{"id":346863,"date":"2026-06-04T18:58:14","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T18:58:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/346863\/"},"modified":"2026-06-04T18:58:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T18:58:14","slug":"milestones-wishful-thoughts-opinion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/346863\/","title":{"rendered":"Milestones – Wishful Thoughts – Opinion"},"content":{"rendered":"

Huge thanks to our Weekly reporter David Alexander for peeling the lid off<\/a> the monumentally manufactured mess at Santa Clara\u2019s Convention Center.<\/p>\n

Many residents have inquired why Santa Clara has been virtually silent as activities around this year\u2019s big games have been ignored, while those next door in San Jos\u00e9 get wide advertising and press. The answer to that question is that the city\u2019s destination marketing organization \u2014 Discover Santa Clara \u2014 is MIA. It should be renamed the Disappeared Marketing Organization.<\/p>\n

Over a decade ago, Mayor Lisa Gillmor dismantled the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and dismissed its skilled team at the Santa Clara Convention Center. At that time, the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce operated the CVB and the Convention Center. They booked dozens of events and brought millions of dollars to our city. Hotels benefited, restaurants were crowded and Santa Clara\u2019s bottom line was the beneficiary.<\/p>\n

SPONSORED<\/p>\n

\"CWC_digital_santaclara_ad\"\"CWC_digital_santaclara_ad\"<\/a><\/p>\n

This was over a decade ago, before a newly elected council gave Mayor Lisa Gillmor a majority of council votes.<\/p>\n

Gillmor didn\u2019t waste any time dismantling the Chamber and CVB. This move centralized her authority and fulfilled her three-decade goal of removing the CVB.<\/p>\n

It was also when she led her council majority to terminate David\u2019s Restaurant\u2019s lease. She was promoting a possible huge development on the former golf course with The Related Companies, and David\u2019s long-term lease was in her way.<\/p>\n

SPONSORED<\/p>\n

\"Davidkertes_ad\"\"Davidkertes_ad\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Instead of working with David, Gillmor and her council majority voted in favor of eminent domain and seized his restaurant.<\/p>\n

It was the first time eminent domain was ever used in Santa Clara. The council ousted David\u2019s in preparation for the huge Related Companies project on the restaurant parcel and the old golf course.<\/p>\n

That was over a decade ago and still nothing has been built on the golf course and David\u2019s building is still there, but long empty.<\/p>\n

Let that sink in. Gillmor cut a deal with the Related Companies for our golf course property more than 10 years ago, yet nothing has been built to this day. This 240-acre parcel is probably the most valuable empty acreage in the Bay Area.<\/p>\n

In 10 years, the project has delivered a measly $1 million to the city\u2019s bottom line. That\u2019s $79 million less than Santa Clara was promised back in 2016. The only other benefit goes to Gillmor. That\u2019s the money Related spends during each election period to support Gillmor-endorsed candidates.<\/p>\n

Santa Clara gets zero sales, business or property tax, and minimal rent. There is no use of or benefit from this fabulous piece of ground.<\/p>\n

Santa Clara\u2019s golf course is gone, David\u2019s Restaurant is gone, our CVB is gone, and the dream of Related\u2019s live-work-play destination has never arrived.<\/p>\n

The bottom line is very clear.<\/p>\n

Promises made but not fulfilled are as empty as our former golf course.<\/p>\n

Removal of the CVB was a bureaucratic bungle.<\/p>\n

Leadership by Mayor Lisa Gillmor has been like her chosen destination marketing organization: MIA.<\/p>\n

Previous Milestones:
Milestones \u2013 From Fairy Tale to Nightmare \u2013 Opinion<\/a><\/p>\n

Milestones \u2013 Daniel Chung is \u2026 \u2013 Opinion<\/a>
Milestones \u2013 The Good Old Boys May Not Be So Good \u2013 Opinion<\/a><\/p>\n

SPONSORED<\/p>\n

\"VTA\"VTA<\/a><\/p>\n

SPONSORED<\/p>\n

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