Dear Editor, At a recent Morgan Hill City Council meeting, the
council approved spending $50,000 to put a frivolous, and perhaps
dangerous measure on the ballot. The city council seeks to change
the offices of city clerk and city treasurer from elected to
appointed.
City council has their heads in the sand, except for Marby Lee
Dear Editor,
At a recent Morgan Hill City Council meeting, the council approved spending $50,000 to put a frivolous, and perhaps dangerous measure on the ballot. The city council seeks to change the offices of city clerk and city treasurer from elected to appointed. It is surprising, that with the inescapable knowledge of an uprising across this nation against government waste and bureaucratic arrogance, a local body could choose to go down the same path. We are told by the city council that the roles of city clerk and city treasurer are too complicated – that they require “competent people with technical, administrative and professional skills.” So, it is presumed that we the people are too ignorant to vote for a qualified person to fill an office. Not only that, but what of other elected positions? For example, is the President of the United States’ role uncomplicated, or his qualifications unimportant? Yet, it is an elected position.
Evidently, the city clerk and treasurer have a type of oversight or checks and balances role that is repugnant to some council members. If not, why would Councilman Greg Sellers have inferred that he found it rather insulting that elected officials watch over other elected officials. He stated that it is “redundant” and unnecessary. Checks-and-balances have always been a part of this nation’s unique form of government, and it is a watch guard and safety for we the people. Upright representatives have no need to be intimidated, nor put out by such standard and acceptable procedures. And why, since Mayor Steve Tate stated that he was proud of the city council’s transparency, would he want to do away with the transparency these offices seem to ensure.
Councilwoman Marilyn Librers declared she was for putting the measure on the ballot, because she felt the people should vote on this issue, rather than the council simply changing it on their own. Councilwoman Marby Lee responded that one reason she is a dissenting vote was that the public has made no outcry for this change. Even after a citizen’s public comment that the Morgan Hill Times was running a poll wherein the suggested change by the city council was rejected by over 70 percent of participants, Councilman Sellers expressed his regret at how much putting this issue on the ballot would cost, but declared it should be done.
In this era of rejection of outrageous and unnecessary government expenditures, the members of the Morgan Hill City Council, with the exception of Marby Lee, seem to have their heads in the sand.
Jan Comstock, Morgan Hill
Crying need for foster parents in Santa Clara County – can you help?
Dear Editor,
It is a sad fact that children are too often in the news because they have become victims of abuse, neglect, abandonment or other crimes. In 2009, 1,200 children in Santa Clara County were living in out-of-home placement because their own families were unable to safely care for them.
One of the County Social Services Agency’s goals is to place a child in a loving home as quickly as possible. It is the department’s philosophy that the best environment for a child is to live with a caring family. Foster parents/resource families provide a supportive and stable family for children who cannot live with their birth parents. The goal is to provide parental care, guidance and stability until the birth family’s issues are resolved.
In most cases, the foster/resource families work with a social service agency staff to reunite the child with his or her birth parents. Because foster care is meant to be temporary, many families often provide care to many different children during the course of their service to the community.
Open your heart and home to children in foster care and adoption program. Meet Tyler, for example: “Hello my name Tyler and I am 13 years old living in foster care. This is the second time I have been in care. The first time was because my Dad was in jail and my Mom abused me and my older sister. We were reunited with my Mom but I’m now back in care because my Mom got hooked on drugs. When I came into care this time I was getting almost all F’s in school. I am very thankful I was placed in my former pastor’s house. They have helped me a lot. They have taught me the importance of respecting people and authority. I’m happy to say that my grades are much better. I got to play on the championship soccer team and the 7th grade football team. My foster parents have also helped me to understand my Mom. While I don’t think I am going to be able to live with her – they know that I need to know that she is OK. They don’t talk bad about my Mom. Just two weeks ago, my foster parents told me that they wanted to adopt me. It was hard to think about being adopted and hurting my Mom, but they have helped me see that I can still have a new family and love my Mom.”
Please consider becoming a foster parent/resource home. Here is how you can help. You will be asked to provide some basic information. The Department conducts a careful assessment of each family. To be licensed you must:
- Take 27 hours of “Pride” training.
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Reside in Santa Clara County.
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Be at least 18 years of age.
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Be fingerprinted for criminal background check and tested for tuberculosis (TB).
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Have adequate income to cover your family’s needs.
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Adequate bedroom space for all members in the home.
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Working smoke alarms in the home.
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Telephone service.
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Home and outdoor activity space must be safe and in good repair.
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All pools and spas must be covered or fenced.
Foster homes are particularly needed for sibling groups, teens and children with special needs. Call 408-299-KIDS (5437) and make a difference.
Juliana Rocha, Santa Clara County foster care/adoption recruiter
