Dear Editor:
I was surprised, disappointed and offended when reading The
Dispatch’s endorsements for the Gilroy Unified School District
School Board.
Dear Editor:
I was surprised, disappointed and offended when reading The Dispatch’s endorsements for the Gilroy Unified School District School Board.
During these tough economic times and with the escalating costs of four-year colleges, an increasing number of parents will choose to have their children attend a community college prior to transferring to four-year schools. An out-of-control drug and alcohol problem among our youth should be even a stronger reason for parents to want to keep their children closer to home. Yet, you have not endorsed a candidate who has 33 years of community college experience; a candidate with strong ties to the state chancellor’s office and is networked with the 108 community colleges in California.
Dr. TJ Owens has the experience, respect and following to forge strong bridges between Gavilan, other local community colleges and our districts’ students. I am perplexed that The Dispatch did not recognize his value to our board and endorse his candidacy.
On the other hand, I am offended that you would endorse a candidate that is not ready to represent any constituency in any English-speaking forum.
Jesus Gonzalez, does not appear to have any qualifications other than he is Latino and Spanish-speaking.
The Spanish-speaking and the English-speaking community deserve better. Gonzalez may be a fine person with the best of intentions but how can he represent the community if he does not understand or speak enough English to respond to issues that are presented to him in English? How can he provide a link between our two main populations if he does not have the facility of both languages? Why would The Dispatch endorse such a candidate?
It is offensive to me and should be to other voters that you would think such a weak candidate would meet the needs of the Spanish-speaking community.
Frank Valadez, Gilroy
Submitted Wednesday, Oct. 31 to ed****@ga****.com
EDITOR’S NOTE: In an hour-long interview at The Dispatch offices, two English-speaking editors and a reporter found Jesus Gonzalez to be quite capable of conversing and communicating ideas in English.
