Downtown is inundated with trash. We can do so much better. I rolled up my sleeves and joined massive creek cleanups alongside many downtown neighbors. These cleanups hardly put a dent in our battle with garbage. Downtown should be the gem of San José and I will work from day one in office to make that happen by investing more into the BeautifySJ program. BeautifySJ has secured more illegal dumping clean ups, litter pickups, and other blight elimination services for neighborhoods and families. I have worked with the BeautifySJ program before and understand its needs. This is why I will invest in what’s most critical for BeautifySJ such as: 

• Investing in capital equipment necessary for staff to do their jobs. Getting them proper protective equipment, necessary vehicles, and supplies (e.g. bags, litter pickup sticks, etc.)

• Increasing funding for neighborhood dumpster days and large item cleanups

• Launching an educational program that encourages proper recycling and waste disposal techniques

• Exploring and committing to increased penalties for illegal dumping

We can eliminate and manage the blight problem in downtown by ensuring that the BeautifySJ program is properly staffed and equipped.