The following events, organizations and people deserve either a
Thumbs Up or a Thumbs Down this week:
The following events, organizations and people deserve either a Thumbs Up or a Thumbs Down this week:
THUMBS UP: San Benito County voters have once again made the grade, exhibiting an uncanny ability to mirror the state vote, within a percentage point or two. In the governor’s race, for instance, Arnold Schwarzengger received 56 percent of the statewide vote, and registered 57 percent in our county. It’s a quirky way to fame, but what the heck, it doesn’t seem to be hurting anyone. Of course, with voter participation being what it is, anyone who voted gets a thumbs up.
THUMBS DOWN: San Benito County also has an uncanny inability to tally its votes. Every election citizens here are forced to wait a lengthy period of time before the final vote count is completed, and every election we are told that this is just the way it is. But this is not the way it is in other counties, most of which are larger than our own. Neighboring counties have now tallied 100 percent of their votes, and yet we are somehow so unique it is impossible to get it done in less than two or three weeks. Whatever San Benito County needs to do to modernize its vote-counting process, it should get it done.
THUMBS UP: To the San Benito High Haybalers for defeating Gilroy High 29-21 in the annual Prune Bowl game. The mighty ‘Balers are enjoying another outstanding season, and what better way to make the Central Coast Section playoff push than knocking off their neighbor to the north in a yearly grudge match?
THUMBS UP: Second Harvest Food Bank is rolling out hundreds of barrels to local businesses to be filled with food to help feed those in need during this holiday season. More than 500 local businesses are participating in the drive. In 2005, the San Benito Harvest Food Drive accumulated 70,000 pounds of food, nearly twice the amount collected the year before, according to organizers. Let’s hope this year’s take is at least as much, and hopefully more.
THUMBS UP: To local veterans and all who support them. This morning the League of United Latin American Citizens holds its 13th Annual Veterans Breakfast at the San Benito High School cafeteria, at 7am. And at 10am the 5th Annual Veterans Day Parade will take place down San Benito Street. The parade will end at 11am in front of the Veterans Memorial Building, and eight World War II veterans from San Benito County will be honored. We owe all our veterans a debt of gratitude, and this is a great way to show our appreciation.
THUMBS DOWN: The good news is that new security measures to make voting software and hardware safer and more reliable is on the way. The bad news is that the upgrading wasn’t available for Tuesday’s election. Oh well, better late than never, perhaps. Maybe by the next election the equipment will be ready.
