I am super impressed with the kind of person Shirley Gonzales is. She’s soft-spoken about her accomplishments, so it takes a conversation with her to learn about the amazing level of public service she accomplished as city councilor in San Antonio, TX.
There, she pushed forward programs to serve the needs of people who were struggling to make lifework. She had the vision to create a successful new program mentoring domestic abuse victims, and addressed lack of housing by building homes instead of shelters. Common sense and vision.
Shirley gives answers at forums thoughtfully and articulately, as an exploration of possibilities. She doesn’t pretend that she has all the answers, but instead carefully crafts a series of valid, actionable ideas. She listens carefully to what other candidates and participants say and works to incorporate their ideas. Team player and an MVP type.
I think she would do a great job with our local economy, as a current board member of both Local First and the Economic Development Alliance.
She talks about balancing the needs of workers (she knows they’re being squeezed out of this gentrifying city) and small business (she has three decades of small business management experience).
That’s a balancing act – we need both to prosper – and her creativity would really help. She also does her research into programs in other cities to find new ideas, and into what current academic understandings are. That shows a depth of commitment.
Let’s get Shirley working for us on city council!
Jennifer Peeso
Durango
