City Clerks Association president fires back at criticism for
high salary; Jeff Garcia praised; Animal bill blasted
City Clerk Starts at 92K? Well, Don’t Forget ‘You Get What You Pay For’
Dear Editor,
Lisa Pampuch’s column headlined “Comparison Reveals How Far Out of Balance City Salary Range Is” focuses on the salary of Gilroy’s city clerk and compares the city clerk duties to that of a private sector executive assistant. The comparison was both careless and inaccurate. Ms. Pampuch cites her resource for the city clerk duties as “according to Serdar Tumgoren’s recent story.”
I am the president of the City Clerks Association of California and have not heard of Serdar Tumgoren but do know a little bit about the position of city clerk having been in the profession for 13 years.
Please share with your readers the “real world” description of the “duties” of a city clerk so that citizens may make their own informed comparisons.
The city clerk is the local official for elections, local legislation, the public records act, the political reform act, and the Brown Act (which are the open meeting laws). Before the City Council takes any action (and after they take action), the city clerk ensures that actions are in compliance with all federal, state and local statutes and regulations. The city clerk is entrusted, without vested political or economic interest, to ensure the integrity of the democratic process. Thousands of statutes and regulations exist which protect democracy and provide a system of “checks and balances.” It is the city clerk’s responsibility to ensure compliance with these laws, which are complex and are constantly changing and evolving. The city clerk, as the local official, must have the professional education, training and knowledge necessary to understand and administer these laws.
The office of the city clerk is the key to democracy – the city clerk must be a qualified individual who understands the people’s rights, who understands the people’s laws, who understands due process, who understands professional standards and who understands that true democracy is free of political or economic interest.
It is prudent for Gilroy’s city leaders to hire and retain the most qualified individuals to serve as our local officials to protect democracy and ensure the integrity of our local government. And, one more thing that does compare to the real word – “you get what you pay for.”
Shalice Reynoso, president,
City Clerks Association of California
Jeff Garcia Representing Community Wonderfully
Dear Editor,
In addition to being one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game, Jeff Garcia is proving to be one of the best human beings to ever grace the local community, and beyond. I have noticed and appreciated his support to the community for many years now, and I live in Hollister. I can only imagine how proud the residents of Gilroy, San Martin, and Morgan Hill must be of the generosity and growing legacy of Jeff Garcia. He truly is a “local boy made good” in many more ways than one.
John Rinck, Hollister
Gilroy Teens Throw a Great Dance for Seniors
Dear Editor,
We would like to give special thanks to a great group of young people. The Gilroy Youth Commission put on an outstanding dance for the seniors and it was called “Swinging On A Star Senior Ball.”
Everything was beautiful from the decorations to the music, food and especially the service these young people gave us. These young people were so polite and kind that they should be proud of themselves. They waited on us hand and foot. There was nothing they would let us do. In fact, they definitely made us feel “special”. The whole evening was superb!
Thank you Gilroy Youth Commission for a great senior ball. Each and everyone of you set a wonderful example for other teenagers.
Jo Deaver, on behalf of Viola Carr and
Ann Jaszewski
