Opinion

The Santa Clara County Assessor’s Annual Report answers the No. 1 question at this time of year: Where do my taxes go? This year’s report contains a special focus that looks back over the past 10 years of assessment roll information, and includes graphical illustrations...

I awoke Sunday morning in Gilroy to the glowing, rose-colored sun (unfortunately from fires burning to the north), varying sounds of chimes blowing in the wind, happily chirping birds sitting in swaying trees and the rumbling vibrations of generators providing electricity—because as of 9pm...

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...

I am pleased to announce the launch of 911 texting services throughout Santa Clara County. This new option will help those who are deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired and anyone who feels unsafe speaking over the phone. The county operates a consolidated (law,...

So we need to increase taxes to ensure that our fire and police protection are adequate for our great city? No one can argue that we need good fire and police protection, but why do we need more?  We need more because our infrastructure...

Congratulations to the new youth executive board of San Martin 4-H Club. With this great youth team, our club will strive for a successful year. The executive board will keep the meetings running smoothly and plan fun events for our members to enjoy throughout...

Last month’s Women’s Equality Day Celebration hosted by the Santa Clara County Commission on the Status of Women bore witness to the triumphs and challenges women still face. It is staggering to think that 2019 marks the 99th year since the passage of the...

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...

Last month I was invited to photograph remnants from Gilroy’s past, several fragments of circus posters from the 1800s revealed when rafters were exposed during renovations at 7533 Monterey Street, once the home of Mafalda’s Bridal Shop. As the circuses involved operated in the...

On July 20, 1969—50 years ago—a team of about five American soldiers was surrounded by what seemed like hundreds of Vietnamese. As the enemy closed in, all the brave Americans could do was hunker down and wait for the inevitable—scared,  as flashbacks of home...