The following events, organizations and individuals deserve
either a Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down this week:
The following events, organizations and individuals deserve either a Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down this week:
THUMBS UP: For the County Board of Supervisors’ decision to let the new board seated in January select a permanent replacement for County Administrative Officer Dan Vrtis, who was asked to resign last week. While the decision to call for Vrtis’ resignation without explanation deserves a thumbs down, the supervisors made the right call to let the next board determine who will be his replacement. The new board will have a fresh perspective on where the county should go and should be allowed to make the decision on who will be the leader to take them there. Besides, after going through three CAOs in eight months, the current board hasn’t proved it can keep a replacement.
THUMBS DOWN: For the street crossing fiasco developing at San Benito High School. Students must wait to cross Nash Road to get to their classes in the new campus, and drivers are reportedly growing angry over the three- to four-minute delays. Granted the school and the city have tried to mitigate the hassle, however, something needs to be done before an accident creates a tragedy.
THUMBS UP: For the Grand Jury report that took a detailed look at many government operations in San Benito County. The Grand Jury made recommendations to improve the performance of law enforcement, public schools and other areas of local government. The 18 community members who serve on the jury deserve our gratitude for selflessly working to improve the community.
THUMBS UP: For members of a Hollister support group helping people suffering with fibromyalgia learn to cope with the affliction. Fibromyalgia is believed to be a genetic disorder preventing the body from flushing away excess phosphates, resulting in an onslaught of symptoms like sleeplessness, irritable bowel and chronic fatigue. Persevering through adversity, these women have learned to take their lives back, and, perhaps more importantly, are helping others beat the illness.
THUMBS UP: For the end of the sweltering heat baking local residents earlier this week. Though this probably isn’t the last heat wave before summer expires, thank goodness the temperatures have fallen to a more reasonable level.
THUMBS UP: For city officials who, after protest, decided to reconsider Hollister’s plan to handle effluent water. The city originally had planned to build percolation ponds near Wright Road but has changed its mind after a compelling case was made by the San Benito County Farm Bureau and residents. Now the city will not only reassess the location of the ponds, but will reconsider the use of them altogether. There are numerous options to handle wastewater, and the city made a wise decision to consider all of them.
THUMBS DOWN: For the notion that an Indian casino is somehow reparations for past wrongs. Four Indians in an out-of-town tribe would be the gateway for a cadre of investors, attorneys and management companies to make a whole lot of money. Clearly there are possible side benefits to the community. Investors, for example, might fund the widening of Highway 25 or increase the sewer plant capacity for Hollister, which is stuck in a growth moratorium. But the point is that the premise upon which Indian casinos are being built is hogwash.
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