There are people in this world who are proactive. They prepare for the future; they stock their cupboards, and they build their earthquake kits.
There are also people in this world who are reactive. These are the people who knock on your door for a cup of sugar mid-baking project. They are the ones who rush to stock up on supplies after the disaster strikes.
Sadly, the City of Santa Clara falls into the latter category.
This is a city that runs to its voters when a world-renowned swim center is no longer fit for use. Or when its fire stations are no longer safe for the brave men and women who proudly serve our city.
It is also the city that has spent the last ten years quibbling over FIFA documents and buffet costs at Levi’s Stadium instead of doing something to help benefit the city.
Ten years ago, Santa Clarans knew a second Super Bowl was coming. There was no promise of a date, but there was a promise that it would happen.
Hosting FIFA games was a dream in 2017, but the date was already set. 2026.
Santa Clara had time to act.
It could have pushed Related Companies to begin construction on the city-owned land near Levi’s Stadium. If it had, maybe visitors in 2026 would have an entertainment hub that rivaled Santana Row and kept those tax dollars within the city limits.
Santa Clara could have stopped dragging its feet on revitalizing the downtown area. If it had, FIFA fans could have enjoyed a destination worthy of this city, and again, those tax dollars would have stayed here. Sadly, those fans and their money will now head to Historic Murphy Avenue in Sunnyvale.
A proactive city would have taken a larger worldview.
Instead, on Dec. 10, the council criticized FIFA documents and questioned whether hosting the FIFA World Cup was worth it.
That ship has sailed. Santa Clara cannot back out unless it wants to be the subject of world ridicule and numerous lawsuits.
Stop equivocating and start preparing. This could be a turning point. The moment that Santa Clara stops being reactive and starts being proactive.
Santa Clara is a great city. It has great employees. But it needs leadership.
It needs a mayor who will rally the troops instead of tearing them down. Mayor Gillmor needs to stop complaining and start offering actionable items that will help our city.
Without her council majority, she has settled into the role of victim. She has become a roadblock to progress.
It is time for a change, and it starts at the top. If Gillmor will not or cannot make that change, then it is time for her to step aside for someone who will.
