I read with interest the article today discussing the "reduced construction costs" of the new library and the breakdown of how the savings will be spent on "green features." Am I missing something - why do library employees need full bathrooms with showers and a bicycle storage room? The cost for this upgrade is quoted at between $50,000 to $100,000 with no ongoing savings. How many employees will the library have and how many will actually ride bicycles to work everyday?

Can't employees take showers at home like the rest of us who go to work every day? How about going back to the taxpayers with the good news that some of our money has been saved and won't be needed, but, oh no, just because the money is there we need to spend it.

The beat goes on and we the taxpayers bear the brunt of it all. Is it any wonder why this city is in such terrible financial condition? Where are the priorities? We have laid off city employees, are fighting with our police and fire departments over wages, BUT our library will meet the gold standard in environmental design. It all gives me a headache.

Patricia Cordich, Gilroy

The Golden Quill is awarded occasionally for a well-written letter.

Soak the taxpayer - showers and bike storage for library employees

Dear Editor,

There is no way that Gilroy library has 1,200 visitors in a day - on their very best day ever they still would not see 1,200 people come in there. I'm a library patron and I go in there quite often. Considering the speed of checkout at the desk, if only half that purported 1,200 people checked out books and materials,there would still be a line at 2 a.m.!

The number crunchers are blowing a lot of hot air into the balloon ... "Welcome to Gilroy."

As for moving the temporary location downtown: The property owners would love it - they can keep their rents high with more foot traffic - or the ILLUSION of more foot traffic. Everybody else would hate it because it is a zoo trying to get through downtown traffic now. I avoid downtown like the plague, as do most of the people I know.

Those independent shop owners are TOO independent. It is exasperating to park and go to a shop during normal daytime business hours only to find that they are closed for whatever reason. I gave up trying to do business downtown. I'll go to Walmart or Target. They are open almost all of the time-and the prices are a heck of a lot better.

Tracy D. Roberts, Gilroy

City going to crime hell in a handbasket and Council does zip

Dear Editor,

This was one of the headlines in the Dispatch, "Elaborate auto heist, gang attack and $55K robbery in past week."

All of that in one week?

For a while I thought I was reading about Oakland, until I realized that the name on the paper read, "The Gilroy Dispatch." I was in disbelief.

The recent gang shooting happened in a public place - a place that I have frequented many times, with my children, to get a pizza, a movie, grab a cup of coffee, or pick up groceries. The belligerent drive-by shooting could've injured innocent bystanders.

It appears that crime is on the rise in this town, but this was definitely the last straw. Everyday there is some news about a shooting, a battery, a robbery, or something of that sort. In addition, there's a transient at almost every corner of the town, asking for change. My wife was attacked by one of these transients, and yet their numbers keep growing. It seems as if the police are either oblivious or indifferent towards the issue. The people of this town are scared. Wake up, Mr. Mayor, and smell their fear.

As public officials, its your duty to ensure the safety and security of the people. Take charge of the situation and send a clear message to these miscreants that their misdeeds will not go unpunished. While you're at it, send a message to your people as well, and let them know that someone is taking notice. Let them know that their cries for help are not falling on deaf ears. Let them know that justice will be swift, and it will be served cold.

The residents of this town are terrified, and all of you owe them an answer. Let's hear what you have to say. I am a member of the south Asian community and have close ties with many business owners in this town. I can generate a lot of support for any candidate who is tough on crime and is willing to eradicate the gang problem which is plaguing this city. I will keep writing until I am convinced that this town is safe for myself and my children.

Marvin Dayrit, Gilroy