Guest View, Stephanie Hernandez and Sarah Manjra: Advocate for the unhoused
Being a resident of Gilroy my entire life, it is disheartening to witness the growth of our homeless population over the past several years. Knowing how much the pandemic has affected millions of people all over the country, we have also seen its effects...
Guest view: Valley Water makes progress at Anderson Dam
It has been just over two years since Valley Water broke ground at Anderson Dam with the promise to protect the public and secure Santa Clara County’s water supply. Since then, our agency has made tremendous progress on this vital public safety and water...
Guest View: State’s experiment puts lives at risk
World War II changed the face of the world and all the people in it. In California, attitudes on how to view and treat mental illness were changing as well.
Growing up in post-WWII California, we didn’t have homeless people per se. Of course there...
Guest View: Gilroy must ensure housing is available for all income levels
Having a house should not be a privilege; it should be a right. Every individual deserves to have a place they can come home to daily.
Beyond the four walls lies a magical dream that no one deserves to let go of. Once a family...
Rabbi Mendel Liberow: How to prevent the next pandemic
Three years ago, the possibility of a global pandemic took up about as much headspace for most people as the possibility of a global conflict: technically possible, but not really a “thing” in this millennium. But as it turns out, history repeats itself. And...
Guest View: Moving Gilroy forward in 2022
To my council colleagues, city staff and the public, I am very excited to be a part of the many changes coming to Gilroy this year. I will continue to bring the views of my constituents to these meetings, as well as my own.
We...
Spoking My Mind: Bicycle, come what May
May. For the unenlightened, it’s the fifth month, a time between the seasons of “It’s too cold!” and “It’s too hot!”
To the enlightened, however, it’s our month! National Bike Month! Thirty-one days to celebrate our two-wheeled, pedal-powered pals! As in previous Mays, Cycle Guy...
Guest view: Film fest brings online cinema, family fun to South Valley
By Mattie Scariot
The Poppy Jasper International Film Festival will take place virtually from Wednesday, April 7 to Tuesday, April 20 this year. This longtime, internationally acclaimed, local festival in Morgan Hill, San Martin, Gilroy, Hollister and San Juan Bautista will feature fantastic films, panels,...
Guest View: Unique communities stand above the rest
Part 1 of this article, “Steps needed to create a thriving community,” which was published in the May 20 edition of the Gilroy Dispatch, covered the first five common characteristics of thriving communities.
This final installment will discuss the remaining four steps and stress why...
Guest View: Gilroy’s commute problems
A person that lives in Gilroy and works in San Jose has to invest around $9,282 and 480 hours a year just to be able to go to work. Santa Clara County could reduce cost and time of travel by optimizing the current train...





















