Weed problems remain near school
In a recently published letter from Carolyn Rios, a Hollister
resident, she gave kudos to the city for holding the property
owners responsible for removing the vast amount of weeds around
town. She also wrote about a problem, east of the Maze Middle
School on Meridian St. The weeds were removed from the property,
but the overgrowth out onto the sidewalk is still there. I’m not
sure if the owner thought the city was responsible for those weeds,
or what. In any event, that overgrowth is blocking the sidewalk,
making it perilous for school children, or anybody for that matter,
to walk there. A person has to walk into the street to use that
side as a pedestrian. I don’t know who’s responsible, but it is
ugly and, more importantly, dangerous.
Jeff Barr
Hollister
Weed problems remain near school
In a recently published letter from Carolyn Rios, a Hollister resident, she gave kudos to the city for holding the property owners responsible for removing the vast amount of weeds around town. She also wrote about a problem, east of the Maze Middle School on Meridian St. The weeds were removed from the property, but the overgrowth out onto the sidewalk is still there. I’m not sure if the owner thought the city was responsible for those weeds, or what. In any event, that overgrowth is blocking the sidewalk, making it perilous for school children, or anybody for that matter, to walk there. A person has to walk into the street to use that side as a pedestrian. I don’t know who’s responsible, but it is ugly and, more importantly, dangerous.
Jeff Barr
Hollister
Coverage of choir is welcome
Thank you Pinnacle Newspaper for the great article and photos covering The Oriana Choral spring program May 21, 22, and 23. We value the community support and the support of our local newspaper! We hope for a big turnout and lots of fun.
Annie Laura Bradford
Hollister
Keep Clear Creek closed
I lost my husband to Mesothelioma cancer six months ago. It is, as with all cancers, a terrible illness. My husband had it for 2 years before they were able to diagnosis his problem. He went through many, many tests, some of them very painful. He had many MRIs and CAT scans. When it was found, there was nothing that could be done. There is no cure for this cancer.
Chemotherapy can, is some cases, prolong life. In his case, he lived for only 2 month after his diagnosis. We believe that his exposure was from his childhood in Wyoming. He would to go with his father to play while his father installed furnaces. Back then they used asbestos. He probably breathed in some of the particles. All it takes is one little speck. It will then stay in your body for 40 or 50 years before spreading and taking over. There are cases where wives have contracted this cancer by doing the laundry of their husbands. Children have contacted it into their bodies by giving daddy a welcome hug. Just a little speck is all that it takes. I want to tell people, especially Mr. Ed Tobin, that no matter how careful they are off road riding, they can and will be exposed to this stuff. It can be on their helmet, gloves, shoes and many other things. He may be 60 and not sick yet. My husband made it to 64 before it reared its ugly head to him. He was one of the healthiest men I have known. He never took a sick day at work. He just never got sick. Please listen to the ones who know best. It may be your child that ends up with this cancer because of you bringing the asbestos home on some of your clothing. I suggest that all of you who believe, as Mr. Tobin does, go to the Mesothelioma website and read all about how it manifests itself. It is a BAD thing!!! Listen to the ones who say “KEEP THE CCM AREA CLOSED.”
Susanne Guthrie
Hollister
Confused by letter
I was somewhat confused by Alyssa Mansmith’s letter of May 14 when she referred to the students of Live Oak High School as Mexican. I thought they were Americans, even the two (of 5) Latino young men that wore the American Flag shirts.
Surely she was not referring to illegals. That would have been insensitive.
Marvin L. Jones
Hollister
Students letters were thoughtful
I want to thank and congratulate the San Benito High School journalism students who took the time to write meaningful, thoughtful and sensible letters to the editor about the incident involving students at Live Oak School High School in Morgan Hill. Intelligent dialogue is critical during this time when race and immigration have evoked strong emotions among many people, especially in light of the state of Arizona’s recent passages of an anti-immigrant law, banning teachers with accents and eliminating ethnic studies in public schools.
This incident has sparked a major debate over questions of respect for the rights of Latinos to celebrate their heritage in this multi-racial, multi-ethnic nation. I appreciated very much that these San Benito High School students demonstrated a sensible approach to a complex problem and took into consideration important values like fairness and justice.
As a teacher I am very proud to see that these students are growing up to becoming critical and analytical thinkers. They will be able to provide solutions for a better society.
Joe Navarro
Hollister
SEIU mailer disappointing
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) of Salinas sent a mailer against Supervisor Pat Loe. It falsely charges that a Hollister robbery that ended in a fatal chase in Salinas and a man that was run over in a Hollister gang fight are somehow Supervisor Loe’s fault.
Supervisor Loe has represented District 3 well. She’s honest and at times has been the sole opponent on the board to wealthy developers’ interests. She strives to remain independent and does not accept campaign contributions, thus her campaign doesn’t have strong visibility.
I am disappointed that the SEIU, a progressive union, would resort to such unethical tactics – especially during the current anti-union environment – and risk the union’s reputation.
It’s clear that her opponent Robert Rivas – with the help of the SEIU – is trying to further his political aspirations by ruining the reputation of an honest official.
I will vote for Supervisor Loe on June 8, and urge other District 3 voters to also vote for her.
LucÃa Aguilar-Navarro
Hollister
Candidate of choice
I am voting for Jerry Muenzer for Supervisor, but not because I am voting against any of the other honorable candidates. My vote for Jerry is based upon the following:
-I worked closely with Jerry in the San Benito County United Way, and learned first-hand of his committment to our community;
-While I was a school teacher and administrator in the Hollister School District and the Southside School District, I was very impressed with the goods and services that Jerry and the Muenzers store provided to our local schools;
-Jerry is a successful businessman, who will encourage the economic growth and jobs that are needed for our community.
I urge you to vote for Jerry Muenzer for Supervisor – I trust his judgement to help solve our county’s challenges.
Chuck Obeso-Bradley
Hollister
Disregard unauthorized mailers
The California primary election will be held on June 8. On this day, members of every party will go to the polls to select their candidates for the general election in November.
I would like to urge my fellow Democrats to pay careful attention to the wording on the mailers they receive. There are numerous “voter guides” which are packaged as official recommendations from the Democratic Party or from nonprofit organizations, but which are actually nothing more that junk mail. They simply print the candidates who pay to be included.
There are fliers which come from the candidates themselves. These can give a clear impression of each candidate’s values, priorities, and experience.
And, increasingly, there are mailings from independent entities which promote certain candidates but are not produced by their campaigns. They include the wording “not authorized by a candidate or candidate controlled committee.” These often contain negative content regarding the candidate’s opponents, and misleading information. I urge voters to disregard these mailings as well, unless they are coming from an organization to which they personally belong and whose recommendations they would seek.
Recently, local voters received a mailing that appears to come from the Janet Barnes campaign, but which comes from “the California Apartment Association” and which claims that she is “Our DEMOCRATIC Choice!”
Democrats should know, however, that Luis Alejo is the candidate who has received the endorsement of the San Benito County Democratic Central Committee and the California Democratic Party.
Of course, Democratic voters themselves will make the final selection on June 8. I hope that they do so on the basis of reliable and substantive information, and I look forward to working for the eventual election of their preferred candidate.
Jeanie Wallace, Chair
San Benito County Democratic Central Committee
