League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 4, 2008 Election
	Mario Bouza Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Santa Clara; Seat 3

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What experience related to city government would you bring to the City Council?

I have been a Santa Clara resident for over 48 years and take great pride in the city where I have spent most of my life. I have been married to my wife Carolyn for 22 years. I am a father of four children and have one grandchild. I attended public schools in Santa Clara and local colleges. I have owned my own business in Santa Clara since 1975.

I coached Little League Baseball for many years and watched my family grow up in this wonderful city. I am passionate about applying my skills and knowledge towards helping my fellow citizens lead healthy and fulfilling lives. I know that together we can continue to make Santa Clara one of the best places to live in the Silicon Valley.

I recently graduated from the Santa Clara Citizen's Police Academy and take great pride in our local law enforcement and fire department education programs. My personal experience in business management will benefit our City. I have also been involved in the community and participated in fundraising for our schools and church. I am also affiliated with the Knights of Columbus. I attend city council meetings regularly and participate in their public forums.

I am confident that I can bring value to the City of Santa Clara. As your elected official, I promise to be your voice. Together, we can make a difference.

2. What concerns are of particular importance to the city and how would you address them?

I plan to address the main issue of the construction of the San Francisco 49ers stadium. I have spoken to many citizens about the proposed stadium and have the same concerns as you. We all agree that the stadium will have a negative impact on your neighborhoods. Issues such as increased noise and traffic, as well as strain on our city police department should be considered in the decision making process. Our tax money should not go to the development and maintenance of such a project. We should be focusing those resources on increasing job opportunities by supporting economic development, education and public safety.

I will work hard to preserve our neighborhoods and address the issue of the ongoing construction of high density housing projects (the former Kaiser property on Kiely Blvd). Current plans to build high density multi-use housing, is a concern for the surrounding neighborhoods. In addition, city funds will be strained, traffic will be increased, and it will cause overcrowding in our schools. I will work to ensure the development will not negatively impact our city services and the surrounding single family homes and townhomes.

Our city's budget depends on the continual increase of new businesses and jobs. We have seen in the recent past, businesses and jobs leaving our fine city. I will work with new potential companies that will bring in revenue, city sales tax and jobs to Santa Clara; while ensuring that the existing, loyal companies (who already conduct business in Santa Clara) remain. I am conservative when it comes to city funds and consider the best interest for all parties involved.

Another top priority is the establishment of a downtown Santa Clara. (Over 40 years in the making.) Many citizens have wished for a designated downtown in our city that would attract new businesses and establish new areas to gather as a community. I will work hard to develop this type of addition to our city, while ensuring that we keep Santa Clara the friendly neighborhood city that we currently live and work in.

Let's focus some resources in restoring historic Santa Clara and public safety. We should consider improving our famous, outdated International Swim Center. Let's continue to maintain our city streets and reduce traffic flow through our neighborhoods. We need new bicycle lanes and safety warning lights installed near busy school crosswalks. Let's complete the library in the Rivermark District and include the Rivermark Community in hosting public events. Together, we can make a difference in Santa Clara.

As your councilman, I will ensure that the city government is operating as fiscally sound as possible. I am committed to making Santa Clara a better place for all to live, work and raise a family. Simply put, I am a community trustee committed to delivering visible results!

3. How would you balance the needs of the City as a whole with groups' interests?

I will make it every effort to listen and represent the interests of our citizens first before any outside agencies or groups.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 16, 2008 17:27
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