Politics

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.

Two business owners and a representative from the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce appealed to the City Council, asking them to take another look at the city’s controversial sign ordinance—one that limits how long banners can be up and how much advertising can cover a business’ windows. In response to their concerns, the Council agreed to further explore some of the provisions.

The city of Gilroy is looking for volunteers to fill 25 open seats on 12 various boards, commissions and committees. The openings range from seats on the Planning Commission to the Arts and Culture Commission, and registered voters within city limits must fill seats.

Gilroy residents will need to fork over at least $50 to drink alcohol in local parks for the next three years, since City Council breathed new life into an ordinance that was set to expire Nov. 17.

Well before Daughters of Charity Health System executives announced the sale of all six of its hospitals, including Gilroy’s Saint Louise Regional Hospital, to for-profit Prime Healthcare Oct. 10, DCHS officials threatened that without the right buyer, the hospitals would shut down. As opposition to the sale mounts, mainly from labor groups and politicians, during a state-mandated review by the Attorney General’s Office, their tune hasn’t changed.