First Community Meeting is Big Success

Below is the press release from the Community Budget Working Group about today's meeting.

On Saturday, December 1st, the Community Budget Working Group held its first budget discussion, hosting over 100 San Jose residents in a discussion of how the City can best allocate its resources. Community members generated several dozen ideas that will be studied by a professional analysis firm and ultimately presented to the City. Councilmembers Pierluigi Oliverio and Kansen Chu attended the meeting, as did representatives of Mayor Chuck Reed and Councilmember Forrest Williams.

"It was very educational. I'm glad I was invited," said Myrtle Ferrande, one of the community members present. Other participants echoed her enthusiasm, and expressed appreciation for the opportunity for their voices to be heard.

"It was wonderful to see the public involved in a budget conversation," said Michelle Lew, Executive Director of Asian-Americans for Community Involvement, and member of the Working Group's Steering Committee. "Our fear was that without public input, the City's process would have been incomplete. We feel confident today that we've appealed to the best minds in our community and can help complete the picture."

The Working Group will continue to solicit ideas and recommendations at its website through December 15th. A second meeting will be announced for January, at which the analyzed ideas and proposals will be discussed and released publicly.