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 Unified School District for not providing detailed street-level maps to the public regarding possible proposed school boundary changes. Of course boundary changes are going to be controversial, especially when the changes involve moving some residents out of the high-performing boundary encompassing Luigi Aprea School. But being obscure only exacerbates the issue. It’s a tough issue; tackle it and put the cards on the table for all to see.
JEERS: For the Gilroy City Council, which has disregarded its own growth-rate policy. The number of housing units is on pace to exceed the growth plan by a whopping 30 percent. That’s not what the residents expect, and it’s not how the City Council should be managing growth in Gilroy.
CHEERS: For the opening of Famous Dave’s BBQ. The early verdict is in – it’s great barbecue and the fun decor and atmosphere is perfect for Gilroy.
JEERS: For the out-of-control behavior exhibited at the youth concerts being held at South Valley Community Church. The church needs to take responsibility for the neighborhood during these events. Perhaps the Gilroy Police Explorers can assist. But residents should not have to put up with young people loitering, littering or worse.
JEERS: For Olin Corp., the polluter of South County groundwater, which arbitrarily established its own cleanup goal of 11 parts per billion for our water supply when the state health goal is 6 ppb. Clearly, it’s a high-stakes game for Olin Corp., but it’s our water and it’s time to call Olin’s bluff.
CHEERS: For the Gilroy High School wrestling team that, for the first time in more than 10 years, won its own tournament, the prestigious Mid-Cal Classic. Five first-place finishes, two seconds and four other top-five finishes translated into a runaway victory. The Mustangs are poised to steamroll their way to a Central Coast Section title, and who knows what might happen at the state wrestling meet. This might become the best GHS wrestling team ever, and that’s saying a lot.
THREE JEERS for Councilman Dion Bracco and the Gilroy firefighters union. The union paid $3,942 for a Bracco campaign mailer and also financed a joint Craig Gartman-Bracco mailer with $1,415. It’s no wonder the opposition to binding arbitration has evaporated – bought and paid for with good union cash.
