库市选举微信访谈系列3 -- Jerry Liu.
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Chat History for 库市选举"烧烤"群: Jerry Liu
主持人:Welcome!We should officially get started
主持人:BBQ rule: 1 preheating. We will let the candidate give us an introduction about his campaign and his platform. 2. Standard grilling cycle. The candidate will
address all the preset questions asked by group members here. The questions are listed above. 3. All you can grill part. We will give 10 minutes for audience to ask
any questions related to election. The candidate then needs to answer those questions one by one.
主持人:@Jerry Liu take a look at the rules and let me know if you have any questions.
Jerry
Liu :I am good. Thanks.
个人信息部分:
主持人:If you are ready, can you give us some introduction about ur
campaign? Why
do
you want to run for this election? What do you want to do if elected?
Jerry Liu:First of all, thanks for hosting me here tonight.I came to US from Taiwan when I was fourth grade, so my Chinese reading is stuck at fourht grade level. I can read limited Chinese but will need to respond to English, Thanks for you indulgence.
Jerry Liu:In terms of why I wanted to run, I've seen a lot of discussion and dissent in the community around the issue of growth, I have a friend Darcy Paul who is on the city council, and when I've talked to him about this, he encouraged me to take the jump into the politics and run for office.
Jerry Liu: I have two young daughters 10 and 8. we moved to Cupertino because of the schools, and I'm running primarily to maintain Cupertino as a family friendly place to raise kids.
Jerry Liu: in terms of what I'd like to do if elected, the main motivation is to represent the people's voice. I am also a city commissioner. i currently chair the library commission. I know that there is a lot of unhappiness about the city council
from the residents. I also have a view from inside the city government, and there are things I'd like to change to make it more responsive to the residents.
Jerry
Liu:This is a short intro. Thanks
主持人:Thank you! And fast typing too:)
Jerry
Liu:I play a lot of computer games
主持人:We will move into the next phase soon. But before we do that, I
have a
personal
question for you.
Jerry
Liu:of course
主持人:You don't have to answer that if it makes u uncomfortable.
Jerry Liu:thats okay im running for office. anything is fair game :)
主持人:First I want to congratulate you on the Crest 2016 award
Jerry
Liu:Thank you
主持人:I watched the video here
http://www.cupertino.org/index.aspx?page=980
Jerry
Liu:yes
主持人:And thank you for your contributions to our local communities .
That is great!
Jerry
Liu:Thank you. to be honest I wasnt expecting it. it came a sa
surprise
主持人:I have quite a lot a friends who asked me the question as well.
I noticed your
left
hand is a little different. So I want to take this opportunity to ask about
your
hand.
Jerry
Liu:Oh yes.
主持人:Sorry if this is too personal and you don't have to answer it
Jerry Liu:Thats okay. Thank you for asking. Sometimes people wonder and then they dont ask and it gets more awkward. I have a birth defect. My left hand has only a deformed thumb and is missing four fingers. I was born like this. My wife and I went to see e geneticist after we got married. It's not genetic.
主持人:Oh. I am sorry to hear that.
Jerry Liu:It turns out that every once in a while, a baby's limb gets caught in the amniotic sac. the hand gets trapped in the sac and then the fingers don't develop. So sometimes you'll see me keep my hand in the pocket. I try not to do it now but it's a habit that I developed when I was young. Used to get teased a lot about it.
主持人:That must be hard for you when u were a kid
Jerry Liu:Anyway thats what thats about. I don't type like most of you do. I actually type by finding the keys but i know the keyboard well from playing computer gaes. yes it was tough. i grew up in taiwan and not only the kids but the adults will point, kinda rude now that i think about it
主持人:Glad you went through all that. And thank you for sharing your personal information with us.
Jerry Liu:It's okay. thank you. thanks for asking so its out in the open
主持人:I really like what you said Sometimes people wonder and then they dont ask and it gets more awkward.
Jerry
Liu:theres this awkwardness. i can tell because people cant help
themselves
and glance down and i know what they are thinking
Jerry
Liu:but i let them bring it up if they want to
主持人:It is really important that an elected official is willing to
communicate even in
a
very awkward situation.
Jerry Liu:its much easier to deal with this as an adult than a kid. i am happy to share but i dont want to force the conversation on people
Jerry
Liu:thank you again for asking in a kind way
主持人:This actually makes me respect you more and I want to thank you again for so much volunteer work you have done and being a role model for kids.
Jerry Liu:Thanks - I do a lot of work at school because my parents werent able to. I grew up in Texas and its community with lors of parent volunteerism. But my parents didnt speak english and had to work anyway so they were never at school.
主持人:Pew have a lot of immigrants here and some of us just don't know there are a lot of opportunities to serve the community.
Jerry Liu:so when my older daughter started school I voluntereed for everything i could so that she could see me there and i can get to learn her life
Jerry Liu:Yes I try to reach out to people. I know lots of people want to volunteer but dont know how to get involved. I'm pretty active in the PTA ad site council of the school, it makes a big difference to the children. Plus my work is very technical and itmakes me feel like i am doing something useful when i work with the kids. Thanks!
主持人:Sure. When you get a chance later, u should host a seminar to let us know where to get started and how to contribute as a volunteer in this community. [Grin]
Jerry Liu:Thats a good idea. I will certainly do that. I actually didnt know where to get started, either.
预设问题部分:
主持人:1. On your mailer, it's said "not funded by developer or anti-growth groups." Does that mean you think Measure C supporters are in Anti-growth group?
Jerry
Liu:No it doesn't. [Smile] Let me explain.
Jerry
Liu:The mailer you see is actually my second piece. I had designed a
first
piece that I used for walking
Jerry
Liu:and when I went around to neighbors, some people would ask me
if
I am backed by developers
Jerry
Liu:but when I explained that I was No o D, I found there were people
who
asked me if I'm with anti-growth groups.
Jerry
Liu:So I just put that label on the mailer to just clarify for those people
who
wanted to know if I am with anti-growth
Jerry
Liu:Measure C as I understand is supported by residents for sensible
growth
and I certainly dont consider it anti-growth
Jerry
Liu:thats it. thanks.
主持人:Thanks
主持人:Preset question 2. Do you support "rezone to mixed-use" for revitalization of Vallco.
Jerry
Liu:Personally, I think having a mixed use designation there provides
more
flexibility, so yes. The issue for me is one of balance and scale and getting
that
right. But thats my personal opinion, and as an elected official, I would want
to
carry out the wishes of the community.
主持人:Thank you! Fair enough!
Jerry
Liu:For me, it;s really making sure that we have the right balance if we
have
mixed use there
主持人:Preset question 3. If C,D both fail and you get elected, what
will you do?
Jerry Liu:My wife says if C and D both fail and I get elected, I'll grow a lot of white hair and become an old man in 4 years... But seriously, I want to share some info first. Sand Hill has told the candidates that if D fails, they will stop and just let the property sit there and maybe appreciate :)
Jerry Liu:when they told me this I joked that many people I canvassed in rancho rinconada would like that :) what I would do in that case, would be adviocate that the council pull together a group of residents, developers, and staff to form a kind of neighborhood advisory group to work together and develope a recommendation on the plan for vallco. Assuming that the developer still wants to develop and doesnt abandon developmenrt plans, I think the problem in the past has been. The city has try to sell a vision to the residents. and this is why we are here in this mess. because this is a vision that a significant part of population doesnt want
Jerry Liu:i have discussed this with darcy, and he likes the idea of having stakeholders build that vision jointly. It takes two council members to put an item on the counci agenda and if i were on the council we can move this forward. Basically i feel we have an educated and engaged community here and we should tap into this resource. I really dont like it when I hear people say "oh residents would change their minds if they only knew the facts". I think thats very arrogant and i'd like to help change that kind of thinking, because it assumes city knows more than residents. Maybe thats treu, i dont know. but i know the residentd care more. Darcy has only one vote in 2015 so he can't advance this on the agenda. But if i were on the council we would be able to move this forward
Jerry
Liu:thanks - sorry that took so long
主持人:Thank you for elaborating your thoughts on this question. I personally think it is a great idea to have stakeholders discussing about the future of the mall, if both C and D Fails.
Jerry Liu:Its essential, otherwise we are back exactly where we were
主持人:My little one always ask me what will happen to the mall. He wants a place that he can watch movie and do other fun things. And I believe that is the idea of most residents here in Cupertino.
Jerry Liu:We need to have sufficient retail and entertainment services for the residents. especially the children
主持人:And the senior and women as well:) Sorry for interrupting your second answer.
主持人:If you have more to answer to the second question, pls go on
Jerry
Liu:no problem. i was just making comment. please continue.
主持人:Preset question 4. Cupertino High and Lawson Middle are over crowded. My son attended both and he was forced to restrict his class selection due to limited room. My opinion on Vallco and other similar mixed use developments is "they have to address over crowed schools situation by adding new middle and high schools to accommodate new students from the new housing." Mr Liu: Do you agree? Or what's your opinion?
Jerry Liu:Let me share my experience. I have two girls who attend Lincoln. This is a school thats flagged by the district as being "declining enrollement". and its true we have fewer kids than last year, but my daughters tell me that they have to go line up before the bell or else they cant get food for lunch with time to eat because line is so long. I know that the district says enrollment is declining. I say it is possible for schools to have declining enrollment and still be overcrowded!
Jerry Liu:Also the demographer only goes out 5 years in prediction does anyone think there will be fewer people and kids here in 10-20 years then now??? so coming back to the question, I believe that if the developments are large enough to bring in a non-trivial number of students, like a few hundred, then we need schools. with that said, i do recognize that school capacity is determined by the school board, not the city council, and the council has some restrictions from state on ability to approve projects based on school impact. But i will do my best to work with school districts to make sure the capcity gets build. This is why we need to elect people like Liang and Jenny to the school board.
Jerry
Liu:finished
主持人:Thank you!
主持人:Preset question 5. I would like to point out that almost all new housing units will add students to existing schools. The percentage should be close to 100%, not the current lower percentage. The reason for moving into this school district is mostly because of schools. Mr Liu: do you agree that when predicting school attendance growth trends, the study should be based on the latest trend, not the historical average? Will you promise to be objective and use common sense to review the study results, if elected?
Jerry Liu:yes thank you! I remember that Kristen Lyn, a CUSD school board member and a friend who has really helped with my campaign, told me that CUSD has a much
higher student-per-household ratio than surrounding districts. I am not a demographer, but it stands to reason that given the reputation of our district, this ratio should be higher. Especially the price differential between cupertino in other areas are so large. So I absolutely agree that we should use numbers from the latest trends rather than longer term historical values that may be outdated. Though just to note, this is likely within the purview of the school board. It absolutely makes sense to use common sense in these results. when people say we can close school site because enrollment is going down, I think to myself, really? 30 years from now there will be fewer people here? so anyway yes we need to adjust to the realities of whats really going on. Thanks and i am finished
Jerry Liu:Yes, of course. To start out, I understand that growth is the major issue in this election. But I do feel a bit sad that the council race seems to have come down to C and D when there are many other issues in the city to address. For measure C, I see it as a vote of no-confidence in our current process and system. I know theres a lot of talk of 45 ft and 4 story houses and all that. But I feel these are things that can be addressed, so these are not factors for me. Last Friday, this gentleman that I spoke with told me. "Son, you're running for an institution that is held in low regards by many of us" and I agree that the ccurrent council has been ineffective in many areas, main one being listening to the residents. For me, there are two reasons I think about. First is that it's a personal philosophy over whats an efficient form of government. But I think thats not the main issue here because I'm just one vote. I think what matters is having a council up on the dais that will support a fair and transparent process. And I will do that. Also, I've tried to run a campaign on a theme of being able to work with everyone Because no matter what happens on November 8, all these same people are still going to be here on November 9. i dont think I can be much help being one more person on this side or that side, but I feel I can help in working with people to get things going again. and to do so, it wouldnt be possible for me to be a partisan on either side.
Jerry Liu:I'm guessing that this is an audience that is pro-C, and it would be easy for me to come here and tell you what you want to hear but I wanted to be clear that even though I am not supporting C, I am a friend to your cause. because I believe that the people of Cupertino should be the ones to determine where our city goes This is a belief that Darcy and I share and a big part of why i am running.
Jerry Liu:thanks i am finished
主持人:Thanks, Jerry. Two more
questions. Mr. Liu, in you campaign
site, you take bridging communities as your highest priority if elected. Please
elaborate more on how you are going to do that. For instance, the competing
measures(C and D) indicates divided communities in Cupertino, what are you
going to do specifically to bridge the gaps? What is your view on growth? You
support neither of the measures without giving your own view in growth, this
gives voters like me an impression that you may have limited personal opinions
on the issue. Please correct me if I am wrong.
2. Mr. Liu, I do agree with you that leader's job is to be inclusive to
all views. But leader has to have the vision when it comes to make the
decision. Please share with the group what is your vision in Cupertino? Let's
say, in 5 years, do you think it is the best interest to Cupertino residents to
keep Cupertino as it is, a small, quiet and convenient town in Silicon Valley
for middle class families, or make Cupertino more vibrant with the cost of
quietness and convenience.
Jerry Liu:OK let me take this in one at a time, first is bridging. It starts with listening to people and respecting what people say As I may have mentioned earlier, I want to invove the residents more in setting the direction for our community moving forward In a more formal way. I envision setting up these neighborhood advisory groups, made up of diffeent stakeholders - residents and businesses and developers. somewhat akin to what has been done eith stevens creek trail or what Minh Le is doing at FHUSD and get people really talking and working together. this would be different than the city workshops where you might give some comments and then someone else summarizes it. but ones like a legislative body where everyone has a vote. I have found that when people sit down and work together and understand different point of view, progress can be amde. i was so surprised when i started campaigning and talking to people, that some council members would not talk to residents. I dont feel that I know more than you all
Jerry Liu:I have no doubt most of you know more about planning than I do and i really respect that where my value comes in is to set up an environment where these discussions can start to take place and give it a formal role in the process that is missing from the past city workshops or worse these 3 minute oral communications
Jerry Liu:and I will do my best to fight this perception that these people are only protesting here because they dont have all the facts. god i really really hate that attitude
Jerry Liu: anyway,
onto the secone question
Jerry Liu:hold
on let me scroll back to rea it
Jerry Liu:vision
for cupertino in 5 years
Jerry Liu:this
one is easy :)
Jerry Liu:I
just want to keep this place the family friendly place that it is
Jerry Liu:I
moved here for the schools
Jerry Liu:40%
of the residents report in city survey they are here for the schools
Jerry Liu:A
more impressive vision, I suppose, would be something grander
Jerry Liu:but
you know, keeping this small town feel in the midst of a growing region is
actually a lot harder
Jerry Liu:so
if you look at the things i say i want to work on
Jerry Liu:providing
better library services, parks, safety, etc
Jerry Liu:its
all about keeping this place the reason why i wanted to move here
Jerry Liu:this
is a very special place for chinese
Jerry Liu:I
have lived in Texas, New York, and other parts of California
Jerry Liu:and
this is the first place ive ever felt like home
Jerry Liu:this
is partly why I'm so involved in doing this and doing that
Jerry Liu:so
my vision for the next 5, or really 10+ years,
Jerry Liu:since
my youngest is only 8
Jerry Liu:is
to keep Cupertino known for being a family friendly place
Jerry Liu:you
know my kids actually think its normal to go to school saturday morning. :)
Jerry Liu:youre
not going to find that anywhere else
Jerry Liu:i
dont want to see a concrete jungle of office buildings
Jerry Liu:my
vision is to keep it the way it is
Jerry Liu:thanks
and i am finished
Qin Pan:Did I get you right ? You don't believe
there will be 4-story Houses if Measure C passes?
Jerry Liu:I
believe that if the residents dont want it, and there are three votes on the
council that feel the same way, theres a way to stop it
Jerry Liu:i
am not a lawyer so i dont know specifics
Jerry Liu:but
i would think there is a waty
Jerry Liu:i
dont think measure C will force these 4 story houses to happen.
Jerry Liu:thats
just my personal opinion
Jerry Liu:my
own feeling
Qin
Pan:Thanks !
Jerry Liu:I
also want to mention
Jerry Liu:that
I've seen people attack Stu and his drafting of the measure
Jerry Liu:Stu
is also the attorney for BACE who has been working on lehigh issues
Jerry Liu:and
i find him to be a highly admirable attorney for taking on these causes. he is very good, and I very much dislike
people who make insinuations around Stu's abilities based on his website or
other things
Jerry Liu:I'm
a fan of Stu basically. Thanks.
yun:I
remember that was Gary Jones or David Fung attacking Stu Flashman with all
kinds of mean words[Angry]
Jerry Liu:I
am finished with my answer
Jerry Liu:I
dont think those were fair attacks
Qin
Pan:Thank you!
Joan Wang:There are more and more crimes in
Cupertino recently. Robberies , burglaries, assaults...
Jerry Liu:Yes, ive
been a victim myself
Joan
Wang:These are not isolated incidents any more, but more like a trend. Jerry,
if you are elected, what are you going to do to stop that trend?
Jerry Liu:I
agree that public safety is becoming an issue
Jerry Liu:I
had a happy birthday check to my mother stolen out of my mailbox
Jerry Liu:and
my two neighbors to the east both have been broken into
Joan
Wang:FYI, I ordered pepper spray on Amazon today after one of my friend's
friends got robbed this morning.
Jerry Liu:I
will advocate for increasing public safety resources for police. you'll see that in my next mailer which is
being prepped
Jerry Liu:i
also would emcourage the formstion of neighborhood geoups
Jerry Liu:the
block leader program,
Jerry Liu:i
ahve visited several neighborhoods with them and they really make a difference
Jerry Liu:when
everyone knows the nighbors
Jerry Liu:not
to make it a more friendly place
Jerry Liu:so
to sum up, i would spend more on public safety as well as neighborhood programs
Jerry Liu:thanks
i am finished
alanp:If Measure D got defeated, and you got
elected, do you support the plan to issue municipal bond to acquire Vallco, and
convert it to become a park ?
Jerry Liu:SHP
bought the property for 300 million
Jerry Liu:our
budget is about 80 million a year
Jerry Liu:and
our capital reserves currently is aorund 20 million
Jerry Liu:what
i would do would be to invite community input to see how people feel
Jerry Liu:we
need a park on the east side, but itown center would be aother alternative
Joan Wang:Mr. Liu, thanks for your time. I
spent sometime on your campaign site today. It is pretty interesting to see
that you got endorsements from 3 current city council members, each of them has
different view on growth. Have you talked to Mr. Chang or Mr. Wong before you
declare running? Did they understand your position on growth? Looks like your
view is very different than Mr. Chang or Mr. Wong. And can you share the reason
of the endorsements from both of them.
Jerry Liu:Oh yes
they know my position on growth very well :)
Jerry Liu:I
can tell you what I think,
Jerry Liu:but
I dont promise to read their minds
Jerry Liu:And
you can call me Jerry :)
Jerry Liu:Anyway,
you may know that Gilbert is the council rep to the JPA which runs the library
system
Jerry Liu:I
got to know Gilbert from working together on library issues
Joan
Wang:Sure thing, Jerry.[Smile]
Jerry Liu:I
did a lot on the library parcel tax 2 years back
Jerry Liu:Barry
I work with on BACE
Jerry Liu:on
the Lehigh issue
Jerry Liu:and
then recently Barry has been interested in library issues too so I have been
able to work with him on that
Jerry Liu:on
several projects
Jerry Liu:I
think they are endorsing me because I am the type of person who does work
Jerry Liu:Barry
tells me that he feels I will do the right thing
Jerry Liu:We
are not on the same page on many issues :)
Jerry Liu:Gilbert
is similar too. but you really should
ask them
Jerry Liu:they
were very supportive when I brought up topic with them
Jerry Liu:Does
this answer your question?
Joan
Wang:Yes, it does. Thanks, Jerry!
Jerry Liu:Thanks
Joan!
Jerry Liu:i
don think they are endorsing me because we share similar views on growth :)
Joan
Wang:Understood!