GilroyDispatch.com | A fond farewell to Val

A fond farewell to Val

Nov 9, 2007

CHEERS for the life of Valentino Filice, who honored this community with his rich sauce. Val's sauce had not-so-secret ingredients - good humor, charity and a willingness to lend both of those big Italian hands to help a cause. He gave time and understood it to be the perfect culinary compliment to his marvelous ability to cook. His twin talents brought people together. Ever the ambassador for Gilroy, he earned his reputation as the Godfather of Garlic one clove at a time. He will be missed on Thanksgiving at the Lord's Table. He will be remembered at each St. Mary's spaghetti dinner, and his legacy will live through the satisfying aromas surrounding Gourmet Alley each July and all the good works associated with our community's wonderful Garlic Festival. Rest in peace.

CHEERS for all those Gilroyans who voted in Tuesday's election. It's so important to our community's future to assess and judge where our leaders are taking us. They, in essence, receive our proxy to spend our money, decide on how Gilroy will grow and make important decisions like which parks to build and when. In their hands we place our safety and our welfare. Voters who take the time and trouble to vote honor our system of government and our community with their efforts.

JEERS for Gilroy High School student arrested for brandishing a knife in the classroom. From the story, it appeared the 17-year-old failed to connect the dots and was honestly remorseful. But in this day and age, weapons at school are simply taboo and any student who thinks otherwise is more than not paying attention. This represents a serious error in judgment for any student involved and we do not envy the powers that be who must decide what punishment is appropriate. Our only caution is that the students must understand the serious nature of this mistake.

CHEERS for the wonderful Gilroy police work which resulted in the arrest of Michael Anthony Perez, 19, related to an aging, thug-like shooting and robbery case. Ten months ago Perez, along with two accomplices, allegedly busted into a garage on Gurries Drive, shot Shawn Walker at least three times and robbed him along with two others. It's the kind of incident that can inject fear into an entire neighborhood. His arrest will go a long way toward cracking the entire case open. Justice, we hope, will be clear and swift.

CHEERS for Ken McBride, the owner of the B-25 Mitchell Bomber which is gracing the runway at San Martin Airport. The classic beauty, a WWII relic, is being lovingly restored by McBride after being rescued from storage in Lancaster, Ohio. If you're interested in an

up-close look at the aircraft, mark down Saturday, Nov. 17 on your calendar for Magnum Aviation's anniversary BBQ. That's the contract firm at the airport and the plane will be available for viewing. McBride is looking for handy folks to help in the restoration, too. His email address is ken@classicchevyparts.com.

CHEERS for and good luck to the Gilroy High School football team. Friday night defines a "big game" in this territory. Gilroy will go up against arch-rival San Benito in Hollister land. The Haybalers would like nothing more than to deny the Mustangs their first outright league title since 1986. Gilroy will have to claim the crown in hostile territory against a storied rival in the Prune Bowl. There's no more satisfying way to win a title and we wish the best to the boys in blue to continue an outstanding season with a big victory.

CHEERS for Gilroy boxer Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero who took just 56 seconds to vanquish Martin Honorio in his title fight Saturday night in Tuscon, Az. He accomplished this with complete blessing from his wife who had recently been diagnosed with leukemia. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.