California School Employees Association Gilroy Chapter 69 has
endorsed Measure P because we believe its success is vital to the
future of our community.
School bond heartily endorsed by school employee’s association
Dear Editor,
California School Employees Association Gilroy Chapter 69 has endorsed Measure P because we believe its success is vital to the future of our community.
We are the men and women who, every day, keep classrooms clean, handle the operations of school buildings, keep playgrounds safe, prepare the food and get our children to and from school. We know the importance of quality school facilities. Please join us by voting YES on Measure P.
Marc Gonzalez, president, CSEA Gilroy Chapter 69
Generous Don … but ‘Average Joe’ just can’t afford a school bond tax
Dear Editor,
Well certainly Don Christopher is committed to his namesake school and the community. I have absolutely no doubt that it not only comes from his deep pockets, but from his big heart as well.
He also has earned the tax deductions he receives for his generosity. Unfortunately most of us don’t possess the resources that the Christopher’s do, so a $60 per $100,000 of property value is just too costly for many families, who would otherwise be receiving a $70 per 100,000 tax decrease if you vote no on Measure P.
What is also overlooked is that commercial space rent will go up to cover the landlord’s increased taxes which result in higher prices to consumers. In addition, apartment renter’s are not immune from this cost. Every dime of increased taxes will be passed on to people who rent apartments and houses. Please vote no on Measure P and also Measure F.
Mark Zappa, Gilroy
Gilroy mayor urges residents to support countywide hospital bond
Dear Editor,
How disappointing that the editorial board does not agree the public’s investment and immediate support is necessary to save the healthcare system we depend on here in Santa Clara County. Measure A is a critical issue for Gilroy area residents who rely heavily on VMC’s nearby level one trauma center.
True, the economic times are not ideal – yet some issues are beyond the current economy and will far outlast the current situation. Actually, passing Measure A means creating a lot of jobs, and losing half VMC’s beds means losing hundreds of jobs – doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
Measure A is vital for all of us and it makes good business sense. Just like investing in schools, transportation, and infrastructure projects help attract and retain employers and jobs, we need to invest in our healthcare system for the very same reasons. I personally urge Gilroy residents to vote Yes on Measure A.
Al Pinheiro, mayor, City of Gilroy
There has to be grass coming at the new Gilroy dog park, right?
Dear Editor,
I see the dog park coming along at Las Animas Veterans Park. Where is the grass?
Dogs love to roll in it and grass and clean up is a lot easier. We don’t want our dogs to get use to “doing their business” on concrete because they would later go on the sidewalks.
Gilroy has enough problems with its sidewalks without adding to the mess.
Terry Lee Cobb, Gilroy
Irresponsible teens at Gilroy High playing ‘let’s get the teacher fired’
Dear Editor,
Acknowledging my own experience as a student I do not believe the accusations against Mrs. Dietzgen to be true. As immature students, when things do not go according to our plan, we tend to take out anger on a teacher when it may have been our fault in the first place.
As I have observed myself and my peers, when a student does not accomplish his/her own homework assignments (our duties as students) we tend to get angry with the teachers whom are required to give a failing grade when a student does not accomplish his or her tasks.
I believe students get angry with teachers for failing them; it is only human nature to release anger on someone who is not pleasing you up to your ways. I believe that these are upset students who are angry with their teacher, playing the typical “let’s get the teacher fired” game. I know this because I had been in a situation such as this one before. I was questioned and simply told to tell the truth. I told them what I knew.
While my peers were questioned I observed that they over-exaggerated and even planned to flip stories around. These students are probably just typical angry Gilroy High School teenagers who would probably over-exaggerate and flip stories. After all, we are teenagers who think we know it all, and want things to go our way. Teenagers are simply immature. I have discussed this with my brother who had this teacher for a summer class. We both believe that she did not do this. He agreed that it was simply just a case of upset, teenage students who are over-exaggerating and playing the “let’s get the teacher fired” game.
Raelene Mendolla, GHS student
Strong support for an excellent candidate for Gilroy’s school board
Dear Editor,
Fred Tovar has the leadership and experience to be elected to the Gilroy Unified School District Board of Trustees. Fred is a proven leader and more than qualified to work with our community, the current board and the superintendent.
He currently works at Stanford University as director of student affairs, assistant director of admissions. He also teaches a civic activism class at Stanford and works with area schools, and has conducted more than 150 admission and leadership conferences to help students fulfill their dream of attending Stanford and getting into the medical field. Fred Tovar excels at making others excel. He challenges leading institutions such as Stanford to enhance student access for all students. He works overtime to help prepare the unprepared, to provide detailed roadmaps to individual students to assure their success in higher education and in life. He is active in the community, volunteering for the Chamber of Commerce at the Garlic Festival and numerous community events including the Health Faire at MACSA-El Portal Charter School. He also serves on the Executive Committee for Measure P, the school bond, and is a graduate of the Leadership Gilroy Class of 2008.
Fred is a former board member for the Evergreen-San Jose City College, and former president of the California Community College trustees.
He has worked hard over the years working with parents, teachers, city leaders, and state legislators on funding and regulations that support the mission of the K-12 and college systems. He is an independent thinker but also knows how to work with others. He is endorsed by current board members Denise Apuzzo, Francisco Dominguez, Javier Aguirre and Pat Midtgaard. That confidence is a testament to his experience and leadership abilities. No other school board candidate has that support. Please join me in supporting Fred Tovar for school board.
Arthur C. Barron Sr., Gilroy
Don’t hand this mayor another year in office – No on Measure E
Dear Editor,
It is important that your readers realize that Measures E, F and P are shams. I hope they tell that to the person who calls at home (disturbing their dinner) to try and con them into supporting these lies. Your editorial claims that Measure E will increase voter participation. You fail to state that the only increase will be by people who don’t care enough to vote on odd-numbered years.
This was put on the ballot to keep Mayor Pinheiro an extra year – a very bad decision.
Measure P is a 40-year tax hike; many of us will be paying this extra tax for the rest of our lives. We are already paying another, additional school tax (they like to call them “bonds”). Measure F is for a shiny new library; just like the other public-works projects (the arts center, Christopher High School, and the police station come quickly to mind), halfway through construction, the cost will double and they’ll come crying for even more money. We are already paying extra property tax to run the library we now have. Remember when they tried to up this by 33 percent and it failed? Their excuse at that time was “the costs to run it.” If they get this big shiny building, we can be sure they are they going to hit us up for another tax for the costs to run it. Vote no on every measure with a letter!
Alan Viarengo, Gilroy
