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Dear Friends,
As you know, San Jose’s budget process this year was not easy: our operating budget faced a significant deficit that only grew larger as the economic situation worsened. The Council began discussions on how to bridge the gap in March, and after many conversations with our residents and City staff, unanimously passed a balanced budget on June 16. Budget decisions are among the most important that the Council makes, because they determine what services the City will provide to you, our residents. They are especially difficult in a troubled economy, when we are forced to cut services at the very time when need is greatest. Given the importance of these decisions, I want to give you an overview of the choices the Council made this year.
The City Manager’s budget, released in May, proposed $48.8 million in service cuts, including reduction of library hours from six to four days a week, reduction to police and fire staffing, reduction of middle and upper management employees in many City departments, delay in opening recently completed City facilities, and numerous other staff reductions. The Council’s approach in restoring a portion of these cuts was to focus on front line services that directly benefit residents. In discussion with our community, the Mayor and Council identified $14 million of additional funds for service restorations—drawn from employee wage concessions, reductions and eliminations of various non-essential City programs, and use of reserves and other one time funds. Drawing on these funds, the Council was able to avoid many of the police and fire cuts, as well as ensure that our libraries will remain open six days a week—a restoration that was very important to me, given the value of libraries to our community.
I especially want to call out the over $4 million in wages that several of our employee unions gave back for next year in order to save jobs and maintain services. In these difficult times, I believe that all of us, residents, employees, and political leaders, need to work together to maintain the high standards of service and quality of life that we all want for San Jose. I thank our employees for their partnership, and their commitment to San Jose.
Finally, I think it’s important to point out that like most other government agencies in California, San Jose can expect serious ongoing budget difficulties into next year and beyond. It’s still possible that in passing its budget this year, the State could take away local revenues, creating a new hole that San Jose and other local agencies would have to fill. Even if that doesn’t happen, we can expect to face a significant deficit again next year. As we continue to deal with these difficult issues, I can commit to you to always promote open and respectful discussion, and seek collaborative solutions for our shared problems.
Thank you for your interest,
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Community News
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Fire Station 37 Community Meeting
Where: Cambrian Branch Library, 1780 Hillsdale Ave.
When: July 16, 6:30 pm
Come and learn about plans for the new Fire Station 37. Intended to be located adjacent to the Willows Senior Center, the station will service much of southern Willow Glen, including the northern portion of District 9. Representatives from the San Jose Fire Department will be on hand to make a presentation and answer questions about the project.
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Children’s Musical Theater Summer Classes
Children’s Musical Theater San Jose, the nation’s largest theater for youth, is holding its annual summer training program at Almaden Elementary. Due to unforeseen maintenance at its longstanding home, Schallenberger Elementary, CMT’s Summer Camp is thrilled to build a new partnership with this lovely neighborhood school.
For over three decades now, CMT has hosted a summer conservatory (formerly known as COPA) for young performers looking to have an exciting, fun summer while exploring the disciplines of acting, singing, dancing, and more! Each session culminates in a final performance for family and friends.
Session 1: June 15-July 2 (Location: Almaden Elementary)
Session 2: July 6-July 23 (Location: Almaden Elementary)
Session 3: July 27-August 13 (Location: CMT Rehearsal Hall & San Jose City College)
For more information, please visit www.cmtsj.org/camp.
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Tee for Toys Golf Tournament
The San Jose Holiday Parade’s “Tee” for Toys Golf Tournament is just a few short months away! Come join us on this special day and get access to the exclusive Almaden Country Club for a great round of golf. Not only do you get the chance to play on this members-only course, you also get to enjoy the warm summer day with a delicious BBQ lunch and refreshing beverages while you play. After the tournament, sit down, relax in the cool night and enjoy mouthwatering all-you-can-eat buffet dinner with all of the fixings while we present awards to the lucky winners of the golf tournament, the Top “Tee” Contest Holes, multiple raffles and dozens of amazing silent auction prizes. All the while, you are helping the community and children in need during the holiday season by making a $10.00 cash donation or by providing a new, unwrapped toy for the United States Marine Corps Toy for Tots Program when you check-in at the tournament.
Don’t forget to register for the Corporate Challenge. All you need to do is gather up at least three other foursomes from your company (or maybe even a competing business) and compete for your own inner tournament title! We’ll supply the winning foursome from your company with their very own plaque, including your company logo and the names of the members of your foursome.
Visit www.sanjoseholidayparade.com for the “Tee” for Toys Golf Tournament registration information today!
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National Night Out – Tuesday, August 4th
The 26th annual National Night Out will be Tuesday, August 4th. It is a time to celebrate neighborhood unity and promote crime prevention and police- community partnerships. Last year, over one hundred neighborhoods in San Jose participated in National Night Out. It isn’t too late to plan a gathering for your block
In addition to several neighborhoods in D9 who host small gatherings, the District 9 celebration will be held at Butcher Park, Camden Ave. between Lancaster Drive and Oakwood Ave. The City of San Jose’s Camden Community Center, Neighborhood Development Center, Cambrian Library and Safe Schools program will be hosting the event.
For further information, event ideas and to register your neighborhood celebrations go on-line to www.sjpd.org and click on the National Night Out icon or call (408) 277-4133.
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