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Councilmember Pete Constant
District 1, City of San José
200 East Santa Clara Street,18th Floor
San José, CA 95113
Telephone: (408) 535-4901
Fax: (408) 292-6448
Pete.Constant@sanjoseca.gov
www.sjdistrict1.com
Inside this Issue:
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Message from Pete
- Donate Your Fat
Helpful Links for D1 Residents:
Service Providers for D1 Residents:
277-4528 |
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535-3850 |
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535-3570 |
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Cypress Senior Center |
244-1353 |
Moreland West Community Center |
871-3821 |
Starbird Teen Center |
984-1954 |
West San José Community & Policing Center |
249-6580 |
277-8900 |
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| 808-2000 | |
Calabazas Branch Library |
996-1536 |
West Valley Branch Library |
244-4766 |
554-6391 |
Connecting to your government:
Important Phone Numbers:
City Hall Call Center |
535-3500 |
277-5305 |
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277-3208 |
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578-7297 |
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277-2762 |
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535-3555 |
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Bulky Item Pickup |
535-5300 |
Cable TV Complaints |
535-3500 |
277-4528 |
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Crime Prevention— Neighborhood Watch |
277-4133 |
Dead Animal Collection |
578-7297 |
535-3850 |
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277-3700 |
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Emergency Services |
277-4595 |
535-3515 |
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Green Team |
283-8500 |
299-7300 |
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998-5200 |
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723-4114 |
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99-TREES |
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Parks Concerns |
793-5510 |
Police Information |
277-2211 |
975-4480 |
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277-4444 |
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279-7900 |
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Senior Programs |
277-4561 |
277-3158 |
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296-8290 |
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Street Light Repair |
277-5517 |
277-4373 |
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535-5300 |
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277-4341 |
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792-5010 |
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535-3500 |
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Youth Services |
535-3570 |
The Neighborhood Limelight
Do you know a neighbor, local business, or organization that deserves to be recognized? Let us know! Please click here to request a commendation.
Questions or Suggestions?
If you have any questions about the District 1 Community Newsletter or would like to suggest topics or announcements for future issues, then please contact Mary Anne Groen at MaryAnne.Groen@sanjoseca.gov or you can call her at (408) 535-4901
You may click here to remove yourself from future mailings and/or change your preferences for receiving any mailings from us.
To review or update the contact information we have on file for you, please click here.
Message from Councilmember Pete Constant
This week voters had the opportunity to make choices for leaders in national, state, county, and city positions. It is our right and our privilege to vote so I am grateful for those of you who exercised that right and for the opportunity to be your representative in local government. I take my job seriously as your representative and as I communicate with you through this monthly newsletter I invite you to respond to the issues at hand by writing to me and letting me know what you feel is important.
One issue that weighs heavily on everyone's minds these days is the state of our economy. Jobs have been lost, home mortgages have been foreclosed on, and retail sales have plummeted. I have personally known the challenges of owning a small business and the struggle to make it profitable and that is why I have supported the re-birth of the Winchester Business Association (WBA). The WBA is working to strengthen the marketing of the businesses along Winchester Boulevard. I am working with the Redevelopment office with input from business and community leaders to develop a Master Plan to make the area a destination shopping district. Click here to read more about the Winchester Business Association and how residents can help to strengthen their local economy. Click here for a Master Plan flyer.
In these tough economic times we need to look for creative ways to continue to provide core city services. Providing for the safety of our children is a priority and many of you have expressed a desire to help out. That is why I pushed for a program to train volunteers to act as school crossing guards in their neighborhoods. Currently, this program is being evaluated by city staff. I will keep you updated on its progress.
I work hard to make informed decisions, often conducting my own in depth research on matters coming before the city council. In that vein, I recently requested additional information regarding alternatives to a proposed city-wide Inclusionary Housing Policy. I, along with Councilmember Oliverio asked our colleagues to direct staff to really do their homework before presenting only one option to the city council.
My concerns include whether there has been sufficient public outreach regarding the proposed policy, if San José really needs Inclusionary Housing, the significant impacts it will have on neighborhoods, and what alternatives exist. To read the memo I co-authored and submitted to the Rules and Open Government Committee regarding a request for additional information on the proposed Inclusionary Housing Policy click here. To view a flyer of upcoming public meetings to discuss the pros and cons of Inclusionary Housing click here.
After reading about a unique program where a person could lose weight and help world hunger programs inspired me to join forces with Generations Community Wellness to raise money by donating my fat. By following the health program designed by the staff at Generations Community Wellness I was able to lose fat, walk more, eat better, and raise money for Second Harvest Food Bank and Church World Service all at the same time! After losing 8 pounds and raising $500 for hunger relief programs through the Donate Your Fat program I have committed to another 40-day cycle and I encourage you to click here to read about the Donate Your Fat program and learn the truth about moving more and eating more fruits and vegetables.
Spreading information about great programs and events is one of the major goals of the District 1 newsletter and Web site. I want to connect you with the best resources, the most informative news, and the most exciting events available by opening up this newsletter to submissions from organizations who want to announce their event in the District 1 newsletter (with an email distribution list of over 5,000). For a complete guide to submitting an event notice for the District 1 monthly Newsletter click here.
Your Neighbor,
ECONOMY |
DONATE YOUR FAT |
KEEPING CONNECTED |
Support Your Local Economy
The task of promoting the local economy and local businesses has been the goal of city-wide neighborhood business associations, and Councilmember Pete Constant is leading the way to renewal in District 1 by helping to re-establish the Winchester Business Association (WBA). Located along Winchester Boulevard, businesses have come together to help each other growth and thrive. |
Councilmember Pete Constant Donates His Fat to Charity It's been forty days since the beginning of a new way of living for Councilmember Pete Constant. After learning about the Donate Your Fat program and how by losing fat you could help raise money for world hunger relief programs, Constant contacted Dan McClure, the CEO of Generations Community Wellness Center to sign up. |
How to Submit an Event Notice
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| WHAT'S HAPPENING IN DISTRICT 1? |
Winchester Master Plan |
District 1 Leadership Group Meeting |
| Murder Mystery Dinner Friday, November 14, 2008 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Cypress Senior Center - 403 S Cypress Ave., San José Come out and be a part of the action! The will be a contest on who can discover the Murderer.Your fellow seniors will be the entertainment, but which one is the “Murderer” is the question? For more information call the Cypress Senior Center at (408) 244-1353. |
| Crime and Gang Prevention Summit Saturday, November 15, 2008 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. San José City Hall Rotunda - 200 E. Santa Clara Street, San José The Mayor's Gang Prevention Task Force is holding their 1st Crime and Gang Prevention Summit. Come learn ways to avoid gang related activities and find resources to keep teens out of the streets. Lunch will be provided. Space is limited so call and reserve your ticket early by calling (408) 535-4800. Click here to view the flyer. |
| Electronic Waste Recycling Free! Saturday, November 15, 2008 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Moreland Community Center - 1850 Fallbrook Ave., San José Sponsored by the Volunteer Center of Silicon Valley in partnership with Councilmember Pete Constant Council. For more information contact: 408-943-9943 or info@earthcarerecycling.com. Click here to view flyer. |
| Book Sale - Friends of the West Valley Library Saturday, November 15, 2008 West Valley Library - 1243 San Tomas Aquino Road, San José 9:00 a.m. - 10 a.m. Friends Shop First 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. General Sale (Specials discounted at 1 p.m.) 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. $2 Bag Sale (all the books you can put in a grocery bag for $2) Do some early Christmas shopping at the Friends Book Sale. All proceeds benefit the branch library and its programs, adding much needed funding in tight budget times. For more information call the West Valley Library at (408) 244-4766. |
| The Bay Area Youth Rugby Football Club Saturday, November 15, 2008 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 pm San Jose Rose Garden - Between Naglee Ave. and Garden Dr. Ages range from 5-14 for the youth league. Practices will be on Sunday afternoons at 12:00 p.m. For more information call Coach Brian McDonald at (408) 833-5930 or click here to view flyer. |
| How to Talk About Money and Still Hold Hands Tuesday, November 16, 2008 6:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. Special Location: Calabazas Park Recreation Room (across the street from the library) Do you and your partner have difficulty discussing financial matters? A financial advisor and a marriage and family therapist will team up to present a workshop on how to talk about money and still keep the peace. Learn how to plan for a secure financial future that works for both of you. For more information, contact Ruth at 996-1536 or 996-1535. |
Community Office Hours |
Thanksgiving Story Time |
| Holiday Donation Drive - Sponsored by the Blackford NAC Saturday, November 22, 2008 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Church of Scientology Parking Lot - 650 Saratoga Ave., San José There are four ways to participate in this Holiday Donation Drive. Come out and donate blood in the Stanford Blood Mobile, donate E-waste, exchange your old mercury thermometer, and/or bring donations for the Salvation Army Truck. For more information click here. |
| FUTURE EVENTS |
| Benefit Concert for Moreland School District Music Programs Featuring Pianist Jon Nakamatsu Saturday, December 6, 2008 7:00p.m. - 8:30pm Thomas Kinkade Center for the Arts Archbishop Mitty High School 5000 Mitty Ave., San José Support music education in the Moreland School District as you join your neighbors for an intimate performance by Jon Nakamatsu. For tickets please email tickets@mefhome.org or smyers1099@aol.com. You may also go to mefhome.org and click on “Jon Nakamatsu Tickets” or call 973-1067. Click here to view flyer. |
| UPCOMING DEADLINES |
| Community Improvement Awards Deadline for Submission - December 12, 2008 Here is an opportunity to recognize the hard work that neighborhood groups and volunteers put into improving the appearance of San José! Categories include new landscaping, beautification projects, exterior home remodels, historic renovations, commercial improvements and “green” projects. For more information, please visit San José Beautiful website or call their office at (408) 723-1574. |
| AEC 2008 Student Impact/Teach for Excellence Mini-Grants Application Period open – Due Oct. 31, 2008 The AEC, under the auspice of United Way Silicon Valley, cordially invites all teachers and program managers who work directly with at-risk students in Santa Clara County to apply for Student Impact/Teach for Excellence mini-grants. This is an opportunity to develop creative projects, hands-on/experiential activities, service learning or field trips that specifically engage and enhance the learning for our at-risk (for dropping out of school) population through mini-grants up to $500. The application and instructions may be found online at the UWSV website. |
PETE IN THE NEWS
November 2, 2008
San Jose Mercury News, Internal Affairs: Flip-flops on San Jose council? Perish the thought
Lest you think him a mere mercenary, Constant added that he came to peace with Measure J after "long talks with the mayor" and city administrators, who assured him that they had no plans to pull a future switcheroo and re-route the 911 fee into areas besides public safety. He also made known his concerns about the council "setting a precedent of, 'Let's put this fee out there, and if somebody complains or we get sued, we'll have the voters legitimize it."
October 29, 2008
The Metro Fly, Cop Vs. Cop
"They're not happy with me these days," Constant observed, though he thinks that in these economic times, the union should take the 5.5 percent raise the city offered and run to the bank.
October 28, 2008
San Jose Mercury News, San Jose council gives nod to proposal for Willow Glen business district
"I don't think it should take an act of the council every time to make minor adjustments," Councilman Pete Constant said.
October 20, 2008
San Jose Mercury News, San Jose council members looking for answers on high rate of drunk arrests
Councilman Pete Constant said the numbers show only the city's lack of tolerance for drunken behavior. "Just because other cities have decriminalized this kind of behavior or said it's not that important, doesn't mean we should," said Constant, a former San Jose police officer. "If you are out drinking and can't control yourself, then San Jose is not for you. You should go to one of those other places. We really care about our quality of life and the safety."
October 14, 2008
San Jose Mercury News, Police 'sunshine' proposal worries San Jose mayor, council members
The other council members on the rules committee - Judy Chirco and Pete Constant, a retired police officer - agreed. The committee suggested that the city attorney and administration report back in two weeks on suggestions for a more limited disclosure requirement.
October 10, 2008
San Jose Mercury News, Pizarro: Public Service
Lots of public servants and other notables will be serving up food at the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits' inaugural "Be Our Guest" luncheon Oct. 30 at the Rotary Summit Center in San Jose. San Jose City Councilman Kansen Chu will be the maitre'd, and celebrity servers will include his council colleagues Pete Constant and Forrest Williams...
October 8, 2008
San Jose Mercury News, Herrera, Waite battle it out in San Jose's District 8
"What San Jose needs right now are more people who are true fiscal conservatives, who really understand the impact and intricacies of budgeting," Constant said. "Pat really knows how to read a balance sheet."
October 8, 2008
The Metro, ... and BART Counterpoint
Staffers said that Reed just doesn't get upset when people disagree over policy matters. "He's not happy that I'm opposing it, but he's not mad at me personally," Constant said.