d4sanjose.com • (408) 535-4904 • district4@sanjoseca.gov

Join Us for the D4 Stars Gala January 19!

My team and I are thrilled to announce the individuals and organizations identified as the first-ever District 4 Stars to honor noteworthy achievements and outstanding service to our community!

Volunteer Dean McCully

Community Leader Michael Kraus

Youth Advocate Nuha Khan

Community Service Organization Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley

Local Business Pho San Jose

Philanthropist Judy Santiago

Public Servant SJPD Capt. Todd Trayer

These individuals, businesses, and nonprofits have shown outstanding devotion to our community and are shining examples of commitment to excellence.

Join us at The District 4 Stars Gala Award Ceremony for a catered dinner, entertainment, remarks from elected officials and award recipients! 

District 4 Stars Gala 

Fri, January 19 • 6pm • Berryessa Community Center

A Message About the Israel / Gaza Conflict

Over a month ago, the community approached me, deeply affected by the events in Gaza, urging the city to take a stance. I grappled with the challenge of addressing the pain while ensuring fairness to all perpectives. Despite concerns, we embarked on a journey of shared values, acknowledging rooted pain, and expressing our shared concern for human life. With collaboration from diverse groups, and support from the mayor and council colleagues, we crafted a statement that unites us against violence, human suffering, and hate in our communities. Grateful to everyone involved for standing by those who have suffered. Together, we can make a meaningful impact.

Piedmont Middle School Gets A New Gym!

It’s been a long time coming but I’m very excited that Piedmont Middle School finally has a full size gymnasium. Years ago, I proposed adding it to the list of project to be funded by BUSD’s bond and I’m grateful to Assemblymember Alex Lee for providing state funding to get it over the hump!

Green New Year Celebration

I had a great time with Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action and a host of local officials for a day of recognition, introductions, and connections, looking back on 2023 and toward 2024’s youth climate advocacy at Quinlan Community Center in Cupertino.

SJPD Holding Community Meeting

Our neighborhoods and streets are struggling with the loud, unsafe, and illegal phenomenon of "Sideshows" - promoted on social media, these flashmob style gatherings quickly spring up on major intersections and thoroughfares, shutting them down while participants drive recklessly in tight circles, burning up their tires and leaving indelible skid marks on our streets, to the delight of sometimes hundreds of spectators. SJPD has limited resources to deal with these events, especially when multiple sideshows are taking place on different sides of town. Even with these limited resources, SJPD has managed to stop and cite hundreds of sideshow participants, impounding cars, discovering illegal weapons and drugs in the process. Join us January 29th for a community meeting with members of SJPD and San Jose Department of Transportation. It's your chance to hear first hand from the officers on the ground and voice your concerns.

SJPD Response to Sideshows Community Meeting 

Mon, January 29^th 6pm

Hosted by Captain Brandon Sanchez. Members of Department of Transportation will be present at Sierramont Middle School • 6pm

Free Junk Pick Up!

We could all use a little extra space around the house this time of year, if you've got junk and clutter in your garage or yard, take advantage of this great FREE service from the City of San José! Make an appointment to get rid of old appliances and furniture, mattresses, and more. It's easy, just fill out a short form online, move your stuff to the curb, and a truck will come and take it all away!

Beautify SJ Grant Program

The City of San José is committed to supporting residents in their efforts to beautify their neighborhoods and create a cleaner and more vibrant San José.

The mission of the BeautifySJ Grant Program is to support residents’ efforts at reclaiming their public space and to empower residents to aesthetically demonstrate their pride in our City. The City believes that the power to shape the future of our neighborhoods lies in strengthening the civic participation of our residents. 

The BeautifySJ Grant Program provides funds (from $300 up to $5,000) for neighborhood clean-up efforts, beautification projects and neighborhood engagement opportunities in San José.

Beautification Projects

ADOPT-A-PARK: Adopt-A-Park is a one-year commitment to help with picking up litter, removing graffiti, removing weeds, and trimming bushes

LANDSCAPING: Landscaping (design, planting, trimming, mulching) in public spaces and city parks

GARDEN SPOTS: A Garden Spot is a small area in a City of San José park, where residents register to plant and maintain a flower garden. Garden Spots can be community projects. 

NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN-UP: Dumpster Days, Litter Pick-Ups, Graffiti Abatement

PLANTING: Planting of trees and/or any other type of planting. 

Neighborhood Quality of Life & Neighborhood Organization Building Events/Projects

NEIGHBORHOOD-LED EVENTS: National Night Out, Cultural Festivals, Community Building Events, public safety activities, neighborhood celebrations, community projects, etc. 

NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION SUPPORT: Newsletters, PO Boxes, United Neighborhoods of Santa Clara County Membership Fees, special events insurance, association web pages/domains. 

ONE-DAY VOLUNTEER EVENT AT A PARK: Your neighborhood group can work with Parks Division Volunteer Management Unit to choose a project based on the number of participants and the work that is needed. 

Neighborhood Support & Capacity Building Events/Activities

NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP OUTREACH AND COMMUNICATION: Connecting neighborhood leaders to City Council and City of San José staff. Communicating and sharing resources, including funding opportunities. Conducting outreach to identify neighborhood leaders, in Equity PriorityCommunities to establish new emerging groups. Communicate and coordinate BeautifySJ funded projects thatenable multiple groups to better utilize resources. Conducting outreach to community members to foster greater engagement in joining or establishing neighborhood groups where there are no groups.

CAPACITY BUILDING: Regular engagement meetings with emerging groups and neighborhood associations to provide coaching on how to develop Bylaws, meeting agendas, and grant proposals. Provide neighborhood groups with “How toGuides” for Beautification projects. Support residents, emerging groups and associations by providing language interpretation services.

How To Apply

The BeautifySJ Grant Application is available at grants.sanjoseca.gov

March 5 Election Is Just Around the Corner!

The next big election is March 5th, 2024! The primary election is important because it's how voters decide which candidates will move on to the November General Election, but in primary races where there are only two candidates, the primary election actually decides the race and means the winner of that contest doesn't have to compete in the November General. Get more information about the upcoming March 5th Primary Election HERE.

Nonpartisan Offices

• City of San José Mayor and City Council Districts 2, 4, 6, 8, 10
• Judge of the Superior Court, Offices 1-25
• Board of Supervisors, Districts 2, 3 and 5
• County Central Committee
• Democratic Party (AD 23, 24, 25, 26, 28 and 29)
• Republican Party (SD 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)
• Peace & Freedom Party (SD 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)
• Green Party
• City Contest

Partisan Office

• United States President Voter-Nominated Offices
• United States Senator
• United States Senator Partial/Unexpired Term
• United States Representative in Congress, Districts 16, 17, 18 and 19
• State Senator, Districts 13 and 15
• Member of the Assembly, Districts 23, 24, 25, 26, 28 and 29

Volunteer In Your Community

Volunteer Opportunities: 

If you are interested in volunteering, we are always in need of volunteers for a wide array of events that take place in District 4! Please consider helping out your community and joining us!

Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Angela Pedrigal, at angela.pedrigal@sanjoseca.gov for more information. 

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Easily Access City Services

San Jose 311 is your gateway to City Services from vehicle blight abatement, graffiti removal, reporting fireworks, illegal dumping, pot holes, and more.

click here to get started.

Rebates up to 90% for Your Building Upgrades!

Through the San José Energy Efficient Business Program, your business can receive rebates when you make certain energy-saving upgrades. These significant rebates (80-90% off!) help make the projects more affordable, and when you combine the rebates with your lower monthly energy costs, the upgrades can quickly pay for themselves.

click here to get started.