The San Benito County Chamber of Commerce held an inaugural
Speed Campaign event two weeks ago involving nine candidates for
three contested races
– the two open supervisors seats and the sheriff role – in the
June primary.
THUMBS UP: Speed Campaign a hit
The San Benito County Chamber of Commerce held an inaugural Speed Campaign event two weeks ago involving nine candidates for three contested races – the two open supervisors seats and the sheriff role – in the June primary. The chamber organized an informative and interactive format that accommodated the busy schedules of residents in the business community. It was a hit, as the luncheon brought out more than 100 interested residents to San Juan Oaks Golf Club. And it is good to see the chamber, as a leading voice in the business community, getting involved in such a crucial election while helping many residents to better understand the choices before them. The event set the stage for an interesting campaign season.
THUMBS UP: YMCA moves headquarters
The YMCA of San Benito County found out six months ago that it would have to move from its headquarters in the old City Hall on Fifth Street. The RDA’s lease at the Porter House is almost up, and the city can save money by moving the agency into the YMCA’s current location. It makes sense for the city because it will save about $50,000 annually. In being forced to move, the YMCA probably couldn’t have found a better replacement, at the old Fortino’s building on Tres Pinos Road, as it awaits the construction of a permanent facility at the former Leatherback property in the next three to five years. The Fortino’s site owned by K&S Properties, though more costly, will provide residents with a convenient location and enhanced opportunities for activities at the headquarters, which will be 5,000 square feet bigger than the current building.
THUMBS DOWN: A Foundation for failure
The Gavilan College Foundation showed an irresponsible use of donor funds by misappropriating funds in the past two and a half years, including the misspending of donations that were designated for a stadium project and college preparation, among other uses. In stepping in to have taxpayers bail out the nonprofit organization, meanwhile, the college initially tried keeping the transaction as secret as possible before a trustee, Elvira Robinson, showed common sense by moving the item from the consent agenda to the regular agenda, where it can be discussed openly. Another trustee in response to the debacle argued in favor of ending the annual $65,000 payments made from the college to the foundation. That’s a logical step. The organization has to prove itself again when it comes to responsible spending, and taxpayer-funded agencies should move away from such annual allocations toward the nonprofit sector.
