The following organizations and individuals deserve either
CHEERS or JEERS this week:
JEERS: For the news that the Bonfante Gardens Theme Park Corp. is planning to sell off 30 acres around its entrance. The land straddles Highway 152 and as zoned could play host to such lovely accouterments as a tire shop. The Gilroy City Council gave special zoning consideration to the land to “support” the park when the city decided to grant a leapfrog annexation. The City Council should have rescinded that ridiculous zoning when it approved Bonfante’s bailout land sale to Shappel Industries for more Eagle Ridge homes. Now, the City Council should go back and do the right thing and re-zone the land to preserve the character of the Hecker Pass corridor. The Council has to quit doing what’s best for Bonfante Gardens and start doing what’s best for Gilroy. Again, we call on the mayor of Gilroy, Al Pinheiro, to resign from the Bonfante Gardens Board of Directors. It’s an ongoing and embarrassing conflict of interest. Perhaps Councilman-elect Peter Arellano, who has espoused more sensitivity to land use and the character of Gilroy, can take a leadership role come Dec. 19 on this issue.
CHEERS: For the downtown Gilroy Christmas celebration this weekend. A revitalized parade with about 25 holiday floats will be leading the charge through downtown Saturday beginning at 5pm. Show up early, browse the downtown shops and have a cup of coffee before joining in the festivities. The children can even visit with Santa!
JEERS: For holiday-season thieves. Take precautions, such as leaving lights on inside and out. Radios can also send the signal that someone is home. Being a good neighbor is also crucial. When something seems out of place, be nosy. Catching a thief can break a cycle and save a lot of people from falling prey to a nasty soul.
CHEERS: For Santa Clara County Supervisor Don Gage and Morgan Hill Mayor Dennis Kennedy, who have joined forces to fight the latest BART-to-San Jose boondoggle. BART is a bloodsucking project that will drain the sales tax coffers of the Valley Transportation Authority for decades and decades. Fight it until every vote is cast, and let the voters know this won’t fix their commute, it won’t repair their roads and it won’t bring reasonable Caltrain service to South County.
CHEERS: For the news that federal investigators are looking into local tribal Indian claims that may be based on forged documents. There are two rival factions of the local Amah Mutsun Indians and many a bitter complaint between them. Before the feds grant sovereign status, the claims should be thoroughly and forcefully investigated and cleared up.
