Justice demands punishment
I’ve just read Notebook on the Target fire. I can hardly
believe
your sympathetic tone towards a kid who has intentionally lit
something on fire inside a busy store using something he didn’t own
and ultimately causing $3 million in damages. You state he is an
outstanding student who was planning to go to college; active in
campus organizations and athletics; lives with a loving family with
sound values; works hard; honest; and is a
”
good kid.
”
Whoa there. Such a good kid huh? Yet he did this sneaky thing
that caused much damage to a retail store at Christmas time.
This young man’s bright future was very bright on that evening
wasn’t it? All orange and flaming. If this kid is so smart why
on earth didn’t he buy the bag of cheese puffs take it home or
to an
empty field somewhere out in the open and try his
”
teen folklore
”
there. How bright is he to think he can light anything on fire
inside a store and have it be safe? How on earth can you or anyone
say that he will never do such a thing again? You can’t.
He should be punished to the full extent of the law and should
be made to pay some sort of restitution. It will take him a very
long time but that might ensure that he keeps away from matches or
lighters. I get the impression that you feel this kid is, well for
lack of a better term just being a teen or well, boys will be boys.
So don’t hold him responsible? He is 17 and should have known that
fire is dangerous. And because he turned himself in he is to
praised? Oh come on!
Helen Ross
Hollister
Justice demands punishment
I’ve just read Notebook on the Target fire. I can hardly believe
your sympathetic tone towards a kid who has intentionally lit something
on fire inside a busy store using something he didn’t own and ultimately
causing $3 million in damages. You state he is an outstanding student
who was planning to go to college; active in campus organizations and
athletics; lives with a loving family with sound values; works hard;
honest; and is a “good kid.” Whoa there. Such a good kid huh? Yet he
did this sneaky thing that caused much damage to a retail store at
Christmas time.
This young man’s bright future was very bright on that
evening wasn’t it? All orange and flaming. If this kid is so smart why
on earth didn’t he buy the bag of cheese puffs take it home or to an
empty field somewhere out in the open and try his “teen folklore”
there. How bright is he to think he can light anything on fire inside a
store and have it be safe? How on earth can you or anyone say that he
will never do such a thing again? You can’t.
He should be punished to the full extent of the law and should be made to pay some sort of restitution. It will take him a very long time but that might ensure that he keeps away from matches or lighters. I get the impression that you feel this kid is, well for lack of a better term just being a teen or well, boys will be boys. So don’t hold him responsible? He is 17 and should have known that fire is dangerous. And because he turned himself in he is to praised? Oh come on!
Helen Ross
Hollister
Library group thanks community
We wish to take this opportunity to thank all who participated in welcoming our new county librarian, Nora Conte, at the reception on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2006 in the Barbara Memorial Room at the San Benito County Free Library.
We especially thank the following local businesses who contributed various food preparations and decorations for the reception: Albertson’s; Baler, Hollister Super, & Windmill Markets; Flapjacks Country Cafe; Juice It Up; Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant; Main Street Bistro; Marich Confectionary; Nob Hill; Running Rooster; Subway Sandwiches & Salads; Supermercado y Taqueria; Sushi Restaurant; and United Way.
Everyone is invited to visit the library and see the new collections and computers, and get acquainted with the services and programs that are provided.
Harriet Brin, Secretary
Friends of the San Benito County Free Library
Paper misses the Target
In reference to the Notebook article dated Dec. 15 regarding the fire at Target I disagree with the views and analysis’s.
Perhaps a lot of us played with matches as children and we probably explored more than we needed to achieve pyrotechnic results, but to set fire in a public place riddled with Christmas shoppers is another concept all together.
This juvenile must be examined by many authorities to determine just why he did such a potentially tragic prank.
Or was it a prank? Could it have been some kind of revenge towards others? Was he trying to gain attention to qualm an insecurity? Is he physiologically and physically sound? There are so many questions to ask why a seemingly good person would perform such an act. Does he lack insight to the consequential damage? Did he even think about what all the people were there for?
The only way to find out what was really behind this young man’s mind is to have him examined and diagnosed so that the judgment can be just.
No parent wants their child to be incarcerated during the holidays and no parent wants their child to be a criminal. But perhaps this is a wake up call for all those involved.
In a lawsuit-happy society this adolescent doesn’t have a chance unless he really reveals himself to the authorities and sets himself free mentally. If he is what was purported in the article then perhaps he will be set free, but if the authorities find another cause for his behavior then he must pay the consequences, like the rest of us.
Daniel T. Maese
Hollister
Thanks from a soldier
Greetings from Bagram, Afghanistan.
I’m sending you a note in an effort to recognize one incredible woman that lives in your community, my mother, Carolyn Acosta. I have been deployed now for nearly a year and the end is finally growing near for us, with plans to return early next year. Throughout this year my mother has gone above and beyond to bring us “closer to home” in any means possible. Wherever I went, from northern to southern Afghanistan, my mother sponsored not only myself with care packages and cards, but all the soldiers in my unit.
She sent over 200 packages to soldiers throughout Afghanistan, made neck scarves to keep us cool in the 120+ heat, fleece blankets to keep us warm on the cold clear nights and most importantly reminded us we are not forgotten. She participated in a local group that sponsors soldiers but for the most part, all she did for my unit and the soldiers under it, she undertook and directed single-handedly.
Recently I was home on leave and had the opportunity to help put together the final push of boxes. Packing, labeling, sorting over 20 boxes took hours and I developed a full appreciation for all her efforts throughout this past year. I can tell her thanks, my soldiers write her thank you notes but I want it to be known how much this woman went above and beyond to recognize us here.
As the holidays approach and most of us here struggle being away but look forward to the weeks ahead and our safe return, I wanted to recognize my mother for her endless service to us. Thank You Mom!! Merry Christmas!
CPT Audrey Larkin
Think long term and go solar
Seems Ray and Peggy Pierce got smart with 36 solar panels. In the 1980s the federal government gave a tax credit for solar panels for hot water heaters. Met a man on my postal route that had to go out of business. Bought seven panels for $3,500 and a solar blanket for my pool. In Fresno it worked good, as well as the whole house fan and attic fans.
Wish the federal government would think long term.
Robert Gila
Hollister
