Dear Editor,

Wake up! That is the problem with the High Speed Rail Authority's pipe dream. There are five stops between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

How do you think it will travel that distance in 2 1/2 hours? De-fund the HSRA now! Put the money into local and regional transportation projects; NOT BART or VTA.

Chuck Catania, Gilroy

Dear Editor,

The High Speed Rail Authority's eminent domain power will appear in Gilroy and Morgan Hill long after we can do anything to stop it. I'm guessing, of course, but I think it will be right outside of the Dispatch's building, just east of the Union Pacific tracks, but not on UP's property. Just a guess. How many trains a day are the HSR's promoters predicting? How much tax subsidy per rider, per train, per year?

If you ever wondered why the USSR collapsed, just look at this plan.

Joe Thompson, Gilroy

Mayor lends a sweatshirt hand to the Gilroy youth commissioners

Dear Editor,

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." This sentiment was coined by the Indian lawyer Mahatma Gandhi and can be found on the recently purchased sweatshirts for the Gilroy Youth Commission.

As representatives of the Gilroy Youth, the Commission will now be able to be identified as such, by the sweatshirts that the generous donation of certain Gilroy benefactors, including Mayor Al Pinheiro, allowed the commission to obtain.

Recently, the Youth Commission participated in a conference in Burlingame where multiple Youth Commissions from all over the state came together to participate in workshops and network with each other. At this conference, commissioners were able to wear their sweatshirts which identified the Gilroy Youth Commission to others, enabling members to represent the City of Gilroy proudly.

Furthermore, the sweatshirt, as I said previously, states "be the change", which is indeed the goal of each commissioner that serves our community.

The entire commission would like to thank all those for their donation and continued support of the members and events of the Gilroy Youth Commission.

Daniel Monroe, Gilroy, youth commission chair on behalf of all members

City Council has no backbone when it comes to fireworks sales

Dear Editor,

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! I love a City Council that has no political backbone, or the will to stand up and do the right thing for it's citizens as a whole when measures call for it - and kowtows to a vocal group of people who are only looking out for they're personal interest.

They aren't savvy enough to look at the big picture, and find other avenues to raise money for this year? When my boys were in nursery, elementary, junior high, high school and college, I did my share of fund-raising for various "boosters." We never sold fireworks, either.

We did plenty of the following: silent auctions, alumni progressive dinners, golf tournaments, walk and hit-a-thons, holiday bouquets and Christmas wreaths, spirit sales (hoodies, hats, sweatshirts), car washes, candy, wrapping paper, books … the list is a whole lot longer with many goods and services donated by local business, and we made money.

My oldest son works for Cal Fire and is busting his hump right now. I need to remind people that these firework stands aren't selective, and will sell to people who come from outside the area. So in the real world, Gilroy is supplying the rest of the region with fireworks. Perhaps, the groups that are making a profit from firework sales, would be willing to pony up and help cover the additional cost of fighting the firework related fires that will be started? Because, let's face it, it isn't if, it's when.

Nancy Rose White, Gilroy

Lighting sparkling sticks has nothing to do with true patriotism

Dear Editor,

The comments that fireworks are required in order to be a patriot are sorely misplaced by many.

True patriotism is in your heart and soul. It is not the symbolism of what you eat, drink, ignite, or wave in the air on July 4th each year.

While I hate any law that would restrict personal choice or personal freedoms, the fireworks ban is one of those cases where the good of the many must come at a cost to the few. By banning all fireworks - legal and illegal - it enables and empowers the fine men and women of the Gilroy Police Department to take swift action against anyone in possession of any type of fireworks.

No longer will these selfless servants of our city have to consider if the fireworks in hand are legal or not before making a stop.

I propose the fines resulting in illegal firework citations go into a central fund and be used to finance the non-profits that would face reduced revenue due to the loss of firework sales. The more people turned in with illegal fireworks the more money these non-profits would have to work with.

Russ Rinfret, Gilroy