CHEERS for outgoing council members Roland Velasco, Russ Valiquette and Paul Correa. Being on the City Council is, in many ways, a thankless job. But it's also one of prestige and affirmation. We thank them for their service, the countless hours of work that the public does not see and the contributions they made to making a better Gilroy.

CHEERS for all Gilroyans who are actively including charitable donations in their busy holiday plans. Giving trees abound - take a tag, buy a gift and bring it back to the location. St. Joseph's Family Center and the Salvation Army need your food and cash donations. Remember, there's nothing like sharing with those less fortunate to cultivate the holiday spirit.

CHEERS for Gilroy High School Choir Director Phil Robb and the all the students who diligently and gleefully participate in the outstanding vocal programs at GHS. This time of year, in particular, we are reminded of these outstanding programs because the students hire out to sing Christmas carols for businesses and at parties. It's a joy to listen to their expert renditions and a true blessing to have such a marvelous program in our community.

JEERS for the rising crime rate in Gilroy. Every day seems to bring a reminder that things are changing, and not for the better. Wednesday night a bank robbery at gunpoint added to the growing list of serious crimes. New police leadership is vital, and clearly the new City Council will have to make getting more officers on the street and using them to maximum efficiency a very high priority.

CHEERS for Albert Lambert, who stepped up to become the Downtown Holiday Parade chairperson this year and did a wonderful job on one of the year's best community events. The event is down home Gilroy through and through. Where else are you going to see a City Councilman dressing as reindeer and pulling Santa's sleigh? Great touch to have the Gilroy High football squad with the Prune Bowl trophy front and center, too.

CHEERS for the rain. It's nice to see the gray skies and raindrops falling. Hopefully, Mother Nature will be kind and give us enough precipitation this winter to fill the reservoirs and stave off the Santa Clara Valley Water District's rationing plan.

CHEERS for South Valley Junior High School mathematics teacher Lindsey Pope. She's a rare commodity these days - a math teacher with a math degree. Even more rare, perhaps, is her enthusiasm for becoming a teacher. Cheers, too, for Principal John Perales who worked hard to recruit her for two years. That personal contact made a difference and is translating into an outstanding classroom experience for the students by all accounts. That's what being a leader is all about.

CHEERS for Chris Giminez, the former Gilroy High School standout baseball player who is working his way through the minor leagues with hopes to make the "Big Show." He earned a prestigious invitation to play in the Fall League in Arizona, and the versatile Cleveland Indians prospect, who plays catcher and infield slots, is pouring everything he has into soaking up knowledge and working on offensive production. Best of luck!