Bonfante Into Central Park? Make It Free and Open for Access

Dear Editor, Yes, the former Bonfante Gardens is a jewel for the
community. But, perhaps the City of Gilroy should consider shifting
their perspective from
”
theme park
”
to just
”
park
”
.
Bonfante Into Central Park? Make It Free and Open for Access

Dear Editor,

Yes, the former Bonfante Gardens is a jewel for the community. But, perhaps the City of Gilroy should consider shifting their perspective from “theme park” to just “park”.

To truly emulate New York’s Central Park or San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, Gilroy Gardens should be incorporated into our public lands; linked to existing trails now snaking through the Uvas Creek area, open to all, void of entrance fees and rides and free for the roaming.

What a pleasure it would be to stroll or bike through the park on a whim, ice skate during the winter, or attend free concerts and plays during a summer series as one would expect in those cities. It’s a lot to ask, given the debts and financial obligations involved, as well as the apparent lack of altruism and philanthropy (so recently demonstrated during Gilroy Unified School District land negotiations), which is pervasive in our bottom line economy.

However, since the amusement park has proven unable to sustain itself financially, in the long run it may be more fiscally responsible to turn this fully landscaped oasis into a true public benefit and a lasting legacy. It’s worth considering.

L. Jensen, Gilroy

John Fry Being Blackmailed by Greedy Agencies

Dear Editor,

After reading an article titled “Search For Lost Habitat” in the Dispatch recently, I have some points to bring out.

I think the city of Morgan Hill and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife are trying to blackmail John Fry into paying $2 million for so called environmental damage. He is accused of destroying 26 acres of habitat for the California red-legged frog and 51 acres of the Bay checkered spot butterfly habitat, also many federally protected plants were potentially damaged.

First, let’s go back in history. Before Irv Perlitch bought Hill County it was a cattle ranch owned by the Bogle family. I worked on that ranch then, and I worked the ranch when Irv Perlitch owned it. Irv Perlitch terraced the upper part of the property and installed water and electric outlets for trailer hookups for people who bought Aristocrat trailers so they could stay at Hill Country.

I farmed the property in hay on the lower ground and gazed my cows on the upper half. Every year my cows ate the hills down to the bare ground for fire protection. The lower ground that wasn’t golf course was planted in hay every year.

In the years I spent at Hill County, I never saw a red-legged frog or a checkered butterfly. As for the many federally listed plants potentially damaged, I question that. The only thing growing on the hill were a few oaks, three sycamores, and two bay trees. The ranch is mostly black adobe soil not noted as habitat for butterflies. Wild oats, yellow mustard and bull thistles grew, along with a hoard of ground squirrels, which I don’t think are on any endangered list.

I have never met John Fry nor do I golf, so I have nothing to gain for this letter, but $2 million in so-called fees sounds like blackmail to me.

Robert N. Wood, Morgan Hill

Cheer Nationals Becoming a Gilroy Tradition

Dear Editor,

It was a delight to read Mr. Kinkel’s response to the article about our cheer squad making it to Nationals. These girls really did work very hard, long hours to achieve such a goal. I apologize for the quote that it was the only Gilroy team to make it to Nationals. I was referring only within the realm of the Pop Warner program.

It is wonderful to hear that the Gilroy High School has had a team make it to a national competition and a couple of their squads have attended the Pro Bowl, which is also a great achievement. Donations to the Gilroy Browns, P.O. Box 1331, Gilroy, 95021, are much appreciated.

Inga Alonzo, Gilroy

More Facts Before Writing the Story Please

Dear Editor,

I am wondering when the Gilroy Dispatch became both judge and jury. Accusing firefighter Tim Price of poisoning a dog before there is any real evidence is truly unfair.

Just because a neighbor complains to another neighbor doesn’t make that person an attempted dog killer. I believe you need to wait until you have concrete facts before you accuse people by name in the paper.

Molly Leach, Gilroy