But she wasn't idle as she waited to replace District 9 council member John Diquisto, who left office because of term limits. She spent it doing her homework and learning how city hall works.

"I had the gift of time," Chirco said, sitting in Diquisto's former city hall office, which is occupied only by a desk and a meeting table. Chirco plans to decorate the bare walls with framed drawings created by her two grown sons when they were children.

Chirco, who grew up in the same district she now represents, graduated from Camden High School in 1962. She served for several years on the Cambrian School District board and was involved with People Acting in Community Together (PACT) for seven years. Those experiences enable her to move comfortably into her new position as a member of the city council.

"It's almost like a school board meeting," she said.

Academics apparently play an integral part in Chirco's career. In addition to sitting on the Cambrian School District board, she worked to establish homework centers at local public schools and was a member of San Jose Schools/City Collaborative. Former Mayor Susan Hammer, who sits on the Santa Clara County Board of Education, endorsed her.

As Chirco takes office there will be two major projects within District 9 that directly concern Willow Glen residents: the Hacienda Gardens project at Foxworthy and Meridian avenues and the progress of the Rainbow Recovery home on Kilo Avenue, which provides temporary housing for people with a history of substance abuse.

The southern part of Willow Glen in District 9 begins south of Curtner Avenue, west of Booksin Avenue and again south of Husted Avenue, and Chirco will be representing those constituents.

The area she now represents brings back fond memories, especially the Hacienda Gardens Shopping Center before it slowly gave way to wear and tear.

"I used to go there all the time," Chirco said. "I'd go there with my family to the PW Market and later stop by the Marie Callender's restaurant."

One of Diquisto's last actions was to encourage the council to allow developer Mark Tersini of Hacienda Gardens, LLC to redevelop the 20.6-acre center into a residential and retail mixed-use center.

"I think mixed use is good," Chirco said. But she has a different opinion about increasing the occupancy of recovery homes.

"I do have concerns about whether a recovery home is a 'home' or a business," she said.

The Rainbow Recovery management had requested that the city approve a request allowing the home to increase its occupancy from six to 17. Such a growth startled nearby neighbors, who argued that the program was a for-profit business and should not be permitted to operate in the neighborhood.

Chirco acknowledged that the recovery home doesn't exactly serve as a family setting, but she "cares deeply about community service." And she kept that in mind when creating her staff.

"I have a wonderful team for District 9," Chirco said. "When you have a great team and a good community then the load is lighter and the company is wonderful."

Chirco's team has a daunting challenge to face during her term, which ends December 2006, as Gov. Gray Davis announced a $3.4 billion state budget deficit earlier this month.

"The question for us is, 'How can we maintain the integrity of the community in light of the budget cuts?' " Chirco said. "Looking for answers is what excites me. It's work that energizes me, and I feel good about coming to work each morning."

District 9 city council member Judy Chirco can be reached at 801 N. First St., Room 600. Call 408.277.5275 or write to judy.chirco@ci.sj.ca.us.