Ortega’s absence valid
As the coordinator and moderator of the forum for the Gavilan
College Board of Trustees candidates that was held on Oct. 17 at
Gavilan College, I would like clarify some misunderstandings that
may have resulted from an advertisement that was recently published
in The Pinnacle by candidate Rito Ramirez.
Ortega’s absence valid
As the coordinator and moderator of the forum for the Gavilan College Board of Trustees candidates that was held on Oct. 17 at Gavilan College, I would like clarify some misunderstandings that may have resulted from an advertisement that was recently published in The Pinnacle by candidate Rito Ramirez.
In his ad, Mr. Ramirez alleges that Dr. Lucha Ortega “did not even have the courtesy to show up at the candidate forum at Gavilan College.” Please know that while Dr. Ortega was unable to attend the forum due to a work commitment made several months prior, she expressed sincere regret about her inability to attend and was more than willing to make arrangements for an alternative date if that was possible. In addition, Ms. Ortega forwarded a comprehensive statement to be read at the Forum that expressed her regrets and outlined her qualifications, experience, and goals for the students and the campus community. Regrettably, it was due to a breakdown in internal process that I was unable to read this statement during the Forum. I did, however, explain that her absence was due to a scheduling conflict.
It is never an easy task to attempt to find a time when several working members of the community can all meet at the same time. Although Dr. Ortega was unable to attend the candidates’ forum, the statement she submitted clearly indicated that she valued its importance.
Jesse Sandow
Student Trustee
Gavilan College
Didn’t speak for students
An ad that was published last issue and paid for by Rito Ramirez, a candidate for the Board of Trustees race at Gavilan College has been brought to the attention of Gavilan College Associated Student Body. Ramirez states in his ad, ” We, the students of Gavilan College…” As a representative of the ASB, I wish to clarify that in no way has or will the ASB of Gavilan College endorse Ramirez or any other candidate in the Trustee race. Only the ASB is allowed to speak on behalf of the students at Gavilan because the students elect the ASB officers to their positions. If a candidate wanted to attempt to be endorsed by the students, they would have to present themselves at an ASB meeting and make such a request. This ad is misleading to the public and Gavilan’s ASB would like to make it known that there is no validation in the assumptions made by Ramirez. The ASB would like to state that phrases with content such as, “…on the behalf of the students of Gavilan College…” unless stated by the ASB, are not legitimate.
Ashley Dominique Miller
Vice President of Communications
Gavilan College Associated Student Body
Gilroy council misplaced priorities
I find it peculiar and suspicious that the mayor and city council of Gilroy are finding such obsession in The Forum Club.
Frankly, what consenting adults do behind closed doors does very little to affect my quality of life, nor has this ever to my knowledge lowered my property value. I doubt many of us knew this club existed until we read in The Pinnacle that city officials camped out in front of the club scribbling down license plate numbers of club attendees.
The image one could conjure from the city officials’ reaction to The Forum’s operation is akin to the scene in the classic movie Frankenstein’s Monster; the Berger Meister and villagers surround the building, torches burning, fists pounding the air, shouts of, ‘they’ve ruined our crops, tainted our water supply, and lowered our quality of life!’
If the mayor and council members wish to improve Gilroy residents’ quality of life, then quit issuing developers permits for our rural areas. This would retain our quaint community feel, save our open spaces, reduce noise pollution at all hours of the day and night, and stop dirt and dust from continuously flying, saving the quality of life for our cars’ paint jobs. The city officials’ time would also be better spent in figuring out how our downtown area will support all these future residents that it is projecting will be occupying all these new homes being built.
The only ones ruining our quality of life in our once quiet little town are the land developers and the ones responsible for letting over development happen.
Margaret Baker
Gilroy
