Council Watch

Councilman Fiscalini keeps busy during the July recess

Baseball, reading and walking take place of Tuesday council meetings

By Jessica Lyons

On most Tuesday evenings, as Buffy Summers pounds stakes into vampire hearts throughout the fictional town of Sunnydale, Calif., Mayor Ron Gonzales pounds his gavel into the City Council table, calling the San Jose City Council meeting to order. But not in July, the one month in which the councilmembers take a recess from regular duties and meetings. To make sure they were staying out of trouble during their free time away from City Hall, The Resident checked in with Willow Glen's two councilmembers, Frank Fiscalini and John Diquisto. This week we're trailing Fiscalini, and next week we will print the lowdown on Diquisto. Unfortunately, neither took advantage of the free Tuesday nights to tune into the WB for some demon-slaying action.

Here's how Fiscalini is spending his vacation.

"I'm not doing anything really exciting," Fiscalini says, but adds he's enjoying himself, catching up on rest and relaxation, and finishing some yard work and other "honey-do" chores for his wife, Joan.

"We went away to the mountains for a week, relaxed and enjoyed the scenery, we had seven of our 13 grandchildren with us, and I've been home since then."

He's been in and out of the office as well, attending some community meetings, and a redevelopment meeting this morning. But during the recess period, he only comes to City Hall periodically. After all, this is vacation.

When Tuesday nights roll around, Fiscalini says, he manages to keep busy from 7:30 p.m. on--the time he would normally be sitting at a long wooden table in the council chambers.

"Depending on what I need to do around the house, part of our routine includes a walk," he says. "Joan and I try to walk in the evenings. I like to read novels, or I may watch a baseball game. I like both the Giant's and the A's. It depends on my mood. I'm an eclectic."

He says he's looking forward to City Council meetings starting up again in August. There's only so much free time a man can handle.

"I enjoy my work, and to tell you the truth, I get bored if I feel like I have nothing to do. I want to get back in and get going."

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