Councilman Peter Arellano said he is still undecided about
making another run for office this November despite pulling
official papers Monday that would allow him to be a candidate.
Councilman Peter Arellano said he is still undecided about making another run for office this November despite pulling official papers Monday that would allow him to be a candidate.
Arellano said he happened to be at City Hall on Monday, so he decided to take out his papers while he was there. The Dispatch reported Tuesday that he was a candidate in the council race.
However, Arellano said that was not the case. He said he still owes $4,000 to others related to his failed bid for county supervisor, and he owes even more money to himself. He also said he continues to recover from that campaign in other ways.
“I was spiritually, mentally and physically exhausted because I gave it my all,” he said. “If I run for council, I also want to make sure that I give it my all.”
Arellano, a Gilroy native and local physician, served on the council from 1999 to 2003 and from 2005 to present.
The two-term incumbent said that the budget continues to be a pressing issue for the city along with the need to spur the local economy. He also wants to ensure that the California High-Speed Rail project is implemented in a way that best serves Gilroy residents.
He has consistently fought for prevailing wages for workers who build city projects. He also supported a failed ordinance that would have allowed medical marijuana dispensaries to operate in Gilroy.
While Arellano ponders his next step, fellow incumbent Councilman Dion Bracco plans to try to retain his seat, and Councilman Craig Gartman has announced that he is not running.
Former council members Paul Kloecker and Russ Valiquette also have pulled official papers announcing their candidacy along with former planning commissioner Art Barron and Pasquale Greco, a retired city of Santa Clara electrical engineer.
Kloecker became the first and only person so far to officially qualify as a candidate Wednesday after filling out the necessary paperwork and gathering at least 20 signatures.
Meanwhile, Peter Leroe-Muñoz, San Benito County deputy district attorney, has yet to start that process, but he has filed campaign finance forms with the state indicating his intention to run.
The close of the nomination period is Aug. 6. Gilroy residents can receive information about running for office at Gilroy City Hall, 7351 Rosanna St.
