Dear EDITOR:
I am writing to thank the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce for
providing the opportunity for representatives of the campaign
committee, Yes on Measure E, to present important information on
the Gavilan College bond.
Dear EDITOR:
I am writing to thank the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce for providing the opportunity for representatives of the campaign committee, Yes on Measure E, to present important information on the Gavilan College bond. I was invited to the Chamber’s Governmental Relations Committee meeting to advocate for Measure E. Mark Zappa, representing the Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association represented the opposing view. (I met Mark Zappa for the first time in the Chamber parking lot just before the meeting. Mark’s cordial demeanor was encouraging and it became apparent to me that we were just two professionals who would offer different perspectives on Measure E.)
Jane Howard, Chairperson of the Governmental Relations Committee, set a welcoming stage for the presentations. Both sides had the opportunity to present our opinions. Mark and I shook hands at the end of the session and departed.
Although the Governmental Relations Committee declined to take a position on Measure E. I am satisfied we obtained a reasonable result and connected with many individuals in the audience. I appreciate having a fair forum to discuss the need and benefits of Measure E. I want to commend the Chamber, Jane Howard, and Executive Director Susan Valenta for providing the opportunity to fairly present both sides of the issue.
Using this letter, I would also like to ask that business leaders and members of the community reflect on the mission and local history of Gavilan College when deciding on Measure E.
As a result of the vision of the voters in Morgan Hill, Gilroy and San Benito County in 1963, San Benito Junior College established in 1919, was renamed and relocated to Gilroy. Relocation allowed better access to residents of the whole district and created the campus that has trained nurses, teachers, police officers and business owners for nearly 40 years. The college district has not asked the voters to approve another bond in all that time. However, the 1960’s era campus is now overcrowded, outdated, and in need of renovation. Measure E is the solution to these problems.
As the residents in 1963 realized, a regional perspective toward higher education is a way to strengthen the economic base of our communities. Establishing permanent facilities in greater Morgan Hill and San Benito will reduce long-term costs, minimize the strain on transportation systems, provide residents with easier access to higher education and allow Gavilan to tailor programs for individual community needs. Gavilan College has demonstrated a commitment to effectively and efficiently use public resources to provide low-cost and easily accessible higher education services.
Thousands of local residents (including Mark Zappa) have received job skill training from Gavilan. Hundreds of nurses and police officers received their initial education at Gavilan. Thousands of residents have earned enough units to transfer to four-year universities. In short, our local community college has made it possible for our residents to pursue their dreams, improve their lives, and create a safe, vigorous, and healthy community.
Yes, there is a cost for Measure E: $15 per $100,000 of assessed property value. This investment provides a trained workforce, reduces demands on the transportation infrastructure and provides families an opportunity to save thousands of dollars on tuition for the first two years of a student’s four-year college degree program. Community members of any age can take advantage of life long learning opportunities for only $18 per credit unit of instruction.
Gavilan College has served this community for 85 years. As a community, we have to plan and prepare for future generations. Let’s renovate obsolete buildings, provide access to disabled students, update our classrooms with modern technology and provide access to all communities served by Gavilan College. Vote yes on Measure E on March 2.
I also encourage you to contact members of the Chamber of Commerce’s Governmental Relations Committee and thank them for the good work they do on your behalf.
Steven Kinsella, Gavilan College President, Member, Measure E Committee for Local Education, Morgan Hill
Submitted Monday, Feb. 2
