Mental illness doesn’t explain gun violence
The notion that mental illness drives the current spate of mass shootings is a dangerous oversimplification. Some shooters, such as the Aurora. Col., movie theater gunman James Holmes, yes, have had diagnosed mental illness, while others have not. To unfairly stereotype people with conditions...
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...
Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting victims: We owe them a memorial
The large teddy bear has a layer of dust, and the candles are burned out. The cut flowers are wilted. Some of the handwritten notes are smudged by the morning dew, others are faded by the late-summer sun or were distributed along the Uvas...
Letter: Young was a bright presence
Your article about Gary Young’s death from Covid really touched me (South Valley, June 12, 2020). Gary was always a bright presence at Orchard Supply, then at Lowe’s. I couldn’t pass him without some mutual recognition; a simple hello or a brief conversation.
At one...
Guest View: SRO funds should be invested to better serve students
As communities across the country grapple with racial injustice and a broken criminal justice system that is fed by a school-to-prison pipeline, leaders are taking a closer look at the impact of school police or resource officers. More and more school districts are taking...
Guest View, Fred Tovar: Stronger together
Dear members of the Gilroy community, I wanted to share with you a copy of the letter that was sent to the Santa Clara County Democratic Party in response to a resolution they presented recommending removal of their endorsement.
Dear Mr. Bill James and Santa...
County responds to pandemic impacts
I hope that you and your families are safe and healthy during this pandemic. These are truly unprecedented times and while the majority of residents are not infected, we are all affected. My staff and I compiled some resources for Santa Clara County residents...
Time to say ‘Thank you’ for donations to fund
After three months of trauma, grief, vigils, fundraisers, healing, memorials and, for many, continuing pain, let’s take some time for some gratitude.
As the #Gilroy Strong banner left Monterey Street and the flowers on the Uvas Creek bike trail faded and withered, hundreds of businesses...
Letter: Accept the voters’ voices
In the 2016 general election, Roland Velasco was elected mayor with two years remaining on his council seat. His seat as a council member was vacated and needed to be filled. The need to fill that seat was known on the night of the...















