Letters: COG board makes right move on delay

The Council of Governments discussed the widening of Rt. 25 at
the May 20 meeting. The four lanes would shrink to two lanes at the
Santa Clara County line.
COG board makes right move on delay

Dear Editor,

The Council of Governments discussed the widening of Rt. 25 at the May 20 meeting. The four lanes would shrink to two lanes at the Santa Clara County line. The cloverleaf at Rt. 156 would be built at a later time, (if ever). The board asked: Why not widen the existing two lanes to four lanes? Why spend nearly $100 million for a new four-lane road with stoplights in the middle? Why not build the cloverleaf at Rt. 25 and as much four-lane as possible, starting at the Rt. 25 bypass around Hollister? 

It was stated the COG staff and Caltrans staff had discussed the options and these are the results. 

Director Anthony Botelho appeared to take exception to being told what to do. He seemed to prefer the Rt. 156 cloverleaf. He made a motion to extend the review period for the Environmental Impact Report so the board could learn more details and possibly even have some input to the decisions. The motion passed 5-0. 

Way to go Anthony.

Marvin L. Jones, Hollister

Bernosky is best choice for Assembly

Dear Editor,

Rob Bernosky is the candidate for the 28th Assembly District who has practiced what he is preaching.

Over the past 20 years he has been instrumental in creating jobs for small and mid-size companies with which he has been associated while also helping those firms grow and prosper.

With regard to correcting the fiscal mess in our state government, Rob as a Chief Financial Officer knows the value of a balanced budget in making the state financially sound which in turn will return California to being a great place to live and work. His plan to help balance the budget is to do the same as we do with our family spending, ie., prioritize the efficient use of our tax dollars by subjecting every item to cost/benefit analysis with the result of not having to raise taxes and hopefully to reduce them.

Rob, who is President of his mutual water company knows what it takes to assure a continuous supply of water to those who need it. Therefore, he supports the movement to maintain a sustainable supply of water to agriculture in San Benito and Santa Clara Counties by returning control of the Central Valley system to the State from the Federal government.

Also, Rob as a member of his school board was a leader in bringing teachers and administrators together to attain the goal of raising the educational status of Spring Grove School from a State rating of 2 to 10. He will take this expertise to Sacramento to help resurrect our failing education system.

I believe that a visit to the Bernosky website www.votebernosky2010.com will convince one that Rob, a strong family man, is the best candidate in the 28th District to get the job done in Sacramento.

Carl Chase, Hollister

Afterthoughts on controversy

Dear Editor,

I was recently saddened by the Cinco de mayo controversy surrounding the high school and the greater Morgan Hill community. As a past instructor of History of The Southwest at Gavilan College, I feel obligated do my share in trying to calm the controversy and recommend a solution. I refuse to find fault with any of the primary parties: students, parents, and educators. They were all correct in their actions based on their judgments, and yes emotions. However, the issue is one of institutional practice. Other educational institutions have experienced the same outbursts. Others have avoided these incidents with better practices. We need policies in our educational institutions that are inclusive and promote appreciation and education over celebration.

In all honesty, had some Russian students paraded around with the hammer and cycle emblem at my alma mater, San Benito High School in the 50’s, I and others would have worn some American Flag symbols in defiance of the admiration for the Russian Flag, a political symbol. And, I also would have expected my parent’s support. The American Flag is the political icon of our country. The Mexican Flag is a cultural symbol of a legendary story that occurred hundreds of years before the country of Mexico existed. I grew up in the presence of patriotic Hispanics who loved this country and displayed both the American Flag to express their patriotism and the Mexican Flag to express their love of Mexican culture.

The principal at the high school used correct judgment in his efforts to avoid confrontation. Safety is the first priority in our schools. The Superintendent was correct that perhaps the students the principal sent home may have been denied their constitutional rights. This does not suggest the students have the same rights on campus as off campus.

The students who participated in the Cinco de mayo celebration to develop pride didn’t need the celebration. They are already proud. And, I doubt that the vast majority of students could care less about the incident and just want everyone to get along.

Cinco de mayo is not a national Mexican holiday. It was first celebrated in California in the 1860s in response to the resistance of French rule in Mexico. Cinco de mayo celebrations are widespread in the United States in recognition of Mexican heritage. This celebration is no different than Saint Patricks Day and other days of recognition. Another aspect is purely economical. Some say it is the beginning of Beer Season.

Until I turned 25, I had never heard of it. We always celebrated the 16 of September, Mexican Independence, and only because our parents included us.

The French were in Mexico to help the South win the Civil War. Some historians claim their intentions were to liberate the Port of New Orleans and help the South win.

In return Mexico would take possession of the land it had lost after the Mexican American War. Essentially, the battle at Puebla, the origins of Cinco de mayo, may have had a greater positive impact on United States History than Mexican History. It does mark the last time any foreign troops invaded the American Continent.

Finally may I suggest a positive recommendation for resolution based on a practice here at San Benito Joint Union High School? Here the high school has two or perhaps three BLT days, extended Baler Lunch Time, originally International Day. The students celebrate diversity but more importantly learn to appreciate diversity and all cultures are included. Some teachers even and should take the opportunity to discuss and teach about different immigrants. This was implemented to avoid what happened at Morgan Hill High School. Based on my experiences as a Hollister School Trustee in the 70s I truly appreciate this policy. You may ask why have anything? Diversity is a unique and important characteristic of American History and today’s society. Immigrants gave and preserve our work ethic which has always been the seed of American productivity.

Morgan Hill is a great city. You have come a long ways since you began electing your mayor. I truly enjoy your celebrations and events. You don’t deserve the negative publicity you received and the students even less.

Tony Ruiz, Hollister, retired Gavilan instructor

School candidate touts ability

Dear Editor,

My 1980 “California Public Education Plan” called for “executive councils” comprised of 2 teachers, 2 parents, the principal, another staff person and a student to run a public school. Now, standardized curriculum, test preparation, testing, test scores and legions of education bureaucrats rule schools.

The people who should run a public school are those who work in the school every day and the parents of enrolled students. Everybody else on the “outside,” including school trustees, education agencies and employee unions ought mainly to serve and support students, teachers and staff in schools.

I urge local, county and state school trustees to analyze the actual cost and relative utility of all employees, contractors and consultants to find “fat” and start cutting it. For example, shrinking education budgets mean that school districts must decide who they need more: a director of research and a social studies supervisor working in office cubicles, or 2 math and 2 English teachers working in schools every day with students.

Daniel M. Nusbaum, superintendent of public instruction candidate

Voter talks issues that matter

Dear Editor,

As a voter and taxpayer, I Iove living in San Benito County. I don’t know about the feelings of other residents, but I like the feeling of less crime, less traffic congestion and wide open spaces.

I have been paying taxes here for over 35 years, and came here for it’s rural setting. The census for Hollister was 7,000, and in the year 2000, the population was 57,000, and increase due to large developers building massive projects, not small local builders building small projects using local labor.

As a voter, you can decide in which direction you want our community to go.

Personally, I don’t need San Jose, it is close enough but yet far enough away. Progress for me, is enjoying life, the way I want to live it, and not being overcrowded.

Ted Thoeny, Hollister

Services for ‘new warriors’

Dear Editor,

Although this letter comes to you from Yountville, California, it is very much of local interest – and importance – to your readers. The Pathway Home, a non-profit residential treatment program for our nation’s “New Warriors” who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and who suffer from combat-related stress, PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury, has recently helped a veteran from Hollister re-adjust to civilian life after the traumas of war.

The Pathway Home is neither a federal nor state-run institution, but rather an independent, privately-funded, non-profit organization. Since it opened in January 2008, it has treated nearly 200 warriors and many of their family members from around the country using innovative, state-of-the-art techniques that incorporate interaction with the surrounding community. In addition to receiving plaudits from Veterans Affairs officials and mental health specialists, The Pathway Home has – most importantly – been acclaimed as a true life-saver by the very soldiers and marines who have gone through the program.

The Pathway Home has been operating on the basis of a private grant, but this money is running out, and the program’s survival depends on private donations to fund the clinical staff and treatment programs. Making our wounded warriors whole again is everyone’s responsibility. Donations can be made through the official website, www.thepathwayhome.org, – where more information about the program can also be found. Donations by check can be made out to and mailed to The Pathway Home, PO Box 3930, Yountville, CA 94599.

John Dunbar, Chairperson