Readers comment on the fire department’s lack of a mayoral
endorsement and take issue with the sidewalk ordinance
characterization in an opinion column
Fire Department Wades Into Politics But Can’t Stand the Heat of a Political Debate
Dear Editor,
In Tuesday’s Dispatch, I am called on the carpet by Bruce Compton for criticizing the fire department union for failing to endorse either mayoral candidate. I assume this is the same Bruce Compton who attacked me on the sidewalk issue defending Mayor Al Pinheiro’s position of making residents liable for injuries caused by sidewalks in front of their houses.
Interestingly, Mayor Pinheiro used almost the exact talking points in his mayoral debate. Probably just a coincidence.
Yes, I believe Gartman earned the endorsement. Yes, I go to Starbuck’s but I don’t drink coffee, but ice tea. I, too, believe those in the fire service are brave and in many cases heroic having personally benefited from their bravery when my office burned down several years ago – or when my oldest daughter was hit by a car or when my youngest daughter fell 20 feet from a rope swing and fire personnel had to carry their equipment in half a mile because a bridge near the property could not handle the weight of the fire truck.
My loyalty to police and fire in fact, has made me somewhat of a hypocrite as I have great disdain for labor unions, yet I have rarely criticized them publicly. Is my rhetoric over the top occasionally? Sure. I wondered when I wrote my last letter if my neighbor across the street would still wave to me since he is vice-president of the fire union?
On the facts, I do not retract one inch. If I gave the impression that I don’t have the highest respect for the fire service and their mission, I am sorry, but when fire unions enter into the political arena, they are open to the very criticisms that Mr. Compton is engaging with me. The fact that firefighting is a noble profession does not inoculate them from criticism.
The facts are there. Mayor Pinheiro has not been a friend of public safety. Craig Gartman has been there for police and fire for six years. Mr. Compton, next time you see me at Starbuck’s, stop by and introduce yourself and I would be glad to buy you a vente decaf whipped mocha quad latte and we can snuggle up and talk about anything but politics.
Mark A. Zappa, Gilroy
City’s Two Top Administrators: Council Never Passed Sidewalk Liability Law
Dear Editor,
The Gilroy Dispatch continues to incorrectly report information related to the city of Gilroy’s sidewalk ordinance.
In Saturday’s Dispatch, Cynthia Walker’s column “The Root of the Sidewalk Problem,” contains inaccurate and false statements regarding the council’s adoption of the ordinance.
Contrary to the statement made that, “On Aug. 6, council passed an ordinance transferring liability for sidewalk related injuries to property owners,” City Council has not adopted an ordinance.
What occurred Aug. 6 was an introduction of the ordinance, per the normal process. On Sept. 17, City Council directed the city attorney to amend the draft ordinance as presented and remove the liability portions of the ordinance bringing it back to the Council for further consideration.
Jay Baksa and Anna Jatczak,
City Administrator and Assistant
