Dear Friends,

 

I'm sure you have heard and read many opinions and debate about our city's fiscal crisis and the options laid out before the city council to rein in our spiraling deficit, a deficit that is now $115 million dollars. This shortfall leaves us with hard choices to make - some that are not so popular. I, along with my colleagues on the city council, are working diligently with the City Manager to address our immediate deficit needs by proposing a limit on additional funding sources, expanding employee concessions, developing new service delivery models/efficiencies and implementing service reductions/eliminations. We do this knowing that we have a responsibility to the residents of San José and to our employees to remain solvent and ready for tomorrow's challenges. Click on the following links to read more of my thoughts on the budget in the: Evergreen Times and Mercury News.

 

I invite you to view the upcoming council meetings regarding the budget through our city media portal by clicking here. These meetings will culminate with the adoption of the 2011-2012 Budget on June 21^st. I hope you become part of the process to save our city.

 

Part of our cities' history and future includes our local Jewish community. Jewish American Heritage Month in May is a national month of recognition with more than 350 years of history of Jewish contributions to American culture. I am happy to share that the Jewish American Heritage Month celebrations that I hosted last week were successful despite the lack of sunshine. As one attendee summed up their feelings after the event, "I'm so happy to see the city acknowledge the Jewish community. This makes me proud to be Jewish in San José." I am thankful for the opportunity to highlight and recognize the Jewish American heritage that has helped shape our culture and continues to strengthen our country. My deepest thanks to all who joined me at the flag raising ceremony, reception and presentation of the proclamation on May 17^th at City Hall. I look forward to this event becoming a tradition in San José.
 

 

This month, I hosted the 3rd Annual Senior Health Fair and Walk at Eastridge Mall on Saturday, May 21st. It was a huge success with close to 300 attendees! This annual resource fair is a free event that reaches out to our senior community providing seniors with an opportunity to join their neighbors at a fun community-building event, while receiving beneficial information from organizations regarding health and services available in our city. Zumba Gold and Evergreen Village Square Tai Chi provided the energy that started the morning encouraging seniors to live a healthy lifestyle through exercise. A free, healthy breakfast was served followed by my welcome and guest speaker Patty Purpur - a U.S. Track and Field Masters Champion and Olympic Weightlifting Champion! Ms. Purpur's inspiring speech focused on living out your bucket list and continuing to have goals throughout a person's lifespan. My special thanks to co-sponsors, Eastridge Mall, Breathe California, Regional Medical Center of San José, Fresco World Market, PG&E, El Observador and The Epoch Times. This is an annual event, so if you missed it this year, be sure to watch for next year's announcement!

 

Another special event, dear to my heart, that took place on May 21^st was the Earth, People, International and Cultural event at Evergreen Village Square. I founded this annual event with Involved Evergreen four years ago as a cross- cultural celebration to bring people together. This year, 600 people attended EPIC, exhibiting tremendous growth over last year's attendance numbers. Cultural entertainment varied from dancing, music, a tai chi performance, recitation of a "sloka" form of chanted prayer by little ones from three to six years old and a costume parade representing all of the states of India and Vietnam.

 

There were dances performed from different states of India, some extraordinary costumes, hip hop, ballet, modern Indian dance, Bollywood and dances from the Pacific Islands such as Hawaii and Tahiti all performed by children from three to sixteen years old. EPIC has been very much a grassroots effort. Sponsors included Involved Evergreen, Shapell and the Council District 8 Office. Many families came to enjoy a warm, spring day and multicultural activities. EPIC seeks to celebrate the wonderful diversity of our Evergreen community and they succeeded in doing that once again. I hope to see it grow larger every year.

 

As always, my staff and I are committed to helping you in any way we can. Please do not hesitate to contact my office at district8@sanjoseca.gov or (408) 535-4908 with any questions or concerns you may have.

 

Sincerely, 

Councilmember Rose Herrera