This year, Santa Clara just may be facing the most important election in decades. Consider that Santa Clara politics has literally been under the control of Mayor Lisa Gillmor for decades. She has built her political empire at the expense of you and your fellow Santa Clarans.

While there are dozens of technically legal actions taken by Mayor Gillmor, there is one that is an albatross to every resident. 

Think about this. Over a decade ago, when Gillmor had a council majority, she made a deal with the Related Companies. This deal may answer some questions about the decade of empty ground which used to house Santa Clara’s only golf course.

With the support of her council majority, Mayor Gillmor virtually gave control to the Related Companies of the last significant parcel  — 240 acres —of open ground in the city.

One of the obstacles was David’s Restaurant, located at the entrance to the golf course property. David’s was a premier restaurant that served terrific meals for years.

Following a contentious attempt to drive David’s out of his restaurant, Gillmor used her council majority power to invoke eminent domain, and they forced David’s out.

David was never able to find a replacement location even though he searched for more than a year.

His restaurant still remains at the entrance of what used to be our golf course. He could have been operating the restaurant all this time. 

And the marvelous project driving the urgency invoked by Gillmor and her council to make room for the Related Companies … never developed.

The 240 acres has gone fallow, gathering dust and producing nothing for Santa Clara. 

But wait. There’s more! 

The Related Companies have found a way to fund Gillmor, and in turn her candidates for City Council, with at least $50,000 per previous elections. It’s a small price to pay for the exclusive development rights to some of the most valuable pieces of land in Silicon Valley.

Folks, this is politics at its worst. Santa Clara deserves better. 

Rumor has it that if one of Gillmor’s favorite candidates is elected Mayor, the golf course will be turned magically into a mighty magnificent mall for the multitudes.

And if you believe that after more than a decade of empty promises, call me. I have a hot deal on some apple orchards you might like to invest in.

There are numerous candidates for mayor in this election. There are two that are seriously qualified. There are also two who should be selling used pots and pans.

Pick carefully, choose quality, and vote for a leader you would be proud to take to lunch.

Previous Milestones:
Milestones – U R Manipulated – Opinion
Milestones – Now What? – Opinion
Milestones – Well Done Santa Clara – Opinion
Milestones – “Money Talks” and Levi’s Stadium Makes the Case – Opinion