CHEERS for the opening of the Gilroy Compassion Center which is now operating during daylight at 8425 Monterey Road. It’s the first step in what organizers hope becomes a full-service shelter in the storm for the homeless. For now, it’s a place to pick out a donated coat, get a cup of coffee, make a phone call or take a break on the couch while the children play with donated toys. The hours are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers and donations are needed. Visit gccsoco.org to find out how you can help.
JEERS for the $770,000 price tag the city of Gilroy approved for improvements to the youth center at San Ysidro Park. For starters, shutting down the old youth center at Sixth and Railroad was a questionable action. Secondly, the improvements, which include a 290-square foot building addition, a resurfacing of a basketball court and re-doing restrooms for accessibility, seems extremely high. That the City Council failed to question and challenge the figures before approving is just sour icing on a spoiled taxpayer cake.
CHEERS for Gilroy High School students who rose to the occasion again by donating more than 200 toys to the needy via CalFire’s annual program. That the special education students pitched in to help publicize the need added a special touch of Christmas spirit.
CHEERS for all the Gilroyans who add lights of joy to the season with elaborate yard displays. The amount of time, effort and expense is amazing, but well worth the smiles from the little ones on a Christmas tour of Gilroy homes. Take the kids and check out the Trujillo family home at 621 La Sierra Way, Gilroy. It’s a marvel. And don’t forget, there’s a map online at at our website under “news” then “community” of the homes submitted by readers. Enjoy!
JEERS for the delay in the plea hearing for the alleged killers of 14-year-old Tara Romero in a drive-by shooting. Esmeling Bahena, 18, of Morgan Hill; Ricardo Diaz, 19, of Morgan Hill; Fernando Mateo Lopez, 20, of Gilroy; Primitivo Hernandez, 23, of San Jose; and Ramon Gutierrez, 17, of Morgan Hill are charged with murder and attempted murder with gang enhancements following the heinous crime on Nov. 4. The hearing has now been delayed to Jan. 26. Hopefully, the wheels of justice will start turning quickly. The shooting murder of an innocent young girl who was leaving a residence after a birthday party deserves the full attention of our justice system.
Â
