Dear Editor,
I agree with the 61 percent of your readers who answered
”
locally
”
to the recent online poll question:
”
Will you shop locally more this Christmas season, or spend just
as much out of town as you usually would?
”
Shopping locally important, and so is giving locally to charities
Dear Editor,
I agree with the 61 percent of your readers who answered “locally” to the recent online poll question: “Will you shop locally more this Christmas season, or spend just as much out of town as you usually would?”
Shopping locally boosts hometown economics and benefits our neighborhoods. I would like to add a suggestion: Help support our local non-profits, too. These organizations are always in need of an extra helping of generosity and many, like the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center, are sustained solely by donations.
We live in an area with so many worthwhile charities that a person can easily find one that is deserving of support. This holiday season, why not consider a gift donation to a favorite local charity. It will make a heart-warming, deeply appreciated gift and will give the donor a feeling of goodwill (and a tax deduction, too). A word of warning: Beware of fly-by-night “charities.” Check out an organization before sending off a check. If you’re not familiar with the organization, ask for the phone number and address.
Call to see if they’re reputable or have them to send you more information. The organization should have a 501(c)(3) tax-exemption number. It’s your hard-earned money – don’t hesitate to ask questions regarding where that money goes. Last year I was approached by some people in front of a store who were asking for donations to buy toys for needy children. They were very forward and very slick. I asked them for information about their group and all they could tell me was that they wanted to “give toys to children.”
I donate to a well-known organization that distributes toys locally. Like shopping locally, giving to a local and reputable organization enhances the community and produces immediate and visible results.
Sue Howell, executive director, WERC, Morgan Hill
What’s not being reported is how much high speed rail is costing
Dear Editor,
How many passengers will have to be moved on bullet train for it to break even?
With the Valley Transportation Authority, no matter how many passengers it moves, it never breaks even because the fares are below operating costs and far below total amortized costs.
Is the Bullet Train also going to move passengers at below cost (operating or fully amortized)? If, as former Supervisor Rod Diridon told the audience during our debate at the Chamber before the election, fares are $55 per trip, how many riders have to pay the $55 to equal the $1 billion annual operating cost. After you calculate that, then calculate how many trains (say at 300 passengers per) will they have to move through Gilroy each day? Are they going to be travelling all night long? Union Pacific won’t allow them on its right of way, and since the right of way must have lateral subsoil support, how far away from the Eastern edge of the UP’s property will you start to measure the 135-foot trench to reach the eastern edge of the trench? How many houses and businesses will that consume? The new paper plant? Wells Fargo on Tenth Street?
Joe Thompson, Gilroy
Thanks to firefighters, ambulance personnel for professional help
Dear Editor,
I want to thank the firefighters, paramedics and ambulance personnel who responded so well to our two recent medical emergencies during my wife’s final illness.
I also thank the physicians, nurses and staff of Saint Louise and especially those who cared for her in the emergency room and intensive care unit. All were so kind as well as professional during our tragedy. The family is sincerely grateful.
James D. Pearson, Gilroy
Marijuana dispensary linked to ‘lives destroyed by drug addiction’
Dear Editor,
In light of the recent tragic death of a Gilroy teen, every parent is on heightened alert for potential threats to our children’s safety. Those who may not have been concerned about a marijuana dispensary in their neighborhood a week ago are looking at things in a different light today.
We know we can’t be there to protect our kids from every danger. As parents we have to rely on others to help with that daunting task. Teachers, pastors, neighbors, police officers, other parents, caring strangers, and even City Council members are called upon to do what we as parents can’t do alone. When something is a threat to the most vulnerable members of our community those in charge have a duty and a responsibility to protect those who cannot protect themselves.
For every person who says they need their medical marijuana to make their pain bearable there is a family battling the pain of lives destroyed by drug abuse and addiction. Do you really believe it is the best of interest of our children to increase the amount of marijuana and marijuana users in Gilroy?
When a dispensary is allowed to operate it sends a very clear message that as a community we support and approve of its use – and that message is a clear danger to the kids of Gilroy. The decision to support this business puts all our youth at greater risk. It is a gamble with their futures and the stakes are just too great.
Janelle Lowry, Gilroy
