NeighborWebSJ

NeighborWebSJ is a local online news site that grew out of a need for San Jose’s residents to connect with each other and City Hall in order to promote civic engagement. NWSJ covers local and community news with a focus on the diversity of its residents and their efforts to make their neighborhoods cleaner, safer and engaged. NWSJ is edited and published by Janice Rombeck, a former San Jose Mercury News editor and reporter, and supported by a grant from the Knight Foundation.

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Community Budget Meetings Take Off on More Upbeat Note Than Last Year’s

By Janice Rombeck

And Kelsey Lynn Lester-Perry

(http://www NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/MayorReedatDistrict10meeting NULL.jpg)Kelsey Lynne Lester-Perry | NeighborWebSJ

Mayor at D10 meeting.

San Jose’s 2012-2013 Budget show took to the road in early April with the optimistic tone of an upbeat musical compared to last year’s gloom and doom of a Shakespearean tragedy.

San Jose Council Districts 9, 10 and 3 hosted the first three Community Budget Meetings, which offered an update of the city’s financial picture, an explanation of how the budget works and a chance for city officials to answer residents’ questions and hear their concerns.

Unlike last year’s series of meetings that presented grim news about cutting library hours, closing community centers and laying off employees to fill a projected $110 million budget gap, residents are hearing about opening new libraries and a community center, adding back money to gang prevention efforts, repairing streets and continuing the Community Action and Pride neighborhood grant program. Continue reading

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San Jose Volunteer Cleanup Wins $10,000 Award From USA Weekend Magazine

By Janice Rombeck

San Jose is one of three cities to win a USA Weekend Magazine Make a Difference Day (http://makeadifferenceday NULL.com/) award for the efforts of a city-school-neighborhood collaboration to rid an East San Jose area of graffiti, litter and blight.

(http://www NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/DSCN1736-e1319664527250 NULL.jpg)Janice Rombeck | NeighborWebSJ

Volunteers wipe out graffiti.

The $10,000 award will be presented to the Strong Neighborhoods Program during National Volunteer Week on Thursday, April 19, in Washington D.C. East San Jose Neighborhood Resource Center staff member Marta Dominguez will accept the award from actor Kevin Bacon at a luncheon.

USA Today Weekend Award Team encouraged event organizers to apply for the award after reading NeighborWebSJ’s story (http://www NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com/?p=1507#more-1507) on the October 22, 2011, San Jose Make a Difference Day event.

“I’m exited. I’m proud. I’m happy,” said Dominguez. “We have a good team. We have accomplished a lot of things. We’ve engaged the community and made a difference.” Continue reading

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Outdoor Smoking Ban Extended to Patios, Waiting Lines, Condo Commons

By Janice Rombeck

And Kelsey Lynn Lester-Perry

This summer, smokers enjoying a cup of coffee or a cocktail at a restaurant outdoor patio will not legally be able to light up.

(http://www NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/BernadetteFernandes_age20_smokingoutsideof_LaLuneSucree_indowntownSJ NULL.jpg)Kelsey Lynne Lester-Perry | NeighborWebSJ

Patio smoking will be banned.

The San Jose City Council voted unanimously to extend the ban on outdoor smoking (http://www NULL.sanjoseca NULL.gov/clerk/Agenda/20120410/20120410_0501 NULL.pdf) to include outdoor patios, standing in line at ATMs or movie theaters and in common outdoor areas of apartment and condo complexes.

The vote on Tuesday, April 10, was followed by unanimous approval of another measure to promote the health of San Joseans – adding eight miles of bike lanes to streets (http://www NULL.neighborwebsj NULL.com/?p=1787)in or near Downtown San Jose,

“It’s a great day for public health in San Jose,” District 2 San Jose City Councilman Ash Kalra said at the meeting. Continue reading

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Candidates Sought for San Jose Planning Commission

Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Friday, May 11, for four open seats on the San Jose Planning Commission.

The Planning Commission advises and makes recommendations to the San Jose City Council on land use and development zoning and subdivision regulations, and capital improvement programs. The terms are for four years.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, registered voters and have lived in San Jose for one year before the appointment.

Applications will be reviewed by the mayor and city council members who will select candidates to interview. Those candidates will be interviewed at a city council meeting. Applicants receiving six or more votes, or the highest number of votes over six, will be appointed.

Applications and information is available at the Office of the City Clerk, 200 East Santa Clara Street, or by calling (408) 535-1265, or visiting the city’s web site.

Community Budget Meetings Scheduled for April and May

Community meetings about the city's 2012-2013 budget have been scheduled in all 10 San Jose City Council districts. The meetings are hosted by San Jose City Council members and city staff. For more information about the meetings, residents can call Ernest Azevedo at (408) 535-8119 or visit www.sanjoseca.gov/budget.

Tuesday, April 10

District 9, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Cambrian Branch Library, 1780 Hillsdale Avenue.

Wednesday, April 11

District 10, 6 to 8 p.m. at Almaden Winery Community Center, 5730 Chambertin Drive.

Monday, April 23

District 3, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Roosevelt Community Center, 901 E. Santa Clara Street.

Wednesday, April 25

District 7, 6 to 8 p.m., Tully Community Branch Library, 880 Tully Road.

Thursday, May 3

District 4, 6 to 8 p.m. Alviso Branch Library, 5050 N. First Street, Alviso.

Tuesday, May 8

District 2, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Southside Community & Senior Center, 5585 Cottle Road.

Wednesday, May 9

District 8, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m, LeyVa Middle School, 1865 Monrovia Drive.

Thursday, May 10

District 5, 6 to 8 p.m., Mayfair Community Center, 2039 Kammerer Avenue.

Wednesday, May 16

District 4, 6:30 8:30 p.m., Berryessa Branch Library, 3355 Noble Avenue.

Thursday, May 17

District 1, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Archbishop Mitty High School, 5000 Mitty Way.

Thursday, May 24

District 6, 6 to 8 p.m., Willow Glen Community Center, 2175 Lincoln Avenue.

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Community Budget Meetings Take Off on More Upbeat Note Than Last Year’s

San Jose Volunteer Cleanup Wins $10,000 Award From USA Weekend Magazine

Outdoor Smoking Ban Extended to Patios, Waiting Lines, Condo Commons

News Briefs

Candidates Sought for San Jose Planning Commission

Community Budget Meetings Scheduled for April and May