Tag: perry woodward

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?

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.

After zero discussion on the dais and no public comment Monday night, the Gilroy City Council voted 5-2 to introduce an ordinance that would limit the number of rabbits, chickens and other "small animals" city residents may own.

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.

Rough 49ers loss. This made matters worse: having to listen to Joe Buck on the TV broadcast. He's unfathomably annoying. Can't Sony or another leading edge TV manufacturer figure out a way to put the AM radio in the TV tuner and sync up the broadcast so you can watch the game and tune into the local radio broadcasting team? Perhaps some bright techie type in audience land has solved this problem. If so, let me know so I can pass on the good news and help stop the Buck stop here.

Gilroy City Councilman Dion Bracco filed a public records request last month for information on mayoral opponent and Councilman Perry Woodward's private home security system, including billing records and whether police have ever responded to his Eagle Ridge residence for false alarms, according to documents obtained by the Dispatch.

A proposed sewer fee hike isn't the only item up for debate at Monday's 6 p.m. Gilroy City Council meeting.