Pensions: San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed’s state ballot measure opposed by 19 mayors including Mayor Tony Spitaleri

By Mike Rosenberg

mrosenberg@mercurynews.com

After announcing a 2014 statewide pension ballot initiative with fellow mayors from around California, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed has run into some opposition — from other mayors.

Nineteen mayors — along with two vice mayors, two county board of supervisors presidents and five additional council members — signed a letter to Reed on Tuesday urging him to abandon his effort that would see public employees pay more for their retirement.

CLICK HERE for the San Jose Mercury News article.

 

Long-time Sunnyvale Resident voices hope for a city that pays heed to voices of entire community

An Open Letter to Sunnyvale Mayor Anthony Spitaleri

Dear Mr. Mayor:

Yesterday’s mail brought a letter from you promoting your selection of candidates in the upcoming election.  In it you relate how you and your family first settled in Sunnyvale some 47 years ago, at a time when you “couldn’t have asked for a better place to raise a family than in a city which cares about its citizens…”  You then describe how during your service to the city you have “emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnership between Community, Business, and Government…”  You add: “Sunnyvale must continue… with a collaborative and solution-oriented mind set.”  (The italics are mine.)

Mr. Mayor, I remember those days of long ago… and even not so long ago.  As a 54-year resident, I agree that Sunnyvale was a very special place.  The sun shone on a city of hope and optimism: a center of new technology where anything might be possible; a friendly town where the streets were named for flowers and fruits and birds and there was an active, ongoing campaign to add even more park space and trees; and especially, I agree, a town which cared for its citizens and actually listened to them.