Willow Glen Resident
News
Green was the color du jour at an environmental forum
By Monica Heger
Green was the key word--a greener city, greener buildings and green business practices. Four San Jose mayoral hopefuls discussed their positions on environmental issues at a United Way forum.
Council members Chuck Reed and Dave Cortese, deputy district attorney David Pandori and businessman Michael Mulcahy participated in the May 15 debate. San Jose Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez was absent due to a scheduling conflict.
The major topics were land use and the preservation of open space, as the future council will face decisions on several major development planned for North San Jose, Evergreen and Coyote Valley.
Pandori, who opposes all three developments, was a crowd favorite, drawing the most applause.
"The plan in North San Jose will add 50 miles of congested freeways," Pandori said.
He said the city needs a new approach to the development of the Coyote Valley.
"Instead of rushing ahead with planning Coyote Valley, I think we ought to rethink the whole thing. We need to find a way to grow in."
Pandori is the only candidate who has expressed complete opposition to the Coyote Valley development.
Mulcahy and Cortese have more neutral stances. They said while environmental factors must be heavily weighed, they do not oppose the plan altogether.
Reed reaffirmed his support for Coyote Valley as an industrial reserve.
"Coyote Valley is about jobs. It's been an industrial reserve for decades," Reed said.
Reed said he would support industry in Coyote Valley and would consider building housing concurrently with jobs.
When discussion shifted to green buildings and green business practices, it was apparent San Jose lacks initiative compared to cities such as San Francisco and Portland.
Candidates were asked what they would do to change San Jose's attitude toward the environment and make it a bigger priority.
Mulcahy said San Jose needs to step up and set the example for private businesses. He criticized the new $500 million city hall for not being LEED--Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design--certified, a measure by which buildings are declared sustainable, and for leaving the lights on at night. He also reaffirmed his commitment to attracting clean technology to San Jose. He said not only would that bring in jobs and economic growth, but it would also raise environmental awareness and make San Jose a cleaner city.
Cortese said he supported green businesses but said incentives might be needed to encourage the private sector to adopt green- friendly strategies.
Reed said the city was working toward getting city hall LEED certified; however, he said, businesses should become green on their own initiative.
Pandori said he supported setting guidelines for the private sector, adding there were many misconceptions about green business practices. He said it was a myth that green business practices are more costly.
