With the presidential election and the economy almost completely
dominating the news, it’s very easy to forget that there are young
Americans fighting a war far away from home. Let’s not get too
wrapped up in our own troubles. It’s November and getting those
packages and letters in the mail are important. It’s as simple as
writing a letter of thanks which you can do at First Street Coffee.
The notes are always right there on the counter. Or you can go
online and send a box of goodies through the wonderful
civilian-to-serviceman organization, Operation Independence. Visit
www.operationindependence.com.
With the presidential election and the economy almost completely dominating the news, it’s very easy to forget that there are young Americans fighting a war far away from home. Let’s not get too wrapped up in our own troubles. It’s November and getting those packages and letters in the mail are important. It’s as simple as writing a letter of thanks which you can do at First Street Coffee. The notes are always right there on the counter. Or you can go online and send a box of goodies through the wonderful civilian-to-serviceman organization, Operation Independence. Visit www.operationindependence.com.
When I first moved to town, a quarter century or so ago, my neighbors, along with Jim and Betty Laizure on Carmel Street, included Gonzalo “Steve” Valencia who passed away this week. The neighborhood taught me about Gilroy – how so many people are intertwined in different ways and how salt-of-the-earth people made up the town’s fabric. “Steve,” though he didn’t know it, taught me to be sure and enjoy life by taking a joyful riding with his beloved Beverly in their way-cool convertible almost every weekend … she in her scarf and he with a big grin enjoying the simple pleasures of life together. It’s a very nice Gilroy memory …
Another nice Gilroy memory was from the days when the folks on the parks commission volunteered to oversee or were assigned a specific park. They walked the park regularly and formally reported on maintenance issues, other problems like homeless camps and generally monitored use. By all accounts it worked – at least from the perspective of giving the city administration a heads up. That would be a good system to revive with copies of the reports going directly to City Council members and City Administrator Tom Haglund.
Our relatively new city administrator has tough choices to make in this terrible economy with regards to city layoffs. Hopefully, today’s report to the City Council will combine an honest assessmsent, a clear direction and a fresh perspective …
These qualities are rarely evident at the Taj Mahal offices of the Santa Clara Valley Water District. Can you believe that in this scary and sad economic environment, water district directors voted to give themselves a 10 percent pay increase? These will bring their annual stipends to more than $31,000 each, not including benefits. The average benefit tab for a board member: $1,292. Fortunately, both Morgan Hill’s Rosemary Kamei, the chairwoman, and Gilroy’s Sig Sanchez, voted against the pay raise proposal. Honestly, when residents – urged by all the powers that be like city government and the chamber – narrowly voted to disband the Gavilan Water District back in the late 1980s and merge with SCVWD, it may have been the worst Gilroy political decision in the last half century.
And I agree with former City Administrator Jay Baksa who believes that locally elected public officials should not receive benefits. Sometimes it really skews the reason people run for political office. It shouldn’t be about the government benefits, it should be about the service. Perhaps we need a City Charter amendment to affirm just that …
Speaking of city government, Mayor Al Pinheiro seems to be doing his level best behind the scenes to keep the Sunshine Ordinance off the books. It’s been a year since Council – at the behest of the new members – proposed the ordinance. Four full study sessions have been held, and our mayor, contrary to his public support for both the measure and his pledge not to try and control the Council agenda by keeping things off it, tried to force yet another study session before a vote. Talk about the slow wheels of grinding government. Of course, it’s easy to talk about transparency …
Need a break from all the politics that’s local and not too costly? Plan to visit the lovely-in-fall Hecker Pass area and spend an afternoon at the Wine and Cheese Fall Classic at Solis Winery on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 8-9, from noon to 4:30 p.m. It’s $10 plus $5 for a cheese plate – Rich promises the pairings will be awesome. Solis is at 3920 Hecker Pass, 847-6306 …
Hopefully, it won’t still be raining by then even though the forecast is for precipitation that’s supposed to swallow up the first week in November. While feeling the first drops on a walk Thursday afternoon, I thought that Gilroy High’s football team might be in for a tough contest against Palma Friday night in Salinas. The Chieftains have the kind of grind-it-out style that can make the going slow in a mudbath game. So, it might be a gut check game for GHS, but I think the Mustangs will win it and be all the better for it entering the playoffs.
It’s tough to believe Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner. With people losing their jobs and homes, if you have both or either, it’s a good time to reflect, be thankful and remember to be generous with those less fortunate. St. Joseph’s Family Center is a wonderful place waiting to accept your holiday help.
