Dear Editor,

On July 6, I drove through the Central Valley, not on freeways, but on the highways passing through several cities. Like, Gilroy and Hollister, nearly every city (7 of 8) sold fireworks; the booths were still up.

Where was the "major disaster" that the local whiners predicted? One whiner moaned about someone lighting off an illegal one on June 25. (Poor little Russ was frightened.) He claims a total ban would make it "easier to police."

Fact is, fireworks are only legal from July 1 through 4. This one (and plenty of others) went off when all fireworks were illegal! So much for "easier to police"!

This was my 43rd Fourth of July in Gilroy; each year we have had raging block parties (I attended three this year, two on the 4th and one on the 5th) without any fire danger, just like the rest of the city. Not one serious fire has ever been started by legal fireworks here. This issue more than anything else is a matter of justice; taking away safe neighborhood camaraderie (there will be no block parties without fireworks) because of a few whining, paranoid finger-pointers is simply WRONG.

I remain appalled, and angry, at the paranoia, spitefulness, anger, and ignorance on the part of the Gilroy residents who want the ban. Some of them even went by the booths and harassed the vendors! Move out! You don't deserve freedom or respect! You are no different than the just like the Chickens Little in Washington trying to shut everything down to protect us from "terrorism."

Alan Viarengo, Gilroy

Library mumbo jumbo translates to serious concern over bond

Dear Editor,

So it begins!

Gilroy has "critical library needs" that, claims a costly four-page, four-colored "update" means "evaluating a potential local Library Improvement Measure to build an earthquake-safe library for Gilroy."

This update repeats "earthquake-safe" or "earthquake-safety" seven times, apparently hoping to manipulate Gilroy taxpayers' fear of disaster into supportive agreement. The bond measure advocates fail to answer obvious questions: 1) Who oversees the construction process? 2) What firm, at what cost, will sell the bonds? 3) How much will the bond measure cost? 4) How much community input will take place?

For example: The update says library improvement can include new rooms for community meetings, technology training and children's programs and a picture depicts children apparently making paper craft items. The proposed Art Center is supposed to be providing all these things so why should a library building be providing them?

What is most offensive is the use of the "promises" by which the Gilroy Unified School District promoted Measure I years ago: "strong fiscal accountability protections, such as annual, independent financial audits and an Independent Citizens Oversight Committee to guarantee that all funds will only be spent on an earthquake-safe library for Gilroy." Following Measure I's passage such promises vanished. Will the same happen here?

Now the update, with too much emotionalism and too few specifics, asks Gilroy taxpayers/voters to support another costly bond measure without providing what's needed: specific information, honesty and a reason to trust those promoting it. It's not an encouraging beginning.

James Brescoll, Gilroy

Thanks for the boost from the sports editor on a positive story

Dear Editor,

First of all let me congratulate Sports Editor Josh Koehn for participating in this year's football camp. It is great to see our local sports editor out there giving back to our great town.

This years camp was a great success from top to bottom. To all the parents and coaches who were involved, a job well done for our communities and for our children. A great view to see this entire week take shape for a positive outlook in life's road to discovery. Our children and our community needs more sports camps like this one to help guide our youth and give a sense of direction in the search for oneself.

It's great that the game of football provides a positive influence on the field and in the classroom. Camps like this will help continue to build self-confidence and character.

John Hernandez, Gilroy