Willow Glen Resident

Letters & Opinions

WGBA volunteers more helpful than critics

By Michael Mulcahy and Norma Ruiz

After reading the letter about the Willow Glen Business Association from Michael Julian in the April 6 issue of the Willow Glen Resident ("Lincoln needs more than a coat of paint"), those of us who are active in the WGBA--formerly the Willow Glen Business and Professional Association--realized that many residents probably don't have enough information about our work or how they can get involved to make a difference in our efforts.

We are the same organization that brings you Dancin' on the Avenue and holiday decor, advocates for street and sewer improvements, and this September will partner with the Italian American Heritage Foundation to bring the 27th annual Italian Family Festa to Lincoln Avenue, integrating our long-lost Founder's Day Parade among other activities.

We have one staff member, and our budget comes from a fee paid by businesses and property owners located in the neighborhood business district in and around Lincoln Avenue. Everything we do is driven by volunteerism--our board, our events and our advocacy. Without volunteers and the efforts of the WGBA, past and present, it is scary to think how scathing Mr. Julian's letter could have been. So first, let's thank the hundreds of volunteers who have helped to make Willow Glen a great place to live, eat, shop and stroll. No matter their role, volunteers are contributing to the progress we are making in growing into a vibrant downtown district.

But let's get to the heart of Mr. Julian's letter: We think paint does matter. Cleaner and brighter storefronts show that business owners care. Well-kept planters and updated archways will show that the Avenue appreciates its customers. And we know that visitors and residents do judge the Avenue by how it looks, as well they should. That's why we are taking it very seriously. Because our association is made up of business and property owners, there are many quick fixes we can take responsibility for addressing. That's exactly what "April--Pride of Willow Glen Month" is trying to do.

Sewer and safety is not such a quick fix, and the challenge is that we don't have the same control of that process; the city of San Jose does. We are not only mindful that more work needs to be done in these areas, but we have a committee specifically engaged in the advocacy that needs to be done to gain the city's attention. The result of that committee's work can be seen in three significant sewer projects in two years on the Avenue, most recently in the area around La Villa.

It's easy to be a keyboard critic when criticisms and ideas can just flow from the comfort of your computer. However, when you are a business district like ours that has faced an annual reduction in city services like every other corner of our city, and no maintenance fund to draw from such as Santana Row or the redevelopment agency-supported districts such as downtown Campbell and downtown Los Gatos, we have to tackle many projects ourselves and work on our city departments and leadership to reinvest into our district. We assure you, that is no easy task.

Bottom line, we need more keyboard critics to step up and get involved; don't just launch insults at the volunteers trying to do something to improve the district. Put some effort in to help us.

We recognize that to be successful, we have to pull together to make a difference. Your input is appreciated because it makes us think. But we more appreciate the dozens of calls we get that ask how someone can get more involved. Come to our monthly meetings; they are held the second Tuesday of each month, 8-10 a.m. at US Bank (corner Lincoln and Willow). You can also reach our office by calling 408.298.2100 or by e-mail at norma@down townwillowglen.org.

Michael Mulcahy is the president of the Willow Glen Business Association; Norma Ruiz is the organization's executive director.