Monthly Archives: January 2017

The process to create a blueprint for how Gilroy will grow in the next 20 years was halted last year when the citizen-led initiative to place an Urban Growth Boundary around the city started gathering momentum. Now that Measure H is the law of the land, city leaders aim to get General Plan 2040 back on track, while calling for greater community participation.“A lot of things in the pipeline will follow the adoption of the General Plan,” said Mayor Roland Velasco. “The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can get back to other items.” At a joint study session with the planning commission last week, the city council chose the most comprehensive--and expensive--of three options submitted by city staff on how to resume the lengthy process, which determines not just land use policy but everything from transportation to public safety. City administrator, Gabe Gonzalez told the council, it was not so much impacts over the next five to 10 years that need to be reexamined, but what will happen to the city 10-plus years from now when land for new development becomes harder to find and fees collected from developers the city relies on to create new transportation infrastructure dries up. The Urban Growth Boundary reduced the area of land for future residential development by 450 acres/4,344 dwelling units and for non-residential development, by 327 acres, which equates to approximately 5,900 jobs, according to an independent report the city commissioned last year, at a cost of $150,000.When GP 2040 was paused in April 2016, pending the results of Measure H, the city had already spent nearly three years and $854,398 (of a $1,063,112 total budget). Staff estimates the additional analysis and community input will take 24 to 36 months to complete and cost $677,000. In 2015, the city council approved the establishment of a fee surcharge to help pay for future updates to the general plan and combined with what is remaining of the original budget, city staff estimates the city council may need to approve $268,000 in General Fund monies to pay for the shortfall. Follow the process at www.gilroy2040.com.

Feeling like getting involved in your local government? The Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury is taking applications from community members to help investigate and monitor public institutions.The Grand Jury examines all aspects of county and city government and can inspect all books, records and finances to make sure public funds are legally spent and properly accounted for. It monitors misconduct by public officials and employees and inspects the jails.It’s a great way to start getting involved and make sure Gilroy is heard from countywide.To apply and learn more, search scs court and grand jury.

Donna Lee Scalmanini, oldest daughter of Louie and Pauline Raiola was born on the 30th of May 1943. Sister to Jannet, Dennis and Louise; Donna graduated from Andrew Hill High School in San Jose, in 1962.  She married Michael Scalmanini in 1962 in San Jose, CA. They raised 3 sons: Michael, Frank and Kevin Scalmanini of Hollister. Grandchildren include Michael and Jordan (Michael), Mark (Kevin) and Ryan and Tyler (Frank) and Great Granddaughter Amilia Scalmanini (Michael).

Dick Vieira passed away peacefully on January 21, 2017 at his home on Santa Ana Valley Road at the age of 90. Dick was a life long resident and native of San Benito County.

Alma Terribilini-Sota passed away at home peacefully surrounded by her family on January 20, 2017. Born in Mill Valley, Ca, on June 24, 1926, to the late Paul and Louise Bleisch. She was married to George Terribilini for 53 years until his death and later married Anthony Sota in 2001.

SAN JOSE–Despite facing an Avalanche team on the slide, San Jose needed overtime to settle things at sold-out SAP Center Saturday night, winning 3-2.

Jere passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 78. He enjoyed a 25 year career with IBM following service in the US Air Force.

Don’t wear fragrance. Colognes can interfere with your (or other’s) ability to sense some wine’s delicate notes.

A number of years ago I was on a tour of Highgrove Royal Gardens in England. At this, the private residence of Their Royal Highness, we marveled at the beautiful hostas and ooohed and aaahed over the meadows of wildflowers. It was all quite stunning, my dears. And at the end of the tour guide slowed her pace. She lowered her voice nearly to a whisper as she announced “And here … we have … the California Wild Lilac!” Sounds of delight and awe rippled through our tour group. My colleague and I exchanged quick glances—so much build up for a native California plant that we routinely fly by on the highway without a second thought (no booing here, I truly love our hardworking ceanothus). And I couldn’t help but think about how much coddling and care must go into keeping that Mediterranean climate-loving shrub happy so far from its native soil.