Schools Just Keep Doing Worse and Getting More Money – Go Figure?

Dear Editor,
I guess I’m old-fashioned because I can not understand why our
government is willing to throw three billion dollars-yes that’s
right $3,000,000,000 to under-achieving schools.
Schools Just Keep Doing Worse and Getting More Money – Go Figure?

Dear Editor,

I guess I’m old-fashioned because I can not understand why our government is willing to throw three billion dollars-yes that’s right $3,000,000,000 to under-achieving schools.

Now to my way of thinking you were supposed to be rewarded for good achievement.

When I was a youngster in school and came home with a poor grade, I didn’t get rewarded with anything but a swat on the butt.

I would think we should be rewarding the better achieving schools to give the under achievers something to shoot for.

Now with this logic of rewarding mediocrity, I can see the future.

If I let my property deteriorate to a point that it becomes a blight of the neighborhood I can expect a check from the government. They’re not saying I have to improve it, just take the money.

Dick Mountz, Gilroy

$29.95 and a Resolute Mayor Could Do the Job, But the City Simply Spends

Dear Editor,

Hey City Council, why not try saving money this time?

The council chamber may need improvement (City Council Digs Will Receive Upgrade – Jan. 5), but spending $1,000 to replace an ineffective egg timer that “… warned people speaking at public meetings that their three minutes are up” is irresponsible. Years past, an unknown brain-dead city employee authorized purchase of $1,000 chairs for council member’s comfort. Has this miserable myopic mediocrity been turned loose again to waste more Gilroy tax dollars?

An easily visible green-yellow-red timing light, the Pace Setter, model 6618, can be obtained for $29.95 through Toastmasters International, P.O. Box 9052, Mission Viejo, CA 92690 (1-949-858-8255). Better yet, a city electrician, if unencumbered from union bureaucracy, could easily create an attractive three-light timing light or modify the Pace Setter system – either could sound a buzzer at the end of three minutes or, more effectively, switch the speaker’s microphone OFF.

The ultimate responsibility for successful council meetings, however, falls on the council’s “head”, the mayor. While this mayor often cuts off a speaker before that individual’s three minutes have expired, he has also allowed others to ramble on far past the allotted time allowed. The proposed timing system will work only if the mayor drops the gavel on all speakers after their three-minute presentation.

But this time, council members, think carefully about what’s being spent for what. When passing on these varied renovation proposals, don’t waste another $1,000 for a speaker timing system just so the citizen’s voice can be turned off in style.

James Brescoll, Gilroy

The Golden Quill is awarded occasionally for a well-written letter.