Letters: More residents speak out on election issues

Dear Editor,
On Nov. 4, the Gilroy Unified Board of Education has asked that
voters support Measure P, a $150 million general obligation bond.
As a student of Gilroy High School, and a member of the Associated
Student Body Government, I would like to ask the people of Gilroy
to support the students attending Gilroy Unified School District by
providing them a safer, stronger, and cleaner environment for
learning. You can do this by voting
”
yes
”
on Measure P.
Student representative makes the case for passage of school bond

Dear Editor,

On Nov. 4, the Gilroy Unified Board of Education has asked that voters support Measure P, a $150 million general obligation bond. As a student of Gilroy High School, and a member of the Associated Student Body Government, I would like to ask the people of Gilroy to support the students attending Gilroy Unified School District by providing them a safer, stronger, and cleaner environment for learning. You can do this by voting “yes” on Measure P.

Overcrowding at GHS has led to a weakened learning environment; the connections between students and teachers are no longer as strong, hindering the ability of teachers, many with upwards of 180 total students, from providing individual help to students. As a junior getting ready to apply to college I am beginning to know the stresses of the application process. I watch as many students become overwhelmed and academic counselors struggle to fit in time to meet with all their students. Measure P would help finance the completion of Christopher High School, which would greatly alleviate the problems of overcrowding at GHS and strengthen the learning environment.

Modernizing and updating aging buildings and equipment at school sites can have a positive effect on students and their performance in the classroom. A clean, modern look can build student pride in their school and encourage them to attend class with a positive outlook. For example, the new student center at GHS has become a focal point of the school for social, athletic and academic events including dances, award banquets, and the honor roll brunch, as well as daily lunch.

Ascension Solorsano Middle School is also an example of student pride in a safe and clean learning environment. Having been a member of the first class to graduate from Solorsano I know first-hand the positive affect modern and well-maintained classrooms can have on us, the students. It can also be seen in the great ASMS state testing results, in which they scored higher than both South Valley and Brownell. If Measure P passes it would help fund the modernizing of buildings and equipment at the elementary, middle and high school level, in turn helping to provide a safer and cleaner learning environment for every student in the district.

Those opposed to the bond may say, “Now is not the time for yet another bond” and believe that the district has been frivolous in its handling of money. But GUSD has suffered equally from the drastic and unforeseeable turn in the economy, which has caused land prices to drop and construction prices to rise, complicating the possibility of selling land owned by the district to fund necessary projects and forcing the district go forth with Christopher High at a price tag much higher then previously anticipated.

These new realities make Measure P a necessary and proper bond in order to retain and improve public education in Gilroy. Despite opposition that says, “We and our future generations cannot afford it”, the more costly expense would be to not approve the bond and have future generations grow up in the ruins of the public education system.

Now more then ever we need well-educated students to help lead America through an uncertain future ahead. What future generations cannot afford is to be thrust into an ultra-competitive global market without the best possible education from the best possible educational facilities.

As a student who sees firsthand everyday the negative impact of overcrowding and buildings in need of repair, I ask you to support Measure P. As a student who knows the benefits of having schools to be proud of, I ask you to support Measure P. As a student I ask you to provide for the education of and to empower the youth of our community, my friends, teammates, and classmates, by providing them with the best possible educational facilities Gilroy has to offer. Vote “yes” on Measure P and make an investment in the students and the future of our great town of Gilroy.

Mark A. Foley, Gilroy,

Student representative to the school board

Gilroy Chamber: Pass $840 million bond to rebuild Valley Med Center

Dear Editor,

The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce studied the details of Measure A very carefully and our Board of Directors voted unanimously to support the seismic rebuild of Valley Medical Center Hospital. As local business and property owners, we believe strongly that supporting Measure A is good for the health of our families, our neighbors, our employees, and our businesses.

Valley Medical Center in San Jose is the closest Level 1 trauma center and burn center to Gilroy. Valley Medical Center also provides the highly specialized neo-natal trauma, brain trauma, and spinal cord rehabilitation services. In 2007 it is estimated that over 7,000 Gilroy residents visited Valley Medical Center for treatment – nearly 20 percent of our population. Without our YES votes for Measure A, Valley Medical Center will be forced to close its trauma and burn units and eliminate 272 hospital beds. That will leave Gilroy residents that much farther away from these trauma services.

Now is the right time to invest in Measure A and Valley Medical Center. Measure A requires strict accountability provisions, including required independent audits, oversight by a citizens’ committee, and full and complete public disclosure of all spending from the measure. By law, no money can be spent on administrators’ salaries.

Measure A is vital for all of us and it makes good business sense. Without the necessary healthcare infrastructure in Santa Clara County, we lose our competitive edge. We encourage everyone to learn more about Measure A by visiting www.VMCmatters.com.

Susan Valenta, president/chief executive officer,

Gilroy Chamber of Commerce

Valley Medical Center bond critical to health care in the area

Dear Editor,

I want to express my disappointment in The Dispatch’s opposition to Measure A, which would provide the funding necessary for Valley Medical Center to bring its buildings into compliance with mandatory seismic safety standards. 

In the current economy, it is absolutely understandable that voters are hesitant to vote for any new costs, no matter how nominal. However, if Measure A fails, the costs could easily be catastrophic. Most South County residents likely receive their health care close to home. 

Valley Medical Center is not the hospital South County residents typically plan to go to, but many find themselves there in life-and-death situations. As the closest Level One trauma center, burn trauma center, and pediatric trauma center, Valley Medical Center is an essential resource for South County, with our local hospital and medical providers relying on it to provide the trauma care for which they are not equipped.  South County victims of serious accidents, fires, spinal cord injuries, and neo-natal emergencies are often taken to Valley Medical Center to get the care they need and deserve. Without Measure A, Valley Medical Center will be forced to close its trauma and burn units and eliminate 272 beds, leaving South County residents further from essential medical care in situations where additional time and distance can have tragic consequences. 

With people struggling day-to-day in this economy, I understand that it is difficult to think about paying for something that may or may not happen to them or someone they know.  However, we can’t afford not to. As a local nonprofit service provider, I see firsthand the devastating impact that unforeseen circumstances can have on the lives of individuals and families.  

Valley Medical Center is valuable and necessary resource for South County. I am proud to join Morgan Hill and Gilroy City Councils, every hospital in Santa Clara County, Supervisor Don Gage, more than 80 nonprofit providers, and many others in supporting Measure A.

Erin O’Brien, president and chief executive officer,

Community Solutions