Desis On The Ballot: Arjun Batra For San Jose City Council, District 10

Who is Arjun Batra?

Arjun Batra is seeking re-election to San Jose City Council.

Batra has lived in San Jose’s District 10 for over four decades. His 30-year career as a Silicon Valley tech professional included leadership roles at global tech giants IBM and Intel. He and his wife raised their two sons in San Jose, which ” has been more than just a city to us; it’s been the foundation of our American dream,” he says.

Batra has been endorsed by Congresssman Ro Khanna, Fmr. San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, and Fmr. San Jose Vice-Mayor Madison Nguyen, and the League of Conservation Voters of Santa Clara County, among others.

Why he is running for office

On his website, Batra says, “As I seek re-election, I’m excited about the opportunity to continue applying my unique blend of Silicon Valley tech leadership and public service experience to make San Jose greener, safer, and more convenient. Together, we can leverage the innovation spirit of our tech industry to create a city that’s not just keeping pace with the future, but actively shaping it.

​With your support, we can build on the progress we’ve made and ensure that San Jose remains a city of opportunity, innovation, and community – a place where families like mine can continue to thrive for generations to come.”

His one-minute pitch to voters

Battra adds that his extensive experience in the high-tech sector has equipped him with a unique set of skills. “From managing multi-million dollar projects to fostering innovation in diverse teams, I’ve learned to navigate complex systems, make data-driven decisions, and implement efficient solutions – all skills that translate remarkably well to city governance.

My professional journey in Silicon Valley’s tech industry spans 30 years, with leadership roles at global tech giants IBM and Intel. This extensive experience in the high-tech sector has equipped me with a unique set of skills – from managing multi-million dollar projects to fostering innovation in diverse teams. I’ve learned to navigate complex systems, make data-driven decisions, and implement efficient solutions – all skills that translate remarkably well to city governance.

It has been a great honor to serve the residents of District 10 as your current Councilmember. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made so far on homelessness, housing, public safety, emergency services,  parks, and a cleaner city. I’m committed to continuing our work together to make our city even greener, safer and more convenient.”

If elected, his top priorities will be…

His top priority says Batra, is “to reach out to community members and advocate on their behalf.” He wants to:

Address Homelessness by creating more transitional shelters and providing secure housing for unhoused residents can have secure housing off streets; expand mental health and addiction treatment; provide job training and placement assistance; hire more caseworkers so we can better meet the individual needs of unhoused residents; and enforce laws to ensure encampments respect the peace and safety of nearby residents.

“We need a framework to make significant progress in both the short- and long-term. I support creating more affordable permanent housing. We need to move unhoused residents off the streets now so they get the services they need for rebuilding their life.”

Improving Public Safety in San Jose and Enhancing Traffic Safety Around Schools by giving the police tools and resources needed to keep communities safe. He is also working to add more paramedics to our Fire Department. Hiring and training more paramedics will result in faster response times and quicker medical care to our residents when we need it the most.

Streamlining House Creation and Housing Renovations by creating more affordable housing. “Unfortunately, red tape ties up too many promising projects. I have worked closely with San Jose’s Planning, Building and Code Enforcement (PBCE) to eliminate and reduce barriers for housing creation. Using data and common sense, we’ve identified a number of ways we can make it easier to create the housing we desperately need.”

Protecting our Environment and Enhancing Parks. ” I often hear from families that they don’t feel safe using city parks. That is why I’m dedicated to making our city parks cleaner and safer for our residents.

Expanding Mental Health and Addiction Treatment . ” I am committed to expanding access to quality care, supporting evidence-based treatment programs, and ensuring that our most vulnerable residents receive the help they need.”

What challenges does San Jose face?

San Jose, California faces many challenges, including homelessness, environmental issues, and economic pressures.

Homelessness : The sad truth is that this problem is getting worse. Over the past few years, we’ve seen tents and encampments proliferate. Many residents tell me that they are afraid to use public parks or hiking trails. This isn’t right. Our shared spaces should be for everyone – and yet, we have not done enough to get the unhoused residents the help they need right now.

Understaffed police force: We have far too many vacancies and that makes San Jose less safe – for our residents and officers alike. An understaffed and under-resourced police force runs the risk of putting officers in danger. That’s not acceptable to me or the residents of District 10.

What sets him apart from other candidates?

According to his website, Batra states, that when he transitioned to public service from the tech sector, he brought “this wealth of experience first to the mayor’s office and then to the commission overseeing Measure T bond spending. These roles provided me with invaluable insights into the intricacies of city government and fiscal management. I learned how to leverage my tech-industry acumen to manage taxpayer dollars efficiently and effectively.

As your city council member, I blend my high-tech executive experience with my public sector knowledge to address San Jose’s most pressing issues. My approach is rooted in the same principles that drove my success in tech: listen carefully, analyze thoroughly, and implement pragmatic, cost-effective solutions.

​I’ve demonstrated my commitment to our community by actively listening to constituents, understanding their concerns, and using my analytical and management skills to craft policies that are simple, economical, and sensible. My goal has always been to improve the quality of life for all San Jose residents.”

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