League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Santa Clara County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Council Member; City of Gilroy

The questions were prepared by 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 interests Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. What experience related to city government would you bring to the City Council? Answer from Tom Fischer: Three years on the Planning Commission, current Chair. Served 14 years as pension trustee for plumbers union provides understanding of how pensions work and how they might be improved. Worked 17 years as project manager/estimator for major plumbing contractor provides knowledge of how public works projects are bid and awarded, and how change orders should be reviewed and evaluated. Answer from Peter Leroe-Munoz: I have served on the Council for four years. I represent Gilroy locally on Council, as well as serving as President of the Gilroy Youth Task Force, an organization committed to reducing gang activity. I also represent Gilroy throughout Silicon Valley. I am the Legislative Action Chair for the Santa Clara County Cities Association, and a representative on the Santa Clara Valley Water Commission, and the Silicon Valley Regional Interoperability Authority. This wide-ranging experience in our city and county gives me unique local government knowledge and perspective. Answer from Roland Velasco: As a lifelong Gilroy resident, former Councilman, and community leader, I have dedicated both my life and career to the City in which we call home. There are numerous issues that will be discussed in the next few years, and the choices made by our leaders will have a tremendous impact on the future of Gilroy. Our local economy, our infrastructure, and ability to create long-term jobs for residents, as well as the safety of our families all depend on our elected officials' ability to make sound decisions. As a former Councilmember, I've led efforts to build new parks, police and fire stations, add new officers to patrol our streets, combat gang activity, improve traffic flow, and slow Gilroy's growth rate to allow for a better quality of life. In addition, as a land use policy analyst in Santa Clara County, I would bring a regional perspective to the issues that confront Gilroy. 2. What concerns are of particular importance to the city and how would you address them? Answer from Roland Velasco: I am running for City Council to ensure that Gilroy remains the best place to live, work, and play. I will preserve our past while securing a safe, prosperous, and well-maintained future. As your City Councilman, I will work to advance smart economic development, promote a partnership with the school district, exercise fiscal accountability and ensure the safety and security of our residents. Answer from Tom Fischer: Maintaining public safety is highest priority. Retain balanced budget with adequate reserves. Diversify tax base by continued support for EDC, Welcome Center and Downtown Assoc. Revitalize downtown by encouraging upgrades to URM buildings. Seek balance between preservation of open space and agricultural land and the need for development. Answer from Peter Leroe-Munoz: Downtown revitalization remains one of my top priorities. I voted to impose fines on business owners who were delinquent in fixing their businesses to make them earthquake safe. We have seen that improvements to unreinforced buildings are now being made. I also voted for beautification and safety measures downtown, including new signage, improved lighting, and security cameras. I also support the Gilroy Arts Alliance and Demonstration Garden, and believe that we must support endeavors which give people a reason to visit our downtown. Public safety is also a concern for our city. I have served as president of the Gilroy Youth Task Force, and during my time in that role, we have doubled revenues and fundraising for gang-prevention activities. I have also spoken with state leaders about the effects caused by AB 109 realignment, and will continue to educate them about criminal activity and attendant legislation impacts in Gilroy. Maintaining strong city finances is also important. I have voted only for balanced city budgets, and will continue to ensure that public funds are spent openly and transparently. 3. How would you balance the needs of the City as a whole with groups' interests? Answer from Roland Velasco: As a leader for our community, I have always made fair, independent, and educated decisions for the betterment of our City. I'm proud of the reputation I have as a person willing to listen to all parties and then make an informed decision. Answer from Peter Leroe-Munoz: A city is a collection of many different groups. Each group has a right to be heard and respected when presenting their issues to the City, and City officials should take these issues into mind when making decisions. Ultimately, I would look to see that groups are being treated fairly by the City, and not overlooked when decisions are made for the good of the entire City. Answer from Tom Fischer: Better communication between public officials, citizens and the business community is the key. Understanding the issues and all positions will lead to better decisions. Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. The answer to each question should be limited to 400 words. Direct references to opponents are not permitted. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.