Common sense and transparency are high on voter’s lists
What’s clear after this election is that Gilroy voters were not happy. They didn’t like the sidewalk liability ordinance, nor the compensation plan for top-tier city employees, nor the consistent secrecy emanating from City Hall which resulted in the secret retirements of the city’s two top police officials.
So, they unceremoniously ousted the longtime and well-known community members also known as the incumbents, and hopefully that message will resonate with those who remain on the city council. The message is clear: Listen to the people and protect their interests, not the bureaucratic interests of City Hall. Just as importantly, be independent. Think for yourself and don’t just follow the pack. “Groupthink” isn’t healthy for democracy or this community.
It’s not about lining up votes, it’s about discussing and debating issues in public and making up your own mind.
On a pragmatic level, Gilroyans want their council members to fix the sidewalks rather than spending horrendous sums – $30 million – on an exceedingly ugly police station.
This vote is a call to bring common sense back to the forefront in Gilroy. And while we’re at it, let’s save the arrogance fueled by the city’s contract legal firm that seemingly espouses a philosophy designed to stymie public discourse at every turn.
The top three vote getters in Tuesday’s race between six candidates for three council spots – Perry Woodward, Cat Tucker and Bob Dillon – all bring fresh viewpoints to the council. Clearly, voters were in a house-cleaning mode. The candidates they chose, too, are all strong advocates for transparency in local government and the “leading man” – Woodward – has vowed to quickly bring a sunshine ordinance before the council, a local law that would make it clear that the power rests with the people and that they are to be given access to information in all circumstances save those which truly compromise the public’s interest.
Councilman Craig Gartman, who gave incumbent and now re-elected Mayor Al Pinheiro a surprisingly strong run for his money, will remain on the council and is in an entirely different boat. He alone has challenged the status quo, and though his tactics have drawn the ire of the power structure, he has a clearer pulse on the community than those he serves with. More refinement and less gamesmanship will serve him well in the next two years.
Meanwhile, Mayor Pinheiro has his work cut out for him. His political coattails were not only short, they were virtually non-existent. The dynamics of the new council will be dramatically different, and he should humbly interpret his close victory. People appreciate what he has done, in particular, for the downtown revival. It’s been a remarkable and admirably consistent effort. But they also expect more advocacy for “regular Joe Gilroy” from the man who has been given the leadership mantel.
Pinheiro will also have to set aside the acrimony which has arisen from this campaign and take the high road, even when it’s tough political sledding.
As for Measure A, we think voters were duped. The opposition failed miserably in not submitting a ballot argument against the new communications tax, and voters were confused given the carrot of dropping the current utility tax by a half percentage point to 4.5 percent while the stick of applying a new tax to satellite TV, Internet voice communication and such, remained lurking out of sight and mind. This slinky measure may yet backfire on City Hall.
Gilroy voters sent a loud and clear message Tuesday. They have higher expectations for the new council, chief among those is an ear to the ground listening to the people the elected leaders are there to serve.
