Dear Editor, I was appalled to read the two letters to the
editor in your Aug. 14 edition. These two letter writers are not
paying attention. Mr. Miller claims that after only a week into the
recess, Jerry McNerney has no public events scheduled, but on Aug.
12 McNerney held a phone-in discussion about the health insurance
reform issue.
McNerney has returned dignity to District 11
Dear Editor,
I was appalled to read the two letters to the editor in your Aug. 14 edition. These two letter writers are not paying attention. Mr. Miller claims that after only a week into the recess, Jerry McNerney has no public events scheduled, but on Aug. 12 McNerney held a phone-in discussion about the health insurance reform issue. This is a very efficient way to listen, discuss and answer questions regarding this very complicated issue. This is a much better option than the town hall meetings that other public officials have held. We all know how well those meetings have gone. I cannot blame any elected official for not wanting to waste his or her time in a meeting where they are shouted down (with the cameras rolling) and are subject to all kinds of abuse. These are not meaningful discussions but a forum for the “tea baggers” and other right-wing nuts to simply abuse the Constitution and cause great harm to the democratic process.
McNerney has made dozens of trips to Morgan Hill to hold his “Congress at your Corner” events and has been present at many other local festivals and at the local Democratic Club. I don’t believe that Richard Pombo ever made a trip to Morgan Hill in all of the years he was our “Congressman.” McNerney also flies back to California from Washington each and every weekend to be in physical touch with the people of District 11.
I find these letters to be a thinly veiled challenge for the Congressman to hold a public event so that these disruptive, swastika-bearing right-winged anarchists can ambush him and get themselves their dishonorable 15 minutes of “Fame.” Shame on you all for insinuating that Congressman McNerney is “hiding.” He has been the most visible Congressman that this district has ever had in office.
The people that show up for these town hall meetings hoping to have a dialogue with the Congressman find these disruptive “tea baggers” are there and will not allow a discussion to take place. This, Mr. Miller, is what is unacceptable! I am not trying to use this as a reason for not holding town hall meetings, but if I were Congressman McNerney I would think long and hard about holding a town hall meeting that goes nowhere or continue to hold town hall phone conversations and continue to work hard behind the scenes to get the best health insurance reform package passed in Congress.
Congressman McNerney has done an exceptional job of representing his constituents, and that is why he was re-elected to a second term in Congress by a comfortable margin. He is an honorable man who has brought dignity back to this District. Let him do that same work on health insurance reform without having to deal with the town hall circus.
If the two letter writers want to speak with the Congressman about any issue, why not call his office and ask to speak with him. His number is: (925) 833-0643.
Swanee Edwards, Morgan Hill
Thanks for helping fight childhood cancer
Dear Editor,
In July 2009, the Morgan Hill Police Officers’ Association teamed up with St. Baldrick’s Foundation to support kid’s cancer research. During a period of one month, the association members and special guests successfully raised more than $12,000. On Saturday, Aug. 15, 15 members of the Morgan Hill Police Officers Association along with several other special guests and children had their heads shaved at Tutta Bella Salon to honor all those children who lose their hair to chemotherapy. The association members and their guests were honored to have 4-year-old Ryan D and 15-year-old Jordan Salazar, both cancer survivors attend the event. A special thank you to actor Ken Jenkins a.k.a. “Dr. Bob Kelso” on the TV show Scrubs for donating his time to visit with our members and guests. The members and guests were later joined by Hailey A’s. family.
The association would also like to recognize Poppy’s Fish & Poultry who hosted the event luncheon. My gratitude to the owner, Michael Castelan, who joined our members with helping to fundraise for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation; he also celebrated with us by having his head shaved and donated his long hair to Locks for Love. I would also like to thank all of Tutta Bella and Poppy’s wonderful employees, customers and our families and friends who donated to this wonderful cause. To all the volunteers who donated their time to make this event successful, thank you.
This event was made possible by the generosity and selfless donations made by the following sponsors: Poppy’s Fish, Poultry and More, Tutta Bella Hair Salon, Kona, Bottomly Distributors, Alaskan Amber, DBI Beverages, Yago Winery, Bassian Farms, Starbucks, CineLux and several other businesses located in Morgan Hill.
The POA would also like to recognize the following members who sacrificed their hair for this great cause : Ray Ramos, Scott Silva, Jerry Neumayer, David Ray, Greg Dini, Brandon Richards, Troy Hoefling, Rick Rodriguez, Luis Espejo, Jeff Brandon, Michael Brookman, Demetrick Caballero, Ken Howard, Scott Martin, Steve Pennington and friends of the POA Ryan Halla, Tim Moon, Michael Castelan and many others. We look forward to participating in additional fundraising efforts during 2009. Upcoming fundraising activities include Give A Gift Fundraiser during the month of December 2009. For additional information please visit our Web page at www.morganhillpoa.com. Our thoughts and prayers go out to 3-year-old Hailey A., 4-year-old Ryan D., and 15-year-old Jordan S. and their families. Please get well soon.
Scott Silva, Police Officers Association president
