July 26, 2007

Mayor announces General Plan Update task force members

On July 20, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed announced the members of the task force, Envision San Jose 2040 General Plan Update.

The task force idea was approved by the city council at its June 26 meeting, where it established a framework for the creation of a citizen task force to guide the preparation of the General Plan Update.

The mayor thanked his fellow city councilors for designating district representatives to serve on the task force, and for the recommendations of other well qualified candidates. He also noted that community organizations responded positively by nominating many others for the task force.

The mayor said in a press release that he hopes the 37 individuals (listed below) will keep our best interests at heart and will work hard to deliver a General Plan Update that will strengthen our position as the capital of Silicon Valley and help make us the best place in the world to work, live and raise a family.

While many people volunteered and would have made good task force members, Reed noted that there was not room for everyone. He expressed hope that those who didn’t make it onto the task force will get engaged in the process and provide input to its members. During the course of the preparation of the General Plan Update, he expects to reach out to the entire community and seek involvement by all residents, businesses and community organizations.

Task force members include co-chairs Sam Liccardo and Shirley Lewis along with vice chair David Pandori and Councilmembers Judy Chirco and Pierluigi Oliverio. The other members are Jackie Adams, council District 2 representative; Teresa Alvarado, Hispanic Foundation; Shiloh Ballard, Silicon Valley Leadership Group; Michele Beasley, Greenbelt Alliance; Beverley Bryant, Home Builders Association of Northern California; Frank Chavez, Story Road Business Association and Alum Rock School Board; Gary Chronert, council District 9 representative; Yolanda Cruz, City Labor Alliance; Pastor Oscar Dace, Bible Way Christian Center; Harvey Darnell, Neighborhood Organizations; Pat Dando, San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce; Dave Fadness, council District 10 representative; Enrique Fernandez, council District 7 representative; Phaedra Ellis-Lampkins, South Bay Labor Council; Leslee Hamilton, Parks and Recreation Commission; Sam Ho, San Jose/Evergreen Community College District; Dan Hoang, Vietnamese American Federation of Northern California; Lisa Jensen, council District 3 representative; Frank Jesse, BEA Systems, Inc.; Matt Kamkar, Planning Commission; Nancy Ianni, council District 6 representative; Charles Lauer, council District 1 representative; Karl Lee, Chinese American Real Estate Association; Linda LeZotte, Berliner, Cohen, LLC; Dick Santos, council District 4 representative; Patricia Saucedo, National Association of Industrial and Office Parks; Erik Schoennauer, land use consultant; Judy Stabile, past deputy director, San Jose Downtown Association; Neil Struthers, Santa Clara County Building Trades Council; Alofa Talivaa, council District 5 representative; Michael Van Every, Republic Urban Properties; and Jim Zito, council District 8 representative.