Santa Clara City Council has been more productive in the past few years with the return of common sense. However, the work and decisions of this council are in danger of being reversed if not eliminated.
This council majority has brought residents a city manager who respects the budget, employees and rational decisions. In addition, this council majority hired a new city attorney with a decade of city attorney experience who played a key role in bringing resolution to the long standing legal battles with the 49ers. The 49ers and city litigation has been a hammer used by Mayor Lisa Gillmor in garnering votes for her candidates from anti-stadium residents.
Now, the progressive decisions of your current council are in danger of being reversed. With elections less than three months away, Gillmor has identified new candidates who will support her and vote for her upside-down agenda.
There is no election force more powerful than an informed voter. The opposite is also true.
Recently, Santa Clara residents were asked to vote on whether you and they were supportive of an elected chief of police or an appointed chief of police. The entire police force was active on their days off, campaigning door to door. This decision was made by less than 25 percent of eligible voters. The vote was in favor of an elected chief with no oversight by City staff or officials.
Over the years, Mayor Gillmor has proven to be very “chummy” with the Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD). When she had a council majority, Gillmor gave the SCPD three separate raises in a 17-month period. This has allowed the SCPD to become the number two highest paid police force in California.
Salary statistics from GovSalaries show that cops in Santa Clara earned the second-highest average compensation in California, tallying an impressive $287,314 annually.
You, as a voter, have two important opportunities. 1) You have the right to become informed of issues that affect you, and 2) you have the right to vote for the person or issue you choose.
Since you live in Santa Clara, you have a right and, as important, a responsibility to make a choice and make an informed vote.
Take time to read your voter pamphlet. Voting can, and does, make a HUGE difference between a cohesive council favoring residents or, the option is, a power grabbing majority winning by default and favoring special interests.
Previous Milestones:
Milestones – Are You A Thinker? – Opinion
Milestones – Play It Forward! – Opinion
Milestones – Time To Fix It! – Opinion