In a public Nextdoor posting, Councilmember Kathy Watanabe responded to your July 30 article on Santa Clara’s chronic structural deficit since 2000. She stated that the structural deficit was “not a problem” before COVID-19. I do not blame the current city council for causing the structural deficit. However, if they do not even acknowledge there is an ongoing problem, I am 100% sure the structural deficit will not be solved. Councilmembers who ignore the structural deficit need to be voted out. This November, instead of Kathy Watanabe, I will be voting for Harbir K. Bhatia for city council District 1.
Rob Jerdonek
Santa Clara resident