The following individuals and organizations deserve either
CHEERS or JEERS this week:
The following individuals and organizations deserve either CHEERS or JEERS this week:
JEERS: For the Gilroy City Council which has approved more than $10 million in financial incentives for retail shopping centers in the last three months. Think about that and juxtapose it with what’s been done about downtown Gilroy in the last decade – not much. Do we really need to give such whopping incentives to out-of-town big box retail developers? And, if we do, isn’t there something that can be done in that process to transform our downtown into a vibrant, charming city center? Gilroy’s City Council can spend in excess of $24 million on a new police station dripping with amenities. It can hand out $10 million in incentives to big box retailers in virtually a blink of an eye. But it allows downtown to languish. What’s wrong with this picture? Plenty.
CHEERS: For all the brave men and women who are fighting for our country in the Middle East, including Gunner’s Mate Justin Matsuhara, a Gilroy police officer who is serving with the U.S. Navy’s Special Boat Unit in the Persian Gulf. Our prayers are for a speedy and safe return and a quick end to this conflict.
JEERS: For those anti-war protesters who resort to violence. Peaceful protest should be respected, but throwing bottles at officers, shouting obscenities randomly at motorists and destroying public and private property results in polarization. Protest, but live by the peaceful actions you purportedly embrace.
CHEERS: For the news that a resort manager with local ties and a French-born chef are seriously interested in teaming up to launch a new restaurant/culinary academy/event center at Old City Hall. Daniel Barduzzi and Glen Gurries seem to have the credentials and the plan to transform Old City Hall into a viable business. It’s a beautiful building. Hopefully, these suitors can deliver a product that will help move downtown in the right direction and provide Gilroyans with another dining/meeting option.
