Dear Editor, Congratulations on reporter Serdar Tumgoren and the
Gilroy Dispatch on positioning Councilman Craig Gartman for a run
for mayor in the next election.
Dear Editor,
Congratulations on reporter Serdar Tumgoren and the Gilroy Dispatch on positioning Councilman Craig Gartman for a run for mayor in the next election.
Having been a part of several political campaigns the way the Gilroy Dispatch worked this was a lesson on positioning a candidate 101.
By making Councilman Gartman the “spokesperson” for all issues before the City Council is invaluable when positioning a candidate for election. Reporter Serdar Tumgoren’s article “Councilman Considers Mayoral Run” and highlighting Councilman Gartman’s “sudden” popular dissenting votes on recent issues before City Council while highlighting Mayor Al Pinheiro’s controversial votes was not fair.
What was more questionable was quoting people who supported Craig Gartman and not getting public opinion on people that support the mayor. That would not have been hard to do. All you have to do is walk downtown and ask local businesses on how the revitalization is helping them and what part the mayor had in this.
The icing on the cake is having the only letter to the editor the same day as the article “Councilman Considers Mayoral Run” from Mark Zappa who bashes everyone as usual and endorses Gartman. I picked up the paper the next day and ALL letters to the editor are in support of Graig Gartman. If this was any more unbalanced the Gilroy Dispatch would fall over on it’s face.
I think this is a disservice to the other councilmembers and the mayor. It seems to the average reader that Russ Valiquette , Paul Correa, Roland Velasco, Peter Arellano, Dion Bracco and the mayor are insignificant and uninformed. It seems like every time there is an issue regarding City Council, Craig Gartman is quoted. I have asked other councilman why we only hear one side the majority of the time and not their comment. If the other councilmembers are contacted and don’t return a call or have no comment the readers need to know that. I have nothing against Councilman Craig Gartman and he has helped me with getting the Gilroy High School Champions involved in this year’s Memorial Day Parade. I even agree with some of his positions on questioning staff in certain situations. I know he does his homework and is prepared. I remember before his last election the Gilroy Dispatch questioned his votes as a follower of former Mayor Tom Springer.
Since his re-election it has been all Craig Gartman. I guess it does make for interesting theater, but the Gilroy community deserves better balance from our only local paper.
Arthur C. Barron Sr., Gilroy
Editor’s note: Though we addressed this in the Red Phone, perhaps it bears repeating. The Dispatch
operates in a world of deadlines, and it often proves problematic to contact every council member on every story.
The paper contacts council members on a
rotating basis, though preference is often given to the mayor as the top elected official. That said, there are numerous reasons why some council members appear in the paper more than others.
Some, perhaps, have busier work schedules. Others simply do not return phone calls, or return them long after the paper has gone to press. Other than Mayor Al Pinheiro, Craig Gartman is the council member that makes himself available and promptly returns phone calls. We can’t force politicians to call back. The stories in the paper mirror who is responsive.
Also, Councilman Gartman likely is quoted more often because he is often the council’s lone dissenting voice.
Lastly, as always, the editorial board will follow the interview and discussion process prior to November’s election and decide which candidates to endorse for mayor and City Council. Then, it’s up to the voters to select their representatives.
