Cheers for San Juan’s grant; jeers to more school cuts
THUMBS UP: For aggressive prosecution of two men who brutally beat a disabled 54-year-old Hollister resident in July of 2003. A judge sentenced both men to 17 years in prison – the maximum time allowed by law. It’s refreshing to see hard-nosed prosecution of violent criminals in our community. Continuing the fierce prosecution of offenders such as this and enforcing gang enhancement charges where applicable will quickly send the message that violent crime will not be tolerated in San Benito County.
THUMBS DOWN: To another $2 million in budget cuts the Hollister School District must make to save the district from impending bankruptcy. For a district that has seen so much red ink over the last couple of years, it’s obvious having to make another round of deep cuts will be painful but necessary unfortunately. With approximately 88 percent of the district’s expenses coming from payroll and benefits, it’s hard to believe cuts can come from anywhere else except staff. It truly is a disheartening situation for everyone involved. Perhaps the district and teachers can find a way to save some jobs and keep the cuts as far away from classrooms as possible, increasing co-pay on insurance costs that are expected to sky-rocket could be one idea worth exploring.
THUMBS UP: For the continued effort of our local YMCA in finding positive activities for our county’s youth. As the largest provider of after-school activities for children, we salute the Y and all they have done. Giving kids a chance to have fun in a safe and positive environment will keep them away from the temptations of drugs, gangs and crime. Thank you for providing such an important service to our community.
THUMBS DOWN: To President Bush’s budget proposal that guts 87 percent of federal funding to the Community Oriented Policing Services program – a grant program that has contributed $1.1 billion to California law enforcement agencies since 1994. In San Benito County, the COPS program has helped fund the local Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team for 14 years and equipped Hollister Police officers with Taser stun guns. Though the money is to be redirected to Homeland Security under Bush’s plan, our local residents need police protection and our local police need all the help they can get. National security is certainly an important issue, but so is feeling secure in your own community.
THUMBS UP: For the much-needed $3.8 million grant to improve San Juan Bautista’s ancient infrastructure. Mission city residents know full-well the problems with the dilapidated water and sewer system and it’s nice to finally see something can be done about it. In just 10 short months, workers should begin two years of construction to gut all of Fourth Street, build a new 750,000-gallon water treatment facility on San Juan Road, a 1.25 million-gallon water storage facility and install new water pipes throughout the city.
