Disqus - Latest Comments for the_future_needs_you

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | Letters: Starting a concerted effort to recall the mayor of Gilroy

the_future_needs_you — Wed, 27 May 2009 04:12:19 -0000

Lets hope the people dont stand up and cheer to a recall of the Mayor. Sometimes I agree with the MAyor and sometimes I do not but accusing him of being a union buster or against the police Mark is just namecalling and ridiculous. Act like an adult and DISCUSS the issues instead of flaming the fans of ignorance. We just saw the genius of the people when we passed every bond measure on the statewide ballot to spend more money at the same time that the state is required to cut at least 25% of the total budget. Sometimes the UNINFORMED lead us down the wrong road.
A representative government is based on electing people who SPEND THE EXTRA TIME AND EFFORT to learn all the knowable facts and make a decision for us. A radical right winger threatening a recall does not help run a city.
In matter of fact bragging about recalling another citys council in my mind makes me think that ANARCHY is the true goal so only a police state can function.

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | New courthouse headed to legal dispute?

the_future_needs_you — Tue, 26 May 2009 06:46:13 -0000

Way to kick start the summer festival season.. We'll be anxiously waiting to hear how many dollars were raised for each of the charities involved? Good news like this breeds more good news. Lets hope the magic mushroom touch continues over to Gilroy grandaddy of them all the Garlic Festival July 24,25 and 26

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | A salute to their sacrifices

the_future_needs_you — Tue, 26 May 2009 06:37:29 -0000

Thanks to Craig Gartman and Bob Dillion for getting this tradition running again. Thanks for the new committee members who now are carrying this good homertown tradition forward. Hopefully as a small town that has many residents who have served and are serving in the military.

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | Affordable housing mandates a bad joke

the_future_needs_you — Sat, 23 May 2009 20:05:41 -0000

Now you know why so many people chose to live on government subsidies.The average household income in Gilroy is $62,000 according to recent figures. What the State and County are doing is forcing Gilroy to provide the low cost housing for the entire county . For example Cynthia, Did you know in Gilroy CA 95020 the County Housing Authority - the government aka SECTION 8 pays around $2000 per month for a 3 bedroom home? That means for a WORKING person to live in a similarly priced rental- the working person would have to make at least $3000 per month income just to rent the same home that the SECTION 8 person gets for FREE. Once again this makes sense HOW? We are paying people to be non productive and corrupt. If the Section 8 person found a job of course they are going to take the income off the books so they can continue to enjoy the deal they have on their housing. How can you blame them? The system has become so warped it works backwards -rewarding people to be on government subsidies instead of taking control of their own life. Could you look into this Cynthia Walker and maybe create some CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN! Tell Saratoga, Los Altos, Los Gatos and the other cities to provide their own LOW INCOME housing and stop pushing it on Gilroy. Housing does not provide enough of a tax base to run city services - police , fire, sewer and water, parks and recreations according to governments own figures. Its businesses that need the break since they produce taxes that are in excess of the cost of the business being located in a city. Take note city council and city administrators. PLUS a business provides jobs which then produces sales tax income because people need to eat, drink and be merry and usually do so close to their jobs.

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | Police, fire, unions and the City of Gilroy's budget vise

the_future_needs_you — Sat, 23 May 2009 19:22:54 -0000

Derry is a carpet bagger. ROFLMAO Give me a break. Hes been at the Dispatch for how long? By the way when did it matter where you were born or live when it comes to logical thinking? Come on name caller. Just discuss the facts rationally. There are at least 2 sides to every issue. If you choose to have all of your taxes go to a POLICE state, thats your choice. Most of us prefer to have fair and reasonable protection at a logical cost.

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | Police, fire, unions and the City of Gilroy's budget vise

the_future_needs_you — Sat, 23 May 2009 19:12:57 -0000

You have this issue right on the mark Mark Derry. Heres a simple idea. The fire department should hire another PART TIME or full time person to use for all this overtime. This is done at businesses and departments all over the country instead of enriching staff with time and a half salaries. Thats the logical solution. Lets be honest here folks
Police and fire should not be the highest paid members of our whole community or any community,$130,000 plus benefits makes these people more than twice as well paid as the total household income in Gilroy. Do you think each of these peoples jobs is twice as valuable as two people? Seriously?

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | Possible layoffs linger as unions, city continue talks

the_future_needs_you — Fri, 22 May 2009 05:39:09 -0000

Grab the bull by the horns- eliminate a few of the highest paid positions so the City can keep more of the people who offer other services. Require a 10% across the board salary decrease for all those not laid off. PERIOD. Everyone including the city council itself and the city administrator. Be leaders and lead with your own money and life at stake. This is done in the private sector EVERY RECESSION to keep as many people as possible working for the business. Anyone who's salary has increased more than 20% in the last 2 years gets rolled back to the original salary 2 years ago no matter what position they hold. What kind of retirement and health benefits do the other employees of the city get? Maybe there needs to be some changes there also. Few of regular workers in America gets pensions anymore. Most of us only get some kind of 401K benefit and only partial if any health care payments at all. Gilroy Dispatch editors can you please publish the package that the other employees union and non union receive so all of us have access to it.

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | Gav to cut 12 percent of course offerings

the_future_needs_you — Fri, 22 May 2009 05:28:19 -0000

How much does it cost a student out of their own pocket for each class at Gavilan College? How much does it cost Gavilan College to offer that same course to the amount of students in that class? Are the classes that have been selected to be eliminated classes that are required for students to transfer to a 4 year institution? If so why are those classes being eliminated at all? Dispatch, how about asking these questions and getting the public real answers instead of just recitations from a press release.

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | Trustees shutter El Portal

the_future_needs_you — Fri, 22 May 2009 05:20:27 -0000

Good job to the school board for holding this PRIVATE school funded with taxpayer dollars accountable. They are not delivering so they should be closed. More importantly the administration STOLE employees money and should be CRIMINALLY prosecuted and FIRED now. Why isn't the Superintendent and each of the school board members pressing District Attorney Carr to prosecute these WHITE COLLAR CRIMINALS that have eroded public trust in the schools? Now for the next problem, how is the school district going to deal with even lower test scores at the high schools when these underperforming students reenter Gilroy High and Christopher High. Someone better have a WORKABLE PLAN IN ADVANCE. 1 teacher to 5 students remedial teaching at least I would suggest. So those kids can get got up after being left behind for so many years.

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | Move to repeal binding arbitration in Gilroy isn't dead yet

the_future_needs_you — Fri, 22 May 2009 05:11:06 -0000

The Dispatch has it right this time. Shall we just keep increasing the salary of police and fire forever? That doesnt happen with anyone elses job. Why should it be that way for government employees who are well paid to begin with these days. How many of you will be living off of the returns from a $3.5 million dollar nest egg at the age of 50? Thats right thats how much you would have to have invested by the first day you turn 50 years of age and earning 4% each year to average the $130,000 per year retirement of our police and fire personnel. HELLO? Does this makes sense anyone including you, the fire and police officers? Do you really believe you EARN $130,000 a year salary PLUS a $140,000 a year retirement.
Thats more than $11,000 a month folks. $500 per day $63 per hour. As the tv commercial and most of America says "SERIOUSLY?" Should the best way to get rich in America be to become a police or firefighter.
Most of these people are making more than the people who run our companies and our state governments. Can you believe that is true in todays America. Something is wrong and out of whack.
Heres a question for the Dispatch , what percentage of the working public has saved $3.5 million dollars from their own earnings by the age of 50?

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | Mixed results for local schools

the_future_needs_you — Fri, 22 May 2009 04:54:58 -0000

Are Elliot School, Rucker and Las Animas in the same similar school category or different ones? Of course, a school like TJ Owens is going to have a 10 score. The kids that go to school there chose for themselves to be on a fast track for college. It seems ot me like they get to skim the creme de la creme of the academic perfomers. Surely removing these students from the other schools lowers the average for the competing schools from which they came. I'll bet you a dollar that their parents are college educated themselves, higher income earners and support their childrens education with time and money. Hasn't the school district created a private SELECTIVE school using taxpayer funds? How many students per teacher are at TJ Owens compared to Gilroy High and the future Christopher High? Isnt the same thing being played out at the middle school level? Are each of the Gilroy Middle Schools in the same similar school category ? How about the mix of the students- do each of them have the same mix of english as a second language for example? class sizes? PLEASE someone answer these questions for me. Are we comparing apples to apples or apples to oranges and bananas? Disoatch please research this and get to the facts at the bottom line not just these score shorthand. The public deserves to know what really is going on in the schools that we all pay for whether we have children or our own or not.

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | Caltrain considers ending service to Gilroy

the_future_needs_you — Wed, 20 May 2009 03:14:24 -0000

How many people use the weekend service of CALTRAIN? Let be serious folks no one is riding it. Not even the Overseas visitors who come to shop at the Outlets use the systme on the weekend. With a little over 300 riders
does the train even come close to paying its fair share of the bills. Oh wait the whole system DOES NOT PAY its fair share. 55% of the costs for the CALTRAIN are paid by the taxpayers not the people who are using them. Arent you sick and tired of paying for other people to do things? Maybe Don Gage its time to negotiate or DEMAND pay concessions from the people employed by CALTRAIN starting with the administration. Time to do something instead of just going along with the flow.

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | Binding arbitration will continue until at least December

the_future_needs_you — Wed, 20 May 2009 03:03:17 -0000

I am so tired of personal attacks on the MAyor and other council people. It is there job to run a city that has a balanced budget. When 75% of your budget goes to police and fire employees obviously that is where most of the cuts are going to have to come. Stop personalizing this and start figuring out the facts. If just one firefighter makes $150,000 plus approximately $25,000 in benefits that equals $175,000. That $175,000 will pay for at least 40 youth park workers for the entire summer at $9 per hour for 40 hours a week. That would provide 8 leaders at each school or park location. Good kids have somewhere to go fun and at risk kids have a shot at avoiding a life of crime or at least to get away from their troubled home life. Thats just one layoff that can allow for preventative service for the whole city. How much does a firefighter in the City of New York make? Should Gilroys firefighters make more than them? The average income in Gilroy is $62,000 should firefighters make almost 3 times as much as entire household. By the way Jim Buessing, we still are waiting for the facts on how many of you & your fellow union members live in the City of Gilroy? Where do the rest of them live? How much do the firefighter in those locations make? I dont know about you, but I want my emergency employees to live here so when there is a disaster they will be available and can get to the LOCAL scene. Not 30 minutes away in Hollister , San Juan or even San Jose when there is a need we need them here not helping in some other jurisdiction because they are already there or the roads are closed back to Gilroy.

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | Binding arbitration will continue until at least December

the_future_needs_you — Wed, 20 May 2009 02:46:32 -0000

And unfortunately we now have living proof that what Gray Davis said was true. People like you think its always someone elses job to take care of a problem. Go ahead and leave to another city. You can be replaced just like any other employee or business owner for that matter. How many of your friends and associates that deal drugs and other miseries have you beothered to build a case and arrest. Oh wwait youre a hometown boy so just turn your head. Thats what the problem is. The public is tired of seeing crime and hearing our kids or associates engage in illegal activity and yet the police dont even have a clue. Break up the gangs and make some arrests of the big fish in the drug business and then some might believe you are worth the average pay of a police officer in Santa Clara County. Id say Gilroy is still overpaid for both police and fire because the amount of calls, and the risks of the calls are significantly less than in more violent cities.

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | Binding arbitration will continue until at least December

the_future_needs_you — Wed, 20 May 2009 02:39:29 -0000

Not twice as much. Look at the facts. You can read them in black and white. The previous Council mislead by Jay Baksa gave away the store and the future of the whole caboodle. Salaries and benefits need to be cut back into line with what the homeowners in the area make as income. It does not cost the same to live in Gilroy as it does San Francisco or Oakland or even San Jose. The stress and the risk of the job is MUCH LOWER here than in either of those cities.

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | Letters: Mayor: Council trying to create a balance for use of our tax dollars

the_future_needs_you — Tue, 19 May 2009 07:05:12 -0000

The Mayor has a point. It's time to make the hard decisions that Jay Baksa never had the guts to propose to the Council. Of course his pay raise was tied to the employee groups that he was supposed to be negotiating with. The higher their salaries and retirment went the higher his salary and retirement climbed. Sounds like letting the fox guard the hen house dont you think? Cut out overpaid employees just like the private business have to do.

Re: Supercook Analyzes Your Kitchen to Suggest What to Cook

the_future_needs_you — Tue, 19 May 2009 06:21:15 -0000

Just added about a dozen websites to http://GarlicShoppe.com so people could come up with recipes on a whim. Both Recipe Zaar and All recipes were included in my links. This Supercook concept sounds cool. I m going to link to it from our ecommerece site http://GarlicDude.com/recip... right now.

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | Interim Economic Development Corporation head looks to empower Gilroy

the_future_needs_you — Fri, 15 May 2009 06:02:00 -0000

Wow $85,000! That's less than a new firefighter or police officer in Gilroy gets to start. Once again something is really out of whack! One person that is IN CHARGE of creating economic development for a whole town of 55,000 people compared to one officer out of 60 who all work together at the same job. Perhaps we should spend more on economic development to actually GET NEW JOBS in town so then there would be LESS CRIME because more people would be able to make a DECENT HONEST LIVING. Simplicity at it best. Good luck Richard Zahner! Use those Bechtel connections to better Gilroy.

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | Disease can't stop Felix from getting his groove on

the_future_needs_you — Fri, 15 May 2009 05:50:39 -0000

Very nice story. His brother and mother have also worked hard to help him grow. PLEASE contribute whatever you can.

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | PD layoffs, at what cost?

the_future_needs_you — Fri, 15 May 2009 05:46:18 -0000

How silly? Are you suggesting that the Police Chief would get rid of the GANG unit that takes care of serious criminals over other officers that handle things like parking tickets or traffic tickets? If she is, she should be shown the door first by the Council. A study is not needed to figure out what to do. Top billing goes to taking care of gang members which in my mind are nothing but local terrorists. A police officer as a school resource officer is way down the list compared to someone dealing with professional criminals. Here's a few questions? Did Officer Bolton grow up in Gilroy? Does he live here now? Maybe thats why hes on the gang task force. We all know how the "grapevine" works in any community. Having officers and firefighters that live here allows citizens to contribute off the record to protecting themselves. Dont you think if someone LIVES with their family in a place that their own best interests would be to be informed and take care of problems long before they would if they did not "have any skin in the game"? Think about it. How many of you know who the drug dealers are, where gang thugs live, see corrupt officials, where they bank and yet you have no one you can trust to stop the criminal activity? If officials lived with you, you might be able to steer people in the right direction off when someone is not on the clock. You would know these people because they would be your neighbor, you d see them at the private gyms around town with their families and kids not separated from the community at the Fort Iraqi Taj Mahal private police gym. Hmm. Is it true that retired city employees get to use the gym for FREE? The Police might even know who is dealing steroids and drugs if they just opened their eyes and ears when they were going about LIFE IN GILROY. Seems funny that almost any kid in town knows where to get the illegal substances but the police dont. How can that be?
PS Why didn't you mention how much the benefits were for the Officer, Dispatch. For those of us in the real world - when we talk our salary figures they include everything because thats what it REALLY COSTS ?

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | Letters: Gilroy Gardens over the police department � does it make sense?

the_future_needs_you — Fri, 15 May 2009 05:12:05 -0000

Dont sell the park because Michael Bonfante individually and the
Gilroy Gardens Park as a company allowed Gilroy to gain "CENTRAL PARK" for the current citizens and the future citizens for a song. Ask any realtor what the land there alone is worth and you will be shocked at just how cheaply Gilroy was able to purchase this important piece of property. Like the old timers say, real estate is always a good long-term investment because you know they just arent making any more. When times get tight like now - everyone has to give a a little and the rest have to stretch to make it through. Its time the government employees but specifically the overpaid police and fire employees need to take a cut just like most of us in the private sector have to retain our jobs and still some people were laid off. I have yet to hear a good argument why these employees are paid at TWICE the annual TOTAL HOUSEHOLD income of most of the citizens with a SWEETHEART RETIREMENT DEAL. The retirement package would require a private citizen to have $3.5 MILLION DOLLARS giving off at least 4% return to make the same as these people. CRAZY HUH? I think straight out that they are overpaid. Is a starting police officer really worth twice as much as a starting teacher? Worth 1/3 more than a highly educated engineer with a master degree? These are the real questions we as citizens need to ask and answer for ourselves and direct the council to act in OUR BEST INTERESTS. Once again we get another "law enforcement type" writing in that this officer is going to leave and go there and that one is going to do this. Who cares it happens in private business everyday too. Replace them with someone as good and hopefully better.Thats what every business tries to do everyday- the government which is US needs to do the same. Mr Zappa youre just wrong on these two issues period. Public parks are a justified real government function and do improve the citizens lives.

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | 33 more city pink slips Friday?

the_future_needs_you — Wed, 13 May 2009 08:48:41 -0000

Putting a value on people is done everyday. It is not that big of a deal. Its a job like any other.
Do you think doctors, nurses and the technicians and all the support staff dont accomplish just as much good everyday as the job of a fire fighter or police officer? How about the people who work at the nuclear reactor plants dont you think there jobs are risky? Its simple go to the workmens compensation charts and you can see by the rates that are charged which jobs have the highest risks. It is a job just like any other job. No more and no less. They are given the tools and power to protect themselves. TAXPAYER FUNDED TRAINING is provided instead of SELF FUNDING that most professions require.. Equipment including non lethal, less than lethal and lethal solutions, armored vests, and other specialized equipment. Plus they have the advantage of numbers. Rarely is the situation less than 2 officers with one suspect. Many times in Gilroy it will be all cars and personnel available since rarely are there two major incidents at one time.

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | 33 more city pink slips Friday?

the_future_needs_you — Wed, 13 May 2009 08:37:18 -0000

Really Im sure the Garlic Festival would love to see the list of those volunteers. CAn someone from the Garlic Festival tell us how much of each years earning go to police and emergency services every year. I guarantee you folks willbe shocked when they see and hear the amount spent on SECURITY and such. Most of the wives volunteer in the GPOA booth where the money goes to the GPOA Charity, Some would say they might be considered volunteers I believe that they are just working to fund their own charity. Thats a good thing and they are not on the City payroll so they can volunteer and steer the money to whatever legal charity they choose. If you choose to be a public servant you have to work when the rest of the world plays. Just like the people who work in the hospitality industry, food places, hotels, nightclubs,and even stores. Most people employed at the outlets work that weekend because its A BUSY TIME FOR STORES. The officers and firefighters need to do the job they signed up for and stop complaining. The officers who donate their time on the Festival Planning Committees all take comp time or salary from the City for the time they use on the festival. That means they are PAID for serving on the committess they are not unpaid volunteers, Rahter have fun we know you wouldnt volunteer to work a charity event but over 4000 people in Gilroy do every year and have raised over $8 million dollars. How much more could have been raies if the officers just didnt take overtime wages for the time they worked? How much more would have been generated if they donated their time like so many people like teachers, bank officers, realtors, electronics workers .
MANY PEOPLE USE THEIR VACATION PAY & TIME FROM THEIR JOB SO THEY CAN WORK FOR FREE AT THE FESTIVAL. One other question, you refer to your partner and your wives so I take it you are a police officer without using your own name, rather have fun. How much paid vacation and personal time do you get each year, officer?

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | 33 more city pink slips Friday?

the_future_needs_you — Wed, 13 May 2009 08:16:38 -0000

Veritas the apologist for the GPOA Union once again has it wrong. Check with your councilman about how much the employee puts in and how much the tax paying citizens put in through the citys contributions.
Why dont you get facts instead of just spewing baloney, veritas. Your contribution to the discussion is just hot air
Take the time to get facts and quote your sources when you offer them mixed in with your opinion

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | 33 more city pink slips Friday?

the_future_needs_you — Wed, 13 May 2009 08:13:40 -0000

YOU veritas , can get those figures right here from the Gilroy Dispatch. They printed the list on several occassions Previoulsy. EDITOR - can you print the list again so veritas and other concerned citizens can see the facts instead of making up stories.
Do your homework and you will se you are just PLAIN WRONG! Most residents are living on just $68,000 or less and they are living right here in Gilroy.