Opinion

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get in trouble for what I say. A lot of times I think it’s because of what I don’t say, because generally when I’m in trouble I didn’t mean what got me there.Sound familiar?Frequently, I’ll start to make a comment and before I finish, someone else takes it and runs with it. You know it’s never the same when you try to corral that conversation and finish your statement. It always feels like you’re changing your comment or being wishy washy. Makes me crazy, probably makes me sound crazy too.Like most people, I get asked questions about how I feel about things or what I know about something. I always try to be straightforward in what I say, but sometimes I think it might be better in the long run to taking the heat for politely walking away.I will often say something, but then realize that there is a whole conversation of conditions about what I said behind the comment. And then there’s the added dimension of not knowing if you might just ignite a debate when you weren’t looking for one.An example of that situation is being asked, “How do you feel about the growth in Morgan Hill?” This has come up with more frequency these days, and I have found that I rarely get it right. The reason I give includes a lot of background information, an exhaustive analysis of that information, and then I use that to inform my conclusion. But I have yet to find a person who is hopelessly interested in what I have say, or I have little enough sympathy for a human being to launch it on them.It’s times like those that remind me I’ve got to learn how to redirect the conversation. Ever notice how some politicians are terrible at redirection and others are masterful? One seems awfully guilty of something and the other a brilliant orator who knew better about where the conversation should be headed.Maybe that’s not the best example… Still, I could learn a thing or two about redirecting.I also think about what we say to our friends, but probably more importantly what we say to people we don’t know or don’t know well. Your friends tend to understand where you’re coming from, but others will take your comments at face value without further confirmation.Too often, I’ve heard someone repeat a rumor or state a blatant falsehood at a gathering or public setting. This is especially egregious when they are uttered by people that are respected because, well, they’re respected by others. People who are respected tend to be trusted, and that’s why respected people need to be the most honest (sorry if you feel like I’ve focused on you because you’re respected). Their words can affect many so if you’re respected, so maybe it’s best to have good information before passing it on. By the way, it only takes one other person to be respected.I promise to always be honest with you, or maybe we’ll just talk about something else.So in the process of writing this I have probably upset someone, please give me a chance to explain myself…John McKay is president of the Morgan Hill Downtown Association, a city planning commissioner and co-founder of the Morgan Hill Tourism Alliance. He can be reached at [email protected].

After the November 2016 election, many of us in this community watched in horror as hate crimes against people of color and Jewish people began to rise. The reputable Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracked such events, rolled out a terrifying monthly toll that climbed and climbed.Rather than sit feeling helpless, a group of us felt moved to act as so many others in our community have already done. SURJ—Showing Up For Racial Justice—is a national group that organized after Barack Obama’s election drew intense, overt racism out of the woodwork, with the belief that it is up to white people to dismantle racism—specifically white supremacy.We started a local chapter, SURJ South County, to carry on SURJ National’s mission. We do not wish to be seen as “white saviors,” but rather to educate ourselves and others about the injustices against people of color, past and present, to bring awareness to the ways in which systems of oppression work against thriving communities and to hold ourselves accountable for change.We build upon the efforts of our local accountability partners, who have already been doing important, related work, like SIREN, CARAS, Indivisible South Valley, The Interfaith Council, The Learning and Loving Center, and more. We rally together with those targeted by systems of oppression. Not only do we hope to counter, with education and love, the agenda of hate that some feel emboldened to enact, we recognize that this country is founded on a history of white supremacy, violence and aggression against people of color, including the Native Americans whose lands were stolen and lives torn asunder.Since our group is not solely comprised of white folks, SURJ South County took liberties with SURJ National’s mission statement: we are a local group of individuals organizing people for racial justice. SURJ promotes all people acting as part of a multiracial society for social justice with passion and accountability.Our group also acknowledges the intersectionality of the ways in which systems of oppression affect marginalized groups (based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, ability/disability status, and more). SURJ provides a space to build relationships, skills and political analysis to act for change.      So if you see us standing holding signs on the street corners in defense of DACA, the “Dreamer” act, or in solidarity with any person of color who has suffered as a result of this system, know that we are here to say, as Australian Aboriginal activist Lila Watson stated so eloquently, “If you have come here to help me, then you are wasting your time…But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together."SURJ South County will host a screening of the documentary “13th,” about how mass incarceration of people of color is a modern form of slavery, at the Morgan Hill Library, 660 W. Main Ave., with guest speakers after, from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 15.For more information, email Morgan Hill resident Jordan Rosenfeld at [email protected].

I’m Lance Wolfsmith, Dave Wolfsmith’s son. Despite the local smear campaign against my father, my family and I couldn’t be prouder to call Morgan Hill home. I’m eternally grateful for amazing support my family has received from many in the community.I’ve been a Wolfpak member for 20 years, and I know every victim personally. What you’ve seen in the media is the perception of less than 2 percent of the athletes my father coached. I refuse to let this be his legacy.My father’s passion and conviction makes him polarizing. You don’t hire a coach if you're satisfied with your current situation, and when you hire my dad, your success becomes his priority. Through expert knowledge, passion and accountability, his clients achieved amazing results.The most profound memory with my dad was before my freshman year of high school when he set aside time for goal setting. Measurable goals were inappropriate because my ability was unknown, so my father simply asked me how good I wanted to be. Naturally, I wanted to be the best, so he made known the sacrifice and hard work that would be required. He assured me that together, we would accomplish my goals, and until those goals changed he would hold me accountable. Because of my father’s commitment to me, I was blessed with a lot of success during my high school and collegiate athletic career.What’s amazing is that commitment wasn’t exclusive to me. Over his 30-year career, nearly 1,000 clients received his commitment. He trained the full spectrum of athletes—from children and soccer moms, to collegiate athletes and elite military operators. Not once did my father advertise; every client was the result of a praising recommendation.I’ll never know the “why” behind these accusations. I have years of great memories with each victim and knew these people better than many members of my own family. Many trained years ago, a few came and went multiple times, but all continued to train at their own will after their assaults. The toughest for me to wrap my head around is that a group of victims trained with my father up until his arrest.My intent isn't to attack any victims, but to shed light on the other side to this story. I believe most people in our community have good intentions, but they've only been exposed to an extremely biased fraction of the story.Martin Luther King said, “Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”Sexual assault accusations do not always require physical evidence for a conviction, which leaves no tolerance for ignorance. Before his plea, my father’s accusations were broadcasted to millions, his business was taken, and he spent nearly a year in jail. As a community, that should concern everyone.I was raised a strong supporter of the law, but my family learned the hard way that innocence until proven guilty is nothing but a fantasy reserved for those wealthy enough to fight.I urge you to critically exam what you read in the news and see on TV. Too often, you're only exposed to a fraction of the story and as good as your intentions may be, they can be misguided.The bond I have with my father and family has only grown stronger. Together we will pass this test and remain unshaken, because we know the complete story and will continue to stand by my father.Lance Wolfsmith, 1Lt, USAFEditor’s note: Former Morgan Hill personal trainer David Wolfsmith pleaded guilty June 23 to 12 counts of sexual battery by fraudulent purpose, and one count of lewd and lascivious acts against a child younger than 14 and a misdemeanor child molestation charge. On Aug. 23, he was sentenced to seven years in prison.

I feel like talking a little bit about a whole bunch of things, maybe throw out some news and food for thought.Morgan Hill is about to say goodbye to a huge community asset. Steve Rymer will be heading back to a region familiar to him to be another lucky city’s city manager. I understand that there was virtually only one city that could draw him and his wife, Helene, away from Morgan Hill and even when that opportunity opened up he had to be the best of 300 candidates. Statistically speaking, the odds of all this coming together were pretty staggering. However, if you know Steve then it’s no surprise at all.We’ll miss you Steve and Helene.So with that sad news we get to announce some good news. We have a new city manager.The city council decided they didn’t need to look far for a new city manager with the quality of the existing teammates within Morgan Hill City Hall. I feel that the vision, values and culture that exist there are unique for a city office. Quite frankly, I was worried that the culture might be affected by someone coming from outside that might not “get it.” Culture is one of those things that can easily change with no conscious effort.Looking within, the city council found and selected Christina Turner. I used the term “teammate” because the culture at City Hall is that of a big team, and now Christina will be the leader and biggest cheerleader for city staff and the entire community. Christina is also one of the women highlighted during Women’s Week—we walk the walk in Morgan Hill.Okay, so what else is going on?How about the growth of a little corner of Morgan Hill that is on the verge of exploding. Over at the Granary (at First and Depot streets), two new shops are coming on line: a bike shop and wine bar. When you combine these two with Running Shop and Hops you will undoubtedly have the healthiest and happiest corner in Morgan Hill.Both of these unique new shops will be run by people who believe in Morgan Hill and want to make their shops and Morgan Hill stand out in the region.Bike Therapy is open now and The Grapevine will have a soft opening around the weekend of the Taste of Morgan Hill (Sept. 23-24).In other good news, the parking garage just got safer. I thought it was already pretty safe to begin with, but admit at times I was a little annoyed with the activities of some of the loiterers. Apparently not much enforcement was being done in the past because you need to have the right laws in place before you can enforce them. New laws are in place and the enforcement has begun (also: a fence has been placed limiting access to part of the garage and improvements are being made so people can’t access places they shouldn’t).If you have noticed something different about the fence around the future Granada Hotel site (corner of First and Monterey Road), you are seeing the results of an effort to make the downtown look just a little nicer during all the construction. The Leal organization took on the challenge and it’s nice. Take a look for yourself.Congratulations Morgan Hill, good stuff is happening.John McKay is president of the Morgan Hill Downtown Association, a city planning commissioner and co-founder of the Morgan Hill Tourism Alliance. He can be reached at [email protected].

Gym owner is a loving dad

“Travesty” is a word that is getting more usage these days and I am about to use it a whole bunch right here.For some reason, someone out there has decided for all of us that we need to change the way we select our School District Board of Trustees, and now City Council. Some party alerted an attorney who specializes in making money on “enforcing” the California Voters Rights Act (CVRA) that will forever change the way we elect our local officials. We are headed toward district voting for our city council seats, joining the MHUSD Trustees in this method of election.It’s a travesty because the well-intended CVRA is being used where it just won’t help. In fact, it will now limit our already limited pool of qualified candidates even more for our most important government bodies, and therefore possibly affect the quality of decisions made in our community.There is no way that a minority group can be represented as a majority in any way the city can be sliced up in any meaning manner—as was proven by a consultant. Mathematically, it just doesn’t work here folks.So what’s the purpose of the CVRA? To make sure that minorities are fairly represented.I look at our current city council and think that they are pretty darn diverse. We have a young professional mother, African-American firefighter, LGBT project manager, retired senior (sorry Mayor, you will be forever young to me) and a middle-aged caucasian man. They are one council member away from being entirely minority or an underrepresented group.What is going on? It’s a travesty.The focus of this application of the CVRA was to provide an opportunity for the Hispanic community to be better represented. We will have a Hispanic councilmember or mayor soon. I can virtually guarantee it but it won’t be because of the misuse of the CVRA. It will be because we have a good candidate at the right time. Unfortunately, that time may now be pushed out even further. This is serving to split up the Hispanic vote, not make it more powerful. What was somebody thinking?I have some nits to pick on this whole CVRA thing.First, what makes you think that an elected official has to be Hispanic to care about the Hispanic community? A good official cares about all of their constituents. I would almost hate to see the potential backlash from the public if there was an obvious bias on the dais on a regular basis.Second, just because the name of a candidate is Hispanic doesn’t mean that Hispanics will vote for them, I hope. Or do you think that minority groups only vote for members of their group? The CVRA is almost demeaning there.The travesty of district voting is virtually certain to be implemented due to the cost of litigation and precedent of success of the complaint filing party.The way we’re getting to a supposed solution is being forced down our throats in a way that is creating a great amount of resentment in the community. How is that a good thing?I hope it all somehow works out for the better, but I just can’t see it now. Nobody wins here, and that is the greatest travesty.John McKay is the president of the Morgan Hill Downtown Association, city planning commissioner and co-founder of the Morgan Hill Tourism Alliance. He can be reached at [email protected].

The Gavilan College Board of Trustees is considering putting another bond before the voters in 2018. At the Aug. 8 board meeting the trustees approved an agreement with True North Research Inc. to provide a general obligation bond measure pre-election survey.I have always been a supporter of educational issues at all levels. However, I have also always believed very strongly that all elected officials must abide by the law to earn the trust of the voters who elected them.With the previous bond (Measure E), the Gavilan Board of Trustees violated Prop 39 by illegally spending bond funds to set up the South Bay Public Safety Consortium (the Academy) at the satellite site in Coyote Valley. Because Administration of Justice was not included in the bond, spending bond funds on Police Training Facilities was a clear violation of Prop 39.Prop 39 bond measures must list the specific projects to be funded. The South Bay Public Safety Consortium was never on the list of specific projects presented and approved by the voters. The evidence that Prop 39 was violated, I believe, is overwhelming.Because of the controversy over the misuse of Measure E bond funds, convincing the voters to support another bond will be a very difficult task.Aurelio ZunigaHollister

I made the mistake of turning on the TV during a mid-day break and all this bad news jumped out at me about misogyny, bigotry, religious intolerance and other things that don’t seem to fit in today’s world.All I could do was just shake my head and wonder about what’s happening now and what’s going to happen with civility breaking down all around us. It’s not okay, and we need to do something about it.Here in our community something is being done which directly contradicts what I just saw in the news. Next week will be Women’s Week in Morgan Hill. That’s right, we’re going to celebrate what others have been getting all misogynistic about—women just being women.Now that could be a dangerous thing to say but I mean it in only the best of ways—what were you thinking?I spend most of my time these days doing volunteer work in our community. That means spending the vast majority of my time working with women. Strong, smart and hard-working women.I sit on nonprofit boards and committees, the majority of whose members are women. I work with staff at City Hall—the majority are women. I work with a lot of downtown business owners and managers—the majority are women. I look to our local representatives in the State Legislature and Congress—the majority are women. This speaks volumes to me.Okay, so we’re going to have a week of events celebrating women, and who better to put this together than two smart, hard-working women, right?The idea came from our newest City Council member, Caitlin Jachimowicz, who teamed up with one of the smartest and hardest working women I know, Brittney Sherman. This pair has put a lot of energy into assembling a full week of programs and fun opportunities (I know there were others but these two made it happen).The week kicks off on Monday with a special showing of the movie “Hidden Figures” at the Cinelux Theater. That movie alone addresses and messes with the whole misogynistic and bigoted atmosphere out there.Tuesday is dedicated to effective communications with elected officials. Then, on Wednesday our City Council will formally proclaim this week “Women’s Week”.Thursday is a big night because there will be a “Leadership Professionals Panel” made up of women. Some of our finest will be sharing the stage with special guest Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren. We have some impressive local women leaders. Do not miss that!Friday and Saturday includes honoring women at the Friday Night Music series and celebrating the passing of the 19th Amendment (Google it), respectively.Sunday holds an event every woman should be a part of—the “When I grow up” mixer. Young women are invited and the adult women are asked to dress as they do when they go to work in their diverse responsibilities. This is an opportunity to inspire young lives and for women to mingle with their peers.Celebrating women in our society shouldn’t be the exception and a big deal, but unfortunately it still is.For more information about times and locations please go to: morganhill.org/womensweek.John McKay is president of the Morgan Hill Downtown Association, a city planning commissioner and co-founder of the Morgan Hill Tourism Alliance. He can be contacted at [email protected].

Last winter’s drenching rain filled many state and local reservoirs, and dumped a healthy dose of snow on the Sierra Nevada. But the state’s fragile Delta infrastructure threatens the delivery of imported water throughout the state, which can become challenging for water agencies, especially in times of drought.The Santa Clara Valley Water District knows that to protect us from future droughts and dependency on imported water, we must continue to work toward securing reliable local water sources. That’s why the water district has been hard at work expanding its recycled and purified water program.Recycled water is wastewater cleaned through multiple levels of treatment. It can be purified to produce water that meets or exceeds all state drinking water quality standards. Through a series of advanced treatment processes, wastewater is stripped of contaminants, pharmaceuticals, viruses and bacteria to produce clean, safe and drinkable water.All of these advanced processes can be seen up close at the Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center in San Jose. The largest facility of its kind in northern California, the purification center is a cornerstone of our recycled and purified water program. Since its doors opened in 2014, this state-of-the-art facility has been key in our efforts to increasing our drinking water supply with this drought-proof water source, independent of rainfall.There are two paths to do this: through indirect potable reuse or direct potable reuse. The first consists of replenishing our groundwater aquifers by allowing purified water to filter naturally through soil and rock layers, to be pumped later for drinking. The second is to send purified water directly to our drinking water system after it has been treated. Both options require further research and would require expansion of our pipeline system.Currently, recycled water is used for landscaping, agricultural and industrial purposes, such as irrigation or for cooling towers. This allows us to conserve drinking water.Since before the historic drought, the water district has made great strides expanding the recycled water pipeline network with several projects, such as the South County Recycled Water Pipeline Project. A partnership between the water district, cities of Gilroy and Morgan Hill and the South County Regional Wastewater Authority, this effort will add about 14,500 linear feet of pipeline in South County. When completed, it will increase the availability of recycled water in the area by roughly 50 percent, from 2,000 acre-feet per year to up to 3,000. (An acre-foot is about the same amount of water two families of five use in a year). The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation recently awarded $5.7 million in federal funding for the project, equating to about 25 percent of the total project cost.   The four agencies have been working on expanding recycled water delivery for over a decade, as laid out in the South County Recycled Water Master Plan, which was introduced in 2004 and updated in 2015.For more information on our progress in recycled and purified water, I invite you to a free tour of our purification center. Schedule your tour and find tasting events at purewater4u.org.SCVWD Director John Varela represents the South County district, which includes Morgan Hill, on the water district’s board of directors. He can be contacted at [email protected].