 Japantown
News - Late April 2003 (information, legislators list, letter writing tips)
The significance of a financial meltdown!
We are in a good position, generally speaking.
We've survived 100 years and expect to survive at least that many more!
However---
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As you all are aware, the State of
California and all our cities are in a time of severe budget cuts. Our
Redevelopment Agency of San Jose has helped all the Business Districts in
which they are involved with $20,000 of funding as has been stated in
previous newsletters. However, this funding is in jeopardy! Although
we've received, as Japantown, funding through SB307 and Prop 40, this is
only for specified projects. We will get signage so that people know where
we are and we will have some sort of streetscape project to look at also.
BUT what we won't have is the ability to do the types of things that SJRDA
has helped fund thus far. These are projects specifically that benefit the
businesses such as helping fund the publishing of new brochures, and
perhaps replace banners, help with the facade improvement program and small
business loans.
A number of Japantown organizations attended Cindy Chavez's recent District
Three Community Budget Workshop on April 26th, 2003. JBA Exec Dir,
Kathy Sakamoto participated with other small business owners and business
districts to identify and prioritize 5 top budget priorities.
All participants heard comments from SJRDA Executive Director, Susan Shick,
Assemblyman Manny Diaz who is spearheading the fight to keep RDA funds alive
in the state, San Jose City Manager Del Borgsdorf and Councilmember Chavez.
No punches were pulled but all participants realized the necessity of
working together in collaborative and cooperative style to bring the issues
to their best resolution. While Japantown representatives spread themselves
through the four Working groups which were Small Business, Non-Profit, Arts
and Neighborhoods. The Councilmember's staff gave each of the groups a list
that they had compiled through their correspondence and contact that they
thought might begin to address budget needs. All groups were asked to
revise, discuss and re- prioritize these budget needs as the group thought
best.
Each individual was given a list of
Elected Leadership Contact information and City Council important budget
meetings. Sign-ups were taken for volunteers from each group to address the
City Council at one of more of these meetings. Each person addressing the
Council in Council proceedings is given 2 minutes. As you can see,
information and points made must be concise and subject matter must be both
courteous and informative for the Council to be able to absorb the pertinent
information quickly and clearly.
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It is realized that not everyone has the
time, skill or sometimes inclination to speak before the Council. But your
voice is both important and should be heard. Therefore, a list appears below
for your convenience. Please write to your Governor and your legislators,
other City Council members and friends to let them know that drastic cuts in
any measure may not be needed. If we share the burden, all of us may
survive! Below is a list of your legislators names and addresses. Email
is also acceptable, but the handwritten letter still receives the most
attention. For Japantown
Community Congress information, please
click here for the last Congress or call Kathy Sakamoto at (408)
298-4303 or email: jtsj@ix.netcom.com
for updated info on the new organization which combines many Japantown
organizations the "Japantown Community Congress of San Jose" or JCCsj.
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see info on next page... |
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District Three Community Budget Workshop
April 26, 2003 |
Elected Leadership Contact Information |
Governor Gray Davis
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
governor@governor.ca.gov
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Senator Wesley Chesbro
CA State Senate Budget Committee Chr
State Capitol, Room 5100
Sacramento, CA 95814
Senator.chesbro@sen.ca.gov |
Assemblymember Jenny Oropeza
CA State Assembly Budget Comm Chr
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249
assemblymember.oropeza@assembly.ca.gov |
Mayor Ron Gonzales
801 N. First Street, Suite 600
San Jose, CA 95100
mayoremail@ci.sj.ca.us |
Vice Mayor Pat Dando
District 10
801 N. First Street, Suite 600
San Jose, CA 95110
pat.dando@ci.sj.ca.us
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Councilmember Linda LeZotte
District 1
801 N. First Street, Suite 600
San Jose, CA 95100
linda.lezotte@ci.sj.ca.us
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Councilmember Forrest Williams
District 2
801 N. First Street, Suite 600
San Jose, CA 95100
forrest.williams@ci.sj.ca.us
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Councilmember Cindy Chavez
District 3
801 N. First Street, Suite 600
San Jose, CA 95110
cindy.chavez@ci.sj.ca.us
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Councilmember Chuck Reed
District 4
801 N. First Street, Suite 600
San Jose, CA 95110
chuck.reed@ci.sj.ca.us |
Councilmember Nora Campos
District 5
801 N. First Street, Suite 600
San Jose, CA 95110
district5@ci.sj.ca.us |
Councilmember Ken Yeager
District 6
801 N. First Street, Suite 600
San Jose, CA 95110
ken.yeager@ci.sj.ca.us |
Councilmember Terry Gregory
District 7
801 N. First Street, Suite 600
San Jose, CA 95110
district7@ci.sj.ca.us
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Councilmember David Cortese
District 8
801 N. First Street, Suite 600
San Jose, CA 95110
dave.cortese@ci.sj.ca.us |
Councilmember Judy Chirco
District 9
801 N. First Street, Suite 600
San Jose, CA 95110
judy.chirco@ci.sj.ca.us |
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District Three Community
Budget Workshop
April 26, 2003
Advocacy Strategy
Guidelines |
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Letter Writing Outline
(Letters should be one page, hand written, and personal)
Date
Address
Dear_________________,
Paragraph 1) Introduce yourself and
describe your involvement with the community.
Paragraph 2) Explain your budget
priorities and why the priorities are important (be specific, use personal
experiences
to expand on the importance.
Paragraph 3) Describe what you would
like to e done to protect your priorities (be specific if possible).
Sincerely,
Name
Address and Email
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Council Hearing and Council Office Tips |
- As a group, decide what your unified message will be
(if a group) and what specific points each individual will address.
(groups save council time and the city's money!)
- It is important not to repeat information, but a common
message is key
- Introduce yourself and your involvement with the
community
- Practice your rap ahead of time so that you are
familiar with it and can keep it under 2 minutes
- List top 2 or 3 priorities/concerns rather than all of
them.
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