The following individuals and organizations deserve either
CHEERS or JEERS this week:
The following individuals and organizations deserve either CHEERS or JEERS this week:
CHEERS: For the decision to honor the 25th Anniversary of the Garlic Festival with $200,000 in funding for an endowment scholarship which will be administered by the Gilroy Foundation. Every volunteer who has helped make the Garlic Festival such an incredible success story has a hand in this fund. That hard work and community spirit has resulted in the Rudy Melone Scholarship Fund, which will reward outstanding students from Gilroy High School and Gavilan College with substantial college scholarships for years to come. What a wonderful way to honor the festival volunteers and one of the founding fathers, the late Rudy Melone, former president of Gavilan College. By the way, scholarship winners must have performed volunteer service at the festival – that’s a perfect criteria.
JEERS: For the rotting amphitheater at Christmas Hill Park. Shame on City Hall for allowing the theater – the main stage of the Garlic Festival – to deteriorate to such a sorry state. As reporter Zeb Carabello pointed out, the wood benches are rotting, the grass areas are barren dirt in many places and iron bolts are protruding in many places. This could become a seriously liability issue unless repairs are made. That should be done before we welcome 25th anniversary Garlic Festival crowds to the park.
CHEERS: For the hiring of two new agriculture science teachers at Gilroy High. School district officials are being true to their word. Parents who feared the dismantling of the ag program and ulterior motives after the dismissal of the two current teachers was announced appear to have been off the mark. A solid ag program is a worthy component of a comprehensive high school, and we’re please to see the district recognizes and supports that.
CHEERS: For Santa Clara County Supervisor Don Gage, who is facilitating yet another look at land-use rules governing San Martin. Gage, responding to criticism, has opened the door for revision on regulations that control what type of businesses are appropriate for the rural hamlet. San Martin residents should work diligently with the county to shape a reasonable vision that brings harmony to the often acrimonious relationship between the town and the county.
CHEERS: For all the parents who have cajoled, cautioned and supported their children who will be heading for the graduation stage this week. Congratulations – you made it through, too.
