Tag: dion bracco

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Eastside neighborhood resident Jay Vasquez, 14, worked up a sweat playing basketball with a friend at the outdoor courts of South Valley Middle School late Friday afternoon. Vasquez said he's looking forward to the summer, when he can cool off by jumping into the pool at SVMS.

Talk of a tobacco retailer's license that would levy an annual $150 to $400 fee on approximately 57 liquor, convenience and grocery stores in Gilroy has been snuffed out.

One day, Tenth Street could be reincarnated as a gateway corridor funneling U.S. Highway 101 traffic to downtown Gilroy.

A high-speed rail through downtown Gilroy?

“Among other common lies, we have the silent lie – the deception which one conveys by simply keeping still and concealing the truth. Many obstinate truth-mongers indulge in this dissipation, imagining that if they speak no lie, they lie not at all.”

As the city of Gilroy happily reports glowing and growing sales tax numbers – “Seven straight quarters of sales tax increases” – and the unions call for new hiring, I wonder if anyone gets it. Or will we turn a blind eye to reality and take the easy way out as Mayor Al Pinheiro did in the last election? Personally, he said, binding arbitration for public safety employees was a horrible burden for the city, but he declined to take on the political fight to overturn it. That could have caused a real election rumble with the firefighters and police unions spending money to save the right for an out-of-town attorney to have the final say on pay and benefits for Gilroy’s public safety employees.

Gilroy City Councilman and mayoral candidate Dion Bracco has a criminal record that includes a 1990 felony conviction for possession of methamphetamine for sale, according to court records obtained by the Dispatch.

1. Councilman shot himself in the foot with public records request

• Perry Woodward, hands down, no question. Gilroy does not need another "old guard" good 'ol boy. Someone capable, intelligent and independent needs to take the reins at City Hall to move Gilroy forward. Woodward brings fresh ideas to the table and will be far more effective, even with a slight change in the Council. • Woodward. • I can't response other than "Not Decided." Councilmen Bracco and Woodward must provide their plan and position for our city for us to make a decision. What has transpired during the past four years does not set either of these men in a position of leadership in my opinion. Whomever is to be mayor must have strong control over the city manager and staff. It is not enough to be a mayor without complete control and guidance over staff. Too often staff controls the city, not the council. Both candidates are strapped tightly to the police and its union. One through his business the other through his familial relationship, which leads me to believe they will do nothing to rid our city of binding arbitration with the police union. • Oh, I'd have to vote for Perry, but I would give Dion a job in the "Raising Alarm Department"! • If I must, OK, Dion. • Dion Bracco, he has worked long and hard, is a regular citizen with a down to earth approach. • Perry Woodward. I am not really excited about either choice but I really can't relate to Dion Bracco - his ideas and point of view seem dated and uninspired. At least Perry seems to have some enthusiasm and energy for the job. • Dion Bracco. Aside from the inquiry into Perry Woodward's alarm information, I think Dion has the most common sense and will work for all of Gilroy. Dion works here and knows many of the locals that have businesses and I feel he would be better at bringing the community together on issues of importance. • Dion Bracco. He has been a very involved in the community person both before and during his City Council member tenure. I have known him to care deeply about Gilroy, its senior citizens, children, families, public safety including long-term involvement in the Gilroy Gang Task Force, DARE program, Gilroy Exchange Club and youth sports. • Neither one. There is no real information about any of their qualifications, just some negative reporting about actions taken to find out things about Woodward. Really? Let's hope some transparent and capable people step up to the plate in the coming months.