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The questions were prepared by the the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Experience,
Concerns,
Balancing Needs
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. What experience related to city government would you bring to the City Council?
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Answer from Robert T. Dillon:
I'm a former City Councilmember 2001-2005. I came to Council while Chairman of the Library Commission, and have been reappointed a current Library Commissioner. I'm a 2000 graduate of the Gilroy Citizen Police Academy, Leadership Gilroy, and I was the 2002 Chairman of Gilroy's famous Memorial Day Parade.
Answer from Perry Woodward:
For many years I have served as a Temporary Judge for the Santa Clara County Superior Court, hearing many different types of cases. Also, since 2003, I have been a member of my firm's management committee. My clients include businesses both small and large all over the state. I hold degrees in both economics and law from well-respected universities.
Answer from Tim Day:
I have served on the Planning Commission for the last 4 years and have served as the chairman of the commission for the last 2 years. I have served on various task forces and committees for the city over the years.
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2. What concerns are of particular importance to the city and how would you address them?
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Answer from Robert T. Dillon:
We have "critical mass" on the downtown, and with the revitalization running well, let's turn some energy towards the problem of our crumbling sidewalks.
Revitalization languishes until the political will to solve a problem appears, just as it did with the Downtown. I have that political will.
We CAN do this simple thing. The City bonding out the repair of the entire sidewalk problem is the only fair solution.
Answer from Perry Woodward:
As a husband and father, I want for my family what you want for your own. As your councilmember, I will work to: repeal the sidewalk ordinance adopted in August, so homeowners cannot be sued for a longstanding problem that the City itself caused; fix the current $4.7 million budget shortfall before it depletes our reserves, in part by ending irresponsible actions like granting steep raises to top-level employees; better manage growth, creating jobs while ensuring traffic problems do not become even worse; and promote open government to the fullest extent, making sure there are no more "secret retirements" or closed sessions with developers.
Answer from Tim Day:
In order for our children to have the very finest in school facilities I would facilitate the relationships between developers and the Gilroy Unified School District. I would have the city promote this process by keeping the District informed of long-range growth projections and by including the District in the negotiation of development agreements.
The city budget should have adequate reserves to continuing providing essential services for health and safety of all it citizens, in the event of an economic downturn in the economy. I would accomplished this by adopting a guideline level of current service and having contingency plans to incrementally reduce non-essential services as needed.
Gilroy's economic vitality has been derived from intelligent retail and commercial growth. The city has developed as a regional shopping area and further development should enhance that pattern. I would promote having higher paying manufacturing and service industry businesses as a high priority for our economic development program.
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3. How would you balance the needs of the City as a whole with groups' interests?
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Answer from Robert T. Dillon:
Reasoned debate and fair decisions.
Answer from Tim Day:
I would make decisions only after all sides have had an opportunity to present their viewpoints on an issue. I would make my decision based on long term outcomes of those decisions.
Answer from Perry Woodward:
I am running for office because I feel that the current Council is out-of-touch with the residents of this community. My goal is to provide an open city where everyone's voice is heard. For that reason, I am the only candidate in this race to have pledged not to take contributions from developers because I believe that too often these funds come with improper expectations.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
