Dear Editor,
In regards the your editorial on Oct. 14 about the Gilroy
Firefighters and staffing and pay, you forgot to mention an item
that is a huge part of the story
– residential growth.
How many thousands of homes have been built, especially in the
northwest quadrant (where Sunrise Station was so desperately
needed) at the behest of the Gilroy City Council and the home
building lobby?
Dear Editor,
In regards the your editorial on Oct. 14 about the Gilroy Firefighters and staffing and pay, you forgot to mention an item that is a huge part of the story – residential growth.
How many thousands of homes have been built, especially in the northwest quadrant (where Sunrise Station was so desperately needed) at the behest of the Gilroy City Council and the home building lobby?
The City Council authorized the homes and related infrastructure– let them eat it and pay the firefighters, and staff what is required. This has been going on far too long and it’s only foot-dragging by the City Council that causes the problems. They should have known better and not allowed the homes to be built unless the citizens of Gilroy would be properly protected, and I mean properly protected by firefighters with a decent living salary, equipment, staffing and a firehouse.
If the Gilroy City Council didn’t plan for this years ago as they gladly took the money from the developers to fatten the city coffers, then they ought to either resign immediately, or stop ALL home building in every zone in Gilroy until we can get qualified leaders who can plan ahead and budget properly for city services, such as fire and police.
This city has had Chestnut and Las Animas stations since I’ve lived here starting in 1987 with a small core of dedicated career firefighters and Paid Call Firefighting staff. Both fire and police can use an upgrade, but I think the Sunrise Fire Station should get priority right now.
It’s only a matter of time before the next Loma Prieta Earthquake type event, and the City Council “has to understand” and make the right choices for our fire department. I know the firefighters “understand.”
Tom Vance, Gilroy
