Guest View, Carol Marques: Housing shortage or affordability problem?
At a recent city function, a guest speaker said Anderson Dam was built in 18 months but the retrofit would take 8-10 years. It was his next comment that resonated with me: “That’s just the way it is.” I sat there thinking, nothing is...
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, Beverly Kirk: Gift Shop has been eliminated
On May 28, there was an article in the Dispatch about possible changes for the Senior Center. The article indicated that these changes could hinder operations of the longtime gift shop or close it all together.
This is not just a possibility, it is indeed...
Guest View: Vote Yes on Prop 50 to ensure your vote is counted
In the upcoming special election on Nov. 4, voters are going to see a new measure, Proposition 50. By a vote of the majority, California voters will decide if temporary changes to our congressional district maps should be authorized.
This would allow the legislature, members...
Guest View: How can we stop kids from abusing drugs?
School safety has been a hotly debated issue everywhere in America, as kids start to emerge from their homes to in-person education. While Gilroy is no exception, there seems to be a similar discussion around students from the view of drugs and drug safety,...
Guest view: Could carbon pricing help solve the climate crisis?
The summer of 2020 will always be remembered as the season of the largest, most destructive wildfires in the history of California. Our Golden State lost over 4 million acres that were ravaged by more than 8,200 fires. Thirty-one lives were lost, along with...
Guest View, Carol Marques: Spend energy on solutions, not negativity
By Carol Marques
I was disappointed last week when I read a letter to the editor in the Dispatch which reinforced the negativity that is trending right now. The writer’s perceptions of the City of Gilroy lack the facts. Much of what he is concerned...
Guest View: Fruits of our labor
Spring is an uplifting time to rejoice and watch how the “garden” grows. A true time of renaissance.
During Downtown Gilroy’s Art Walk, I had the pleasure of seeing how the seeds of my teaching years blossomed. Like climbing roses with the right support coupled...
Guest View: Groundwater, the hidden resource we rely on every day
Each year, communities across America take time to recognize an important but unseen part of our water supply: groundwater. During National Groundwater Awareness Week, March 8–14, we focus on protecting this valuable resource and highlight local efforts to keep groundwater safe and reliable.
In Santa...
From My Perspective: Consuming fire
Fire...mentioned throughout the Bible with varied significance. My interest about fire peaked, recently, after a Daniel bible study. I learned about the courageous faith of Daniel’s three Jewish friends who were thrown into the blazing fire when they would not bow down to King...





















