At the May 10 meeting of the Board of Supervisors, San Benito
County initiated the process to add another layer of bureaucracy,
with FEES, to local businesses.
Expanding government without purpose
Dear Editor,
At the May 10 meeting of the Board of Supervisors, San Benito County initiated the process to add another layer of bureaucracy, with FEES, to local businesses.Â
Local businesses must file a Hazardous Material Inventory (HMI) with the state. Currently, a paper report is required although an electronic copy is acceptable. After January 2013, the HMI must be filed electronically.Â
San Benito County Environmental Health Services (EHS) has filed for a grant to assist in the electronic filing. EHS will collect the HMI reports and submit them to the state. EHS will “Review Need for Permit Fee Adjustment” for costs after January 2013.Â
There is no requirement for the county to be involved in the reporting process. This is just another example of expanding government with no useful purpose other than to generate another “revenue stream” for the county. Â
Marvin L. Jones, Hollister
A longtime local resident reflects
Dear Editor,
Today is my 83 rd Birthday. I am lucky I am still here. I didn’t ask to come and I am not going to ask to go. For as long as I can freely breathe I do not mind to stay. I am a Christian and I believe in what they teach me. I was taught that there was a heaven and a purgatory. It is supposed to be a place that we stop in on our way to heaven to finish cleaning off our sins. I do not hear our church talking about it anymore. I wonder if there is a purgatory. I have been having a good life but not without consequences. After I retired I beat cancer four times. That didn’t interfere with my life. I worked for public for 30 years. I was never late and I never failed to do my job. I never was criticized for not doing my job. I see things today along our county roads that I would be ashamed if I had anything to do with. Lack of intelligence. Lack of being proud. When you drive on a road and you have to pass a car or a truck you have to hit mustard or stickers with the side of your car or pickup. I find the ones responsible not being responsible. Lack of common sense, lack of intelligence. It only takes spraying the weeds in February or March that keeps things clean. They are going to say lack of money. Not so! With the experience I have working in the field, the weeds, if you spray them, would only cost half the money to beat them. That would save on equipment an labor, enough to pay for spray. I see here lack of experience. My health reasons started after I retired and with God’s help I am fine. Things seem to be doing better. I miss the Free Lance being published five times a week. The best news lately is that we got rid of Bin Laden. He got what he deserved.
God Bless!
Amadeu Lima, San Benito County
Thanks to Sam Farr
Dear Editor,
I am so frustrated by the recent misleading articles published about Congressman Sam Farr in our local paper!
We could not have a better advocate here in San Benito County! Â Did anyone else see the article in the paper about the meeting he just held at the St. Francis Retreat Center to help our county access more federal assistance? Am I the only one who read that!?
Well, I attended that meeting, and I’m so appreciative of his leadership. Â Congressman Farr brought federal department officials into the area to help us find better ways to access federal money. He was honest, straightforward, and has clearly done quite a bit of work to ensure San Benito County gets its due. Â Thank you for the information Sam!
It amazes me how the well paid directors from local agencies want the congressman to find them money, when it’s their job to find it and apply for it through a grant process. Once these agencies start the grant process then the congressman’s office can assist you.
There will always be people who complain, but I appreciate having information on how we can better help ourselves.
Thank you again Congressman Farr!
Gregory Rivera, San Benito County
