League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA June 8, 2010 Election
	Aaron Resendez Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of San Jose; Council District 5

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?

As a business owner and a teamster for 30 years, I know the challenges families face in our community.

As a community activist, I have served as President of the Arbuckle Neighborhood Association, as Co-chair East Valley/680 NAC, as a neighborhood commissioner, as a member of Project Diversity, and as a soccer coach in the Police Activities League for over 10 years.

As a small business owner, I have learned the value of listening to my customers, to provide them with a superior product and outstanding customer service. I am a member of la Asociación de Comerciantes y Profesionales de San José, the Story Road Business Association, a member of the Greater San José Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Silicon Valley, and former member of The Alameda Business Association Board of Directors.

These experiences I will bring to City Council to continue the Charter of San Jose and act on issues brought forward to council chambers.

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

WE must continue to work to make San José the safest City in California! We cannot tolerate a rise in the crime rate and a decrease in the services our First Responders provide our community. If elected, I will make it my top priority to make sure that public safety requirements are addressed first in the City budget process. In addition, I will work to expand the Mayor's Gang Prevention Task Force program to continue to provide our children alternatives to gangs.

The reality is we continue to spend more than we take in. This trend cannot continue. While I don't believe that we can cut our way out of a business recession we must become more fiscally responsible. I support the Mayor's plan to reduce public employees` salaries, to increase public employee contributions to their benefit programs and to put a cap on retirement pensions. However, I would add to the Mayor's plan by requiring city employees making over $130,000 to take a 12% pay cut I believe our leaders must lead and show that they are willing to sacrifice even more than our rank and file employees. It's time for a change.

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

My goal is to make District 5 the best place to live, work and do business in all of San José. I have a three part plan to stimulate our economy. First, we must help our local retail businesses grow and expand. Second, we must take advantage of our existing infrastructure and work to attract new green technology companies by providing zoning and marketing incentives in our District 5. And Third, we must make District 5 the most attractive area in which to start a new business.

4. How much money do you expect to raise/ spend on your race, and how will you assure voters that financial contributions will not affect your decisions/positions should you be elected?

My goal is to raise $15,000 for my campaign from supporters in District 5. My campaign has not come from outside interests or contributors that do not live in our district. The financial contributions will not affect decisions/positions should I be elected.

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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: May 4, 2010 20:08
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