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$200 million bonds for parks and libraries placed on ballot
Willows Community Center and River Glen Park would benefit from bonds
By Chantal Lamers
San Jose City Council members will be crossing their fingers when election day rolls around, hoping enough San Joseans vote in favor of two bond measures that will pour much-needed money into the city's parks and libraries.
On Aug. 1, council members unanimously approved placing two separate bond measures on the ballot. They will review the final ballot at their Aug. 8 meeting.
If approved, each bond will generate about $200 million for San Joseans. Each bond will need a two-thirds majority from voters. One bond will fund parks and recreation facilities, and the other will help remodel and rebuild libraries.
Dave Vossbrink, San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales' communication director, says the mayor wanted two separate bond measures because each deals with two very different needs in the city.
"It's a wave to give clear choice to voters," Vossbrink says. And by splitting the two, he says, San Jose isn't mixing up two different issues in one ballot measure.
Vossbrink says improving parks and libraries is a high priorities for residents. "These are real fundamental improvements to where people live," he says.
Under the plan, 14 neighborhood branch libraries would be completely rebuilt or partially remodeled over the next 10 years. San Jose should get six new libraries if the bond passes.
Community centers, regional parks, sports complexes, park trails and neighborhood parks will be created or fixed if enough voters give the thumbs up.
Eight San Jose residents urged council members to support the mayor's plan.
San Jose resident Stephanie Lane says in the '70s the city made San Jose a great place to visit. In the '80s and '90s the city made San Jose a great place to work. She says now it's time to make San Jose a great place to live.
Willow Glen residents could see improvements in the Willows Community Center and at the River Glen Park Youth and Tot Lot. In addition, the Los Gatos Creek Trail will be extended from Lincoln Avenue to Auzerais and Willow Street to San Pedro Street. The Guadalupe River Trail would also be extended from Interstate 280 to Curtner Avenue.
Vice Mayor Frank Fiscalini said San Jose hasn't had a bond of this magnitude on the ballot for at least 30 years.
District 9 Councilwoman Alice Woody said she hopes priority will go to libraries and parks in the greatest need. She said these bond measures offer the community a great opportunity to vote and decide if it wants parks and libraries improved.
Mayor Gonzales said getting two-thirds approval from voters is no small feat. Gonzales believes this is a community campaign--and those who represent the community will have to show what a benefit it will be to residents.
In July, 250,000 residents received a neighborhood facilities survey from the city. More than 11,000 residents responded and almost half said that new playground equipment, restrooms and hiking and biking trails are very important. Additional library books and materials were rated very important by 66 percent of respondents.
Residents were also asked about the fire department. Adequate response times were rated very important to 73 percent; 33 percent said new fire stations are very important and 39 percent said renovated fire stations are very important.
Gonzales said he didn't want to put the fire department bond on the ballot until the city has time to complete the analysis of the department's needs. Council members agreed, and decided to try to get a measure on the ballot by 2002.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
