Serving the people of San Jose, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Morgan Hill & Gilroy
September 2021
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President's Message from Carol Watts
Still Zooming -- and grateful technology
helps us stay connected
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We tried. We made plans with Palermo’s Restaurant to resume IN PERSON Lunch With League events beginning in September. It felt like we might finally start returning to normal with so many people being vaccinated in our community. But breakthrough cases started happening, including to people we know. After several discussions about balancing the safety of getting together in person and our strong desire to communicate with each other face to face, we finally decided that the time is not yet right for us to gather in person. So Zoom wins for another few months! Please join us for our Sept. 16 event when we host the chair of the San Jose Planning Commission, Rolando Bonilla, who will talk about how the commission affects our neighborhoods and the people of San Jose. Register now!
COMMUNICATING WITH LEAGUE FRIENDS
When we join the League of Women Voters, or any organization, in addition to wanting to fulfill the mission of the organization, we also want to meet people who have the same interests that we do. COVID-19 has made it more difficult for us to get to know our fellow members and friends. Zooming at least lets us see each other as we talk, and email and texting help us exchange written words, but let’s think of other, more personal ways to stay connected. Perhaps call up a League friend and meet for an outdoor lunch or coffee!
Communications Director Diane McNutt is debuting a new series of interviews with our members in this newsletter. The first is with our new Vice President, Taryn Upchurch. I know you will all be very interested to learn more about Taryn. And I know she would like to meet more of us. Don’t hesitate to contact Taryn to get better acquainted.
RECALL ELECTION
Be sure to vote on or before Sept. 14! See Recall Election 2021 for the facts about the election. You can also print a flyer with that information to give to family and friends to encourage them to vote.
This expensive election, just 14 months before the next Gubernatorial Election, is prompting many people to consider whether California’s recall process is constructive. It is possible that the recall vote might succeed by a slim margin and the replacement for the Governor elected by a low plurality of voters. This could mean that, for example, 49% of voters say “no” to the recall and want to keep the current Governor in office, and the votes of a small percentage – 20%? 10%? -- would decide on the replacement. Is that a fair process reflecting the will of the people? Many states have more stringent criteria that must be met before such a process goes to the ballot. Should California change its rules for the recall process?
Note that the League of Women Voters takes no position on this election as we never support or oppose candidates for public office. But we want everyone to vote on or before Sept. 14!!
Stay safe and healthy,
Carol
president@lwvsjsc.org
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Virtual Lunch With League
"The Role of the San Jose Planning Commission and Why Diversity Matters"
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Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, 12 noon
A Zoom Online Event
Rolando Bonilla, Chair of the San Jose Planning Commission, will discuss “The Role of the Planning Commission and Why Diversity Matters” at Lunch With League on Thursday, Sept. 16, 12 noon-1 p.m. In consideration of the recent surge of the Covid-19 Delta variant, the meeting will be conducted via Zoom. We look forward to meeting again in person when it feels safe and comfortable for the majority of our members and guests.
Rolando has served on the Planning Commission since October 2019 and was unanimously elected Chair of the newly-expanded Planning Commission in July. The Commission was increased from seven to 11 members following voter approval in November 2020 of Measure G to improve racial and geographic representation. The City Council now appoints one Commissioner from each City Council district and one at-large member.
In his professional career, Rolando is Chief Strategy Officer of Voler Strategic Advisors, serving as lead strategist for crisis communications for the public relations firm. He began his public service career as a Public Service Aide to the Director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health. He founded the firm in 2010 following decades of government service.
He previously worked as Communications Director for the City Councilmember serving District 5. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from University of San Francisco and a J.D. from San Francisco Law School. He is also on the Board of Directors of the Healthier Kids Foundation.
Rolando resides with his family on the East Side of San Jose. He is a COVID-19 survivor and has forcefully advocated that more be done for the hard-hit East Side.
Virtual Lunch With League events are FREE and open to all members of the community. Please invite people you know to attend. Past Lunch With League Zoom events can be viewed online HERE.
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Meet Taryn Upchurch
Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of brief interviews with members of the League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara.
Serving as the new Vice President of LWV of San Jose/Santa Clara may be Taryn Upchurch’s first elected office, but certainly not her first time in a leadership role. In both her professional and personal lives, Taryn stands out as someone who steps up to improve organizations, encourage the performance of others, and help those who struggle with life’s difficulties.
The San Jose native attended Presentation High School and earned a B.A. in psychology and a master’s degree in communication from Stanford University. She worked for a short time in the tech industry before pivoting to education where she found her groove in the Admissions Offices at both Stanford and Santa Clara University. In addition to recruiting, she handled external relations and volunteer management, and rose to the top of her field.
It was during a medical leave in 2017 that Taryn found time for volunteer work related to government and civic education. She served as a Mayoral Fellow in the Office of San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo for four months and explored other community volunteer groups but was drawn to the League because of its nonpartisan nature and focus on education and advocacy rather than politics. She joined in 2020 and quickly jumped into participation in the 2020 Election Pros & Cons sessions and the Local Governance Study Committee that developed a revised League position adopted earlier this year. She also was part of the team that conducted legislative interviews this spring.
Taryn now works for a small private school in Palo Alto and has started a part-time consulting practice helping small businesses and nonprofit organizations with organizational development. She still finds time to use her training as a Stephen Minister to “walk alongside” fellow church members during times of crisis and grief, and to use her skills as a credentialed movement teacher to help individuals with alignment problems and ergonomics.
“Someone once told me that in every job I have, I become the ‘chief of staff’ because I naturally want to make organizations more efficient and productive,” Taryn said. “I’m looking forward to using my critical thinking skills and experience with the League.”
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Your vote is important to the future of California
Voting is now underway on the Sept. 14 recall of California Governor Gavin Newsom and who, if he is recalled, should replace him until the next Gubernatorial Election in November 2022. Your vote matters and the County Registrar of Voters has made it easy and convenient to vote with several voting options. Vote by mail using postage paid envelopes provided with the ballot, or drop off your mail ballot at drop boxes located throughout Santa Clara County. Vote Centers, also located throughout the County, open Sept. 4 through Election Day on Sept. 14. Didn't receive a ballot in the mail? Verify your voter registration and request a replacement ballot if needed.
For a brief overview of the Sept. 14 Recall Election including common questions, campaign finance information and options on how to submit your ballot, view a 7-minute video prepared by LWV of Cupertino/Sunnyvale.
Additional information and background is covered in a 60-minute program presented by LWV of Southwest Santa Clara Valley and Santa Clara County Leagues featuring Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters Shannon Bushey and Ann Ravel, former Commissioner of the Federal Election Commission.
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Climate Change/Natural Resources Committee
Zoom meeting Sept. 9 -- all are welcome
Are you worried about climate change and wondering what the League can do locally and regionally? LWV of San Jose/Santa Clara has a Climate Change/Natural Resources Committee and we are gearing up for fall. Join us for our first meeting Thursday, Sept. 9, at 1:30 p.m. on Zoom where we'll discuss our interests and priorities. We are following urban greening, Coyote Valley, San Jose Climate Smart and more. Tell us what you're interested in -- no commitment is needed. Email Judy Chamberlin or Virginia Holtz for details . We're working together to make a difference.
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Update on Housing Issues
The LWV of San Jose/Santa Clara Housing Committee met on June 21 to review the San Jose Affordable Housing Siting Policy. The policy is a tool to guide funding priorities for rental affordable housing projects. Though a similar policy has been in place since the 1980s, a new policy was undertaken to conform with current federal and state guidelines to “affirmatively further fair housing.” A letter of support was sent to City Council for its Aug. 31 meeting.
Each city and town in Santa Clara County is required to submit an update to its Housing Element – a component of its General Plan – by the end of January 2023. The Housing Element is updated only every eight years and must be approved by the state. A county-wide collaborative called "Let's Talk Housing" has been formed and community engagement meetings have begun in most cities. The City of San José Planning Department will be holding meetings on the Housing Element update and the League's Housing Committee is looking for observers to provide regular updates.
LWV of the Bay Area has selected "Where Should Housing Go?" as the topic for its annual Education Day. The Bay Area Board is seeking volunteers for its planning committee. Our local League is considering an education forum on housing as well.
Guest speakers are planned for future Housing & Homelessness Committee meetings. Please contact Roma Dawson if you want to participate in any of the above activities.
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Action Committee welcomes new members
The next meeting of the Action Committee will be Monday, Sept. 27, at 2 p.m. via Zoom. All League members are welcome to attend. Topics under discussion include redistricting in San Jose, the structure of recall elections in Santa Clara County and in California, re-starting an observer corps to better track what's going on in Councils, Commissions and Boards in the communities we serve, affordable and opportunity housing, and re-imagining community safety. The Action Committee also follows the work of the Climate Change/Natural Resources and Housing Committees Please contact Action Committee Chair Vicki Alexander for more information or to be on our email list.
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Grateful to our generous donors
Thank you to the members and non-members who recently invested in the mission and activities of League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara. Your donations will help us continue the programs that are making a difference in our community.
Martha Beattie
Stanley and Gloria Chun Hoo
Beth Hughes
Diane McNutt
Kathleen Muller
Julia O'Keefe
John Powley
Russell and Laura Smith
Carol Watts
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Public Hearings coming up
for San Jose Charter Review Commission
The City of San José Charter Review Commission will hold public hearings on Saturday, Sept. 25, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and on Saturday, Nov. 6, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. This will be your opportunity to share your thoughts and concerns about potential changes to the San Jose City Charter such as the role of the mayor, election years and more. Learn more about the Charter Review Commission HERE. The League sent a letter in August offering comments on the Commissions work plan.
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Join the League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara HERE
Donate to the League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara HERE
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