March 3, 2004

News briefs

Yeager, Davis to discuss community safety in Willow Glen

District 6 City Councilmember Ken Yeager and San Jose Police Chief Rob Davis will discuss community safety in Willow Glen on Tuesday, March 9 at 7 p.m. in Kohlstedt Hall at the Willow Glen United Methodist Church 1420 Newport Avenue.

Yeager is hosting the meeting to listen to people's concerns regarding community safety and gangs and to answer questions. Chief Davis will discuss the city's gang prevention program, neighborhood watch and other anti-crime programs.  It's also an opportunity for residents to meet San Jose's new police chief.

WGNA board meeting set for March 10

The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association will hold its monthly meeting on March 10 at 7 p.m. at the Willow Glen United Methodist Church, 1420 Newport Avenue. The public is invited to attend, although most of these meetings are working meetings rather than presentations and could be of limited general interest.

A number of topics were brought up at the February meeting including:

•  WGNA donated $1000 to Gardner Academy to purchase books after the fire last November destroyed the library;

•  Continued discussion of Fire Station Number 6 and how city budget cuts may result in the possible loss of a hose wagon, one employee and/or brown outs (rotating fire station closings);

•  The potential that San Jose Unified School District will move boundaries north from Koch;

•  The possibility that the city may lift its moratorium on building granny units;

•  Albertson's on Bird has notified its neighbors of expansion plans.

Neighbors with issues they want the association to consider should contact the board by e-mail at President@wgna.net or by phone at 294-9462 a week or two before hand to get the item on the agenda. If the item is a non-action item that can be discussed in one or two minutes, just show up at the meeting to bring up the issue.

The WGNA has two annual general meetings for the general membership, in the spring and the fall. The spring meeting is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, May 12 at 7 p.m. at the Willow Glen United Methodist Church, but other than board elections the topic has not yet been decided. These meetings are of interest to the entire membership. In the past they have included candidate forums, police, fire and safety presentations, discussions on zoning, land use and other related topics. Anyone interested in joining the board should talk to the nominating committee chair Kris Cunningham at 294-9462.

Everyone is invited to attend board and general meetings. If you're not a WGNA member, you will be invited to join. Those from outside the "boundaries" of Willow Glen are invited to join as non-voting "associate" members at $10 per year, you still get the newsletters and you still help support the community and the eList.

Check the www.wgna.net Web site for details.