Chloe (Dog), Mike, Michelle, Melissa, Terry
Here's two versions of Voter Guide information I would have provided if the state didn't charge for providing this to voters ( Normal Charge: $2,200.00 for 200 words)
Option #1 (Personal/Family Background)
Statement of J. MICHAEL SODERGREN, Candidate for
Member, San Jose City Council, District 10
Occupation: Network Services Executive Age: 59 Education and Qualifications:
The son of parents who were teachers that grew up in Iowa and Colorado, I learned many things, most importantly, the impact of working together to achieve great things. Known by my middle name “Mike,” I’m the oldest of three children. My sister is now in heaven and my brother and his family live in Concord. My parent’s Sunnyvale tract home was bought in 1957 for 1/100th its current value and built within apricot and cherry orchards.
I studied at Fremont High, De Anza College, and SJSU where I served as the Graduate Assistant to the Dean of the School of Business receiving a MBA Cum Laude. I managed a West San Jose based McDonalds through college.
I worked in director level positions over a 15 year career at one of the world’s original semiconductor companies. We launched many technological firsts in wired, wireless and multimedia that continue to shape our world. I had the honor of being invited to demonstrate the first PC based real-time interactive video applications at the Whitehouse.
After this, I co-founded a multimedia networking service company. Based on this work, we were contracted by the City of San Jose to design, build and operate network infrastructure, systems and services required by clients who have introduced and shown off world changing products and services within our downtown convention center, auditoriums, halls and theaters. We did this for 15+ years, also working with Joint Venture Silicon Valley and 40 Bay Area municipalities to develop the Wireless Silicon Valley project that was designed as a JPA to provide free, seamless WiFi service from San Francisco to Morgan Hill, Fremont, Monterey and Santa Cruz. In the end, our City decided to go its own way, but the vision was established.
I have traveled extensively on business and in missionary service across the United States, and international locations including Europe, North/Central/ South America, Asia, Japan, Australia, Africa and most recently the Middle East.
My wife is a classically trained music teacher and community theater performing arts director. The girl’s
K-6 education was at Almaden Country School, followed by SJUSD arts magnet Castellero Middle School, Leland High, West Valley, De Anza, San Jose City and SJSU. Our oldest daughter is married and a nurse at Valley Medical, while our youngest is a small business owner providing styling services for weddings and events.
As a 30-year District 10 Resident, I’m running for office to help bring a global perspective into San Jose’s governance and problem solving process. I’m running without taking or spending any money, to hopefully demonstrate that money can be taken out of our political process.
$0.00 (amount paid by this candidate for 400 words)
Option #2 (Why Run Version)
​
Statement of J. MICHAEL SODERGREN, Candidate for
Member, San Jose City Council, District 10
Occupation: Network Services Executive Age: 59 Education and Qualifications:
I am a lifetime Silicon Valley resident, 30-year resident of San Jose’s District 10, and first time Candidate for the Office of Council Member, District 10. I have thought about serving my community in an official capacity for a long time, making the decision to run at the last minute.
I’m running for office to help bring a global perspective into San Jose’s governance and problem solving process. I’m running without taking or spending any money, to hopefully demonstrate that money can be voluntarily taken out of our political process by candidates who love their City, while reducing barriers for others to engage and run as well.
I am logging the experience of running for office in the hope that all our citizens will be interested in and inspired by this journey, and informed on how to do it. It is important that our citizens show up and vote, not only because it is a right or out of a sense of responsibility to do the right thing, but because they believe that they can make a difference. Because this is Silicon Valley, and we are beautifully diverse, we are comfortable with envisioning what we can do, do it, and then show the rest of the world how to do it, too.
My candidacy journey began unsuccessfully by looking at the City’s website to see if there was a way to register online. There is no process for the initial act of filing to run for office, or even the acquisition of all documents and instructions needed to run, so I picked up Nomination Petitions and related documents from the City Clerk’s Office at the end of the business day, Tuesday, March 8th. Over the next 18 hours, I sought out and received 64 physical signatures from friends and neighbors who live within a cross section of District 10.
Late in the afternoon, Wednesday, March 9th, I returned to City Hall and turned the petition signatures into the City Clerk, also signing a number of other documents. One of those documents was The Code of Fair Campaign Practices, within which is included point #7, which states that “I SHALL DEFEND AND UPHOLD the right of every qualified American voter to full and equal participation in the electoral process.” And that is what I’m committed to do.
I had to pay a mandatory $25.00 fee to file. I was also asked if I wanted to provide 200 words about me for inclusion in the Voter Information Guide. I declined this option as the fee for this was $2,200.00, the first of many financial barriers to a candidate’s ability to run to represent the people of our City with money being a factor.
I received notice from the City that the County Registrar of Voters would be adding my name the June 7, 2016 Primary Ballot because I had submitted the required number of validated signatures (50).
$0.00 (amount paid by this candidate for 400 words)
Join Our Campaign
