Politics

When the Open Government Commission was formed in 2008, it was comprised of three council members who were tasked with ensuring citizens receive greater access to public information.

Local health officials are readying themselves with vaccines and

GILROY—Gilroy will join a grateful nation in mourning Monday, May 25 to honor and remember this city's and country’s war dead with ceremonies that trace their origins to 1868 and U.S. Civil War.

A new face on the political scene has stuffed the campaign piggy

Gilroy's City Council voted unanimously Monday to have the City

Attorney Perry Woodward succeeded Don Gage as Gilroy's mayor Monday night.Don Gage retired from the post on Dec. 31 after 30 years of public service and with 10 months left on his term.  Woodward will serve out the remainder of Gage’s term, which expires in December. Residents will be able to vote for a mayor to serve a full four-year term during municipal elections in November.The council will next select a replacement for the empty council seat from applicants who apply to the city clerk by January 15. The sole dissenting vote was cast by councilmember Roland Velasco, who said while he likes Woodward personally, the pair have had “too many policy disagreements” to vote for him. No other councilmember was forwarded to take on the role. The meeting quickly moved forward to the reading of the oath of office, during which Woodward stood with his two young daughters. The entire proceedings took about five minutes. After taking the Oath, Woodward said he promised to represent all residents, not just those who live in his neighborhood or show up to meetings.The only hiccup to the proceedings occurred minutes later when Woodward attempted to make a motion to appoint city council member, Peter Leroe-Munoz as mayor pro tempore.The item was not on the night’s agenda and three people from the audience spoke up, including the chairman of the city’s Open Government Commission, Walt Glines, who had some succinct words of advice for the council, “If it’s not on the agenda, don’t do it.”With that, Woodward recanted, saying, “Ok, you’ve persuaded me.” The mayor pro tem will be selected at the next city council meeting.The city's attorney had counseled Woodward earlier to appoint a secondary mayor right away in case Woodward had to miss a meeting. Woodward, a local lawyer, has served on the Gilroy City Council since 2007, the last 3 years as Mayor Pro Tem.

On the heels of a letter sent by City Council and the Cities Association of Santa Clara County, Assemblyman Luis Alejo recently met with local officials and listened to concerns about a double-digit increase in crime in Gilroy associated with Assembly Bill 109 – the Public Safety Realignment Act.

Gilroy’s centerpiece town clock is now right more than two times a day.

With only a few weeks until Election Day Nov. 6, the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters’ Office is facing a critical shortage of volunteers to serve at the 849 polling places throughout the county, according to an Oct. 15 announcement. Over 1,000 Election Officers...