The following events, organizations and people deserve either a
Thumbs Up or a Thumbs Down this week:
THUMBS UP: To Ridgemark Golf and Country Club for providing the perfect venue for a political debate, this one being between District 4 Supervisorial candidate Tracie L. Cone and incumbent Reb Monaco. Roughly 100 local residents made it to the forum on Thursday night, skipping a blockbuster television evening of “Survivor,” “CSI” or “Grey’s Anatomy” to watch and listen to local candidates in a campaign crucial to our county. Cone and Monaco offered a stark contrast in style, philosophy, and presentation, which made for two hours as informative and entertaining as anything on television. This is a race that offers two distinct, and superb candidates. Thanks to Ridgemark for providing an elegant, yet comfortable setting. Here’s to hoping it is the venue for further such events.
THUMBS DOWN: To the produce industry for not maintaining standards that could prevent an occurrence such as the E. Coli outbreak. State and local growers and producers have been warned, more than once, by state regulators in the past five years that their standards for public safety have not been stringent enough or followed closely enough. Now, it appears stricter regulation will be thrust upon the industry. If tighter regulations provide better public protection, then this must be the case. The industry has to get it done. After all, it is their livelihood, and how deep a consumer backlash will hit remains to be seen.
THUMBS UP: Sebastien Babolat created the French Podcast mostly out of boredom while living in Hollister. From this humble beginning began an online show that now boasts from 35,000 to 45,000 listeners every week. The one-time Hollister resident helps teach thousands of amateur scholars how to speak a little French or learn more about the culture. And in a very entertaining way. Maybe another bored Hollisterite will come up with yet another engaging and entertaining invention for the world.
THUMBS DOWN: To Venezuela president Hugo Chavez, who takes the opportunity whenever possible to refer to our president as “the devil.” OK, so Chavez is critical of how our government conducts foreign policy. In a democracy, criticism is fair game and allowed. But calling someone “The Devil” and “an alcoholic” really doesn’t promote understanding or good will for the rest of us regular citizens.
THUMBS UP: To the legacy of public service left by Marley Holte, who died last week at age 80. Holte served on an amazing array of local organizations during his lifetime and was never a ceremonial figure. He got things done. If any of us perform even a fraction of the service that Holte undertook, our community will be a better place.
