Steve Kline running for San Jose Council District 6

Steve Kline has spent the past several months talking to people in the 20 different neighborhoods that make up San Jose City Council District 6–primarily the Willow Glen and greater Rose Garden neighborhoods–to find out what residents think are the most important issues.

The reason: he wants to represent them on the city council.

“I’ve talked to a lot of people who think that things are not working in San Jose. There are potholes in our streets damaging cars; there are fewer police officers available to solve crime, and many people don’t feel safe–even though those who are here are working hard to keep the city safe. And, we’re entering the 11th year of budget crises and concerns,” he said in an interview.

“People are concerned about the lack of services and the increased crime. Nearly every house on my street in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood has been burglarized, including mine, as well as homes in Shasta Hanchett, Willow Glen, North Willow Glen, Pamlar and the Rose Garden,” he said. “Police have been doing an excellent job, but they’re being run ragged at the moment.”

He said that city council members are constantly battling with people stuck on one side or the other without much collaboration and consensus building. “I feel the council needs someone who can find ways to see both sides of the issue and bring about resolution. The council needs someone who can ask city administrators for the answers to the questions people on the street are asking,” he added.Kline will be running against incumbent Pierluigi Oliverio, who is seeking a second full term. He was elected in 2008 to fill out the remaining two years after Ken Yeager resigned to take a seat on Santa Clara County’s board of supervisors.