If you’re asked, simply but firmly decline to sign a recall
petition aimed at unseating Mayor Al Pinheiro.
If you’re asked, simply but firmly decline to sign a recall petition aimed at unseating Mayor Al Pinheiro.
Disagreeing with our mayor is one thing, mounting a recall campaign is another. It’s an over-the-top reactionary move that is not warranted. And, unfortunately, it is, in essence, a classic union bullying tactic.
It’s no coincidence that the recall effort started by conservative community activist Mark Zappa began almost simultaneously with a caustic letter to the editor from Mitch Madruga, president of the Gilroy Police Officers Association, which castigated Mayor Pinheiro in no uncertain terms and relayed the news of a “no confidence” vote in the mayor by the members of the POA. It also coincided with a POA “campaign” mailer sent to Gilroy residents.
The issue is legitimate: Should the police department be a higher monetary priority in tough economic times than this Council has made it? But the tactics are not.
The lack of clear Council prioritization has contributed to the rancor of that debate specifically. So has the mayor’s tendency to grind the personal ax and inject a vendetta-like, grudge element into issues. That’s an undesirable leadership quality, especially when issues become emotional and heated, and one he has been unable to curb.
Furthermore, there’s no question that the Council’s decision to take a penny-ante pay cut rather than forego the generous city medical benefits package, has thrown fuel onto the fire when it comes to the employee-Council relationship.
But the mayor is hardly alone on the dais when it comes to cutting $1.1 million in funding for the PD and requiring furlough days from police officers. Where is the recall campaign against the other four Councilmembers who voted for those same cuts? Of course, it’s much easier to identify a single political “monster” and try to cut its head off, which is exactly what the POA is doing.
That leaves Gilroy residents with the decision on whether to propel a mayoral recall election which could cost $400,000 – that’s right, $400,000 – to the ballot or consider the options in the next election.
Zappa and the POA are way off the mark with this orchestrated campaign strategy, a strategy that will likely backfire. Gilroy, traditionally, does not support such hardball political tactics which tear at the spirit of “we’re all in this together.”
It’s unnerving to Gilroyans to read such statements as this made by Zappa: “Since recalling all members of the council who deserve to be removed from office creates insecurity, surgically removing the mayor makes the most sense. It will send a strong message to the other starry eyed members of the council who the real boss is.”
Who is the real boss, indeed? The POA? Ultimately, it’s the people, and hopefully they will see the wisdom in pouring water on this fire right now before it burns out of control.
With the state legislators and the governor poised to steal more money from local governments, the city of Gilroy’s finances are likely to get worse before getting better.
It would serve residents well to bury this hatchet ASAP. The POA can and should support Chief Denise Turner’s bid for a higher percentage of precious dollars, but recalling the mayor will only make a tough reality worse.
