The Willow Glen Resident

Photograph by Skye Dunlap

Setting Up Shop: San Jose mayoral candidate Ron Gonzales readies his new Lincoln Avenue campaign headquarters for battle, with the help of his wife Alvina.

Campaign strategy will be cooked up in the Glen

Mayoral candidate sets up camp at Lincoln and Willow

By Cecily Barnes

When ex-Santa Clara County supervisor Ron Gonzales threw his hat in the ring for San Jose's mayoral race, his first order of business was to secure a location for his campaign headquarters. After surveying the city, he decided on the quaint community of Willow Glen.

According to Gonzales' campaign manager, Jamil Khan, the Glen just seemed the best place to be.

"We like it because it's a combination of a neighborhood that will have a lot of activity and one that is centrally located," Khan said. "And where we're at now, Lincoln and Willow, is kind of the heart of Willow Glen. It's easily accessible from all over the city."

Gonzales and his staff are still unpacking boxes, but within a matter of weeks they plan to be up and running. Khan says the office will be filled with anywhere from 10 to 80 people on a daily basis-- answering phones, making signs and sending out mailers.

"We want to make our presence felt in the community," Khan said. "I anticipate that we'll be more than a sign on a building as people drive by to go and get a bagel. Hopefully we'll be active with the neighborhood groups."

The Willow Glen Business and Professional Association and Lincoln Avenue merchants say Gonzales and his staff are welcome here. Business lunches, office snacks and late nights at the headquarters only mean more business for surrounding restaurants.

"It makes us feel great they chose here," WGBPA manager Demetri Rizos said. "I think that our businesses will definitely benefit from them being here. The office is walking distance from Willow Street, Aqui, Bill's and Goosetown. I think it will be great exposure for that side of the Avenue."

Even District 6 Councilmember Frank Fiscalini welcomes Gonzales to his home turf, said his chief aide, Joe Guerra. And even if Fiscalini, who hasn't publicly declared his intentions, decides to run for mayor, Gonzales will still be treated with open arms, Guerra says. "There's that old saying about keeping your friends close and your enemies closer," Guerra joked. "I figure I can pretty much look out my bedroom window to see what [Gonzales' former chief of staff] Jude Barry is doing."

Khan says Gonzales' campaign staff plans to be involved in the community without causing any problems. When asked about parking, Khan pointed to the 50-space parking lot behind the building.

"We're not going to create big backlogs of people parking on the street," Khan said. "We're also proud that our location is fully handicapped-accessible."

When landlord Jalil Saffarian purchased the Lincoln Avenue building last June, the space that now houses Gonzales' campaign headquarters was vacant.

"I am looking for someone permanent, of course, but since it was vacant, it was OK for Gonzales to use it for his campaign," Saffarian said. "And he's paying me rent, of course."

The Gonzales headquarters will remain in Willow Glen at least through the June primaries.

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