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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
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. What experience related to city government would you bring to the city council?
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Answer from Larry Pegram:
As a former San Jose Police Officer and two term San Jose City Councilmember, I bring first hand experience to the residents of San Jose.
My experience in law enforcement, city budgeting, land use, environmental issues, and employee relations gives me the depth of understanding necessary to hit the ground running in January.
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.
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2. What concerns are of particular importance to the city and how would you address them?
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Answer from Larry Pegram:
San Jose faces a fiscal crisis with a projected structural deficit of $40-60 million in 2011-2012. To do a job that is fair to all in our efforts to balance the upcoming budget, every item and program must be evaluated according to our responsibility to provide core city services.
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.
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3. How would you balance the needs of the city as a whole with groups' interests?
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Answer from Larry Pegram:
My priorities for allocating the city's resources can be found on my website, http://www.larrypegram.com. My decisions will be made based on those priorities.
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.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League. Answers must not refer directly or indirectly to another candidate.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
