City Beat
Gilroy’s New
City Administrator
Wipe Out Watch Team Named
2016 Volunteers of the Year
C
ongratulations to the all the Wipe Out Watch (WOW) members, 2016
City of Gilroy Volunteers of the Year! The WOW has over 60 members
who are passionate about removing graffiti and illegal signs from public
property. They also serve as extra eyes for the Gilroy Police Department,
photograph and report new tags (graffiti signatures) and property damage due
to graffiti. One year several members spent all day Easter Sunday repainting
the Luchessa sound wall panels rather than surrendering their neighborhood
to taggers! The Wipe Out Watch began as a citizen effort, then in 1995 the
city became more involved as community services Officer Rachel Munoz was
given the task of spearheading their effort. Members meet every two months
at the Gilroy Police station to discuss graffiti hot spots, new taggers, and tips
for removing ink and paint. Anyone wishing to join the group can contact
Officer Rachel Munoz at 408-846-0310 or email her at rachel.munoz@
ci.gilroy.ca.us
T
he City of Gilroy welcomed a new City
Administrator in March. Gabriel Gonzalez
comes to Gilroy with excellent experience and
skills as a strong leader; most notably his city
manager experience with the cities of Rohnert
Park and Mendota. He has over 20 years of
experience working in local government. Gabriel
has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business
Administration from National University and a
Masters of Public Administration from California
State University, Fresno.
Gabriel is excited about this opportunity
to serve the Gilroy community and is looking
forward to the professional challenges this
position will bring.
We’d also like to thank Interim City
Administrator Ed Tewes for his management of
the city for the last six months. His sophisticated
leadership style and attention to detail has kept
our city moving forward.
O
Joe Lomeli (left) greats Joel Goldsmith (center) and Teri Neidigh
(right) at the Sunrise Fire Station.
18
n February 26, 2016 Engines 49 and 48 were dispatched to a
possible cardiac arrest at Snap Fitness. The patient, Joe Lomeli,
was reported to be a 70 year old male who collapsed while lifting weights
and was not breathing. Before the Engines arrived; citizens Teri Neidigh
and Joel Goldsmith saved Joe’s life by starting CPR and deploying an
Automated External Defibrillator. The Gilroy fire crews who responded
credit them with saving Joe’s life.
The Gilroy Fire Department responds to between 35-40 cardiac arrest
calls each year, where Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is needed
prior to their arrival. In 2015 only one person received pre-arrival CPR
from bystanders or family. Gilroy’s fire department has a goal of getting
half the city’s population trained in CPR and is sponsoring classes with
the Parks and Recreation Department. If you would like to learn more
please visit their website at gilroyfirecpr.com.
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
MAY/JUNE 2016
gmhtoday.com
Fire Department Assists in Successful Resuscitation