Leaders look ahead to the new year
Economic recovery, public safety tops agendas
In 2020, the South Bay underwent a slew of upheavals: major protests, a rise in the need for food and rental assistance and a newfound reliance on video and digital communication platforms. As 2021 brings in the promise of a vaccine and renewed hope for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic, residents, business owners and community leaders share a cautious optimism that 2021 may contain a light at the end of the tunnel.
For many San Jose residents, the new prevalence of virtual communication — in large part supported by San Jose-based Zoom — is something they wouldn’t mind continuing even if the pandemic abates.
“I really hope we’ll be able to get together in person in 2021,” District 6 Councilmember Dev Davis said in an email. “A bright spot of online meetings has been the participation of residents and business owners who normally don’t have the time to attend in-person meetings. We’ve seen a lot of new faces and heard new ideas and perspectives.”
In 2020, Davis co-authored the measure that fast-tracked restaurants looking to establish outdoor dining. She said economic recovery is one of her top priorities for 2021, along with public safety.
“Our community has rallied together to help local businesses by seeking out and buying more local products,” she said. “I hope that focus on our local economy at the individual level continues after the pandemic.”
As part of this effort, Mayor Sam Liccardo recently launched a #Shoplocalsj campaign to encourage residents to spend their money closer to home. felt the strain earlier this year, when they launched a crowdfunding campaign to help bridge the gap caused by lost business. Co-owner Valerie Lewis said 2020 has been “high and low.”
“We’ve had tremendous support from our community that just knocked us out,” she said, adding that in 2021, some things may remain the same, including connecting with customers online, with recorded book previews and author events. But her biggest hope is to get people back into the store.
“To me there’s nothing that matches walking in a bookstore and pulling a book out and touching it,” she said. “Having someone walk in and ask for a book and you know just exactly what you want to give them — that energy — those are the kind of things people can’t see, but they’re really important.”
That said, she’s in no rush to bring people together in person before it’s safe. “There’s always a lot of discussion of business,” she said. “Well, business is important, but it doesn’t trump the health of the community.”
In neighboring Campbell, business owners are feeling a similar strain. Lisa Pelgrim, who coowns Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop with her husband, said 2020 has been “incredibly difficult.” She said sales are down by half.
“At the end of 2019, we were so strong,” she said. “When we started 2020, it looked like it was going to be our best year ever. Then March 16. Boom, everything changed.”
With declining sales, she said the hardest task has
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