On Saturday, Oct. 11, in Merced, the Gilroy High School Marching
Band competed for the first time this season. They took first place
in their division and brought home three caption awards for best
music, best visual performance and best overall general effect.
GHS Marching Mustangs bring home awards
Editor,
On Saturday, Oct. 11, in Merced, the Gilroy High School Marching Band competed for the first time this season. They took first place in their division and brought home three caption awards for best music, best visual performance and best overall general effect.
The band this year is smaller than in the past, but as this first performance proves, “they may be small, but they are mighty,” as their new band director (Mr. Grant) says.
Good luck Marching Mustangs.
Tami Brown, Gilroy
City, community groups work to eliminate homelessness
Editor
Gilroy has the largest number of homeless people per capita in the county. Local homeless advocates have long tried to figure out how to effectively address the problem of homeless folks living on Gilroy streets. We’ve long realized the key to moving them to access the supportive services they need is getting to know each one and what each needs to find their way back to the mainstream of our community. However, there was always one obstacle or another that prevented implementing a sustained effort.
That’s now changed, thanks to the leadership of the Gilroy Police Department. They’ve led a collaboration of community groups to create a comprehensive approach to addressing the problem of homelessness. Representatives from the police department, the faith community, nonprofits and public agencies are meeting regularly to specifically design and implement a program of consistent and regular outreach to folks living on the streets.
I’m greatly encouraged by this proactive approach that will make the future services of the year-round transitional center, when it’s built, even more effective, as the street outreach teams will have laid the groundwork necessary to encourage and assist those who typically avoid helpful services to actually come in and access them.
The leadership of the Gilroy Police Department in pulling this together has been the key. Chief Denise Turner, Sgt. Robert Locke-Paddon, officer Stuart Jaquez and CSO Rachel Munoz have been invaluable in their attention and follow through. The GPD has long lived with the frustration of the ineffectiveness of “encampment sweeps.” Instead, they pursue a more humane – and efficient and effective – approach of working with local groups to coordinate and collaborate on street outreach.
Also important is the addition of a Mental Health Department liaison to local law enforcement agencies. Providing staff and support services are the stalwarts St. Joseph’s Family Center, Community Solutions, the City of Gilroy Housing and Community Development Department, and other South County Collaborative member human service agencies that serve homeless folks.
South Valley Community Church, with its desire to embody the values of the gospels and reach out in a meaningful way to the most vulnerable among us, provides a critical facet to the effort, facilitating community participation.
Remarkably, all of this is being done with no extra money. In the near future, you will hear more about how you can help this new project. For now, it’s important to know that this effort to address homelessness exists in our community and is in place before the armory opens and will remain after it closes.
For more information, call Marty Estrada at St. Joseph’s Family Center, 842-6662 x30.
Dina Campeau, South County Collaborative
Settlement was all about city taking responsibility
Editor,
I wish to comment on the Sept. 30 article concerning pressure to repair the sidewalks regarding the recent settlement to me.
I have lived in Gilroy for 32 years and the sidewalks, for a long time, have been an “Oh my gosh!” mess. While walking the neighborhood for exercise, I have always been concerned about their condition. Nevertheless, I fell, severely fracturing my left wrist, requiring surgery and therapy. Explaining to one of the medical personnel about the condition of our sidewalks, her reply was “maybe you should file a claim so the city will be encouraged to fix them, and no one else will be injured.” That is exactly what this lawsuit is about, the city taking responsibility.
I personally know several others who have fallen and, Mr. Bracco, you claim to worry about taxpayer’s money (settlement), yet the city council used taxpayer’s money to plant extremely root-invasive trees (did not do their homework!) and now you want the taxpayer to pay again for all the damage. Your reckless comment that “people will sue for anything” is a cop-out. How dare you make me the villain and the city the victim. I’m amazed the council acts so surprised that they can be held responsible for permanent injury, and that this has added a big headache to them.
I am 64 years old, and not a day goes by that I’m not reminded of my limitations. I have never been able to lift and hold my grandchild born two months after my fall. Follow me to Costco and see who loads my car of items I should still be able to lift … not me! Please realize that this settlement will not allow me an exotic vacation. There are many charges involved, including reimbursement for surgery, therapy, etc. I would rather have my old wrist back. I’m not surprised the Jackson’s insurance did not go up. Their insurance did not take much responsibility. This was less about them. They did not plant the trees. I want to thank you for the publicity of this claim. I do believe the timing was perfect, as the article Oct. 3 states “City cements vote to pay for sidewalks.” I sleep peacefully at night thinking that I might have lit the council’s fire and, therefore, saved many more injuries.
Diane S. Nuno, Gilroy
