For the edition published on New Year’s Day, it seems fitting to ask several notable Gilroyans for their New Year’s resolutions.
Retiring Mayor Don Gage
My New Year’s resolution is to spend a lot more time with my family. I want to take some time with my wife and go on a two-week cruise. I had to miss a lot of things over 30 years. When you go to a graduation and have to run off for a meeting. I’m going to make up for that. I have to make sure to take care of myself. I’m relieved of stress so I’m going to get more exercise, ride my bike or go to the gym.
Perry Woodward, mayor pro tempore
I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. Either I do it or I don’t. I find if it’s something you are going to do, you do it. If you aren’t going to, you don’t.
Ed Tewes, interim city administrator
As pledged by the citizens of ancient Athens, I resolve to transmit to my successor city administrator a city “not only, not less, but greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.”
Peter Leroe Muñoz, Gilroy City Councilmember
My hope for 2016 is the city remain safe and fiscally strong in the new year, and the years to come.
Mark Turner, CEO, Gilroy Chamber of Commerce
1. Tourism will remain at an all-time high.
2. Local residents frequent more of our local businesses.
3. We make progress in our effort to revise downtown.
4. We are known for our business-friendly environment that promotes entrepreneurialism.
5. Sacramento lawmakers realize they have overtaxed and overregulated the business community and begin to reverse that trend.
Okay, four out of five wouldn’t be bad.
Terri Aulman, Gilroy City Councilmember
I hope to make significant progress in 2016 to develop a vibrant downtown. We have the outlets, the wineries and Gilroy Gardens. A vibrant downtown would enhance our city as a desired destination. I hope for progress on our homeless issues and providing more healthy opportunities for our at-risk youth. I wish all the best to our Gilroy citizens and hope that 2016 brings prosperity and jobs to our wonderful community.
Maria DeLeon, director, Gilroy Recreation Department
My resolution is for the Recreation Department to continue providing quality and affordable recreational services to local children, teens, families, active adults and seniors, along with those most in need.
David Cox, executive director, St. Joseph’s Family Center
I will sound like a broken record, but basically I would love to see the enthusiasm we experience during the holidays carried out all year long. We see such a spike in volunteers, donations and general interest in our programs during November and December, then it falls off precipitously. Keeping the holiday spirit of giving infectious, that sort of thing.
Sharon Kelly, supervising children’s librarian and Elizabeth Muñoz Rosas, children’s librarian
Gilroy parents would take advantage of all the free library services and programs that we offer which can help their children be more academically successful. Some of the free weekly children’s programs include arts & crafts and storytime.
Tom Howard, volunteer, Gilroy Museum
We’d love to see more visitors to the museum when we reopen on Jan. 5. We are open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in January. On Jan. 2 we have a docent-led architectural tour of Monterey Street. The docent will talk about the old buildings and history of the street. Those interested can meet at the front of the museum at 10 a.m.
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Melanie Corona, coordinator, Gilroy Downtown Business Association
I wish that residents of Gilroy would embrace our downtown, and give it a chance! Come visit the store owners. Come eat in one of our great restaurants. Participate in one of our many community events. The GDBA is working hard to change the perception of Downtown Gilroy and this change must happen with help from the entire Gilroy community. Join Us Downtown!
