SAM'S CORNER

Truth--The First Casualty

Our efforts to confront San José’s crippling structural deficits, by formally declaring a “fiscal emergency” along with submitting a ballot measure to reform retirement benefits, has drawn fire from those seeking to preserve a dysfunctional and unsustainable status quo. 

As in all battles, Aeschylus reminds us, truth becomes the first casualty.  The City’s largest union called in operatives from their national headquarters to launch a mail campaign to label several of my colleagues “hypocrites” for supporting pay cuts and pension reform, an effort that the Mercury News’ editorial board characterized as so “full of lies” as to constitute a “badge of honor for [those Councilmembers who] made difficult decisions on behalf of the community.” 

Other attacks appear more subtle, but still mislead residents by the familiar formula for propaganda: if you repeat a lie enough, it will become someone’s truth.  Among the most oft-repeated:  

• Myth #1:  Reformers seek to “Undermine Collective Bargaining Rights”

One colleague circulated an on-line petition to members of the MoveOn.org network, seeking a show of opposition to the Mayor’s May 13, 2011 “Fiscal Emergency” proposal “that would strip city workers of their benefits and take away their collective bargaining rights,” a la union-busting efforts in Wisconsin.  
That would be a worthy thing to oppose, of course, if that’s what the Mayor’s measure purported to do.  The only problem is that it didn’t.   

A closer look at the May 13, 2011 memorandum authored by Mayor Reed, Vice Mayor Nguyen, Councilmember Herrera, and myself --all Democrats, by the way—reveals that it twice urged City officials to consult with unions to fashion a pension reform package.  The opening paragraphs plainly state that “This proposal is not the only solution...We are open to other solutions, and our proposal directs staff to engage with employee groups…to discuss alternatives that also solve the problem.“  City management has done just that, and negotiations with five unions appear well underway.   The Mayor’s proposal also explicitly (and repeatedly) assured workers and retirees they would keep benefits already accrued, contrary to the charge of “stripping” employees of benefits.  

Opponents of reform also decry as “unprecedented” any ballot measure that would cap retirement benefits through the City Charter, because boosting those benefits would then require a vote of the electorate, rather than a compromise at the negotiating table.  Remarkably, they ignore that union-friendly cities like New York and San Francisco similarly took retirement benefits out of negotiations decades ago, leaving them to the state legislature (in the case of New York) or the voters (as with the San Francisco charter).  This approach is hardly unprecedented, and it’s far more accountable to taxpayers. 

• Myth #2:  Reformers Seek to Scapegoat Workers by Cutting Benefits, Wages, and Jobs

No one blames City employees for San José’s decade of General Fund deficits; the blame squarely rests on the city councils and arbitrators that made the decisions that got us here.  The painful fact, though, is that the General Fund pays for salaries and benefits, and not much else.   If costs exceed revenues, we have only salaries and benefits to cut.  Alternatively, we eliminate jobs and services.

Reform efforts reflect a response to spiraling benefit costs--benefits that employees may well deserve, but that the City cannot afford.   The taxpayers’ annual bill for retirement benefits has more than tripled (to $245 million) in a decade in which we’ve lost over 2,000 employees.  We’re spending $15 million more on police this year than we did a half-decade ago, yet we have 350 fewer officers.   Why?  The cost for each of those officers has ballooned, despite their willingness to take deep cuts in salaries; benefits have pushed the costs of a single officer today well over $190,000.  That’s not scapegoating anyone; it’s recognizing the consequences of unsustainable retirement benefit structures.

• Myth #3:  We Can Find Ways to Avoid Cuts to “Essential” Services

When you read arguments like those in a recent op-ed by a Dave Cortese staffer, arguing that the City should not cut police and community centers, who could disagree? “Of course we shouldn’t cut those services,” any reader will conclude, “they’re essential.”  

There’s only one problem, of course: that’s only doing half the thinking  (and the easier half, at that).  If you restore one job, you have to cut another one instead.  Budgets are a zero-sum game. 

Which services do you cut to pay to restore those essential services?   Firefighting?  Gang prevention programs?  Repairs to deteriorating roads that could reduce traffic accidents and fatalities?  Libraries that provide thousands of children with their only safe place to go after school?  What “non-essential” services remain?  One can always point to a few thousand dollars here or there, but ten consecutive years of service reductions and $115 million annual deficits force much harder choices.

Critics with an agenda will exploit the politics of hard times—poking fingers in the air, pounding fists on desks--to self-righteously demand restoration of funding forservices that we all want.  They will make vague pronouncements about their ability to “find the money” within the oft-cited but still illusory line item labeled “waste, fraud, and abuse.” 

They—and we--need to avoid lazy thinking, and to press on to the harder question: if we restore one city employee’s job, which essential employee loses theirs?   Those tough choices constitute the stuff of leading in difficult times.  

Sincerely,

Sam Liccardo

Contact Us
P: (408) 535-4903
E: district3@sanjoseca.gov
W: www.sanjoseca.gov/district3

D3 Staff
Sam Liccardo, Councilmember
Ragan Henninger, Chief of Staff
Fred Buzo, Council Assistant
Ruth Cueto, Council Assistant
JenniferKim Luc, Council Assistant
Rhonda Hadnot, Executive Assistant and Scheduler

Learn What to Do When Stopped by Police
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
6:00-8:00 p.m.
San Jose City Hall, Council Chamber Wing, Rooms 118-119

In an effort to address citizen concerns about the San Jose Police Department unfairly targeting minority people during stops, the Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Association of Santa Clara Valley and co-sponsor Councilmember Kansen Chu will hold a special community meeting.

Presenters will be:
San Jose Police Chief Chris Moore
District Attorney Jeff Rosen
Independent Police Auditor, Judge La Doris Cordell
Independent Police Auditor Senior Analyst, Diane Doolan

The presentation will include:

• What to do when a Police officer stops you.
• Information on the Independent Police Auditor’s Office.
• How to file a complaint with the Independent Police Auditor’s Office.
• A Police Officer’s perspective and responsibility toward citizen safety.
• Instruction from, “A Student’s Guide to Police Practices.” 

For more information please contact Kathleen Flynn at 408-861-5323.

4-G Wi-Fi Service Now Available On Light Rail

The Valley Transportation Authority/VTA says it is the first mass transit agency in the world to offer 4-G Wi-Fi, faster connection service than any used elsewhere, on all light-rail trains. VTA Free onboard internet service is an amenity that has been most requested to make public transit more appealing to nonriders in Silicon Valley. Plans are also under way to add Wi-Fi on VTA express buses later this year or by early 2012. For more information, visit the VTA Website.

School Supplies for Homeless Students in San Jose

Comerica Bank is launching a school supplies drive to support children who are homeless. The collected back backs will be donated to the San Jose Unified School District’s Homeless Assistance Program. According to the San Jose Unified School District, approximately 340 students attending schools in the district are considered homeless. Comerica’s six banking centers in San Jose will be collecting backpacks, school supplies and personal hygiene items from July 11-August 5.

The centers participating in the drive are:

•       Downtown San Jose – 333 West Santa Clara Street, San Jose 95113
•       Near the Airport – 226 Airport Parkway, San Jose 95110
•       Almaden Valley – 1092 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose 95123
•       Silver Creek – 5601 Silver Creek Valley Road, San Jose 95138
•       Willow Glen – 1191 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose 95125
•       Winchester – 1245 S. Winchester Boulevard, San Jose 95128

Purchase Foreclosed Homes with NSP2 Program
Tuesday, July 19th
6pm - 8pm
Edenvale Branch Library
101 Branham Lane East
San José, CA 95111

Learn about the Purchase Assistance Loan Program (PAL) for qualified homebuyers purchasing Foreclosed/REO properties in designated areas of San Jose. The Housing Trust of Santa Clara County and the San Jose NSP2 Consortium invite you to attend a workshop to learn more about our Purchase Assistance Loan (PAL) program, a deferred second loan of 20% of the purchase price up to $50,000 to assist qualified homebuyers purchasing Foreclosed/REO properties in designated areas of San Jose. NSP2 funds, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), will reduce the number of foreclosed and abandoned homes in the target areas and help to stabilize the housing market.

Learn about the City of San José’s Dream Home program and the Housing Trust’s other first-time homebuyer
programs too!

City of San Jose Elections Commission Accepting Applications!
Applications due by Friday, August 5, 2011

There is currently one vacancy on the Commission to fill a four-year term ending March 1, 2015.  Applicants must be registered voters in the City of San José and if appointed and must remain so throughout the term of office. 

The San José Elections Commission monitors compliance with all campaign and ethics ordinances in the San José Municipal Code. The Commission reviews and investigates allegations of violations of the Code and makes recommendations for enforcement action where appropriate. The Elections Commission also makes recommendations to the Council with regard to campaign and ethics regulations and policies.

Apply to be on the Planning Commission or Appeals Hearing Board

The San Jose City Council is accepting applications until Friday, September 9, 2011 to fill one seat in the Planning Commission and two seats on the Appeals Hearing Board.

Applicants must have been both citizens of the U.S. and residents of the San Jose for one year preceding appointment and must be registered voters in the City of San Jose.

The Planning Commission advises and makes recommendations to the City Council on all matters relating to the future physical development of the City with respect to land use and development zoning and subdivision regulations, and the City’s Capital Improvement Programs.

This volunteer Appeals Hearing Board presides over all administrative hearings and appeals authorized by the Municipal Code. The Board hears appeals of notices and penalties resulting from blighted conditions; illegal building activity; unsafe and unsanitary living conditions; abandoned, dismantled and inoperative vehicles; neglected vacant houses; and weed abatement and garbage liens. The Board also hears appeals of police permit denials or revocations, disturbance response billing and utility billing.

Applications and additional information may be obtained from the Office of the City Clerk, 200 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose, California 95113, at (408) 535-1272, and on the City’s website.

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Ay Caray! Beer Tasting with host Councilmember Sam Liccardo
Wednesday, July 20th
6:00 p.m.
Mezcal Restaurant (25 W. San Fernando Street)

Third Street Community Center presents Ay Caray!, part of the 2011 Summer Fundraising Series. For $30, enjoy beer tasting, hors d’oeuvres, presentations, and a $5 discount on your next meal at Mezcal. Plus, all guests are entered in a raffle! Proceeds will support the After School Academic Program, the Robotics Program, the Summer of Learning Program…and more! Buy tickets at www.3street.org – check and cash only at the door.

RSVP to Rosemary or via Facebook.

Music in the Park - Still Going
Now through August on Thursdays at 5:30pm
Plaza de Cesar Chavez (Market and San Fernando Streets)
FREE

NEW THIS YEAR - Bike valet service.  Ride your bike to the park.  Bike Parking is at Market Street and Park Avenue.  

Line up includes
·         August 4:  Dredg (Alternative Rock).   
·         August 11:  Marcia Griffiths (Reggae).   
·         August 18: Sergent Garcia (World / Latin / Reggae).  
·         August 25: Pete Escovedo Orchestra (Latin/Jazz).    

Check www.sjdowntown.com for more information.

Starlight Cinamas - Still Going
Now through Aug 31 (except Aug3)
San Pedro Square, Post Street in the HistoricDistrict, and the SoFA District

FREE summer outdoor movies!

• August 10 – Dazed and Confused (1993) R
• August 17 – Viva Las Vegas (1963) No Rating - Viva Elvis!
• August 24 – Swingers (1996) R
• August 31 – Fido (2007) PG-13 - Part of ZOMBIE-O-RAMA III

Pre-show is always fun and entertaining. This includes the third annual Zombie-O-Rama on Aug. 31 The popular San Jose pre-and post-movie zombie crawl returns, with participating businesses around downtown offering specials and inviting zombies inside. Check out zombieorama.com for updates.  Makeup starts at noon at SLG headquarters (577 S. Market St.) / the action starts at 5 p.m.  And don't forget the canned food drive benefiting Second Harvest.

Summer Arts & Culture Day Camps at Mexican Heritage PlazaCurrently Enrolling for Sessions 2 and 3!
Session 1: July 5 - 15
Session 2: July 18 - 29
Session 3: August 1 – 12
1700 Alum Rock Avenue
San José, CA 95116

Learn about Mexican music, Phillipine Folk Dance, Aztec culture, hand drumming, theatre, mask making, cultural drawing, and more! For children ages 6-17. $200/session.

For more information contact Nelly Torres at 408-794-6250.

Silicon Valley Connects
Now – November 8 (2nd Tuesdays of every month)
4:00 PM – 7 PM
1700 Silicon Valley Capital Club (50 W. San Fernando Street)

Silicon Valley Connects aims to elevate how Silicon Valley does business. Experience “The Easy-to-Meet-People” networking process yourself, with personal introductions based on your common and business interests. More info at Eventbrite.

National Night Out
Tuesday evening, August 2, 2011

This year is the twenty-eighth anniversary of this crime and drug prevention event. Your neighborhood is invited to participate with many other neighborhoods across the country in celebration. The City of San Jose is a nationally registered participant in this year’s event. Registration is free and gives police and other city representatives an opportunity to attend local events as time and circumstances permit. To register locally, simply contact the SJPD Crime Prevention Unit (408) 277-4133 on or before July 22, 2011. 

First Annual World War II Weekend –Spirit of ’45 Weekend
August 13-14, 2011
Historic Park at Kelley Park
1650 Senter Road, San Jose CA 95112

A 2-day event to feature WWII vehicles, re-enactors, USO-style dance, history exhibits, and statue dedication of the ‘Times Square Nurse’ LIVE Big Bands Swing contest, 1940s fashion and make-up contest, vintage clothing and WWII memorabilia flea market, 1930s & 1940s car show, 40s dinner dance Saturday night!

For more information, contact Robert Corpus at 408-918-1041.

The Wiggles Big Birthday
Saturday, August 13th
12:30 PM & 4 PM
San José Civic

$10 off select seats for groups of 10 or larger. Check out these and other savings at www.sanjosecivic.com and join in on the Civic’s 75th year anniversary.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus: Fully Charged
August 17-21
HP Pavilion

$5 off groups of 15+ (excludes VIP & Premium seating). Get your tickets at www.pavilionsanjose.com.

Italian Family Festa
August 27, 2011 12pm-9pm
August 28, 2011 12pm-6pm
Guadalupe River and Gardens Park

This year the Italian American Heritage Foundation presents the 31st annual Italian Family Festa. The Festa will be held at the new Little Italy site at Julian and St. John streets, complete with authentic Italian food, arts and crafts, family fun, bocce ball contests, and fabulous entertainment. Visit www.iahfsj.org or call 408-293-7122 for more information.

Safe Green Halloween
408-297-3301
McKinley Community Center (651 Macredes Ave, San Jose, CA 95116)

CommUniverCity is starting early this year to collect gently used Halloween costumes for the Safe and Green Halloween event. The goal is to collect 1,000 costumes for redistribution. Donate anytime you'd like but remember that the goal is 1,000 costumes. To follow the progress and get updates, visit www.facebook.com/communivercitysj