Guest view: Who’s exempt from parcel taxes in Santa Clara County?
If you’re a homeowner, you’re about to pay your second installment of property taxes on your home. These taxes need to be paid by April 10. This assessment continues to grow longer, costlier and more confusing every year. This year my assessment has 18...
Guest View, Mark Turner: Thank you, Chief Scot Smithee
By Mark Turner
To Chief Scot Smithee, thank you for a job well done.
I can’t imagine it’s an easy job being a cop. There are a lot of challenges that go along with being a member of law enforcement, especially these days. While the cop...
Local veteran releases children’s book about four-legged heroes
My goal in taking on this project and partnering with Mary to create this book was to drive awareness and generate additional revenue for Operation Freedom Paws. I wanted to help Mary continue her mission and grow her inspiring non-profit organization.
Guest View, Zach Hilton: Happy New Year
2021 is in the rear-view mirror, and with multiple vaccines for Covid-19 being distributed, we have found a way for our lives to return to normal. I received the Pfizer vaccine and booster. I’ve had no side effects and I urge you to get...
Guest View: A profound discussion
On Nov. 12, my wife Lucy and I attended the most powerful and impactful panel discussion ever. The constant theme was the importance of continuing the fight and struggle for social justice, equal rights, dignity and respect for all. The venue was Wheeler Auditorium...
Guest View: Fear has ended our annual homecoming
Gilroy Garlic. Over the years, the words have become so synonymous it is hard to think of one without the other. Growing up in Gilroy, as a member of the third generation of a “garlic family,” the association of this identity has become part...
Spoking My Mind: April lows and highs
Seasoned riders know all about lows and highs, from gears to mountain climbing to the PSI in their tires! Life is also full of lows and highs. (Let’s not to say “highs and lows,” as that arrangement leaves everyone sad.) This particular April has...
Guest View: Why recall Councilmember Armendariz?
Diverse communities throughout Gilroy have unified in support of the recall of Councilmember Rebeca Armendariz. She demonstrated extremely poor judgment when she participated and assisted in the planning of a large-scale party where there was underage drinking. At this party, there was a shooting...
Guest View: Teaching youth the power of voting
Every generation has grown up being told that they, the youth, are the future. In American society, this means that the youth (theoretically) have the power to sway elections once they are of voting age.
Unfortunately, the youth vote has not always met its potential...
Guest view: AB 1454 shows how to improve child literacy, efficiently and effectively
Every teacher in California wants their students to be able to read. But too often, we’re not given the tools to provide effective reading instruction.
While serving as an English language arts/English language development teacher on Special Assignment for Gilroy Unified School District, our Las...






















