Gilroy First ! Forum

By Bruce Morasca

As a near 30-year resident of Gilroy I have participated in our community for many years. Volunteering with the Gilroy Unified School District in the class room, Rucker 4H, Gilroy High school Future Farmers of America ag boosters, a docent at Bonfante Gardens and a youth confirmation teacher at St. Mary parish. My work has made a difference for our community, but it is time to step up to the next level I believe that I can be the catalyst for improving Gilroy's quality of life # through a policy of smart planning and economic development, which encourages the creation of good jobs with wages and benefits to locate in our community; By working with our local schools to ensure students are safe and healthy and ready to learn; and ensuring that Gilroy becomes an even safer community for families. 1) In these tight budget times, as council member or Mayor you will be asked to make some tough choices. What are you absolutely committed to protecting? Police and Fire, infrastructure maintenance, Parks and Rec., youth programs Police & Fire protection, I am concerned about the fire response time. And would like to revisit the fire master plan to see if we can add more protection per thousand residents. I would also like to revisit the new police station and ask the hard questions, specifically why the cost overruns are so great! The infrastructure to our city needs to be Protected so the city can run efficiently. And our out reach to our youth is very important because they are our future.

2) Gilroy has some citizens who are politically active, and many others who are disconnected from the political process. What specific steps would you take to make sure you are hearing from the full range of people who live in Gilroy?

As a new City Council member, I absolutely need as much input as I can get. I will begin with the assumption that part of my job is to be accessible to all of my constituents, by phone, fax or e-mail, and I will make sure that such means access is widely publicized. I will regularly attend meetings of community organizations, to solicit their opinions on matters before the Council. I will, if needed, help organize community forums on specific issues, and participate actively in them

3) In the past in Gilroy, economic incentives for development have been controversial. Under what circumstances would you support incentives for development and when would you not support them?

I would support economic incentives for retail Development as long as we can refine them, with having deadlines, limits, and guarantees where appropriate. I would also be in favor of economic incentives for Down town to attract business to the hart of our town. Gilroy has abundant Retail bringing in tax revenue; however our current city council use of the economic incentives, giving away $5 million to two different developers, without any guarantees is gambling with our future! .

4) What measures would you put in place to ensure funding for parks recreation areas and open space in and around Gilroy? How do you feel about the possibility of Gilroy joining the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority?

The fees for new housing should insure funding for neighborhood Parks.
Gilroy is unique because we are surrounded by agricultural land. And I would like to continue that heritage and discourage further urban sprawl. If Gilroy joins the Open Space Authority it will cost each homeowner $32. /year parcel tax, BUT 20% of this comes back to the City, which can be an important source of income for our park impact fund (currently one of the highest charges against new buildings). I would like to put it on the ballot for Gilroy citizens to vote on.

5) What is your job growth program? What types of jobs should we be trying to bring to Gilroy, and what would you do to attract them?

I would like to have smart economic development that would include incentive packages to industry to draw them to town, Refining them to create, good paying Jobs with decent benefits for a long period of time for the people of Gilroy. we have a great community College Gavilan that can partner with new Industry so that many Gilroy residents have an opportunity to further advance themselves.

Bruce Morasca Candidate for Gilroy Council