Gilroy’s horticultural park invites residents to apply for board
of director seats
Gilroy – Bonfante Gardens, the area’s nonprofit horticultural park, is inviting residents to apply for openings on its board of directors, although applicants will have to compete against two incumbents.
The seven-member group has four community representatives that each serve two-year terms. Hecker Pass landowner Joel Goldsmith said he plans to seek renewal of his position on the park’s board.
“I very much enjoyed my time on the board and it’s been very much of a challenge and rewarding,” Goldsmith said. “I look forward to getting the park on the path to sustainability.”
Board member Patti Harmon, whose term also ends in May,also said she plans to apply for a another term.
“I’m thinking that i would like to (serve again),” said Harmon, who as a board member is in charge of meeting minutes and updating corporate files and other documents. “It’s important for Bonfante Gardens to keep that consistency.”
The board’s biggest accomplishment in the five years since it was formed has been saving the park from bankruptcy. Last summer, the group finalized a land sale that helped the park reduce its debt by millions of dollars and set it on the path to financial recovery. The park is now looking to sell additional land zoned for commercial use along Hecker Pass, as part of its efforts to bolster its reserve fund and continue paying down nearly $13 million in debt.
Board president Bob Kraemer said the successful candidate must attend monthly meetings as well as a number of additional events and special meetings. Board members also are expected to assume in-depth roles on various assignments.
With the financial crisis behind them, “some of us are spending major hours looking at educational development, horticultural development,” Kraemer said.
The Bonfante board of directors also includes Gilroy Mayor Al Pinheiro as a city representative, community representative Greg Martinez, founder Michael Bonfante and Morgan Hill developer John Kent.
People interested in serving on the board should send a letter of interest and a resume to: Bonfante Gardens Board of Directors, 3050 Hecker Pass Highway, Gilroy, CA 95020 – Attention: Patti Harmon, no later than May 15, 2006. Interviews will be scheduled and the position will be filled by mid-June 2006.
Questions regarding this position should be directed to Patti Harmon at 846-6858.
