Spoking My Mind: Rainy reminders and realistic resolutions
Sheesh, with all the recent rains, it’s been tough getting outside to ride. Still, every rainy day means a greener spring riding season. Until then…are you keeping your front and rear “blinky lights” flashing? When the days turn overcast, we cyclists tend to be...
Guest View: Pressure builds for workers’ compensation overhaul
Fair warning: This column will be about workers’ compensation, a topic that’s very complicated and totally lacking in sex appeal, but one that involves many billions of dollars and potentially affects millions of workers.
Work comp, as it’s dubbed, has been in effect for more...
Local veteran releases children’s book about four-legged heroes
My goal in taking on this project and partnering with Mary to create this book was to drive awareness and generate additional revenue for Operation Freedom Paws. I wanted to help Mary continue her mission and grow her inspiring non-profit organization.
Spoking My Mind: Opportunities lost and found
Recently, I was gazing out the window of our VRBO, two tall flights above the narrow, cobblestone path below. Florence’s early-morning street view was certainly a lot quieter than our previous one in Rome! Off to the right, I spied two colorful bicycle wheels...
Guest view: Gavilan College serves South Valley community
The Gavilan Joint Community College District extends from the Coyote Valley to the southern edge of San Benito County, and includes the communities of Morgan Hill, San Martin, Gilroy, Hollister, San Juan Bautista, Tres Pinos and Paicines, along with the surrounding rural areas. It...
Guest View: A stimulating discussion
You may hear there was a lot of conflict at the Sept. 20 City Council meeting, but I suggest a different perspective.
The focus was on a time capsule, part of the Covid-postponed celebration of Gilroy’s 150th anniversary as an incorporated city. The committee that...
Guest view: AB 1454 shows how to improve child literacy, efficiently and effectively
Every teacher in California wants their students to be able to read. But too often, we’re not given the tools to provide effective reading instruction.
While serving as an English language arts/English language development teacher on Special Assignment for Gilroy Unified School District, our Las...
Guest view: Giving thanks on Thanksgiving
As we draw nearer to Thanksgiving, I am reminded of this holiday’s origins and significance. There are some interesting and noteworthy parallels with today’s world, two years after Covid-19 began.
While Thanksgiving has only been a national holiday since it was established in 1863 by...
Mayor Marie Blankley: State of the City 2021
Thank you for joining me for Gilroy’s 2021 State of the City address, and as we celebrate Gilroy’s 150th anniversary year.
I’m Mayor Marie Blankley, and I’m honored to be giving my first State of the City, albeit during an historic pandemic.
Vaccinations are in progress,...
Guest View: Now the work truly begins on housing
I am proud of the future housing plan that the Gilroy City Council, Planning Commission, staff and the public have approved.
We committed to advancing the 40 opportunity sites for multi-family homes, downtown expansion district and First Street mixed-use corridor flexibility program, 429 corner lots...






















