Gilroy native Pasquale Greco may not have much political
experience, but he’s no stranger to city business.
Gilroy native Pasquale Greco may not have much political experience, but he’s no stranger to city business.
Greco, 72, served for more than 37 years for the City of Santa Clara’s electrical department before moving back to Gilroy in 2002. Now, he is looking to run for a seat on Gilroy’s City Council.
“I figured, I’ve got all of this experience and knowledge, why not make use of it?” Greco said.
Greco retired 11 years ago from the City of Santa Clara as a distribution supervisor. He said his experience there allowed him to get an understanding of every facet of how a city runs.
Greco will join Councilman Dion Bracco and former councilman Russ Valiquette in the November council race, as both already have announced their intentions to run.
Former planning commissioner Art Barron, school board member Denise Apuzzo and community activist Ron Kirkish also have said they are considering running for a council seat, as they have all been approached by other community members about doing so.
Greco has concerns about taxes and about the impacts of high-speed rail on the city of Gilroy, and he believes that police and fire services need to be top priorities, he said. Still, he said he plans to respond to the desires of Gilroy residents.
“I will go by what the constituents of the city want, not what I want,” he said.
Although Greco has not served in a political role, he has served in past leadership roles as former president of a Corvette Club and of a model airplane club. He has started attending City Council meetings to get up to speed on major issues facing the city.
Council seats for Bracco and council members Peter Arellano and Craig Gartman are set to expire this year. Arellano is running for a spot on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, and he said he has not decided whether he will run for council if he does not get that seat. Gartman also said he has not decided whether he will run again.
