Guest View: We must work toward housing equity
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...
Letter: Disinformation undermines the democratic process
I was greatly alarmed by a letter to the editor published in the Oct. 21 issue. Based on no evidence, Mr. Kirkish undermines the integrity of elections—a serious and pervasive problem currently threatening democracy throughout our country. If Mr. Kirkish has grievances regarding Councilwoman...
Letter: Silence speaks volumes
I contacted the City Council earlier this year about swastikas spray painted at Carriage Hills Park. Councilmembers Hilton, Marques and Armendariz all contacted me personally because I felt threatened, worked to have the graffiti removed, and kept me updated about the process.
I was thus...
Letter: Leaders need to bring us together
Have you heard of a “dog whistle” in politics? It’s political shorthand for a phrase that may sound OK to some people, but which also communicates something more insidious—a covert appeal to some noxious set of views.
We just got a political flier from Dion...
Letter: Be aware of canvassing group
It has come to my attention that Councilmember Armendariz is personally recruiting on her Facebook page for a non-Gilroy-based far-left progressive ballot harvesting organization called GroundWorks. This organization is not local but is a statewide group paying people to go door-to-door to influence voters....
Letter: CMAD (Can Make A Difference) for the community’s safety
There’s no separate left turn lane when exiting Highway 101 onto Masten Avenue in Gilroy, which caused a fatal crash when a father was hit from behind. Many accidents have occurred at that exact spot.
As Gilroy grows many cars pass through here at a...
Guest View: Things about mental health everyone should know
There’s a lot going on. In the last two years, we’ve endured political upheaval, the fallout of systemic racism, the growing impact of climate change, and genuine loss and collective trauma brought on by the pandemic, which drastically altered our social lives and school...
Letter: Khamis has a clear plan
All leaders who want to be successful must have a plan and a strategy to implement that plan. Johnny Khamis spoke at the Community Roundtable candidates forum I attended and it is clear he has a plan, a strategy and the experience to make...
Guest View: Highlighting unsung heroes
Growing up in Gilroy and coming from a campesino family, viewing such an impactful and humane story this past August, via a short documentary film, “Campesinos, America’s Unsung Heroes,” was an emotional and very moving experience. The audience reaction, many so personal, will forever...
Letter: Downtown leader works to better the community
I attended last Friday’s forum for Gilroy City Council candidates and found many aspects to praise—the amazing Toni Bowles who has transformed the old Louis Hotel into The Neon Exchange, a community center; the very effective organization of the program and its excellent moderators;...