Q&A with Council candidate Joseph Carrillo

Why are you running?
To bring my great ideas to the city council such as making the city more pedestrian and bike friendly. I would like to see a more sustainable green and independent city. One of my plans is to make the promenade for pedestrians and bikes but no cars on the promenade.
What are your three top priorities?
Making the city more pedestrian and bike friendly. Promoting small businesses over large corporations. Making the city more green, sustainable, and independent.
What will be your objectives when negotiating new contracts with the city’s three labor unions when the current contracts expire June 30, 2013?
Negotiating with unions is never easy, but my objectives will be to work with the unions the best that is possible.
What kind of relationship do you expect the council to have with the new city manager over the next four years, whoever he or she may be?
I expect that the city council has to have a good relationship with the city manager for the city to run properly.
Would you support asking the voters for a local tax (sales, parcel, utility, etc.) to provide an extra source of revenue to pay for street repairs or other basic services which cannot be adequately covered by existing revenue sources?
A parcel tax would help the city have more money.
Do you think the City should continue to pursue redevelopment of downtown properties such as the Granada Theater and Downtown Mall, despite the absence of the redevelopment agency and the recent state controller’s report that could remove local control of those resources?
I would like to restore the Granada and retain the small town look and feel of the city.
Do you think there is enough cultural or ethnic diversity on the city’s three commissions? What would you do to improve diversity?
Reach out to ethnic community volunteers so the views of all cultural groups are represented.
What volunteer activities are you involved in?
Morgan Hill CERT, Morgan Hill July 4th Parade, Santa Clara Valley Water District Coastal Cleanup Day creek cleanup, and Morgan Hill CRC and Aquatic Center.
What are your two favorite movies? Why?
“Gasland” by Josh Fox is a documentary against natural gas hydraulic fracturing.
“Neptune’s Daughter” with Esther Williams is a movie about swimming which I enjoy doing at the Morgan Hill Aquatics Center.
Do you think the city and council should do more to reach out to the community to inform residents of meetings, decisions and events that affect them?
The city council members can make an effort to meet with the community as Mayor Steve Tate does with his coffee with the mayor events.
Where do you think the city should purchase property to develop new baseball and softball fields?
By Sobrato High School so the facilities could be shared with the high school.