When I went to the California Republican Spring Convention in
Burlingame last weekend, I had preconceived opinions on
propositions 56, 57, and 58. I was, and still am, going to vote
against Prop. 56 because of what it will do to Prop 13. I was going
to vote against Prop 57. and for Prop. 58.
Vote no on 56, yes on 57 and 58
When I went to the California Republican Spring Convention in Burlingame last weekend, I had preconceived opinions on propositions 56, 57, and 58. I was, and still am, going to vote against Prop. 56 because of what it will do to Prop 13. I was going to vote against Prop 57. and for Prop. 58.
However, I have changed my position on Prop. 57. This bond measure in not new debt. California spending has averaged more than 15 percent above income for the last five years using high-interest, short-term debt. Much of it comes due this summer. Prop. 57 just refinances this debt at a lower interest rate. An analogy may be like paying your credit cards by refinancing your house at a lower interest rate. Not a good practice, but it keeps the wolf away from the door.
Prop. 58 will prevent the state from going on a spending binge like the last five years. So I will vote NO on 56 and YES on 57 and 58. If 56 passes, our taxes will go up. If 57 fails, a group of bankers could be telling California what bills to pay, what bills not to pay. And 58 will be null and void.
Marvin L. Jones,
Hollister
Re-elect Scattini for Marshal
It is always good to have a choice in any election, no matter how capable the incumbent. It means that the winning candidate knows that he is esteemed and did not gain the seat by default.
Marshal Robert Scattini is opposed by two men on the March 2 ballot, Joseph Alvarado and Larry Nunes. Both have impressive backgrounds in law enforcement and either could be expected to do a creditable job in the office.
However, Scattini has demonstrated again and again in the various posts he has held that his service transcends professionalism; he is a dedicated and compassionate officer whose service has benefited the community over many years. Returning him to office would assure that his service continues in the future.
Herman Wrede,
Hollister
Marriage is about love, not gender
I am a straight female living in San Francisco and I often forget how sometimes we in SF live in a “bubble” – that the rest of the country, even other parts of California, don’t see things as many of us do here.
That said, it’s nice to see that there are people in San Benito that realize the same sex marriage issue is about love – between two people.
If Britney Spears can get married drunk at 5 a.m. on a whim and then say “oops” the next day, who’s to say that two people who are committed and really do love each other (and are sometimes even raising a child together) can’t get married because they happen to be the same sex? Heterosexuals sure don’t seem to have much of a handle on what marriage is about. Look at the divorce rate in this country.
Magna Elmendorf,
San Francisco
County residents need to be heard
As we are all aware, we have a very important election coming up March 2. We in District 1 have many important issues at stake.
Over the past few years, we have come to see many land development changes in our particular district with much more at bay. Such changes have greatly impacted District 1 as a whole, and the county’s congestion problem as well. At this point, we have too much at stake to elect a supervisor with a personal agenda. In fact, we cannot afford any more personal agendas.
The people of the county need to be heard loud and clear – no more fat cats in office please!
Do your homework – closely evaluate who is the right supervisor in your district. Be sure we don’t sit back while they make decisions that serve them well, and not our county.
An elected official without a personal agenda, someone who comes to the table for the good of the people, one who is neither a developer nor a land owner, and most importantly, one where a conflict of interest is not apparent.
For our District 1, Marci Huston fits that description. With her past success in improving our way of life in San Benito County, we can count on Marci for the decision which is best for the county!
My letter to you is to just remind you how we have the power to improve our futures here without our supervisors’ personal agenda getting in the way.
Rochelle Beerli,
Hollister
Christian leaders on ‘Passion’
Much discussion has arisen over the upcoming movie “The Passion of the Christ” by Mel Gibson. The Anti-Defamation League, in particular, has highlighted some concerns that the movie could spawn hate crimes against the Jewish people. As leaders of the Christian community, we would like to address some of those concerns.
We acknowledge that there have been many atrocities waged against the Jewish people over thousands of years. Some of these incidents were precipitated by “Passion Plays” that led to Jews being persecuted as “Christ-Killers.” At other times in history, pogroms were carried out by people in the name of Christ or by others while the Church stood idly by. In either case, those actions were wrong.
We also acknowledge the sensitivity of the Jewish community to concerns that this movie could initiate spurious actions against them.
Most of us have not seen the movie yet, and this letter is simply to respond to the media and cultural discussions that are taking place and let you know that if the media/culture must ask the question, “Who killed Jesus?” (Newsweek, etc.), we want to go on public record by saying, “We did… and we will not stand idly by and allow anyone to cast dispersion on any single person, group or race.”
For us, the Bible is clear. “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly” Rom 5:6. “We” represents men and women from all eras, nations and backgrounds. We therefore acknowledge our responsibility in the death of Christ.
This means if any negative or illegal action were to be taken against any group as a result of this movie, we would denounce it as a malicious crime and stand with our brothers or sisters so persecuted. There is no room for such activity today.
Those among us and others who have been able to preview the movie state that it has had a profound effect on them and believe that our generation needs to wrestle with the implications of the events that happened 2,000 years ago. They also believe that this movie may be a catalyst to bring this about. If it is, we would welcome it and hope that you would, too.
More than anything, we want to make sure that you understand that as community members and Christian leaders, we wanted to address the above expressed concerns on behalf of the local Jewish community.
Bob Rufener, Pastor,
Abundant Life Foursquare Church
Don Murray, Pastor,
Hollister Vineyard Christian Fellowship
Kevin Townsend, Pastor,
Sunnyslope Christian Center
Duane Cashion, Associate Pastor,
Grace Bible Church
Rev. Joan Gardner,
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
Brian Lindberg,
Pastor at Large
Jim Achilles, Pastor,
Grace Bible Church
Bruce and Dori Banister, Pastors,
Hillside Christian Fellowship
David Rodriguez, Pastor,
First Presbyterian Church
Don Skow, Pastor,
Hollister Christian Fellowship
Weyman Thomas, Evangelist,
Life Changing Word (Public Access Channel 20)
Henry Harris, Pastor,
Rolling Hills Community Church
California voters need to take action
With the current budget crisis and the California Department of Corrections in the news, I’d like to take this opportunity to bring an urgent matter to the attention of all California voters. It’s time to stand up and be counted. Whether you are a Republican, a Democrat, a Libertarian or member of any other political party, you are a California voter. It’s time we all take action to prevent further budget shortfalls that are looming in our future.
The current Three Strikes Law, in its current form, is killing us financially. The law we voted in to being has created an appetite for funding that is unprecedented in our history.
The law was written to prevent repeat violent felons from returning to the streets of California on the third strike (felony). However, our lawmakers added erroneous language to a law they wrote that mirrored what we actually voted on. The added language in question, any serious felon, has created a monty hungry monster.
Any serious felon can be a shoplifter, an auto thief, a drug abuser, etc. When any serious felon is sent to prison for 25 years to life, who do you think pays that bill?
Each time a violent or non-violent felon is convicted under this law, an automatic appeal is granted. Those appeals are distributed among the level five appellate attorneys working for the State of California. However, because of the back log on these cases, an overwhelming number of them are contracted out to other attorneys and appeal writers at double and quite often triple the original cost. Who do you think pays that bill?
If you answered, we do, you’re correct. The only way we can stop this cash cow effect is to let our lawmakers know that we need changes made. No, we do not need to repeal the law. The basis and purpose of the law is good, but the misuse of it is out of control. It has had an ugly effect on many lives, many families, but most of all, on children.
The law was written to protect the public from repeat violent offenders. Never in my wildest dreams did I consider that my tax dollars would pay for the early retirement of my local shoplifter.
Retirement you ask? Why of course! Most serious felons fall between the ages of 25 and 35, and some are even younger. We feed them we clothe them, we educate them and other than prison life, they have no worries. Life passes them by and we continue to pay for it.
So on that note, I am asking all California voters to call, write and e-mail our dear, sweet governor, as well as our lawmakers, to express our opinions together. Can you hear me now? seems to be an appropriate response to this lack of fiscal responsibility. We can no longer afford to look the other way.
Let us unite as one voice. In one clear and concise movement towards that goal of fiscal responsibility, by asking our governor and our lawmakers, can you hear me now?
On March 2, let us all make our opinions known. Let them know how you feel. Whether you are for or against the removal of erroneous language within this law, the point is, we must make our opinions known.
I am for preserving our beautiful state’s fiscal health. We can no longer afford to bandage our scrapes and bruises when we are bleeding at the arteries. I vote that we take back our state from lawmakers refusing to hear what we the people are saying. California needs to become healthy again.
Again, I ask you to join me by writing, calling and e-mailing on March 2. If the issue of California Three Strikes is of interest to you, get involved! Locate your local FACTS (Families to Amend California Three Strikes) and Families Against Violent Crime chapters.
Your opinion is important! Let’s bring it to the forefront of our administrations attention.
Elaine Brown,
Stockton
Freitas the right choice for District 2
I am writing this letter to recommend Anthony Freitas for Supervisor of District 2.
Anthony is a hard working, honest person who will listen to all of the district’s concerns and make fair and diplomatic decisions, as he is currently doing as your San Benito County Planning Commissioner.
He was born and raised in this county, raised his own family and is a third generation farmer. Anthony learned from his father and mother, Manuel and Dorothy Freitas, to be hard working, honest and never to give up on something that he believes in.
San Benito County and the concerns of the people in District 2 is what he believes in. He is very concerned and committed in preserving our agriculture with managed growth, along with making sure our seniors and veterans’ concerns are addressed.
He is very committed about improving the safety of Highway 156 and wants to make a change in this very dangerous stretch of the highway NOW, not wait until the voters of TODAY are long gone and their great-grandchildren are voting on the improvements.
Time is of the essence. Safety for the commuters who use this road is crucial.
I believe Anthony Freitas is the best candidate for your new supervisor. This district needs a change for the better. Let Anthony Freitas be your voice for District 2.
I encourage you to join me along with the countless others who support Anthony Freitas to vote for “The voice of District 2” on March 2.
Vote for Anthony Freitas for Supervisor District 2.
Lynette Guerrero,
San Juan Bautista
It’s time to clean house in the county
Thanks to the Free Lance, San Benito County has become aware as to just how poorly the current Board of Supervisors has managed county business. Ignorance and negligence of county service areas and failure to pay taxes on county owned property equates to dereliction of duty. Who is responsible? Bob Cruz, Ruth Kesler, Richard Scagliotti, Pat Loe and Reb Monaco. Monaco and Loe should have been brought up to speed on these issues by staff, but they are still culpable.
Bob Cruz and Ruth Kesler don’t deserve another chance to continue their negligence, and Scagliotti’s departure is long overdue.
Elect Jaime De La Cruz in District 5, Anthony Botelho in District 2 and Don Marcus in District 1. It is time to clean up the mess the present Board of Supervisors has created by their lack of control and supervision. The first order of business when the new Board is sworn into office should be to hold county staff accountable for these egregious mistakes and fire those responsible for lapses in protocol.
It’s time to clean house in San Benito County!
Mike Smith,
Hollister
