Cloak-and-dagger secrecy has to stop
– it’s a $13 million proposal
It’s a brand new day at Gilroy City Hall. Thankfully, four City Council members – Bob Dillon, Cat Tucker, Craig Gartman and Perry Woodward – actually believe in and understand what it means to conduct the public’s business.
It’s appalling that Mayor Al Pinheiro and Councilmen Peter Arellano and Dion Bracco would accept such a bizarre idea to keep secret a proposed purchase and lease agreement between the city of Gilroy and Bonfante/Gilroy Gardens. By this time, we’re used to such cloak-and-dagger “Bakiavellian” tactics from City Administrator Jay Baksa, but nobody elects him. The people did elect the other three. That they believe the document should be kept secret and not be reviewed by the City Council far in advance of the proposed $13 million purchase of the theme park and the property is a total abrogation of their public responsibility and a slap in the face to Gilroy taxpayers.
It’s so supremely arrogant that dreams of a another Council election should begin dancing in residents’ heads.
Imagine being entrusted by each and every Gilroyan to decide how to spend $13 million in taxpayer dollars for a park – and grant a business enterprise a huge taxpayer subsidy via a $1 year lease to boot – and voting not to make that proposed agreement public or review it until the final hour.
Fortunately, Gilroyans have elected people who take the notion of the public’s right to know seriously. Dillon, Tucker, Gartman and Woodward thankfully outvoted the mayor and his two colleagues, restoring sensibility to the dais.
Alas, the 4-3 vote after much hullabaloo to allow Gartman and Woodward to review the document at the city attorney’s offices is a victory for Gilroy residents. But it’s not good enough. The withholding of the purchase and lease agreement is illegal. Morally, ethically and legally, it’s incumbent upon Mayor Pinheiro to use his power and influence to reverse this insane course immediately.
Release the proposed purchase and lease agreement to the Council members and the public for full scrutiny. Cease and desist to block the roads to public access to government. The power belongs to the people, not you nor the city administrator.
To continue on the path of secrecy is folly.
If the city continues down this road it will quickly erode the support for the theme park purchase altogether.
If the lease is not made public and a reasonable deal struck – and Councilman Dillon is right on with his vociferous objections to a $1 a year sweetheart deal – there should be no more negotiations. Bring on Hecker Pass Tire & Brake and let the park’s chips fall where they may.
The curtains should close on this never-ending dramatic farce now. Let the public see the deal, let the questions flow, let those elected and given power by the people answer those questions and let local government work the way it’s supposed to – arm in arm with the residents who should be trusted with information.
The primary duty of an elected official should be their fiduciary responsibility to residents and taxpayers as opposed to demonstrating faith in city staff. Some members of this City Council stubbornly refuse to acknowledge that concept.
Make the lease purchase agreement public, stop the cloak-and-dagger secrecy and let’s get on with the business of making good decisions and making our community better.
