The questions were prepared by the the League of Women Voters of San Jose-Santa Clara and asked of all candidates for this office.

See below for questions on Experience, Concerns, Budget, Ethics

Click on a name for other candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.

Answer from Ed Voss:

I am the only candidate in this race with the unique combination of years of experience and leadership that includes being the past president of my neighborhood association, gaining an in-depth knowledge of our people and the civic culture of this District. My experience as a County Planning Commissioner since 1999 gives me a broader perspective and knowledge of how county and citywide land-use issues impact District 7. I have the experience and local knowledge to improve our community. I will ensure we receive our fair share of city services and I will work with our residents to improve our neighborhoods.

Answer from Linda Nguyen:

I grew up in San Jose and want to give back to the community. I have mentored and tutored young people, volunteered at the East San Jose Law Center and serve as the Director of the Vietnamese community's Spring parade. No one will work harder than me to push for expanded after-school programs, home ownership opportunities and environmental justice.

Answer from Rudy J Rodriguez:

I currently serve our community by volunteering in the classroom, serving on numerous boards of community or based organizations (such as the YMCA and the Mexican Heritage Plaza), helping with neighborhood beautifications, and mentoring young men and women. In addition, I am a commissioner on the San Jose City Small Business Development Commission and have served as the chair of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Silicon Valley. It is this hands-on experience that has helped me understand the issues facing the people of San Jose - and it is these experiences that have given me the motivation and desire to run for the election on June 7, 2005.

Answer from Madison Nguyen:

I've worked hard as the President of the Franklin-McKinley School Board. In my tenure on the Board, we have increased the test scores of our students, increased parent participation, hired more teachers and balanced an $80 million budget.

Like the other candidates in this race, I have been a strong advocate on behalf of working families in our community, but I am the only candidate who has worked within the bounds of government to achieve results. In short, it's easy to be an advocate on behalf of good programs, it's far more difficult in tough budget times to work within the system to build consensus and pay for them. I am the only candidate who has achieved that.

Answer from Timothy A, Lauwers:

I have no prior experience, but I would bring a fresh and honest approach in dealing with all issues and concerns set before me

Answer from Beth Gonzales:

I am running for this office because I have spent 30 years working in this community to improve the quality of life for all residents. I have many years of experience working with elected officials and making them accountable to the everyday person. I feel that serving as a Councilmember will enable me to help my community even more.

Some of my accomplishments working with city government:

• Working with my fellow activists at PACT, I helped garner millions of dollars for the Children's Health Initiative (13,000 children now have insurance who did not previously have it.)
• Along with other community leaders, I challenged elected officials to create after school homework centers with City funds. We now have over 150.
• Together with other members of the community, we showed the City how Redevelopment dollars can be used to build youth centers like the Alum Rock Youth Center. The Strong Neighborhood Initiatives (SNI) are an outgrowth of the idea that neighborhoods can receive Redevelopment dollars.
• I have lobbied Boards of Education and Superintendents to build NSAS (New Small Autonomous Schools) for minority students who have little chance of success. There are three in Alum Rock and I am presently in dialogue with the Franklin-McKinley School District to do the same.
• With other community members, I worked to secure funds for the re-design of roads, stop signs, and sidewalks, as well as the anti-graffiti programs.
• I worked with anti-gang programs like BEST and Project Crackdown to control the drug epidemic in housing complexes and after school recreation programs.

I am proud that I was able to accomplish these things while teaching high school and raising 2 children. I want a better quality of life for my grandson and I know that when people work together, we can make that happen!

Answer from Timothy A, Lauwers:

District 7 had four homicides in the last four weeks due to gang violence. This would definitely become a top priority. I want what all my neighbors want - a safe, clean neighborhood we can be proud of and where we can be sure our families are secure.

Answer from Ed Voss:

1. Safe Neighborhoods - The recent gang-related homicides took place in the Santee area of District 7, and we also have several other `hot spots' of serious concern in our District. This setting brings attention to our critical need for effective deployment of Police patrols, Gang suppression and abatement programs, and other community programming. I think the "specialty programs" currently being recommended for elimination by the City Manager's office need to be maintained. In fact, I believe budget cuts should not begin with those direct service programs where city employees interact directly with the public. Such programs include police and fire services, parks and recreation services, non-administrative staff in the planning department, etc. Rather, the city should seek to save dollars by starting cuts in administrative and overhead type positions, such as City Managers staff.

With important upcoming decisions housing density, development and increased density in Coyote Valley, Evergreen and elsewhere, we must have a commitment adequately meeting increased demand for police and fire services, infrastructure management, and maintenance, parks and recreation services. Decision makers must insure that residential, industrial and commercial expansion does not decrease or erode current levels of service in District seven and other council districts.

2. Streets and traffic - San Jose has a significant investment in our roads and traffic control systems. That investment has not yielded an acceptable return to District 7 because the maintenance and management of our traffic systems has not been a high priority. This problem is evident throughout San José, but is reaching a dangerous level in District 7.

3. Supporting our youth - I know how important our Homework Centers, After School programs and other activities are to our youth. Kids are most vulnerable to getting into trouble from the time school lets out to 5PM, when working parents begin arriving home from work. The dollars provided by San José BEST grants for these programs are efficiently used, and much cheaper than the inevitable increase in law enforcement deployment, graffiti abatement and other costs which will confront us without these vital programs for our kids.

Answer from Beth Gonzales:

My top priorities are making our neighborhoods safer, improving schools across our area and providing relief for families by creating good-paying jobs and lowering health care and housing costs. The challenge will be to make progress in these areas during difficult fiscal times. But I believe that jobs, education and affordable housing are key to the economic recovery of San Jose and the surrounding area and so I would work to protect and increase public financial support for these areas.

My vision: All people will have access to good paying jobs with health benefits; people will have affordable housing; the streets will be safe and clean; all children will be able to learn in an equitable educational system that will open doors for their future success as residents who will be able to enhance the community.

Answer from Rudy J Rodriguez:

San Jose District 7 has always been a district with dreams of real possibilities. The good people of District 7 have lacked strong and effective representation for some time now. Progress depends on people who see what can be, rather than what merely is - I am willing to work hard to make strong positive change happen in our district

Effective leadership is not content with being caretakers. The next council member of District 7 must have a vision for the future and a strong plan for getting us there.

Unfortunately, with rising gang crime at our struggling schools, District 7 faces major challenges that demand attention and require strong action. I love our community and this great city too much to see its progress stalled by ineffectiveness.

We need a leader who is not only competent, but who can also inspire. A leader who will earn - and keep - the community's trust. A leader who will set goals worthy of our great community - and then work hard everyday to achieve them.

Answer from Linda Nguyen:

• Gang activity has reached an alarming rate. I want to work with police, neighborhood leaders, parents and teachers to stop gang violence.

• I will provide strong leadership for District 7 so that our neighborhoods get their fair share of services and have their voices heard at city hall. In the past, many or our neighborhoods have been neglected.

• Expanding after-school programs so that kids are safe and have help with their homework.

Answer from Madison Nguyen:

Given the current environment and the circumstances under which this election is occurring, I think it is important for District 7 to have a councilmember who is both accessible and trustworthy. I am open and honest and can act as a unifying force who can bring the District 7 neighborhoods together.

My passion is education as a way to create opportunity. However, the only way we can achieve that goal is to ensure safe and livable neighborhoods, where we can create affordable home ownership and good jobs with good wages and benefits. With my open and straight forward consensus building approach as a city councilmember, I can help make this dream a reality.

Answer from Timothy A, Lauwers:

My proposal of cut backs would start with assessing salaries of top elected officials. I would also re-evaluate the redevelopment programs that concern my community

Answer from Beth Gonzales:

As a starting point I would look at cuts that won't directly affect basic services to our residents, such as cutting administrative positions, travel and city cars. I'd also look to cut down on government waste.

Answer from Linda Nguyen:

As we face a $60 million deficit, we must be more creative and develop more partnerships to maintain services and programs. We need to reevaluate the City's priorities so that the health and safety of our citizens are protected and basic city services are maintained.

Answer from Rudy J Rodriguez:

When the budget faces cuts, it is important to review all options before making any reduction in services, staff or projects. As a council member, I will be prudent and make a concerted effort so that jobs remain in place and vital services are not reduced. District 7 has a great need for increased youth and senior services and I will fight for both of these needs.

Answer from Madison Nguyen:

As a School Board President, I have had to make difficult budget decisions. Should I be forced to make similar decisions on the city council, I would protect our city's basic services. Additionally, I would look to minimize any reduction in workers who provide services directly to the public and instead look at ways to streamline and reduce management costs and non-essential expenditures.

Answer from Timothy A, Lauwers:

Unfortunately, the Blue Ribbon Taks Force, to my knowledge, has been discontinued and I would hope for an organization to take its place.

The resignation of the Council Member in District 7 has caused the residents to distrust city officials.

Answer from Linda Nguyen:

I believe the key to Ethics Reform is full disclosure that is accessible and timely. I think campaign contribution reports should be posted on the Internet as they are filed. That gives greater accessibility to our citizens, the news media and all the candidates.

Answer from Madison Nguyen:

As you know, the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Ethics has been disbanded by the city council. Before they had concluded their work, I wish they would have looked at ways of making San Jose's campaign finance and ethics ordinances less complicated as well as creating a way of rooting big money out of campaigns such as some kind of partial public financing that would pass constitutional muster and help balance the influence of large campaign donors.

Answer from Beth Gonzales:

If the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Ethics were to reconvene, I'd like them to consider campaign finance reform. We need a system where Councilmembers do not feel beholden to special interests because of campaign contributions.

I support partial public financing of city council and mayoral campaigns. We should reward candidates for accumulating small grassroots donations with a match of city funds for donations of less than $100 up to a certain maximum. The City of Oakland is good model to consider for San Jose.

Answer from Rudy J Rodriguez:

I would like the task force to consider having access to the calendars of our elected officials.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.