Opinion

Glad we voted correctly As a former member of the Gilroy City Council and a columnist for the Dispatch on local issues for many years, city council elections hold great interest for me. Particularly important is a vote for mayor, as that person is the...

Growing up in San Jose, public transportation was not as widespread and commonly used as other cities. While many use and rely on the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), this system is not as efficient or as popular as it should be.  The main choice of...

Gilroy recently had the distinct honor of welcoming Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren to our town, where she made a special stop at one of our most cherished small businesses, Arteaga's Food Center. Her visit underscored the vital importance of supporting local enterprises and addressing the...

As a candidate for Gilroy City Council, I’m deeply committed to embracing diverse viewpoints and fostering collaboration to create policies that serve our entire community. While endorsements can be valuable, my recent experiences have revealed the limitations that can arise when officials are pressured...

As a candidate for Gilroy City Council I have been listening to residents throughout Gilroy, and I am often asked whether I support California Proposition 36. My answer is a resounding YES. Prop 36 was put on the ballot by California voters to address the...

In November, the citizens of Gilroy will be asked to vote for mayoral and city council candidates who want to represent them. Your vote is important because who you select will be making decisions on your behalf for the next four years. Whether it is mayor...

The Gilroy Firefighters Association’s endorsement of Rebeca Armendariz for reelection to the city council shows a lack of sincerity in honoring the firefighters’ code of ethics. Namely:  1. Firefighters pledge to be honest and truthful at all times.  If so, I’d like them to answer these...

Over three weeks ago, Gandolfi Investments—which has proposed a 501-unit project at 315 Las Animas Ave—sued the City of Gilroy and City Council for violating California law. According to California’s Department of Housing and Community Development, Gilroy failed to meet its deadline to adopt a...

On the evening of Oct. 29, 2021, and into the next morning, a mass shooting occurred at the residence of Gilroy Councilwoman Rebeca Armendariz, during an underage “Beer and Marijuana” Halloween party with an estimated 100 teenage party-goers in attendance—a monumental violation of Gilroy’s...

The proposed pay-to-drive plan under Plan Bay Area 2050 aims to address congestion and environmental issues by imposing charges on driving in certain areas. This includes dual lanes with tolls for less congested lanes and per-mile tolling charges. While intended to reduce traffic and promote...