CHEERS to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s office SWAT team and
Watsonville police for apprehending fugitive Joel Barnes, 39, Sept.
3 in Watsonville.
CHEERS to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s office SWAT team and Watsonville police for apprehending fugitive Joel Barnes, 39, Sept. 3 in Watsonville. Barnes repeatedly ran from police this summer and the day before his arrest led Santa Clara County Sheriff’s deputies on a 15-minute chase to Mount Madonna Park.
He is now in custody and faces numerous felony and misdemeanor charges and is being held on $375,000 bail.
JEERS to the city’s three unions, which have – so far – declined to give up raises that took effect Sept. 1 and cost the city $150,000 this fiscal year and $270,000 next fiscal year. The city is trying to close a $1.2 million deficit.
And, jeers to the city for considering using precious reserves to help pay the increases. Spending reserves to pay for raises (or any ongoing expense) is bad fiscal policy that depends on wishful thinking.
CHEERS to outgoing Superintendent Dr. Alan Nishino, who retired Sept. 1. The 63-year-old educator spent 39 years in education, an admirable achievement. “There were times when I was discouraged. When you weren’t able to accomplish the things you hoped to accomplish, or weren’t able to make enough decisions to impact a child’s success,” he said. “But there were a lot more, a heckuva lot more good times.” Here’s to more good times in retirement. Good luck in the future, Dr. Nishino.
JEERS to all those who use the new skate park without the proper equipment, break rules and disrespect the facility. It’s because of you the city must now staff the park and charge users $1 a day. An attendant has been out there since Sept. 2 and come Wednesday, the city begins charging. “People who are being mean, and not wearing their helmets, should not be allowed to come,” 10-year-old John Ringo told reporter Natalie Everett. You’re right, John.
CHEERS to local farmer Andy Mariani, whose marketing strategy is simple. Let people taste firsthand why his heirloom peaches, plums and cherries are the best in the land, and they’ll return. Unlike store bought varieties, Mariani’s tree-ripened stone fruits boast an intensity of flavor like no other. More than 100 people from across the Bay Area flock to the family-owned farm in north Morgan Hill on summer Sundays to sample the vast array of fruits and tour the farm. It’s not just the taste or variety of fruits, but the homey atmosphere and hospitality, that keep patrons coming back for more. Let’s hope they continue for a long time.
CHEERS to Caltrans and contractor C.C Myers for getting the Bay Bridge opened 22 hours earlier than anticipated. The bridge, closed for four days over the Labor Day holiday weekend, was originally scheduled to open at 5 a.m. Tuesday, but after a crack was discovered Saturday afternoon in a crucial bridge piece called an eyebar, Caltrans pushed the opening back a day, to 5 a.m. Wednesday. But, Caltrans surprised the public by reopening the bridge abut 7 a.m. Tuesday, just two hours behind the original schedule.
