Craig Mann for San Jose City Council

MANN ABOUT EVERGREEN

Thank you for visiting my blog, Mann About Evergreen. Periodically I will be posting feedback from the community and my reflections regarding important issues and events of interest to Evergreen and our City.

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"...and the truth shall set you free"

Dear Neighbors,

As you know, I have pledged to work in the community's interest and to stand up for our neighborhoods over the developers and corporate interests who have too much influence at City Hall.

They are running scared. They are fearful that the neighborhood candidate and not the developer candidate will win the election to represent us on the City Council.

Because they are afraid the public will learn that the candidate they are supporting, Rose Herrera, filed for personal bankruptcy and she and her company were sued dozens of times according to the San Jose Mercury News, the developers and their cronies have spent tens of thousands of dollars attacking me with negative hit pieces in the mail.

The truth of the matter is that what the developers group is alleging is far from the truth

I have never paid for meals, travel, personal computer equipment or any other expenses for my family with taxpayer dollars. That is a flat out lie!
It is true I made errors. I have acknowledged them and paid from my pocket the $1,142 that was mistakenly paid by the public.

As many neighbors and those in our community have told me, the voters are smarter than the developers give them credit for and will see through their deception.

I have faith in the residents of District 8 - Evergreen and East San Jose. Thank you for learning the truth.

Sincerely,

Craig

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Sierra Club Endorses Craig Mann

"The Sierra Club is pleased to endorse your candidacy for San Jose Council. We are impressed by your passion on a range of issues including preserving open space in the hills and Coyote Valley through in fill development."

- Rob Rennie
Sierra Club Political Committee
Loma Prieta Chapter

Mann - Green Approved

I was pleased this week to learn I have received the endorsement of the Sierra Club.

As I told the endorsement committee, I have lived in Evergreen for a long time and it's obvious that our community cannot afford any more runaway development - it clogs our streets, overcrowds our schools and strains our budget at a time when the city government is strapped for cash.

City Hall needs to get back to basics and focus on its principal services:
- Reducing traffic congestion
- Improving public education
- Enhancing public safety
- Improving neighborhood services

I will see you in the neighborhood.

Sincerely,

Craig

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On Dr. King's Legacy
April 4,2008

Today is the 40th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's death. That day, 40 years ago when Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis is still etched in my mind as if it were yesterday.

I was eight years old in Oakland, California, a student in 3rd grade. We were reading in class when we got the news from the school principal that Dr. King had been killed and that the junior high school just down the street from us had began to riot. We were excused to go home immediately.

Grabbing my little sister from her first grade classroom, we ran all the way home. As we walked in the door, my grandmother was sitting in her favorite spot in the kitchen and watching the news on TV. She was crying.

We were fearful that day that the aspiration of Dr. King's dream maybe lost without this great leader. But today we can acknowledge - that while there is always room for improvement - race relations have improved and Dr. King's dream endures.

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Got Potholes?

If there is one thing that I have learned as a teacher is that students need to know fundamentals. Basic mastery of reading, writing and arithmetic skills empower kids to be successful in more advanced subjects - and ultimately in life.

In thinking about our city government, it could really use a lesson in getting back to the basics also.

Take our roads for example. San Jose area residents pay an average of $746 annually in auto maintenance due to the sorry conditions of our roads according to TRIP a national transportation research group based in Washington DC. According to the experts, 60% of San Jose roads are rated "poor." That is the 4th worst in the country. Our roads are far greater disrepair than other big cities like Baltimore, Detroit or even New York City. That is just not right.

Streets maintenance and managing traffic are among the basic responsibilities of our city government. We really need to refocus local government on the basics. Because, like my students, only after we master the basics can we hope to achieve something better.

Until next time - Craig