If you missed it, you were in a minority. While Levi’s Stadium hosted the most-watched sporting event in the world, Mayor Lisa Gillmor appeared to be in hiding. Why didn’t Santa Clara host some great parties, news conferences and interviews?
Santa Clara Convention Center is located a stone’s throw from Levi’s and could host hundreds of excited Super Bowl fans. It is also a great venue for press conferences, as national news reporters were swarming over the South Bay.
However, notably absent were the representatives of Super Bowl Host, Santa Clara. No parties, no news conferences, no interviews, no mayor.
Turn on most any news channel and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan was giving interviews, holding news conferences, hosting Super Bowl parties like San Jose was the host city.
It is more than apparent that Lisa Gillmor has her own priorities, which exclude any fans, citizens or voters who like the 49ers.
Apparently, Gillmor’s disdain for the 49ers also applies to Levi’s Stadium and any events held there, including the Super Bowl.
Folks, this is the most-watched event in the world. This was an opportunity to show the world the pride and appreciation Santa Clara has for being the host of this incredible event.
But no! Mayor Gillmor’s real colors were on display in abstention, and they were not pretty!
While San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan stepped up like the leader he is, took the spotlight, was the welcoming captain of the Super Bowl community, and filled the vacuum left by Gillmor’s absence.
Santa Clara hosted a sporting event with the largest TV audience in the entire world, and the host city has a mayor who is MIA?
This was an embarrassing experience for our city, for our elected leaders and for every resident.
Santa Claran’s are proud of our city, our world-leading companies, our fabulous stadium, our city employees and our police force.
It will be terrific when we have a mayor that represents Santa Clara instead of making Levi’s Stadium look like a failure that she and her allies can perpetually disgrace.
Previous Milestones:
Milestones – Go Up Not Out – Opinion
Milestones – Super Bowl Insights – Opinion
Milestones – With Gratitude – Opinion
It’s not even close to the most watched. The World Cup has ~1.5 billion viewers against the Super Bowl’s ~140 million.
A well stated article about the politics of Santa Clara. Gillmor has to go.
Any word on the depth of financial ruin the city is in post-Super Bowl? Robert Haugh and Brian Doyle are in need more blog content.
And, why didn’t Gillmor present Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio (aka Bad Bunny) with a key to the city and honorary Mayorship? According to media reports, Swift had 68,000 people in attendance for single night performances. Bad Bunny had 70,823 attend his. Maybe he was a bit to ‘ethnic’ for her taste.
I guess she couldn’t figure out a way to make this about herself.
Miles, you are embarrassing. You hide behind your paper and blather all over. Why not come to a council meeting, a community meeting, heck, any meeting where you have to actually defend your words in a conversation? We all know why. You continue to sow division and disrespect. Why don’t you find ways to support the city and the local government? So many are all getting tired of your “Opinion.”
I’m not tired of Miles opinions, I’m tired of the hatred that oozes from the mayor, certain council members and probably you. I did go to a city council meeting years back. My time was better spent listening to my grass grow.
The Special Advisor to the Mayor showing up to defend Gillmor at every chance and spew his hatred of Miles whenever he can is no surprise. It is clear how loyal Vartan is to Gillmor. Makes you question what he has been promised. Maybe Vartan can answer some questions about the allegations against his ethics expert friend and if that behavior is ethical and moral.
Says the guy who can’t vote in Santa Clara but offers his opinion. Use your First Amendment right, Kirk, but reduce your hypocrisy.
And what’s up with your boy Robert Haugh’s obsession with Councilmember Park? Park has done nothing wrong, yet Haugh searches for a crime. It’s like the person accused of inappropriate acts with his child claiming innocence and seeking sympathy. You do know who that is, right?
Kirk, every time someone questions Lisa, you rush in to defend her and rally the same small circle of supporters. Residents see the pattern. It feels less like open dialogue and more like narrative control.
You are often referred to as Gillmor’s special advisor. What does that actually mean? Is it an official or compensated role? What exactly are you advising on, and under what authority? If you are influencing policy, the public deserves transparency.
Have you received any funds, directly or indirectly, from any city, state, or federal source connected to your co op or advisory work? If public money is involved in any way, disclose it.
How were you awarded a Santa Clara citizens award if you do not reside here? Why was Shanks presented as if he held ongoing authority when he was long retired and not rehired by the city?
Many residents are uncomfortable with the repeated filming, monitoring, and insertion into disputes. You may call it activism, but others experience it as harassment.
If Becker has raised accusations, perhaps they deserve independent review instead of automatic dismissal.
And honestly, many residents question whether your advice benefits Santa Clara at all. The Agrihood has faced ongoing issues and unhappy residents. That alone raises concerns about the judgment behind the guidance.
Santa Clara loses out when Gillmor is in power. This is why everyone in Silicon Valley calls Santa Clara a joke. Everyone knows how corrupt the city is and especially Gillmor. Everyone knows the attitude and behavior Gillmor projects by creating false narratives and making looney accusations. Santa Clara did well with the Super Bowl, but it will never ever be a part of the greater conversation as long as Gillmor has some influence. Everyone stays clear of Santa Clara as if it was some toxic waste site, only to play the game here. All of this is Gillmor’s own fault. No amenities near the stadium, no restaurants, no after game/concert spots, its dead out there a dying entertainment district. These are self inflicted wounds by the Gillmor regime. Hopefully soon Santa Clara can change the way others see the city and be more a part of the central activities for events.