I had intended to post this later in the week, but since people are starting to inquire it makes sense to do it now.
You can find out what County and City district you are in by going to
http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/scl/
and entering your address/zip code on the right side of the screen and clicking “Find Ballot and Polling Place.”
County Supervisor Races:
District 2
This is the single most important race for the fate of RHV. This is the seat currently held by Supervisor Blanca Alvarado and is the district in which RHV is located. As a matter of professional courtesy, the other Supervisors will always look to this Supervisor to initiate any policies dealing specifically with RHV. This is why Supervisor Alvarado has had so much power over RHV for the past 13 years. Thank god for term limits.
There are six candidates running for District 2. As a result, there will almost certainly be a runoff in November. (If a candidate gathers more than 50% of the votes cast in the primary, s/he wins outright. Otherwise the two top vote-getters run against each other in November.)
CRAMP-PAC’s strong recommendation and endorsement is for George Shirakawa. We spoke with George last week at the airport. George is personal friends with Supervisor Alvarado, but he disagrees with her on the issue of RHV. He demonstrated this in 1996 when he was on the San Jose City Council. CRAMP met with George several times during this lead-up to the County’s 1996 vote to close RHV. Despite heavy direct appeals and lobbying by Supervisor Alvarado, George voted in favor of the City’s resolution declaring RHV “an irreplaceable asset” and calling on the County to cease all efforts to close the airport. If elected, George will immediately see what can be done to reverse the years of active neglect that Supervisor Alvarado has imposed upon the airport. CRAMP-PAC has donated generously to George’s campaign and we encourage the aviation community to do the same. You can contribute at George’s website:
http://www.georgeshirakawa.com/contribute.html
District 3
This is the district currently held by Supervisor McHugh who is leaving due to term limits. There are only three candidates so it is possible that a winner can be decided at the primary.
CRAMP-PAC’s strong recommendation and endorsement is for Dave Cortese. As many of you are aware, the aviation community held a very successful fund-raiser for Dave at RHV this past Saturday. Thanks to all who came and contributed. At the fund-raiser Dave strongly supported the continued operation of RHV and maintaining its critical support role for SJC. CRAMP-PAC has donated generously to Dave’s campaign and we encourage the aviation community to do the same. You can contribute at Dave’s website:
http://www.cortese4supervisor.com/RemitForm.php
District 5
This is the district currently held by by Supervisor Liz Kniss who is running unopposed for reelection. PAO is in her district. In March 2008, when Supervisor McHugh proposed studying the legal requirements for closing RHV, Supervisor Kniss stated that she would not vote for any referral which included closure language.
San Jose City Council Races:
In addition to the County races, there are several elections for the San Jose City Council. This is very important for RHV because, even though the airport is owned by the County, all of the zoning and land use decisions for property surrounding the airport are made by the City. Urban encroachment is the single greatest threat to GA airports today.
CRAMP-PAC has not yet had time to interview candidates for the San Jose City Council. Our intent is to do this after the primary when the runoff candidates are known. However, we did meet Rose Herrera, candidate for the City’s 8th District (currently held by Dave Cortese) at a recent Chamber of Commerce mixer. The Chamber’s PAC has endorsed Rose (as well as Dave and George). Dave knows several of the candidates for his City district seat personally and has said that he will not make any endorsements until the runoff. In our informal discussion Rose did say that she was very supportive of RHV.
Democracy only works if you cast an informed vote. Please learn the issues and cast your ballot.
John Blair, Treasurer
Coalition for Responsible Airport Management & Policy
Political Action Committee (CRAMP-PAC)