Mayor Lisa Gillmor and her lone ranger council supporter Kathy Watanabe continue to defy logic. One thing that can be said for this pair: they’re consistent. Consistently opposed, that is, to nearly any proposal by any of the other five council members regardless of its benefit to the community.
Consider that logic would, and should, prevail when considering any proposal that affects residents and City staff operations. That would be a major part of any consideration in most cities. But not in Santa Clara.
Just a few items come to mind. When Gillmor and her Council majority controlled the City coffers, many of the decisions made were costly to the City and residents. It was an unbelievable time, as millions were spent and wasted under the Gillmor-controlled regime.
Santa Clara has advanced dramatically in the past few years following the bungled expenditures of an out-of-control City manager in Deanna Santana. Her anti-City decisions were over-the-top, matching her $800,000 compensation package. She was finally terminated by the new Council. Unfortunately, her benefit package lingered on for a year.
Santana’s replacement, Jovan Grogan, has been a hit when it comes to management and budgeting. Having inherited a $17 million deficit from Gillmor’s former appointee, he’s working hard to remedy what is not an easy hole to fill.
Contributing to the City’s losses was another Gillmor appointee, Brian Doyle. Former Civil Service attorney Doyle, in just one day alone, cost Santa Clara at least one million dollars. His failure to disclose a litigation settlement offer to the Council in a timely manner allowed this offer to expire.
Too bad there is not a penalty for negligence and stupidity.
Doyle’s replacement is a highly skilled attorney from Chula Vista, Glen Googins. Googins has already demonstrated his skill with contracts and agreements, in addition to offering good leadership, benefiting Santa Clara.
Santa Clara’s current City Council has been diligent throughout the interview and hiring process. It has been a pleasure to observe the progress this Council has made as it works on repairing the damage left by the Gillmor majority.
Hats off to Suds Jain, Karen Hardy, Anthony Becker, Kevin Park and Raj Chahal, who have returned sanity and balance to Santa Clara’s City Council.
Their teamwork has been exceptional.
Previous Milestones:
Milestones – Turn The Lights On! – Opinion
Milestones – Double Dealing! – Opinion
Milestones – An Upside-Down DA – Opinion
