Readers question the new sidewalk law and lash out at a story
about women practicing as Catholic priests
In One Fell Swoop, the City Absolves Itself of Sidewalk Responsibility
Dear Editor,
Last year, we repaired our sidewalk.
The city did pay for half of the repair, but only did so if we paid for the entire cost of removing the tree that they planted when the house was first built. They also insisted that we replace the tree with another so that 10 to 15 years from now, we or another house owner, will have the same problem.
NOW they want to absolve themselves from all responsibility for the decisions that THEY impose on the citizens that they are supposed to serve. It IS time to replace these elected officials and elect ones that WILL serve those that elected them and not those that seek favors at the expense of the taxpayers of this city.
What citizens should know is that the city has insurance for issues of this sort and of course, these insurance costs are already passed onto the taxpayers. Instead, the city wants to rid themselves of these costs and onto the individual taxpayer (what a heart!!).
Instead, I would suggest that the insurance companies do their job. Send inspectors throughout the city and document any dangerous issues that they would be liable for. Insist the city repair those immediately at the risk of losing insurability. I think you would see at least two things happen. The city would repair the streets sooner, and changes would be made to where trees would be planted to minimize sidewalk and street damage for the future. They might even remove trees from potentially hazardous area’s and replant them in a more sane area of the property.
Ronald L. Kirkish, Gilroy
Women Aren’t Allowed to be Priests – Alt 101 Article a Disgrace
Dear Editor,
I could hardly believe my eyes in the Friday edition when I saw the promotion for the Alternate 101 entertainment guide on the front page of the Gilroy Dispatch informing us of a so-called woman Catholic priest.
Women are not allowed to be priests, by Canon Law 1024. Here is what the Diocese of San Jose has to say: “Victoria Rue is not a validly ordained priest of the Roman Catholic Church. Members of the Roman Catholic Church should not participate in celebrations of the sacraments that are conducted by Victoria Rue, as those celebrations are not in union with the local or universal Church.”
By calling herself a priest in violation of church law, she has personally excommunicated herself and now risks public excommunication.
Not only does your paper present complete lies, but now is also a heretic. I would believe the National Enquirer before anything the Gilroy Dispatch has to say. What a disgrace to journalism.
Steven Sepka, Gilroy
