Residents in Willow Glen and neighboring Sherman Oaks say Filice has been their lifeline into the city. Not only is he a regular at community meetings, but he has an open ear, consideration and tenacity to pursue their concerns, they say.

"I call Tony 'the Bulldog,' " says Harvey Darnell, North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association president. "I set him on something, and I just know it will be done."

Filice's persistence is also appreciated across Bird Avenue, in the Palm Haven neighborhood.

"He's really great about keeping issues alive and keeping the various city departments that we have to work with on their toes," says Michael Borbely, who heads the Palm Haven Restoration Committee.

In his 2 ¹/2 years as an aide, Filice has worked with neighbors on a wide range of projects, including the KB Home development at the old Del Monte cannery on Auzerais Avenue, noise issues at Alano Club West on Minnesota Avenue, public nuisance problems at the former D's Bar and Restaurant on Lincoln Avenue, and a potential dog park at Wallenberg Park on Curtner Avenue.

Filice worked closely with the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association on some of these projects, and the association's former president, Helen Solinski, says she is Filice's biggest fan.

Solinski has served nearly a decade on the neighborhood association board and said the city's support has never been better.

"My WGNA presidency was made a lot easier thanks to Tony," Solinski says.

Former North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association president Ken Eklund says Filice's help was also essential in the association's early years as it worked to become a neighborhood force.

"In our meetings, when we bring up a problem and we're not sure what do about it, he'd raise his hand and propose a solution," Eklund says. "He was with us for everything."

Native son

Born in San Jose and raised in Hollister, Filice began participating in student government in high school. In college, he majored in political science at Santa Clara University.

"I've always had a great love for politics and was trying to ultimately be part of it," Filice says.

His college career give Filice an opportunity to try his hand at different levels of government. In the summer of 2002, Filice interned with U.S. Rep. Sam Farr. That winter he interned in state Sen. John Vasconcellos' office and in spring 2003, interned with San Jose City Councilwoman Cindy Chavez.

Chavez represents District 3, which includes portions of north Willow Glen and the Greater Gardner neighborhood.

It was during his internship with Chavez that Filice discovered the appeal of working at the local government level. He worked on neighborhood issues and saw how the city could make an immediate impact on people's lives. He also enjoyed meeting constituents on a daily basis.

As his internship came to a close, Filice didn't have to look far for a job--Yeager's office was right next door.

"He's somebody I saw and was very impressed with," says Yeager, who recalls Filice as bright but a tad shy. "When we were looking for someone we asked him if he was interested in applying."

Yeager noticed that unlike some recent graduates interested in serving state or federal government, Filice had a growing interest in local affairs. Just months after graduating from Santa Clara University, Filice began working for Yeager.

As an aide, Filice speaks to constituents on issues ranging from land use and planning to parks, libraries, code enforcement and traffic calming. He frequently serves as a liaison between residents and city departments.

"It's a multifaceted job; you never know what the day is going to present," Yeager says. "They're very tough jobs. They don't pay much, and the hours are very long."

Filice was ready for the challenge. But neighborhood leaders say in the beginning he was "green."

Darnell remembers thinking, "Gee, he's awfully young."

Randi Kinman, who chairs the Burbank Del Monte Neighborhood Advisory Committee, was confident that Filice would grow into his position. As Yeager did, Kinman found him initially reserved and quiet, but smart, she says.

Filice won neighbors over by doing more than what was required, including sending neighborhood leaders an unofficial list of development projects every month or two and encouraging community participation.

Now 25, Filice is still modest and soft-spoken, but confident and comfortable when moving among District 6 residents.

"It's been extremely fun to watch him grow and develop," Kinman says. "Now he's comfortable dealing with a bunch of rowdy neighbors."

In Willow Glen, Filice can be found at Willow Glen Neighborhood Association, North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association and Greater Gardner Neighborhood Action Committee meetings, not to mention countless community meetings dealing with new planning projects and businesses on Lincoln Avenue.

The hours can be straining sometimes, Filice admits.

"No matter how long my days are, I know that my boss is out there working 10 times harder," he says.

Along with representing Yeager at meetings, Filice has a fair amount of autonomy to deal with issues. When working with constituents, Filice says, the most challenging thing is not being able to help those with unrealistic expectations, or when there is a misunderstanding of what the city can and cannot do.

Looking forward, Filice hopes one day to go to graduate school but has no plans to run for office.

Working for Yeager has thus far been excellent hands-on training, particularly in a community as active as Willow Glen, he says.

"The best thing is to be able to go home at the end of the night and know I've made a difference in trying to improve the community," Filice says.