Calstar Offers an Invaluable Service to Area Residents

Dear Editor, In a letter published Tuesday, Peter Melendez
writes about the expense of an
”
unnecessary
”
Calstar helicopter ride. He states,
”
I find that there was no need to transport him to San Jose
Hospital when two hours later he was released.
”
Calstar Offers an Invaluable Service to Area Residents

Dear Editor,

In a letter published Tuesday, Peter Melendez writes about the expense of an “unnecessary” Calstar helicopter ride. He states, “I find that there was no need to transport him to San Jose Hospital when two hours later he was released.” I didn’t see an M.D. after the writers name so I assume he was not a doctor or a medical professional. Even if Mr. Melendez was a doctor, it would be very unlikely in a trauma situation to determine the extent of the boy’s injuries. My child was hit by a car before Calstar was in Gilroy. I would have been happy to pay $10,000 to $15,000 for the ride to the trauma center in order to assure proper trauma treatment not available anywhere near Gilroy and certainly not within the Golden Hour. Who is responsible for paying the bill will be decided most likely by lawyers and Insurance companies.

It is very important to be prepared if you or your family members ever need the services of Calstar. Most major insurance carriers will cover the cost of a Calstar flight. If you do not have insurance, I strongly encourage you to become a member of Calstar (California Shock Trauma Air Rescue). For $45 a year, if you or a family member is transported by Calstar and you are uninsured, the cost of your flight is absorbed by Calstar.

This is not an insurance policy, but an investment in the community by Calstar which is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. The cost of maintaining a 24-hour crew, including a pilot and two flight nurses, and maintenance on the $2.5 million Bell 222 helicopter is substantial. Multiply that for the other six bases that Calstar maintains and you see the reason for the cost.

Given the alternative, I’d put my money on the fine personnel at Calstar. To join and become a supporter, visit www.calstar.org.

Mark A. Zappa, Gilroy,

Calstar Advisory Board Member

50/50 Sidewalk Repair Program Worked Perfectly

Dear Editor,

I had good luck with the sidewalk 50/50 replacement program sponsored by the City Of Gilroy.

The coordination between Al and Marlyn at the City Hall and Jerry of JB Construction and Excavation together with his crew was seamless. The only problem was with the kids who kept writing their names on it over the three days it took to dry.

Patty Sweeny, Gilroy

Help After Teen Pregnancy Makes a Huge Difference

Dear Editor,

Thank you to reporter Emily Alpert for drawing attention to a topic of immense concern to our community: teen pregnancy.

As mentioned, teens are often unprepared for motherhood and the stress can lead to pregnancy-related health problems, child abuse and a derailing of their own goals, including graduating from high school.

What was not mentioned is the importance of supporting these young women once they have decided to become mothers. While education can help teens prevent or delay pregnancy, education is also required to help teens nurture their babies, maintain healthy family relationships, care for their own needs and set and achieve personal goals.

Whether or not we agree with the choices they have made, we certainly want them to have purposeful lives and want their children to be raised in loving, supportive and nurturing families. Rebekah Children’s Services has been offering support groups for teen mothers with these goals in mind since 1999.

Andy Day, prevention and education program manager,

Rebekah Children’s Services

Drivers Not Paying Attention Causing the Accidents

Dear Editor,

I keep reading about all these so-called accidents involving children on their way to school. It’s the fault of the driver behind the wheel.

Everyone is in a hurry to get nowhere fast, or they’re distracted by talking on cell phones. Just the other day, after I dropped off my grandson at Las Animas School, I noticed a driver ran the stop sign. If it had been three minutes sooner there would have been another child hit on his way to school. Come on people use the common sense the Good Lord gave you – drive responsibly.

Teresa Gonzalez, Gilroy