Funding for flood protection approved
Washington
– Funding for flood protection work along Llagas Creek in the
Morgan Hill area, and perchlorate clean-up in South Valley, were
included in the federal Omnibus Appropriations Act for fiscal year
2005, a $388-billion spending bill funding 13 government
departments and dozens of domestic agencies.
Funding for flood protection approved
Washington – Funding for flood protection work along Llagas Creek in the Morgan Hill area, and perchlorate clean-up in South Valley, were included in the federal Omnibus Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2005, a $388-billion spending bill funding 13 government departments and dozens of domestic agencies.
Congressmen Richard Pombo, R-Tracy, and Mike Honda, D-San Jose, voted in favor of the funding bill, which passed the House Nov. 20 by a vote of 344 to 51. Later in the evening, the Senate gave its approval, 65 to 30.
Funding also includes $2.5 million earmark for preliminary engineering on the extension of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system to Santa Clara County and $1 million for safety improvements to Highway 152, a Santa Clara County priority project that will upgrade existing access from the Gilroy Foods and WTI trucking facilities.
The measure now goes to President George W. Bush for his expected signature.
MH superintendent will not return to district
Morgan Hill – School District Superintendent Carolyn McKennan will not be returning to her position after her contract expires June 30.
The board of trustees officially told McKennan what she had previously stated: that she would not seek renewal of her contract.
McKennan said she has enjoyed her work with the district and does not have any commitments beyond June 30.
McKennan’s contract was last extended in September 2002, before the election of three new board members and re-election of one board member in November 2002. At the time, the contract was extended two years and included a 2-percent raise and a doctoral stipend of $1,500, for an annual salary of $136,752, not including the annual cumulative longevity bonus of $35,000 for the last seven of her nine years of work in the district.
“Dr. McKennan is passionate in her drive to provide outstanding educational opportunities for each and every student of the district,” Panos said.
Pinnacles close to buying ranch
Pinnacles National Monument –Long a draw for campers, hikers, rock climbers and wildlife enthusiasts, the national monument is slated to get $2.6 million of a $388-billion federal appropriations bill awaiting President Bush’s signature.
The decision brings the park closer to its goal of purchasing the historic 2,000-acre Pinnacle ranch, a move it has been planning for 10 years. The money would also add new hiking trails and make the campground public.
The Pinnacles Ranch acquisition has top priority among national parks projects on the West Coast and is considered the third most important in the country because of its unique history, said Jessica Schafer, spokeswoman for U.S. Congressman Sam Farr.
If the purchase of the ranch is successful, Pinnacles would obtain more flat lands and new grassland and riparian areas, home to endangered species such as the red-legged frog.
Send news items to City Editor Robert Airoldi. FAX to 842-2206, mail to Gilroy Dispatch, 6400 Monterey Road, Gilroy, CA 95020, or e-mail ed****@****ic.com.
