Guest column by Phill Laursen: Some residents support embattled councilmember

At the Oct. 3 council meeting, many spoke passionately in support of Rebeca not resigning.

City staff count the signatures on the petitions for recalling Councilmember Rebeca Armendariz.
Photo by Robert Airoldi

By Phill Laursen

Phill Laursen

I believe the recall effort against Gilroy City Councilmember Rebeca Armendariz is misguided because it is based on unexamined assumptions and inflated charges.

Obviously, the events of Oct. 30, 2021 are tragic. Two lives were lost, many were traumatized, and the community is embroiled in a controversy that will test, in the words of a recall leader, our integrity, character, honesty, and accountability.

Presumption number one is that Ms. Armendariz sanctioned the presence of alcohol — yet the only “evidence” provided is texts show she advised her son on overflow parking and a portable toilet, from those innocent actions her accusers push the assumption she approved of alcohol at the party. There was an incident at my rural home where cars full of boys bringing loads of beer tried to interrupt a group of girls my daughter was entertaining, and despite being barred from the house they drank out on the road — was my daughter irresponsible? Was I?

A second presumption is because the shooting happened at her place, she is accountable for the deaths. Using that “logic” why hasn’t there been a drive to hold the Garlic Festival leadership accountable for the fact a troubled young man entered the grounds and gunned down three people, injured 17 more and terrorized thousands? Why don’t we ask principals to resign after shooters kill at schools ?

Yet another presumption is that Ms. Armendariz’s demeanor, after the shooting and in public since, shows she does not care about the community. Descriptions have included “stoic” and “showed no emotion.” Imagine your own emotions if a killing occurred at your home, and if later you were hounded by people demanding you step down from a position of service to your community, would you be relaxed and talkative? Would you abandon your mission?

And a fourth presumption is Rebeca is causing the city to spend a huge amount of money for a recall election. She did not request the election. It was the recall committee that missed deadlines that would have allowed for a much less expensive election, and as it is the committee that could cancel the election (perhaps by recognizing the strong support shown for Ms. Armendariz as an indication their attack is not embraced by all), it is the committee that may rob funds from positive programs to pay for an election.

A couple of items did occur but are inflated to sound like grievous charges. One is Rebeca did not get a permit for holding a party; yet no facts are presented about whether many people obtain such permits or are cited for the lack of them — this does not strike me as serious. Another inflated incident is she used city-owned barricades, which happened to be already at her place, to manage parking. This fact is often presented as a very serious breach of responsibility by a public official. I look on it as a reasonable act to protect the public.

At the Oct. 3 council meeting, many spoke passionately in support of Rebeca not resigning. Go to www.gilroyca.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=2055 to see for yourself.

Phill Laursen is a Gilroy resident and a retired teacher. He wrote this column for Gilroy Life