The following individuals and organizations deserve either
CHEERS or JEERS this week:
The following individuals and organizations deserve either CHEERS or JEERS this week:
CHEERS: For the Gilroy Unified School District Board’s decision to go forward with the demolition of Eliot School independent of awarding a contract to build a new school on the site. Two things are important about that decision. First and foremost, it provides some additional breathing room to make sure the project stays on schedule. Secondly, it makes it clear to the community that the district is serious about starting and completing bond-measure building projects on time.
CHEERS: For Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Susan Valenta who spearheaded the drive to revive the tradition of flying flags on downtown sidewalks to mark patriotic holidays. She and her committee worked for months to raise money and attend to details like the drilling of new holes in the sidewalks. A local Boy Scout troop will be responsible for putting up, taking down and storing the flags. It will be wonderful to have flags waving along Monterey Street again this spring and summer during various downtown festivities. We hereby nominate Valenta for the Chamber’s Good Egg award.
JEERS: For the continued unacceptable response from the builders of John Fry’s private golf course in Morgan Hill. Yes, locating the American Mathematics Institute in Morgan Hill would be a wonderful plus for the South Valley communities. No, it doesn’t mean that John Fry and company, no matter how wealthy, can ignore and circumvent environmental law. Moreover, the arrogant stance has carried over and apparently soured relations with neighbors. Morgan Hill should welcome the AIM organization, but it doesn’t need a neighborhood bully setting a horrible example. The Council should direct that all the EIR mitigations be completed, set a strict schedule for periodic review over at least a 5-year period and make it clear that if the requirements are violated the course will be shut down – for good.
CHEERS: For the reopening of Sinaloa Restaurant in downtown Morgan Hill. Since the unique watering hole (reputed to be the home of the world’s best margaritas) and Mexican eatery burned down in June 2002, a void has been left in the South Valley weekend scene. Hopefully the lively, bustling atmosphere will be replicated in the new location. Here’s wishing the Peña family, which has owned and operated the establishment for more than 40 years, another half century of success.
JEERS: For Loi Dong, the owner of a piece of property downtown who has an unrealistic view of what the land is worth. The city has identified adjacent properties downtown for a future arts and culture center and is actively pursuing purchases. One landowner has sold and all the others, except Dong, are negotiating in good faith. The city may proceed with eminent domain and condemn the land, but it would be better, of course, if an agreement could be reached.
