Readers ask for donations to help feed the needy, question the
development of farm land, comment on solar panels and thank
volunteers at the downtown holiday parade
YOUR VIEWS
200 more turkeys needed for the holiday meal at St. Joseph’s
Dear Editor,
The generosity of Gilroy has always made it possible for St. Joseph’s Family Center to provide a traditional Christmas meal for hungry families in our midst. This year we need to ask Gilroy to once again be generous.
Across the nation, food banks are struggling more this year than at any time in the last decade. At a time when more people are going hungry and the economy is unsure, donations of food supplies at the food bank are down.
St. Joseph’s needs donations of 200 more frozen turkeys, 30 cases of cranberry sauce, yams, and stuffing mix in order to offer a Christmas dinner to the more than 500 families of Gilroy who need our help this year. Please give generously. You may drop off your donation before Dec. 19 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at St. Joseph’s Family Center, 7950 Church St. Thank you.
Sherri Stuart, St. Joseph’s board member
Do we really have enough farm land to sacrifice the 660 acres?
Dear Editor,
Money, money, money. It is the driving force behind everything.
A few landowners are looking to make quite a bit of money from the sell and development of the 660 plus acres of fertile farm land. Who are we to put restrictions on the land they own? I sympathize with the landowners, however, there is a bigger picture here that impacts us all including the landowners.
I recently attended a meeting concerning responsible, compacted growth. It was attended by residents of neighboring communities who are concerned about the continued loss of farm land. Some of the residents were from northern Santa Clara County where there is little to no remaining farm land. They are left to rely on other communities to have fertile soil to grow food. We don’t want to be in that predicament. We should protect our farm land so that here in Gilroy at least, we have fertile soil to grow food on if no one else does.
Some people would argue that we have plenty of farm land, however, I’m not so sure. It is being developed throughout the state of California. Those other communities must have worked on the assumption that we have “plenty of farm land.” Maybe they needed houses, schools, or companies that offer higher paying jobs. We might need that someday, but instead we might have paved over our fertile soil for a shopping mall next to an existing shopping mall. When decisions are made, I hope that money is not the driving force behind them.
Dana Wolfe, Gilroy
Thinking of going solar power? Advice is to purchase the panels
Dear Editor,
I so enjoyed the story on the solar installation in the Nov. 27 issue of the Dispatch. I think, if folks are really serious about installing solar panels, they need to investigate purchasing the panels outright.
We found it much more advantageous to purchase than to rent. There is no monthly payment if you purchase. And the panels have a great warranty. Just a thought.
Jacqui Holladay, Gilroy
A few add-ons to a festive list of downtown holiday parades thanks
Dear Editor,
Well it never fails! I forgot to send a BIG thank you to the V.I.P. (Volunteers in Policing) and the Explorers for their enormous contribution to the Downtown Holiday parade. I thank you and appreciate the service that you provide the City of Gilroy.
Thank you as well to California Silkscreen for helping us sponsor our STAFF sweatshirts. You did a beautiful job!
Albert Lambert, Downtown Holiday Parade Chairperson
