Dear Editor:
When I moved to Hollister from Santa Cruz in 1999, I wanted to send a tap root into the community that I chose to be my permanent home.
I desired a first-hand look at the “nuts and bolts” of the community operations by being involved with the potential to participate with constructive changes. With so many volunteer organizations and services available to choose from and matching my interests and background with the best opportunity to become a part of San Benito County, my search led to seeking a position on the grand jury.
An arm of the Superior court and empowered by the state judicial system, the San Benito County Civil Grand Jury submits meaningful solutions to a wide range of problems. Rewards for grand jury service come mostly from increased knowledge of local government and the satisfaction of making a worthwhile contribution to the improvements of San Benito County government operations.
For membership on the grand jury, the statutory requirements include the completion of an application from the Superior Court clerk, stating citizenship status in the United States, residency in the county for at least one year before being selected, older than 18, ordinary intelligence and good character, no history of a felony crime and possessing a working knowledge of the English language.
Effort is made to impanel an ideal jury of qualified men and women of diverse socio-economic, ethnic, age, educational backgrounds and representative of the geographical areas of the county.
The applications for service on the 2003-04 grand jury are now being offered in the Superior Court clerk’s office at the courthouse on Monterey Street. The grand jury final report will be available at the end of June and the new grand jury will be impaneled and begin a one-year term in July.
Roxy Montana
Foreperson, 2003-04 San Benito County Civil Grand Jury
