Thanks to good neighbors and firefighters
This past week, our home ranch experienced the smoke and flames
of a range land fire. With the past rainy season yielding abundant
dry grass, the fire was immediately on it’s own path. Our homes,
animals, out buildings, fences and equipment were under the threat
of being absorbed by the shifting flames. A significant loss seemed
inevitable.
An overwhelming, helpless feeling occurred even though many
neighbors and friends pitched in to assist. The fire consumed us
and it seemed a lost cause.
It was not until the aircraft, manpower and equipment of the San
Benito Co. Fire Dept and Calfire approached that our situation
changed. The fight was reversed.
It was astounding to watch as the coordinated efforts of the
helicopters and planes made their way to surround the blaze. With
each aerial pass, careful to protect the buildings most susceptible
to destruction, they dropped chemicals and water to gain on its
threat. With each strategic maneuver, we watched as our homes
became protected, our animals were kept safe, our equipment was
unharmed and no injuries occurred. They remained through the night
and into the next day to assure it was extinguished.
Speaking for our entire family, I want to take this opportunity
to sincerely thank those friends and neighbors who supported us in
our time of need. I want to particularly express our gratitude to
the men and women of the Calfire organization for being
”
close by
”
and saving our home ranch. We, as a rural community, are so
fortunate to have your aircraft stationed in our county. Your
efforts, in the job you do, is most greatly appreciated.
Don Marcus
Hollister
Thanks to good neighbors and firefighters
This past week, our home ranch experienced the smoke and flames of a range land fire. With the past rainy season yielding abundant dry grass, the fire was immediately on it’s own path. Our homes, animals, out buildings, fences and equipment were under the threat of being absorbed by the shifting flames. A significant loss seemed inevitable.
An overwhelming, helpless feeling occurred even though many neighbors and friends pitched in to assist. The fire consumed us and it seemed a lost cause.
It was not until the aircraft, manpower and equipment of the San Benito Co. Fire Dept and Calfire approached that our situation changed. The fight was reversed.
It was astounding to watch as the coordinated efforts of the helicopters and planes made their way to surround the blaze. With each aerial pass, careful to protect the buildings most susceptible to destruction, they dropped chemicals and water to gain on its threat. With each strategic maneuver, we watched as our homes became protected, our animals were kept safe, our equipment was unharmed and no injuries occurred. They remained through the night and into the next day to assure it was extinguished.
Speaking for our entire family, I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank those friends and neighbors who supported us in our time of need. I want to particularly express our gratitude to the men and women of the Calfire organization for being “close by” and saving our home ranch. We, as a rural community, are so fortunate to have your aircraft stationed in our county. Your efforts, in the job you do, is most greatly appreciated.
Don Marcus
Hollister
Buy local at Greenwood Motors
I recently had the opportunity to purchase a new vehicle. I went to one of the largest dealership in San Jose and got a price on the model that I was interested in. I came back and called Marty Greenwood at Greenwood Motors here in Hollister to also get a price. He was able to get me the vehicle for less than the larger dealership in San Jose. I have purchased numerous vehicles in my life but I have never had a better experience buying one. I cannot say enough not only about Marty and the incredible way that he conducts his business but also about his many outstanding employees. Service Manager Eric Souza is absolutely the best and always provides the very best service available. Greenwood’s other employees Carlos Miranda, Greg Zazueta and Trisha Ocampo are just a few more of the reasons why when you need to purchase a vehicle you should shop locally.
I know you hear it said over and over again, and as a local business owner we certainly do want you to do that, but I promise you from the first step into Greenwood Motors until you leave with your new vehicle you will be so satisfied with your experience. When you shop locally you provide our local people with jobs and they in turn can spend money locally. It’s a win-win situation for everyone. When you’re in the market for a new vehicle, please give Marty a call.
A Super Satisfied Greenwood Customer.
Rhonda Brown
Hollister
State, feds need to pay up for local schools
This is the most difficult time to be a school board trustee because the primary focus is the budget. The problem is that people are facing difficulties in classrooms and want relief immediately, but the causes of our problems are systemic.
Given this, I think our priority should be to force the state and federal governments to fully and equitably fund schools beginning with where the need is greatest. There is a disconnect between the needs of society through schools, roads, bridges, public services, Medicare, social security, firefighters, police and other public sector work and the unwillingness of people to pay for these badly needed services. This perspective is primarily being espoused by Republicans, especially Tea Party supporters. They have a right to believe this, but I disagree with them and I hope others do as well.
We have made cuts at every level and we are running this school district with as minimal staff as possible and people are expected to do more for less. I believe that the problems in education go beyond the classroom, and our children’s learning is affected by poverty and other social problems, such as domestic violence, lack of adequate health care, and insufficient resources at home and school.
I am concerned about the federal and state mandates, which have undermined children’s learning, minimized the curriculum, over emphasize testing, and falsely promise to create educational equality. English language learners have not made the gains promised since No Child Left Behind and the erosion of bilingual education. News reports throughout the nation have announced research findings that the educational achievement gap is widening, not closing.
When I think about the consequences of my decisions and hear people discuss their needs and about saving a program, which might lead to undermining the quality of another program I become more convinced that the school board, teachers and parents need to join efforts to force the state and federal government to fully fund schools, tax the wealthy elite of this nation and create tax-funded meaningful jobs. Additionally, we should support education reform efforts that support teaching children to become creative thinkers and problem solvers and not simply good test-takers.
To be honest I feel like we are the equivalent of toothless tigers. I’m not sure that being on the local school board can create sufficient change.
Joe Navarro
Hollister
