Marty Richman offers tidbits on an array of topics.
Memorial Day: The Memorial Day service at the Veterans Memorial Building was dignified and moving and the speeches were from the heart. I read the names and remember the few I knew; I tried to imagine the rest. Thanks to all, but most of all thanks to the vets.
Best Campaign Ad I’ve Seen: The best campaign mailer I’ve seen came from Jerry Muenzer, candidate for District 4 supervisor. He asked for votes, but it also encouraged people to vote no matter who they supported – that is classy. None of the District 4 candidates went negative and that’s a big positive for all three of them.
Worst Campaign Ad I’ve Seen: There are too many nominees to count.
The Gavilan Foundation: The executive director of the Gavilan College Educational Foundation, Ken Berry, resigned after college trustees were forced to return $270,000. Per their 2008 online filing, the board had a president, a vice president, eight directors and a treasurer in addition to Mr. Berry. Was Mr. Berry actually “fully responsible” or was he allowed to resign rather than being canned as a sacrificial lamb for the rest of the board?
A Clear Conflict: Daniel De Vries, District 2 planning commissioner, voted to approve the recent use permit application by Leal Vineyards. A few weeks later, the De Vries Law Group represented Leal at the appeal hearing defending the very same permit. It’s a clear conflict of interest; a commissioner should not vote and then provide legal representation to the applicant on the same matter. That should be obvious to everyone – Mr. De Vries most of all.
Air Show Soars: The Weekend Pinnacle that said the Hollister Air Show took the dive, referring to a great photo of a diving acrobatic aircraft; it should have said that the show soared. I hope when they count all the nickels and dimes it was also a financial success so we can do it again. Thanks to the volunteers.
Baseball Weather: I went to my first ballgame at AT&T Park. The setting was great; seats are close in to the field with good views and an old-fashioned feeling. The tickets were reasonable, about $38 for lower box seats online because the opposition D’backs are not classic rivals. Everything else, parking, food and souvenirs, cost an arm and a leg. I guess they have to pay those multimillion-dollar salaries somehow. I actually saw a piece of the outfield wall without an ad on it – it must have been a mistake. The Gilroy Garlic Fries were too good. Yes, I’d do it again, but not too often – the budget can only take it in moderation.
The USS Pampanito (SS-383): If you have the agility, take the tour of the restored WWII submarine, USS Pampanito, located at Pier 45 in SF. It costs $10 per adult with discounts for children, seniors and others. For a couple of bucks more you can get a self-guided podcast narrated by former crewmembers. It’s fascinating. When you are in the tiny spaces try to picture them crammed with 80 “hot-bunking” sailors. Then, if possible, imagine adding another 73 bodies, which was the number of allied POWs it rescued from the ocean on one patrol after friendly forces mistakenly torpedoed unmarked Japanese prison ships.
Love-Hate Relationship: I love the concept of elections, but I hate what they have become. Go out, hold your nose and vote for your personal choice. If you don’t like the way campaigns are run, tell the candidates. Better, write a letter to the editor and tell everyone; perhaps the candidates and so-called independent committees will get the message, but don’t bet on it – too much money involved.
