Constituents in San Jose councilman’s district concerned about representation: NBC Bay Area

San Jose District 3 voters said Wednesday they feel they lack a local voice with embattled Councilman Omar Torres currently out of office.

Smiley Kai, who first opened the Ukelele Fountain in Japantown 16 years ago, said he wonders if Torres, the man elected to represent him on city council, is still up to it. Kai said he would normally contact his alderman, but Torres has been absent from council meetings since police announced he was being criminally investigated on allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor.

“There is no one representing the district,” Kai said. “It’s hard to say what kind of votes are happening because we’re not represented.”

When Torres returns to work, he will have less to do after the council voted Tuesday to remove him from all committee and commission duties while the investigation continues.

Mayor Matt Mahan said it’s important for the city to move forward.

“The reality is, he’s not doing his job,” Mahan said. “He doesn’t show up for meetings. He hasn’t attended any meetings since the allegations surfaced over two weeks ago. It’s time to move on. We’ve all asked him to resign. So far he’s not heeded that request.”

Torres’ attorney said his client maintains his innocence and declined to comment on the council’s recent decision.

City documents show councilors are paid $169,000 a year. Because Torres doesn’t attend council meetings and doesn’t report to commissions and committees, some constituents wonder what Torres is doing.

In the meantime, other councilors have been assigned to fill Torres’ place on city committees, and Mahan said his office will grow to serve the 100,000 constituents in District 3.

At this time, Torres has not been arrested or charged with any crime.

Mahan said the council has only two options for those seeking to replace Torres: He must resign or be removed.