Dear Neighbor, I am humbled and honored to start my term as your Mayor. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work on common-sense solutions to combat the homelessness epidemic, take on crime, clean up our streets, and build housing where it makes sense. I had the honor of being sworn in during a private ceremony in Council Chambers last Thursday with my family by my side. We’ll be organizing a public inauguration in late January, for which we’ll share details soon. On New Year’s Day, I spent my first day in office with our first responders at the San José Police Department, San José Fire Department, emergency dispatch, and emergency room staff at Valley Medical Center, who worked through the holidays to keep our community safe (photos below). I’m extremely grateful to our frontline workers for showing up–rain or shine, holiday or not–to serve all San Joséans. As Mayor, I will work to increase staffing levels for these vital city services. My top priority in my first 100 days in office is to deliver a March budget message that incorporates ideas directly from community members, my council colleagues, and other key stakeholders that offer new and innovative solutions for homelessness, crime, blight, and housing affordability. Our family, friends, and neighbors all want the same thing–to see San José thrive. The new year is an opportunity for all of us to put aside our differences and come together to help San José achieve its enormous potential. May the start of 2023 bring you and your loved ones joy and success as we start this journey together as one united city. Best,  Matt Mahan           I enjoyed starting my tenure with the city and county employees who keep us safe and help us on our worst days, from police officers and firefighters to emergency room workers and dispatchers who are our first point of contact in a crisis. Clockwise from upper left, visiting Police Headquarters for the 6:30 am briefing, thanking our 911 dispatchers, visiting Fire Station 1 downtown and Fire Station 5 in North San José, and dropping off coffee and donuts at Valley Medical Center.       The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch for the Bay Area for this Wednesday and Thursday. Last weekend’s atmospheric river brought 1.74 inches of rain to San José. The City also worked with unhoused residents who live near waterways and who are especially vulnerable during rains that lead to rising waters and flooding. City, County, and non-profit partners deployed outreach teams to notify people of weather conditions, recommend they move, help find shelter placements, and provide some essential supplies to people who choose to remain outside. The City is working to augment its shelter capacity with more beds to help provide our vulnerable residents with a dry place to sleep. Tips for Residents: Residents can find storm and safety tips on the City’s website. Residents should subscribe to emergency alerts at http://AlertSCC.org. Unhoused residents seeking shelter from the rain, the City operates two overnight warming locations (OWLs) at Roosevelt Community Center and West Valley Branch Library. Individuals should call the County Here4You hotline at 408-385-2400 for a referral and placement. VTA also provides free transit to shelters. Sand and sandbags are provided free by Valley Water, find a pick-up site. Seniors or mobility impaired: Alert your family or friends so they are prepared to assist you should conditions change. Pack a bag with important documents, medicines, spare clothes.     If you haven’t already, please connect with Mayor Matt on social media to get more frequent updates on what’s happening at City Hall and out in the community! Follow Mayor Matt on social media by clicking on the icons below:        |
Original sent via email by Mayor Matt Mahan