Kennedy’s warm leadership style got things done

Published in the April 13-26, 2016 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By Greg Sellers

Greg Sellers

Greg Sellers

For me, the public and personal quality of Dennis Kennedy were intertwined. He was my colleague, co-conspirator, one-time rival, and, ultimately, dear friend. He was someone who made me a better person by being willing to compromise but unafraid to set lofty goals.

When I moved home to Morgan Hill after college, Dennis was already a leader who were passionate about preserving Morgan Hill’s small town quality of life. I laugh when I hear those today exhort against “urban sprawl.” That battle was fought and won a generation ago. Dennis helped define Morgan Hill’s unique and successful approach to managed growth as a planning commissioner, and set those policies in stone as mayor.

I supported Dennis when he ran for city council and encouraged him during his tumultuous first few years on the council, when his patient leadership helped steer our city through difficult times. I helped lead a ballot measure making the mayor a separately elected position because I believed our small city needed consistent leadership. That measure would not have passed without strong faith in Dennis’s leadership.

When I was first elected to city council in 1998, the city had put most of its difficulties behind and was poised to do great things. To Dennis and me, that meant building community facilities. Though popular today, every facility was controversial. Dennis and I were the only two on the council who supported every one, from the Community and Cultural Center and Community Playhouse to the library, Aquatics Center and Outdoor Sports Center. None of them would have been built without Dennis’s dogged persistence and unwavering faith in our community.

Like any worthwhile friendship, ours was not without challenges. I thought Dennis had achieved after a decade as mayor what he could, and I made the (in hindsight foolish) decision to run against him. He won resoundingly. We soon rebuilt our friendship, stronger than ever.

During the past few years, Dennis and I were part of a tight group of friends. We teased each other relentlessly, but underneath was a shared love of community. He shared those qualities. And he should rightly be honored by anyone who loves living in Morgan Hill.