Dear Editor,
While I agree with columnist Lisa Pampuch that our local
governments and humanitarian organizations make it very difficult
to do the right thing, being a student of history, I have to wonder
if a healthy feral cat population isn’t a good thing.
Let us remember the Black Death, the Great Plague, or whatever
you want to call it that swept through Europe about the same time
that people got it into their heads that cats, feral or otherwise,
where the servants of witches which must be destroyed.
A healthy feral cat population is a good thing because cats kill the rats
Dear Editor,
While I agree with columnist Lisa Pampuch that our local governments and humanitarian organizations make it very difficult to do the right thing, being a student of history, I have to wonder if a healthy feral cat population isn’t a good thing.
Let us remember the Black Death, the Great Plague, or whatever you want to call it that swept through Europe about the same time that people got it into their heads that cats, feral or otherwise, where the servants of witches which must be destroyed.
The mass extermination of cats lead to an increased population of rats, plague-carrying rats. The whole reason behind our communities’ lack of cat registration and roaming laws is that cats kill rats that carry plague and birds that carry avian flu. Feral cats serve a purpose in our community, and while their lives are hard and sometimes short, without them we could be in a heap of hurt. So, yes, trap and sterilize the ones that you can. But let Mother Nature take care of the rest. Cats are not dumb animals, if there is no food, they will move on.
Nick Stefanisko, Gilroy
Gilroyans exercise good judgment with fireworks on the Fourth
Dear Editor,
The people of Gilroy have once again demonstrated good judgment, common sense, and exercised prudent care in their celebration of the Fourth of July. Well done.
Joe Ross, Gilroy
Latest food scare – who knows? But the farmer takes it on the chin
Dear Editor,
The Food and Drug Administration says Salmonella outbreak is not caused by tomatoes. They think it may be from jalapeño peppers. They aren’t sure about that either.
Meanwhile, tomato farmers have lost hundreds of millions of dollars. There probably not as many jalapeño pepper farmers as tomato farmers. What if it turns out to be onions, or a host of other sources? Bureaucrats at the FDA can put tomato farmers, pepper farmers and onion farmers out of business and still be wrong. Meanwhile, the cause of the Salmonella outbreak remains a mystery.
Does anyone remember the 1989 Alar apple scare? Meryl Streep testified before congress about the dangers of Alar. Apple farmers lost millions of dollars on that fiasco. No one was held accountable for that disaster either.It is time to look at how we assign these disease causes.
Keith C. De Filippis, San Jose
Plenty of San Martinians oppose incorporation for financial reasons
Dear Editor,
Please don’t imply that the population of San Martin supports incorporation. I’ve lived here 30 years and know a lot of people in this area. Most of those I know are opposed to incorporation, principally because we don’t see where funds will come from to support another layer of government, at least not without new fees/taxes.
Times are hard economically and no one wants to pay more.
Jan Webb, San Martin
City of Gilroy should have a much better system for animal services
Dear Editor,
I wanted to thank Lisa Pampuch for bringing up an important issue facing Gilroy; lack of animal services. Shame on the city for choosing to not spend money on this worthy cause. Yes, I know that every state, county, and city government is facing many cuts and layoffs. It just seems to me that not having animal services is a “penny foolish” decision.
Although it costs money to run an animal services department, it costs much more (at least emotionally) not to have one. Lisa, thank you for at least being a caring individual that even thought about trying to help those homeless kittens. Many people either turn a blind eye on the problem or, worse, destroy these helpless beings who’s only “crime” is being homeless. Surely we can all do better.
I don’t know which rescue organization you contacted, but I’m betting it’s the one I volunteer for. The key word in that last sentence is volunteer. Our rescue group consists of volunteers who have lives and responsibilities just like everyone else. Most of us have full-time jobs that have nothing to do with rescuing animals.
Still, we choose to somehow, some way, find the time to help these helpless animals. The director of our shelter (who also works full time away from the shelter) fields an overwhelming number of pleas from people, both through email and voice mails, everyday. We must pick and chose which ones we can help. Our shelter is always full (it’s no-kill) and now that it is kitten season, our foster homes are full, too.
You were asked to foster the kittens after they were trapped and spayed/neutered because they would have no place to go after having the surgery. We try not to keep kittens at the shelter itself because, unlike adult cats, they easily contract diseases that can kill them.
Now, it’s time for people to wake up and do the right thing; get their animals neutered. For every home you find for your unwanted kittens, one is killed in regular shelters because they didn’t find a home. It’s also time for the city to step up to the plate and find a way to have animal services available. And you know what? I bet you’d find some people here who would volunteer to help out if you provided the services.
Marie Barnes, Gilroy
Fourth of July ’09 represents an opportunity to change course
Dear Editor,
The topic of banning fireworks touched off quite a “spark” (pardon the pun) from what I read in the most recent newspaper editions. It seems to me, as an individual who has experienced the complete loss of my home and beloved pets due to the California Fire of 1993 (near Hemet), that a reasoned approach to fireworks sales and the charities they support is sensible and reasonable.
To seek a recall effort on one of our council members, as proposed by Mr. Viarengo, is an extreme measure, as that council member has a duty to represent his constituents’ voices through his vote, which he did. Voting IS the highest form of patriotism, Mr. Viarengo, whether everyone agrees with the vote or the position taken.
On the other side, I thought Tom Mulhern’s approach represented a positive way to balance support for the charities that rely on monies received from fireworks sales while protecting the homes and lives of our community.
Placing a container of water at the point of sale would be fun for adults and kids alike into which they could dunk their fireworks! Based on my belief that American patriotism can be expressed in thousands of ways that don’t require the risk of fire to our community, the 2009 Fourth of July creates a tremendous opportunity! Charities can collaborate and find new sustainable and safe ways to raise funds, while creating exciting and new ways for our community to demonstrate its passionate American patriotism.
I have often thought that selling flags would be good for the charity sales while providing a patriotic look for our neighborhoods long after the Fourth holiday.
Kristine Dillon, Gilroy
Evacuated home due to fire, but fireworks should stay
Dear Editor,
We evacuated our horses and family due to fire, yet fireworks should stay. To ban fireworks shows lack of trust and faith in the fine people of Gilroy and vicinity.
Mike King, Gilroy
Don’t complain about the fire ‘gawkers’ all over Day Road
Dear Editor,
This is in response to the “Day Road residents appalled by onlookers” article. I saw the video with Kathy Panzica. She was upset about the on-lookers delaying her evacuation at 6:30 p.m.
Many people live in this area and were concerned about which way the fire was moving and thus went to see. We have a right to access all open public roads. Mandatory evacuations were not called for until almost 11 p.m. to residents west of Lucky Court.
I think her comments should be directed to emergency services not the “gawkers.” Day Road was open till almost 9 p.m. I would think that if Day Road was so unsafe earlier that emergency services would have set up a hard closure as soon as they were dispatched.
This was a poor decision by those in charge of fighting the Hummingbird Fire.
Mark Noriega, Gilroy
