Zach Hilton: Goals for 2023
The year 2022 is in the rear-view mirror, and on Jan. 28 at 9am the Gilroy City Council will meet for our bi-annual strategic planning session. This is where the 2023-2024 legislative work plan and City Council Goals will be established. This will be...
Guest View: Teaching youth the power of voting
Every generation has grown up being told that they, the youth, are the future. In American society, this means that the youth (theoretically) have the power to sway elections once they are of voting age.
Unfortunately, the youth vote has not always met its potential...
Guest View: Counter hostility, bigotry with knowledge, compassion
In a powerful demonstration of unity and a commitment to education, more than 100 South County residents and local leaders, including City Councilmember Yvonne Martinez-Beltran, gathered at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center Sept. 28 for a special program centered on the experiences...
Guest View, Zach Hilton: Biking for a vibrant city
Whose town has the true Pedal Power? Meaning, the most people with wind in their hair, and with wheels turning. With young people and adults rolling in the open air.
Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition invited cities across San Mateo and Santa Clara counties to a...
Guest View: Democrats keep spending money but fail to make sure it’s helping
Steve Glazer is a former political consultant who served as mayor of Orinda before being elected to the state Senate in a 2015 special election.
Glazer is a Democrat who usually votes with others in the party’s overwhelming Senate majority. However, Glazer has a rare...
From My Perspective: He is risen!
A fundamental foundation for Christian believers is commemorated on Easter Sunday (John 11:24-26). Jesus Christ’s resurrection follows 40 days of reflection, atonement, sacrifices and fasting that began on Ash Wednesday.
As I mentioned in the first “From My Perspective” column, I was raised Jewish, so...
Guest View: The City’s role in the Gilroy Garlic Festival
Two weeks ago, the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association announced that they would not be moving forward with the traditional large-scale Garlic Festival event for the foreseeable future. The news was met by all of us with sadness, disappointment and even anger. This event, a...
Guest View, Connie Rogers: VTA housing proposal would overwhelm downtown
We are writing as a citizens’ group of Gilroy residents who are actively involved in Gilroy planning issues. Several of our members participated in both of the recent Zoom meetings with VTA staff and PlaceWorks regarding the transit-oriented development you are planning to build...
Guest View: SRO funds should be invested to better serve students
As communities across the country grapple with racial injustice and a broken criminal justice system that is fed by a school-to-prison pipeline, leaders are taking a closer look at the impact of school police or resource officers. More and more school districts are taking...
Spoking My Mind: A pair of perfect pedal parties
Just like a well-inflated tire, I am pumped! For the first time in forever, we’ve got ourselves both a Sea Otter Classic and a Tierra Bella in April. Two of the year’s top cycle celebrations, and they’re right here in our own backyard. It’s...





















