City Council — Duplicate - Formerly City of Santa Clara Council

Teresa O’Neill was born here in Santa Clara County, and has spent most of her life in Santa Clara. Teresa’s parents, Tom and Sally O’Neill, started their married life together in the married students housing at Santa Clara University. There, they made lifelong friends and established many connections to the Santa Clara community.

Teresa started getting involved in community work while a student at Santa Clara Unified Schools, including serving as a student body officer at Buchser High School. Teresa’s principal at Buchser High was Don Callejon, who later went on to be Superintendent of Schools and a member of the Santa Clara School Board. Together, they worked to create the first Parent Teacher Student Association in the area, and Teresa served as the first student member of the PTSA board.

After graduating from Stanford University, Teresa wanted to return to Santa Clara and began her career with Hewlett-Packard Company. She worked in many capacities while at HP, including sales and marketing administration, logistics, proposal preparation, program management, and government sales and contract compliance. Prior to her retirement to devote more time to her council duties, Teresa negotiated HP agreements in the areas of technology licensing, major alliances, and supply chain, often worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Just as importantly, she learned the best of visionary management practices by working for exemplary leaders, and also learned in a different way from bad leadership. She understands what worlds of difference good leaders make to any organization.

After coming home to Santa Clara, Teresa started getting involved again in the community, including at her parish, St. Justin, where she taught middle and high school religious education for over 20 years. She is on the oversight team for Community Ministry, which provides food, clothing, and other services to thousands of Santa Clarans each month. Teresa was part of a team that worked to reconstitute a new parish council to better represent the needs of the parishioners. Together, they also created new mission and vision statements. She later served as the Chair of the Parish Council.

Teresa has also served on a variety of non-profit boards, which has educated her on many community issues. She has particular interests in education, the environment, the arts, and health.

The daughter of a career Santa Clara Unified classroom teacher, Teresa’s belief in strong public education and dedication to Santa Clara Unified led her to run for and be elected to the SCUSD Board of Trustees in 1998 and again in 2002. During her board tenure, Teresa became an advocate for students and adequate education funding at the county and state levels. In good financial times, Teresa and the entire board were good stewards of community resources, and in bad times, while it was gut-wrenching, the Santa Clara school board made the necessary cuts to personnel and programs to keep the school district solvent. Teresa started and actively participated in the comprehensive Wellness initiative in the Santa Clara schools, which received national media coverage. An outgrowth of that effort was Teresa’s spearheading of the effort to establish Full Circle Farm on excess fields at the Peterson Middle School site. Teresa is very proud that Santa Clara schools have been able to make academic strides and be innovative while operating under diminished and inadequate funding. Our schools continue to need all the support from our community possible.  Teresa chaired the 2012 parcel tax and 2016 bond campaigns to raise more funds to such things as lower class sizes and pay for new schools and upgrades to existing schools.  She also serves as president of the Santa Clara Schools Foundation and as a member of SCUSD’s Parcel Tax Oversight and Budget Advisory Committees.

In 2007, Teresa was appointed by the City Council to the Santa Clara Planning Commission. She has participated in many land use decisions, from small home remodels to commercial developments costing hundreds of millions of dollars. She has repeatedly seen how land use decisions impact surrounding residents, as well as the homeowners and businesses that want to build something new in Santa Clara. Teresa listens to all in the community very closely to understand impacts and to determine how we can come up with solutions that will work for everyone. Everyone may not always be happy, but they receive a fair hearing. Teresa wants to implement new ways of gathering ideas and feedback from the community on proposed development and to seek ways to make our planning processes even more straightforward to those applying for permits so that we increase how many people are satisfied with the outcome of their project.

Teresa also has been a member of the Santa Clara General Plan Steering Committee, which is working to establish the direction of Santa Clara for the next 25 years. On that committee, she worked to include language on smarter growth planning practices, encourage healthier communities and encourage open space uses for such things as community gardens.  One of Teresa’s primary goals is to have a review of the General Plan, which did not anticipate the level of change we have been experiencing in recent years.

 

In this City Council election, Teresa is offering the sum of her knowledge and experience in business, government and community to continue strong leadership to our Council and direct positive change in these challenging times. Teresa is an independent thinker who first and foremost cares about the people of Santa Clara and making sure Santa Clara’s best days are yet to come. Please vote to re-elect Teresa O’Neill to Santa Clara City Council Seat 7.

I am a first-generation Irish-American born in Brooklyn, New York.  My parents moved back to Longford, Ireland when I was 5 years old.  I treasure that time as I started school there having to learn Gaelic as part of the curriculum.  I also learned a lot about my grandfather, Michael Francis Reynolds, who was an officer in the Irish War of Independence from 1917-1922.  Knowing what he did for the cause for freedom has influenced my life in many ways.   My parents came back to the United States in 1968.  We lived in New York where I attended school and eventually went to work in New York City - a wonderful melting pot of culture and diversity.  I've worked in the legal field for almost 40 years (yes, that is not a typo) and have had the honor of working with some well-known attorneys and clients.  After working in NYC for almost 10 years, I decided to test a line from Frank Sinatra's song, 'if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere...." and moved to Tampa, Florida.  I lived in Tampa for 15 years and worked for a sole practitioner specializing in eminent domain law.  We represented landowners whose properties were being taken for road developments along the I-4 corridor as well as many other roadways to accommodate growth.  I really enjoyed working with the landowners to make sure they received the fair share for their land or businesses.    I moved to Fremont, CA after Karl and I got married in 2000.  We moved to Rivermark in Santa Clara with our daughter in 2005 to cut down on our commute times from Fremont.  We never thought our lives would be as involved in this wonderful city as they are now.  Rivermark was a new community with lots of opportunity to get involved - and I did.    Over the last 11 years, I was an advocate for the Northside Library along with the community to finally finish the last piece of the Rivermark puzzle.  It took 7 years but in the end it was worth it knowing that over 20,000 patrons utilize the library on a monthly basis.  I also advocated and worked with the school district and community to purchase the Agnews property on Zanker Road to build a much needed new school complex.  The groundbreaking will finally be October 26!  I served on the Library Board of Trustees for 8 years along with the Library Foundation.  I have been a member of the Circle of Pillars for the Mission City Community Fund since 2007.  I have volunteered my time on every school parcel tax and bond measure to benefit our school district.  I am proud to have been a part of the team that finally passed a school parcel tax in 2012.  I also served as President of Santa Clara Sister Cities for 3 years and finished the deal to finally add Limerick, Ireland as a Sister City and also added Nagpur, India as a Friendship City.    When I was appointed to the City Council in March 2016, I felt I would now be able to take my community service to a new level.  Over the last 6 months, thanks to social media outlets like NextDoor, I have been able to get engaged with the North of Bayshore community and work on noise, traffic and illegal parking issues as a result of Levi's Stadium.  The North of Bayshore has never had representation on the City Council.  This is not a position I take lightly and one of the reasons I want to continue on the City Council to continue to be an advocate and voice for the North of Bayshore area.    I have a proven record of leadership and commitment to the City of Santa Clara and ask for your vote on November 8.  

When I first registered to vote in New York during the Reagan era, I registered as a Republican.  I found in each election that I more inclined to vote for Democratic candidates.  Thankfully, someone told me I could switch parties and I did and have been a voting Democrat since about 1986. 

However, it is discouraging to see what has happened to our political parties in the last few years.  As a country, we need to start to work together to move in the right direction.  We need to elect people who can help reach across the aisles and protect important issues like healthcare, women's rights, Social Security and education.  The future of our country needs a strong leader that will listen to the voters and pay attention and understand why a reality star/businessman gained so much support after not having a chance in the past.  Why is his message resonating with so many people now?  The same thing applies to local government.  We need to elect strong leaders who are listening to the voters and understand that people are paying attention.  There is so much information available to the public now as a result of social media, open government and transparency that people are holding the government accountable -- which is a good thing!  If your government is not listening to the voters, there needs to be change.  We need to start working together.  The past cannot be changed but the future is in our power. 

http://www.santaclaraweekly.com/2016/Issue-41/getting-to-know-the-santa-clara-city-council-candidates-mohammed-nadeem.html

Dear Fellow Santa Claran:

Here is my Ballot Statement: As a 24 year resident of Santa Clara, husband to my wife Sarah, father of our four children, and a Fulbright Scholar & Professor, I love Santa Clara and will always put it first. First in excellent city services, Police protection, Fire safety, and an open government.

I bring a record of service to our community: two terms on the Civil Service Commission, where I worked to insure fairness. As a member of Mission City Community Fund and Rotary Club, I served in reaching out to neighbors in need. As a member of the Library Foundation Board of Directors, where I fought to bring a new library to the North Side.

Santa Clara deserves a diverse leader who will listen and make sound decisions. As a graduate of Leadership, Citizen’s Police, and Fire Academy Programs, and as your Council member I will fight for you: for low cost utilities; improved housing jobs imbalance; less traffic congestion, upkeep of parks and open space; expanded library, senior, and youth services; and a walkable downtown for abetter quality of life.

Humbly requesting your support & Vote. Thank you.

Dr Nadeem

http://www.drnadeem.com/meet-dr-nadeem/my-latest-news/378-letter-to-santa-clarans-seat-6-vote-by-mail--nov-8th

Dear Fellow Santa Claran:

     I hope this note finds you exceptionally well! As we get close to the election-day, November 8^th, I want to reach out to you and request your support and vote for my Seat #6, City Council, Santa Clara. My vision/plan for Santa Clara is available at:  http://www.drnadeem.com/meet-dr-nadeem/my-latest-news/373-my-vision-for-santa-clara-5-point-planfor-nov8th

     I am honored to share with you that I have been endorsed by San Jose Mercury News (October 11, 2016): "Nadeem, a professor of business administration, is a longtime civic volunteer who has run before. Nadeem is an analytical, middle-ground candidate. Nadeem has a broader, more balanced approach to issues". http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/10/10/editorial-chahal-nadeem-oneill-and-mclemore-for-santa-clara-city-council/

     I am also pleased to share with you that I have received strong Editorial support [Milestones] from the Publisher, Santa Clara Weekly (October 12, 2016): "Nadeem's valueadded qualities is his skill to listen, process and make objective decisions. He is bright, articulate and current on the issues facing Santa Clara": http://www.santaclaraweekly.com/20…/Issue-42/milestones.html

     Please view my live interview with Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce board (August 24, 2016) to see my vision/priorities for Santa Clara:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCXiGIyh16g

     I am requesting you to ‘Follow the money’ and review my campaign disclosure reports of Sept 30^th on the City of Santa Clara Website. I do NOT owe any favors to any special interest. I have never, ever accepted any money from PAC, SuperPAC neither in my previous elections, nor in the current election cycle. My donors are hardworking common/everyday bay area residents/Santa Clarans who are fully behind my council campaign. My Profile is available in the Santa Clara Weekly from October 5, 2016 interview with the Weekly reporter David Alexander. http://www.santaclaraweekly.com/2016/Issue-41/getting-to-know-the-santa-clara-city-council-candidates-mohammed-nadeem.html

      As your Council member with an 'independent voice', I will give my 100% to champion for outstanding core services, economic/fiscal responsibility and transparent city government. I am also pleased to have received strong support from a Santa Clara resident, Elizabeth Scruth in her support letter to the Mercury News wrote (October 3, 2016): “Nadeem is an independent thinker & is a passionate advocate for Women’s rights: http://www.drnadeem.com/index.php?start=3

     I am also grateful to have Citywide support among residents of Santa Clara as we've reached out to over thirty thousand city residents through our---“Liveable [Affordable] Santa Clara with a Walkable Downtown”---campaign over the Summer and Fall this year with over '1400 Likes' strong on my facebook campaign page: www.facebook.com/drnadeem4citycouncil

    I am honored to have received strong support from a number of elected officials including CA State Senator, Hon. Jim Beall; Santa Clara County Supervisor President, Dave Cortese, and many other elected officials, city, community, and business leaders: 
www.drnadeem.com/endorsements/endorsement-list  

     It's time for a new style of leadership on Seat #6, Santa Clara City Council. As the publisher of the Santa Clara Weekly said (Oct. 12, 2016): “Nadeem is definitely an idea whose time has come”: http://www.santaclaraweekly.com/20…/Issue-42/milestones.html

     My wife, Sarah, and I will be honored to receive your 'Vote by Mail' today or on Election Day, November 8th. With your kindness, support/vote, and prayers, we will win on November 8th.

     Kind Regards, 
Dr. Nadeem - Seat #6 - City Council - Santa Clara. 

 

I was born in Delhi, India in 1961. My family moved to Davis, California when I was 3 years old.

I attended Davis public schools and then attended M.I.T. where I earned BS and MS degrees in electrical engineering.

Upon graduating, I worked for Bell Communications Research (offshoot of Bell Labs) in Red Bank, NJ.

I moved to Redwood City in 1990 to work for a startup. I worked at various companies in the Bay Area until I retired in 2008 to work on the issue of Climate Change.

Ahmad Rafah was born in a refugee camp during his parents' escape from war-torn Afghanistan. They were fortunately resettled to the United States. His father became a doctor, his mother a teacher, his sister a social worker for the homeless, his brother an anti-bullying advocate, and Ahmad an educator.

Surviving as refugees in a poor neighborhood was tough. Because of their experiences with violence and poverty, he and his family learned the value of hard work, education, and community. He could not have succeeded without his neighbors, government, and schools -- and because of that, he has dedicated his life to putting community first.

Ahmad knows what it means to put people, especially kids, first. He has done this for Santa Clara. He taught math and science to Santa Clara students, advocated for the creation of a greener and healthier Santa Clara, championed a higher minimum wage for Santa Clara workers, and fought for a more inclusive and diverse Santa Clara government.

Most recently, he served as Congressman Mike Honda's tech and business policy advisor and liaison to the City of Santa Clara. He helped bring together Santa Clara leaders, high-level government officials, CEOs, and residents to solve the region's most important issues, such as the historic drought, using more green and solar energy, creating more advanced manufacturing jobs, building more affordable housing, and fixing transportation in Santa Clara.

In his effort to make Santa Clara the best place to live, he founded the City of Santa Clara Democratic Club; was appointed to the city's Charter Review Commission; is an active member of the Santa Clara Rotary; connected the city to First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" program; and organized the community to raise the minimum wage.

The people of Santa Clara can count on Ahmad to put their needs above outside interests, because he knows what it means to have to stand up for the right to live, prosper, and raise your family in a safe, inclusive, and successful community.

 

Ahmad has been a lifelong champion for working families. He knows what it's like to be part of the unheard minority - that's why his entire career, he has always put working people first. During college, he fought for his fellow students as president, joining protests with DREAMers and advocating for students' financial and educational rights. While working for Congress, he had the opportunity to help Santa Clara veterans, seniors, and other residents solve their life-altering issues. Before coming to Congress, he was an organizer fighting on behalf of working families, encouraging new Americans to register to vote. He was also a math and science teacher for students in lower-income neighborhoods. He also serves as one of President Obama's Appointees to the U.S, Selective Service System Board, where he is tasked with making important decisions regarding national security and our men and women in combat.

A lifelong Santa Claran and longtime Santa Clara business owner, Mario Bouza knows what makes the Mission City a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. His passion and commitment for Santa Clara is demonstrated through his many years of community service and involvement with the city. Simply put, Mario knows Santa Clara inside and out — and it is this intimate knowledge and dedication to the City that makes him stand out against all other candidates in this year's City Council race.  

A two-term member and Vice-Chair of the Santa Clara Civil Service Commission, Mario has helped shaped many of the hiring policies currently in place at City Hall, as well as helped influence the future of the city's leadership. During his tenure, Mario has helped update and review a variety of city employment opportunities. Additionally, Mario served as a member of the Santa Clara Charter Review Commission, where he helped update and approve the current city charter, and of the Santa Clara Citizens' Advisory Committee.

In addition to his Civil Service Commission experience, Mario is also a graduate of Leadership Santa Clara, a six-month program designed to prepare current and future community and government leaders for the many unique challenges faced by the city, as well as the Santa Clara Citizens' Police Academy.

Mario is a dedicated member of the Rotary Club of Santa Clara, a philanthropic organization dedicated to contributing to the welfare of Santa Clara residents. He regularly volunteers at local Rotary events including: the club's annual Silicon Valley Barbecue Championship; Steps for Success, a project that provides school children from low-income families in Santa Clara with a new pair of shoes; and Christmas for Kids, which provides low-income Santa Clara children with holiday gifts and new winter jackets.

He is also the current Vice-Chair for the Boy Scouts of America Pioneer District, which serves communities from Santa Clara and Monterey Counties.

Mario is a proud graduate of Santa Clara schools, having attended both Buchser Middle School and Santa Clara High School. He lives in Santa Clara with his wife of 30 years, Carolyn, who herself is a proud lifelong Santa Clara resident. He has four adult children, all of whom were raised in the City, as well as two young granddaughters.

 

As a two-term member of the city’s Civil Service Commission and a recent member of the Santa Clara Charter Review Commission, I am well-versed in the inner workings of our city. If elected to City Council, I will strive to ensure residents are informed and involved in the decision making that shapes Santa Clara’s future.

The city needs real, open communication — not just lip service. Town halls may be blasé, but they are vital connections between the city government and the city residents. Before implementing more services, we need to hear from our citizens and understand what they feel they are missing in our city. From there, the city can better assess the needs of its residents. People will use the resources that they want and need, so it is important to get this feedback from the mouths of Santa Clarans.

I will work with the planning department to help make smart decisions regarding high-density developments that increase traffic, reduces Parking and strains Santa Clara’s resources. We need to bring our city infrastructure up to date before allowing any more new development. As we grow, we must preserve our heritage while planning for the future — and promoting smart development is the best way to do this.

We are a city surrounded by more cities. At this point, it would be hard for Santa Clara to acquire more land. We have to consider the open spaces and recreation facilities currently in place and begin brainstorming how we can expand upon and improve these resources.

We must encourage developers to make some affordable housing available to those who need it. We need jobs and workers at all income levels, and it is essential that Santa Clara maintains its image as a welcoming city for all people.

I feel we can always improve the balance of available jobs to available housing. The city has recently approved many multi-story units in the city, but ignores existing housing developments with absentee landlords who do not maintain the appearance and safety of their rental properties. These developments are a blight on the community. 

I would urge my colleagues to examine older apartment complexes that do not make good use of space or are in need of renovation. If the city could work with landlords or buy up these types of properties, we could clear out the oldest of those units to make room for new complexes that provide ample parking and more attractive facilities for young adults and families.

Job growth and tax revenue must be our city's priority. If approached from the view of smart economic growth, taxes can be beneficial to ensuring the security and expansion of city services and infrastructure. However, certain income and parcel taxes have the ability to act as a drain on economic growth and have driven away businesses from our city in favor of nearby areas with more attractive business incentives. I am opposed to taxes that negatively affect potential investors and business owners, as they often discourage new economic growth in Santa Clara

I would be willing to consider a business’ past spending in order to extend tax credits to businesses that have a history of spending their funds in Santa Clara. The more a business is willing to spend in the city, the larger the tax credit they should receive.

Our city parks, libraries, Great America theme park and Levis Stadium are all great assets in our city that drive revenue, tourism and continued growth. We must continue to improve these services and attractions to sustain Santa Clara’s position as a leading city in the region. 

A good example to consider is the proposed expansion of the Santa Clara Swim Center and Hall of Fame. The plans call for rebuilding the recreation center, making it larger and adding more classrooms. This is a great model, and we should emulate it across the city. We have to keep up on our parks and make sure they are in the best shape possible. This might mean upgrading bathrooms or playground equipment, adding additional picnic areas for families, or re-imagining existing open spaces to include multiple facilities such as dog parks or sports courts. New developments should be required to include open space areas.