|
The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Experience,
Concerns,
Balance,
Contributions
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
 |
1. What experience related to city government would you bring to the City Council?
|
Answer from David Cueva:
What San Jose Needs is a fresh new perspective without the bias and baggage that career politicians bring. My background includes 20 years of hands on business experience in the field of accounting and finance. I am known as a problem solver and good negotiator. I plan to use these skills to bring about a fiscally sound City Government.
Answer from Donald Rocha:
Prior to my current work as a Business Development Officer I served as a Chief of Staff to one City Councilmember, and as a Council Asistant to two other Councilmembers. I have also served as a District Director to a State Assemblymember, and as a Legislative Assistant to another State Assemblymember.
Answer from Jim Cogan:
I have served my community in City Hall as a Council Assistant and Chief of Staff for ten years. I have worked with countless groups, neighborhood associations and residents to cut through the red tape of City Hall in order to find a solution to their particular problem.
|
2. What concerns are of particular importance to the city and how would you address them?
|
Answer from David Cueva:
The deficits that appear inevitable for the next 5 years that will cripple the city financially unless changes are made to our pension plans and city operations. If changes and new ideas are not implemented to lessen the deficit, we can then expect future reduction of city services and taxes increases. We need to look at our internal processes, procedures and contracts too see if they still make sense given the uncertainty and volatility of todays economy. Next year it is estimated that another 70 million will have to be paid into the cities present pension plan. We can no longer afford this type of expense. Adding a new two tier system would make more sense for the future as long as it can become a collaborative effort between the city and the unions.
Answer from Jim Cogan:
The budget deficit, economy and potential loss of critical services are the biggest concerns that I have heard from voters.
San Jose is a City of two budget deficits. There is the current fiscal year deficit and the ongoing structural deficit. Both have been caused by San Jose spending beyond its revenue. We must focus on providing our core competencies and ensure that the inevitable cuts are in non-core services, just like we all do with our home budgets. Everyone agrees that closing our budget deficits requires concessions from our employees. I believe that we need to use strategies that are likely to work and not doomed to fail. We need to take a collaborative approach rather than the current adversarial approach that will likely end in a stalemate and loss of core services.
We must invest in economic development and streamline our processes to make San Jose the best City to do business in and with.
Answer from Donald Rocha:
- Balance the budget at City Hall and get "Back to Basics", spending tax payer dollars on those services and programs that are most important to residents.
- Improve our local economy through the attraction and retention of employment opportunities with public partnerships supporting the corporate community.
- Ensure that neighborhood services such as community center programs for our youth and seniors, library funding, homework centers, crossing guards, and street pavement management are not cut to unacceptable levels.
|
3. How would you balance the needs of the City as a whole with groups' interests?
|
Answer from David Cueva:
I have told my constinuents that there is no time for politics and special interests in San Jose. We need to create a functioning government that benefits the greater good of the community not just one particuliar group. Everyone will have to pitch in and all ideas and plans need to be implemented for the greater good.
Answer from Jim Cogan:
As a Councilmember, my job will be to support groups' interests that are aligned with the interests of the City. For example, I am supported by the Police and Firefighters, because I do not support laying off firefighters and police officers. Public Safety is always the number 1 priority of voters and reducing our force will only increase response times and put residents at risk. This is unacceptable to me.
Answer from Donald Rocha:
I will work just as hard as a Councilmember as I have as a School Board Member on behalf of children and teachers. I will do the same on the City COuncil in order to save City Services that residents pay taxes for and consider their priorities. I will be an advocate for the residents in order to ensure that those critical services are maintained. Services such as:
police and fire;
keeping libraries open more then three days a week;
maintaining our parks and ensuring they and the restrooms are open in the evening and on the weekends;
community centers and the programs they offer our youth and the seniors.
|
4. How much money do you expect to raise/ spend on your race, and how will you assure voters that financial contributions will not affect your decisions/positions should you be elected?
|
Answer from Donald Rocha:
Despite the current economic conditions, my goal is to raise the full $96,814, and I am also committed to a reasonable personal contribution to ensure victory. I am honored to say that in the first two contribution reports I continue to lead in fundraising. I can assure the public that financial contributions will have no impact on any decision I may make as an elected official. My role as an elected official is as a public servant, and my focus will be to serve the public, not special interests.
Answer from Jim Cogan:
I am still raising money and will likely finish having raised $60,000 to $65,000.
Communication and Accountability:
A key part of my platform is working to improve communication and accountability by developing neighborhood associations. These associations will provide a critical and missing link in keeping City Hall accountable to the needs of our neighborhoods.
I am already doing this work as the President and co-founder of the Erikson Neighborhood Association. Our association has become a model of success, helping to catch two suspected auto-burglars, reducing the incidents of graffiti and keeping City Hall accountable for promised road improvements to Branham Ln. I am consulting with other neighborhoods to help them replicate our success.
Answer from David Cueva:
We will probably spend no more than $5,000 on the campaign. It is important to me that I receive the endorsement of the people I have more interest in gaining their trust and vote instead of their hard earned money. No money or special interest group will affect my decision making. If elected to be the voice of district 9 I will do my due diligence to adhere to the people's needs and requirements. If for some reason I cannot, it's my responsibility to explain to them. Why? As a civil servant it is my duty to report everything to my employers.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
| 
League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
