Dear Editor,
I’m one of the city employee’s that went through the layoffs in
January.
I worked as a 911 Dispatcher for more than five years for the
City of Gilroy.
This all ended when Chief Denise Turner came in on Christmas to
inform me that I was added to the list of citywide layoffs. The
person that
”
bumped
”
me is still in training six months later and the city is
covering my vacancy with 120 hours of overtime each and every
month.
Dear Editor,
I’m one of the city employee’s that went through the layoffs in January.
I worked as a 911 Dispatcher for more than five years for the City of Gilroy.
This all ended when Chief Denise Turner came in on Christmas to inform me that I was added to the list of citywide layoffs. The person that “bumped” me is still in training six months later and the city is covering my vacancy with 120 hours of overtime each and every month.
To add more insult to injury the City of Gilroy has also kept two part-time dispatchers in violation of their layoff policy. But this letter is not about me or my situation, this letter is about the recent articles I’ve read about the goings on in my former city.
What compelled me to write this letter now is the recent Dispatch article titled “Public push from police” which tells of Gilroy Police Officers Association members that, on their own time, are going around the city informing business owners and citizens of what is occurring at City Hall and the police department.
For some reason a number of people, including the Dispatch (based on this and other articles), seem to take offense to the police officers in Gilroy putting out information that they feel the citizens need to be aware of. Officers, unlike most union employees, do not enjoy the benefit of being able to strike nor would they do such a drastic action which would jeopardize public safety. They understand the importance of their job even when the city leaders have lost sight of that.
The last time I checked we still live in the “land of the free” and to infer that a group of law abiding (more directly law UPHOLDING) citizens are doing something wrong by going out and petitioning the people to air a grievance against their government is ridiculous. Who better to air these grievances that those actually working in the government? They probably have their finger on the pulse of this city a whole lot better than most.
The mayor, the Gilroy Dispatch, and several outspoken residents freely share their opinion without the same microscope being applied. What these peace officers do on their time is their business and what money they spend on flyers is coming out of their pockets. Each of these groups have varying opinions on these matters but one thing can be agreed on by all, that these are important issues to every citizen of Gilroy.
Personally when I make decisions I like to have as many sides to the story as possible and not just the media and politicians point of view. You don’t have to agree with their message but the fundamental concept of our system of democracy, freedom and liberty not only permit them but indeed encourage them to go out and share their discourse.
Bravo to these dedicated officers who rather than leaving Gilroy for another, better managed employer, go out on their own time in order to inform the people so that the City of Gilroy can become a city they would be proud to work at.
Shawn Leaver, Hollister
The Golden Quill is awarded occasionally for a well-written letter.
