The following organizations and individuals deserve either
CHEERS or JEERS this week:
CHEERS: For the parents who came to the Gilroy School Board
meeting Thursday night to speak out regarding the Day of Silence
protest help at GHS.
The following organizations and individuals deserve either CHEERS or JEERS this week:
CHEERS: For the parents who came to the Gilroy School Board meeting Thursday night to speak out regarding the Day of Silence protest help at GHS. The protest, in support of the national Gay-Straight Alliance effort to point out anti-gay oppression, encourages teachers and students to maintain silence during the day. We disagree with the teachers who choose to participate. Parental pressure often puts things in perspective, and it’s clear the parents in our community do not support teachers choosing to be silent in the classroom for personal protest reasons. It’s not comforting to hear that the Board is awaiting a legal opinion before taking up the issue of whether to make certain that our local policy forbids such action. Truth is, four different legal opinions could be handed to the Board. The administration’s fear, of course, is that Gilroy becomes the focus of a national “nightmare” issue and winds up as a court test case with MSNBC cameras in the board room. That doesn’t change the basic issue for our community: Will teachers be allowed to protest in the classroom in whatever manner they deem appropriate, or do the district and this community have the right to insist that basic teaching methods are utilized?
JEERS: For the residents who insist on driving around town and sharing their music with all those within a three-block radius. It’s particularly lovely when a “boom car” pulls up alongside you on an 85-degree day when your
10-year-old is in the car and out blare the words from a rapper with a filthy mouth. Gilroy Police Sgt. Kurt Svardal offers encouragement for the victims of “boom car” attacks, saying that a $94 ticket can result if music is audible from 50 feet. How about GPD manning a noise-monitoring patrol downtown and writing a few of those tickets? Business owners and residents alike would really appreciate it. So would Little League parents who have to listen to that at various city parks.
CHEERS: For Mt. Madonna School, named one of the state’s top 11 continuation high schools. There are 521 continuation high schools, and Mt. Madonna is one place where the feeling of family is prevalent. Factors in earning the award include attendance, test scores and school culture. At Mt. Madonna, led by Principal John Perales, the culture is what leads to success in the other two areas. For students who are often facing difficult circumstances and struggling to find their way, Mt. Madonna has become a haven, a place not only to learn but a place to feel connected with the world. Leadership, staff dedication and student participation make Mt. Madonna a special school worthy of our attention and our accolades. Great job.
CHEERS: For Mayor Al Pinheiro who has shed 33 pounds after a scary incident at a City Council retreat which resulted in a rush to the hospital. The mayor has a number of restaurants catering to his new dietary lunch regimen to help his efforts. Perhaps those establishments could add an item to the menu called “Mayor Al’s Special” and a new Gilroy trend would begin. A couple of roasted garlic cloves on the side, and we’ll become a much healthier city.
JEERS: For Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is turning out to be a “white knight” of the same shade as Gray Davis. Schwarzenegger’s waffling course, poorly crafted initiatives and big money campaign contributions are simply more of the same. Hopefully, voters will next seek a leader with star power not dependent on bright lights and big money.
