News

Even though city hall and developers agree that a nearly four-acre empty lot just outside the downtown Morgan Hill boundary should be developed, and a builder is ready to start the construction process, the city’s strict growth control and affordable housing policies might prevent that from happening any time soon. 

She’s a stay-at-home mom, Girl Scout troop leader and self-taught gourmet cook by day, but come Saturday local Andora Salcido will become the poster girl for Gilroy and clam chowder.

Vendors ‘at every corner’ make Gilroy look like one big eyesore compared to Morgan Hill

• Yes. Competition is already fierce and when competing against unlicensed, typically uninsured vendors, it simply is impossible and unfair. • Yes. With an exception. This year they should simply be warned and given instructions on obtaining the proper license. Since the city has allowed street vendor selling to go on so long, the small businesses will have interested a lot in inventory, and it wouldn’t be fair to face this loss unexpectedly. I don’t think our local businesses are significantly affected. The people who buy from the street vendors aren’t going to buy from our local florists in the first place. The cost difference is likely dramatic. • Yes. Local businesses pay for their location, permits, business licenses, utilities, insurance and taxes among other costs to make products available to the public. I don’t believe people should come into our community to sell merchandise with very little overhead nor responsibility. • Yes! When laws are in place, they must be enforced. Period. • Yes! Finally, it appears that the work on Valentine’s Day was a job well done. Unlicensed vendors pick the pockets of brick and mortar businesses as well as skim tax revenues from city coffers. I would like to see enforcement applied to taco carts next. I’d bet anyone a burrito lunch, from Victoria’s, that the portable wagons around town are also in violation. • They should be regulated and, if not permitted, then notify them they are in violation and give them information to get licensed. After that, give them a ticket and shut down. All businesses should have a license to operate in the city so they are paying taxes and following guidelines for health if they are serving food. • Shut down. Market competition is good as long as the playing field is level. Illegal vendors have lower costs and, therefore, an advantage over legitimate businesses. Also, consumers should have a reasonable expectation of quality and safety which illegal vendors cannot provide. Finally, if vendors are not controlled, there is potential for conflict

Tim Taylor, of Pacific Firewood and Lumber, looks at the position of a tan oak tree to see which way it will fall, be knocking it down inside the white fallow deer pen Wednesday at Mount Madonna County Park.