San Jose Mayoral Candidate Profile: Chuck Reed

May 24 - KGO (KGO) -- Chuck Reed is one of five candidates running for mayor in the nation's 10th largest city, San Jose. He's one of three city council members vying for the top job and a frequent critic of the current mayor.

To get a sense of who Chuck Reed is today, you must look back at who he was and how he grew up -- born and raised in Garden City, Kansas.

Chuck Reed, councilmember and mayoral candidate: "I think the most important thing in my background are values. I grew up in a small town with small town values. Tell the truth, keep your word, be responsible for your actions and follow the law."

Reed says he built on those core values in the Air Force Academy. He served five years in the military and sees the honor code as a way of life. It gives you an idea of why Reed says ethical reform at City Hall is his top priority.

Chuck Reed: "Anytime you have three independent investigations, two grand jury investigations and you censure a council member and a mayor in a little over a year, you know you're in trouble. People understand that and they want that fixed."

Reed says fixing that problem will allow the city to move forward. Reed himself has been involved with city issues for 25 years serving on numerous committees, commissions and task forces.

Reed is a0 Democrat who is pro-business. He's proud of policy changes in his north San Jose district supporting industrial growth. He points to eBay and BEA among the success stories.

Chuck Reed: "So we have two great companies across the street from one another in the innovation triangle as we call it and are here because we are allowing them to go up and we're not forcing them out of the city."

Reed says it's important to build on San Jose's reputation as the capital of Silicon Valley. He wants to improve education by creating an office of education collaboration.

He's concerned the city is growing, but the police force is not and his 'to do' list goes on.

Chuck Reed: "A downtown we can be proud, strong economically and vibrant. We want to be the best place to start and grow a business. And a government that's honest, open and assessable to all people."

Reed is also campaigning on a platform of fiscal responsibility. As a council member he is often on the losing end of those votes.

He was against the expensive new City Hall and a four million dollar subsidy for the Grand Prix.

Whatever the issue, Reed is proud of his five-year record on the city council. He wants people to look at his voting history and know they can count on one thing in the future -- his character.

Chuck Reed: "We don't know what issues are going to come up. We'll have to make a lot of decisions about things that we don't know, but those values are going to be constant and that's a big part of what I am and who I am."

You can watch my entire interview with Chuck Reed by clicking on the VIDEO link above.

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