Balancing the Requirements of a Built Out City - Affordable Housing

By Tom Pereira

A fifth Generation Santa Claran and Father of five Children, Tom has a unique Link to the Past tempered by an optimistic and creative Vision for the Future.

In the late 1950's, then Councilman James Viso proposed that we tear down our old downtown and rebuild it under the guise of urban renewal. Tom's father, Gilbert Pereira, who owned clothing stores in the old downtown, rejected this destructive proposal and offered a forward thinking vision of his own. He presented plans to rejuvenate the old downtown in a way that would have given it the same attractive quality of downtown Los Gatos and Saratoga.

Elections followed and each side worked to get the votes necessary to move their own preferred plan forward. Gilbert Pereira, believing that the rights of property owners were at stake, sued the City of Santa Clara in an effort to stop the impending destruction of the heart of our city. In the end, the power of money prevailed over reason and our downtown was lost forever.

Gilbert Pereira lost the fight, but he was right.

Tom believes the greatest challenge we face is balancing the requirements to accommodate an expanding population within the confines of a built out city. That is why he supported the Sun Microsystems development at the Agnews West campus, a proposal that would preserve our rich heritage while providing creative solutions for our future. This proposal would pave the way for future housing, a shopping center with a much needed grocery store, a library and many other amenities forever promised but never planned for. Sun made proposals that would restore, preserve, and open to the Public the most important buildings resting on the still tranquil grounds and would ultimately agree to bear the cost of moving others. They agreed to save most of the rare trees that abound on the campus, preserving an ecological treasure.

Most important, this project will serve as the catalyst for affordable housing, plans of which are already being proposed by developers bidding for the remaining acreage of the Agnews property. This influx of affordable housing will allow young families to remain in Santa Clara, where many already work, thereby adding their uniqueness to our beautiful city.

So why did Tom's opponent, Commissioner Matthews, along with his principal supporter, Council Member Mahan, oppose Sun? Why would they now have us believe they were supporters? Why have they lied to Labor and to the Public?

They have lied to Labor because they know the Sun project means good Union jobs. They are lying to the Public because two-thirds of Santa Clarans voted for Sun. Mr. Matthews, however, cannot hide from the truth. The following represents his five votes on Sun as a Planning Commissioner:

SUMMARY OF MINUTES - PLANNING COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 3, 1998

1. Motion: " . . . it is recommended that the Planning Commission adopt Resolutions (# 2 and 3), approve the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program and recommend that the City Council adopt General Plan Amendment # 39."

This motion failed four to three, with Commissioner Matthews voting NO.

2. Motion: " . . . that the Planning Commission find that in this proposed General Plan Amendment that the wording pertaining to the specific 82 acres of research and development which is relevant to Sun Microsystems be removed. . . "

This motion carried four to three, with Commissioner Matthews voting AYE.

3. Motion: " . . . It is moved by Commissioner Kline, seconded by Commissioner Matthews and carried that the Planning Commission recommend that the City Council deny the request for rezoning. . . "

The motion carried four to three, with Commissioner Matthews voting AYE.

4. Motion: ". . . that the Planning Commission adopt Resolution (# 1) certifying this Environmental Impact Report and recommend that the City Council certify this EIR . . . "

The motion carried, with Commissioner Matthews voting NO.

5. Motion: " . . . It was moved by Commissioner Kline, seconded by Commissioner Matthews that due to the inability of the Commission to make findings for the rezoning request, that the Commission recommend that the City Council deny the Development Agreement."

This motion carried four to three, with Commissioner Matthews voting AYE.

[Copies of these minutes are available in the City Clerk's Office or by contacting the Friends of Tom Pereira campaign committee]

Five times, each and every time, twice as the seconder of the motion, Commissioner Matthews opposed Sun Microsystems. Now, he tells the Unions and the Public that he supported Sun? It is a species of cowardice. Mr. Matthews is engaged in building his own cause under false colors. He is without basic convictions, a rudderless mariner, a victim of every passing wave. Santa Clara deserves better. Santa Clara Firefighters, Police Officers and all City workers deserve better.

In Tom Pereira's campaign you get a candidate who holds fast, without the least concession, to the convictions of his soul. A candidate who is anchored to the rock of truth, one who never wavers from the basic, underlying principles of the cause to which he is committed, whether of the working man or woman or the average voter. All the world knows how and where he stands. This is the candidate that Tom Pereira represents and the Council Member you deserve.

Join Santa Clara Commissioners Byron Fleck and Karen Hardy, who have endorsed Tom's candidacy for City Council, by standing tall for the values we share. The goal of Tom's campaign is to raise to the highest priority the safety of our children and the sanctity of our families. Tom will work tirelessly for Effective, Honest Government. Tom will make Integrity and Ethics in government service a reality. If these are the considerations you wish as a priority in your elected officials decision making process, then we ask for your support. Vote Tom Pereira. A name you can trust.