~ Sydney J. Harris

In a letter to the editor published in 2006, members of Save Open Space-Gilroy explained their reticence to join the East Gilroy Specific Plan Task Force process as a statement of sorts, claiming their participation would imply that they approved of open space development.

SOS-Gilroy claimed the process was skewed from the onset and refused to be party to "shenanigans." In a parting blow, SOS-Gilroy vowed to watch the process from the outskirts and "…make sure that all environmental impacts are fully studied and mitigated. We will attend the Task Force meetings as members of the public. With the advice of our legal experts, we will comment on the process and the environmental impact reports and we will speak to the public as clearly as we can about the impacts of this huge development application."

After publicly refusing to become a part of the solution, SOS-Gilroy was simultaneously visited by Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy when the Westfield Corporation, according to published reports, withdrew their application(s) to develop a portion of prime agricultural land outside the Gilroy city limits known as the "660 acres" and appears poised to develop blighted property left by another big-box retailer, Wal-Mart.

There was a huge misconception regarding Westfield, and the process. The buzz was that the new mega mall was a "done deal." Many times from the dais City Council stated just the opposite, provided you took the time to listen to what was said. As recently as January when the Council extended the open date for applications to the EGSP Task Force to give environmentalists longer to apply, Councilman Peter Arellano said in open session "it (Westfield) is not a done deal."

It isn't as much the fact SOS-Gilroy didn't volunteer for the non non-necessary EGSP Task Force, but that they were willing to stand just inside their own yard and throw rocks over the line. As Harris so aptly coined, to indicate their unwillingness to be a part of the solution makes them a part of the problem. Had they applied to serve and were rebuffed by City Council they would then have all the reason in the world to chuck rocks by the truck load, absolved of their burden of participation.

If current winds blow true, Westfield may develop only in the old Wal-Mart site and expand a bit within city limits. The net result appears to be exactly what SOS-Gilroy wanted. Unfortunately it happened without SOS-Gilroy even applying to serve. It is a victory of sorts, but not a resounding one.

Make no mistake, SOS-Gilroy's goal was spot-on. Their method of attack was way off. California's system of land-use regulation has flaws but always allows for the biggest check of all - public comment. As one of Gilroy's two newest planning commission members, I respect the weight of public comment. It is the single most powerful check to any city governmental action, as long as it is properly utilized. There is much more weight given to a group of Gilroyans appearing in favor or opposed to an issue - even if only one of them speaks - than a lone representative speaking for an absent collective. The pyramids were not built by the few. Governmental decisions are more precise in the face of the constituency.

Last Monday City Council held a study session for the long debated and controversial sidewalk ordinance. It was the last opportunity for Gilroyans to have their opinions heard before they directed staff to make changes to the draft ordinance prior to bringing it back for a vote. Council had no opinions to listen to because there were no Gilroyans save the Sidewalk Task Force present.

As reported in The Dispatch the sidewalk ordinance got scrapped. The process will begin again. There will be public comment on it and a myriad of other issues.

If you don't like the way your city is run and regulated, show up and open your mouth. You can't complain if you don't participate.

"The two words "information" and "communication" are often used interchangeably, but they signify quite different things. Information is giving out; communication is getting through."

~ Sydney J. Harris

Ben Anderson is a longtime Gilroyan and father of two fantastic teens. His column is published weekly.

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