Candidate for
Council Member; City of Gilroy

I've lived in Gilroy since 1985, with my significant other, Phyllis Armenta, a lifelong Gilroyan. Phyllis is a private investigator and partner in a San Jose firm.

I'm 60 years old and was raised and educated in Cincinnati, Ohio, in a small town that always reminds me of Gilroy, one of the reasons I live here. I'm a 1973 graduate in Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati. My education was financed in part by the GI benefits I earned during my service in the U.S. Navy. I have a son, Christopher, who is 35 and a mechanical engineer, and two granddaughters. Phyllis has a son, David, who lives in Gilroy and owns his own computer consulting business.

Many of you will know me because I was a columnist for The Dispatch for over a decade. I thoroughly enjoyed my run there, and embarked with them again early this year. My announcement that I was seeking to regain my council seat meant that my tenure again had to end. I enjoy writing, perhaps because I'm an avid reader.

I've been involved in many activities in Gilroy. I'm a graduate of the Gilroy Citizens Police Academy, Leadership Gilroy, and was in the past Chairman of the City's Library Commission. I am now again a Library Commissioner, although not the Chairman.

I ask for your vote on 11/6/2007.