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District 6 candidates tackle the issues at WGNA forum
Topics include business hours, traffic, education
By Chantal Lamers
City Council District 6 candidates discussed their ideas, and the reasons Glenites should check the box next to their name on the ballot, at a Willow Glen Neighborhood Association candidates forum Feb. 9.
About 125 Willow Glen residents gathered at the United Methodist Church to sip coffee, snack on cookies and listen to candidates Ken Yeager, Jim Spence, Daniel Lopez, Kris Cunningham, Bill Chew and Mike Borquez.
Each candidate had a minute to answer each of the 11 questions that concerned such issues as after-hours operation in Willow Glen.
Former WGNA president Cunningham responded that she supports the midnight, quiet-time policy. "Neighbors put up with noise until midnight, they deserve quiet-time after that."
San Jose State University political science professor Yeager said any after-hours permits given out should be conditional, so if problems arise with the business, the permit can be yanked.
Police Sgt. Spence said the city's concentration of nightclubs should be downtown, where police heavily patrol. But Spence said since many people don't spend their money downtown and San Jose is expanding, residents should keep an open mind about late-night businesses.
Retired public health worker Lopez answered that businesses should have the chance to be successful. "We need to help small businesses," he said.
Borquez, a mortgage banker, said that businesses need to be monitored to make sure they're not causing noise problems, and added that nightclubs should not be permitted.
Cable television host Chew believed noisy after-hours businesses weren't appropriate.
Candidates had different solutions for solving speeding problems on Lincoln and Minnesota avenues, too.
Spence said many things can be done, including installing lights that shine on crosswalks, and installing rubber pylons on crosswalks forcing cars to slow down.
Chew, who's known for going everywhere on roller skates, said no one pays more attention to pedestrian safety than he does. Chew believes that neighbors should tell each other to slow down.
Lopez suggested a solution would be putting out signs that tell drivers what speed they're going, while Borquez said to begin slowing down drivers, a traffic study needed to be conducted. He suggested that converting Lincoln Avenue into two lanes would also force drivers to slow down.
Cunningham responded that traffic studies are expensive; however, multiple complaints from residents could warrant spending the money. She added that taking two lanes off Lincoln Avenue would increase traffic on neighboring Cherry and Blewett streets.
Yeager stated he has no higher priority than Lincoln Avenue traffic, and said that adding another light or pedestrian-activated crosswalks may be solutions to the problem.
When the topic shifted to education, Spence said he's focused on at-risk youth, and would like to focus on expanding athletics at schools.
Lopez also said education was key and Borquez suggested drafting quality teachers to the area by promising home loan assistance.
Chew preferred the idea of a sports facility master plan, so students could build healthy minds and bodies.
Cunningham said expanding programs she's worked on such as anti-gang San Jose Best and the pre-kindergarten Smart Start are the keys to improving education. Yeager said he's devoted his life to education and is ready to work with city Mayor Ron Gonzales on education initiatives.
About the proposed Longs Drugs set to open on Lincoln Avenue, Cunningham said neighbors have the ability to control hours, placement of the building and the overall impact on residents. Yeager answered that as a council member, he'd do everything possible to get locally owned businesses to the neighborhood. "I go to Willow Glen Roasting Company, not those other chains across the street," he said.
Spence said that as a representative, he would give input on how Longs was operated. "We have to find a happy medium and be willing to give and take a lot," Spence said.
Lopez chose not to respond. "I don't know the answer to that, so I'll pass on that one," he said.
Borquez said Longs could bring more foot-traffic to local businesses, especially if the chain were open past 9 p.m. He added that he'd make sure the traffic impact was minimal.
Chew said residents who don't want Longs to be their new neighbor should fight. "If you don't want them to come in, let them know this is not appropriate."
The six candidates will face off in the March 7 primary.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
