2008 Woodie Awards
Lee running for District 3
Kelly Truong
Issue date: 6/2/08 Section: News
"I'm a big supporter of talking to people," he said, "Elected officials do not have all the solutions."
Lee considers the ability to work with others an important skill. In its recent endorsement of his candidacy, the San Jose Mercury News described him as a "consensus builder."
As evidence, Lee cites that despite the fact Sunnyvale saw four labor unions in constant negotiations during his term, there was never once a strike.
He applies that same attitude toward solving basic problems, such as improving county roads. Lee says, "There are no Democratic potholes, no Republican potholes. Those potholes need to be filled."
He also favors the preventive approach when it comes to problems, such as his stance on public safety.
Rather than spending on crime facilities, he supports investing in after-school programs for students as an alternative to gangs and drugs. Lee believes students turn to gangs as a way of belonging, yet there are healthier alternatives, such as the Boys and Girls Club.
He takes the same tack when it comes to health care, naming STDs as an example. According to the California STD Control Branch's 2006 report, state rates of chlamydia and early syphilis have increased since 2005. "Test early, get cured early," Lee said.
According to him, critical issues like health care make it all the more important for students to pay attention to politics.
"If you do not get involved in this process, when you or your family get hurt, you will really be hurting at that point," he said.
He sees the political process as analogous to sports. "Every campaign, every race, is no less exciting than a sports game," he said. "I think if people knew the players and the issues like they learn about baseball, I think more young people will ... be excited to follow."
Lee considers the ability to work with others an important skill. In its recent endorsement of his candidacy, the San Jose Mercury News described him as a "consensus builder."
As evidence, Lee cites that despite the fact Sunnyvale saw four labor unions in constant negotiations during his term, there was never once a strike.
He applies that same attitude toward solving basic problems, such as improving county roads. Lee says, "There are no Democratic potholes, no Republican potholes. Those potholes need to be filled."
He also favors the preventive approach when it comes to problems, such as his stance on public safety.
Rather than spending on crime facilities, he supports investing in after-school programs for students as an alternative to gangs and drugs. Lee believes students turn to gangs as a way of belonging, yet there are healthier alternatives, such as the Boys and Girls Club.
He takes the same tack when it comes to health care, naming STDs as an example. According to the California STD Control Branch's 2006 report, state rates of chlamydia and early syphilis have increased since 2005. "Test early, get cured early," Lee said.
According to him, critical issues like health care make it all the more important for students to pay attention to politics.
"If you do not get involved in this process, when you or your family get hurt, you will really be hurting at that point," he said.
He sees the political process as analogous to sports. "Every campaign, every race, is no less exciting than a sports game," he said. "I think if people knew the players and the issues like they learn about baseball, I think more young people will ... be excited to follow."
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