Generous SBHS Students Give Strength to Family of Sick Boy
Generous SBHS Students Give Strength to Family of Sick Boy
Editor,
As the parents of Kyle Rhodes, my husband and I would like to extend a very special thank you to the students at San Benito High School, who planned and organized the benefit ball (“SBHS Students Raise Nearly $10K,” Jan. 30).
We were invited to attend the dance last Friday evening, along with the parents of Logan Woods.
These wonderful students and classmates of Kyle took the time to collect donations from our community and planned a very special presentation in honor of both boys.
Many people ask us how we are able to cope with having a child with cancer.
I must tell you that a great deal of our strength comes from our family, our friends and now from a bighearted and caring society, including, high school students, Girl Scout troops and local businesses.
The way you have all rallied around our family, make us proud to live in our small community of Hollister.
We cannot thank you enough for your generous support during this time.
Rick and Rene Rhodes
Hollister
Fire Sprinklers in Homes Would Serve Public Purpose
Editor,
I disagree with Marvin Jones’ letter, “Fire Sprinklers in Homes Don’t Serve Greater Public Purpose,” regarding the role of government and the regulation for fire sprinklers in new homes.
From a practical standpoint, fire sprinklers in homes address the obvious fact that local government is struggling to staff its fire department, meet critical emergency response times and provide adequate water flow/pressure.
With respect to infrastructure, many small water utilities aren’t built to support fire protection flow rates of 1,500 gallons per minute at 20 psi for two hours. Homes that are built with fire sprinklers are given credit so that flow rates from hydrants may be as low as 500 gallons per minute at 20psi.
In my view, there are more examples to support fire sprinkler regulations than there are against them. I work with various fire districts in Monterey County who I believe would substantiate the case for fire sprinklers in homes.
Jones’ assertion that public benefit is minimal doesn’t ring true. Fires often spread to other homes in neighborhoods and the responding fire district has the responsibility to extinguish the conflagration.
Fire sprinklers in new or renovated homes are a great way to deal with a broader issue – a lack of infrastructure (available water supply to fire hydrants) and minimal fire crews and equipment due to voter mandates (Measure R in Hollister).
Mike Smith
Hollister
