Readers cover local politics, give out thank yous and comment on
feral cat policies
‘Gutless’ Union Non-endorsement from Firefighters
Dear Editor,
I read The Dispatch with utter disbelief that the fire union did not endorse either candidate for mayor. This union is as gutless an organization that I have ever had the displeasure of encountering. How absolutely worthless is their input. When I was in law enforcement, I always thought that fireman were the bravest souls on earth. Well they may be when it comes to fighting fires but not when it comes to showing gratitude to a councilman who since day one has supported public safety and has consistently backed up that support on the dais.
Mayor Al Pinheiro has gone out of his way to thwart binding arbitration which the union prefers. Councilman Craig Gartman has said that binding arbitration has worked for the city and he sees no reason to change it. That alone is the single most important issue to the rank and file firefighters since it directly affects the paycheck and benefits. Yet somehow, these firefighters chose to hedge there bet and make no choice. Gutless, thankless and pointless.
The Gilroy Peace Officers Association, however, didn’t ditch their friends. Cops are very loyal to those who got their back. They weighed both candidates and it was a no brainer to endorse Gartman. Though fear of political retribution is a real possibility, angering both candidates was not really a bright idea. The fire fighters need to do some serious soul searching and strongly consider not endorsing their own union’s board of directors.
Fire union secretary Jim Buessing did a poor job articulating the union’s position and lead the members down the wrong path. I look forward to letters from the union trying to explain why they ran from the flames. I love a good firefight.
Mark A. Zappa, Gilroy
Time to Submit Nominations for Community Awards
Dear Editor,
The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce invites the community to submit nominations for leading businesses and citizens to be recognized for the 2007 Educator of the Year, Man of the Year, Woman of the Year, Small Business of the Year, and Large Business of the Year. We look to everyone to think about those individuals who have made personal contributions of time, talent, and resources to make Gilroy so wonderful. We also look to everyone to reflect on businesses that have demonstrated an extraordinary level of excellence and success.
It takes a little time to make a nomination, but the recognition that is so richly deserved, lasts forever as part of Gilroy’s legacy. I encourage everyone to give some thought to submitting nominations. Forms are available in our lobby at the Chamber office, located at 7471 Monterey Street. If you would like one mailed, call us at 842-6437, and we’ll be happy to do that – and if you would like the forms e-mailed, e-mail your request to ch*****@gi****.org and a form will be e-mailed back.
Thank you in advance to all of you for taking the time to give this your consideration. Please note that the deadline for nominations is Friday, Oct. 26.
Susan Valenta, President/CEO Gilroy Chamber of Commerce
Move Over ‘Baksa Boys’ It’s Time for a Change at City Hall
Dear Editor,
Gilroy voters have the ability to change the political status-quo and “good-old-boy-network” politics in City Hall in the Nov. 6 election.
It’s been written that the collective public interest is in the form of four values that public servants are required to promote: (1) accountability, (2) legality, (3) integrity and (4) responsiveness.
Have each of our incumbent Gilroy leaders performed consistently in these four areas? I think not. Therefore, it’s time to replace them with people who will serve Gilroy as public servants and not as politicians. The voters of Gilroy have an opportunity to make such a change by voting in a new mayor and three new council members. The “Baksa Boys” political machine needs replacement. Politicians are like diapers: they need to be changed on a regular basis – and that time has arrived.
James Fennell, Gilroy
Is Life Really So Bad for Free-Roaming Cats in the Wild?
Dear Editor,
Are free-roaming and feral-behaving cats suffering?
Consider this: Think of an animal that finds shelter, finds food, avoids people, avoids or fights off predators and is more likely to die from natural causes than by euthanasia at a veterinarian. Did you think of a free-roaming cat? Or did you think of a squirrel, raccoon, bald eagle or white-tailed deer? If living under these circumstances is inhumane, then one could argue that all wildlife is suffering. Simply because free-roaming cats have tame ancestors, does not mean they do not deserve to live or that their quality of life should be held to a higher standard.
Many people and organizations set a different standard for free-roaming cats than for other animals. They argue that any cat is better off dead than living a natural outdoor lifestyle. For example, they contend that a car may hit a free-roaming cat during its lifetime, therefore, a more humane approach is to trap and kill the cat before that happens. If we expand that logic, we would need to kill every bird, mammal, fish, and insect – basically all life forms – to spare them the suffering of a natural lifestyle. Why kill an animal living a natural lifestyle simply because it isn’t living a lifestyle with people?
Here’s a couple areas that need clarification that were printed in the paper:
1. In an earlier article on the subject of feral cats, the paper said there were 100,000 feral cats living on county land. There are about 100,000 homeless cats including friendly strays and ferals that live in Santa Clara County, with only a couple hundred residing on county properties. To put this in perspective, there’s 1.7 million people residing in Santa Clara County and in Los Angeles County where there’s an estimated 1 million homeless cats, including friendly strays and ferals there’s a population of 10 million people. Cats are not a big problem.
2. The paper’s opinion piece stated that feral cats only live 1.5-2 years, however this is not in my and other feral cat caretakers’ experience. Some of the cats I care for are well over 10 years of age. Long-term scientific studies are underway to determine longevity. Yes we intervene by feeding them so they are no longer truly wild, but their quality of life has improved, they get medical care, daily food/water and live longer than many people’s pets since they are outside in fresh air and not exposed to other cats and diseases.
What is the answer? Caring people feed free-roaming cats. Laws cannot legislate human compassion. People will not suddenly stop feeding cats. Nor will they take them for free euthanasia. What is the interest-based solution that will actually be adopted? Trap-Neuter-Return is one humane piece of the solution. Allow people to feed but make spay/neuter accessible.
Rosemary Mirko,
founder/director Town Cats
Empty Bus After Empty Bus, and Millions Wasted
Dear Editor,
What we need is a “freeway-free day” to let people know how beneficial they are.
Of course, if we had a rail-free day, nobody would know it happened. When will we get truth in transportation from the Valley Transportation Authority? How about when hell freezes.
Who’s paying for all those empty seats, and the empty buses, VTA’s misnamed “Community Solutions”? You guess it, we are even if we never used them. So, “part of every trip you take” is paying for VTA’s transit boondoggles. VTA calls that transit success. What do you call it?
Joe Thompson, Gilroy
Kudos for a Fine Art and Wine Festival Held Downtown
Dear Editor,
The Art and Wine Festival last weekend was wonderful! The children’s art displayed at the Willey House gave me confidence that young people in our community are creative, talented and skillful. They will carry that creativity into a promising future. The people attending, about 4,500 according to the Dispatch report or about 10 percent of our city’s population, had a great time.
Compliments to the city staff, downtown merchants, and army of volunteers who made it possible.
I’d also like to thank Mayor Al Pinheiro for spearheading the efforts that made our downtown so enjoyable and the City Council for supporting the renovations that made Monterey Street attractive. Mayor – your steady, encouraging efforts are paying off!
Sherri Stuart, Gilroy
Thanks to Mervyn’s, Curves and Many Generous Donors
Dear Editor,
The Salvation Army in Gilroy partnered this August with Mervyn’s in Morgan Hill to take 50 children from the South Santa Clara County communities of Morgan Hill, San Martin, and Gilroy on a shopping spree to purchase new clothes and shoes for the back-to-school program.
Each child received a $100 gift card and, accompanied by volunteer chaperones, went shopping for items that will help them to have a good start with the new school year.
The Salvation Army wants to thank Mervyn’s for their generosity and cheerful assistance on the shopping day, and the many in our community who made donations . We were able to double the number of children that benefited from this program last year.
We also want to thank Curves in Gilroy for filling donation barrels with school supplies. Once again we see what a caring community can do to make good things happen.
Robert and Melissa Viquez and
Advisory Board members
