DEAR EDITOR:
This letter is in response to Connie Gallegos’ letter published
Tuesday, Sept. 23, in The Dispatch. I would not be writing this
letter if she would have just written about why she was picking one
candidate over the other.
DEAR EDITOR:
This letter is in response to Connie Gallegos’ letter published Tuesday, Sept. 23, in The Dispatch. I would not be writing this letter if she would have just written about why she was picking one candidate over the other.
As a member of the Planning Commission and also a former chairperson I can tell you first-hand knowledge that Russ Valiquette does have what it takes!
Since being appointed to the Planning Commission, Russ has only missed one meeting, and that was to take a well-deserved vacation last year. He has a perfect attendance record when it comes to special meetings, study sessions, planning commission retreats, joint City Council/Planning Commission meetings and attends most every City Council meeting.
Next, while all of us on the Planning Commission take on different task forces assignments as Planning Commission representatives, Russ has gone the extra mile. He is not only the Planning Commission representative for the Neighborhood District Task Force, but he is also the Planning Commission Representative on the Gilroy Historical Heritage Committee and also on the South Santa Clara County Joint Powers Planning Commission. And if that doesn’t take enough of his time, he is either on the phone or at City Hall talking to staff about items on the agenda before each meeting.
Since becoming chairman, Russ has made many changes to the way Planning Commission meetings are run. No longer does somebody have to wait until the end of our meetings to talk if they are not on the agenda, Russ moved that to the beginning of our meetings.
On the back of the agenda is a glossary of terms to help the citizens not familiar with our terminology better understand what we are talking about. Again, something Russ did. He also brought back the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of our meetings, and he also worked very hard to be a leader as chairman and not just a figurehead. The job of the chair is not to talk all the time. The job is to run the meeting in such a way that all members and the public have the chance to express their views. You may disagree with Russ’ stance on issues, but to say that he doesn’t do his job, his homework, or is being told what to do by the mayor, is just wrong.
JOAN LEWIS, Gilroy
Submitted Wednesday, Sept. 24 to ed****@****ic.com
