Moving July 3 Street Dance didn’t make everyone happy, but here’s why we did it …
Dear Editor,
I’d like to explain and clarify the decision to move the July 3rd Street Dance to the Community Center. This year’s event is called the Family Music Fest. As president of the organizing committee, I know this change has disappointed many people, including Morgan Hill’s downtown business owners. This is a testament to the huge success of our event over the past few years, but success always brings new challenges.
Last year, the popular Street Dance swelled to over 8,000 people with many of them coming from out of town. While we appreciate the popularity of the event, it is also our responsibility to provide a safe event and environment for our community and our families with children.
This was not a decision we made lightly. If we did not make a change this year, we knew we would have close to 10,000 people downtown for the Street Dance, and that would cause some serious safety risks which we simply could not allow.
We met with city officials and business owners in the past several weeks and months and considered several options, then made the decision to focus the event on families and move it to a venue where we know we can provide a safe environment for everyone.
All the events of the Morgan Hill Freedom Fest are brought to you by volunteer citizens of Morgan Hill and through the generous donations of Morgan Hill businesses and citizens. This year we will have the largest fireworks show the city has ever seen, the popular parade will bring tens of thousands of people to our downtown, and we have expanded many of our other events for a fun, family-oriented experience. Check out the schedule at www.mhfreedomfest.com and “Like” us on Facebook.
We hope everyone comes out to enjoy the Morgan Hill Freedom Fest as we proudly celebrate our freedom and the birth of our nation.
Happy Birthday America!
Charles Weston, president, Morgan Hill Freedom Fest
The Golden Quill is awarded occasionally for a well-penned letter.
Campaign contributor lays out a different take on Morgan Hill, development
Dear Editor,
In the recent letter by Mark Grzan about the potential annexation of 1,200 acres located in the county but within the sphere of influence of Morgan Hill he lambasted a citizen advisory group, the City Council, the established legal development process, all developers, and yes … horse lovers, while invoking the disturbing effects of global warming, world starvation and cake eating.
In particular, he insinuated that a $500 contribution to his campaign in 2004 had the potential of altering human events. Well, I am the contributor to his campaign. I contributed $500 because his organizing group convinced me that he was running on a much needed platform of fiscally conservative policies which I continue to support.
In effect, I was approached by him, liked his platform and gave him $500 for his campaign. In making such a contribution, which was fully disclosed to the election committee, by law Mr. Grzan was prohibited from voting on any interest that I may bring to the City Council.
These days, donating money to a campaign works against you if you have a special interest. Mark took the money (however suspicious he now claims he was) and spent it on his successful election. After one term, he was summarily defeated. I never asked him for any favors as he insinuates and he certainly never voted in my interest.
I live in the county, I own 18 acres in Morgan Hill and 20 acres inside the proposed annexation area. I am not involved with the group proposing the annexation although I support their right to petition for annexation. They have some very interesting ideas for portions of this land including substantial open space gifting to allow for modest development.
While various Morgan Hill City Councils have listened to ideas from residents in this area, to date, none have been accepted. This latest idea is worthy of consideration. I am convinced that the Council will only support such a measure if they deemed the annexation in the best interest of the city and its citizens.
Morgan Hill is wonderful community. I chose to live in the area and work in the city because it is a place that I wanted my family to grow and love. It’s leaders are not professional politicians. They are concerned and active members of the community. They have a difficult job these days.
I would encourage your readers to be involved with this and other issues before the Council. The beauty of a small town is that your voice is important. It is very important to participate and make your voice heard.
Meet with your representatives, tell them your ideas and how you feel, and then honor their decisions. Democracy works when we participate.
Gaetano DiVittorio, Morgan Hill
