Readers express concern about crime and tangle with an opinion
about building permit exemptions
Has anyone else noticed that ‘We Ain’t in Mayberry Anymore?’
Dear Editor,
Has anyone else noticed the epidemic of violent crimes in Gilroy? Attempted kidnappings/rapes/murders, stalkers, stabbers, gropers … Suspects on the levee, suspects at Rucker School, suspects in white pickups, white vans, dark blue VWs. This morning (Friday) was a prime example: police officer almost shot in the head by a felon, but the gun misfires, and a man in critical condition from a hit-and run driver who dragged him along Church Street.
At the risk of sounding like my parents or grandparents, I look back fondly at the good ol’ days. I remember Garlic City when agriculture was the main economy, not outlet stores; when there was no northwest quadrant or southwest quadrant, for that matter; when you could count the number of signal lights on one hand; when U.S. 101 didn’t go through to San Jose and you had to take Monterey Highway; when we could go to the drive-in on First Street; when the Prune Bowl was the biggest thing happening.
Will The Dispatch do an investigation as to the number of violent crimes of late? Has the Gilroy Police Department looked into these rash of violent crimes? Has there ever been a short time period where we’ve had so much violent crime in the history of our fair city? I’m sure I’m not the only one who would be curious. And is there anything that can be done or our hands tied? It kind of makes the tattoo controversy at Gilroy High kind of meaningless, doesn’t it?
Call Sheriff Taylor and Deputy Fife. Sadly, we ain’t in Mayberry anymore!
Keith Muraoka, Gilroy
Churches ‘rebuild people’ and should receive special treatment
Dear Editor,
Your recent plea to the community to contact the City Council to request that no exemption for housing permits be granted to South Valley Community Church is misleading and shortsighted. Your article is of the opinion that our City Council is granting a flood of housing permit exemptions and concludes, “No exceptions for South Valley Community Church.”
It seems to me that the Dispatch is the party requesting the exception because granting the church’s request to build three additional homes would be consistent with the present policy of the city council.
The people of Gilroy need to consider that churches are in the business of rebuilding people. They are not developers.
South Valley Community Church will use the proceeds from the sale of the three homes to build a church, a school, and a sports field. These facilities will be used to provide programs for youth, alleviate the suffering of the poor and rehabilitate people with substance abuse problems. Developers offer no such return.
The people of Gilroy would be wise to treat the church differently in determining whether to grant this request and should commend the city council for their vision. With all due respect I would urge the editors to reconsider their opinion.
Mark Vatuone, Gilroy,
member of South Valley Community Church
