Teresa Alvarado’s hands-on approach and accessibility is
refreshing. In an era when talk is cheap, Alvarado shows up.
There are two candidates who are head and shoulders above the rest running to replace former Gilroy mayor Don Gage, soon to be termed out, as Santa Clara County District 1 supervisor.
Teresa Alvarado and Mike Wasserman are both articulate, sharp and engaging.
Wasserman, a former Los Gatos mayor and businessman, has the edge in on-the-job experience, but in terms of representation and connection to the South County community, Teresa Alvarado is the clearcut choice.
She’s connected because she’s made the effort to be connected. She knows South County. She’s a graduate of the Gilroy Leadership program even though she’s a south San Jose resident. She’s going to listen to what people have to say down here far away from the San Jose power politics.
Yes, there are endorsement concerns. Will Alvarado simply be another cookie-cutter politician who dishes up the same-old pablum without a critical eye for innovation and cost savings?
She’s brighter than that, and expectations are that she will be a middle-of-the-road force who understands that the county can’t possibly afford every social program currently being funded.
Alvarado brings unique experience to the seat. Her resume includes everything from community relations for PG&E to executive director for the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley to the Rotary Club of San Jose Board of Directors.
That experience should yield the compassion and wherewithal to weed through the county’s programs and fund the best.
Her hands-on approach and accessibility is refreshing. In an era when talk is cheap, Alvarado shows up. She’s going to hear South County’s side of the story and she’s going to hear it firsthand. It’s no surprise, for example, that she showed up at Monday night’s meeting in the Gilroy City Council chambers to hear the high speed rail discussion.
Two Gilroy candidates, meanwhile, winery owner Tom Kruse and City Councilman Peter Arellano, could play valuable advisory roles to the county in the future. Tom Kruse would be a wonderful advisor on a committee aimed at cutting the red tape and rewriting the rules for area wineries wanting to tastefully expand their facilities. And Arellano, a doctor, could advise the board on cuts that will have to be made to the county’s Valley Medical Center. But neither are strong enough candidates to win this race.
There is one candidate who is the poster perfect person for what Santa Clara County absolutely does not need. Forrest Williams panders to public employee unions, takes their money and is happy to do their bidding. A vote for him is a long-term sentence for financial disaster and assures an acrimonious battle at the county level as tough economic choices are made.
If none of the five candidates on the June ballot receives more than 50 percent of the vote, there will be a run-off election. That’s a likely scenario.
But the best choice for South County is clear: Teresa Alvarado for county supervisor.
