Gilroy council should not legislate morality
I’ve been reading the weekly progress on The Pinnacle’s story
about the Forum Adult Club. Although I have never visited the Forum
before, I have known about its existence for years. It has been a
Morgan Hill conversation piece since it’s formation and in a way,
it was a source of pride. Morgan Hill was seen no longer as a
puritanical, xenophobic oasis in the middle of the greater Bay
Area, but as a modern progressive environment where people of all
values and lifestyles could feel free to express themselves. In
reading the articles in The Pinnacle I have come to one simple
conclusion: every member of the Gilroy Council should step down
immediately.
Gilroy council should not legislate morality
I’ve been reading the weekly progress on The Pinnacle’s story about the Forum Adult Club. Although I have never visited the Forum before, I have known about its existence for years. It has been a Morgan Hill conversation piece since it’s formation and in a way, it was a source of pride. Morgan Hill was seen no longer as a puritanical, xenophobic oasis in the middle of the greater Bay Area, but as a modern progressive environment where people of all values and lifestyles could feel free to express themselves. In reading the articles in The Pinnacle I have come to one simple conclusion: every member of the Gilroy Council should step down immediately.
This country was founded on the concept of individual freedom and independence of thought and deed. What two, three or 70 consenting adults choose to do behind closed doors is not the business of the local government of Gilroy. If, as the City Council claims, the issue is about a “business” license, then go count the number of smoke detectors, put up a velvet rope, and give them a damn license. Mayor Springer claims that “if it’s (the Forum) getting momentary compensation it is a business.” Mayor Springer, I’m not sure what mail order business school you graduated from but under that definition the Catholic Church owes a boatload of back taxes. A business is defined by law as a profit-motivated venture. This club does not even come close to meeting that criterion. It is painfully obvious to everyone who can read that this is not about a mere formality procedure. The council’s continued citations and legal maneuvering borders on harassment of a kind that no business in the history of the City of Gilroy has ever had to endure.
Until now I was willing to sit on the fence and see how the situation resolved itself, but the Council’s latest move to make it illegal to “use any premises for a sexual encounter establishment” is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard in my life. And that is coming from a man who once heard a lady say she was opposed to daylight savings time because the extra hour of sunlight faded her drapes! According to this ordinance every house, parked car and motel in Gilroy is now in violation of the law. Shall we send the sex police to Motel 6 to bust the multitude of high school senior couples looking for some privacy? My high school sweetheart went to Gilroy High many years ago, God help us both if this “law” goes retroactive; you’d have to throw away the key!
This is a clear case of the Council trying to legislate morality, despite the wafer-thin veil of public concern. And the ludicrous rational behind this move is even more mind-boggling. This ordinance will supposedly “protect citizens from increased crime,” for one thing. Increased Crime? The people that frequent the Forum all drive SUVs and BMWs. Just what kind of crime is the ordinance protecting the people from, insider trading? It also goes on to claim that the “quality of life” will be preserved. Whose quality of life; certainly not the various members of the club? Do they not have a right to a quality of life? Or is it the council’s contention that they can have one, just somewhere else? The Council claims that the presence of this club contributes to urban blight, plummeting property values and the spread of HIV and STD’s…like it did in Morgan Hill for the past eight years I suppose. Is the Gilroy council saying that Morgan Hill is a hot bed for social decay and a lack of family values?
This ordinance is an embarrassment and a down right shame. It not only shows a callous disregard for the values and wishes of the Gilroy electorate, but it sets California as a whole, the single most productive and free place in the world, back 20 years. I’m disgusted.
Todd Amelio
Morgan Hill
“No” for Salstorm
Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte is deeply troubled by Morgan Hill
Unified School Board Candidate Roger Salstorm’s extremist views on reproductive health issues.
Mr. Salstorm opposes a woman’s right to choose and he opposes government funding of reproductive healthcare services, including prenatal care, abortion, and family planning.
Moreover, Mr. Salstorm opposes age-appropriate sexuality education in the schools. His radical viewpoint is contrary to 84 percent of Americans who support a minimum requirement for age-appropriate sexuality education. Studies
show that education about condoms and other birth control not only reduces teen pregnancy, but also reduces the transmission of HIV and sexually transmitted infections.
School board members make important decisions that affect the well being of our young people. Mr. Salstorm is an anti-choice zealot and his extremist views have no place on the school board.
Accordingly, we ask voters to vote “no” to Roger Salstorm on November 5th.
Gayle M. Tiller
Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte
Public Affairs Director
For Santa Clara and San Benito Counties
