Bond talk: What Gilroy wants?
Mayor Don Gage has opened up a can of worms with his invitation to the City Council and, of course, the community to discuss a city bond measure that would fund “wish list” items. We’re glad he did.
Turn the wheels of justice
It’s been a year since Antolin Garcia Torres, 22 of Morgan Hill, was arrested and charged with the kidnap and murder of 15-year-old Sierra LaMar.
4 letters: Obama’s lies, policies stealing our freedoms; Sportsman Chefs deliver wonderful fishability day; Lead ammo lunch; Scandals rampant in Obama presidency
Wake up people, you’re being lied to and your freedoms are in jeopardy
3 letters: Racism prevalent in town, haunted by Bush presidency, agencies deserve more credit
Racism and segregation prevalent even in our small town
2 letters: ‘The Bible’ is not reality; Squandering ag land
‘The Bible’ series treated fictional characters like Jesus as if they existed
3 letters: Schools better start taking cyberbullying seriously; Thanks for Dispatch support on garden sale; Legislative fire tax fiasco gets worse
School officials better start taking issues like cyberbullying seriously
Do you think the city does a good job with planning and execution regarding street tree and community forestry programs?
• Yes. I don't agree with some of the policies but I do appreciate that we have a lot of beautiful tree lined streets. The 152 gateway is such a wonderful welcome to our community too! • Yes, hopefully. I believe now they are doing their homework and are planting trees that will not cause thousands of dollars to homeowners in 20 years by planting trees that uproot their sidewalks. Didn’t the City’s arborists think of researching tree root patterns back in the ’60s and ’70s? • In general, yes. However, the city is too aggressive in removing existing trees that are perceived as a potential liability due to possible failure – the massive Rainbow Park oak as an example. Apparently, placing a fence around the tree canopy wasn’t good enough. The city should not feel compelled to idiot-proof all facilities – the iron fence around the city skate park is yet another example of failed overkill. Unless the tree presents an imminent threat, leave it! Odds are it will survive for years to come. • Yes. If Santa Teresa is any indication ... however, I wish new developments were required to install more trees. • Yes. From what I've seen the street trees are well-groomed, not blocking any signs, and there are some new plantings on First Street. • Yes, for the most part. We are known as one of the best tree cities in America. We could stand to be rid of trees like the Palo Alto Liquid Amber planted many years ago in certain neighborhoods. They look nice, but have horrible, large burrs that litter the streets where they are still located. Their root system also ruins the sidewalks with upheaval and serious cracks. • Not quite. Why is the Santa Teresa corridor so over-planted? Did anyone realize that shrubs actually grow when they planted double the amount necessary? Now many should be transplanted elsewhere – are they going to do that? • No, it’s OK, but has fallen off like so many city programs. Gilroy should have a model urban forestry program.
