Willow Glen Resident
News
Residents still debating choices for their District 6 council seat
By Mayra Flores De Marcotte
San Jose Councilman Ken Yeager is leaving large shoes to fill, but city council candidates Steve Tedesco, Pierluigi Oliverio, Art Maurice, Clark Williams, and Jim Spence are explaining to Willow Glen residents how they can fill them.
The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association held a candidates forum on Oct. 11, offering residents a chance to hear what each candidate is bringing to the table.
Some residents saw it as another chance to hear the candidates, who had been walking the precincts and speaking with neighbors door to door. It was also an opportunity to see the faces behind the lawn signs scattered throughout the district.
But even after the two-hour forum was over and questions ranging from positions on historic preservation to what they do with their free time were addressed, there was no front-runner.
"Each candidate had great ideas and presented them effectively," said Willow Glen resident Jack Stallard, "but there isn't a clear leader."
Stallard divides the candidates down into two categories--experience and ideas.
As far as experience goes, Stallard said Tedesco and Spence clearly outshine the other candidates, but when it comes to new and inventive ideas, Oliverio and Williams stand out.
"It's just difficult to choose now," he said.
Willow Glen residents Jean and Charlie Luckhardt find themselves having the same difficulties.
"Each candidate thought out their answers to the questions and gave nice presentations," Jean Luckhardt said.
Both residents thought all the candidates acted like gentlemen and that the forum was the most civilized presentation they had witnessed to date.
"We are privileged to have a nice group, but it's a toss-up," Luckhardt said. "There isn't a clear frontrunner."
Luckhardt said a runoff in April appears certain.
Still, one resident who requested anonymity said she thought Tedesco, Williams and Oliverio were ahead of the group.
Tedesco's experience, Williams' endorsement by Yeager, and the fact that Oliverio is not beholden to special interests impressed her.
The forum gave her a better understanding of each candidate's personality, but "only one can represent me."
Willow Glen resident Spencer Horowitz was interested primarily in the candidates' stance on the monster-homes ordinances in San Jose. After each had answered the question, Horowitz was able to single out which best represented his views.
"Williams was the only one, I think, that addressed this issue," Horowitz said.
All of the candidates were courteous at the forum, Willow Glen resident Gary Roberts said.
"They are all on the same page, so it's hard to say who is ahead," Roberts noted.
He is intrigued with Oliverio and the way he speaks, the amount of experience Tedesco brings to the table, and Maurice's energy, but is still undecided. Many in District 6 face the same problem.
