Politics

It was squeeze-in-only room at Gilroy City Hall as an overflow crowd of more than 100 people squared off over the proposed sale of Saint Louise Regional Hospital and DePaul Medical Center in Morgan Hill. Dozens waited hours for a two-minute chance to give their two-cents on an issue that has divided communities and a union.

Earlier today, Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de Leon announced that he had appointed Sen. Bill Monning (D – Carmel) to serve as Majority Leader.The Majority Leader serves as the main Floor manager for the President pro Tempore and the Majority Party, and serves as the chief assistant to the President pro Tempore in political matters and strategy.“It is an honor to have the opportunity to serve President pro Tempore de Leon as Majority Leader,” said Monning.  “I look forward to serving in this leadership position and supporting the pro Tem, as well as working to engender collegiality on the senate floor.”Monning represents the 17th state senate district, which includes Morgan Hill.

The city of Gilroy is exploring where and how to shed light on a complex process that’s traditionally gone on behind closed doors: public employee contract negotiations.

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Board of Directors has a new chair—Gilroy Council Member Perry Woodward. Woodward, a practicing real estate attorney, was elected chair at the Dec. 11 meeting of the board, replacing Ash Kalra as chair.

Trustee Darcie Green was unanimously voted as new board president for the Santa Clara County Board of Education for the coming year during the Dec. 10 meeting, while Trustee Anna Song was given full support from her fellow board members to be named vice president.Green was appointed to the board in 2012 to fill a vacancy in Area 6. She currently serves as the community and government relations manager for Kaiser Permanente South Bay, according to SCCBOE staff. Green was named recipient of the 2014 Barbara Jordan Leadership Award, which honors young elected officials who demonstrate a distinguished record of public service to their community.Son was elected to the board in 200 as the first Korean-born female to be elected in California’s history, according to the SCCOE announcement. She also serves on the County School Boards Association Executive Board.

Before Peter Arellano said his farewells as a city council member Monday night, mariachi music bounced in the hallways of City Hall as members of the community thanked him for 13 years of service on the Gilroy City Council.

The city has embarked on a multi-million-dollar capital improvement project in downtown Gilroy, but some business owners say it’s costing them money, too.The proprietors of the Milias Restaurant and Hotel estimate they lost thousands of dollars in potential revenue between Dec. 1 and 5 after a weeklong construction project drove away customers during what’s traditionally the busiest month in the restaurant business.

While dealing with downtown Gilroy’s unreinforced masonry buildings has been like “pulling teeth,” the city and individual property owners say they’re making progress in bringing the structures up to the city’s earthquake safety code.

Local leaders and community members, some homeless or formerly homeless, appealed to city and county officials this week, pleading for a safe and legal place for Gilroy’s homeless to stay temporarily while they work on finding more permanent shelter.

Gilroy Mayor Don Gage is bullish about the new car business. He’s optimistic that if the city chips in for traffic improvements, new signs and beautification at and around the local auto mall, the city will get a bigger cut in sales tax revenue as the dealerships prosper from a boost in customers.