Dear Editor,
I think the big noise on the city council about having the
city’s law firm Berliner Cohen pay back the $37,000 billed to
represent the city in the MediLeaf medical marijuana dispensary’s
illegal opening is a bunch of nonsense.
‘Big noise’ Council – perhaps 3 should pay back legal fees
Dear Editor,
I think the big noise on the city council about having the city’s law firm Berliner Cohen pay back the $37,000 billed to represent the city in the MediLeaf medical marijuana dispensary’s illegal opening is a bunch of nonsense.
Do you think maybe, that the judge’s ruling that the council violated the Brown Act may have been flavored by the much-publicized boycott of a closed session by three council members?
They boycotted the closed session even though the Brown Act, under section 54956.9, allows closed sessions for the discussions of anticipated or potential litigation?
If they had not done so, the judge’s questionable decision of suggesting a Brown Act violation and the subsequent ruling that the city came to the court with dirty skirts may not have been an issue. Maybe, the three council members who staged the city’s closed session boycott should admit some culpability for the ruling and chip in to repay the $37,000.
The law firm of Berliner-Cohen has been representing the City of Gilroy since 1991. During this time, the city’s chief legal representative, Linda Callon, a former mayor and council member, has brought a unique blend of experience, knowledge of the state, local and development law and well-reasoned advice to the residents of Gilroy. Her legal advice has been sound and, although no law firm wins every lawsuit, the losses have been few.
Among the many wins was the lawsuit brought against the city by the State Board of Equalization demanding the city pay $1 million in sales tax money collected on the bulk sale of lottery tickets printed in Gilroy. We won that suit and also got our legal fees reimbursed. That is only one example of many.
Councilman Perry Woodward, who seems to be leading the charge to have these MediLeaf costs repaid by Berliner-Cohen has been on the losing end of some of this past litigation. He also continues to press for ending the contract for outside legal support and for hiring in-house lawyers to handle the city’s legal issues. (In-house legal support does not save money.) How can adding full time attorneys to the city staff be justified when the city has recently furloughed police and fire fighting personnel?
I’m not sure having a lawyer on the city council second guessing the city attorney is in the best interest of residents, nor is seeking reimbursement for damage caused by self inflicted wounds.
Mike Gilroy, former mayor,
City of Gilroy
Downtown sculpture unveilings a true legacy in 2009
Dear Editor,
UNFORGETTABLE!
As this year is quickly finishing, I’d like to remind the people of Gilroy of the beautiful public art project recently unveiled downtown on Oct. 17.
It is called “The Legacy of Gilroy.” Three bronze sculptures representing the old Transportation, Commerce and Hospitality Districts have been strategically placed on Monterey Street in the Historic Downtown Gilroy.
Outstanding work by the commissioned artist, Marlene Amerian, enables viewers to envision the time in our past when the people portrayed were engaged in their lives in Gilroy.
This visual connection helps us understand who we were and who we are today. Viewing the sculptures can be an unforgettable experience – as was problem solving this dream. Please visit.
The Gilroy City Council directed the Public Art Committee more than five years ago to research and identify historic persons, contract an artist and raise monies for bronze sculptures downtown.
Today, our downtown reaps the results of all that dreaming and problem solving. This was an unforgettable experience for all involved in the process. Remember, we did not carry the burden of tradition. We were free to innovate and create. We developed precedents for future public art in Gilroy.
I would so like to thank our mayor and city council, our city staff (Maria De Leon, Cathy Mirelez, Sondra Banks), our previous museum staff (Tom Howard, Lucy Solorzano, Susan Voss), and the Gilroy Arts and Culture Commission for their tireless support and enthusiasm.
Our artist, Marlene Amerian, deserves so much appreciation for her dedication to detail and authenticity and her spirit in desiring and creating her best. Thank you Marlene! And I am most proud of the Public Art Committee I chaired. They include Lisa Faria (vice-chair), Arline Silva, Trudie Conrotto, Joan Buchanan, Heidi Collier and Bruce Morasca. They personify passion, perseverance in the face of challenges and dedication to improving our city.
And have I mentioned our financial contributors?
None of this could have happened without the generosity of our sponsors.
First to donate was Wal-Mart, then The James Group, the Rotary Clubs of Gilroy, the Jeff and Pam Martin Fund through the Gilroy Foundation, the Gilroy Downtown Business Association, and the City of Gilroy Downtown Streetscape Project. The Public Art Committee is so grateful for all those people and organizations who believed in us.
And Oct. 17 was so unforgettable! This was what I’d been hoping would happen.
Downtown Gilroy came to life. People participated enthusiastically and downtown was vibrant. Many thanks to the participants: Jerry Navarro on the guitar; Fire Department’s Chief Dale Foster for driving the old fire truck and delivering our mayor, city council and the attending dignitaries; our local VFW Color Guard Post 6309; Boy Scout Troop #708 and Girl Scout’s Troops 60171 and 60401; the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Pipes and Drums – Lettie Smith and Jay Tuttle on the bagpipes; the Gilroy Historical Society for hosting in-period dress; the coverage by CMAP (Susan Patereau and Linda Estill), the Gilroy Dispatch (especially Jonathan Partridge, Aaron Callanta and Mark Derry); Gilroy city staff, Susan Valenta with the Chamber of Commerce for loaning their speaker system; the Pinnacle Bank for use of their plaza and Joanne Britton for their table and coffee; the participation of the donors (Eric Howard, Don Dey, James Suner, Catherine Suner, Richard Klevins and his wife, Alan Ladd and Steve Kinsella) in the unveilings; and the kind words of our Mayor Al Pinheiro, former Mayor Mike Gilroy, artist Marlene Amerian and the descendants of the Gilroyans portrayed in the sculptures. It does take a whole village and ours was there on Oct. 17, 2009.
UNFORGETTABLE!
Shirley Willard, Arts and Culture Commissioner, Chair, Public Art Committee
Democrats from yesteryear not the same in 2010
Dear Editor,
I write this in response to
Mr. Wilber’s recent letter
Attacking the Democrats
Saying the Republicans, are so much better
He then goes on to state
Some 1870 historic facts
With the Klan and Demos
Far back in the past
The Klan’s philosophy
Was racist in every way
Disallowing any civil rights
Back in their heyday
The Demo’s recent history
Has already shown
That racism and closed borders
Is in the Republican’s tone
He accuses Demos of being
Both racist and socialist too
But those philosophies are
Conflicting, points of view
And in today’s politics
Which party prefers, the status elite
And denies health care
To the man on the street
The Southern Dixiecrats
Were long ago replaced
By the Conservative Republicans
From various states
Tom Engebretson, Gilroy
