Measure F is an insult to our intelligence
Really? There’s no money to fix a faulty 911 system or fix broken sidewalks if the new tax is not passed? And, oh, don’t worry, when we get more of your money, there will be improved oversight to make sure it is spent wisely. Uh, huh, sure.
Is this the same group of elected officials that approved the building of the elaborate round-about to replace the previously perfectly good four-way stop at Luchessa and Thomas? I usually drive through this intersection a couple of times a day and my blood pressure goes up each time when I think about how much money must have been spent on this show piece. Really, fellow citizens, if you haven’t seen this, make a point to take a look at what your elected officials decided was a priority over what they claim is an insufficient 911 system.
And, when you’re done sightseeing there, drive north on Santa Teresa to the Fitzgerald/Masten intersection where, in the recent past, a full four-way light system, complete with pedestrian signals was built to replace the previously perfectly good blinking red light signal that served this intersection quite well. The fact that in the past eight years, driving through this intersection at least twice a day, I have NEVER seen a single pedestrian … well, never mind.
So, the only conclusion I can come to is that Gilroy must be a ridiculously wealthy community, just looking for things to spend money on, right? No?
Come on, people, don’t just hand over more cash to be spent by those who have already proven they have no respect for that which you have already surrendered. It’s time to expect better judgment and accountability from those with whom we place our treasure and trust.
It’s simple. No on F.
Diane Thompson, Gilroy
Don’t get burned
“Government is not eloquence; it is not reason; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.”
We were warned by George Washington! Now we are threatened to get our hands burnt once more.
Vote no on higher taxes in Gilroy. Vote no on Measure F.
Matthew Abeyta, Gilroy
Wine column will be missed
Bev Stenehjem is the “Honorary Chairman of the Board” for the promotion of the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley.
Thank you, Bev, for giving accolades to John McKay, Jon Hatakeyama and Mike Sampagnaro. They truly deserve it. But Bev is the inspirational leader of the pack. You have greatly increased the public’s awareness of the wonderful wineries that exist in South County. Our tasting barn guests constantly mention and praise Bev’s Wine Buzz. (Love the dogs.) You truly have a passion for promoting our local wineries and it’s obvious you pour your heart and soul into every masterful column.
Thank you so much, Bev, for giving us three years of your precious time and life in the creation of 50 interesting, exciting, educational, informative and wonderful wine columns. Thank God for Mark Derry for giving a bold and exceptionally talented writer, Bev Stenehjem, the opportunity to bless South Santa Clara Valley with her top-notch creations. What a tremendous boost the wine column has given to the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley and San Benito County. We could not have asked for a better wine ambassador than Bev.
How are we going to live without Bev’s Wine Buzz? It will be greatly missed. Hope this is just a bad dream and when we wake up in the morning, Bev’s Wine Buzz will be back.
We are anxiously anticipating the release of your historical book “Wineries of Santa Clara Valley.” We are sure your book will be as wonderful and interesting as your columns have always been.
Judy, Jerry and Jim Ross, Ross Vineyards and Winery
Editor’s note: Bev will be missed, no doubt. But rest assured, we have another wine enthusiast lined up to write a new wine column.
Show support for Red Barn
At a recent petition-signing event for Saving Miller Red Barn by the Miller Barn Committee, Richard Perino and I were enthused by the show of community support to save the barn. A most touching show of support came from young man who contributed some of his birthday money to support the Miller Barn.
The Miller Red Barn Committee (MRB) came together in February of this year to save the barn located on the ranch site of Christmas Hill Park. The barn is slated for demolition in February 2015 by the city as unstable and no longer useful.
In Gilroy’s General Plan for City Parks written up with the input of a board of citizens and agencies, planned on utilizing the barn as part of a community environmental center tied into the nature preserve that borders Christmas Hill Park. The barn was to be refurbished as more or less a centerpiece of the environmental center.
The MRB’s independent engineering study shows that the barn, although definitely in need of repair, is not structurally unsound.
Our vision is that the barn be rehabilitated to become an integral piece of an agricultural history center. This center would be representative of the many cultures that have so richly contributed to Gilroy’s past, present and future.
The City of Gilroy was most fortunate, after several major campaigns by the citizenry, to save Wheeler Hospital and Old City Hall from slated demolition. But, please don’t let another piece of Gilroy’s past slip away!
Come join us to show your support to keeping the barn as a salute to the monumental contribution agriculture has made to Gilroy. We will meet in front of the Miller Red Barn on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 10 a.m. at Christmas Hill Park on the ranch side for a photograph to be used in the campaign to save the barn.
Follow our Facebook page Save Miller Red Barn. Email your comments or suggestions, to
Sa***************@gm***.com
.
See you at the Red Barn!
Kathy Chavez, Member of the Miller Red Barn Committee
