May 4, 2005

The busy life of Helen Solinski

Willow Glen neighborhood Association President reflects on WGNA as end of her tenure nears

By Diego Abeloos
Staff Writer

Helen Solinski is a busy woman.

Aside from the fact that she is the mother of 21-month-old son Carson and wife to Jim, Solinski is also known around Willow Glen as the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association president. In addition, she works full time as a general manager for a San Jose aluminum distribution company.

Willow Glen Neighborhood Association President Helen Solinski (center, with sunglasses), chairs the April WGNA meeting at the Willow Glen Baptist Church. President since June of 2003, Solinski’s tenure is set to end this spring.

Needless to say, Solinski, 39, has a full schedule day in, day out. However, her cerebral, laid-back personality is the reason she does what she does.

“With a full-time job and a son and so many other things going on, I think my style is pretty casual,” Solinski said. “I think it has worked. The group (WGNA) works well together.”

As WGNA president, Solinski takes her role in stride and with full knowledge that local Willow Glen residents look to the organization, and her, as a resource for community concerns. After all, Solinski has been in their shoes.

When she first purchased a home with her husband in Willow Glen in 1995, she encountered a problem with a local business. Taking a pro-active stance, Solinski sought advice on how to handle the matter and spoke with Kris Cunningham, a WGNA board member at the time. After Cunningham gave Solinski the council she needed to resolve the matter, Solinski decided to join WGNA as a member and was appointed to the board in 1997.

Involved, enthusiastic
“She was so involved and enthusiastic, as well as lively and supportive,” said board member Larry Ames of Solinski’s appointment to the board. Ames was WGNA president from 1995 to 1997.

In June of 2003, at the urging of several WGNA colleagues, Solinski ran for president of the association. Although she didn’t feel confident about it, she relished the idea of taking a chance on something new.

After becoming president of WGNA, she began to prepare for her new endeavor.

“I knew I was going into this with no political aspirations,” Solinski said. “… I was in it to serve my community. I’ve always been involved, so it’s something I wanted to do. Being the president, I had to get over my fears of public speaking and get organized to find what kind of style I would portray or take on.”

To that end, Solinski’s style is a reflection of her personality. Like many other issues outside of WGNA, she handles things in a relaxed but serious way. When concerns are raised during meetings, Solinski has no qualms about leaning on her fellow board members for advice or information on issues.

Everyone has a voice
When disagreement on an issue pops up, whether among board members or Willow Glen residents, Solinski handles things the same way—everyone has a voice and a right to be heard, no matter how big or small the problem.

“We’re a real diverse group and we all have our opinions,” Solinski said. “But we are able to come together when we need to on a certain topic or project. We’re also here to support our members, and we’re a voice for our community. So regardless of what our opinions are on a subject, we to speak for our members.”

Now nearing the end of her term as WGNA president, Solinski looks back on her time with pride, although she quickly points out that her tenure wouldn’t have gone as smoothly if not for the help and words of wisdom from her WGNA colleagues.

“I believe a leader is only as good as their team,” Solinski said. “So, I am an excellent leader based on my team.”
Solinski’s tenure has left a positive impression on her fellow board members as well, especially her easy-going leadership style and her willingness to give responsibility to others on the board.

“She’s very friendly, outgoing and enthusiastic,” said Ames. “She’s gotten everyone to work together and she’s delegated well.”

Citizen organization
The WGNA was first formed in 1973 as an organization for Willow Glen citizens with concerns about their community. Since that time, little has changed about the organization’s ideals, while some community concerns have taken a different turn. There are still issues about speeding down neighborhood streets and other concerns typical of any family-oriented community. In addition, newer concerns, such as the rapid land development around San Jose, have become a common theme at WGNA monthly meetings.

WGNA President Helen Solinski at home with 21-month-old son Carson, who keeps mom very busy outside of WGNA duties. Solinski’s responsibilities include running the household, since her husband is frequently traveling with his job at Intel. Photos by Diego Abeloos

“The one thing I’ve been impressed with is how they managed to get people with planning backgrounds to know how to address the issues,” said WGNA board member Carol Rossebo, who named Edward Rast and Hugh Graham as key figures in helping resolve development issues. “They’ve handled it very well because of the expertise on the board.”

In regard to development, Solinski said one of her proudest moments as WGNA president was the Tamien Station development project. Often referred to as the “twin towers,” the project called for two high-rise condominium buildings to be built near the Alma Bowl site in Willow Glen.

Citizens around the area grew concerned about the height of the buildings, as well as its outward appearance. With fellow board members Rast and Ames taking a leading interest in resolving the issue, WGNA was able to address issues, in conjunction with other neighborhood associations, such as parking, traffic and design for concerned residents.

“Originally, they were like two cement blocks,” Solinski said of the towers. “We were really involved in kind of softening the edges a little bit, landscape, the trails. We wanted it to fit in.”

Founders’ Day 2006?
If Solinski has any regrets, it lies in Founders’ Day, a festival held in downtown Willow Glen during the first or second weekend in September, honoring the founding of Willow Glen. The festival hasn’t been held since 2003, when WGNA helped organize and raise funds for the 75th anniversary of Willow Glen’s founding.

Rossebo, along with Solinski, are among the WGNA members trying to get Founder’s Day back on the map and have targeted 2006 as the next time the event could take place.

“I think it’s a great way for people to learn the history of Willow Glen,” said Rossebo. “… It’s also a great way to meet your neighbors.”

Although Solinski’s tenure as WGNA president will end in the coming months, she’s still preparing to take an active role as a WGNA board member in the future. The re-emergence of Founder’s Day, one of the projects Solinski was initially involved with when first joining WGNA, will keep her fairly busy, along with a myriad of other issues. But regardless of what Solinski plans to do as a WGNA member in the future, her colleagues on the board will remember her tenure well.

“I think she really is good at organization, keeping on top of things and just her friendly, easy approach,” said Rossebo. “She’s very knowledgeable about Willow Glen and she’s not afraid to tackle any kind of problem.”