Willow Glen Resident

Letters & Opinions

Speak Out

Police have been quick
to respond when called

In response to the opinion letter in the May 17 issue of the Willow Glen Resident ("Willow Glen is a low priority for police,") Terri Young discussed his bad experience with the responsiveness of the San Jose Police Department. I am compelled to write the contrary. Having lived in Willow Glen for the past four years, my family has had nothing but quick, courteous and professional response from the police department, as well as their 911 dispatch.

Having lived in some of the finest cities in California, I was initially apprehensive about moving to San Jose. But, at the continued recommendations of some long-time Willow Glen residents, we moved to our home on Glen Eyrie Avenue. We utilized the city's police services right away, after accidentally setting off the new alarm system several times and getting used to new noises at night--luckily, just two giant raccoons.

There has been some criminal activity in our area, but, with every call to the police since we moved in, we have received as good or better responses than any other place we've lived.

In addition, it was only recently that we learned San Jose is ranked the No. 1 safest "big" city (over 500,000 population) in the United States (according to Morgan Quitno Press, an independent private research and publishing company located in Lawrence, Kan., which specializes in reference books that compare states and cities in several different subject areas).

Safe cities don't just happen. Safe cities are the direct result of police response. Safe cities are the result of long, hard work and dedication by the men in blue, with the continued support of funding, elected officials and local government staff.

Carl and Nancy Yeats

Glen Eyrie Avenue

BevMo would add foot
traffic and choices

Lincoln Avenue is on the verge of a significant change that could go a number of ways, but my family is investing and reinvesting significantly in the community because we believe the momentum is positive.

In the next five years, we predict more than 40 percent of the buildings will be purchased by investors who can grow an under- served market and meet the needs of our dedicated community and bring consumers in from outside Willow Glen.

Willow Glen competes with all the other retail, mixed-use areas of San Jose and Santa Clara and Santa Clara County. It's stiff, wealthy and organized competition. Willow Glen is not as cohesive as Santana Row, Valley Fair, Los Gatos or our nearby neighbors in Campbell. But it is unique and drives significant tax revenue for the city of San Jose.

The proposed Beverages & More site could easily be leased to a title company, a bank or a real estate company. Is that what the residents really want or need?

This avenue needs more destination spots to spur on foot traffic that will benefit small business owners. A successful regional brand like BevMo could be that catalyst. It could also help attract more diversified shops.

BevMo is a specialty retailer of liquor, wine and party needs. Willow Glen households have shopped at its stores and know the business does not attract the bad element one might associate with conventional liquor stores. BevMo's market is home entertainment.

The owners will make every effort to integrate into our business district without disturbing the residents. This is a well-run company that truly believes it can fill a need in Willow Glen.

My family has lived in Willow Glen for 55 years. We invested in this district because we love this area and want it to flourish like it did years ago. All we are attempting to do is provide variety on Lincoln Avenue.

If you want a more vibrant avenue please support us and other local investors who are striving to make it happen.

Tim Mulcahy

Cherry Avenue

Voting record over 4
years is what counts

Thank you for the article on the District 9 candidates running for office ("David Cueva challenges Chirco for District 9 council seat, May 24"). It's very interesting to read about what Judy Chirco says she has done for our district during the last four years. But what is essentially missing is her cumulative council voting record over that period of time.

How can any constituent vote for an incumbent if they can't analyze the most important information: how well that representative has reflected her voters' views?

The Willow Glen Resident needs to obtain and print her voting record, as well as the voting records of all the council members running for mayor. It's nice to see interviews with candidates, but their voting records for the last four years is what really counts.

Joe Czosek

Briarwood Drive

Chavez chose to ignore
city council procedure

Regarding the article in the May 17 issue of the Willow Glen Resident ("Campos, Pyle question Cortese on Evergreen project involvement,") I believe that the current council rules require that any accusations of council member misconduct should have been placed on the rules committee agenda 72 hours prior to the meeting, not 24 hours as stated in the story.

The article overlooked an important fact that Cindy Chavez is the chair of the rules committee. She decided to ignore council procedure by failing to place the accusation issue on the rules committee agenda, and instead, allowed the issue to be inappropriately raised as part of normal council business. Her decisions smack of political convenience, and the resulting council fire drill dashes what few remaining particles of credibility Chavez has with informed voters.

Matt Hood

Hicks Avenue

According to the San Jose city clerk's office, 72 hours is the required time period for items being placed on the agenda, but it's 24 hours for notification when a council member is accused of misconduct.

--Editor's Note