Santa Clara has to be thankful for the City Council majority that has returned sanity to the budget, the council and weekly decisions. It is frightening to think where the City could be if the Gillmor majority had continued to spend without boundaries.
It is a puzzle in the minds of many as to how Santa Clara could have a $20 million surplus at the beginning of Gillmor’s time as mayor and now be in a $17 million deficit position. No question the exorbitant salaries passed out to former City Manager Deanna Santana and, in turn, the awards she made to her hand-picked managers had a lot to do with that. It will take time to rework these salaries, awards and benefits.
What is puzzling to nearly every resident is the ongoing bias of Mayor Gillmor against the 49ers. While her attacks have been rebuffed with facts, there remains the underlying distrust and the occasional spear thrown in their direction.
The 49ers have done what every company in the valley has done over time. They reorganize, restructure and fine tune. While they have replaced some very good people, they are intent on making their business more productive, responsive and profitable.
Also of interest is the cozy relationship Gillmor has developed with the SF Chronicle. It appears the local media is a bit more selective in how they report stories such as the Grand Jury report and the recent realignment of the 49ers management duties. And, while we are discussing oddities, have you ever seen or noted a time that Council Member Kathy Watanabe has voted with any other council member besides Mayor Gillmor?
The selection of a new City manager and City attorney will be a healthy infusion of common sense. While their addition to City staff will be a welcome infusion of talent, don’t expect immediate miracles. There is time needed to get the lay of the land, the players and finding out who are those who do and those who don’t.
There was a time when it was known around the area as the Santa Clara way. If you wanted it done, you talked to Santa Clara. It would be great to re-establish the” Santa Clara way” as we begin the rebuilding and replacing of key employees in our City.
