Guest View

Established in 1973 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Historic Preservation Month brings attention to historical places to instill pride, promote heritage conservation and encourage tourism. We know our historic buildings are important, but May is a great time to give them a...

In June the City Council approved our financial budget for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. For the next two years this budget drives the City’s spending and funding allocations within the limits of our revenue sources. As your mayor and a CPA by profession,...

Part 1 of this article, “Steps needed to create a thriving community,” which was published in the May 20 edition of the Gilroy Dispatch, covered the first five common characteristics of thriving communities. This final installment will discuss the remaining four steps and stress why...

It was a warm Thursday summer evening, and everything was in place. I stepped back and was completely in awe. In previous years, I had seen the wonder of creating a venue in a matter of days, having a celebration of Garlic and family for...

To my council colleagues, city staff and the public, I am very excited to be a part of the many changes coming to Gilroy this year. I will continue to bring the views of my constituents to these meetings, as well as my own.  We...

And just like that, it’s 2023! Halfway through my first mayoral term, it is my pleasure to share with you all that we’ve accomplished despite the setbacks of Covid, and what we have to look forward to.  In 2022 we began a five-year street maintenance...

Spring is an uplifting time to rejoice and watch how the “garden” grows. A true time of renaissance. During Downtown Gilroy’s Art Walk, I had the pleasure of seeing how the seeds of my teaching years blossomed. Like climbing roses with the right support coupled...

La Ofrenda Festival, Gilroy’s Inaugural Dia de Muertos Festival & Wellness Fair on Oct. 28 from 1-7pm, will be an extraordinary event.  It is more than just a day of festivities; it’s an immersive experience that embraces Día de Muertos—a time when families come together...

Gilroy has a housing shortage and our low and middle-income households face historic rent burden. Undersupply of “Missing Middle” housing, or medium density housing near jobs and transit, is one of the key factors contributing to the displacement and rent burden of our residents.  In...

Gov. Gavin Newson’s announcement in the spring to radically reshape California’s mental health care was compelling for several reasons. One is personal: I have an adult son with schizophrenia, a condition that’s impacted our lives for almost 30 years and counting.  My son is 44...