What a great way to kick off the Christmas weekend. Bring wagons and strollers, so the little ones can enjoy the walk about. ADMISSION: At least one can for our Second Harvest Food Drive. (Okay, we really won't make sure you pay up, but I hope everyone who can afford an extra can or two will drop them in the bin.)

David Wilkins

David Wilkins

I would like to present my August 2011 Newsletter, D2 Review - Volume 3 Issue 8. Please click on the link below:

August 2011 Newsletter

Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Thank you!

Sincerely,
Ash

Office of Councilmember Ash Kalra
200 East Santa Clara Street, San José, CA 95113
p: (408) 535-4902 f: (408) 292-6451
district2updates@sanjoseca.gov
www.sjdistrict2.com

With the successful Spring Fling/Festival in the Park just a few weeks ago, the SLNA Board decided not to organize a formal National Night Out tonight. One of the benefits of our June festival was to bring neighbors together in a social atmosphere and meet one another--the primary goal of NNO. So, we accomplished what we would have done tonight in an organized event in the park. However, the spirit of the evening is important, though, and shouldn't get dropped. Our neighborhood safety is not just the responsibility of our Yellow-5 SJPD team--it's ours. We hold in our hands, the best crime prevention available to us: knowing our neighbors and looking out for them, as we do ourselves.

I'll ask you a simple question. When was the last time you stopped to chat with your next door neighbor?

David Wilkins

I saw a few of you at the Mayor's presentation of the city budget status the other day at Southside Community Center. I asked for the Power Point presentation for those of you who are interested and couldn't make it. It's been posted on our website. The link is below:
http://slna.org/communications/2011/04/D2_BudgetPresententation.pdf

Also, I know many of you are still leery of the High Speed Rail project. As you know, I've been involved in a Community Working Group to help determine the visual guidelines. (e.g. what will sound walls look like, bridges, etc). At last night's meeting, we discussed various locations and views for a simulation video, to let people see what the HSR will look like from the street, footpaths, the bike trail etc. Our stretch of Monterey will be included. I'm hoping we'll see how the lane shifts will look. I also asked for Monterey Road at the new pedestrian crossing bridge. We need to understand how the Monterey southbound exit to Blossom Hill will look, along with the bridge. By the way, I've invited the HSR team to our Spring Fling/Festival in the Park for an informational booth. They have detailed maps, sample photos...tons of information, as well as team members to answer your questions. I'm waiting for a confirmation, but they seemed eager to participate. So, now you have ANOTHER reason to come to the park on Saturday, June 25th.

David Wilkins

Linked is the April Newsletter from Bernal Intermediate School, pasted unedited. Remember, schools are important to us all, even those without school age children. It's good to read and know what's going on.

Let me know and I'll pass on the phone number.

David Wilkins

You must show identification with an address inside our Silver Leaf Neighborhood. This costly event is a reward for our members only. With the restricted number of dumpsters, we can't afford to open this up to other communities.

Please, "reasonable amount" of debris. Up to pick up size is acceptable. We don't have the room for commercial dumping or huge trucks.

We'll have the normal restrictions on no tires, chemicals, etc. The dumpsters should have a placard to help us decide.

Also, sometimes we have hiccups in the timing of the dumpster pickups and dropping off of the next one. There may be a few minutes wait in between, so be patient with the volunteers. It's in our best interest to drop the dumpsters as quickly as possible and let the line speed along. We don't want to stand around any more than you want to wait. Be kind and pleasant, pretending that you're Momma is running the event.

I'll be manning the line to check ID's. You'll be asked to sign a sheet. We really appreciate an email address from you so that you can be informed of projects that impact our Silver Leaf Neighborhood.

See you there! Don't forget, if you can volunteer, please reply.

David Wilkins

Below that, is an article from Tracy Seipel, writing about San Jose's attempt to have more power to pave a few sections of highways, including Monterey. You'll note, unfortunately, their interest ends at Blossom Hill Road. We will attempt to find out why. It's possible that because the repaving of our section is already scheduled (or promised), it's less of an immediate concern.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Roosevelt Community Center: 901 East Santa Clara Street

Police Report (from Lt Harper):

1. No parking signs have been posted along Monterey Highway near Blossom Hill to discourage trucks. After a short grace period, they will be cited. Additionally, No Trespassing signs have been posted along the railroad tracks. Pedestrians found on the rail side of the signs will be ticketed. Lastly, a fence will be erected parallel with the tracks near Blossom Hill to provide a physical barrier to prevent crossing. This is a high-level safety concern, as we've experienced a fatality of a neighbor earlier this year.
2. The police substation will be onboard Fall 2010.
3. During Q&A, we discussed the continuing problems on Southwind from Section 8 housing. There have been assaults and a drug overdose. Legal action has been taken, and one of the homeowners has been notified of the problem.
4. If you see any drug activity in the neighborhood, call 911 or 311. Also, you can call 971-DRUG, which is anonymous. The important thing is to keep the police informed. They need our eyes and ears.

District Two Report (from Councilman Ash Kalra):

1. Lowes is scheduled to open in spring of 2010
2. Hitachi site development is on hold, due to the economy. There are approximately 3,000 high density homes planned for the area. The initial developer (Signature Homes) has pulled out. Even though the construction is on hold, the parks have been completed and are open to the public.
3. The Edenvale Community Center on Branham East (near the new library) will be opening in 2010.
4. Santa Teresa Library is scheduled to reopen in February. The new building is approximately twice the size of the old. It will contain a large room available for community meetings, such as SLNA.
5. The pedestrian crossing bridge will break ground in the spring of 2010, with a scheduled completion by year's end.
6. Repaving Monterey continues to be a financial struggle, but Ash is working hard for funding. He had arranged for the head of San Jose Department of Transportation (DoT) to drive down our section of the road to confirm the dire situation. In addition to local pressure, Congress is pushing for the reauthorization of the Transportation Bill which would be a source of funding for the project. Ash and his staff will continue to push. He encourages the neighborhood's involvement, too, such as the petition launched on Facebook.
7. The city faces another huge budget deficit. This year, the gap is approximately $94 million. Ash is actively working with the city council on bridging the gap, trying to minimize the impact on city services.
8. There will be a community meeting on the High Speed Rail sometime in December, scheduled by Ash. He knows this is a “hot issue” for SLNA and will keep the communication going.
9. Ash provided some additional information on the Edenvale Housing Development on Ford Road. This is an affordable housing project already approved, but the plans have been modified based on community feedback. The document from Ash will be posted on our SLNA website this week. (www.slna.org) Please check back.

President's Message (from Randy Froh):

1. In 2010, we will continue with general meetings approximately once a quarter. The focus will be dispensing information through the emails and our website, rather than meetings.
2. The Second Harvest Food Drive will run November 23 through December 23. Collections will once again be at 81 Tennant Avenue (the “Humbug House”). Last year we filled three 55-gallon drums. Please bring cans when you stop by to see the Christmas Lights.
3. Randy is very involved in monitoring the plans and progress of the High Speed Rail, working with the HSR team to help minimize any negative effects on our neighborhood . There are three alternate proposed routes, but all three will follow Monterey Road by the SLNA community. Our concerns are the lane loss of Monterey, neighborhood safety, and the impact to beautification & noise(sound wall & electric wires). He will keep us informed.

Compiled by David Wilkins (dwilkins@slna.org)