Here’s my view on what the people of the city have been pointing out to me on what is wrong with the city and community. It needs change and they want change. Will the city ever be able to regain the trust from the citizens? There is no trust.
“Keith, I read your article and that is a good idea to use the recycled water.” I wrote about the city using recycled water to water the parks and lawns and it can even be distributed to the community in buckets if they needed it. They are already doing this in Monterey and Seaside and all over. San Benito Foods cannery is using 2 ½ million gallons of water per day. They get off easy. Why don’t they pay their fair share?
Another thing pointed out to me people also agree on having workshops for major decisions that are to be made by the council, and be placed in each water bill informing the people about the workshop, so people can get a better understanding and knowledge before these final decisions are made. The people should be allowed to be involved and have a say in what goes on in their city and community. They say they are going to implement that and they never do.
If we are a tight community, then you have to be 100% open and honest to the community. Connecting and interacting with the people. They make poor choices. I knew that Ace was going to be moved to Staples. Then I found out where Ace was, the new Goodwill, and now I found out Grocery Outlet will be coming soon in the old Goodwill. Things like this, people of the community should know in advance. Not have to wait and find out through other people. Whatever happen to the Marriott? It was supposed to be built by now, but there is nothing yet. We need to bring in jobs. Our city is ready for a manufacturing company, something that is going to help boost the economy for long term and help create many jobs for many people who are in need. Actions speak louder than words.
They make ordinances and do not follow through with it. People are still washing their cars on the lawns. They have no control over it. Why would they make a law and cannot control it. Loud music, the garbage in front of houses, I still see it all around town. We as a city should have a better plan and enforce the laws that are being made. They should not speak unless they are ready to show action. The people have not seen any action yet.
People have come up to me and said, “You who are in a wheelchair, we have seen you walking around the community, and lost 75 pounds showing us and encouraging us that if you set your mind to something you can do it.” That lets me know that I am not doing this for nothing; it gives me hope that I can encourage the people and show them, anything is possible. All I ever wanted is to help the community and make it a better place for everyone. The people are what make the city and community, and without them there would be nothing.
Another concern is on education. They always hear me talking about getting better education for our kids. I truly believe the children are the future and deserve the best education that we can possibly provide for them. We need to start with teaching the parents and showing them what to be aware of, especially in this new age. Kids as young as 7 years old are introduced to cell phones, iPads, laptops, drugs, sex, all this is 10 times more advanced than ever before. And as we educate the children we definitely should provide workshops to parents who are in the dark of these things. Knowledge is power. With a little knowledge a parent can help their child before it is too late. I had mentioned to a kid at one of the meetings recently, we should have some kind of program to set the kids up with rewards who are doing extremely well in school, push them and show them, give them something to look forward to. It is getting harder and harder to get kids to want to even attend school let alone go to every class and do all their homework and what is expected of them. But I really feel something like this would encourage the kids.
Also it was a hot summer. I know they were talking about opening up the pool for the public, but it was not done. Will this be available for next summer? Because the community really needs something like that and deserves it. What about a cooling center or warming center for the homeless? We are still waiting on that.
Keith Snow, Hollister
