GILROY
– Two more hats – one from a longtime land-use planner and
another from a relative newcomer to the Gilroy political scene –
have been thrown into the City Council ring.
GILROY – Two more hats – one from a longtime land-use planner and another from a relative newcomer to the Gilroy political scene – have been thrown into the City Council ring.
Shawn Weymouth, currently the only female candidate for the city dais, pulled campaign papers early this week. On Wednesday, Paul Correa, who ran for Council unsuccessfully in 2002, announced his second bid for an open seat.
The bids follow those made by Planning Commission member Russ Valiquette and incumbent Councilman Roland Velasco whose term ends this fall. There are now four candidates vying for three open seats in a campaign that still has unknowns.
Councilman Peter Arellano and Mayor Tom Springer have not stated publicly if they have ruled out or committed to another run. Springer’s mayoral seat is being challenged by Councilman Al Pinheiro, but Springer Wednesday remained mum over his intentions for November.
“I still have time,” Springer said.
Since Pinheiro is not reclaiming his Council seat, the filing deadline for the November election has been extended from Aug. 8 to Aug. 13.
Councilman Charlie Morales deflected rumors Wednesday that he would soon be stepping down from his post. Morales faces jail time over a driving under the influence of alcohol charge and has been under pressure to resign.
“They’re just rumors,” Morales said when asked if it was true he had plans to step aside.
Morales’ first court appearance is Sept. 2.
If Morales resigns before the Aug. 13 deadline, four Council seats will be open in the November election. If he resigns after Aug. 13 but before the November election, City Council will appoint the fourth-highest vote getter to his vacant seat. And if he resigns after the November election, City Council will appoint a replacement of its choosing.
As for the recent announcements, both Correa and Weymouth are longtime Gilroyans with a current presence in city government. Correa is on the Gilroy Planning Commission and Weymouth sits on the Parks and Recreation Commission. The commissions are advisory bodies to the City Council.
“I’ve been considering a run for about a year,” Weymouth said. “I guess I just got tired of sitting around and not being part of the process. I don’t want to be part of the problem. I don’t want to be one of those people who just complains.”
Weymouth, a child abuse counselor in San Jose, is a lifelong Gilroyan. Her seat on the Parks and Recreation Commission expires in December.
Weymouth’s campaign platform will center on the welfare of families and children, she said. For more than a decade, Weymouth was employed with Community Solutions, a leading social service agency in South County.
“I would like to see that small town sense of community continue,” Weymouth said. “I want Gilroy to be a place for all families, and I don’t want to continue seeing people get priced out of this community or not have jobs here.”
Weymouth, a third-generation Gilroyan, is making her first City Council bid.
Correa, a private land-use consultant and former San Jose city planner, believes he is a seasoned politician who remains in touch with the needs of regular citizens.
“I grew up in Gilroy. I’ve worked in the private and public sector. I know the competing interests and needs and I know how to build consensus and achieve things in an effective and efficient manner,” Correa said.
Correa’s platform is focused on revitalizing downtown, providing more housing opportunities for working families and creating “quality” jobs.
