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Silicon Valley leaders offer holiday wish list

"Silicon Valley has long been a leader in environmental protection — from our concern for clean air and water to the access to parks and open space we provide to all people. May this leadership position continue and be taken as seriously as we take our role as a leader in the high-tech economic sector. And may the Valley continue to show the world that balancing nature and development is not just possible, but necessary."

San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed

"What San Jose needs are funds to provide critical services in the midst of the worst downturn in decades. We could start with winning the lawsuit against the state that would prevent it from taking $75 million from our Redevelopment Agency that would go to rebuilding our economy and creating jobs. Also on the wish list is that any new stimulus

and jobs programs from Washington DC focus on creating permanent private-sector jobs that will last long after federal funding runs out.''

Narbik Karamian, a director with California Association of Mortgage Brokers, Silicon Valley chapter

"That the number of foreclosures decline as we welcome 2010. Across the counties in the Bay Area, over 12,000 homes fell into foreclosure during the past 4 months; Santa Clara County experienced the biggest percentage increase in foreclosures. Homeowners experiencing hardships must be helped by their lenders with successful loan modifications. Experienced professionals in the industry have a duty to make this process simpler and more understandable for people in need of saving their homes. And let's hope home values stabilize faster in 2010.''

Muhammed Chaudhry, president/CEO of the Silicon Valley Education Foundation

"That California students move up to the No. 1 ranking in math and science in the United States, instead of our current places at 40th and 37th. This will only happen with better training for teachers in these subjects and more state money aimed at smaller math and science classes, better books and materials, and intervention programs for struggling students (especially English learners). We need our students to be ready for jobs of the 21st century, especially here in technology-rich Silicon Valley so this region continues to be competitive in the global market."

Stephen Levy, Director, Center for Continuing Study of the California Economy, Palo Alto

"Americans and the economy need more help. We cannot prosper on venture capital and the world economy alone. We need a prosperous growing U.S. economy. Silicon Valley needs great communities, places that say 'come live and work here.' Cities from San Jose to Sunnyvale are struggling with budget deficits that will last for a long time. So is California, so more aid to local and state governments for at least another year is critical."

Rabbi Melanie Aron, Congregation Shir Hadash, Los Gatos

"Faith, hope and charity, the three virtues considered so important in the New Testament, would be welcome gifts for our valley this winter to people of all religious and irreligious persuasions. By faith I mean not 'belief that is not based on proof,' but rather the ancient Hebrew idea of faith, emunah, confidence. A boost in confidence in our valley would help us take the leaps of faith we need to hire new employees, start new businesses, and to train ourselves for jobs in fields that don't yet exist. Hope is a key ingredient of change. There's no use trying unless there is some hope of success. Finally, the charity we need this year is both generosity in sharing our monetary wealth with those in need, and a charitable spirit that is more accepting and understanding of one another.''

Paul Saffo, Silicon Valley-based technology forecaster

"Silicon Valley needs a better battery. It has learned to do amazing things with electrons, but when it comes to storing the little buggers, we remain in the Dark Ages. Even the newest batteries are awkward, expensive and ineffective, except at the lowest power levels. We desperately need a better way to store power — in everything from pocket-sized gizmos to systems capable of lighting up entire communities — if we're going to solve global society's most urgent challenges. The world will thank us — and I can finally stop looking for a table next to the wall socket at my local espresso bar."

Contact Patrick May at 408-920-5689.