A divided Council narrowly approved the planned unit development
on Miller Avenue, which will put six houses on two old oversized
lots at the north end of Miller, adding extra traffic on an already
heavily traveled street, as well as establish a precedent that,
while the Council says is unlikely to be approved at other
locations, is likely to be tested again
– perhaps even in court.
A divided Council narrowly approved the planned unit development on Miller Avenue, which will put six houses on two old oversized lots at the north end of Miller, adding extra traffic on an already heavily traveled street, as well as establish a precedent that, while the Council says is unlikely to be approved at other locations, is likely to be tested again – perhaps even in court.
We agree with the residents, who fear the development will negatively impact one of the most pleasant and desirable streets in Gilroy, home to families who have lived on the street for generations.
The organizing efforts of Robb Alonzo were laudable, but shown to be incomplete by the display of boorish behavior by some of the residents during the council meeting.
Challenging the Council and pointing out contradictions in a sharp and passionate manner is fine. It is our right as citizens. However, a City Council meeting is not a boxing match, or circus, or soccer game, or … heck, where is cursing the performers appropriate?
When the public hearing is closed – as it was after Mayor Al Pinheiro asked four times for interested speakers, even allowing some residents to speak twice – the Council members then take up the debate, which then is between the Council members only, not the Council and the audience. Therefore, one should not expect elected officials to call on the hands raised to respond to a comment.
Watching and listening to residents who lobbed audible sarcastic comments and who tried to talk over the Council was simply embarrassing, partly for us who have expressed support, but also for them, as they displayed their ignorance of both the public process and plain good manners.
It is unseemly to depart the Council chambers noisily before the members finish explaining their vote just because it looks like the vote will not go as desired. It is worse to curse audibly while doing so and it is especially inexcusable for those who chose not to speak during the public hearing to behave in this manner. Losing gracefully, however bitter, is an admirable character trait. Let’s remember that.
The people we have elected to make the tough decisions, whether we agree with them or not, deserve respect as does the political process.
The Miller Avenue residents may still have some avenues they can follow to achieve their ends.
While they explore these, we hope they also take the time to educate themselves on how to truly organize effectively and interact with government in a more professional manner than they did at the council meeting. The lack of discipline displayed Monday night does nothing to open minds to their position and wears thin very quickly on those who otherwise support them. That’s too bad because they’ve gone from being right to being right – and wrong.
