The following events, organizations and people deserve either a
Thumbs Up or a Thumbs Down this week.
The following events, organizations and people deserve either a Thumbs Up or a Thumbs Down this week.
THUMBS UP: For the Council of Governments getting back on track with the long-awaited Highway 25 Bypass project. The bypass – which will take traffic off San Benito Street and send it on an eastern route to connect with Airline Highway – is key to the success of our downtown. The project was supposed to be under construction by now but was derailed when landowners along the proposed route threatened lawsuits when COG tried to buy their land. Now, COG has completed new appraisals and hopes to begin construction by summer. This project is essential to making the downtown more pedestrian friendly, which will bring more people there to shop.
THUMBS DOWN: For the illegal weekend rodeo on Riverside road. Neighbors say the event, which is held on 5 acres of land, attracts hundreds people, cattle and bands and raises a huge racket. One nearby neighbor says the noise makes her house vibrate like a subwoofer. Thankfully, the county and Sheriff Curtis Hill are making it a mission to shut the outlaw rodeo down – it is flat out unacceptable.
THUMBS UP: For developer Tod DuBois who has a progressive plan to build on the long-vacant lot at San Benito and Fourth streets. His initial plans, based on the Cooper House in Santa Cruz, include a 60,000 square-foot, four-story building with retail space on the bottom and residential space or a 39-room hotel on the top floors. Now, he wants to get the community involved in planning the project and will ask the City Council to host public forums so he can find out exactly what people would like to see there. A successful development on the downtown’s premier corner will translate into more business for all downtown merchants and the government-running tax revenue it generates will help the city fund the services we all expect.
THUMBS UP: For the ninth annual Latino Student Leadership Conference today at San Benito High School, which is designed to encourage Latino students to stay in school, go to college and to stimulate interest in a variety of careers. It will feature representatives from several colleges and career workshops with presentations on banking, business development, education, media and law enforcement. This is a great way for students to explore their options after high school. The event is today in the San Benito High School cafeteria from 9am to 2:30pm and is free and open to all students. Check it out.
THUMBS UP: For the community Live Aid concert scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 22 at Christmas Hill Park in Gilroy. There’s quite a line-up for the five-hour show which begins at 1pm and features Shaboom, Daddy-O and Eric Martin and Carmenhers as performed by Eric Martin and partner Carmen Romero as the Blues Brothers. The acts are top notch and all the profits will benefit the America Red Cross effort to help hurricane victims. Tickets are available here at The Free Lance for $10 and will be available at the door. Plan a great family fun day and do something good for our fellow Americans who need help.
