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A SPECIAL EDITION OF SOUTH VALLEY & SAN BENITO MAGAZINES

HOME &GARDEN MARCH 15, 2019

Helping your garden grow into a living space

SPECIAL MAGAZINE INSIDE THIS ISSUE

NATIVE PLANTS P19 | OUTDOOR KITCHENS P20 | GARDEN PERENNIALS P24

POLICE ON PATROL FOR ST. PATTY’S P2 | ST. LOUISE NURSES STRIKE P4 | BULLDOG BASEBALL PURSUES PLAYOFFS P16

$1 • Friday, March 15, 2019 • Vol. 126, No. 11 • morganhilltimes.com • Serving Morgan Hill since 1894

Officer cleared in 2018 shooting TEEN WAS INJURED BY ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE Michael Moore Editor

The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office declined to file criminal charges against a veteran Morgan Hill Police

sergeant who accidentally fired his handgun on duty in April 2018, injuring a teenage girl. The girl who was shot had been riding in a stolen van that led officers on a high-speed chase through town just before the incident. The shooting occurred April 29, 2018, after several Morgan Hill police

officers responded to a sighting of the van, which had been reported stolen earlier in the day from Live Oak High School. The van, driven by a 15-year-old male, ultimately crashed into a light pole and fire hydrant near Llagas Road and Del Monte Avenue while attempting to evade officers, according to the DA’s report compiled by

Assistant DA Brian Welch. After the van came to a stop due to the collision, officers surrounded the vehicle to conduct a high-risk felony car stop, defined in the DA’s report as “when an officer executes a car stop that poses a significant risk to the safety of the officer when dealing with the occupants of a vehicle.” As Sgt.

Bill Norman approached the passenger’s side of the vehicle from the sidewalk, with the broken fire hydrant gushing water into the air between Norman and the van, two teenage females exited the van. With his departmentissued handgun in his left hand, Norman ordered both teens to the ground

as they walked slowly toward him, with their hands up. He used his right hand to “push” one of the girls to the ground, the DA’s report says. At the same time, Norman went to holster his firearm with his left hand, and accidentally fired a round into the ground near the sidewalk. ➝ Shooting, 11

Wonder Woman FURNITURE STORE OWNER OFFERS COMMITMENT TO FAMILY AND COMMUNITY Jaqueline McCool Reporter

Jaqueline McCool

IN THE FAMILY Evelia Morales Rosso, matriarch of the Rosso family in the Gilroy store

Sitting in the office of Rosso’s Furniture, Evelia Morales Rosso is surrounded by photos of her family and friends, a poster from her famous ad campaign wear she dons boxing gloves promising to “beat out” competitors and a campaign sign for newly elected Assemblymember, Robert Rivas. Rivas recently named Rosso the 30th district’s 2019 “Woman of the Year,” stating in a press release, “Evelia’s dedication to improving the lives of others is an inspiration to me and many other local leaders. Her commitment to putting our community first should serve as an example to us all.” On March 4, Rosso, her husband Jaime, her sister and their 94-year-old mother traveled to the state capital to watch Rosso receive the award. Talking

with her “Woman of the Year” plaque.

➝ Rosso, 12

Hoteliers turn over Madrone petition CITY CLERK COMPLETES SIGNATURE CERTIFICATION Reporter

The fight over the two proposed Madrone business park hotels took another step forward March 6, when local hoteliers turned over petition signatures to the Morgan Hill City Clerk’s office. The petition was turned in two days before the official deadline that comes 30 days after the council’s decision to approve a

Road in north Morgan Hill, or place a referendum on a local election ballot to ask the voters to decide whether the property's use should be reclassified. Asit Panwala, an attorney whose parents own the Comfort Inn, has been speaking on behalf of hoteliers who oppose the construction of two new lodging facilities in Madrone Village. He told the Times that the petition received 3,965 signatures, and he is confident most of those will be certified. Some signatures may not count on the petition because the signer lives

Jaqueline McCool

land use change at Madrone Village that allows two new hotels to be built on a vacant property. Maureen Tobin, the city’s communications and engagement manager, confirmed that the minimum number of necessary signatures was verified by Deputy City Clerk Michelle Bigelow. The petition needed the signatures of at least 10 percent of Morgan Hill’s registered voters, or 2,390 of 23,897, in order for it to be certified. The petition asks the council to repeal its Feb. 6 zoning amendment for the property off Cochrane

FIGHTING BACK Asit Panwala, attorney and son of San Panwala,

has been speaking on behalf of hoteliers who are advocating against the Madrone decision. The Panwala family owns the Comfort Inn on Condit Road in Morgan Hill. outside of city limits or is not a registered voter. The City Council unanimously approved the change in use for lots in

OPEN HOUSE Saturday, January 26 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

| 410 Llagas Road | (408) 776-8801

Madrone Village in February. The proposed project would allow a ➝ Madrone, 12