Welcome to District 4 - Serving Berryessa, North Valley, Alviso, North San Jose
Thank you for visiting the District 4 online office! I am honored to be serving the neighborhoods of Berryessa, Alviso, North San Jose, and North Valley on the City Council. This website serves to keep you informed on the work that I do to represent our neighborhoods and residents. Please visit frequently to read my blog, view my photo gallery, and check out the latest press releases.
I look forward to working with many If you
have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to call us at (408)
535-4904 or send us an email at district4@sanjoseca.gov
2009
Accomplishments
2009 has been an incredibly busy year serving
the City of San José and District 4. It has been a
pleasure serving you another year and I look forward to serving
you in the new year.
I also welcome any comments and feedback from you. You are
the eyes and ears of the community. If you have any concerns
that I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact
me at district4@sanjoseca.gov.
The 2010 Census — a count of everyone living in the United States — is fast approaching! In mid-March 2010, every household in San José will receive a 2010 Census questionnaire. We need you or someone in your household to fill it out and mail it back by April 1, 2010. The information you provide will determine how over $435 billion in federal funds are distributed each year to cities like San José for community programs and services, such as education, housing, public health, senior services, transportation, neighborhood improvements and more. Filling out a census form is safe, easy and confidential!
In March 2010, every household in the county will receive a Census questionnaire. We need you or someone in your household to fill it out and mail it back by April 1, 2010, to ensure an accurate people count in San Jose and Santa Clara County.
It’s Important – The federal government uses census numbers to allocate more than $435 billion annually for community programs and services, such as education, housing, public health, senior services, transportation, neighborhood improvements and more. The information you provide makes sure that San Jose and Santa Clara County get their fair share of these funds.
It’s Easy – Every residence will receive a short form with 10 questions that is simple and fast to complete. Forms are available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese and Russian. Language assistance is available in over 50 languages by calling 1-866-872-6868 (dial 1-866-928-2010 for a Spanish Operator). Lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week starting February 25, 2010 through July 30, 2010. For the hearing-impaired, dial 1-866-783-2010 (during times noted above).
It’s Confidential – By law, the Census Bureau cannot share an individual’s answers with anyone, including welfare and immigration agencies. Every Census worker has taken an oath for life to protect confidentiality of census responses. Violation would result in a jail term of up to 5 years and/or fine up to $250,000.
For more information about 2010 Census, click here.
2010-2011 Budget Updates
As the City begins discussions regarding
next year's budget, I want to keep our residents up-to-date
on what the City is doing and encourage District 4 residents
to learn about, and personally impact, the 2010-2011 Budget.
The City of San José continues to face significant fiscal challenges. The City Council will be making difficult budget decisions in the coming months and will need to make up a $100 million shortfall to balance the budget for the fiscal year beginning in July 1, 2010.
I ask you for your assistance to help me and the City Council understand your priorities by sharing with us your thoughts on how we should create a balanced budget that addresses the fundamental issues of our City, while remaining fiscally responsible. If you would like to share ideas about ways the city can save money or generate revenue, please email me at district4@sanjoseca.gov.
Councilmember Chu's Airport Land Use Commission Appointment
On January 14, 2010, the Santa Clara County Cities Association City Selection Committee appointed Councilmember Kansen Chu to the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) to fill a term expiring in May 2012. The Airport Land Use Commission was established to provide for appropriate development of areas surrounding public airports in Santa Clara County. It is intended to minimize the public's exposure to excessive noise and safety hazards, and to ensure that the approaches to airports are kept clear of structures that could pose an aviation safety hazard.
City of San José Participating in New Reverse 911 System
The City of San José is participating in a new Countywide Emergency Notification System that will provide timely and lifesaving information to anyone who lives or works in Santa Clara County.
The AlertSCC system can send thousands of text and voice messages within minutes to home phones, cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDA’s), laptops, desktop computers, and TTY/TDD devices for the hearing impaired using 411 and 911 databases. The system cannot reach cell phones, PDA’s, computers, and devices for the hearing impaired, UNLESS those cell phone numbers and email addresses are registered with the system.
AlertSCC can reach you wherever you are almost immediately to provide information and instructions for a variety of emergency situations, including:
Wildfires and subsequent evacuations
Shelter, transportation, or supply information following a major disaster
Other public safety incidents that immediately affect your neighborhood
Registering takes only a few minutes through a simple online process. Anyone who lives or works in Santa Clara County is encouraged to register their cell phone number and email address by going to http://www.alertscc.com/. Click on “Participating Cities” on the left sidebar to register.Select your city from the menu to register your contact information (up to three phone numbers, two email addresses, and one SMS text message number). Click here to register directly with the City of San Jose.
The personal phone number and email addresses you register with AlertSCC are confidential and secure and will only be used by authorized County or City personnel, and will not be shared with any private company.
The County of Santa Clara purchased the system and is rolling it out to San José, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Saratoga, Cupertino, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Milpitas, Gilroy, Campbell, Los Altos, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, and Los Altos Hill.
Registering for AlertSCC is one of the fastest, easiest, and most immediately productive things you can do to better prepare for an emergency. I encourage anyone who lives or works in Santa Clara County to register with AlertSCC. Your ability to receive fast, accurate information can help you survive in an emergency.
My December 2009/January 2010
Newsletter is now available!
If you have not been able to
pick up a copy at various District 4 Community events and
at the Berryessa and Alviso Libraries, please feel free to
browse the newsletter here.
Inside, there is information
about what's been happening in District 4 and notices about
upcoming events.
As your Councilmember, it is important for me to know what is happening in our community. I am always trying to find new ways to make my office more accessible throughout District 4. In August 2007, I began holding monthly community office hours in order to receive feedback and provide assistance to residents.
Over the past year, I have enjoyed meeting with many of you and being able to assist you regarding city issues. I encourage you to continue to take advantage of the community office hours so that I may be of assistance to all of you.
Upcoming Community Office Hours:
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Alviso Branch Library - Community Room
5050 North First Street
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Berryessa Branch Library - Room C
3050 Berryessa Road
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Berryessa Branch Library - Room C
3050 Berryessa Road
Wednesday, April 21, 2010 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Berryessa Branch Library - Room C
3050 Berryessa Road
Please call (408) 535-4904 to schedule a 15 minute appointment. Residents are also welcome to drop in and visit during these times. However, please be advised that drop-in appointments may have to wait.
Council District 4
200 East Santa Clara Street, San José, CA 95113
tel. (408) 535-4904 fax (408) 292-6459 district4@sanjoseca.gov
The City of San Jose is committed to open and honest government and strives to consistently meet the community’s expectations by providing excellent service, in a positive and timely manner, and in the full view of the public.
