Tag: peter arellano

After more than an hour of public comment Aug. 4, City Council approved putting a measure before voters that would increase the city’s sales tax by a half percent with a 5-1 vote. If approved by voters in November, Gilroy’s sales tax would jump from 8.75 to 9.25 percent and the city would have the highest sales tax in all of Santa Clara County.

In the midst of all the shoulder patting, thanking, well-wishing and congratulating that transpired at the City Council chambers Dec. 7 when the public officially welcomed Don Gage as their new mayor, retiring Councilman Bob Dillon’s parting words put it best.

When it comes to electing public officials, bankruptcies matter.

• Yes. While bankruptcy is many times unavoidable, it still likely reflects some fiscal irresponsibility in getting there. It certainly would cause me to take a closer look at what may have been the reason and then a judgment as to their ability to understand city financial matters. • Yes. Public representatives should be held to a higher standard of care since they having direct control over our health, safety and welfare and the potential to abuse the power entrusted to them! • No. Especially if the bankruptcy was many years ago.  We need to concentrate on current issues and concerns. • Yes, somewhat. While I try to keep in mind that often bankruptcy is unavoidable, it does give me pause and make me consider their candidacy a little more. • Yes.  Personal fiscal responsibility reflects a person's ability to be fiscally responsible with our tax dollars. • Yes. I don't think knowing a candidate filed bankruptcy in the past would keep me from voting for them, but the voters need to know all the information that helps us make an informed decision about a candidate. Someone who filed bankruptcy may not be the best candidate to run our city. • No. I have voted already. That said we are asking candidates to manage city budgets so this could potentially be a deciding factor. • Of course it should. There’s judgment involved and we need our Council people to make good decisions and fiscal issues are critical to the health of the city. Spending all the city funds and declaring bankruptcy would not be a good idea. • No. However, personal monetary decisions made public through declaring bankruptcy can sway people into believing that this will transfer into the candidate’s decision making processes in a public servant position. I don’t believe this is true, given personal money issues have many factors that we may not be aware of nor should we be. • No. The bankruptcy itself would not change my vote. If I knew the reason why it occurred may change my vote.

According to court records, mayoral candidate and current Councilman Peter Arellano claimed $670,359 in debts when he filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in November 2004.

Not sure what to make of the Gilroy Political Action Committee, an arm of the Chamber, which erected those borderline insulting campaign signs that scream, “It’s the Gilroy Economy, Genius” that endorse a slate of four candidates. Am darn sure the candidates didn’t give that slogan the stamp of approval even though, in theory, they might concur. The PAC’s motto is of the same political vein, “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.” What’s so odd is that for decades the Chamber has been unfailingly unwilling to offend. “Preserve and protect” could have been the motto. Case in point: Though it’s Government Review Committee staunchly opposed the binding arbitration clause in the city charter for public safety employees, the chamber politely refused to do public opinion battle and weakly presented the case without a recommended course of action to the City Council after much flapping of wings. Perhaps what we have emerging is the Chamber’s alter ego that has been bottled up for years and now, like a college teenager who’s left an ultra-strict household, it’s time for a new motto: “GilPAC, let the wild child out.”

Four candidates on Gilroy's ballot have filed for bankruptcy in the past, according to federal court documents.

After a hearty debate with opposition coming from those who have been against it from the start, the final version of the hefty 50-year, $660 million, 2,800 page Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan was passed on a 4-3 vote during Monday's Council meeting.

Saturday Oct. 13, from 2 to 4 p.m., Gilroy voters have the chance to ask those running for mayor and City Council tough questions at a public forum at the Gilroy Library. 

Two of Gilroy's three mayoral candidates for the Nov. 6 election met individually with the Dispatch Editorial Board Tuesday morning to talk about major issues concerning Gilroy, and to highlight their priorities as Gilroy's next potential leader.