Opinion

1. Monetary charges to the dog’s owner just aren’t enough

• NO. This is a big bunch of BS. Students are not getting enough of their academics as it is with shorter class days and shorter class years. This is the government’s way of indoctrinating students in public schools into “serving the citizens”. If they want them to do 80 more hours put them back into the classroom. • Yes. Instilling community service at a young age rewards not only the young person but our community. They will hopefully see this as just a beginning in terms of what they can give back through service. The bigger lesson will be in what they receive! • Absolutely Yes. It forces involvement which can lead to a child finding a passion they didn’t even know they have as well as exposing them to all different needs within our community. • Honestly as a parent of a freshman, I really hated the rule. Now that a year has gone by and my son will be a sophomore my thought has changed. It is a really great idea that has helped me encourage my son to be more involved! Also, as a parent it has helped me to see all the diverse opportunities available for all ages to help keep Gilroy residents and families! • No. I think it is a good premise to raise awareness for teens, but the actual accounting for the hours, the paperwork, and the enforcement of students not walking if they don’t fulfill this requirement and the outcry from some parents if their student is affected is the reality. Perhaps this spirit of volunteering should be given back to the parents to model and do with their children. • Yes. Community service is character building and is not difficult especially with local organizations like Gilroy Gardens stepping up to provide plenty of opportunities to serve. • Yes. It provides experiences and learning opportunities they would never understand from a book. They will see a different perspective on life if they serve at St. Joseph’s or the Compassion Center or with a local service club project. It’s good for them. • Yes. I’m actually pretty cynical about this in that much of what passes for community service is questionably so. One hour here and a half-hour there doesn’t do it. Weekly volunteer at Lord’s Table or St.Joseph’s Family Center or Salvation Army or Operation Interdependence or clean up the creek or pick up trash along the streets or railroad tracks or helping at the hospital or convalescent home or senior center or logistical help (set-up/clean-up) with service organizations’ large events. These things give exposure to real-life, character building experiences, sensitivity to the less

‘This means that you, Fido, and your prize petunia now have equal rights …’

What we have here – again – is a failure to communicate. The infamous lines from the classic movie “Cool Hand Luke” come quickly to mind these days in Gilroy. Miscommunication seems to be the prevailing wind blowing through City Hall, and it’s an ill wind indeed.

The things that make Gilroy a special place, and the one reason that really stands out

Seems bizarre, but a UN environmental agenda is being carried out right here in Gilroy

Cheers to Police Chief Denise Turner and the staff at the Gilroy library for dealing head-on with the problems created by young hooligans at the library. Zero tolerance is the right approach. When a community supports and spends precious tax dollars to build an outstanding facility, it must be protected and the rules must be enforced. Hopefully, a concerted effort now will halt the problems and let the few unruly teens who are mucking up the library experience for many know that there will be consequences.

Serious issues at Vineyard Christian Pre-School bring rise to issues about leadership