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 High students who apparently lied about their teacher, Margaret Ota, facilitating the viewing of the video showing the beheading of American Nick Berg in the classroom. The whole story doesn’t add up: First, students told The Dispatch she had facilitated the viewing. Now Principal Bob Bravo emphatically says it didn’t happen that way and, following an investigation, has cleared the veteran teacher. The only conclusion we can draw is that the students lied. If that’s the case there should be serious consequences which should include suspension.
CHEERS: For Gilroyan Jenny Belcher, Navy veteran, first female officer at Point Loma Submarine Base in San Diego and now the first woman to be Grand Marshal in our community’s Memorial Day Parade. We’re honored to cheer for you at the parade which begins at 11 a.m. along Tenth Street.
CHEERS: For Gilroy’s Rey and Joy Deliz. Rey, a Milpitas firefighter, was a runner up in Redbook’s 2004 Hottest Husband contest. What impressed us most, though, was the strength of the Deliz marriage and their obvious passion after 16 years as a couple, 11 years as husband and wife and three small boys. They set an inspiring example of how wonderful married life can be.
CHEERS: For CALSTAR, the lifesaving air ambulance based at Saint Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy. The quick response of CALSTAR’s medical professionals can mean the difference between life and death for trauma victims all over South Valley. We’re glad they’re standing by.
JEERS: For the mysterious pet poisonings on Ronan Avenue. If one resident’s suspicions are correct and someone is seeking revenge on innocent and beloved pets, that person has serious problems. We hope Gilroy police officials will take the situation seriously and try to identify the perpetrator before he or she escalates their sick vengeance even further.
CHEERS: For Gilroy resident Ausencion Quezada, who put in a fine showing at the 35th World Series of Poker at Binion’s Horseshoe Casino. Although Quezada didn’t make it to the final round, he outlasted hundreds of players, even staying in the tournament longer than the defending champion, Chris Moneymaker. We’re sure we haven’t seen the last of Quezada on the high-stakes poker tournament circuit.
CHEERS: For local leaders who are paying close attention to Coyote Valley planning developments, despite San Jose’s stubborn refusal to give South Valley leaders sufficient official representation on the specific plan task force. This development will dwarf nearby Morgan Hill and Gilroy at build out, and it is imperative that our cities and educational districts do everything possible to maximize the positive and minimize the negative impacts on our communities and institutions.
CHEERS: For news that County Supervisor Don Gage is trying to move the Santa Clara County fair to South County. As the county’s only major site of agriculture, it just makes sense that Morgan Hill, San Martin or Gilroy would play host to the annual three-day ag fest. Here’s hoping Gage can find a way to move the fair sooner rather than later.
