The Santa Clara City Council swore in the winners of the November election.
At its meeting on Dec. 17, Council Members Suds Jain and Kevin Park, new Council Members Albert Gonzalez and Kelly Cox, along with new Police Chief Cory Morgan and City Clerk Bob O’Keefe, took the oath of office.
Outgoing elected officials Council Member Kathy Watanabe, City Clerk Hosam Haggag and Police Chief Pat Nikolai, also spoke of their tenures.
Cox said she brings a “cowgirl” attitude to the council, one that emphasizes “hard work” and “accountability.”
“I can’t tell you here is my plan, and this is my agenda because, oh my gosh, I’m freaking out here, and this is a learning journey too, but I am going to be real. I will always be honest with you. I will always be myself,” Cox said.
Gonzalez said he strives to be “approachable” and an “empathetic listener,” encouraging residents to bend his ear. He said he will strive to look at Santa Clara as a whole despite its district divides.
Jain pointed to accomplishments during his tenure, specifically environmental initiatives and ending costly litigation. He said the city’s belt-tightening during the pandemic was another point of pride.
“The city is now in pretty good financial shape … we can’t do great programs without money,” Jain said.
O’Keefe vowed to ensure the office remained politically neutral and to work with the assistant city clerk.
“I need to fit into the city; the city doesn’t need to fit into me,” he said.
Morgan said he looks forward to policing “the Santa Clara way,” which he described as one that comes with “a tradition, an expectation, a standard of excellence.”
Outgoing City Clerk Hosam Haggag participated remotely.
Haggag said he opted not to run for clerk again because he believes in term limits. Further, he noted a few low points during his time as clerk. In an attempt to remain impartial, Haggag said he remained silent during matters he should have spoken up about.
He apologized to Harbir Bhatia, who ran for council District 1 in November.
“What you went through wasn’t right, and I am sorry,” Haggag said. “You are a dedicated public servant, and how you were smeared in the public was shameful. I could have done better to do right by you.”
He also claimed what he called “the weaponization of information” put him in many awkward positions. Finally, he said the “toxicity” and “hypocritical” attitudes at city hall took their toll on his mental health.
Demonstrating this hypocrisy, Haggag pointed to the council’s unwillingness to support a ceasefire in Gaza with the excuse that such matters are out of its jurisdiction but, shortly before that, condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Despite this, Haggag said he “served with integrity” and that he was proud of many of the things he accomplished during his tenure.
“They say a lot of people go into politics to affect change but end up changing themselves. I felt like I was able to affect change and still stay true to myself,” he said.
Watanabe, who termed out and voters elected to the school board, thanked city employees, saying they always took the time to help her understand things despite her being “known as an independent person.”
She also thanked The San Francisco Chronicle for its coverage of the 49ers’ influence on Santa Clara politics and the civil grand jury for much of the same. And, of course, Watanabe thanked Mayor Lisa Gillmor, her closest political ally.
“We have used political courage even when the odds weren’t in our favor,” Watanabe said. “You are truly a force to be reckoned with … You and I are winners.”
Gillmor also thanked the community for passing the city’s $400 million infrastructure bond, which passed with more than 69% of voters approving it, surpassing the 66.7% needed for approval.
Voter turnout was 73%.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14 in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1500 Warburton Ave. in Santa Clara.
Members of the public can participate in the City Council meetings on Zoom at https://santaclaraca.zoom.us/j/99706759306; Meeting ID: 997-0675-9306 or call 1 (669) 900-6833, via the City’s eComment (available during the meeting) or by email to PublicComment@santaclaraca.gov.
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