Boynton Community Association

March 2001 Newsletter

Jun 29, 2001

BOYNTON VISION

?• ISSUE NO. 17 ?• P.O. BOX 700705, SAN JOSE, CA 95170-0705 ?• SPRING 2001 ?•
Newsletter of the Boynton Community Association
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?“It begins with a meeting and ends with a safer neighborhood?”

Boynton Community Association Meeting Agenda

DATE & TIME: MARCH 29, 2001, THURSDAY at 7:30 p.m.
LOCATION: STARBIRD COMMUNITY CENTER at Starbird Park
WELCOME: Nancy Erickson
Council Member Linda LeZotte?… Future city plans that effect our neighborhood
Topics and Speakers
Update on San Jose Parks and Recreation . . . Joe Garvin
New look for our neighborhood association . . . Ken Kelley
San Jose Police Officers . . . Update on neighborhood activities

What?’s in it for me?…?

?…The Boynton Community Association, that is.
Membership in your neighborhood association gives you a strong voice in your community. It allows you to raise issues, talk about concerns with others, participate in problem solving, meet your neighbors, and have fun while you?’re at it. Each meeting is attended by folks just like you who are interested in making this a better and safer place to live.
There?’s always a representative from Council Member Linda LeZotte?’s office on hand to answer questions and take our messages back to city hall for action. Additionally, a special guest from the community-at-large is invited to meet with us: folks from the Fire and Police Departments, code enforcement, other neighborhood associations, neighborhood watch officials, graffiti removal program among others are on the agenda for this year. By coming to meetings, you can make suggestions about whom you would like to see attend and address our meetings. Best of all, we can make things happen. Together, we can build a stronger feeling of neighborhood pride!
It doesn?’t take much time, money, or effort to join. Meetings are held at the Starbird Community Center at Starbird Park, at 7:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month. How much time you put toward a better neighborhood beyond that is up to you.
So what are you waiting for: email at boynton_community@email.com or call Council Member Linda LeZotte?’s office at (408) 299-4147 or mail to BCA, P.O. Box 700705, San Jose, CA 95170-0705


Letter from District One Councilwoman Linda LeZotte

In the past year I have received many calls, letters and e-mails from District One residents. Most of these calls reflect a need to have better communication with City Hall. As a long time community activist and a member of the Boynton Neighborhood Association, I know that there are at least three ways this can be accomplished. First, you can contact my office. Second, you can join your neighborhood association. Third, you can call the new City of San Jose Customer Service Center.

1. Contact my office. Many times folks have faced the same issue over and over again for an extended time, or are tired of being referred back and forth from department to department. Sometimes, people call because they have questions or would simply like to voice an opinion. Either way, when you contact my office, my staff and I will return your call promptly with an appropriate response. Since I am here to serve you, I or my staff will listen and try to come up with reasonable solutions. You can reach me by phone at
277-5438 and by e-mail at linda.lezotte@ci.sj.ca.us.

2. Join your Neighborhood Association. When individuals unite, they make a difference - there is little more effective than a united voice! In all of the city's neighborhood associations, benefits build one on the other and grow with time. For example, the city listens closely to neighborhood association needs and does indeed react to them. Neighborhoods see action leading to improvement, which in turn fosters neighborhood pride. The process leads to a solid neighborhood composed of residents who watch out for and assist each other. The feeling then becomes one of belonging to a smaller community rather than just being a part of the larger city.

3. Call the new City of San Jose Customer Service Center, by dialing 277-4000. The center provides one-stop calling services and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The center is staffed by real people who will take your call and route it to the appropriate city department, so you won't be bounced around in a voice mail system. It is a quick way to get answers and results. Call center staff will also be able to answer many of your questions about city services "on-the-spot", and will call you back to follow through.

I urge you to get involved and to have your voice heard by contacting my office, joining your Neighborhood Association, and by calling the San Jose Customer Service Center.
Linda LeZotte

Anderson Village Elementary School -- from Principal Sue Healy

The school year is more than half over! We have had many successes at Anderson Village Elementary this year. During December, the state came to assess our many programs. Often this type of visit is like an audit and full of recommendations. However, Anderson received several commendations for the academic, social, and emotional programs that exist at our school. Needless to say, we were very proud of our accomplishments. We believe in our motto, ?“Reach for the Stars!?” Everyone regardless of socio-economic and linguistic background is expected to live up to this standard. Please, feel free to visit any time!
Immanuel Presbyterian Church


Our neighborhood church, Immanuel Presbyterian will soon be welcoming co-pastors to their church. They are Rev. Steve Steele and his wife, Rev. Ellen Steele. The Steeles will be sharing one position, with Steve working ?¾ time and Ellen working ?¼. This gives the church the opportunity to use each of their ministerial strengths.

Easter Sunday the Steeles will be preaching at the church, but will not be taking up full time residence until May 6th. All are welcome to attend our services and meet our new pastors.

Starbird Park Update and Events

Work on the park is nearing completion. On April 7th Council Member Linda LeZotte will be dedicating the new and colorful Tot Lot at 10:00 a.m.

Saturday April 7th is going to be a special day at Starbird Park, with lots of activities happening throughout the day. As the Community Center will be hosting its first annual Easter egg hunt. All children ages two to nine are invited to participate in these activities. Parents, grandparents, and family members are encouraged to attend the festivities. Mark your calendars and come join us for the spring day celebration. Coffee and doughnuts will be served.

Easter Egg Hunt ?– Saturday April 7, 2001
9:30 a.m. for 2-3 years old
10:15 a.m. for 4-5 years old
11:00 a.m. for 6-7 years old
11:45 a.m. for 8-9 years old


Blackford High School

As Ronda Farber Superintendent of Campbell High School District promised, new landscaping, new paint, and removal of old lockers has taken place giving it a much improved new look. In the near future new plumbing and new wiring throughout will be completed; also the swimming pool will be repaired. At our BCA meeting on April 26th, Ronda Farber will be giving an update on these repairs.


The Eden Neighborhood Association

City engineers are presenting a plan for Eden Avenue that will divert the through traffic of about 3,000 speeding cars per day back to Winchester Boulevard. It is a bold plan developed after months of study and planning. It is part of the Mayor?’s Strong Neighborhood Initiative.

Blackford Youth Center

Are you aware of the existence of the Blackford Youth Center at Blackford High School? This is a place for all youth and teens to relax, socialize, and enjoy many activities. These include, sports, games, a lounge with crafts and computers, Friday night gym, girls club, Our Caf?© which is an exciting forum where artistic expression is heard provided by youth through poetry, open mike, spoken word, and karaoke, and don?’t forget the field trips. The hours are:

Monday-Thursday at 3:00-8:00 PM
Friday at 3:00-11:00 PM
Saturday- Special Events and Field Trips

The phone number at the center is
(408) 246-5919
This is a great place to go! DON?’T MISS IT!!!


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SIGNS OF SPRING

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Be sure and check the beautiful array of Native California Shrubs growing along San Tomas Creek?’s bank, between Payne Avenue and Williams Road. The plants are in glorious bloom and have grown to great heights. Your BCA members planted these shrubs and are very proud of their success



Cellular 9-1-1

Did you know you couldn?’t dial 911 from your cell phone? So what do you do?
The number to call from your cell phone is
(408) 277-8911
Take some time now. Tape this number on your cell phone. You never know when you will need it.
Important City of San Jose Phone Numbers
Customer Service Call Center (available 24hrs.) 277-4000
Council District 1?—Linda LeZotte 277-5438
Police Department Violent Crime Team (gangs) 277-3835
Neighborhood Development Center (how to organize neighborhood associations) 277-5350
Code Enforcement 277-4528
Environmental Enforcement (scavenging or illegal dumping on private property) 277-5970
Recycle Plus! Customer Service (garbage) 277-2700
Department of Streets & Parks (parks maintenance, illegal dumping on private property) 277-4373
Street Light Repair (recording) 277-5517
Narcotics Enforcement Confidential Hotline 971-3784
Police Non-Emergency Number 277-4222
Crime Prevention (Neighborhood Watch) 277-4133
Graffiti Hotline 277-2758
Santa Clara County Vector Control (rodents) 299-2050
Shopping Cart Pick-Up 977-0555
Sidewalk Repair 277-2572
Street Tree Trimming 277-2762
Street Sweeping 277-2751
Stray, Injured Animals 277-6529
Abandoned Vehicles
?• on streets 277-5305
?• on private property 277-5307
?• free tow on private property 277-4931
Fire or Police
?• emergency 9-1-1
?• non-emergency 3-1-1
?• cellular phone emergency 277-8911
?• report a fire hazard 277-4659
?• report a leaking fire hydrant 277-4373
Gang Hotline 293-4264
Crime Stoppers 947-7867
Illegal Drug Activity 971-3784
Mediation for Neighborhood Disputes 299-2206
Legal Aide 283-1540
Senior Services 277-4101

Let your Neighborhood Association work for you!
Voice your concerns, raise issues, participate in your neighborhood association, join a committee and See results!
BCA wishes you and your family a happy Easter!
This newsletter is a publication of the Boynton Community Association, a volunteer association organized to provide neighbors with information, services, and activities directed at improving our neighborhood. For more information, write to: BCA, P.O. Box 700705, San Jose, CA 95170-0705 or
email: boynton_community@email.com
website: www.neighborhoodlink.com/public/main.html?nsupercity=466936477&nneighid=306112558