Cheers For the ‘Balers
The following events, organizations and individuals deserve either a Thumbs Up or a Thumbs Down this week.
THUMBS UP: For the ‘Balers football team that will take on Oak Grove today in a rematch for the Central Coast Section Championship. The ‘Balers are a gritty team that has gone on a remarkable hot streak at the end of this season. Coach Cameron and his squad are putting on a great display of football prowess and we’re rooting for them in what is sure to be an exciting game. It’s great to see that year after year San Benito High is right in mix with the powerhouse teams from San Jose. Go ‘Balers – show ’em what we’re made of.
THUMBS DOWN: For the shortage of substitute teachers in the county. While exact figures are not available, educators think there are only 26 substitutes available on any given day in San Benito County. That’s a shallow pool of qualified teachers to draw on when full-time educators are sick. And, it doesn’t bode well for the education of our students – or the sanity of regular faculty – when people start getting ill this year. If you have the qualifications and the time, consider becoming a sub. It could be a very rewarding experience, and you can earn a decent buck while helping our schools out in a pinch. Drop by the County Office of Education on Fifth Street. There are emergency credential programs that can get you in the classroom quickly.
THUMBS UP: For Bourdet’s Christmas Tree Farm, and other area-Christmas tree merchants, who donated 130 Christmas trees to soldiers stationed at U.S. military bases. Bourdet’s of Hollister came up big, donating 30 trees to our troops. It’s a kind gesture sure to spread the spirit of the season to the men and women in the military who are busy serving their country. Well done.
THUMBS DOWN: For a fourth gang shooting in just over a month. This time, suspected gang members drove by a house, peppering it with 15 bullets and seriously wounding a man in his kitchen while children cowered in fear. This is sickening and scary to see in our quiet little town. The City Council needs to start talking about what else can be done to address gang violence.
