Turlock has been fortunate to benefit from the service of Gil Esquer on City Council.  When I lived on the West Side in what is now Turlock’s District 2, the area which he now represents, Gil was the supervisor of the night shift crew on which I worked at Turlock’s Tri-Valley peach cannery.  He knew how to explain tasks/responsibilities so that all crew members understood what was required of them, and he listened carefully, making everyone feel valued and understood.  I have seen Gil demonstrating these same qualities when interacting with other Council members, with his District 2 constituents, and with the citizens of Turlock.

As the Council’s representative for the West Side, Gil has taken a leadership role in working to address the concerns of his district.  He co-authored the Westside Revitalization Plan, he has worked to transform the National Guard Armory on Flower Street into a community center, and he has made the Columbia swimming pool a priority.  In 2017, when the bid to rebuild West Main Street was $6 million, Gil alone voted against delaying, arguing that bids don’t typically go down over time.  A year later when the City decided to begin work on the project, the low bid was $7 million.  His wisdom could have saved the City a million dollars.

Gil works for Turlock’s future through his support for the surface water plant involving the cities of Turlock and Ceres.  He also continues to fight for a balanced budget for Turlock.  His experience as a Councilman, and his wise and steady leadership benefit not only District 2 but also the entire city of Turlock.  Although district voting means that I cannot vote directly for Gil Esquer, I encourage the voters of District 2 to support him with their votes. 

— John K. Miles