17. Kristy Gough & Matt Peterson plaqueOFFICE OF THE CITY GLERK
CUPERTINO
CITY HALL
10300 TORRE AVENUE • CUPERTINO, CA 950143255
TELEPHONE: (408) 777-3223 • FAX: (408) 777-3366
SUMMARY
Agenda Item No.
Meeting Date: April 15, 2008
SUBJECT
Consider placing a memorial plaque with the names of Kristy Gough and Matt Peterson at the site
of the accident of March 9, 2008, on Stevens Canyon Road.
BACKGROUND
On March 9, while on patrol, a deputy sheriff struck and killed two bicyclists on Stevens Canyon
Road; Kristy Gough and Matt Peterson. Members of the Gough family have asked that the city
facilitate the installation of a memorial plaque recognizing the loss of their family member.
The city does not have a policy in regards to this request but does have an existing memorial plaque
at a nearby location. These recent tragic events took place approximately 100 yards from a fatal
accident in 1996 that took the life of Jerry Steinwedel, another local bicyclist. As part of the
roadway improvements made to Stevens Canyon Road, the city included as part of the bid
documents, installation of the Steinwedel memorial plaque. '
The events of March 9 took place where any adjacent monument or memorial would be on private
property. Cupertino is remarkably fortunate in that traffic fatalities are, rare. The events of March 9
have been tragic for all involved. The request for a memorial plaque is consistent with past practice,
and appropriate to both the families and the community, to acknowledge the loss of these two
cyclists.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the council authorize staff to make a request of the property owner for the
placement of a plaque, of a type matching the style currently in place in memoriam of Mr.
Steinwedel.
Approved for submission to the City Council:
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Kitson, Communication Manager David W. Knapp, City Manager
17-1
April 2, 2008
City Manager -David Knapp
10300 Torre Ave.
Cupertino, CA 95014
RE: Memorial Plaque for Kristy Gough
Dear Sir,
i have been. in contact with Mr. Rick Kitson and made the request to him that I be
permitted to install a memorial plaque for my daughter, Kristy Gough, at the site
of her death.
Kristy, who was in training for an invitation to the Olympic Time Trials was killed
as the result of a Sheriffs Deputy actions while operating his motor vehicle while
on duty. f notice from your web site that the Sheriffs department provides law
enforcement duties for the City of Cupertino.
1 am hoping that you will consider my request that a plaque be placed at the site
of this incident, just as it previously was for another cyclist who was killed in
199fi. I'm sure you are aware tha# it was reported that over 1,000 cyclist showed
up from all over the Bay Area to acknowledge and mourn the loss of someone so
precious.
Others in the cycling community have asked if there will be something at the site
that would permit them to take a moment to remember this child that was taken
from us. I respectfully ask that you permit us this small accommodation.
I have provided wording to Mr. Kitson that is in keeping with the size and scope
of the existing plaque and will be watching via your webcast when you submit
this request. Whether the members of your council are a father or a parent, I'm
hopeful that they'll understand this request.
Sincerely,
Rip Gough
Father of Kristy Gough
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Kimberly Smith ~ ~~
From: Rip Gough [ripsterco@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2008 4:04 PM
To: City Clerk
Cc: Glenn Goepfert
Subject: regarding #17 for the Meeting of April 15th
I just got off the phone with Rick Kitson and he had shared with me the report from staff
regarding my request for a memorial plaque for Kristy Gough.
My concerns are the following:
I am worried that the idea of a plaque with two names on it is confusing, in that it implies
some type of relationship which was not the case. I would like to suggest, that in order to
ease any concerns that this would have to be duplicated by going to the land owner a 2nd
time that there be two plaques that could certainly be installed on one piece of concrete.
My second concern is that the idea of 2 names on the same plaque implies that we are
memorializing an event and not an individual. Again, my request is that we specifically install
a memorial for Kristy Gough. The wording of my request is:
In Loving Memory of
Kristy Gough
November 19, 1977 -March 9, 2008
Free From Limitations & Imaginary Lines
And lastly, the above request is in keeping with the precedent established in the installation of
a plaque for Jerry Steinwedel in 1996. This request does not ask for anything more and
neither is it a request for anything less.
I respectfully request that you permit the City Staff~to go forward with this proposal.
Sincerely, Rip Gough
4/15/2008