Letters

I read Marvin Jones guest opinion article with great interest regarding the anti-fracking ballot box initiative proposed by San Benito Rising. Marvin and I do not agree on partisan politics, but on this issue I stand with him and affirm his position. San Benito Rising is a wolf in sheep's clothing supposing to appeal to environmental sentiments when in reality, the group is proposing another land-use initiative similar to the failed 2004 Measure G Growth control measure, adopted by the San Benito County Board of Supervisors at the time, that was ultimately defeated by voter referendum.

In response to the Free Lance view by Marvin Jones, it's apparent that the Ban Fracking Initiative has not been read carefully!  Much of what's stated by Mr. Jones is incorrect.

Many Republican governors choose to honor two great presidents, Lincoln and Roosevelt, by denying low-cost medical insurance to people living in poverty. Both Teddy and Abe would be appalled; even the govenor's hero Ronald Regan was never that meanspirited. Sad that this is the face of today's GOP. America would benefit if sensible Republicans took back their party and worked to represent the best interests of our nation rather than only the top 2%.

As a member of the faculty at San Benito High School, and a member of the community I have been asked a lot about 9th grade academy. Since the 8th graders have been scheduling for classes and many students are being told they need to take the class. I think there is a misconception of what the class is and I feel the need to correct that. The 9th grade academy class started about six years ago in an attempt to help those students who needed just a little more help to get them to succeed in high school. Students who are really struggling have other intervention classes such as Read 180, or Algebra Support, but there was a group of kids in the middle who had good attendance, but were not being successful in class. For the first five years there was one section, and then last year a second section was added. This fall the decision was made to expand the program to seven sections (approximately 200 students) taught by four teachers, myself, Adam Breen, Tim Hammer and Belena Lominaria. The results from the first semester were phenomenal. A cummulitive G.P.A. of 2.9, over 90% academically eligible (a 2.0 with no more than 1 F), and over 80% passing all of their classes. The F rate was even better with over 1,000 grades issued to the students and only 22 total F's. 2 students had 4.0 G.P.A. and about 40% on the honor roll (a 3.0 or higher). The class is designed to provide help to students with their homework and we do extra support with algebra, English and earth science, but I think the greatest part of the class has to do with socialization of the students. We use Steven Covey's "The seven habits of highly effective teens" as our textbook. We do a unit in personal finance, assist students with the process of getting a driver's licence, do a unit where they fill out a job application, resume, and even do a mock job interview. We assist kids in getting out for sports, clubs and other school activities, and provide a platform for being fully assimilated into Baler life. Most students take the class for one year, and then flourish, there is a section of 10th grade academy and some kids elect to take it also. The myth that you can't go to college if you take the class is ridiculous. This year for the first time many students who have succeeded in algebra will be allowed to take geometry during summer school and can take algebra 2 as 10th graders. Many of our students go on to take advanced courses their 10, 11th and 12th grade years. The graduation rate for academy kids is very high. But perhaps the greatest testimony to the class is in the actions of the students. When you check their attendance records, the day they have academy their attendance is significantly higher than the days they don't. Most kids have 0 days absent on their academy day, while they may have three on the non-academy days. I invite any questions parents may have about the program. Just email me at [email protected].

My name is Keith Snow. We can fix the city. There's a lot of priorities that need to be done. Every time I go to city council meetings, they are giving our taxpayers’ money away. By loaning money. Then between the council and city manager, they are not prepared on what comes to them. They are not coordinated or organized. When you go to the council meeting you should be prepared and especially when you are being watched on TV and by all the community. Especially proposal contracts, the way they do it, they do not overlook them before it is put on the agenda. That is how we lose money, not being efficient. You have to have a city manager that has an associate's degree in all aspects, not a masters in science. This is not aerospace. It's called strategy, not jumping into things. Make strategic decisions. We can do better. They talk about waving impact fees, that has been months ago. They talk about overlooking the oversight committee and they have not did that yet, that also has been months. I really am not trying to bash anyone, but common since. They are talking about that they want raises but they are not altogether. It's called a lack of preparation. I graduated and went to college. I know all about city operations and local government. I am for higher education for our kids and bring better programs. I am for creating local jobs, they give them away and I want to bring them here. It's called wasteful spending and they do that a lot. If you look on my website, I am very organized and have a lot of resources for the people. I don't go to the meetings to fight but I am fighting for you the people. I do not want to be against anyone or the council, it just gets me a little frustrated, on how things are done, it is not right. I try to stay professional, but for the fact, they get rid of all the good people and have people there that should be able to do more for our city. Even simple task like sending an email or returning a phone call.  If you look it up you would know more about what's going on. This is for Abraham in the planning department, over a year ago I sent an email and left several messages. I also talked with Clint and Bill about that and still have not received anything from him. I gave my ideas for committees for people to rebuild the city, they used some but not all.  I am a people person and here for the people, we should represent the people. We need our city stronger not weaker. I have a master plan for that. We should implement let the people be involved in the city not by their choice who they want. We need to regulate and honest and loyal government. I will fight for you the people. Stop political corruption. It is time for a change.

Ernie Reyes passed away recently in San Diego. He lived most of his life in this community and contributed a quality of leadership we all benefit from to this day.

In August of 2013, I attended a city council meeting where I suggested to the council that they consider lowering sewer rates to help offset the increase in water rates.

Water is, by far, the biggest issue facing California today as we endure the driest year in our state's history. With our archaic water system not designed to sustain a rapidly growing California, it is imperative we act now and not later.