Opinion

Panelists answered the following: Should schools be required to follow federal rules for healthy lunches even if the programs lose money?

I am coming out of the wilderness to set some facts straight – I normally wouldn't, as a few might remember, for I hung up my whistle and pen in 2006 after 10 years of reporting for the old Pinnacle newspaper.

Regarding the Boy Scout flags that were stolen during the rally, Councilwoman Valdivia was right when she redirected their request elsewhere for assistance. The taxpayers should not be paying for this. However, the fact that nobody knows what to do with this small claim is somewhat disconcerting. The claim amount is really peanuts in the scheme of things. It should not even be an issue. Given the magnitude of the Biker Rally it is inevitable that more, and most likely larger, claims will follow in the years to come. For now it seems like Tyson, Howe, Velazquez, Corbin and friends could find the resources to reimburse the Scouts their $906 to replace the stolen flags. After that, the Rally Committee needs to have a process for handling these types of things and make that process known to the public. Hopefully the city and county are insulated against future liability and lawsuits arising from this event. I'm sure they did their homework.

Why are the teachers of the Hollister School District (HSD) demanding the board approve raises when their earnings and pay schedules show that they are very well paid compared to local workers, families, or even the teachers at the much wealthier Gilroy Unified School District (GUSD) and others? The demands appear so unjustified one must wonder if they are serious or is this just a stress test or bow shot for the new Superintendent.