July 1, 2005

Willow Glen Elementary, West Nile virus main topics at WGNA board meeting

Two topics highlighted the June board meeting of the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association, the first under the newly elected president, Ed Rast.

First San Jose Unified School District board member Pam Foley presented plans and shared drawings for the new construction for Willow Glen Elementary School at Minnesota and Lincoln avenues, which was scheduled to begin in mid June. Second, attendees were educated about West Nile virus.

Some of those attending expressed concern about the school’s traffic flow, which already is a problem. Bill Gould talked about an ongoing traffic study. Gould and his associates, along with Foley and the administration of the school, were invited to return to the August board meeting to provide an update on the study.

Construction is scheduled for completion by August 2007. Among the changes are increased parking, moving kindergarten rooms, a new two-story building for classrooms facing the Minnesota/ Lincoln intersection, upgrading the existing main building and improving the multi-purpose building with a kitchen and stage. Other changes include new play structures, replacing the portable classrooms, field upgrades and an expanded parking lot off Lincoln with a separate entrance and exit lanes for drop-offs.

Dr. Earl Stevens of San Jose’s office of Emergency Services educated Willow Glen neighbors on preparing for the West Nile virus. He explained that confirmed cases of the disease have been found in birds and humans not just in San Jose, but in the Willow Glen area as well.

The infection, he said, is a virus that can be transmitted through mosquito bites and by those with small cuts and abrasions who handle dead birds carrying the disease. The city has set up sentinel chickens, which don’t die if infected, to track the spread of the virus.

While fatalities are rare, generally occurring in people with compromised immune systems or the elderly, there are steps people can take to reduce the chances of contact with the virus. First, eliminate standing water in your yard. Wear long sleeves and use insect repellent. Finally, don’t handle dead birds without gloves.

For more information on the virus and for information on emergency preparedness in general, visit www.sanjoseca.gov/emergencyservices.

In other business, Rast appointed former WGNA President Helen Solinski and former Treasurer Margaret Handy to the board. Tony Felice, an aide to Ken Yeager, noted that the mayor’s budget reduced staffing at Station 6 by three people, which would result in the loss of the hose wagon. He invited people to attend the public hearing June 13 at the City Council’s chambers.

Committee members are looking into potential construction of 19 detached single-family garden style and two single-family detached homes on 1.75 aces at Almaden Road and Curtner Avenue and up to seven single family detached residences on a .95-acre site at Delmas and Dorothy.

The next board meeting is scheduled for July 13 at 7 p.m. at the Willow Glen Baptist Church, 1292 Minnesota Ave., at the corner of Hicks and Minnesota.