Cheers for the rodeo phenom; jeers for ballot snafus
THUMBS DOWN: For the ballot blunders in the San Benito County Elections Office. Registrar John Hodges is under a lot of pressure to run a smooth election Tuesday after all the trouble in the March election when absentee votes turned in by District 5 supervisor candidate Jaime De La Cruz’s camp lead to a political meltdown. But the office is not off to a promising start. A printer’s error could disenfranchise several thousand voters in the Sunnyslope Water District race, and some people have gotten more than one absentee ballot in the mail. If you voted absentee in the Sunnyslope race, you can still fix your ballot by showing up at the Elections Office at 440 Fifth St. Room 206.
THUMBS UP: For San Benito County Water District Executive Director John Gregg, who stoically waited out a snow storm in the Sierra Nevada mountains last weekend. Gregg, 64, and the people he was hiking with were caught by surprise when an unexpected storm dumped 15 inches of snow on them. While two others went for help, Gregg and a companion hunkered down. They had equipment, food and decades of experience to draw on. Plus Gregg had some wisdom to keep him going. “(Never getting out) obviously goes through your mind, but like a whole lot of other things, you can’t let those take up residence. All you’ve got to deal with is today. You play the hand you’re dealt,” he told reporter Erin Musgrave. Not bad advice in any circumstance.
THUMBS DOWN: For the petty people who resort to name calling, sign vandalism and snide innuendo when it comes to politics. Whether it’s the local races or the presidential election, there are too many adults setting a lousy example. No wonder young people in America are turned off by politics. The negativity and unwarranted anger being exhibited by some bring the notion of overly critical soccer parents to mind. Let’s focus on ideas and respect for people who hold opposing viewpoints.
THUMBS UP: For Melissa Dassel who will show off her home-grown rodeo skills on a large stage. The local rodeo standout – currently ninth in nation in the National Cutting Horse Association Amateur Division – is ranked high enough to compete in the National Cutting Horse Association World Finals in Amarillo, Texas in February. Good show Melissa, and good luck.
THUMBS DOWN: For the controversy of the motocross kid, whose family was slapped with grading violation citations for building a motocross track in their backyard after a neighbor lodged complaints about motorcycle noise. Hollister is home to 8-year-old motocross phenom Brandon Olivares, who uses the track to keep his skills sharp for competition. Yes, motorcycles are noisy and the family doesn’t have a permit for the hilly track in their backyard, but punishing a young boy who is otherwise a great kid is just plain wrong. Too bad the neighbors couldn’t come to an agreement to limit practice hours.
THUMBS UP: For the second condor release at the Pinnacles National Monument Thursday. Although, only one California condor took to the skies, another two will soon be released. It’s a great program and a noble undertaking to save these gigantic birds from extinction and return them to the wild – where they belong.
THUMBS UP: For Jo Wahdan, the head librarian at the San Benito County Free library for 25 years, for her selfless dedication to the organization. Wahdan will retire on Nov. 9, but the contributions she made to the library during her tenure will continue forever.
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