San Jose Fire Station No. 6 in Willow Glen had been the focus of debate because Mayor Ron Gonzales recommended the elimination of a hose wagon and three firefighters at the station as part of the city's effort to bridge a $58 million deficit.

The June 14 reversal came after a hard-fought battle by District 6 Councilman Ken Yeager who sent a memorandum to the mayor on May 19 arguing the importance of retaining the station's current staffing levels and equipment. Willow Glen residents and firefighters also came out in force at the June 13 public hearing to oppose the move.

Ellen Santomauro, first vice-president of the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association, pointed out that the hose wagon was a crucial piece of equipment especially when it came to maneuvering through Willow Glen's narrow streets.

"I've lost track of the number of times that Station No. 6 has responded to elderly heath issues just on my street alone," Santomauro said.

The association spearheaded a petition drive and collected 200 signatures, which were sent to the mayor on May 23.

Other residents, including Ed Rast, president of the association, Jim Spence, a board member, and Susan Espinoza, raised concerns about delayed response time.

Espinoza, who has a son with a congenital heart problem, has depended on firefighters at Station No. 6 for the past 18 years to save her son's life.

"If it wasn't for them and their quick response time, Marcus wouldn't be alive today," she said. "Now you're saying that Willow Glen has no coverage when the air unit is gone and it's going to take 8 to 10 minutes before another engine can come. My son will be dead."

At the council meeting, Yeager suggested taking money out of four programs that are not directly providing service to residents as a trade-off for retaining the equipment and personnel at the fire station.

"When you think of the air unit in Willow Glen, this equipment serves all of the city," he said. "This is not a district issue. It's a citywide issue."

The amended budget passed, with Gonzales casting the lone "No" vote on the proposal, calling the move to tear apart the budget "bad public policy."

City branch libraries also benefited from a council compromise. The mayor had proposed keeping all libraries open seven days a week, with reduced service on one day.

At the public hearing, librarians and patrons rallied against Gonzales' plan to open branch libraries on Sundays, because they said there are not enough users to warrant being open. Other concerns were that the librarians' hours would be cut and the level of service would decrease significantly.

The council voted unanimously to maintain the current level of library services, going against the mayor's recommendation, but compromised on the reduction in Monday hours and agreed to open some branch libraries on Sundays. The branch libraries are currently open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. but that will change to 2 to 7 p.m.

Willow Glen Branch library manager Ruth Kohan was pleased with the decision to maintain full services.

"We don't think the public will be well served without librarians."

Though Kohan is disappointed with reduced Monday hours, she said, "At least these are the hours the students are coming in after school, and we'll still be able to help them and provide a safe place for them."

For Espinoza, saving the hose wagon and firefighters at Fire Station No. 6, is sweet relief.

"If you put your heart and mind to it, you can fight city hall," she said.

Yeager believes the equipment and personnel at the station are here to stay. "The support was so overwhelming I don't see the mayor making future attempts to cut it again."

Staff writer Michele Leung contributed to this story.