It’s all about the economy and health and wellness of Gilroy. I appreciate how the council has “lived within its means” and pleased that the city council members’ decisions have not built the city to resemble what is happening in our neighbor to the north, Morgan Hill. I understand the need to keep at-risk youths entertained and off the streets to make for a safe community and I am thankful the seven elected officials sitting on the council dais are making it a priority.
What I can’t understand, and what makes no logical sense to me, is why take the $100,000 for that priority from the Gilroy Welcome Center? This agency is the one organization that increases revenue and impacts Gilroy in many ways by encouraging tourism. Reducing their operating budget by 33 percent is lunacy!
Executive Director Jane Howard detailed her budget and professionally explained to the city council that the center is run tightly, with not many employees, nor a lot of overhead.
The response I heard from the Mayor Don Gage was that there is no room for discussion.
In a $48,000,000 budget, couldn’t the $100,000 be found elsewhere? PLEASE…we’re talking 2 percent!
Councilwoman Cat Tucker, at the May 4 city council meeting, said the Gilroy Welcome Center website won an award. She continued, “We should all be proud about our Welcome Center. They’ve done a lot of excellent things for Gilroy and bringing tourism here”.
Go to gilroywelcomecenter.org and experience an exciting visual presentation and consider the widespread reach of this website and its positive message about Gilroy and place to visit and do business and live. Consider just the most obvious, that the Gilroy Garlic Festival and Gilroy Gardens would be advertised. Then, think about how busy the town is with locals and tourists spending lavishly and the benefits to the community and large from spreading the good word about Gilroy.
Non-profits and other organizations receive millions from the volunteer-supported festival through donations and from the city-owned Gilroy Gardens, through profits. The center’s monthly calendar promotes events, from the vineyards’ music series, car shows, holiday celebrations, and farmer’s markets to publicizing fundraisers, which again, is all about giving back to our neighborhoods.
If 72 percent of Gilroy’s tax revenue is generated from outside (tourist) money, why would the council make a decision that could possibly reduce this percentage and revenue? Jobs are created when the outlets are busy, restaurants are noisy with diners, wineries are open to guests for tasting, music and bocce, and when hotels are at capacity; Gilroy’s economy thrives.
Has any city council member talked with the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce board or members, the Gilroy Downtown Business Association group, Gilroy Economic Development Corporation Director or those on the boards of Gilroy Gardens and the Gilroy Garlic Festival? What about considering the hotel mangers and winery owners? These views and opinions should be sought and deserve to be a part of the dialogue before a conclusion is drawn and a decision made.
My hope, for the survival of The Welcome Center and the increasing tax revenues Gilroy is experiencing, is that Mayor Don Gage and city council members will at least have an open mind and review the budget to find another sources of funding for the city’s other priorities while maintaining intact the city’s commitment to the Gilroy Welcome Center as one of those priorities. If not $100,000 from one department, then take a small percentage from four to five departments.
My concern is that if the wrong decision is made now, and full funding is not allocated to the Gilroy Welcome Center, we may not see the consequences of that decision for several years when it will be too late.
Susan Mister as been retired from county employment for nine years, has lived in Gilroy with her husband, “Mr. Mr.” for 22 years and as a concerned citizen wants to leave her Gilroy grandchildren the vibrant, prosperous town she has enjoyed. She can be reached at mr********@ea*******.net.
