Mayor shines light on budget
Gilroy – Residents wondering about the city’s spending priorities and what can – or can’t – be done with local tax dollars can attend a series of public meetings starting Tuesday. Mayor Al Pinheiro and City Administrator Jay Baksa will hold four meetings at schools throughout the community to illuminate the inner workings of Gilroy’s $126-million budget.
Residents looking to study up before the meetings can find the city’s five-year budget online. The attached budget message departs from the gloomy predictions of past years and details plans to end a three-year hiring freeze. City officials are planning to add two dozen employees, put $500,000 or more into sidewalk repairs and restore funding for other programs cut back in recent years.
Only $35 million of the city’s $126-million budget goes toward operating expenses, the vast majority of which goes to pay for salaries and benefits of Gilroy’s 270 public employees. The remaining $90 million is spread across several pots of money that support new buildings, roads, sewers and other public improvements. Money in those funds is reserved for specific uses.
South Valley Republican barbecue
San Martin – The South Valley Republican Women Federated club invites local Republicans (men and women) to join their annual South Valley Republican Barbecue. Join fellow Republicans, meet candidates and enjoy delicious barbecue and local wine. Also, come meet special guests from the Gilroy chapter of “Operation Interdependence” – a volunteer organization dedicated to sending care packages to our troops overseas. The barbecue is 4 to 7pm Saturday, Oct. 14, in San Martin. Tickets are $20 per person, children younger 14 are free.
Details: 408-852-0068 or So************@**RW.org (RSVP to receive directions)
Time to register for ACT exam
Gilroy – The registration deadline for students interested in taking the ACT college entrance exam is Nov. 3. Late registration for the Dec. 9 test, with an additional fee of $19, is Nov. 19.
Registration materials are available in the high school counseling office or online at www.actstudent.org.
ACT scores are accepted by virtually all colleges and universities across the nation, including Ivy League schools. The basic ACT exam includes four sections of the following: English, reading, math and science.
An optional writing test is also available, which is a requirement of some colleges. The basic exam takes three hours to complete, plus an additional 30 minutes for those who opt to take the writing test.
Registration fee is $29 for the basic test. An additional $14 is required for students who choose to take the ACT Writing Test. Free sample tests are available in counseling offices and on the ACT Web site.
Blessing of the Animals
Gilroy – Animal owners bring your pets to St. Stephen’s Church at 10am Saturday, to receive the Blessing of the Animals. Please have your pets contained with leashes or crates. Bring a pooper-scooper.
Enjoy local wines at Passport Weekend
Gilroy – Wineries of the Santa Clara Valley present Passport Weekend. Oct. 7 and 8, 11am to 5pm. Food, music, wine, barrel tasting and more, $25 per person.
Details: Gilroy Visitors Bureau 842-6436 or www.gilroyvisitor.org
STAR presents Spooktacular Program
Gilroy – The Gavilan STAR Program is now accepting registration for Fall STAR 2006. Saturday, Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28 from 9am to 12pm, cost $99. Fall STAR is a Saturday morning acting workshop for students ages 8 to 16.
Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of theatre and participate in writing and rehearsing Halloween themed skits. Fall STAR ends with a final performance in the Gav TV studio.
Details: www.gavilan.edu/star
Donate blood, save a life
Gilroy – Thursday, Oct. 12, 1:30 to 6:30pm, First Baptist Church Hall, 8455 Wren Ave.
Details: 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or www.BeADonor.com (code: GILROY)
Get ready for Teen Read Week
Gilroy – Oct. 14 to 21 is Teen Read Week; an annual, national promotion of teen reading. The Gilroy Library will celebrate teen reading by having a display of the books nominated for best books by teens.
Teens can check out the books and vote for their favorite titles either in the library or online.
Ballots turned in at the library will receive a prize, one per person. All ballots will be entered into a drawing at the end of the week.
Details: Gilroy Library 842-8207 or www.santaclaracountylib.org/teen/teen_read_week_voting.html
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.
