Politics

Six months before Election Day, Gilroy’s mayoral ballot is beginning to take shape, as Councilman Peter Arellano officially announced his candidacy on Wednesday, just one day before candidate Councilman Perry Woodward dropped from the race.

City and county officials are asking Gilroy residents for their input on how best to spend more than $360,000 in federal funding dedicated to improving the community. In conjunction with the county and cities across the county, officials are hosting the last of three regional forums—this one in Gilroy—to ask locals how to address homelessness, affordable housing and community improvements with that funding.

The opening of the new Gilroy Welcome Center is nearly here.

Eligible Santa Clara County residents who have not registered to vote in the November 8, 2016 Presidential General Election can take advantage of special extended hours today to ensure that they will be able to cast a ballot. The Registrar of Voters’ Office will remain open until 8:00 p.m. today for those who wish to complete their voter registration forms. Today is the last day to register to vote.  Voters can also register online at www.sccvote.org. Online registration must be completed before midnight in order to meet the deadline. Alternatively, voters can sign and return paper registration forms by mail; forms that are postmarked today will be accepted. Paper registration forms are available at post offices, public libraries, fire stations, city halls, and most local government offices. “We hope that all eligible residents of Santa Clara County register to vote before today’s deadline, and then cast their ballot on or before Election Day. Turnout in the last presidential general election was about 80%. We would love to have an even higher voter turnout this November,” said Registrar of Voters Shannon Bushey.  Voters should complete a new registration form if they have moved, changed a name, or would like to change their political party preference. To register to vote in Santa Clara County, a voter must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old on or before Election Day, a Santa Clara County resident and not imprisoned or on parole for a felony. Voters who would like to check their registration status may do so at Check Your Registration Status. Voters may also request to vote by mail for this election at Request a Vote by Mail Ballot, or they may request to become permanent Vote by Mail voters at Permanent Vote by Mail. Postage is prepaid on all Vote by Mail ballots in Santa Clara County. For more information, contact the Registrar of Voters’ Office at 1-408-299-VOTE (8683) or toll-free at 1-866-430-VOTE (8683), or visit www.sccvote.org. 

City Council picked their team of 25 General Plan committee members during their regular meeting Aug. 5. 

GILROY—After six months of negotiations with the city, a labor union representing about 100 public employees in Gilroy has threatened to strike for two days in November, according to interim City Administrator Ed Tewes.

Gilroy City Councilman and Democrat, Peter Leroe-Muñoz has launched a campaign for State Assembly District 30. Rep. Anna Caballero, who currently holds the seat, cannot run next year due to term limits.

Mounting city legal costs incurred to shut down the city's first