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
This is a helpful perspective. I’d appreciate a list of who you would enforce for council and mayor. Thanks!
David Kertes has made repeated attempts to win a seat representing District 5 and failed each time. He has also accepted organized-labor support from one of the lowest rated law enforcement entities in the county. His campaign now asks voters citywide to give him a much larger mandate. For me, the question is: if Kertes did not succeed in earning the support of his own district, what has changed that would make him the right choice to lead the entire city? The answer is simple: Nothing.
Gary Ferraris has a respectable record of public service, including experience as a Santa Clara Public Works supervisor and union leader. His campaign emphasizes his experience managing budgets and public resources. But managing a city department and leading a city are very different responsibilities. With substantial outside political spending supporting his campaign, voters should take a hard look at who is backing him, what they expect from the next mayor, and whether his vision is truly independent.
Kevin Park Park has been willing to challenge some of Santa Clara’s longstanding political establishment and has taken positions that have generated meaningful debate about the city’s direction. That independence is worth recognizing but, at the same time, his conduct in some council debates has struck me as unnecessarily combative. Santa Clara’s next mayor needs to be able to fight for the city without making every disagreement a personal or political battle.
Kathy Watanabe has extensive experience in Santa Clara politics, including two terms on the City Council but that experience alone should not be confused with independent leadership. Her long association with the political establishment that preceded this election deserves serious scrutiny. Voters should ask whether they are electing a mayor with a distinct vision for Santa Clara or simply extending an established political approach. Residents also remember when she prohibited fellow council member, Kevin Park, from speaking at an AAPI anti-hate and violence rally. Park is Asian. That was a significant show of Kathy’s professional and social immaturity.
Mike Wiltberger is the biggest unknown in the field. That is not automatically a negative, but it does create a basic problem for voters: there is comparatively little publicly available information about his experience, priorities, and governing philosophy. Until there is more substance to evaluate, voters will have difficulty making a confident judgment about his candidacy.
Karen Hardy brings more than 40 years as a Santa Clara resident, a career in education, and years of local-government experience. Her campaign emphasizes transparency, engagement, infrastructure, affordability, and essential city services. From watching her on the council, I have found her to be prepared, measured, and willing to engage on difficult issues without turning every disagreement into political theater. For me, that distinction matters.
Santa Clara does not need another mayor defined by political factions, personal battles, or outside interests. It needs leadership that understands the city, respects taxpayers, knows how government works, and can bring people together while still standing firm when the city’s interests are at stake. That’s why Karen Hardy should be the candidate residents support for mayor.
CSC, here’s the thing. I think Ferraris with his funding advantage will take votes away from Hardy. As will Park. Kertes and Watanabe will split the older white vote. So everything is up in the air. Let’s see how things break in the next few weeks. Voters shout vote strategically.
Fred, I get voting strategically. However, strategies change frequently, as tomorrow’s endorser isn’t always the same as today’s.
To bring harmony to the City Council and best align budget priorities with residents’ needs, the primary focus and strategy should be supporting Hardy for Mayor, Crutchlow for District 3, and Williams for District 2.