Court upholds ability to levy property taxes
Gilroy – The Santa Clara County Open Space Authority’s ability to levy property taxes was upheld in a 2-1 decision by the 6th District Court of Appeal. The court ruled that a 2001 assessment district in North County was consistent with the principles of Proposition 218 and that the protection of opens space was a public benefit consistent with the amount of the assessment.
“We are very pleased with the decision and feel that it confirms the methods used to establish the benefit assessment district,” said Alex Kennett, chairman of the authority’s board of directors.
Gilroy is the only city in the county that does not belong to the authority. The lawsuit against the authority was filed by the Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.
Two horses found with WNV euthanized
Gilroy – Two horses in Riverside County contracted the West Nile Virus and were euthanized. Neither horse had been vaccinated. West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne illness fatal to birds, horses and humans.
So far, Santa Clara County cases have been limited to 11 birds. County vector control officials urge all horse owners to have their animals vaccinated. There is no human vaccine.
Give blood and save a life
Gilroy – A blood drive will be held Thursday, July 14, 1:30 to 6:30pm at First Baptist Church, 8455 Wren Ave. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit www.BeADonor.com.
To donate blood you must be 17 years or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health.
American Red Cross volunteer blood donors are required to provide identification before donating blood.
The preferred identifiers include a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license, or a Red Cross blood donor card.
Explore Ohlone culture today
Gilroy – Explore Chitactac-Adams County Parks native Ohlone culture with park staff from 10am to noon today and learn to make a traditional Chumash Indian rhythmic instrument called a “clapper stick.”
Details: 323-010.
Join an open poetry reading
Gilroy – The Garlicky Group of Poets holds its monthly poetry reading on July 9 at 3:30pm in the meeting room of the Gilroy Public Library.
Public participation is welcome, and the event is free.
Details: (408) 779-4999.
Free composting class today
Gilroy – The cities of Gilroy and Morgan Hill in coordination with the County of Santa Clara host a ‘Composting Basics for beginners’ class from 10am to noon, Saturday in Morgan Hill.
Admission is free, and all interested adults are invited to attend and learn the ABC’s of backyard and worm composting in a fun and informative classroom experience.
Discover ways to recycle “garbage” – yard trimmings and food scraps – into the magic soil conditioner gardeners call Black Gold. Volunteers conduct the workshop and attendees will learn how to purchase low cost compost bins and equipment to get started composting.
All adults in the class will have the chance to win an Earth Machine backyard compost bin.
For class location and to register call 918-4640 or visit www.ReduceWaste.org.
Democratic Club meeting today
Morgan Hill – The next meeting of the South County Democratic Club will be at 10am July 16, at 15231 Perry Lane, Morgan Hill. The agenda includes discussion of upcoming statewide propositions.
Details: 779-1510.
Film festival seeking entries
Morgan Hill – Poppy Jasper Film Festival is accepting entries of short films in a variety of genres for the second Poppy Jasper Film Festival Nov. 11 to 13.
Submissions are taken only from California residents or students enrolled in California schools. Films must be no more than 30 minutes in length.
Categories to be judged include: drama, documentary, music, comedy and open. The latter category is meant to encompass all avant-garde films or submissions that defy traditional classification. The Morgan Hill Experience category will once again feature films that focus on the people, history or environment of the festival host city.
The submission deadline is Aug. 1. Early entries are highly encouraged. There is a late deadline of Aug. 15 but with an additional fee.
Standard entry fee is $30 ($10 for students). Late submissions are $50 ($15 for students). Information on how to submit a film for consideration can be found at the festival Web site, www.poppyjasperfilmfest.org.
The inaugural PJFF, held last November, featured some 30 films, five workshops and 1,000 attendees.
Details: www.poppyjasperfilmfest.org
Send news items to City Editor Robert Airoldi. FAX to 842-2206, mail to Gilroy Dispatch, 6400 Monterey Road, Gilroy, CA 95020, or e-mail ed****@ga****.com.
