They say it is good to get away every now and then because when
you get back, you see things differently
– and clearer.
Dear Editor:
They say it is good to get away every now and then because when you get back, you see things differently – and clearer. Well, here are a few observations after six busy and interesting years representing this county in the California State Assembly. (For newcomers, this county is my birthplace and that of both my parents.)
I wish that all my observations about our beloved county could be good ones, but they are not. In fact after reading last night’s Free Lance, I told a reporter who called that I have never seen politics at such a dismal level; it’s like Peyton Place, and the soap operas Ma Perkins and Stella Dallas all wrapped into one.
A recent article about the possible cut back of school money (my mom taught in this county 32 years) made little or no mention of the extraneous employees who are part of the school budget.
I looked into this when I was in office after a teacher came to my office to report a misuse of school money saying she didn’t want her name made public for fear of retaliation (what in the heck is going on in this country?).
I asked some 20 school districts in the district for a list of job titles and salaries of the people on their payroll. It was like pulling teeth. When I finally got the information, it was outrageous the number and job titles on that list! Of course making these figures public enraged both the school administrators and trustees and in retaliation, I was overlooked when I asked to speak at the graduation of my own alma mater right here in Hollister. (This after I had graduated with honors and was one of three students admitted to Stanford University).
Back home now, after a recent trip to Estonia, were I found the country in shambles but reviving from years of oppression by Russians, I find all sorts of crazy things: incompetence in local government, supervisors facing a law suit stemming from charges of conflict of interest, big capacity, government busses roaring around empty of passengers and, lastly, it’s the same old story in the south county, the taxpayers footing big bills and receiving fewer and fewer services.
Last week, I sent an employee to a charity store with a load of things left over from my garage sale. He called and said they would not take any of the things, and the manager suggested he take it to the dump. I gave him the OK, and when he came back with an empty pickup, he presented me with a bill for $50. (By the way I called the dump and the lady there didn’t return my call.)
Several weeks ago, I asked my supervisor about the Pajaro Flood Control Board (a group set up by a state senator from Santa Cruz who betrayed us here in this county). I was flabbergasted when my supervisor said, “I didn’t know who represents us there!”
One day, and not too far in the future, we, here in San Benito County, will pay the price for not being vigilant on this issue.
I saw, during my time in the legislature, the subtle yet persistent efforts from various quarters in Santa Cruz County that will one day saddle us – and parts of Santa Clara County too – with more and heavy taxes to pay for levy and channel improvements on the Pajaro River at Watsonville. Part of this same insidious bunch are behind the scenes in a drive to keep livestock completely out of Pajaro’s tributaries. This for the sake of Monterey Bay.
Those of you who appreciate the folklore of San Benito County will be interested to know that I am making a video and book on the history of the upper San Benito River Valley; there will be a second part detailing the correct way to handle livestock. Most people do not know that the most skilled cowboys in the world originated right here and I want the world to know, based on that knowledge, “How to handle cattle the right way.”
Peter Frusetta,
Tres Pinos
