Hopefully, the Gilroy City Council decision Monday to agendize
for the next meeting and re-address a plan by the city’s Visitor’s
Bureau to sell a few Gilroy-centric items at a new Welcome Center
in the outlet malls is a mere blip on the screen.
Hopefully, the Gilroy City Council decision Monday to agendize for the next meeting and re-address a plan by the city’s Visitor’s Bureau to sell a few Gilroy-centric items at a new Welcome Center in the outlet malls is a mere blip on the screen.
That’s what it should be. And, frankly, it’s disconcerting that there’s a delay and an introduction of doubt into the process.
Businessmen Charlie and Alex Larson spoke out against the plan Monday, arguing that the GVB will somehow be in competition with local retailers. It’s their right to speak out, of course, as is ours to respectfully and strongly disagree.
But the disconcerting part is how events unfolded. The Council heard the Larson brothers first, then Visitor’s Bureau Executive Director Jane Howard presented a report on GVB activities, which included the plans for the Welcome Center, and asked if anyone on the Council had any questions. Not one was asked. Keep in mind that the Council had all the information on the Welcome Center well before the meeting.
Fast forward to later in the meeting. Councilman Peter Arellano – not surprisingly given his anti-business slant – asked for the Council to re-consider and thus agendize the Welcome Center proposal.
Only Councilman Perry Woodward voted against that – he had the information at hand and was prepared to make a decision and endorse the plan. The GVB has formed an incredibly sensible partnership with the outlet mall that has the potential to increase business throughout the community. The lease is $1 a month, the potential visitors are thousands on a busy weekend.
There’s no reason to fan the flames of every tempest in a teapot – especially when it’s clear what’s good for Gilroy. That should be the driving force behind decisions – decisions that should be made without so much drama.
