The following people, events and organizations deserve either a
Thumbs Up or a Thumbs Down this week.
The following people, events and organizations deserve either a Thumbs Up or a Thumbs Down this week.
THUMBS DOWN: For the two men who were fighting – one who police said had a gun – in the parking lot of Calaveras Elementary School Friday. The incident sent the school into a two-hour lockdown. Both men were parents who were about to attend a Christmas music program, which begs the question, why was one of them taking a gun to a school event? We hope the District Attorney throws the book at them. Thankfully, Sheriff’s Detective Tom Keylon spotted the fight and secured the gun, which fell out of one of the men’s pockets, and ordered the school into lockdown. School officials deserve praise for efficiently enacting lockdown procedures – practiced in a drill just two weeks before – and keeping the children safe. It’s was a scary situation, but quick action by Keylon and school officials may have prevented a much more serious incident.
THUMBS UP: For the long-awaited opening of the county’s first and only homeless shelter on Southside Road. The grand opening was delayed by a shortage of construction material and red tape, but it will open it’s doors to 24 homeless residents on Monday. With cold nights upon us, the shelter will be a welcome haven for the least fortunate amongst us. Members of the Homeless Task Force – a group comprised of elected leaders, nonprofit groups, churches and residents – who have been working since March to get the shelter up and running deserve a round of applause for getting the project completed.
THUMBS UP: For 10-year-old Nicollette Perazzo of Hollister and her friends Taylor Randoe, Valerie Quezada and Simone Cooper who took it upon themselves to help less fortunate kids. They are making 100 dolls for kids who will stay at the homeless shelter, and plan to deliver them on Christmas Eve. This is not Perazzo’s first act of kindness. When helping decorate the Emmaus House battered woman’s shelter earlier this year, Perazzo noticed that there were not many dolls for the children of the woman who will stay there. So, she started an organization called Angel Babies. She collects donated dolls, cleans them up, makes them blankets and gives them to organizations that help kids. So far, she has donated about 250. The good deeds of Nicollette and her friends are sure to put a smile on the face of a child going through a tough time this Christmas.
THUMBS UP: For the slew of letters to the editor from San Benito High School students, touching on graduation requirements and e-mail accounts at their school, that have graced the opinion pages in recent weeks. It’s heartening to see high school students engage in current events and give serious thought to issues that are affecting them and the community. It’s easy to say kids don’t care, but these young writers have shown us that that is just not true. Well done and keep it up.
