Editorials

If proposed five or 10 years ago, the city's idea to add dozens of security cameras may have ruffled more civil-liberties feathers than it is now.

It was refreshing to hear about the county library finally moving in a positive direction when it comes to community access, and a group of organized library supporters deserves credit for bringing attention to the problem.

When the new county courthouse is ready for business, supervisors should set aside their political playbook and open the complex.

Despite potential conflicts of interest for the city's contracted attorney, Hollister-based L&G, the firm deserves the same chance as any other competitor to prove its objectivity and worthiness for the job.  

The Thanksgiving and Christmas meals put on by the Holte Holiday Dinners group are an institution in San Benito County. The annual dinners not only feed hundreds of needy residents each year, but they also provide a way for others to give back and for parents to teach their children the value of volunteerism.

There appears to be a new attitude at the city under Mayor Ignacio Velazquez, with several examples on display at last week's council meeting.

Pushing off a county sales tax ballot proposal until at least 2016 is a smart move because it could allow for a cohesive tax policy throughout the community.

As local leaders continue talks on the future of the San Benito County Free Library, they face two big challenges: There isn't nearly enough of an existing revenue stream to fund the current library's operations – let alone a bigger one – while the community must find a new home for the library to support future growth and technological change.

San Benito High School officials' use of that curious incentive – to cut students' detention hours if their parents attended a facilities renovation forum – was pulled from a broader playbook. That playbook's theme is this: Do whatever it takes to get the necessary number of votes to OK a $39 million school bond.