The hour-long question-and-answer session gave District 10 candidates Ron Siporen, Nancy Pyle and Rich De La Rosa an opportunity to voice their positions on issues such as business, education, housing, transportation and the environment. The fourth candidate for the seat, William Garbett, did not attend the forum.

Though District 10, which encompasses Almaden Valley and Blossom Valley, is not home to large numbers of business parks or headquarters of major companies—in which the SVMG is most interested—the council seat sought by the candidates carries voting power on issues affecting San Jose. The seat is currently held by Vice Mayor Pat Dando, who terms out this year.

The candidates discussed issues specific to Almaden Valley, as well as issues for San Jose overall. On the heated issue of the proposed McKean Road sports complex, all candidates agreed that something needed to be done to alleviate the problems with the quality and availability of the current sports fields, but not all agreed with the solution.

"I'm not convinced that's the only alternative," Pyle said of the sports complex. "I would prefer to not abandon the existing fields and improve on the fields we do have."

Both Siporen and De La Rosa are in favor of constructing the new complex.

"I'm very much for it," Siporen said. "We need a place for the kids to go. The fields are in lousy shape, and they're spread out all over the area. [The sports complex] would be a great meeting place."

One alternative being considered for mitigating water concerns at the sports complex—artificial turf—is one Pyle suggested should be taken under consideration for the existing fields. Installing the turf, or improving the condition of the current fields, would eliminate the concerns of the complex's opposition—which includes 20 violations of the city's current General Plan—and could be done in less time than it would take to get the complex built. She also said she would explore a loan or payment plan between the city and a turf business to address the additional costs and payment issues.

During the forum, members of SVMG questioned the candidates about their views on a half-cent tax dedicated to transportation. Siporen said he would like to see civic leaders come up with a long-term solution to improve public transportation, while De La Rosa said he would settle for a 20- or 25-year plan.

"I'm wary of tax increases," said De La Rosa, who added he would push for transit stations to be located in high-density areas. "You've got to have the people there who will use it," he said.

Pyle said she believes people don't know when trains run and that it would be important to promote the public's awareness of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority transportation options so that the systems would be used more often by the public.

"I would use the half-cent tax as a last resort," she said.

De La Rosa said he would like to see the city of San Jose less dependent on high-technology business and believes the city can do more to attract other industries. When asked about tax incentives to employers, he said San Jose is a difficult city to do business with and, in order to retain jobs in the area, city officials need to work hard to retain companies. He cited workers compensation costs as one area where the city could help employers cut costs.

"You can't pass all these burdens on to business," he said.

Siporen said he doesn't believe in subsidies for businesses, high tech or otherwise. "I think they only mask problems," he said.

Agreeing with De La Rosa about reducing workers compensation costs, Pyle said she would like to see San Jose become a center of innovation, streamline the permitting processes, offer tax holidays to businesses, and offer foreign-language links on the city's website.

De La Rosa, Pyle, and Siporen plan to participate in an upcoming public forum being hosted by the Almaden Valley Community Association on Jan. 21, which will be open to the general public.

Audience members will be able to ask questions of the candidates by filling out cards which will be read by a moderator. Candidates will be given three minutes for an opening statement and will be allowed to pose questions to each other during the forum. In lieu of closing statements, Bob Boydston, president of the association, said, candidates will be given an opportunity to mingle with the crowd. The question-and-answer forum will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Santa Clara Valley Water District location at 5750 Almaden Expressway.