$1 • Friday, December 8, 2017 • Vol. 123, No. 49 • morganhilltimes.com • Serving Morgan Hill since 1894
Charter, Records reveal Carr arrests board resolve funding request feud COUNCILMAN HAS BEEN IN TROUBLE BEFORE Michael Moore Editor
Morgan Hill City Councilman Larry Carr was
convicted of a misdemeanor domestic battery in 2015—a prior crime that could have an impact on the prosecution of a similar charge filed by authorities last week. Court records also show that Carr was convicted of driving under
the influence, resulting in bodily injury, in relation to a 1993 vehicle accident in Morgan Hill. Carr was 24 at the time of the accident, according to Morgan Hill Times archives. For the 2015 battery conviction, Carr received no fine, probation or
jail time but completed a 16-week domestic violence counseling program. The court ultimately agreed to clear his record of that crime. For the DUI conviction, also a misdemeanor, he was sentenced to 60 days in jail, but
did not serve the time because the sentence was stayed, according to court records. Carr is set for arraignment Jan. 26, 2018 on the current charge of battery on a cohabitant, again a ➝ Carr, 12
TRUSTEES OK REQUEST FOR PROP. 51 REPAIR FUNDS Scott Forstner Reporter
The Morgan Hill Unified School District Board of Trustees this week broke an impasse between district and charter school administrators, agreeing to report to the California State Finance Authority that Charter School of Morgan Hill is “in good standing” and “in compliance with its charter for purposes of the Prop. 51 funding.” At the stroke of midnight, six hours into its Dec. 5 meeting, the school board voted unanimously to allow the charter school to apply for $11.5 million in state funds to renovate the old ➝ Charter, 15 THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF MORGAN HILL, GILROY & SAN MARTIN
DECEMBER 8, 2017
OU T & AB OU T CA LE NDAR OF EV EN TS
Robert Eliason
A section of the Gilroy Dispatch & Morgan Hill Times
Ron Erskine takes readers to Lassen National Park
OUTFOXED Local youngster Amelie Pieracci tries to climb onto the new bronze sculpture in the city’s new Creek Park during the parks’ grand opening
celebration Dec. 2. Pieracci is pictured with artist Evelyn Davis, who created the fox sculpture.
Seriously Sierras
Inside this issue: Ron Erskine is getting everyone out
WASHINGTON HAWTHORN P8 | BENITO BENE P14 | SEASONAL NOSTALGIA P16
Families flock to new parks CITY DEDICATES HILLTOP PARK, CREEK PARK, RAILROAD PARK Michael Moore Editor
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Morgan Hill Mayor Steve Tate’s ceremonial first descent down the Rotary Slide at the city’s new Hilltop Park on West Third Street Saturday ended with a slight stumble that he stoically brushed off with a quick return to his feet and a smile. Following shortly behind him for the rest of
the morning was a long line of kids who attended (with their parents) the Dec. 2 walking preview, grand opening and dedication ceremonies for three new downtown parks. The events drew hundreds of residents and visitors to the neighborhood that now claims not only the Hilltop Park, but also the Creek Park and Railroad Park as the newest family-friendly recreational facilities. Railroad Park is now open to the public, while the other two will permanently open in mid-December. Along the way Dec. 2,
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city councilmembers and staff, Rotary Club members and representatives of area public agencies posed for ceremonial ribbon-cutting photos for each park. The morning started at the Creek Park, located on a quiet, peaceful property through which West Little Llagas Creek meanders under a new walking bridge (known as Rotary Peace Bridge), a giant oak tree for which Dec. 2 attendees could submit name suggestions and other vegetation. A new bronze sculpture of a life-size fox was
DOWNTOWN PARKS Residents, visitors and city officials got an up-close preview of three new downtown parks Saturday, Dec. 2. The Creek Park (located between West Second and Third streets) and Hilltop Park (at the end of West Third Street) will be open to the public starting in mid-December from sunrise to sunset, according to city staff. The Railroad Park (on Depot Street next to the old train station building) is open to the public from sunrise to 10pm.
unveiled at the Dec. 2 opening ceremonies by Tate (the emcee throughout the morning’s ceremonies) and artist Evelyn Davis, who created the fox. At the Creek Park, Tate identified a long list of
people and organizations who helped fund, design and build the parks. Near the top of this list is Rotary Club of Morgan Hill, which donated ➝ Parks, 16
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