The following events, organizations and people deserve either a
Thumbs Up or a Thumbs Down this week:
THUMBS UP: As the news these past weeks has been riddled with violence and unfortunate circumstance, we have a much-needed reminder of why it’s so great to live here and we’ve got it, just in time, with the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo this weekend. The 74th installment once again shows we know and appreciate our county’s roots, and there isn’t a more exemplary tradition here of the rural spirit that makes San Benito County what it is than the horse show and rodeo. We urge everyone, both longtime and newer residents, to get out to Bolado Park and enjoy the festivities.
THUMBS DOWN: A continued spat of violence has shaken Hollister in recent weeks, and the discovery of a woman’s body lying on a roadside Friday serves as yet another chilling example that the area isn’t as safe as it used to be. As the investigation continues and residents anxiously await details relating to the suspected homicide, we should all take time to pause from our busy lives and consider what we can do to get the community back on a safer track.
We trust the Hollister Police Department, even with its limited resources, will handle this and other tragedies with the utmost care and examination.
It’s no time to panic because our area is still relatively safe, but we all can do a better job of keeping a closer eye on our neighbors while reporting suspicious activities and letting the criminal element know everyone here will do what they can to reverse this disturbing trend.
THUMBS UP: The U.S. Attorney’s Office thoroughly investigated allegations of unsafe practices by Natural Selections Foods and Salinas-based Growers Express after the 2006 E. coli outbreak that sickened 204 people and killed three. While no charges were leveled against the companies, the federal office deserves credit for taking the accusations seriously and helping to restore confidence in the local spinach packager by concluding no laws were broken.
Natural Selections also deserves credit for cooperating with the probe and taking steps since the outbreak to ensure it is following all steps necessary to avoid another problem.
THUMBS DOWN: Fourth Street residents need a break, but not the kind they’ve now experienced three times in the past six months. Another water main break there Tuesday signals an urgent need for whatever remedy the city can afford. It’s unfortunate those citizens have no choice but to wonder when the next break and flood will occur and whether it will adversely affect their day-to-day lives.
City employees did good work, meanwhile, hustling to repair the 40-year-old main.
THUMBS UP: The San Juan Bautista City Council approved a responsible budget this week that takes a bad situation and makes it manageable. The city has considered tax increases to boost its general fund. Officials, meanwhile, should examine other ideas to reinvigorate and stabilize the local tourism industry before considering that step.
