MH redistricting challenge will be heard
Morgan Hill has won the right to challenge last year’s decennial
political redistricting, which the city claims left it lumped with
jurisdictions with which it has little in common.
MH redistricting challenge will be heard
Morgan Hill has won the right to challenge last year’s decennial political redistricting, which the city claims left it lumped with jurisdictions with which it has little in common.
Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Gail Ohanesian last week refused a state motion to dismiss Morgan Hill’s lawsuit, which alleges that its inclusion in Congressional District 11, state Assembly District 27 and state Senate District 15 leaves it without effective representation.
Morgan Hill traditionally has been in the same political districts as Gilroy, Hollister, San Jose or nearby coastal cities. But the redistricting, done to maintain the political balance in Sacramento, now matches Morgan Hill with Central Valley or distant coast jurisdictions.
In a separate lawsuit, the City of Santa Clara won the same right as Morgan Hill. A trial, which Ohanesian will hear, has not yet been scheduled.
Gilroy taps new director
The City of Gilroy has hired Wendie Schulenburg as director of community development to succeed Norm Allen, who is retiring after 20 years with the city. Schulenburg, whose first day on the job will be Dec. 2, currently is director of planning services for Steamboat Spring, Colo.
Schulenburg earned a degree in liberal studies at California State University, Long Beach, and a master’s degree in city planning at San Diego State University. She also has worked professionally in Rohnert Park, San Juan Capistrano, Encinitas and Edmonds and Enumclaw in Washington.
Seventy-six people applied for the job, with eight being invited for an extensive interview. Schulenburg, who’ll earn $119,760 annually, plans to settle in Gilroy by Christmas.
Day worker dinner Oct. 12
A Morgan Hill community group comprising churches, fraternal organizations and the chamber of commerce is sponsoring a dinner Oct. 12 to raise funds for a day workers center.
The center would match day laborers with prospective employers to avoid the mildly chaotic and potentially dangerous situation now in place.
Tickets are $25 (children’s dinner $5) for the barbecue and entertainment, including a folklore ballet group, at St. Catherine’s parish center, 17400 Peak Ave. from 4 to 8 p.m. Tickets are available at BookSmart bookstore, Images by Maria, Learning and Loving Education Center, Century 21 South Valley and Brad Leach CPA. All are in Morgan Hill.
Mt. Madonna Y leadership changes
Deanne Shokes, vice president of operations for the YMCA of Santa Clara Valley, this week took on the supervision of the Mt. Madonna YMCA in Morgan Hill when the branch’s executive director position was eliminated because of budgetary problems. Additionally, the duties of branch administrative manager Patty Reed and operations manager Tina Holloway have expanded.
The branch YMCA provides a range of programs, including childcare, health, sports and summer camp for 3,000 children and adults in the South Valley.
Students celebrate Coming Out week
The Gavilan College student body and other campus groups are sponsoring a series of events Monday through Friday to mark National Coming Out Week.
A display of photographer Ted Sahl’s work titled From Closet to Community will be in the student center all week. Gay and lesbian groups will have information booths in the student center on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Some classes will feature guest lecturers and panelists. Sahl will discuss his work during an art class and Nancy Unger, professor of history at Santa Clara University, will speak about the early history of women’s sexuality in the United States.
Detailed information is available by calling (408) 848-4724.
Portuguese parade Sunday
The 22nd annual Our Lady of Fatima Festival sponsored by the Portuguese community in Gilroy is scheduled Sunday. The parade steps off at 10:30 a.m. from the IFDES Lodge on Old Gilroy Street, proceeds to Eigleberry Street and turns north to end at St. Mary Church on First Street.
The parade commemorates the appearance of the Virgin Mary six times to three shepherd children near the town of Fatima in Portugal, between May 13 and Oct. 13, 1917.
Foundation to hold wine tasting
The Gilroy Foundation has scheduled its 12th annual wine tasting and auction tomorrow starting at 3 p.m. at the new Clos LaChance winery in San Martin.
Tickets at $75, including wine tasting and dinner, can be purchased by calling the foundation at (408) 842-3727. More information is available at the foundation Website www.gilroyfoundation.org.
The foundation has been serving the charitable needs of Gilroy and surrounding communities since 1980.
Gilroy museum celebrates history month
October is History Month, and the Gilroy Museum will be celebrating in conjunction with The Heritage Council of Santa Clara County. History Month offers an opportunity for the community to experience the wealth of history contained within the Valley’s museums, historical associations and historic houses.
Special Programs, Events and Exhibits at the Gilroy Museum:
* Our normal hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday, and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the first Saturday of the
month. However, in celebration of History Month, we will be open every
Saturday in October, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
* Discover the life and times of Gilroy aviator Robert
Fowler, the first pilot to complete a transcontinental flight from west to east.
– Every Saturday in October visitors will receive a FREE copy of the softcover book Gilroy’s Old City Hall (a $5 value). While supplies last, one copy per family.
Members of the Gilroy Historical Society lead free monthly
walking tours of various historic areas around Gilroy. October’s tour is of
Church, Rosanna and Hanna streets. Those interested should meet at the Gilroy
Museum, 195 Fifth Street (the corner of Fifth & Church Streets), at 10
a.m. Saturday. Reservations are recommended but not required. Call 848-0470 for reservations and/or information. Thanks again for your assistance.
MH redistricting challenge will be heard
Morgan Hill has won the right to challenge last year’s decennial political redistricting, which the city claims left it lumped with jurisdictions with which it has little in common.
Morgan Hill City Atty. Helene Leichter said Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Gail Ohanesian refused a state motion to dismiss Morgan Hill’s lawsuit, which alleges that its inclusion in Congressional District 11, state Assembly District 27 and state Senate District 15 leaves it without effective representation.
But, Leichter said, the judge added something like “I’m concerned about where all this is going” meaning that she fears a domino effect.
In a separate lawsuit, the city of Santa Clara won the same right as Morgan Hill.
Leichter said Ohanesian asked attorneys on the two sides to file briefs covering what evidence can be introduced in a trial and their proposed standards of review, which means how far she can go in second-guessing the Legislature.
A hearing will be scheduled in December, Leichter said, but no one is sure how extensive it will be.
Morgan Hill traditionally has been in the same political districts as Gilroy, Hollister, San Jose or nearby coastal cities. But the redistricting, done to maintain the political balance in Sacramento, now matches Morgan Hill with Central Valley or distant coast jurisdictions.
