Dear Editor,
I was thoroughly chastized recently by a driver (sadly with a
young boy in the passenger seat) for pulling out too slowly for him
onto Monterey Road (at commute time). These drivers are all over
town.
Angry drivers need to think twice – especially in front of children
Dear Editor,
I was thoroughly chastized recently by a driver (sadly with a young boy in the passenger seat) for pulling out too slowly for him onto Monterey Road (at commute time). These drivers are all over town.
Mike Temer, Gilroy
Helping hand for wildlife rescue organization would be appreciated
Dear Editor,
The recent stories in the paper have told about how the downturn in the economy has affected many of the businesses and non-profit organizations in our community. People have become more conservative with their funds and are spending more carefully.
In times like these, we need to support our community by shopping locally and doing what we can to support our local non-profits. The Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center is a local non-profit that does not receive funding from any government agency. We subsist on private donations and a few fundraising events. The majority of our funds are spent locally to care for injured, sick or orphaned native wildlife.
Food, medical supplies, enclosure maintenance supplies and other items are purchased, for the most part, from businesses in the South County. Visit www.werc-ca.org or call 779-WERC (9372) for more details on how to help out.
Sue Howell, Executive Director, Morgan Hill
Stories of Service wonderful video tributes to brave men and women
Dear Editor,
Many thanks to the students creating the “Stories of Service” series and the teacher who inspires them.
What a wonderful tribute to the brave men and women of the Gilroy community who served their country.
Becky Boyd Lorenzet, Gilroy
Editor’s note: Agreed! We’re pleased to have all the stories available on at www.gilroydispatch.com
Package for county superintendent way, way overboard in these times
Dear Editor,
I read with interest about the hiring of a new (Santa Clara County school) superintendent at a base salary of $285,000 plus benefits. Those benefits include full health and welfare benefits plus $1,823 in “uncovered” medical costs, an expense account, $1,000 per month car allowance plus a credit card for any expenses above that amount, $20,000 deferred compensation and $15,000 relocation allowance. That brings his first-year salary and benefits to well over $333,823. Very generous but that’s not the big problem.
This housing loan of $1 million with the first $500,000 interest free and the other $500,000 at 3 percent interest is the problem.
Has the County Board of Education completely lost their minds?
In a time when I know of several teachers and countless others that are losing their homes to foreclosure because of these tough economic times, the Board of Education has the audacity to loan $1 million to a new employee that they just gave a salary and benefit package worth well over $333,000. With that compensation package, let him buy his own home. He can more than afford it! We expect no less of our teachers and other school employees and at salaries one tenth of the superintendent’s. This action by the Board of Education is so far out of touch with reality that I am at a loss for words. And elected officials wonder why taxpayers are so fed up.
The board needs to keep this in mind the next time taxpayers say no to any proposed tax increase or bond issue. The actions of this board show that you are certainly not good stewards of the monies we have entrusted to you.
Art Gillespie, Gilroy
Local students aid successful effort to battle the sales of ‘alcopops’
Dear Editor,
Local Morgan Hill and Gilroy students and residents participating in a statewide effort to reduce underage drinking celebrate the passage of AB346. This new law, from Assemblyman Jim Beall, requires clear labeling (i.e. “This project contains alcohol” readable from five feet away) on flavored malt beverages, called “alcopops,” drinks popular among underage drinkers because the sweet taste hides the bitter taste of alcohol) and produce placement restrictions.
This law, paired with the action earlier this year from the Board of Equalization that increased the tax on these drinks, helps to reduce access and availability to underage drinkers.
Like many of the bills waiting for signature during the absurd budget debacle, its passage was uncertain, so Youth Advocates from Sobrato High School endured the heat at the Taste of Morgan Hill, educating adults and teens about the problems caused by these drinks and urging them to call the governor to express support for the bill.
These students worked for two years – a long time in their young lives – educating adult groups about the bill and obtaining endorsements from school boards and city councils. These young leaders give us hope, looking forward to the time when they are the decision-makers: Courtney Berry, Brittanie Beggs, Juliana Henao, Hanna Jones, Sara Solorio, Stephanie Solorio, Justin Anguinao, Ariana Messina, Jasmine Lepik, Joey Edgar , Hallie Kiernan of Sobrato High School in Morgan Hill; Nancy Marquez, Berenice Lopez, Lizette Diaz and Tania Avila of El Portal Leadership Academy.
Adults who worked to support them are Morgan Hill residents Rogelio Balderas, Elaine Shea, Sherry Johnson, Jeannie Gaffney of St. Catherine’s Church, Lori Escobar of El Toro Youth Center and Rachael Castro of South County Housing. Art Barron, Susie Law and Francisco Dominguez of Gilroy were also crucial supporters.
The efforts of this group would have not have been possible without the critical sponsorship of the South County Collaborative by Community Solutions and Rebekah Children’s Services. Seeing this beneficial change in the community, we are extremely grateful.
Dina Campeau, South County Collaborative
