Mayor shines light on budget
Gilroy – Residents wondering about the city’s spending priorities and what can – or can’t – be done with local tax dollars can attend a series of public meetings starting tonight. Mayor Al Pinheiro and City Administrator Jay Baksa will hold four meetings at schools throughout the community to illuminate the inner workings of Gilroy’s $126-million budget.
Residents looking to study up before the meetings can find the city’s five-year budget online. The attached budget message departs from the gloomy predictions of past years and details plans to end a three-year hiring freeze. City officials are planning to add two dozen employees, put $500,000 or more into sidewalk repairs and restore funding for other programs cut back in recent years.
Only $35 million of the city’s $126-million budget goes toward operating expenses, the vast majority of which goes to pay for salaries and benefits of Gilroy’s 270 public employees. The remaining $90 million is spread across several pots of money that support new buildings, roads, sewers and other public improvements. Money in those funds is reserved for specific uses.
Lights on for afterschool programs
Gilroy – The Gilroy Unified School District 21st Century Afterschool Program will join more than 7,500 across the nation to host the Lights On Afterschool event on Thursday afternoon.
The event is a series of nationwide rallies designed to recognize the significant role quality afterschool programs play in the lives of children, their families and the community at large. The community is invited to visit Eliot, El Roble, Las Animas and Glen View elementary schools from 2:30pm to 5:50pm and South Valley Middle School from 3:30pm to 6pm.
“Lights On,” provides visitors with a first-hand look at the range of activities provided. All of the local programs are part of the Afterschool Alliance, a national advocacy group designed to promote awareness of the country’s afterschool programs.
Poker tourney benefits city programs
Gilroy – The second annual Texas Halloween Hold ‘Em Tournament will be hosted by the Gilroy Community Services Department at 10am Oct. 28 at the Gilroy Senior Center.
Team registration for the one-day recreational event begins at 2pm on Wednesday Oct. 11. A maximum of 27 teams of four persons, 18-and-over, will be accepted. The team entry fee is $60, with all proceeds used to benefit the department’s senior, teen and youth programs.
The Halloween Hold ‘Em was the most successful of the eight tournaments offered within the past 15 months by the department. Eight tables of players began play. The tournament is prepared to handle up to 12 tables of players. Volunteers handle the role of dealers. Table sponsors assist with souvenirs and snacks.
The entry deadline for Halloween Hold ‘Em is 5pm on Thursday Oct. 19.
Details: 846-0460.
Send news items to City Editor Robert Airoldi. FAX to 842-2206, mail to Gilroy Dispatch, 6400 Monterey Road, Gilroy, CA 95020, or e-mail ed****@****ic.com
