The following events, organizations and people deserve either a
Thumbs Up or a Thumbs Down this week:
THUMBS UP: To retired California Highway Patrol Commander Bob Davies for agreeing to step in as interim director of the Council of Governments. Davies retired last year but will step in to add stability and assurance to a crucial agency until a permanent replacement can be found. Davies is intimately knowledgeable about area roads and transportation issues, so his serving as a bridge to a new director should work beautifully.
THUMBS DOWN: To pot growers. Law enforcement officials in San Benito and south Santa Clara Counties seized large caches of marijuana plants this month. Pot growers not only can pose a threat to anyone in the area, but can also be responsible for the degradation of the landscape and environment in which they choose to grow.
THUMBS UP: To rangers at Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area. These are the unsung heroes of the rescue and emergency medical care world. The park is visited by some 300,00 off-road motorists each year, and the rangers tend to the injured in difficult terrain and conditions. The rangers are currently using aging Suburbans because they can serve as both ambulance and get-to vehicle, but the state will no longer issue this type of vehicle. Here’s hoping an exception can be made for this type of specialized service.
THUMBS UP: To the clearing of the De Anza Trail in San Juan Bautista. Hikers, bikers, and horse riders can now navigate this pristine stretch of historical trail easier. Once littered with abandoned vehicles and litter, this dirt road is now a gem that is user-friendly and leads to stunning views of the San Juan Valley.
THUMBS DOWN: To the harassment of youth over the Internet. A recent study indicates that fewer youths are subject to sexual solicitations than five years ago, but that they are subjected to greater instances of pornographic images than previously. “Nasty comments and sexual innuendoes are no longer confined to a bathroom wall or small groups of peers,” the study said. So the news is mixed, and points to the need for vigilance from parents and adults.
THUMBS UP: To the 20th annual Street Festival in downtown Hollister. The street scene was relaxed and fun and it is always good to see people enjoying themselves downtown. Bands, cars, and things for the children to do made for a good time for everyone.
