The Garlic Idol singing contest is a fun-laden idea that will
draw further media attention to this year’s event and likely boost
attendance
The following organizations and individuals deserve either CHEERS or JEERS this week:
CHEERS: For Peter Ciccarelli, the marketing man behind the idea to hold a Garlic Festival Idol singing competition patterned after the wildly successful TV show American Idol. It’s a fun idea that adds just the right twist to this year’s fest. Pre-qualifiers from a couple of Bay Area radio stations will join qualifiers from a competition on Friday at the festival for a trip to singing fame and a thousand gallons of gasoline. Festival organizers should make sure there are plenty of audience seats – this is sure to be a huge hit.
CHEERS: For the Gilroy Planning Commission that voted unanimously to support the Gilroy Unified School District’s request to be exempt from the city’s building permit competition. The district wants to sell the land that Las Animas Elementary School currently occupies with building permits to gain maximum value. The city should back the request and make it happen immediately if not sooner.
JEERS: For the $63,000 the City of Gilroy spent on a truck and a horse trailer for the Gilroy Police Department’s mounted unit. Who is minding this store? How many years have we heard there’s not enough money for sidewalk repairs? City Council better get back in the saddle and take control of a budget that apparently is sprinkled with pork at the expense of priorities.
CHEERS: For all those who, like Heaven Steed, adopt a pet from the local animal shelter. Steed found her companion, a four-month-old German shepherd named Pele recently. It’s more than a kind-spirited act, it’s life saving for the animal. So, if you’re thinking about a new pet take a trip to the San Martin Animal Shelter located at 12370 Murphy Avenue in San Martin. The phone is 683-4186.
JEERS: For the absurdity that is the state of California’s budget process. How ridiculous is it to build a $2.5-million visitor’s center on the Dowdy Ranch portion of Henry Coe State Park then not have money set aside for staffing. Representative John Laird ought to have something to say about a situation that is laughable, but that makes the taxpayers cry.
CHEERS: For the teachers and Gilroy Unified School District board members who spoke out against the proposed GUSD Comprehensive Math Plan and held the administrators responsible for a poorly crafted document accountable. Bravo! More, more!
CHEERS: For former Gilroy Unified School District Superintendent Ken Noonan who was elected as the president of the state Board of Education Wednesday.
