It's amazing what some politicians say, and I'm staying very local here. Take this example from our story quoting Councilman Dion Bracco during Monday's meeting on sidewalks: Bracco ... stressed that the city needs a plan before it "throws money away" that could otherwise eventually hire more police officers to address Gilroy's growing gang problem. "We just had another gang shooting today, and we have no money to hire more police officers," Bracco said. Well, Dion, I wonder just how you'd characterize the $35,000 the city shelled out to pay off a sidewalk-related injury claim? Saving money? And I wonder what went in one ear and out the other during the closed session? Wasn't the city sternly warned about its serious potential liability if nothing is done? And there's more: Bracco also said he was once "naive" enough to think campaign promises meant everything, "But when you get up here, you find out there's a whole lot more to running the city than the sidewalks." Wow, even allowing for some latitude, how utterly condescending to the Gilroy voters - it's basically don't worry about what you promise 'cause once you're a bigshot power broker and see the "light," all bets are off. Note to Council members: If we need to hire more police officers - and we might - direct City Administrator Tom Haglund to find some positions to cut and/or open slots to be eliminated at City Hall. That's the economic reality, and the Council should be taking a very hard look at revenue projections and department managers who have exceeded their budgets ...
Exceedingly excessive are the gyrations in the stock market ... One day headline is the BIGGEST PLUNGE EVER, the next day it's SUPER DAY ON WALL STREET. What I know is this: the home loan/lending industry, free of regulations, by and large had no discipline. For that we're all going to pay. Regulations are different than shackles. Regulations are there to safeguard our economy from just this kind of crippling nonsense.
How's about a switch to no nonsense, which would be San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum on the mound Sunday beating the Ditzy Dodgers. He's a pleasure to watch work - pitching swiftly and with great cadence. Throw in the beautiful ballpark, gorgeous fall weather, the arms-down Cy Young winner and the chant that is music to my ears ... "Beat L.A." ... it all combines for one fine day ...
Speaking of fines, the e-mail artist who suggested that I suggest someone who should be fined each week in my column to assist the upcoming sheriff at the Tuesday Rotary Club meeting has my ear. It's an intriguing proposition ... but I really do think David Cox simply should not have to borrow money from Brad Nye just to pay his Rotary Club fines ...
Not a fine day in Gilroy for Shelley Olds, professional cyclist. In town Monday night on her 28th birthday to visit her dear Mom a couple of days before a big race in Los Angeles, she had her $3,000 custom bike and her gear bag stolen from her car on Lodgepole Court. That just gets me steamed - even though the bike was later found. Wonder if Police Chief Denise Turner has any creative ways to nab some of these thieves who wander our streets looking to pillage residents? BTW, the chief says Sunday and Tuesday night seem to be the most popular for thieves. The PD has done an excellent job recently rounding up a number of graffiti goons and making a difference in our community. Might we apply the same pressure to street burglars? (Suggested new name for a tagging "crew," GWG for Goons Without Gonads). That's what they do, hide like cowards and deface property that's not theirs.
OK, enough grouchy ... in the "these things are good" category ... hot link sausage from Rocca's Market in San Martin. The throwback meat counter is a treasure and they have, by far, the best chorizo around. Pick up a few bones for the dog and a a tri-tip while you're there. Plus, they always have the ripest avocados perfect for making Sunday football guacamole.
Are you ready for some football statistics? Thee Oakland Raiders, under Delirious Al Davis have an NFL-worst 20-64 record since the start of the 2003 season. The Raiders have lost at least 11 games for five straight seasons, tying the dismal Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the 1980s for the worst stretch in NFL history. Some "Commitment to Excellence" eh?
Our Gilroy entrant won the new car in the nationwide saturnkissmyastra.com contest. Nice job on the voting, folks, that's what we call community support. The Pauley and Roberts families thank you from the very bottom of their Astra.
Bottoming out, hopefully, is the financial crisis. It's amazing what it takes to get Congress to act. The bailout stinks, but it's likely more palatable than the alternative. And, oh, Mr. President, if we're going to have everyone manage their own retirement plan, how about some financial regulations with teeth so people don't lose what they've worked for for 30 years ...
And I couldn't help a sour snicker as I walked by the Countrywide Home Mortgage office in Gilroy. "We lend in all 50 states," the window sign blared ... yeah, that must have meant all 50 states of mind.
Mark Derry is the editor of the Dispatch. Reach him at editor@garlic.com.
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Mark Derry
Mark Derry is the executive editor of the Gilroy Dispatch. Reach him at (408)847-7010 or editor@garlic.com.
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Highlights from the 53rd annual Prune Bowl
