Understand the Tri-Tip Rally Sale Before Criticizing
Understand the Tri-Tip Rally Sale Before Criticizing
Editor,
I would like to address the issue of the sale of tri-tip sandwiches by the Rotarians at the unofficial rally over the July 4th weekend. Those who criticize them for sponsoring the fundraising booth fail to mention or understand that this booth was sponsored by the Rotary Club in order to raise funds to be donated to charitable organizations and/or to sponsor scholarships within the community. The booth was run by volunteers who in many cases donated materials and supplies in addition to many hours of time.
No individual benefited from the sales at this booth and to imply that this isn’t the case is either disingenuous or reflects a lack of information. During past years the Rotarians raised many thousands of dollars at the rally which were donated to deserving nonprofit organizations and for scholarships. Sponsoring the booth this year was an attempt to do the same.
In spite of the fact that the rally was unofficial, it was common knowledge that several thousand people were likely to attend. The opportunity to obtain the proper licenses and permits to operate a booth on private property was available to everyone. Rather than being criticized for their fundraising effort, the Rotary Club should be lauded for attempting to raise funds for the organizations which have come to depend upon their donations.
I am not a Rotarian, but recognizing the positive nature of their effort, volunteered a day of my time on their behalf. During my shift several people indicated that they made a point to patronize the Rotary booth to support their fundraising effort. They understood and appreciated the intent of the Rotary Club.
Flo Pleyte,
Hollister
A Statue Suggestion
Editor,
If the Parks Commission turns down the statue in front of the Veterans Memorial Building, they need to consider the Veterans Memorial Park.
Robert Gila,
Hollister
Please, Avoid the Poison
Editor,
Re: Keith Muraoka’s column (Mulching it Over, June 27-30) on getting rid of roof rats, I believe the advice to “avoid using poison baits if you have pets around” would be better stated as, “avoid using poison baits” period – for the following reasons:
1. Rat poison may also accidentally poison your neighbors’ cats and dogs – directly or secondhand! I wouldn’t wish such a death on my worst enemy, much less our best friends.
2. Poisoned rats may be eaten by a multitude of other animals: eagles, hawks, owls, bobcats, coyotes and many more. Don’t be responsible for second- and third-hand poisoning. Once those animals die from eating the poisoned rat, then come the carrion-eaters such as opossums, raccoons, crows, magpies and turkey vultures which will also die a painful death. And on and on and on … These are all beautiful animals which are benefits to our environment. We at W.E.R.C. and other wildlife rehabilitation centers have witnessed the ravages of poison on our wildlife.
3. It’s inhumane, even for so-called “vermin.” No matter how much they are loathed, do you really want to be the cause of long and excruciating suffering for any creature?
4. And finally, those poisoned rats may crawl under your house, up the attic, through pipes, and/or into your house walls to die and decompose. I am familiar with the stench of decaying rodents and it is not a short-lived or pleasant odor! I’ve had falcon feces in my hair, vulture vomit on my shoes and opossum excrement on my shirt. I know the reeks whereof I speak!
The column correctly advised preventative measures as well as large snap traps. If you fasten these down, they will most likely give the rats a quick and (relatively) merciful death as well as making it easy for you (or some braver soul) to dispose.
Colleen Grzan
Animal Care Coordinator
Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Center
Morgan Hill
How about Calling Hollister ‘Gangtown USA?’
Editor,
In just a week it will be two years since we sold our home and moved away from Hollister to slow down from the rat race and opt for a slower pace of life.
My husband and myself both own bikes and enjoyed that our little town had a bike rally that drew folks from all over the country.
I attended this year’s non-rally not as an enthusiast but instead as a journalist assigned to document the event in words and pictures for a national motorcycle publication. I am angry and ashamed by what I witnessed.
On friday night when I arrived in town I saw a large group of police milling about on the corner of Fourth and San Benito, the lighted sign stating that parking laws were being enforced, and numerous CHP vehicles in the process of pulling over various unsuspecting drivers whose unlucky fortune it was to be at the wrong place at the right time.
In the midst of all this police posturing and biker rally bickering, right in the middle of your “hometown USA” – a child was aspiring to become new gang member and was being (beaten) initiated into that gang. Where is the outrage over that? The bikers are in town for just a few days a year but this city’s gang problem is year-round. How about appealing to some of those agencies and asking for assistance in abating gangs from this lovely little hometown?
Well, the harass-them-and-they-won’t-come strategy will probably work, bikers will tire of getting pulled over, searched and ticketed, they’ll become disenchanted with Hollister and will take their money to a town who will welcome them. In the meantime perhaps the city can put to a vote whether it is better to be known as “The Birthplace of the American Biker” or “Gangtown USA.”
Debra Burns,
via e-mail
Rallying for Freedoms
Editor,
I spent half my life in the military fighting for our freedom to walk on the street without harassment, or driving down the road without getting tickets because the police officer wants to pay for their rally. The majority of the people that were ticketed were locals. I guess the locals are paying again. I’m disappointed that the local public safety officers think that bikers are not worthy of respect, well it just so happens that the majority of these folks are tax-paying voters that by some mistake hired the wrong folk to protect us in this town.
I know this day, in another part of the world, that our brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers are in a country far away fighting for freedom for another country. But now on a daily basis our freedoms are being taken away. This rally was a prime example of loss of freedoms.
I do believe that the city should have police enforcement for the few people that do not obey laws that could possibly harm others. But to show the force of a riot-size police force was uncalled for. Salinas has killing almost weekly, the law enforcement could have been used there to protect the citizens of Salinas. Prime example as far as I’m concerned of WASTE, FRAUD and ABUSE of taxpayers’ money.
Joe Love,
via e-mail
