Dear Editor,
This is old news by now, but a different twist to an earlier
story.
On Wednesday, March 25, there was an incident in the parking lot
at Long’s Drug Store. A man was threatening people in the parking
lot with a machete. Several Gilroy Police cars responded. The armed
officers surrounded the suspect and detained him.
Customer appreciates quick thinking in crisis
Dear Editor,
This is old news by now, but a different twist to an earlier story.
On Wednesday, March 25, there was an incident in the parking lot at Long’s Drug Store. A man was threatening people in the parking lot with a machete. Several Gilroy Police cars responded. The armed officers surrounded the suspect and detained him.
At the same time Jim Armstrong immediately locked the front doors of Long’s Drugstore. This was done to keep his customers in and to keep the perpetrator out, preventing any hostage situation.
When the situation seemed under control, Manager Jim Armstrong, called the Gilroy Police Department to ask if it was ok to unlock the store and let his customers out.
I want to acknowledge Manager Jim Armstrong for his fast thinking during a very tense time.
Ron Lawson, Gilroy
Residents need to arm up against violent criminals
Dear Editor,
The recent cowardly parking lot attacks at local stores should serve to remind Morgan Hill residents one thing: our “wonderful little town” may not be so wonderful when it comes to violent crime. People need to get their heads out of the sand and realize that violent crime is alive and well right here in Morgan Hill. A poll in this paper indicated that 70 percent of residents say the feel less safe here than they did a year ago. Don’t believe me? Look at the police blotter in the paper. Take a look at the graffiti (read gang activity) that has resurged in recent months. Flag down a Morgan Hill police officer and ask what is happening in your neighborhood – you may not like the answer.
Residents need to take positive steps to protect themselves from these criminal cowards. When these violent attacks occurred, if any of those victims had in their possession a legal handgun for protection, Morgan Hill might now have one less kidnapper/sexual predator to worry about.
Unfortunately, the ability to obtain a permit to legally carry a concealed handgun in the county and state is practically impossible. Instead we are assigned as prey to violent felons who know their chance of coming up against a citizen legally armed and able to protect themselves is practically zero. Thus, criminals are given license to roam freely, while us “victims” are left to act like scared bunnies, living in fear, venturing out only during the light of day, and avoiding certain streets and neighborhoods.
As for your ability to protect yourself, do not expect things to get better soon. The “hope and change” Hussein Administration is rapidly acting on its campaign promises to further restrict law-abiding citizens from protecting themselves by proposing crippling anti-gun legislation. Many in the government, including new Attorney General Eric Holderm are rabid anti Second Amendment gun grabbers, intent on gutting your right to protect yourself. Even our beloved Sen. Dianne Feinstein supports restricted gun possession and ownership, all while Di Fi has a concealed weapon permit for “protection” (say hypocrite).
But that’s OK. None of our “elitist” leaders have to worry a bit. They are surrounded by a well knitted cocoon of constant protection that consists of security personnel carrying guns.
Stan Faulwetter, Morgan Hill
Where’s the oversight?
Dear Editor,
Enrique Palacios, deputy superintendent of the Gilroy Unified School District, wrote March 17: “The Board of Education will be appointing the Citizen’s Oversight Committee for Measure P at the regularly scheduled meeting on March 19, 2009. The agenda item was scheduled over two weeks ago.”
What happened Mr. Palacios? It’s understandable, given deadline pressure, the Dispatch could not provide meeting coverage for its March 20 issue. But surely an issue of this importance, already unfulfilled more than 4.5 months following the Nov. 4, 2008 election, would have been reported in the March 24 issue of the Dispatch. Nope! There was a lengthy front page article on the cash flow problems cause by failure to collect taxes due from 1992’s Measure J. A page 3 article reviewed student enrollment for Christopher High School. Both articles mentioned the Board of Untrustables’ views/actions on these issues.
Neither mentioned any action taken by the Untrustables concerning the Measure P oversight committee.
Why not, Mr. Palacios? Your letter claimed “The district has followed education code and proceeded in good faith to form a Measure P (oversight committee).” How? By ignoring state law (which you quoted up to it requirement for accountability) and the education code?
Where is any “good faith” 2hen the Untrustables, after 4.5 months, give limited lip services, and apparently no public information concerning the Measure P oversight committee? Was it formed on March 19 secretly, Mr. Palacios, to remain hidden with the Untrustables’ smoke and mirrors until brought forward, formed and functioning, without public input/information?
Will accountability, which should begin with what firm is selling the bonds and how much is being paid, be ignored because of its late start, conveniently avoiding how the first bond, sold Feb. 26 for $50 million, was spent and why.
Such knowledge, Mr. Palacios, to the public is provided by accountability, the primary duty and responsibility of the oversight committee. As I asked in my March 10 Dispatch letter, and as still remains unanswered, “Where is the Measure P (oversight committee)?”
Why does it appear the GUSD, and its Board of Untrustables, is again playing its game of silence with Measure P and its still undisclosed oversight committee applicants, their qualifications and any openness toward Gilroy taxpayers. While some information is released, in general terms (no specifics) The continuing attitude is silence – if little or nothing is said there will be nothing to question
James Brescoll, Gilroy
Editor’s note: The Dispatch reported Feb. 2 on the delays encountered by the school district in setting up an oversight committee. Another article is planned for Tuesday.
