The following events, organizations and people deserve a Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down this week.
THUMBS UP: For Esther Hayhurst, the kindly landlady who leaped into action to help her tenants when their lives were turned upside down by a house fire. Martin Gutierrez arrived home Monday to find smoke billowing from his house on Wright Road. While the home was not completely destroyed, many of the family’s possessions were and the house suffered smoke damage. That’s when Hayhurst rallied support, finding the family a new house to stay in, and asking friends and community members to pitch in with food, clothes, furniture and appliances. Hayhurst hopes to have the damaged home renovated quickly so the Gutierrez family can move back in by Thanksgiving.
THUMBS UP: For visiting supervisors Valerie Brown of Sonoma County and Mike McGowan of Yolo County, who came to Hollister to discuss the impacts of casinos on their areas. They delivered a mixed message, saying on one hand that if tribes have ancestral land, there is very little that can be done to stop a casino. On the other hand, they seemed to spark some hope that it’s possible to stop tribes that are “reservation shopping.” The California Valley Miwoks which are proposing a casino on Highway 25 near the Santa Clara border appear to be doing just that. We’re sure the folks at Casinos Represent a Poor Solution (C.R.A.P.S.) will jump on that chance to keep a casino out of San Benito County.
THUMBS UP: For the rescue of Water District Director John Gregg who was stranded in the Sierra Nevada mountains during the early winter storm hitting California over the weekend. Gregg and his companion were unable to hike out after the weather came, but were able to hang on while rescuers find a way to bring them home.
THUMBS DOWN: For the driving rain soaking San Benito County earlier this week. Sure a little water never hurts, but the early season storm was a little too much, too soon – hopefully Mother Nature will give a few more weeks of warm sun before the winter doldrums.
THUMBS UP: For Dale Farney who has Downs Syndrome but through hard work and a can-do attitude has achieved a distinctive honor. Today, he will be honored with his own Eagle ceremony where he will be recognized as an Eagle Scout, the Boy Scout’s highest and most prestigious rank. Only 4 percent of Boy Scouts become Eagle Scouts. Dale, by all accounts, is a cheery soul with big dreams and the determination to achieve them. He’s an inspiration to us all.
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