monday, barely a dozen diners, and a wait of half an hour for wine on their list they had to go out to buy, hardly a soul on the street. 100 conventioneers milling around looking bored.
And our friends in a foul mood from having walked around for two hours downtown looking in vain for a bookstore. Petaluma has bigger crowds during the holidays. I think John Wayne’s Todays, at least in San Jose, have been attacked by some bad virus that is diagnosed as the sniffles. It was so great to see the mindless voters toss out Cindy for Chuck, Sam, Pete and Pierluigi, but when they can’t make a difference in the dense mess that has been accumulating for years in San Jose, the voters will revert to type—as they did when Arnie proposed curbing the nurses, teachers, and redistricting fiascos. Santa Clara, Campbell, Palo Alto, Los Gatos, even Gilroy manage great experiences for their residents and visitors. Not San Jose. We need to be looking very honestly at why. Let’s get rid of the rose colored glasses for a start. George Green
It was Benjamin Franklin who made the remark shortly after the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that we had a republic if we can keep it.
This is a big year for our city,state, and country. We all have to roll up our sleeves and get to work…and, get it right!
_____________
Everyone talks about the “structural deficit,” it’s more than that. Our government is dysfunctional. Priorities (and funding) have been diverted to non-essential things and to underwriting private risk. When the city government of one of the wealthiest regions on the planet can’t afford to pave its streets or maintain its parks…something is wrong…something is bent.
——————-
the city has a 400 mile backlog for street maintenance. Only 26 miles of it will be taken care of next year. Property crime and auto theft has gone up 25%, and the solution offered is the hiring of 15 cops! The RDA and the VTA continue to make poor decisions and lose money with no direct accountability to the people. (Why aren’t we allowed to hire and fire these people?).
I’m an optimist…but I’m also a realist. I don’t see things changing unless and until more people get very actively involved with their self-governing.
Happy New Year,
Pete Campbell
I agree with George about the Mercury. I am witnessing a dramatically quick downward spiral playing out right before my eyes each and every morning. They need to re-badge that paper as “San Jose Today” and put the Merc out of its misery. The dumbing down has been absolutely stunning.
So it appears we are soon likely be the largest U.S. city without its own newspaper. Suddenly the Chronicle isn’t the Bay Area’s daily version of Reader’s Digest anymore. As a lifelong Merc reader, I see myself defecting to the Chronicle at some point. I can’t tolerate the trite reporting and mistakes that constitute the Merc much longer. It’s not the award winning publication we’ve known for so many years and even another change in ownership isn’t likely to save it. There is a one word explanation for why this happened:
GREED. It’s scary knowing the greed of one KR stockholder could end up killing off a once well-respected daily paper. There’s something very wrong with that picture.
I would like to see more unity, and respect on the Council. As long as certain Council Members and special interest groups are pulling the Mayor and Council in different directions, much needed changes will continue to be a struggle for our Mayor. I don’t like seeing Council Members bashing one another in the press, or in public at Council Meetings. That kind of behavior causes mistrust, and makes getting things done near impossible. It is also one of the biggest reasons people have stopped participating in the process, and don’t turn out to vote anymore.
I’d also like to see Council Members LIMIT their long-winded comments and speeches, so that citizens can speak more than one minute on vital issues. We all know they are just performing to cover up the fact that they came with their minds made up on that issue any way.
I’d like to see an end to Council Members lecturing speakers on proper behavior, especially when they should practice what they preach. I guess when you elect teachers or DAs, they feel compelled to make judgments they aren’t entitled to make in this venue.
My hope is that the Vietnamese community gets what they need from the Mayor and Council, so they can stop protesting in front of City Hall every Tuesday. While I felt protesting on Christmas, and New Years Day was disrespectful to our American holidays, I do understand their passion and commitment. I guess fighting for what you believe in never has an appropriate time~
#4 George RE: “Pierluigi’s 2 million dollar golf course net”
You must be referring to the $1,958,125 contract voted on 6-26-07 for upgrades to the golf course nets motioned to approve by Councilmember Nguyen seconded by Campos.
The only NO vote on this WASTE was Oliverio stating his objection since “Los Lagos golf Course is still operating at a loss”
So, it’s Madison and Nora’ $1,958,125 golf course net with the other eight following along.
My George, we’re in a cranky mode today. I really don’t think that my glasses are rose-colored. Eight years at City Hall removed any color in them. City Hall is there! Live w. it and let’s try and deal w. the budget problems that the Mayor and Council are wrangling with – Maybe we can get Prof. Terry to chair a committee to recommend some structural changes – will you serve, George? TMcE
#7
Agree regarding the, soon to be defunct, Mercury News. It is now an absolutely abysmal newspaper. Fortunately, I also subscribe to the Chronicle, and it is a lifesaver. Everyday I think about canceling my Mercury subscription.
The Mercury thinks people want their news online, which is a joke. Online news is good for quick glimpses while at work, but only a fool would try to get all their news while reading it online.
A newspaper needs to have in-depth coverage of all stories, and needs at least one unique non-news story a day. All to be read while having morning coffee, during lunch at work, or leisurely at night.
Mr. McEnery,
Perhaps for next weeks “Building for Tomorrow Part II,” you could also add to the discussion the possibility of High-Speed Rail (HSR) service through downtown San Jose. IMO, possible HSR development will do more to invigorate our downtown than BART. Imagine, a grand train station at Diridon, spurring an exciting development around HP Pavilion…shops, restaurants, condos, office development.
Tom,
If you were mayor today, how would you deal with the “labor and business— slash-and-burn tactics” that seem to work against a financially healthy San Jose?
Would you lobby the City and voters to bring BART to San Jose at the expense of beefing up our police, fixing roads, opening pools, extending library hours, improving the permitting process, calming traffic, etc, etc,?
Is there really enough money to do both?
If so how? If not which?
Maybe Tom could speak to this next week.
—- from Richard
I have recieved a correction from a friend online regarding my statement that “membership for San Jose to join BART was $30 million a year for 30 years”.
Really not a correction but a clarification, $30 million a year was the old number before we decided to do the “Big Dig”. The correct number I`m told is $50 million a year for 30 years.
Seems this amount of money ($50 million a year times 30 years) would help the BART people out of their financial problems.
Posted by Richard Zappelli on John Mc’s blog.
Dave D – check in next week for some of those answers and opinions on BART, et al. Thank for the imput. TMcE
The Merc does appear to be in a free fall with no sign it can ever recover. If you would like to read and comment on the Merc’s plans for the future, take a look at:
http://www.mercurynewsphoto.com/rethink/
I have not read anything that gives me confidence the Merc’s management has much of a clue what to do next.
Here’s a good question for next week Mr. McEnery: if voters approve a High-Speed rail bond measure in November 08, and a HSR link is built between SJ and Oakland (along with a vastly improved ACE train), will we still need BART to SJ?
Hey Tom—Would love to serve on a “restructuring” committee, especially with Prof. Terry and his class. But I think I have as much chance being appointed to such a committee as a snowball would have in hell. Did serve for 18 years on the SCC Bar Assn’s
Fee Arb Committee, and helped make a few changes, but serving with Jim Towery, best lawyer in SJ, made it possible. I don’t think I’m cranky, just really impatient to see SJ’s huge potential move just an eighth of inch for-ward. Hard to do with such an accumulation of error since you left office—every bit of it a continuing financial load. Can’t get over CH; it’s in the budget bigtime every year for years.
And, on Chuck’s watch, that astonishingly ex-
pensive fire station—on MiniMayor Campos’ turf. How does that change? She’ll be reelected because of her “earmark”. As for the PAC—darn, got those “facts” wrong again—put a “1” in front of 25. “Committee” instead of the correct term, i.e., Crazies. The History Park IS a comment on their love of old boards and cracked concrete—NOBODY cares that those old houses are there. And the PAC didn’t care about Bldg. 10025 until Lowes wanted it, sitting there for years being vandalized. I hope the PAC fact guys will make a long, proud list of their lawsuits against SJ taxpayers, WITH A TOTAL! George Green
To add a little to the comments on the Merc.
I don’t blame the owner of the company who appears to be clueless in Colorado, I blame the editors and reporters who have a sense of entitlement larger than all outdoors. Some of the printed material is by extremely inexperienced writers full of puffery, but no grasp on the history or implications of their topic.
In addition, of course, the Merc injects itself into politics without any qualifications more extensive than any of the posters here, and indulges in racial stereotypes and demeaning labels. They just attacked Obama’s mother as not an American, and recently they attacked Polish-Americans and Italian-Americans as needing to shut up about their national-origin diversities and accept a subordinate role in San Jose affairs.
So much for their pretense of supporting left-wing ultra-egalitarianism…they have a hit list of which groups to protect and which to demean that is as long as your arm. The only thing good about it is that a few Polish-Americans and Italian-Americans may have learned something from that slap in the face. And cancelled their Merc subscriptions.
22 – Since you claim to have some legal background I am surprised you don’t have a problem with the city continuing to violate the law. All you do is blame PAC for calling the City when they don’t follow the law. Interesting—apparently in your world it is the lawbreaker that is the victim. Had the city followed the law our community would have been a much better place. It is still a better place because PAC saved several historic buildings that add so much to the character of our city—and they bring in revenue.
If you ever want to learn about preservation and its importance to communities all over the world, I am sure there are many who would be glad to contribute to your education on this blog through their comments.
It is too bad all you can do is blame and attack PAC without really knowing what you are talking about. I am not saying you don’t have the right to do that—I’m just saying it is too bad you’d rather spout off rather than take some time to learn about the subject.
Happy New Year everyone.
A statement in this blog (“We have a great chance in San Jose to do something unique in a major American city: keep it livable and thriving.”) was similar to what I heard during an event I attended tonight: A Forum event in Redwood City (http://www.redwoodcity.org/misc/morehottopics/forum.html) where a Dr. Iacofano was speaking about “Building A Healthy and Inclusive City.”
After the presentation there was a Q&A session. It was really interesting to hear audience members (many of them city Planners from neighborhing cities) interact with questions and opinions.
I’m not a Planner, but I have a reverance for my neighborhood, district and city and I hope to continue to learn more and always be a contributing resident.
This forum gave me hope that there are a lot of great examples of what a healthy and inclusive city could look like. I hope residents continue to be given opportunity to help in the planning effort, and that their opinions are heard and respected.
For anyone interested, here’s the website detailing Dr. Iacofano’s book:
http://www.inclusivecity.com
Enjoy!
#9: I played @ Los Lagos last Saturday. The net does NOT need to be replaced. What campaign contributor to whom is vying for the contract? Follow the Money!
Tom #10—we absolutely do not need some academic to chair any committee to discuss structural changes. We need to separate wants from needs until we get things back in order. I doubt that many people would object to the following list of priorities: police & firefighters trained and equipped well in suffcient numbers to perform their tasks properly; properly built and maintained infrastructure. Realistic work rules for all city employees, measurable results, and pay based on performance are things that labor will scream about, but are sorely needed. Those are the needs. For me at least, EVERYTHING ELSE is a want. When we ctch up on the needs, we can go back to the wants.
Cut the useless levels of managers in all departments. Five people don’t need to be managed…or if they do, they are the wrong five people for the job. Ford Motor Co. found out years ago it had a manager for every five production workers. They fired many of them. Ford returned to profitability. They have other problems now.
Government at all levels has far too much waste. We have enough menas to live within if we stop spending it on worthless people and projects.
We don’t need more taxes; we need them spent more wisely.
#18—we don’t know what gridlock is. In late Nov., ‘07 it took me 2.5 hours to go 30 miles on I-210 eastbound from Pasadena toward Riverside. I hit the gridlock @ 1:00 p.m. on a Thursday.There were NO ACCIDENTS or other incidents that caused that gridlock in either direction to account for the slow pace.—just too many cars on too few linear miles of roadway. When I asked locals, I ws told that is par for the course.
Richard #18—wasn’t Tom McE one of the people who pushed our “downtown transit mall” forcing all our trolleys (great 19th century technology, often close to empty)to go through downtown, which it does at a snail’s pace? And you ask his advice on public mass transit issues?
Johnmichael, #27
People can change, can`t they. Lets ask Tom! Given a good open discussion on San Jose Inside, with Tom joining in, we can come to a common ground? Matbe as someone has previously said on San Jose Inside,“BART`s time has come and gone ?
I just went on VTA`s site and read what they thought were the top questions regarding the construction of BART. Guess what none of the questions we are now asking are in VTA`s top 10.
Maybe we should compose a top ten list of new Questions for BART exec`s.
Some government agency concluded that VTA lost their focus? Think that’s possible. I do think these VTA people drive on different streets than you and I, or they live in denile.
Tom,
I`m not opposed to rapid transit. I agree that we have a serious transportation problem here in San Jose and Santa Clara County. The article last week on the S.J. Mercury`s front page pointed the 12 worst freways in San Jose/Santa Clara County. The problem is all our local freeways are “grid locked” now. When I look at all the new high density construction along these freeway`s and what I`ve herd is on drawing boards I become very concerned . Our City is headed for some very serious problems.
I believe VTA has lost it`s focus. I also believe there is a “Force” pushing their decisions away from the problems here in San Jose and our County.
I believe we need to build a efficent “Santa Clara County transportation system soon.
I don`t see neither BART or the present Light Rail system as “Rapid Transit Systems”.The both have serious financial problems as well.
Given your choice Tom, addressing our local problems with grid lock, would you support BART to the East Bay or a effeciant transportation system here in Santa Clara County?
Your opinion?
9 – Thanks for providing the accurate information in response to #4’s usual work of fiction. I had hoped 2008 would give George the opportunity to actually be factual in his posts, but alas, it is not to be.
He is also wrong, again, when he talks about the “Preservation Action Committee.” Of course, it is the Preservation Action Council—but he was never one to let facts get in his way. They also are not affiliated with History Park. Although everyone should be supportive of the work they are doing there, PAC is not a part of that operation. Again, just a silly little fact that gets in the way of George’s constant attacks on those who understand the value of preserving our history.
He also errs again when referring to Building “125”. It is the well-known IBM Building 25. Also, PAC has not been “suing the crap” out of the city. One legal action was filed and PAC has prevailed throughout the process. The city was not in compliance with CEQA, PAC warned them, the city ignored the warning and the Court upheld PACs warning. It’s very simple—follow the law and you won’t get sued.
Thanks for posting though, George. It keeps those of us who actually know the facts busy correcting your posts. I’d much prefer to read what you have to say without having to correct you, but I have yet to read one of your posts that somebody hasn’t had to correct your “facts.” Maybe you should try just a little harder.
What I`ve been told was VTA`s cost to become a member of, a commitment of$30 million for $30 years to the BART System was incorrect, an older number. I`ve now been corrected VTA`s cost is now $50 million a year for 30 years.
This is a lot of money to send out of town to a group that we have little control over. A group`s who`s priorities are not San Jose/Santa Clara County. Theis is almost $1 million dollars a week from VTA just to join the system, no benefits attached.
#26, Johnmichael,
I know what gridlock is in L.A., I worked for a Fortune 100 for nine years in L.A. and had an appartment in Marina Del Rey while residing in San Jose. I had to use the gridlosked Santa Monica freeway everyday. Traffic almost always came to a stop, people turned off their car engine, sometimes got out of the car on the freeway and carried on conversations with other motorist. Someone told me to take a surface street,“Slauson Blvd.” another grid lock.
This is my biggest fear in San Jose, the same thing could happen here soon !
During commute hours:
Try 87 from Santa Teresa to I280, or try 101 from Morgan Hill to Palo Alto, or I-280 from Cupertino to U.S. 101, or I-280 from Lawrence Expressway to U.S.101, orI-880 from I880/I280 interchange to Los Gatos Hwy 9 exit. Try to get to Santana Row/Westfield Mall from I-280. These freways are almost there, when comparing us to L.A.
“I would like to ask the supporters of BART one very important question”, “HOW IS BART FROM DOWNTOWN SAN JOSE TO THE EAST BAY GOING TO SOLVE THE ABOVE QUESTION”??
You know what,“I don`t think they care !
For these BART supporters, It`s time to leave San Jose with their traffic problems to solve on their own. They just want to move on to the Cheep land on the east bay and build another nightmare.
The only way BART makles sense to me is if connects through San Mateo County to SF. Not likely. Several towns are quietly getting in line to oppose High Speed Rail along the CalTRain corridor.
Thanks Tom !
You have restored my faith in you.
A good question for all of to ask our leaders and those pushing BART is:
” If VTA sinks every penny they have into building BART to the east bay from San Jose and goes deeper into debt with cost overuns”, “HOW WILL VTA SOLVE OUR TRAFFIC CONJESTION PROBLEMS IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY”?
All of our Santa Clara County Mayors, City Council members, Members of The Board of Supervisors and VTA exec`s should ask themselves the same question.
Tom, build downtown! If you endorce BART you will have created your biggest competitor for companies to locate downtown San Jose. Developers can go to Union City north along the BART route on land that is a lot cheeper than San Jose`s and build high rises as high as they want without hight restrictions, and rake in huge profits.
Well, John Michael and others, although I am not a transit expert ( or much of an expert on anything) I think that BART is worthy of consideration, but we should not destroy the village ( San Jose’s Downtown) to save it. I have great reservations on BART – much needs to happen to make it feasible and able to be financed- but if we had it completed in the 1970’s to SF, wouldn’t we be happy now. I think so. But this is now – tune in next week for ALL my opinion on this topic. TMcE
PS I was not nominating Professor Terry for chair of anything. He has sent many fine people into politics – Pandori to Chavez – and that’s his best role.
Tom and Johnmichael,
With all due respect to both of you, all the sales tax money that was collected by VTA for BART should be re-directed by VTA for use in transportation in Santa Clara County for the sole benefit of Santa Clara County taxpayers.
We have serious gridlock problems here in our County that need to be solved. VTA`s energies should be directed in that direction. This money should benefit local people, NOT SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS”.
We need high speed light rail rapid transit. The light rail needs bigger parking lots to be successful.
Tom, for example many of the corporate employees that work downtown San Jose and eat in the downtown town restaurants come from areas outside our downtown.
Juist look at the traffic on U.S. 101 coming north from the south county cities to work at places like Adobe and BAE and other firms. The heavy traffic every morning begins on 101 at Cocrane Rd. north to Palo Alto. They can`t count on CALTRAIN. Sometimes they have to work late or attend a meeting and mis the last train.
The same happens on 85,280 and 87 as well as 880 from Los Gatos toDowntown San Jose. We need light rail service to the airport and the new soccer stadium. The north First Street Light Rail should connect to the 237 corridor. They shold all connect with Downtown San Jose.
High Speed Rapid Transit needs a dedicated track without a lot of stops and should have connecting,“supporting” Hybrid buss service to job locations.
Put, SAN JOSE FIRST”, we have fallen behind. We need to become a “Liveable City”, a “Green City”. We need to get back on Track. San Jose needs to “Start Growing Up Again”.
Tom #29—we might be happier now had we completed BART from SJ to SF in the 70’s, as you suggest. BUT, only if there were 2 lines—a local and an express. Any means of mass transport that has a model where every “train” stops at every station is doomed to fail, especially in a horizontally developed environment like California. That doesn’t even factor in that the San Mateo County folk nixed the idea, as they are now trying to do again with High Speed Rail that comes over Pacheco Pass, and up the Peninsula.
Trains, trolleys, streetcars, etc. are 19th century technology. They can work—like the IRT in NYC, for example—if there are parallel local lines/express lines. In Manhattan, one can board a local subway car @ 125th street, let’s say, ride a few stops, then board the express to Wall Street. Each express train stops at only every fifth or sixth local stop. So, you can actually travel a goodly distance in a relatively short period of time. BART and light rail in SJ fail because there is no express alternative. Every train stops at every stop, with no express option. I have no training in mass transit, yet it is abundantly clear that the model we have, especially in a horizontally developed area, is too slow, too expensive, and too inconvenient for mass acceptance.Why would anyone but a huge environmentalist with time on her/his hands, or a public transit nut take light rail from Almaden Valley to North SJ with time/distance to get to the starting place, and more time/distance from the exit station to one’s destination when she/he could make the same trip faster and cheaper in a car on all but the worst traffic days?? It CANNOT succeed as a model, which is proven by the fact that our public transit has the worst fare to actual cost ratio of any public transit system in North America…and perhaps the entire world.
Our trolley in SJ is the perfect example of how NOT to build effective mass transit. All trains stop at all stops, and the added burden of 5 mph in the “downtown transit mall” makes the trip only slightly faster than one could do on a bicycle.
#29 Johnmichael
Cal train from san Jose to SanFrancisco has express service to San Francisco that gets you into the city during commuter hours faster than you can do it in an automobile. Oter times it arrives in the city just as fast as a car. The express train travels on a dedicated track and unlike BART rides on American Gage rails. There are new trains being made for American Gage track that now move very fast.
We need to perfect our light rail system. we need dedicated track to express people to work. Like johnmichael said, one that doesn`t stop at every stop along the track. Light rail parking lots are too small. If you had a rapid light rail system our small parking lots we have now would make the system fail.
VTA needs to hire an expert in rapid transit. VTA needs a board, elected, that responds to the county and it`s city needs. Our present board is driven or frightened by powerful special interest group and it`s lobbiest driving their decisions. This needs to change if we are to be successful.
JMOC,
Those “several towns” on the peninsula lining up to oppose HSR couldn’t stand up to San Francisco, San Jose, and the MIGHT of Silicon Valley. End of story.
Geotge Orwell said:
“All political thinking for the years past has been vitiated in the same way. People can forsee the future only when it coinsides with their own wishes, and the most grossley obvious facts can be ignored when they are unwelcome”.
Why do we ask,“why is San Jose failing”?
RZ #39,
Taxpayers should be heard; agreed. My question to communities north of San Jose/greater Silicon Valley is this…why the opposition to High Speed rail? Current Caltrain service, with loud, diesel operated trains, already exists in their backyard. High speed rail, along with an electrified Caltrain that is completely grade-separated and fenced off for safety, would be a much greater improvement than what exists in the Caltrain corridor today. HSR and Caltrain service would also be much quieter and environmentally friendly (no diesel fumes). So in short, the opposition (if it does in fact exist) makes no sense whatsover.
Anthony #40
The BART line “is not a high speed or rapid transit line”, both the Light Rail and the BART stop at every stop, slowing them down. I agree with our northern cities in SCC and thank God they spoke up. “Why spend over $10 billion dollars to build a BART system, plus cost over-runs, pluss $50 billion a year for ten years just to become a member, pluss $48 billion a year in operating costs.
You can go online a read about most of the problems their neighbors in San Mateo are having with BART.
Anthony, Mt View has an excellent light rail/CalTrain/Bus station at Castro Street.
The proposed BART line did not have dedicated rail tracks for high speed rapid transit. Without the dedicated track in both directions, BART could never be rapid transit.
We could build our own light rail rapid transit system using dedicated tracks in both directions, build big parking lots to help increase riders. Add Hybrid buses supporting the high speed light rail.
Another benefit in having our VTA Rapid Transit System free of BART membership is we would have 100% control over all decisions. In the BART system we would have no control and it would cost us $50 million a year just to join for ten years.
The newspapers never presented all the costs to add BART to the Santa Clara County residents, no the fact that it wasn`t going to be a Rapid Transit System. They never told us about membership costs or operating costs. They never reported the tunnel problems with the “Big Dig`s 3 mile tunnel in Boston”. The San Francisco Chronicle and the New York Times gave it front page news this past December. I have no idea why the Merc was more forthcomming with us with true figures and problems we could have run into with our “big dig”. “We have been kept in the dark”.
RZ #s 34 & 36—Many of the things you suggest need to be attempted; but VTA should not be in charge of any of them. They are completely dysfunctional @ VTA. The entire lot of them need to be sacked. If they were physicans, every patient would die.
#40—I agree—it’s hard to fathom a group that accepts CalTrain but not high speed rail. However, other than the fact of opposition, I have heard nothing…like the reasons for the oposition, for instance. But that would require news reporters in all media to actually think, and ask more pertinent questions than “how did you feel when you saw your son killed?”
#42 Johnmichael
Well…you said it, you are more brave than me. Don Gage is good…but yes clean house! I just read the December Finance report with Forest Williams, Chairman of the VTA Finance committee. The discussion about financing Hybrid bus purchases. Can you believe VTA has been testing Hybrid buses since the year 2000, eight years later and no decission.
Meanwhile San Francisco has recieved 87 Hybrid buses. New York City has 386 Hybrid busses and has ordered another 500. Alameda County and San Mateo County have them. Federal Express is replacing their fleet of trucks (except the 28 footers) with new Hybrid trucks.Ups is following FEDEX. In New York City the CocaCola Company is delivering their products on Hybrid trucks. “And VTA is still testing Hybrid`s.
I spent my summer vacation in Florence Italy our sister County and guess what, Florence is using Hybrid buses, and the trucks picking their re-cyclables and compacting are using Hybrid trucks. My wife and I were returning from dinner and as we were ready to cross the street, there it was a Hybrid bus, so silent we didn`t hear it.
Johnmichael, they ask us why San Jose is failing?
Maybe the developers and Hi-tech execuatives pushing BART on our VTA people might be able to find a job for these VTA Exec`s if you get your way. I think they owe them a job, at least for their loyality to them. What do you think?
#40 Johnmichael,
Orson Wells said: “Early in life, I had noticed that no event is correctly reported in the newspapers”.
Have the Merc left out of facts on the BART program, …why?
Good quality reading: $6 Million Settlement in Big Dig Accident-New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007.12/26bigdig.html?_r=1=&oref=slogin.
or http://www.$6 million settlement in Big Dig Accident.com.
The most interesting fact is the BART people,” on line”, warn against “big digs” under cities. Do you think the VTA people read? I know lobbiest must have read the warnings. Again, why didn`t the Merc pick up this story. So much for investivgating reporters.
Anthony,
Those people in cities north of us in Santa Clara County pay taxes just like the rest of us and should be herd. They were against BART and the independant attitude of its Boaed. Their close neighbor`s in the neighboring County, San Mateo, were having all kinds of poor experiences with BART and our leaders north of us were aware of those problems. The VTA people refused to respect their opinions.
Anthony, Mark Clement said and I think it fits well with this subject:
“Leaders who win the respect of others are the ones that deliver more than they promise, not the ones who promise more than they can deliver”.
There is a housing in balance between San Jose and those cities. The housing inbalance is causing San Jose to have a budget short fall and preventing us from fulfiling our city services obligations. We are losing jobs and sales tax revenues as a result of our own mistakes.
We are somewhat to blame for the loss of sales tax revenue. We keep on building more high density housing when we can`t afford to supply city services for the people we have now.
Just look at what we are doing on San Carlos Blvd. now, “in the Burbank area”, an area that would be a prime retail boulavard generating high sales tax dollars. Instead we are building more high density housing on San Carlos frontage property.
We continue blaming the cities to the north for not building housing and the labor unions because we are running out of city money to pay our bills.
Building housing downtown San Jose to support the retaililers and restaurants that generate sales taxes to pay for city services is smart. Hopefully downtown will attract more quality retail shops as a result of having more housing downtown.
Part of the problem with the BART project to the east bay was it was benefiting developers that wanted to build on cheeper land in Alameda County at our expense. These same people could care less about our local traffic conjestion, they viewed that problem as ours to solve.
Let`s put “San Jose First”. Lets get VTA`s attention and solve our gridlock problems. We also need to see the gentrification of downtown San Jose work, we need a successful downtown.
Dealing with the unions.
Here is one suggestion:
Two Democrats ran against each other for Mayor.
One was heavily union supported, the other was not.
The non-union endorsed Democrat won.
Why?
The voters were looking for an honest and ethical Mayor.
It would be a huge error to think that the winning Democrat won without lots of votes of indiviuals within and without union affilation.
The union “leaders”, and there are just a couple, have cowed some elected officials to think that they speak for their membership and can “deliver” the votes. Mayor Reed’s election proved this a false premise, no matter how the blogs and e-mails flood the City Council members.
Union people what to live in a good, honest and fair community just like all voters.
The “solution” is to respect all voices, including the unions, but to reach out to all citizens whether they are a member of a particular group or not.
If public pensions are not fair, the voters should decide either through their elected officals or, if very seious, through a city wide vote.
Union citiziens are not followers any more than non-union folks.
Ask them!
RZ: Pleeeze, don’t get VTA more involved in anything. VTA management couldn’t find their butts with both hands and a guide.
RZ #$43: Ah, Firenze—la piu bella citta en el mundo, no? But have they eliminated the horde of 2-stroke Vespas yet, the exhaust from which is destroying the facades of all the monumental buildings, from the Duomo on down?
RZ #44—Geez, I didn’t know the Murky News was around when Orson was alive. Another group that can’t get it right.
#43 RZ
re: “December Finance report with Forest Williams, Chairman of the VTA Finance committee.”
Forest Williams is a bright guy with big heart and has done a lot for his district and San Jose, but was it not he who in support of Councilperson Campos’s emotional plea for full funding that $9+mil firehouse said: ‘It’s not that much money.’?
#45 Johnmichael:
Ringraziarla Givonanimichalo,
Ci sono delle cose che possiamo impare dai nostri amici europei.
Sono stato sempre oppositi a llo sviluppo urbanistico incontrollato, e per le regioni buone!
My family home is in Lucca, actually Marlia di Lucca. I have noticed changes in Firenze and Italy in just this years trip to visit family vs, last years trip. Hybrid buses cars and trucks are showing up all over Tuscana. I also noticed a lot of “Smart cars” and “Mini-Coopers all over. Firenze is our sister county, we need to begin exchanging ideas, there are things we can learn from each other. This goes for most of our european neighbors.
Fa Bene.
Anthony, Tom and all, please excuse my error in # 41:
The cost for San Jose to become a member of BART is $50 million dollars per year for life. “Again this is only a membership fee paid to BART only.
The estimated cost to operate BART in Santa Clara County is $48 million dollars per year.
Neither of these two figures have anything to due with the cost of building BART from San Jose to the east bay cities, which can run $10 billion or more in cost oveer runs. We have been advised about the “unknown costs for uderground digs”.
BART has no money to pay the cost of BART Police, this would be an additional cost our City or Cities would have to pay for.
Most of these are “direct costs, no one has discussed indirect costs for San Jose to pay, there will be many.
Tom,
I would like to see BART come to San Jose; that is if San Jose can afford it and if it will truly benefit all of San Jose.
To help us understand this better, can you speak to some (hopefully all) of the comments and questions above: RZ #s 36,39,41,43,44,& 48? JMOC #42?
Thanks Tom
Dave, #49
(1)Can VTA survive such an financial obligation.
(2) If VTA can Survive,what would happen to VTA`s other obligations in San Jose/Santa Clara County.
(3) Have the City Counil people who make up the Board and Various Committee`s given thought of these financial obligations?
(4) Seriously, forest Williams is Chairman of the VTA Finance Committee, has he given these questions seroius thought.
(5) Forest Williams and Cortese are leaving the City Council at the end of their term, are they just going to try to coast to the end of their terms and leave the big problems for their successor to handle?
(6) Is Bankruptcy an option if it goes forward and doesn`t work. If so do the individual cities have to honor or the County have to honor VTA`s obligation. Or, does the State have a bail out program for us?
There are a lot of serious questions to answer.
RZ #47: I saw lots of Smart Cars in Paris beginning in 2001. Nice to see they’re getting them in Tuscany. It’s sad to see the incredible damage done to historic edifices by the exhaust emitted by “unsmogged” cars and scooters throughout Italy.
#51 Johnmichael.
One common problem you see in Paris and major French cities as well as Major Italian Cities is almost all of them still smoke cigarettes. One of the major differances I noticed between Lucca and Firenze was that Lucca had a lot fewer smokers. The Italians and French both walk with a cigarette in one hand and a cell phone in the other hand up against their ear.” Funny”.
In San Jose we drive a car with a cell phone in one hand and the other hand on the steering wheel. Some people here still try to juggle a Starbucks cup of coffee to-go at the same time. This gets a little messy when people have a cup of coffee in one hand and try to drive down Minnessota or Willow St. east of Lincoln,little bumpy??
Yeah, RZ #52< I’ve been in restaurants in Paris where Parisians smoke between courses. At one bistro, two German women were actually smoking between bites of food.
We’re lucky here in CA