The following organizations and individuals deserve either
CHEERS or JEERS this week:
JEERS: For the impasse in contract negotiations declared by the
firefighter’s union leadership.
The following organizations and individuals deserve either CHEERS or JEERS this week:
JEERS: For the impasse in contract negotiations declared by the firefighter’s union leadership. The city cannot afford the demands by firefighters which include the “3 at 50” program (retirement at age 50 with 90 percent of salary), wage increases of 2, 3 and 4 percent, respectively, by 2007, fully paid health-care premiums for Kaiser and Delta Dental and a post-retirement cash benefit of $200 per month, with an increase to $300 in July. Since granting police the “3 at 50” benefit in 2000, retirement obligations for the city have skyrocketed from about $900,000 annually to $3.25 million. Benefits for public safety employees are OUT OF CONTROL. The City Council would be abrogating its responsibility if it did not reject these demands and go to the ballot to rescind binding arbitration.
CHEERS: For the news that Gilroy High’s varsity football games will be televised on local community TV this fall. How cool. The games won’t be broadcast live, but fans, parents, friends and players will be able to catch all the action from a whole different angle. It’s another nice community addition from CMAP.
CHEERS: For the Santa Clara Valley Water district which stepped up to the plate and forged a deal with Olin Corp. and the Regional Water Board to test the so-called northeast plume of perchlorate pollution in Morgan Hill. Testing will determine the source of the pollution, and having one agency that is in charge will certainly clear the waters for the community.
JEERS: For Santa Clara County’s initial meeting effort to clear up and clean up the Williamson Act. This really is a job for county supervisors and their expert staffs. The supervisors have let this problem languish and grow. Now it’s a crisis and Don Gage and company will have to act swiftly and decisively to define agricultural operations, work with the state on a potential amnesty program and, of course, lay it on the line for those who are not going to be happy about paying late taxes and penalties.
CHEERS: For San Benito County Supervisors who unanimously rejected the Indian casino proposal. Backers should read the writing on the wall and abandon the proposal. Despite all the carrots being held out, it’s simply not something residents in this area want.
JEERS: For San Jose’s power-hungry mayor Ron Gonzales who continues to lead the charge that will gobble up Coyote Valley with unwarranted development zeal. The latest strike against developing Coyote Valley: The water supply in South County will only provide
50 percent of what’s needed to support the development. Oh well, who needs water?
