The following organizations and individuals deserve either
CHEERS or JEERS this week:
The following organizations and individuals deserve either CHEERS or JEERS this week:
JEERS: For the Gilroy City Council which, without even a cursory explanation to the public, ducked removing binding arbitration for public safety employees from the city charter via a ballot initiative. Mayor Al Pinheiro issued a statement after the unanimous special session vote Thursday night. It appears the city attorneys told Councilmen they might lose a legal challenge threatened by the firefighters union because they have not met nor conferred about removing binding arbitration. It’s a circus now, and it won’t be resolved until after the election. How convenient. Skyrocketing benefits for public safety employees is the most compelling long-term financial issue for our city’s health (second is probably paying for questionable advice from attorneys), but the current council has been lackadaisical in confronting this tough issue. Gilroy voters have a right to decide this. Let’s get it on the ballot.
CHEERS: For the Bakersfield motorist who rescued a paraplegic man who had been trapped in his wrecked car for three days. Gregory Nelson, 54, of Cameron Park careened over an embankment near Highway 152 and Lovers Lane on Tuesday two weeks ago. He was unable to extricate himself from the wreckage or signal for help because his horn and lights were broken. Nelson stayed stuck in the car until the next Friday when an unknown driver mired in stop-and-go traffic spotted the car in the ravine, investigated and flagged down a passing ambulance for help. Nelson
suffered from severe dehydration, but it could have
been much worse without the aid of the unknown Good Samaritan.
CHEERS: For the Gilroy girls All-Star Little League team which is representing the western United States in the Little League World Series in Portland, Ore. this week. It’s a fantastic accomplishment and will be a real boost for the program. Get that City Council proclamation ready!
JEERS: For San Benito County supervisors who are complaining about the design of the new – and long-awaited – flyover at the Don Pacheco Y at the intersection of highways 152 and 156. They worry it will funnel more traffic into San Benito County. That’s such a provincial and poorly supported whine that’s it’s unbelievable to hear at this point in the process. Hopefully, this “objection” won’t get in the way of the process.
CHEERS: For Cherie Somavia who will become the new School Resource Officer for the police department. She seems perfectly suited for the position, having 13 years of experience as a youth sports coach in the area and being a Gilroy High graduate. Her important position is key not only in reacting to trouble but in preventing it.
