January 7, 2005

What’s new for 2005?

Heritage Theatre will offer exciting entertainment; light rail extension work continues;
new dog park to open; many street maintenance projects

By Jane Kennedy,
Campbell Mayor
Special to the Times

It’s going to be another exciting year for Campbell residents and visitors as the Heritage Theatre begins its “Sensational Spring 2005” season. Kicking off the season is Melissa Manchester on Feb. 12, followed by the Best of Broadway on March 19, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (with special guest Peninsula Banjo Band) on April 8 and Manhattan Transfer, Unplugged on May 22. Individual and season show tickets are now on sale at the Heritage Theatre Box Office and Campbell Recreation Office.

This year, the city will monitor the completion of the Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) Vasona Light Rail Extension project in Campbell. It boasts three new stations at the following locations: Hamilton Avenue at Creekside, Downtown Campbell and Winchester Boulevard near St. Lucy’s Church. Construction began in the fall of 2000, and service is anticipated sometime this summer.

Canine owners in Campbell will soon have a new local park facility where they can take their beloved pets to run and play as the construction of the Los Gatos Creek Dog Park is in the works this year.

Meanwhile, the city has budgeted $2.2 million in the next three fiscal years for Deferred Street Maintenance. This improvement project continues the city’s efforts to resurface and rehabilitate various city streets, which have been identified through the use of Campbell’s Pave-ment Management System.

Having sufficient resources enables us to push forward important city improvements. However, the city of Campbell continues to face fiscal challenges as the state of California attempts to balance its own budget at the expense of cities and counties

In anticipation of these challenges, the city has had to utilize funding from its Reserve For Economic fluctuations to offset budgetary shortfalls and to maintain vital services and programs. However, because this Reserve is limited, the city will again act cautiously in preparation of the upcoming budget year. The city will continue to collaborate with the League of California Cities in 2005 to preserve critical revenue sources.

In closing, I look forward to serving as your mayor this year and hope you and your family have a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Jane Kennedy is currently serving as the Campbell Mayor for 2005. She was re-elected to the Campbell City Council in November 2002 for a four—year term after first serving on the Council in November 1998. Mayor Kennedy has been a Campbell resident since 1972.

Kennedy was selected as Citizen of the Year for the city of Campbell for the year 1991.  Her council committee experience includes her work as chairperson for the VTA Board as well as her work as a member of the Campbell Historical Museum & Ainsley House/Heritage Cam-paign Committee, Vasona Corridor Joint Policy Advisory Board, Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority as well as many others.