The following people, organizations and events deserve either a
Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down this week.
The following people, organizations and events deserve either a Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down this week.
THUMBS UP: For this week’s Supreme Court ruling that uncorked restrictions on the direct sales of wine across state lines. Before the justices ruled this week, 24 states banned direct out-of-state wine sales, including Internet sales. That means local wineries were shut out of huge markets like Florida and New York unless they went through distributors which marked up the price and don’t like dealing with small shipments. Overturning the rules that essentially amounted to economic protectionism is a boon to smaller wineries, such as those in San Benito County, that will now be able to find a wider marker for their fine products. The wines produced in San Benito are as good as you will find anywhere and local vintners deserve the opportunity to compete in important markets across the country.
THUMBS DOWN: For Sunday’s terrifying road rage accident that injured four and killed 19-year-old Paulino Jimenez Elizarraras, a Mexican immigrant picking lettuce and living in San Juan Bautista in hopes of saving enough money to build his mother a house in his native Mexico City. It’s a tragic story and we hope the police are able to bring the driver of the white 1990 Toyota Celica that caused the accident to justice. If you have any information that will help the California Highway Patrol in their search call (408) 848-2324.
THUMBS UP: For Southside School, which is providing healthier lunches for its students. Getting away from the fast-food-like fare that pops up in school cafeterias, Southside parents raised money to install salad bar stocked with organic greens from Earth Bound Farms and a variety of healthy veggies. It’s part of an ongoing effort at the school to create a healthier menu. Even better, students love it, and that’s great news in a county where more than 42 percent of seventh graders were overweight in 2004, according to the California Food Policy Advocates.
THUMBS DOWN: For the news that a new police and fire pension plan will cost the city $1.7 million per year. That’s a hefty sum for Hollister, which has a $13 million general fund budget. The price tag is causing council members to balk at implementing a retirement deal reached with the Hollister Police Association in 2002. We hope the city and the unions can negotiate an agreement that will help prevent another round of layoffs and service cuts within Hollister’s government. In the meantime, Councilman Brad Pike is absolutely right that Hollister needs economic development that will help bolster city coffers.
