In a democracy, it's important to let your elected representatives know how you feel about the issues. The soccer community in the Bay Area is large but we're usually having too much fun cheering, playing, or coaching to make our voices heard. Today, though, it's important that we do so.

We've assembled a list of local elected officials who will be making decisions about the future of soccer in the Bay Area. If you think the sport deserves their time and attention, please let them know.

We recommend telling these elected officials why you support soccer in your own words. You can also use the two sample letters below by cutting and pasting into your e-mail program. (Remember to add your name, address, and phone number at the bottom of the letter.) There's one for residents and one for non-residents:

Letter for Residents
(If you live in one of the areas listed here, send this letter to your elected representatives in that city or county. Click anywhere in the text below, "Select All," then copy and paste into your e-mail program.)

I am a San Jose resident writing to voice my support for the proposal to build a new soccer stadium at the former FMC site near Mineta San Jose Airport. This is an enormous opportunity for San Jose, not just soccer fans. The FMC site is currently a multi-million drain on the City of San Jose's resources, and the proposed development would involve a billion dollar investment in the property, including not only a soccer stadium but hotels, offices and retail, which would generate substantial tax revenue to the city. As evidenced by the area surrounding AT&T Park in San Francisco, and new MLS stadiums across America, the soccer stadium development at the FMC would also generate significant beneficial economic activity on adjacent parcels. Meanwhile, the tremendous economic benefits of the soccer stadium development would not involve any public funding whatsoever. Instead, Earthquakes owner Lew Wolff would use the proceeds from a re-zoning of land in South San Jose to pay for the stadium, and if the proceeds are insufficient he will cover the rest. Additionally, the city's industrial reserve will not be diminished because the re-zoned land will be replenished entirely by intensified development on adjacent industrial parcels in South San Jose. In short, the soccer stadium proposal is a win-win-win proposal the likes of which San Jose has never seen before. You do not have to be a soccer fan as I am to cheer this proposal. I urge you to vote in favor of the proposed soccer stadium.

Letter for Non-Residents
(Even if you live in another community, you can send this letter to the elected officials who will be deciding on a stadium for the Quakes. Click anywhere in the text below, "Select All," then copy and paste into your e-mail program.)

I visit San Jose to watch the Earthquakes play soccer and am writing to voice my support for the proposal to build a new soccer stadium at the former FMC site near Mineta San Jose Airport. This is an enormous opportunity for San Jose, not just soccer fans. The FMC site is currently a multi-million drain on the City of San Jose's resources, and the proposed development would involve a billion dollar investment in the property, including not only a soccer stadium but hotels, offices and retail, which would generate substantial tax revenue to the city. As evidenced by the area surrounding AT&T Park in San Francisco, and new MLS stadiums across America, the soccer stadium development at the FMC would also generate significant beneficial economic activity on adjacent parcels. Meanwhile, the tremendous economic benefits of the soccer stadium development would not involve any public funding whatsoever. Instead, Earthquakes owner Lew Wolff would use the proceeds from a re-zoning of land in South San Jose to pay for the stadium, and if the proceeds are insufficient he will cover the rest. Additionally, the city's industrial reserve will not be diminished because the re-zoned land will be replenished entirely by intensified development on adjacent industrial parcels in South San Jose. In short, the soccer stadium proposal is a win-win-win proposal the likes of which San Jose has never seen before. You do not have to be a soccer fan as I am to cheer this proposal. I urge you to vote in favor of the proposed soccer stadium.

City of San Jose

Mayor Chuck Reed
Office of the Mayor         
200 E. Santa Clara Street
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 535-4800  
MayorEmail@sanjoseca.gov

Contact Us • Privacy Policy

Web site and contents copyright 2004-2005, Soccer Silicon Valley • All rights reserved • Photos copyright 2003-2004 JN Santos, International Sports Images