The following organizations and individuals deserve either
CHEERS or JEERS this week:
CHEERS: For City Manager Jay Baksa and Mayor Al Pinheiro who
have acted decisively and quickly to convene an Oct. 27 regional
summit on the two surprise Indian-based developments that have been
sprung upon our communities.
The following organizations and individuals deserve either CHEERS or JEERS this week:
CHEERS: For City Manager Jay Baksa and Mayor Al Pinheiro who have acted decisively and quickly to convene an Oct. 27 regional summit on the two surprise Indian-based developments that have been sprung upon our communities. That kind of initiative and leadership is exactly why the city of Gilroy stands out in the region as a well-run city. The two proposed developments – one with a casino and one mostly residential – would straddle U.S. 101. Cumulatively, they would have huge impacts on communities from Morgan Hill to San Juan Bautista. Getting answers, holding our federal representatives accountable for their actions and pursuing every avenue to retain local control are all important reasons to hold this summit sooner rather than later.
JEERS: For the insane jump in gas prices. Cut back, don’t take that joy ride, make sure your tires are filled properly with air and seek out the stations with lower prices. If we can cut demand even by a fraction that should have an impact on high prices.
CHEERS: For 11-year-old Sabrina Ferretti. The Antonio Del Buono student earned a ride in the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile by winning an essay contest about her wish to ride in the quirky vehicle that has become an American icon. Ferretti’s essay detailed her plan to take the Weinermobile to places where less fortunate children lived and spread some fun – as well as some food – around. That’s exactly what she’ll be doing today at the John H. Boccardo Living Center in San Martin. That’s a wonderful story that makes us proud to call Sabrina a fellow Gilroyan.
JEERS: For Gilroy Unified School District officials who have refused to disclose the amount of the monetary settlement they reached with Kristen Porter, the teacher that was summarily let go last year after criticizing the board. At a candidate’s forum Thursday night, Trustee Bob Kraemer again refused to provide the details about the secret deal. Handing out taxpayer money, and refusing to tell those same taxpayers how you are spending it, is not a personnel issue.
CHEERS: For the news that there may be $10 million in federal funds to help preserve and restore the aging California missions which are falling into disrepair. Mission San Juan Bautista could receive some of that money, but first the California Mission Foundation needs to raise matching funds. That’s the way the federal legislation is written. If we pass the plate, we could see those improvements materialize. To donate go to www.missionsofcalifornia.org and click on the donations button at the top. It would even make a good class project for students who are studying the California missions. It’s an integral part of our state’s heritage worthy of preservation.
