The following individuals and organizations deserve either
CHEERS or JEERS this week:
The following individuals and organizations deserve either CHEERS or JEERS this week:
JEERS: For the Gilroy City Council’s seemingly undying support for a $26 million-plus new city police station. The clock tower and the private gym have been tossed by the wayside, but the price tag is still too high for the city’s most expensive ever facility that will be “enjoyed” by only a small segment of the population. The police need more space, but this plan isn’t the right one. If the Council remains hell-bent on building this station, then it should restore and enlarge the gymnasium and build a facility for Police Athletic League programs. That would provide interaction between the police department, citizens and the youth of our community and make the facility a perfect example of “community policing.”
CHEERS: To Gavilan Community College and the Gilroy Unified School District for their creative adult education partnership. The partnership should increase the number of community members who are aware of and take part in the adult education program, which offers classes ranging from math to tax preparation. Another benefit is that the partnership should help adult learners who earn a diploma to be more comfortable with the idea of continuing their educations at Gavilan. Especially in these times of tight budgets, we’re glad to see partnerships that maximize educational resources and increase community benefits.
CHEERS: To Calpine Energy for continuing to keep its commitment to donate $50,000 to Gilroy nonprofit organizations through 2006. Given the economy, it would be easy for the giant energy company to forgo its promise – but it continues to give. This year’s recipients, including the historical society, public schools and health clinics, will use their awards to better the quality of life for all Gilroy residents.
CHEERS: For the news that the vacant building in downtown Gilroy that once housed the now-defunct Station 55 restaurant will become home to an eatery serving wood-fired pizza. While we were saddened by Station 55’s demise, wood-fired pizza is sorely lacking in South Valley, which should help ensure the success of Steve Geary and Lyn Kerby’s Happy Dog Pizza Co. Here’s hoping Super Bowl Sunday, the restaurant’s planned opening date, is the beginning of a super success for downtown Gilroy.
