Winter sunshine on our shoulders
In this season of the winter sun, I find there's something
Transportation agency considers sunshine law
Local riders alliance calls for more transparency
Where there’s Gilroy smoke, there’s garlic and fire
Union for the firefighters and the police officers took it on the chin in San Jose and San Diego Tuesday. Voters in both major urban centers, tired of lavish pensions enjoyed at the expense of taxpayers and other city services, voted overwhelmingly to enact significant pension reforms. Despite San Jose clearly being a Democratic stronghold, more than 70 percent of voters approved Measure B which requires employees to pay more into the current retirement plan or change to a more reasonable plan. It also limits benefits for new hires. At last a breath of common sense. The looming unfunded liabilities will eventually catch up to all California cities and, as more cash is needed to fund those luxurious pensions, the less money will be available for cities to provide services. Meanwhile, back in the real world, a city summer recreation Little Skill Builders soccer “camp” offering that runs for five days from 9:30 to 11 a.m. for 4 to 6 year olds will cost you a whopping $90. Not surprisingly, only hours after the crushing defeat in San Jose, the “new elite” – the public safety union employees – filed lawsuits to stop the reforms.
Pledge of Allegiance created to sell flags
Assemblywoman Shannon Grove earlier this year told supporters at a campaign fundraiser that Assemblyman Luis Alejo, who represents Gilroy and Hollister, does not say the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag at state legislative sessions. Other assembly members who work with Alejo say Grove’s accusation is untrue and Alejo has even led the flag salute. The hullabaloo sparked my curiosity to discover the genesis of the pledge to our nation’s flag. The truth will no doubt alarm Assemblywoman Grove, a Republican. Our nation’s Pledge of Allegiance was written by – gasp! – a socialist.
Rabies found in nearby county
Two cases of rabies were reported in North Monterey County this past week. One of these was in a dog, the other a skunk. It’s been while since rabies killed someone’s pet. But with this news, we know that rabies, a deadly virus contagious to humans, is in our own back yard.
Getting Out: New Idria is full of lore
Many of my favorite adventures began on the sofa with a map. I see a vast blank region crossed by a single lonely road and wonder: “What the heck is out there?” One day, the lure is too great to resist and I go. The experience is always so much more than just another Sunday drive.

















