Before Peter Arellano said his farewells as a city council member Monday night, mariachi music bounced in the hallways of City Hall as members of the community thanked him for 13 years of service on the Gilroy City Council.
Mayor Don Gage joined Mariachi Alma de Mexico in song towards the end of the celebration and presented Arellano—who opted not run for re-election—with a plaque honoring his public service on the council since 1999. After the ceremony, the council returned to the dais.
“The next part is a part I’ve dreaded for a long time—parting words from Mr. Arellano. In knowing him and his family for many, many years, he’s never been at a loss for words,” Gage said jokingly.
“The mayor told me I can’t take more than two hours, so if I take more than that, turn the lights off,” Arellano shot back. Council chambers filled with laughter.
But during his parting remarks, Arellano reflected on his three terms as a council member and touched on serious topics, too.
“A lot of the things we do up here impact future generations,” he said. “I think it (this council) serves the public well because they know where our ideas come from and what influences our opinions. That’s what a democratic government is all about. That’s not to say we don’t have our own individual beliefs or our own biases, but at the end of the day everyone knows why we voted the way we did and why the city council took action. That’s what the democratic process is all about.”
During his service, he was often at odds with fellow council members on hot button issues like the failed half-cent sales tax measure and the sign ordinance that initially banned A-frame signs across town and restricted the use of other forms of advertising.
“I have always been against raising taxes for non-specific reasons and feel strongly that we have enough tax money. We just need to make the hardest choices on where to spend it and who to give it to,” Arellano continued. “This is why I’m the only one who voted against increasing the sales tax and the citizens supported my opinion by defeating the measure.”
He urged the council to revisit the sign ordinance and “let the free market work,” addressing business owners’ concerns that restrictions on the amount of advertising that can cover a window are hurting business.
Arellano thanked his supporters over the years before closing with a final, parting remark.
“We live in a beautiful country that allows us this discussion and discourse. For me, being part of it has been enriching about how fragile this democracy is because it’s a democracy of participation,” he said. “If you don’t participate, somebody else is going to hijack it. So please vote and vote intelligently.”
After Arellano said his goodbyes, his nameplate on the dais was swapped with that of returning council member Roland Velasco—who claimed the most votes of all five candidates in November.
“I really look forward to working with all the council members. I know we will disagree on issues, policy and projects—I know that. But I have faith we are all trying to make the best decisions we can in the interest of the community,” Velasco said from the dais. “It’s only through all of us working together, having thoughtful dialogue and coming to some sort of resolution we will truly be able to advance the ball forward to the goal line.”
Incumbents Dion Bracco and Peter Leroe-Munoz both thanked supporters for re-electing them, and they both echoed remarks that good things are coming to Gilroy.
Leroe-Munoz, returning for a second term, said he’s greatly enjoyed serving on the council—more than he thought he ever would.
“When we look at the city and the direction it’s going and we see the change in pace of development and the physical changes around town, we know there are very much good things happening in Gilroy,” he added.
Bracco, returning for his third term, said it’s a humbling experience to get re-elected and realize the support from people in your corner.
“I look forward to working with this council over the next four years because I really believe that our best days are ahead of us in this city,” he said. “We have a lot coming up but I believe this council is up to the task of changing our city.”
