Dear Editor,
Ron Hunt,
”
… an original member of the Gilroy Unified School District’s
Measure I Citizen Oversight Committee,
”
reflects quite well his mastery of using the COC smoke and
mirrors. He says much, while saying nothing. (Letters
– Aug. 29).
Mr. Hunt claims I made
”
… an inaccurate reference to the absence of spending oversight
as committed in Measure I.
”
No I didn’t.
How about a detailed listing of all projects and costs from GUSD?
Dear Editor,
Ron Hunt, ” … an original member of the Gilroy Unified School District’s Measure I Citizen Oversight Committee,” reflects quite well his mastery of using the COC smoke and mirrors. He says much, while saying nothing. (Letters – Aug. 29).
Mr. Hunt claims I made ” … an inaccurate reference to the absence of spending oversight as committed in Measure I.”
No I didn’t.
Mr. Hunt lists the goals of Measure I and then: smoke and mirrors. He righteously says: 1.) ” … part of Measure I was an explicit commitment to establish a (COC) to ensure the proper expenditure of these funds.”
An “explicit commitment,” Mr. Hunt? State law and the education code mandates every voter-approved bond must have a COC, not simply to “ensure the proper expenditure of these funds,” but to provide accountability to the public.
Accountability – a detailed listing of approved projects, individual contracts specifications, name and address of contracted firm, amount of the contract, when the project began, when completed, actual total costs and an ever-diminishing dollar amount of Measure I money.
The Measure I COC never provided such accountability, Mr. Hunt. It believed a passing reference to a contract was proper accountability, apparently.
2.) “Since the passage of Measure I, the COC has met every quarter … to ensure that Measure I funds were spent as promised.”
The problem, Mr. Hunt, the legally mandated Measure I COC sold out the public when, within months, the GUSD Board of Unstrustables “requested” the COC oversee 13 additional projects. At that point, no more Measure I – only COC and continued non-accountability.
3.) ” … The commitments of oversight have been kept.”
You give four examples to justify that statement, Mr. Hunt. “The COC delivers annual reports to the GUSD board. A special bond proceeds account was established. The superintendent reports on the status to the GUSD board. Minutes from COC meetings, agendas and audit reports can all be found on the district Web site.”
Mr. Hunt, what is a “bond proceeds account?” The “superintendent reports on the status … ” The status of what, Mr. Hunt? It’s this type of smoke and mirror that that continues to keep information within the GUSD and any accountability from the public.
You mention the “GUSD Web site” as though all accountability will be found there. Do you really believe all Gilroy taxpayers have access to the Internet or that those that do know how to reach the Web site? More smoke and mirrors.
Now, GUSD, and the Gilroy Library, are pushing costly bond measures using the sleaziest tactics – the GUSD bond is “for the children” and the library bond wants a new building to expand it’s computer pornography availability to minors and expand its day care programs for children.
Measure I has shown how easily state law can be subverted at public expense. What honest assurance will be given, and kept, concerning these bond measures?
Very few, it now seems.
James Brescoll, Gilroy
A ‘Midsummer Night’ of fashion and fun to remember forever
Dear Editor,
On behalf of Leadership Gilroy, we would like to thank the many sponsors, models, entertainers, stores, donors, committee volunteers and Leadership board members for helping make “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” Fashion Show a spectacular event. On Saturday, Aug. 9 in the beautiful Gilroy Gardens event tent, attendees experienced a magical evening of food, fashion and entertainment.
The generosity of so many helps fund the education program for 2009.
Over 320 guests dined on a buffet prepared by the Gardens, sipped martinis and cocktails, and enjoyed wines from local wineries. The show included 137 community leaders and personalities, all modeling the latest fashions from over 30 local stores. The audience was treated to several vocal and dance performances, a juggler and mime, Hawaiian fire performers, and a live bird act.
An event like this could not be done without dedicated volunteers including a 30-member committee, and over 30 dressers, make-up and hair artists, and volunteers who picked up and returned clothing.
There were over 500 people under one tent making this evening truly magical. Gilroy Gardens’ amazing venue proved to be the perfect choice for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.
Thank you all for your time, talent and support, and for making us proud to be a part of Leadership Gilroy!
Karen La Corte, 2008 fashion show chair and Janie Mardesich, 2008 president Leadership Gilroy
Refreshing and heartening when someone does the right thing
Dear Editor,
I carelessly left my purse on a bench outside City Hall today and by the time I realized what I had done, it was gone.
By the time I returned to my office, I had a voice message waiting for me from Tammy, the wonderful person who found my purse. She refused all offered rewards and was simply glad that she had been able to find me. Thank you Tammy and all the rest of you out there who do the right thing for the sake of doing the right thing.
Christine Copeland, Gilroy
