Dear Editor,

A couple of years ago (05/10/2006) the Dispatch ran a news article on the swallows at Gavilan College. Now might be a good time to run a follow-up article.

Over the past several days I've noticed that workers at the college have been knocking down swallow nests and are now in the process of installing some netting to discourage further nesting. If this had been done a few weeks or months ago, it probably wouldn't bother me - BUT the swallows have already returned and were occupying some of the nests that have been destroyed.

My understanding is that this is against the law once the swallows start nesting. Is Gavilan College exempt or above the law?

John Walski, Gilroy 

Mayor Pinheiro and Council should stand up to the quarry proposal

Dear Editor,

Though I realize that the decision to allow "10,000 gravel trucks rumbling through Gilroy" as headlined in the Tuesday, April 1 Dispatch, will lay in the hands of Santa Clara County Planning Commission, if Mayor Al Pinheiro and the Gilroy City Council have any influence, they should be concerned and stop a quarry development on the west side of Gilroy off Watsonville Road near Burchell Road and Hecker Pass Highway.

Here are the many reasons why.

This sparsely populated, agricultural country area is rich in fertile soil and landscaped with pine trees, oaks, vineyards and rolling hills. Uvas Creek, alive with steelhead trout, winds it's way through the area and a small park, located at the intersection of Watsonville and Burchell Roads, plays host to school children learning early American history from docents. 

Watsonville Road is traveled not only by locals on their commute, but by many tourists seeking out our small wineries and taking leisurely weekend drives through the country to Mt. Madonna Park and over Hecker Pass to the coast. When driving this seven-mile stretch from Monterey Road in Morgan Hill to Hecker Pass Highway in Gilroy, one is fortunate to view grazing cattle, trotting horses, playful goats, clucking chickens and a rafter of turkeys crossing the road. This route is also a popular training area and is often included in bike tours. Do we really want to have a gravel-loaded truck go by every 12 minutes?

Now, let's look at Hecker Pass Highway, listed on Santa Clara County Code 3.30.050 scenic road inventory, that would also be inundated by the noise of gravel trucks and the pollution of rock dust. Did we not just save the historic Deodra trees lining this throughway? Do we really want to risk desecrating the smell and color of the flower varieties that are appreciated as we drive past Goldsmith Seed? Remember, Goldsmith Seed plays host to international flower breeders. Would these businesses go elsewhere reducing the use of local hotels and restaurants? The city spent $13 million in February to purchase Gilroy Gardens, located at Hecker Pass Highway and Burchell Road. Do you think it would be wise to have such an intrusive business as a rock mine only a short distance away? I definitely think this would impact the volume of visitors and income for the city.

Last, but certainly not least ... what about the wineries on Hecker Pass Highway, Redwood Retreat and Watsonville roads? I can't say enough about what these family-owned, some very long-time establishments have brought to our area. Besides beautifying the terrain and many bringing home medals in contests, these wineries offer numerous events that include entertainment, concerts, fund-raisers, auctions, weddings, boutiques, and so much more. Morgan Hill and Gilroy are being recognized as a region producing great wines. How quickly could all this be destroyed by damage to the grapes and lack of tourists?

Do we really want all this taken away and have the wear and tear on our roads? Would the county find the funds to repair the blacktop as needed? 

Please speak up and defend one of the last picturesque countrysides in our county. Keep updated by visiting www.noquarryingilroy.org and to be represented at the county planning commission meetings.

Susan Mister, Gilroy

Warm-hearted thank you to the wonderful Gilroy Exchange Club

Dear Editor,

I want to let readers know about the Gilroy Exchange Club. This club is made up of business people in Gilroy. We, who live in Sunset Gardens, are low-income persons. We like to do things that enhance our lives. We get very little in the way of donations from the outside world.

The Gilroy Exchange Club stepped in and adopted us for one year and then extended it. These business people have brought us food, donated monies and provided us with the most wonderful barbecue and entertainment last year. We all felt like kings and queens on that special day, and the Gilroy Exchange Club is planning another barbecue this year. During the holidays, they provided us with the entertainment of the award-winning Gilroy High School Choir.

We cannot say enough about this club. If I was a business person in Gilroy, I would most certainly join the club to help other people. We salute the Gilroy Exchange Club and all its members.

Sheila Foote, Gilroy