The following individuals and organizations deserve either
CHEERS or JEERS this week:
The following individuals and organizations deserve either CHEERS or JEERS this week:
CHEERS: For Gilroy Unified School District teachers, administrators, parents and students who all played a part in the improved test scores announced this week. The positive movement – every school posted significant gains – is cause for celebration. Yes, “there are miles to go before we sleep,” but there is an appropriate time to acknowledge the hard work that has resulted in getting this far up the mountain. There have been teacher meetings, administrative work on curriculum alignment, parent demands, emphasis on classroom instruction and the leadership from the superintendent and school trustees to keep the organization focused on what’s important: classroom instruction. Keep up the good work. The goal is better-prepared students and that oft-repeated 90 percent at grade level.
CHEERS: For the efforts of San Martin Neighborhood Alliance leaders to organize block parties to determine support for a cityhood bid. After a decade of talk, the movement to create an independent hamlet between Gilroy and Morgan Hill is taking on serious tones. That’s welcome news, and, honestly, it’s the only way San Martin residents will ever control their own destiny.
JEERS: For the last-minute write-in candidacy in Tuesday’s local city election of Celeste Zamzow. She might very well be a wonderful candidate, but the voters didn’t get a chance to hear her views and witness her campaign. Other candidates answered interview questions, attended multiple forums, walked precincts and wrote ballot statements. That effort clearly should be valued by the voters.
JEERS: For the denial of Gilroy’s application for state library funds. We’re back to the old saying, “If you want to do something right, you have to do it yourself.” Creative thinking is in order. Could we build and bond for a cultural center/library and bring it close to downtown? Maybe Gilroy’s new police station could occupy the “old” library. It’s time to think out of the box.
CHEERS: For the firefighters in southern California who have been battling the wicked string of fires for more than a week. Though many homes were lost, thousands were saved. It’s a tragedy that people on Redwood Retreat Road, for example, can relate to after last year’s close call with the Croy Fire.
CHEERS: For the change in weather. Though abrupt, it’s better than having a bunch of sweat-drenched children running around in 90-degree heat for Halloween. Be careful out there on Halloween night, the roads will be slick and misty.
CHEERS: For Assemblyman John Laird’s bill, signed by Gov. Davis, increasing penalties for Williamson Act violators. The Act has a specific purpose – to encourage agricultural use when land might be worth more used another way. It was never meant as a tax break for 5-acre homeowners with a pot-bellied pig in the backyard.
