As I wrote last week, in an enjoyable foray into Civil War analogies (politics is a bit like war, you know), Chuck Reed has the high ground, forging a campaign of principles and clarity and fiscal responsibility. Yet, the ground can shift treacherously, increasing uncertainty from a primary to a general election. The bones of many contenders and future winners lie bleaching in the suns of an expanded electorate’s changing views between June and November.
Cindy Chavez, although obviously shaken by the second-place finish, is perfectly capable of piecing together a winning coalition through hard work and focused attention. There is a critical element to the “Chavez wins” scenario—namely, the absence of any substantive analysis and adjustment by Reed. He and his advisors must understand that a partisan, conservative vs. liberal campaign can only hurt him—badly. If he just keeps on keeping on, he might be in serious trouble. While the Chamber will certainly now endorse him, their endorsement of Mulcahy in the primary was a snub of monumental proportions and a stab in the back to the loyal Reed that was foreshadowed by other Chamber errors, led by the “Chris Schumb Wine Cellar/Capital Clubbers of the Chamber” lemming wing. The business community better awaken from their catatonic sleep and smell the ballots before it’s too late. Reed must focus on assembling a much broader coalition than he has previously been able to do. It means some critical rethinking of past accepted dogma on planning, downtown redevelopment, and the ubiquitous “vision thing.”
And, contrary to the thinking of the bosses and spinners at the South Bay Labor Council, San Jose is a city of moderate, live-and-let live people. They want neither the unelected elites of the labor forces nor their allies in the development world to dictate how we grow and evolve as a city; they know a sellout when they see it. The shattered rump of the labor coalition on the city council should remember that the policies of sound growth, building our tax base, and restoring pride to the center of our city is what stood San Jose on the verge of becoming a wonderful, 21st century city—from Hayes to Hammer—and that mantle has been shattered by the excesses and sellouts of the Gonzales era.
Thankfully, this painful and disgraceful period is near an end. There are two who would be mayor and the methods and strategies that they employ in the summer will dictate which of them will lead us into that brave new world. That, indeed, is the question, and what comes next in the race for the best political job in California remains to be seen. I can hardly wait for the “Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” to surface like an iceberg. We can now see the tip.
I think you always give to much credit to the Hammer, susan era. I know you got her into politics but give me a break. She sold out as much as anyone and gives her endorsement (she endorsed Chavez and Gonzo) to anyone without regard for what they’ll do for the city. All she needs to endorse someone is have them be democrat and union affiliated. She is nothing more than one of the sellouts of our city to organized labor and developers.
Tom writes “Thankfully, this painful and disgraceful period is near an end.”
Sadly this is only true if Chuck gets in. With Cindy it’s “4 more years.” Tom is right when he points out that Chuck needs to be expanding his base of supporters.
<< Reed must focus on assembling a much broader coalition than he has previously been able to do. It means some critical rethinking of past accepted dogma on planning, downtown redevelopment, and the ubiquitous “vision thing.” >>
There are two things that most Reed-watchers don’t understand about Chuck Reed’s political trajectory.
COMMISSION-TRAINED
1) Reed was trained in board and commission work, not policy-making work. He’s been on every city and county board and commission that you can think of, but he lacked experience with elected policy-making before his election to the council.
Commissioner-types rely on staff proposals and recommendations; in fact, there is usually a strong bias against appointed commissioners who come up with innovative and documented proposals.
A successful commissioner is usually the get-along kind who doesn’t cross the staff.
In fact, this is reflected in Reed’s pledge to strengthen the city bureaucracy’s role. He really does see himself as a “presider,” not a “decider.” And the words “bully pulpit” don’t seem to be in his vocabulary. It’s hard to imagine this creature of commission procedures ever making any kind of stirring speech about a new vision for San Jose.
PASSIVE
2) Reed’s first elected office is the one he holds now, and we have had seven years to evaluate his conduct. For example, he has been content to support city planners, not the neighborhoods, in his district except in very small and limited contexts.
He has never outlined a vision of what he wants for his district in terms of new parks, new services, higher standards, and so on. I’ve never heard him make a sentence like this, “When my term is over, I want to see 200 acres of new parks in District Four.” That’s a vision statement, even if limited to one topic.
In fact, his technique for soliciting residents’ input is peculiarly passive, just two summit meetings every year, one for the east part and the other for the west part of his district. His standard practice is to invite persons to address the group that is assembled, not him. That is, he is a passive bystander at his own summit meetings.
Then those present vote with little red, yellow, and orange stickers for their preferences on large sheets of paper that were used to record proposals or complaints by residents.
To give credit where credit is due, Reed does seem to pick up on the projects that receive the most votes, follow up to some extent, and then report on the results.
My criticism of that technique for identifying neighborhood concerns is that it is so passive and so lacking in leadership, that it can hardly be called any kind of leadership at all. It certainly doesn’t provide ease of access to reform mechanisms for 99% of his district’s residents (only neighborhood meetings would do that), and it displays no sense of vision at all.
Mayor Tom, the upcoming Mayoral election is easy to call. SJ is solidly liberal Democrat with a large Hispanic population. Mr. Reed has already been labeled a conservative, maybe even, Omygod – a Republican. He will not be able to shake that label. For example, President Bush, having outsmarted two Democrat contenders is still labeled “stupid”. Yeah, stupid like a fox. (Oh I forgot he stole the elections. Well I guess he’s a smart thief.)
Mrs. Potter, oh pardon me, Mrs. Chavez is a definite liberal Democrat with a Hispanic last name. When the larger population of voters come out to vote in November, even though the percentage of voters will pale in comparison to voters in Iraq, combined with the good Democrats that are non-Hispanic, the election won’t even be close.
A passionate neighborhood resident came by my house the other day to ask me to complain to the council about changes in a large high rise apartment complex about to go up across the street from him. I asked if he voted for Democrat David Pandori, the only candidate with the slightest idea how to plan a city and he said no.
Democracy’s get the governments they deserve!
Congratulations Mrs. Potter. I’m sure your new chief of staff, Ron Gonzales, will guide you well.
For those who don’t think Cindy is a Gonzo clone just look at her votes at yesterday’s Council meeting. She supported raising fees on the citizens to pay for the new City Hall (which she also voted for.) She voted to increase the garbage and recycling fees to cover the gift of public funds to NorCal (which she also voted for.) She voted to supported Gonzo’s ill-timed attempt to amend the City Charter so the Council could avoid having to vote on their own pay raises and let a Council appointed commission make recommendations that the council would “have” to accept. The list goes on and on—Cindy seems to have no problem spending our money. Her voting record showing her on the wrong side of every legal action that has cost the city has already been well documented here in the past.
Say what you will about Chuck but at least he understands it is not his money that is being spent—it is ours. Want to see more money poured down a hole—then vote for Cindy. Want to see fiscal responsibility—then vote for Chuck.
Dexter—When it comes to this election many folks will not look at the silly labels being thrown around. They will look at the past 7 years of corruption, arrogance, increased city fees for less service, etc. They will look at who was directly involved and a regular supporter (Chavez) and who was not (Reed.)
Not one of my liberal Demo friends is even considering voting for Chavez. I believe you will find many others in this city who are smart enough to ignore the silly labels and vote for what will make SJ a better place to live and one where we won’t be embarassed by our elected officials (OK, maybe that last part is a stretch.)
I don’t get how being SJ Mayor is the “best political job in California” myself. Certainly it’s one of the most challenging to anyone interested in improving this town’s image though, I will give you that.
I agree 100% with HJ’s post #1. Susan Hammer effectively killed downtown retail by championing Santana Row. She effectively made a mockery of our town’s front yard by plopping a big turd in it.
It’s this same type of behavior on a larger scale where democratic leaders supported good old boy Phil Angelides and thus helped him to beat out the much more viable challenger to Arnold, Steve Westly. Now it’s a done deal that Arnold will get another 4 years as Feinstein and others like her pushed a nerdy wet noodle into perfect position to get beaten to a pulp by Arnold’s flash and panache.
Nice going Susan, Diane, and all the rest of you good ol girls and boys in the California democratic “leadership.”
The argument that Santana Row killed downtown just doesn’t fly. Downtown killed itself. The only question was were we going to expand a vibrant retail area around Valley Fair or let it continue to be “just” the most successful retail in the city. Downtown would be just as it is today without Santana Row. Other city’s can have vibrant retail in more than one part of town—look at Palo Alto. They have a thriving downtown and also a Stanford Shopping Center. One did not kill the other. It works because the two locations have stores and shops that people want to frequent. Burlingame has a great downtown and is also in fairly close proximity to shopping centers. Only San Jose seems unable to figure out the right mix so that shoppers will want to go to downtown And to Santana Row.
Keep blaming Santana Row and we will never see a “big city” downtown here.
#7, Mark T – Let’s not forget this is the same Democratic party machine, at the local level, that is backing the “Gonzo: The Sequel” (Chavez) candidate over the “ABC” Democrat (Reed) who is clearly the voters choice.
If Democrats can’t figure out local politics is it any wonder they can’t get a foothold in Congress, much less the White House?
Voter #6, I wish we had a way to make a bet. I’d probably bet my house on Mrs. Potter. I wish you were correct in what you say about “my liberal Demo friends”. But I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
“embarrassed by our elected officials (OK, maybe that last part is a stretch.)” That tells me that in the logical part of your brain you understand my point; you just to don’t want to admit it. And wouldn’t it be nice if we didn’t have “silly labels”? Oh – you labeled your friends as “liberals”. Why such a “silly” act?
If you’ve followed this board you would know my view about the two candidates – Cindy = Gonzo and Reed can’t or won’t explain why he voted to stop the investigations. The election is a choice between two poor candidates… What’s new?
BTW – Have you ever tried to register to vote online? Anyone can do it with no proof of even being alive. If you were here illegally – who would you vote for?
It’ll be Mrs Potter by a landslide… Sad but true…
Are you kidding, Msunderstanding and Mark T? San Jose has a great, thriving downtown. Come and check it out! One needs to look at Market Center at Colemen/Taylor which is loaded with shops like Target and Marshall’s. Downtown is packed with people most of the time. Downtown has everything a big city can have. The infrastructure is in place, so is the housing- about 8,000 of them and counting. Come and enjoy the downtown and shut up!
Voter #6 redux – Silly labels aren’t a good thing but labels are. Webster’s says label – “a word or phrase used with a dictionary definition to provide additional information”. In other words “labels” can be used as a short hand to express “additional information”. Labels like any word become “silly” or hurtful with intent. The fact is SJ is dominated by liberal Democrats. No brag – just fact. Is that silly or hurtful? SJ has a large Hispanic population. Groups of humans tend to favor their own group. Just a fact. Is that silly or hurtful?
I’m a “conservative”. If you wish to be silly or hurt me with that label go for it. What’d Forrest Gump say? “Stupid is that stupid does”. As a “conservative”, I strive for facts and practical ideas to prevail. Do you? Does Cindy? Does Chuck? Does Mayor Tom?
11 – Must be interesting to live in your world. Here on Earth few would agree with your view of downtown. Those who disagree are not downtown bashers but merely viewing things the way we are.
Downtown is not great and thriving. It has its moments but it is far from a thriving, big city downtown. Special events do attract a fair crowd but if there is nothing “special” going on downtown is often void of people.
It doesn’t have to be that way and maybe some day it won’t be, but right now downtown is suffering and there is little on the horizon to relieve that suffering.
Reality is a good thing. You should check it out.
#5 You hit the nail on the head. A Gonzophile by any other name is still a Gonzophile. In 2000, Gonzo was voted the most powerful man in the Silicon Valley. He had a bunch of groupies around him all wanting to be part of his machine. Despite his looks he was even able to sweep an attractive young lady, half his age, off her feet . Forget about the fact he was married at the time, I’m sure he did. Ron has even had his share of good ideas, also forget about more than his share of other unethical blunders. So why is it, we never read a good thing about Ron on this blog from his posse? Could it be they are carrying on his works under a different name? In the words of Bob Dylan, “Where have all the Gonzophiles gone? (#5 you have answered the question) Gone to Cindy everyone, when will they ever learn, when will they ever learn?”
#11 Gary
Coleman and Taylor is not anymore downtown than midtown Safeway at Meridian and San Carlos. Downtown to me fits into Zip code 95113. The center of downtown is 1st and Santa Clara. Can you walk to Coleman and Taylor easily. If you try it, be sure you have bus fare for the return trip and plan on taking your lunch. There WAS once a downtown San Jose until about 1955 then it cost to much to park when you could PARK FREE at the outlying shopping centers in the neighborhoods. I’m sure that someone will say that the new shopping center going in at Curtner and S. 1st is downtown.
What is called downtown has attractions, fine restaurants, entertainment, night life, and lots of business offices. Does the downtown have good convenient shopping where you can park and find a large variety of merchandise for the family? I don’t think so.
#8
I agree, Santana Row didn’t kill the downtown. However, it not only didn’t lend it a helping hand when it was trying to get up, it kicked it when it was down.
At the time Susan Hammer was doing her best to push for the arts in the downtown. She was too blind to see that reusing the historic buildings for retail would have benefited the arts. All she had to do was look to the Art Museum building for a clue. People want that European feeling of “place”. One that has existed over the ages, Santana Row’s success proves this point, even if it is faux. Just think of what we could have done for bringing retail to the downtown, had we have spent the $500,000,000 for the new city on creating a real retail center in the historic commercial district.
Santana Row killed downtown San Jose? Downtown San Jose has been dead for years…well perhaps merely moribund…except for when the vatos and gangsta flow in on the weekends to help provide training for SJPD.
Actually, Santana Row showed downtown San Ohaze what it needs to do to attract law-abiding folks who spend money. But, alas, once again downtown failed to grasp the lesson.
“Downtown”—another silly label.
JMO Why do I find myself agreeing with you so often now? Just keep Coyote Valley green for awhile.
Okay guys:
1. Didn’t you people vote for Gonzalez not once but twice? As someone here said; even though his sleaze antics have overshadowed everything else, he did do some good things.
2. Anyone been to Santana Row lately? There is barely one store there that is original. The rent is too high and the stores tend to be too high end for us average people. It is a great place to walk around and eat though.
3. I wasn’t here for Susan Hammer, but the suggestion of taking old buildings and turning them into shopping centers is a great one. I hate to keep harping on it but that’s what Indianapolis did and it worked like a house on fire! It was the magic bullet that pulled everything else together for a vibrant , clean, fun downtown that was deader than a door nail and nasty.
4. JM O’C and others have it dead right about free parking. In Indy you can park in a couple of huge covered parking lots for .50c an hour, and it is subsidised by the city. It works! People love it!
Let me take you back to the early times. Listen up Leonard McKay.
Pre IBM on Cottle, My beloved Dad would pile us all in the fast back Dodge and drive UP the Montery Road, in to TOWN. First stop was Randozzo’s for a gas up. We actually recieved tickets that matched the new TV on the big board. Our Pop being so proud would have none of that. I love him for that. Nothing was free in those days. You worked for everything you acquired. I live my life like that. I’ve learned to understand why he did not claim the wining ticket for that TV.
When his children needed an education, he made sure we never went back to farm working.
He purchased a house on Fuller avenue. I got a job at JJ Newberrys on the corner of what is now 1st and San Fernando?
A Mercury New paper route at the hotel row on Santa Clara. The Merc was on the corner of Market and Santa Clara. Tony Ridder was a copy boy. Life was simple. I remember the kiddy corner crossings!
As 8th graders we played all the sports against other junior High schools. John Popovich was the Parks and Rec. Director. Our parents did not attend our games. It was our rite of passage. Si Smone was our best friend and couch at Wodrow Wilson.
We played football in what is now Ceasar Chaves Park. We biked to Alum Rock Park. There were Teen Centers, where we could go and express our selves dancing.
There was no dope.
Then some where between then and now something happened.
I now operate a bronze sculpture and plaque business at the Arena corner for 24 years. My whole life has evolved in TOWN.
Perhaps that is the quiry that I present to you.
The future of this village is in the hands of the folks that would bring back the simple life.
Simple is taking a train to San Francisco. 4 of us Dimwits. Having a drink at MoMos, on the terrace, across the street from the Ball Park. No long lines, watch a great game and take the train back to Zan a Zay. Beautiful!
Adolph Phister 2 term Mayor had it right back in 1876. A Synphony, a park (Alum Rock) his own money spent to make it all happen. Adolph, we need guys like you!!
If my parents were alive today I can assure you, they would embrace the guy with the hoky tie and the values that we all want but can’t seem to embrace.
You guys with all the moves, that have been in the game. The next few weeks should be interesting.
The Village Black Smith
#16 & 17, We are in agreement! #22, sad but absolutely true.
Back in the early 70’s I worked at San Jose City College. There were satellite campuses that used facilities at outlying high schools like Silver Creek, James Lick, and Oak Grove. I remember being out at one of those facilities during registration for night classes and when I advised one person at Oak Grove that she’d need to go to the main campus for whatever reason, she responded that she didn’t want to have to go all the way “downtown.” I explained that the SJCC campus wasn’t downtown and gave her the location, thinking maybe she had it confused with SJS, and she replied that she knew where SJCC was, and that she called that downtown. Clearly a detached suburbanite. So 30+ years ago I learned that the people who live way out in suburbia have never had a clue about or a shred of interest in downtown because even though she was just one person, she represented thousands more.
Hammer could have saved blocks of old buildings that would have made a great stretch of retail that would definitely beat out Santana Row for atmosphere since it would have been real, not Disney. But it would still be a struggle to get people like that woman at Oak Grove to head to the real deal instead of the artificial one, you can take that to the bank.
And #20, it won’t be long before SR is nothing but Crate & Barrel, Borders, and everything else restaurants. I don’t care how conspicuous a consumer you want to be, nobody is going to pay $100 for a pair of mens underwear. Besides, unless you’re some kind of thug/sagger, nobody would ever know you were wearing it.
T. Arget and JohnMichael, what world are you guys living in? All you need to do is hang out by Cesar Chavez Plaza Park in downtown San Jose during the day and see how vibrant it is. Also, one needs to hang out at Starbuck’s on the corner of Santa Clara and San Pedro Sq. St. and see how it’s busy it is. During the evenings and weekends, it’s crowded by Paseo De San Antonio pedestrian walk-way since people are heading to Camera 12, Starbuck’s and The Rep.. There are various restaurants in the area. There are lots of events going on during most, if not all weekends. Lastly, you guys should hang out by Martin Luther King Jr. Library. It’s damn busy over there! As you see, downtown is thriving and party on all the club scene downtown!
I don’t get how being SJ Mayor is the “best political job in California” . Certainly since hardly anyone still knows where Zan a Zay (San Jose to you non locals) is in the World let alone the country? We are still considered a suburb of San Francisco to the rest of the world. I have gotten so tired of using silicon valley. Just try getting your mail delivered to that address. It does not really exist it is a term of a mythical region not a town. I always laugh and have to correct people who are from SJ and use Silicon Valley.
“best political job in California” certainly not, the best deadend political job in California certainly yes!
I agree with John Burton “San Jose can’t hold San Francisco’s jock.”
This coming from a SJ native.
#22 Mark
What are you talking about? “San Jose can’t hold San Francisco’s jock”. S.F. doesn’t even need a jock, ( maybe a thong). San Jose, however, wears an extra large and it still feels to small. It’s not a designer jock or a trendy jock, it’s just a little sweaty and worn, but it does protect and keeps us together.
San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales, embroiled for months in a controversy over the awarding of a garbage contract, surrendered to authorities Thursday after he was reportedly indicted by a Santa Clara County Grand Jury.
http://www.ktvu.com/news/9412171/detail.html
http://www.ktvu.com/index.html
Neither Reed nor Chavez support keeping industrial land zoning from converting to residential zoning. Even though the Planning Dept, headed by acting head Joe Horwedel, supports keeping industrial zoning intact. These conversions like Goodwill in Japan town and Old Bayshore industrial district will lower our sales tax revenue.
Number 27, that’s why it’s important to weigh in on the qualifications for the next Planning Director. Participate in the on-line survey regarding what type of future planning director San Jose needs.
Hint: Don’t follow the Borgsdorf profile and hire an out of state manager. Find someone who is familiar with the Bay Area if not with San Jose.
Hey #25
Now RonCon will wear a black and white striped jock in prison.
All those people who were responsible for electing an accused criminal as mayor (Inever voted for him) have made us all the butt of all jokes San Jose.
And what of the GonzoDome?
Perhaps a nice cleansing of SanJo’s soul would include a sale of the GonzoDome to the University or another interested party and a move back to the old location.
Mrk T #23 & others: I don’t understand how Susan Hammer or anyone else could have saved the dowtown buildings and turned them into shopping. The cost of seismic retofit of unreinforced masonry buildings is prohibitive.
Gary # 24: Actually, I do hang out @ the places you mention—except MLK/SJSU library—every single weekday. I patronize dowtown SJ restaurants daily for lunch, and sometimes for dinner. I spend more money in dowtown restaurants for lunch each and every month than I spend on my mortgage payment. Believe me, I know “downtown” during the week.I see what I characterize as a few people walking around those places.
Head to SoFA in SF…or indeed anywhere in SF…and there are far more folks walkin’ around.
Weekends during the dayin “downtown”—it’s tough to find a non-fast-food restaurant open. Only OJ’s, Il Fornaio, and Sonoma Chicken coop. Why?—NOBODY IS DOWNTOWN!
Thursday-Saturday eveings the gangstas and vatos take over from Julian to San Fernando/87 to Fourth.