Two views on the city budget and a comment on illegal
immigration
Mayor: Mark the Date and Come to the City Budget Workshop
Dear Editor,
I would like to invite all of you to our next Budget Workshop on Monday, May 14. This is the seventh workshop we have had since March 14 on the 2007-2008 budget cycle.
This invitation is being offered so that you can get a better understanding of the steps and the challenges involved in creating a budget. You will find it is not as easy as you may think because of all the competing services and interests.
Once the budget is formally adopted, the city administrator and I will repeat last year’s “budget on the road” outreach program, where we went to seven locations throughout the city to explain and discuss the budgetary process and final Council actions. We do this so that the budget process and its decisions are fully transparent to our citizens.
Since there have been many concerns expressed in the paper about the budget, we would hope that you would attend both the Council workshops and at least one of the outreach meetings this summer and fall.
There have been many letters that have been written based on headlines or sound bites. I would ask that any citizen who needs information or wants clarification on these complex issues to call or e-mail me at any time, and I will be happy to discuss these issues with them, or put them in touch with someone who can answer their concerns. Unfortunately, most of the individuals who have been writing these letters, do not take the time to do that. My cell is 408-483-3886 and my email address is al*********@**********ca.us.
Al Pinheiro, Mayor, City of Gilroy
Breaking Through the Bureaucratic Budget Baloney from City Hall
Dear Editor,
In Thursday’s Gilroy Dispatch, Arthur C. Barron Sr. attacks the Dispatch, one of its most accurate reporters, Councilman Craig Gartman and yours truly. He has the audacity to make inflammatory, nonsensical remarks regarding the City Council and its lone independent thinker, Mr. Gartman.
Who is bashing who Mr. Barron? When you want to discuss the facts, please write. If you want to write fairy tales, this is not the venue for you. Here are a few facts about recent Council actions.
Under the leadership of City Administrator Jay Baksa, Mayor Al Pinheiro and all the city councilmen were directed to give obscene raises to administrators and department heads … ah heck, if Jay wants it we should give it to him, after all, we don’t know what the heck we’re doing.
Only Mr. Gartman refused this direct order citing serious concerns about the budget. Days later, that same administrator announces serious budget deficits. Duh! Looks like Gartman was right. I find the behavior of the Council despicable as it relates to serving the taxpayers. The city will continue to run a $5,000,000 deficit for the foreseeable future. That is what concerns me, and that is what concerns Mr. Gartman. It should concern all of us. I encourage you to speak loudly in November and vote out of office the lazy, irresponsible, clueless City Council members who refuse to look out for the public interest.
We cannot afford to wait while the city leaders continue to buy amusement parks and other tripe and lead us to the brink of bankruptcy. Stay tuned.
Mark Zappa Sr., Gilroy
Illegal Aliens Should be Arrested and Deported When They’re Found
Dear Editor,
The May 4, page A9 article in regards to the Los Angeles immigration rally is a crock. The Chief of Los Angeles Police Department, William J Bratton, is a fool and a coward. He get’s what he bargained for by not enforcing the laws of the state of California, and swerving from the course of justice, by not honoring his oath to his badge.
What does he expect from illegal aliens and the subversive groups like La Raza and LULAC who only push their own agenda. By letting the illegal aliens gain ground, he also gained people he is protecting, who turn and assault his officers. Chief Bratton is a fool.
All illegal aliens should be sought out, arrested and deported as soon as they are found. The other cowards in our state, San Jose Police Chief Rob Davis, and any other City Council in this state who won’t enforce the laws and such, are ALL cowards and should resign.
Any officer who swore an oath and doesn’t enforce the law is a LIAR, and should be brought up for review when determined a illegal alien was let go, and either disciplined, or fired. The weak case that SJ Police Chief Davis always brings up, is that “we don’t want to hinder a murder investigation by scaring the illegal aliens from talking and helping in an investigation,” is so asinine I can’t believe it.
It’s time the leaders of this state, get a backbone, and enforce the laws. If not, I want my tax money back, that I am so heavily charged on each check that I work for. It’s time to quit being stupid. Arrest, Deport, la da da da da da …
Tom Vance, Gilroy
