Gilroy|News|
Police Officer of the Year: Maribel Gutierrez
Maribel Gutierrez will join firefighter Steven Hayes at this year's Blue and Gold Award Luncheon.

<b>Email: eric.gneckow@patch.com<br>Phone: 408-427-7757<br>Hometown: Campbell, CA<br>Birthday: Nov. 20, 1986</b>
<b>Bio</b>
Eric Gneckow never spent quite enough time in a place to feel attached to it, but returning to his birthplace in the Silicon Valley for high school felt unusually natural. He studied journalism at San Francisco State University, served as the editor-in-chief of the school's newspaper and wore several hats at the city's KGO News Radio. You might have seen him riding, both road and mountain bikes, in the hills around town...these adventures through the beauty of the South Valley were some of the first hints that Gilroy was something special.
<strong>Your beliefs</strong>
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable.
<strong>Politics</strong>
Believing that "if we all give a little, we all get a lot," I support high taxes and a nationalized health care system. I believe that there should be a path to documentation and a fair standard of living for all immigrants to the United States. However, I also believe that national politicians are too caught up in appealing to the extremes to engender my allegiance and is I am not a member of any political party.
<strong>Religion</strong>
While newsgathering has presented some profound situations that have deeply moved me, I am not a member of any religion and am not often preoccupied thinking about it.
<strong>Local Hot-Button Issues</strong>
One thing everyone in town seems to agree on is this: Gilroy is a community worth nurturing and preserving. Growth is on the horizon with the construction of the high-speed rail and development of the local economy, but there is much concern about maintaining a small-town environment that is safe and enjoyable for those living here.
Maribel Gutierrez will join firefighter Steven Hayes at this year's Blue and Gold Award Luncheon.

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Steven Hayes will be honored at the annual Blue and Gold awards luncheon.
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