Milpitas Post endorses "Trish" Dixon

By Patricia "Trish" Dixon

...With Manayan, Dixon and Livengood, the council maintains a deep pool of experience and a balance of diverse opinions from which better decisions emerge.

• * * THE RACE FOR the two council seats pits three candidates, which in itself is rare in Milpitas history and may be the result of a concentrated effort by her political opponents to focus on ousting incumbent Councilmember Trish Dixon. Several qualified would-be candidates admitted they were dissuaded from participating following the decision by Mayor Manayan, and others on the council to back Noella Tabladillo. Mrs. Dixon has been targeted, because of taking several stands in opposition to the council majority as well as some personal animosity with the mayor and fellow council members, going back several years. The Tabladillo candidacy is a high stakes effort to retire Dixon from the council. Mrs. Tabladillo has raised the most money ever in a council race and the final disclosure hasn't even been filed. Mrs. Tabladillo works as a full-time staffer for Supervisor Pete McHugh, longtime Milpitas mayor and councilman, who is working hard for her election. No one seems to see any potential conflict of interest in serving two government entities that have occasional differences of opinion. Although she has worked in politics for elected officials for a decade, she has had no personal involvement with Milpitas government issues until deciding to make the race a couple of months ago. She was quickly appointed to a Milpitas Citizens Advisory Commission alternate slot. It all seems a transparent, orchestrated effort as part of a political power game to keep Mr. McHugh's hands in Milpitas' inner-workings, and to have a council that shares one mind. Mrs. Dixon, on the other hand, has demonstrated through many years of effort, her continuing commitment to Milpitas. Through her work on behalf of schools, her efforts for hillside open space, and via appearances at countless events as Milpitas' representative, she has proven herself tireless and dedicated. We think she does take some opposing decisions by her peers too personally. But she should be re-elected to her post on the council. She remains the most independent voice there. For the other seat, we support re-election of Councilman Bob Livengood. He has had to abstain from many votes which related to the area in and around Great Mall of the Bay Area because he works for the Swerdlow Co. We disagree with him on several issues including the need for a city charter. We also don't think he should carry a gun and serve as a police department reserve officer. But it must be recognized that Mr. Livengood is the most experienced member of the council, and its sharpest political mind. He also has stood up to blow the whistle when needed on staff excesses and blunders which might otherwise be swept under the rug. His continuing objection to the city hall cost escalation is an example of that. The present city council isn't perfect. Like any such body there are human frailties and emotions. But with Manayan, Dixon and Livengood, the council maintains a deep pool of experience and a balance of diverse opinions from which better decisions emerge. They should continue to serve the community. We hope voters do just that on Nov. 7.