It is good to be back in Gilroy. I am quickly readjusting to the
lack of humidity and the aroma in the air. I am working on catching
up on all The Dispatch articles that I missed.
It is good to be back in Gilroy. I am quickly readjusting to the lack of humidity and the aroma in the air. I am working on catching up on all The Dispatch articles that I missed.
The first thing I read when I returned was the sad news of Councilman Charlie Morales recent DUI arrest. This news was a real blow to me, a real blow to the city of Gilroy.
I believe Charlie Morales has been an outstanding advocate for the citizens of Gilroy over the years, and I believe his love of the people in Gilroy is unsurpassed. While I didn’t support his candidacy this time around, I have voted for him in the past. I agree with his views more often than not. I have had the good fortune to meet him a few times over the course of the past eight years, and he is a true gentleman. In my opinion, it is time for the good councilman to resign his seat.
I thought long and hard before writing this column. I cannot put myself in his shoes or his heart, so I don’t know exactly how he will come to a decision as to what to do next. I believe that his commitment to the people of Gilroy will endure even if he no longer sits in Council chambers.
I have long believed that a breach in one’s personal behavior should not stand in the way of public service. It is one of the reasons that I supported Bill Clinton as president even when he proved to be a horrible spouse. If a member of the Gilroy City Council were having marital problems, or an extramarital affair, I would not call for their resignation. If it doesn’t affect the greater Gilroy community, it is truly a personal indiscretion.
But Charlie Morales problem goes beyond a personal indiscretion. The minute any person drinks too much and gets behind the wheel of a car, it becomes a public problem. I say this knowing full well that I have friends and family members who have made the same mistake. I will no longer drive with anyone who has had too much to drink. I have no problem prying the car keys out of someone’s hands.
The whole drunk driving issue has really hit home with me recently. While in New York, I witnessed the car in front of me veer off the road and do a 360-degree spin across the highway, pieces of his car falling off as he wildly tried to gain control of his vehicle.
Luckily, I was far enough behind him and driving slow enough to avoid being hit. I had two of my children in the car with me, and it was very distressing. I saw the driver facing the wrong direction on the opposite side of the road, frantically trying to start his car and speed off. I could tell by looking at him that he had been drinking. I was furious that this man endangered everyone else on the road by getting behind the wheel of a car.
I am thankful that neither Mr. Morales or another innocent person did not get injured or die on Highway 25. I hope Charlie Morales is able to get the help he needs to work through this problem. I do not sit in judgment of him, I imagine that he realizes the grave mistake he has made and is ready to seek help. Charlie Morales will surely be an asset to this city for many years to come. But for the sake of all of us, he should resign his seat.
For the time being, he needs to put aside City matters and take care of the personal matters. Once he has set himself on the right course, I welcome his return to public service. I am sure that he will continue to be a valuable resource to the people of Gilroy who have supported him over the years. His support now is probably at an all-time high, but the nature of that support has changed. I am certain that I am not the only person in Gilroy who is praying for him and his family.
Denise Baer Apuzzo has lived in Gilroy for 8 years. She is married and the mother of three children who attend Gilroy Public Schools. You can email her at lu*****@****ic.com.
