Opinion

Panelists answered the following: Do you support stiffer enforcement of illegal fireworks in the county?

Late last week, I opened the Free Lance and was dismayed to see a name calling, finger pointing, purely political attack in the Opinion section.  While I will not bother to take the time here to address the overblown editorial of the author, I would like to set the record straight on the freedom of speech issue with my constituents.

Richard Place: “I believe they take a better ethics course than the elected officials so I would have to say yes.” 

Panelists answered the following: Do you agree with a judge's conclusion that the teacher tenure system is unconstitutional because it discriminates against minority and low-income students? Mary Zanger: “No. Providing equality of opportunity is the problem in low tax base school districts like Hollister. Low tax base districts enter students with little pre-school or early childhood education and have less libraries, computers, and resources. Similarly the parents with less education and language skills need remedial help also. These schools need teachers with tenure skills. Tenure is necessary to protect teachers who might teach how injustices like lack of jobs, poor housing, and low wages affect their students.”

It appears Hollister officials have tossed their copy of the Brown Act right out the front door at City Hall.

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.

Panelists answered the following: Do you agree with the exchange of five Taliban prisoners for U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl?