JEERS for the infusion of political party money into the local races for city council and mayor. Having the local arm of the Republican and/or Democratic party send out slick mailers for candidates as an "atta boy" for being a registered party member cheapens our local elections. It's soft money that, if possible, should be prevented from infiltrating our elections. It changes the tenor, and not for the better.

CHEERS for a tried-and-true longtime Gilroy business, Goldsmith's Seeds, featured on the cover of our new business section Tuesday. Business editor Dennis Taylor detailed some fascinating changes in the seed industry and how Goldsmith's has moved to remain competitive. The company, founded in 1962, is well known for its strong relationships with employees, it's civic generosity and, of course, the gorgeous flower field displays at its Hecker Pass location.

JEERS for the fatalistic comments from Chips N' Salsa's owner Jim Angelopoulos about the inability of a restaurant to survive in downtown Gilroy. We're not willing to concede that notion, and neither should the city, owners of the historic building. It's a matter of getting the right business in there and executing a long-term plan. It's a beautiful building (without the cheap neon), and its located in a downtown area that's attracting more customers and improving. By the way, a wonderfully successful downtown restaurant is just down the street: Carnitas Michoacan.

CHEERS for the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board which voted 4-3 to decline a 5 percent pay increase. It's a symbolic vote and we're proud to say former Gilroy mayor Sig Sanchez and South County representative Rosemary Kamei voted against the increase. The Board did not merit a raise after a hiring scandal and unjustified water rate increases. Other members - specifically, Joe Judge, Richard Santos and Tony Estremera - argued that pay should keep up with high-level Silicon Valley companies. Next they'll be arguing they should be keeping up with pay and benefit increases for firefighters in Fremont.

JEERS for the tattoo page coming to a Gilroy High School yearbook near you. Geez, it's one thing if the student paper does a story on tattoos - it's a fact of life. It's another for the school to sanction coming out at lunch for a photo session that's going to end up in the yearbook. How about a little more taste, how about a little more class, how about a school administration that monitors the bulletin and is willing to set a bar for community standards? It boils down to a simple question: Is that how we want to represent the high school? How about another page for the band?

Although the Gilroy Dispatch does not have any obligation to monitor this board, the Gilroy Dispatch reserves the right at all times to check this board and to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to the Gilroy Dispatch in our sole discretion and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. The Gilroy Dispatch also reserves the right to permanently block any user who violates these terms and conditions. All threats to systems or site infrastructure shall be assumed genuine in nature and will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Submission of any comments will be considered permission to use online or in print.

© Copyright 2008 MainStreet Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Any copying, redistribution or retransmission of any of the contents of this service without the express written consent of MainStreet Media, LLC. is expressly prohibited.