Dear Editor,

oh the days, of pasta con pesto, with garlic and basil

oh how we miss you

all those years of success, why the change, were they deranged?

those big fat old noodles, and they give you oodles

the pasta con pesto, with butter and basil, deliciously nasal

was loved by us all

but penne is easy, not so fettuccini

would you rather have steak than a tasteless old weenie?

old Val Filice, should have called the police

when pennes' venue wound up on the menu

it's so out of place, and ponderously so

and we're tired of someone ruining our show

like the calamari, it's simply too big

all of these hints, can't you dig?

and all that I talk to, even in the booths

agree that the penne shouldn't be on the loose

so dump out the penne, we don't want any

don't be a weenie, bring back fettuccini

that tender flat pasta, dripping with flavor

please bring it back and do Gilroy a favor

R.G. LeDon, Gilroy

School district has used bond money very well for many projects

Dear Editor,

I am disappointed that the Gilroy Dispatch and it's writers only seem to have the time to find fault with the GUSD Facilities Master Plan. Why isn't there any discussion of all the projects that HAVE been completed on time (or ahead of schedule) and within budget over the last seven years?

The list is rather long and I'm sure if you look at the overall accomplishments the community would be surprised to find out that their bond and tax dollars, along with developer fees, made an incredible difference to fund the education facilities that were built and existing facilities that had major modernization work.

Here are just SOME of the completed projects: Construction of Antonio Del Buono Elementary School, Ascencion Solorsano Middle School, Eliot Elementary (tear down and rebuild) and Las Animas Replacement Elementary School; Glen View Elementary multi-use room; El Roble Elementary multi-use room; Brownell Middle School multi-use room; South Valley Middle School modernization;Gilroy High School modernization; Brownell Middle School fire alarm upgrade;additional portables and classrooms for El Roble Elementary, Glen View Elementary, Mount Madonna High School, Rucker Elementary and Gilroy High School; Gilroy High School Student Center.

I think it would be only fair to do an article that shows all the work that HAS been completed. There are two sides to every story and you are only depicting one which seems to be leading the community to question where did the original money go.

Jan Jensen, former GUSD construction manager 2002-2005

Oversight of bond funds clear, and so it could be with the library

Dear Editor,

As an original member of the Gilroy Unified School District's Measure I Citizen's Oversight Committee I feel compelled to respond to James Brescoll's letter on the proposed Gilroy Library Bond wherein he made an inaccurate reference to the absence of spending oversight as committed in Measure I.

In November of 2002 the voters of Gilroy passed Measure I which provided $69 million in fund for the following purposes:

- Improve older schools equitably and bring existing schools up to district standards.

- Modernize and upgrade facilities at GHS

- Build a second high school to reduce over crowding

- Improve maintenance of all schools

Also, part of Measure I was an explicit commitment to establish a Citizen's Oversight Committee to ensure the proper expenditure of these funds. From the beginning that commitment has been kept. Since the passage of Measure I, the COC has met every quarter for nearly six years with the GUSD facilities staff to review programs, plans and budgets to ensure that Measure I funds were spent as promised.

In Mr. Brescoll's letter, he stated that the oversight provisions in Measure I, specifically "annual, independent financial audits and the creation of an Independent Citizens Oversight Committee" had vanished. It is difficult to understand the basis of these comments when, with a little effort, it can be verified that the commitments of oversight have been kept. The COC delivers annual reports to the GUSD board. A special bond proceeds account was established. The superintendent reports on the status to the GUSD board. Minutes from COC meetings, agendas, and audit reports can all be viewed on the district's Web site.

I have not seen all the details of the proposed library bond, but am convinced that strong and effective fiscal oversight protections can be included.

Ron Hunt, Gilroy