Our View: it’s an ethical issue that should be dealt with in a
straightforward manner. It’s time for Mayor Al Pinheiro to step
down from the Bonfante board. No elected official should hold that
position
Mayor Al Pinheiro is on the Bonfante Gardens Board of Directors. Pacific Oak Properties submitted an application to the city, now withdrawn, to develop housing on 30 acres of land owned by Bonfante Gardens. Pacific Oak Properties would need a zoning change from the Gilroy City Council and, of course, building permits, etc. Pacific Oak Properties gave money to Mayor Pinheiro in the last election.
That circle constitutes a conflict of interest. Again, we call on Mayor Pinheiro to do the right thing and resign from the Bonfante Gardens Board of Directors.
No elected city official should sit on the Bonfante Board. It is not possible to independently represent the city and sit on the amusement park’s board, which is constantly asking for special treatment that involves millions of dollars, development rights, traffic issues and the future of the Hecker Pass corridor.
Originally the concept of a city representative on the Bonfante board was to place someone in a watchdog role of sorts because the city generously allowed the board to finance bonds at a lower rate under the city’s municipal umbrella.
What’s happened is a reversal of sorts – Bonfante Gardens hasn’t been watched really – just try getting attendance figures, for example. But the park has been accorded special treatment due, in part, to this dual role of amusement park protector and mayor.
The decisions related to Bonfante Gardens have been clouded by this relationship, and the mayor’s ability to make judgments that serve the best interests of all Gilroyans has been compromised.
Clearly, Mayor Pinheiro would have to recuse himself from voting on any application put forward by Pacific Oak Properties.
This latest twist should convince the mayor beyond any shadow of a doubt that a conflict exists.
Appointing someone from, say, the Parks and Recreation Commission to sit on the board and monitor the progress of Bonfante Gardens is a reasonable solution.
This is not a conflict that is going to show up on the Fair Political Practices Commission designated list. There is no direct financial benefit involved for the mayor.
But it certainly counts in the arena of personal and community ethics.
Frankly, it’s baffling that someone of Mayor Pinheiro’s character has not acknowledged and rectified this conflict of interest. He should do so before a situation comes to the forefront that ensnares numerous well-intentioned members of our community. The mayor should understand that even appearances and possible misperceptions count.
The mayor’s participation on the Bonfante Gardens Board of Directors is harming the reputation of our city. The longer it goes on, the more harm will be done.
The conflict is as clear as the solution.
