Opinion

Okay, I don’t think I’m quite done with talking about the new downtown parks.I was at the three new parks’ grand opening this past Saturday, and it was a big deal. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many of the community’s leaders and volunteers in one place like this before. There were representatives from the Open Space Authority, Santa Clara Valley Water District, Assembly Member Ana Caballero’s office and of course our city council.But I think the most important thing was that the community really turned out, especially at the Railroad Park. Seeing so many from our community turn out makes me believe that these parks are the right ones for us at the right time.If you had ever seen the old empty lot where the new Creek Park is now, you might remember it was overgrown with tree canopies touching the ground and blocking the views.That old lot cleaned up nicely with a wonderful trail that goes from Second to Third Street through the park, passing over a sturdy footbridge that makes you feel like you are leaving the downtown. There is a sculpture of a fox under the canopy of a huge oak tree and the open main area of the park has a couple features for the young ones to climb on. But this park is mostly just for relaxing and hanging out. I’m already looking forward to sitting under the trees on a nice summer day.After initial ceremonies at the Creek Park, a mass of people went up the hill to the Hilltop Park and we were all reminded that this park will be great for exercising. But the view and the slides make it all worth the effort. Children lined up to go down the slide,screaming down one after another. We really got to see and were reminded of what so much of these parks are about—the children.We went to the Railroad Park on Depot Street. As soon as the gates opened, there was a flood of children climbing on the different play features. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen one of those zombie movies where the zombies all climb together to get over a wall or something, but the scene reminded me of that. A tower that looks like the Eiffel Tower looked like it had that swarm, but these were wonderful, happy, screaming kids, alive with joy, that now have a place to play in the downtown.Children playing in the Railroad Park went on through the day and into the evening with the park full again after the Holiday Lights Parade.I went to Sunday brunch the next morning, and from the downtown parking garage I could hear the children yelling and screaming and laughing from my upper floor perch. I could see the brightly colored park and equally colorfully clothed children running about and playing with others.This really reinforced that what was missing in the downtown was that sound of life filling the air and the sight of children being children. We got a taste of this with the pop-up parks, but this is much bigger.I want to make sure that one of our most firmly held goals is to make the sights and sounds of children commonplace in our thriving downtown.Can we work on that together?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].

Although many may immediately associate the holiday season with brightly-wrapped presents shared among friends and family, I want to take a moment to encourage people to think about another kind of gift-giving this holiday season: helping those who are less fortunate.It is my wish that during the holidays, everyone who is able set aside some time to help others. There are members of our community who do not have the means to purchase gifts for their children, who struggle to put food on the table even though they work full-time, or who may not have a home for the holidays. Additionally, there are those throughout California and across the country whose lives have been devastated by floods, hurricanes or fires.All of these people could use a helping hand, which can come in many forms and does not need to be a monetary donation. Donating your time can be just as valuable as a donation of money. Your gift of service to others can have a positive impact and help to create a sense of community that may not be there in our everyday lives. You can help food banks package food for the hungry, donate warm clothes to the homeless, visit senior citizens or donate blood to those in need.  My family and I have a tradition of volunteering and I encourage you to volunteer during this holiday season as well. The joy that it brings us is rewarding and a powerful reminder of the meaning of the season. We find the most positive aspect of service to others is getting to know people we would not otherwise have the occasion to meet, as it broadens our sense of community.In these times of uncertainty, natural and human made disasters, and the desperation caused by poverty and homelessness, those of us who are able to make a small difference can help to reinforce the basic bonds of community and humanism.I wish you, your friends and family a peaceful and joyous holiday season and a healthy and happy 2018.Sen. Bill Monning represents the 17th State Senate District, which includes all of San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz counties, and portions of Monterey and Santa Clara counties.   

First let me say that this column is probably more for me than anything else, so please forgive me in advance as I take a few column inches to reflect on my time doing something that I love.

Well it’s just about here… Saturday, Dec. 2 will be the big day that the three new downtown parks will finally open to the public.I’ve been watching the planning of these parks for close to three years, and at times they just seemed like some far-fetched and far-off dream. This city had not built a new park in almost 20 years, which seems strange for a community that is so focused on open space and parklands. The time is right.Turns out it takes a lot of planning—and it turns out that hard work, resourcefulness and timing are other prime ingredients in making things only recently dreamed a reality.The community loved the idea of a park along West Little Llagas Creek, behind Ladera Grill, M&H Tavern, Murphy’s Mercantile and Betto’s Bistro. The input from the initial community outreach meetings is actually seen in the park now. The fact that it’s more of a passive park without all the play features (now reserved for the Railroad Park), and the proposed artwork were all discussed at the meetings.Even the neighbors—one directly adjacent the park—gave feedback that was heard and incorporated. Involved neighbors are the best kind, and they have embraced the park.Right up from the Third Street Creekside Park is now Nob Hill Trail Park. The views of Morgan Hill and surrounding valley will now be featured along with a couple of big slides, trails and equipment to offer outdoor exercise in a setting that feels like a forested park far from the city’s core.Exercise equipment and walking paths aren’t particularly unique to city parks, but having two big slides coming down a signature hill right next to the downtown is.Who would’ve ever guessed that we’d really get these big slides down Nob Hill? They’re the kind of thing that just seemed like an unrealistic dream at one time. I like to believe that the support, effort and funding from the Morgan Hill Rotary Club made the difference.I believe that not only are the slides going to be a lot of fun; they will again bring attention to a community that has a zest for life and just has fun.Now that we have slides and exercise equipment right in the downtown, we can eat, shop, play, exercise, sleep, repeat… That’s an active lifestyle.The Railroad Park is going to be where the young ones get catered to. The many play features look like so much fun that I’m guessing there might be some “close adult supervision” taking place regularly right alongside the community’s children.The bright primary colors, murals and feel will hopefully offset the loss of the pop-up park which will likely go away soon. I like to think that the two pop-up parks provided plenty of inspiration for the new Railroad Park. Could the big blue chair end up there?Morgan Hill is a community that generally takes itself seriously, but these parks allow us to let our hair down a little and have some fun.The spider sculpture on the parking garage, big blue chair, and other public art also speak to our fun and sometimes whimsical side, and the outside world is recognizing us for it.John McKay is 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].

Last week I attended a conference dedicated to economic development. That might sound boring to some, but it was eye opening and a little surprising to me.

I am a past President of Gilroy-Morgan Hill Bar Association, a member of the Transportation Lawyers Association, and past Chair of TLA's Legislation Committee.I have practiced transportation law in the South County for 38 years, and have done post-doctoral study of transportation law and policy at the Norman Y. Mineta International Institute for Surface Transportation Policy Studies, and at Transportation Research Board, Georgetown University; and at the Library of Congress. I am a graduate of SJSU, and the University of Santa Clara Law School, and I have 52 years of transportation industry experience dating back to my junior year at Cupertino High School, when I worked for the SPRR, and later at UPRR in San Jose (1970-1980).My comments are personal, and not made on behalf of a client or any professional organization to which I belong.For a state that cannot afford adequate fire suppression, or water storage, it is bad public policy to add to the public transit boondoggles that the taxpayers (mostly motorists) already shoulder, under the worst tax/fee burdens among all the states.What the California High Speed Rail Authority is doing, which is not what voters voted for in Prop. 1A in 2008, is contrary to the conclusions of both the President's Blue Ribbon Commission on Transport Funding, and the California Transportation Commission. Both of them concluded that we ought to fund transport with "user fees."Giving away transit rides, by any mode, with fares near zero, diverting the costs to motorists' gas and diesel taxes, is unfair, unsound, and unsustainable transport policy. Taxing people out of their cars is a public policy plunging us down the Road to Serfdom, intended to cripple our state's economy.We already pay our taxes for many wasteful boondoggles like Amtrak, Caltrain, ACE Train, BART, Light Rail and county transit, when it would be much cheaper for taxpayers if we just purchased each transit rider his own BMW, or paid his taxi fare, or his Uber fare.California's voters voted for self-sufficient high speed rail, not a Supermassive Black Hole added to the already intolerable public sector transit Black Holes that our lost leadership forces us to subsidize.This bad public policy is making California into Northern Venezuela. I urge local leaders to support the repeal of Prop. 1A.Caveat viator.Joseph Thompson is an attorney whose law offices are in Gilroy. He can be reached at [email protected].

Since the election last November, Americans are experiencing, with more frequency, encounters with people who have extremely different opinions from their own. However, when it comes to the men and women who valiantly serve our country, there is rarely disagreement that they deserve our support for the sacrifices they and their loved ones make to defend our country and the principles on which it was built.  It is more important than ever that we stand steadfast as a nation to support military personnel during and after their service, and it was almost 100 years ago this November, in 1918, when the events of World War One provided the basis for what is now known as Veterans Day.Noting the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, an agreement to cease fire was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in Compiegne, France, bringing to an end the Great War. Originally known as Armistice Day in recognition of this interruption in the war, the observance was formally declared a federal holiday in the U.S. in 1938. Extending the holiday to honor all military men and women after World War Two and the Korean War, it was officially renamed Veterans Day in 1954.As we celebrate Veterans Day this year, I hope you will join me and express gratitude to our service women and men who dedicate themselves on our behalf to protect our great country. It is because of our confidence in them that we live without the fear of invasion or harm to our families as we go about our daily lives. To all of you who serve, you have my thanks and appreciation. I salute you and hope you stay safe.Sen. Bill Monning represents the 17th State Senate District, which includes all of San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz counties, and portions of Monterey and Santa Clara counties.

For years, San Martin residents have voiced concerns to the county for approving construction without considering concerns of residents. In recent years, San Martin residents have been victims of perchlorate contamination from Olin Corporation, the Waste Transfer Site next to the elementary school and the recurring raw sewage contamination assault from Morgan Hill.  Last winter, when the sewer trunk system (managed by Morgan Hill and Gilroy) spilled hundreds of gallons of raw sewage onto Llagas Creek, San Martin roads and farmland, neither city would claim responsibility to ensure San Martin residents (and the environment) were safe.  And now we are watching San Martin become a rural speedway! On the rural roads of San Martin, where equestrians could once meander, commuters zoom at highway speeds, having no respect for the residents and the serene country roads.The community of San Martin needs immediate action, and attention placed on the damage and danger speeding commuters are inflicting. Truckers notoriously use the roads as a detour from U.S. 101, and daily commuters are following suit. Through these rural roads, drivers are racing at excessive speeds down Columbet, Middle, Murphy and Sycamore avenues. Residents—attempting to exit their driveways or just to retrieve their mail—are jeopardizing their lives as they dodge rude, horn-honking, reckless speeding drivers.Were traffic studies really considered when Morgan Hill and Gilroy approved their many massive housing developments? Was the unincorporated rural community of San Martin ever taken into consideration?  Back in 2000, dispiritedness within the community grew and a few residents formed the San Martin Neighborhood Alliance (SMNA) in order to provide one voice for the community.  Year after year, SMNA and advocates for keeping San Martin’s rural integrity have continued to speak up at the Santa Clara County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors meetings about the dangerous scenarios we face on the rural roads in San Martin.  Unfortunately, most county representatives do not live in South County; nor are they familiar with the rural lifestyle many in San Martin live and how it differs from the big city.SMNA (sanmartinneighbor.org) continues to address concerns of large developments that are being proposed in San Martin. Some applications submitted for development in San Martin include proposals on Sycamore Avenue, San Martin Avenue, California Avenue and Monterey Road. These projects WILL significantly impact our rural roads and neighborhoods. These applications should necessitate LOCAL TRAFFIC SAFETY studies.There is a county document known at the San Martin Integrated Design Plan (SMIDP), which is supposed to be the guidelines used when building in San Martin. The rural roads of San Martin were not designed for heavy commuter traffic, nor daily treks of semi-trucks escaping the U.S. 101 check stops or hauling enormous daily loads.  The San Martin community is also being used as an “unauthorized park-n-ride” by commuters. There are several areas near Mama’s Market where the soft shoulder of the road is being ruined by commuters parking their vehicles there all day. Then, upon returning to their vehicles, drivers are regularly seen congregating and drinking alcohol until dusk at the corner of Sycamore and San Martin Avenues.  Why is this outdoor bar activity being ignored by the authorities? This just compounds an already dangerous combination of heavy traffic, with impatient drivers, who are now intoxicated.  Not only should there be “no parking” signs, but also “no drinking in public.”  Furthermore, there is consternation about the additional proposed project at this location for a porta-potty storage business. In addition to the concerns about more traffic, there are valid environmental concerns due to the proximity of this business being along Llagas Creek. This is entirely absurd!Residents are sharing facts about auto accidents of loved ones that continue to take place throughout San Martin.It seems from all the online comments from San Martin neighbors, that something needs to take place. Here are some general ideas: 1) a better sheriff presence; 2) “local traffic only” signage; 3) speed bumps; 4) more four-way stop signs; 5) yellow flashing warnings to slow down.  Although this may impact residents from getting around, it will improve chances of surviving another day on the road.  San Martin residents need your support!Connie LudewigSan Martin

I recently mentioned that the Morgan Hill Downtown Association, in partnership with the City of Morgan Hill, invited construction projects downtown to participate in a competition to see who could make their site the most interesting.The prize for this competition was a lunch for the construction crews, so there was little incentive other than the spirit of competition and lots of community spirit.The Leal organization’s site for the future Granada Hotel and Spa won the competition with a decorated fence and a construction site that really doesn’t look like either anymore. This is a great example of how to make a normally unsightly looking construction site blend back into the background.So I told some people about the competition and realized that the Leal organization was not being recognized for some of the other good things they do.I originally started writing this column because I didn’t feel that the community knew enough about so many of the good things being done in Morgan Hill, and this is a good example.The Leal organization became visible to most of us in Morgan Hill with its purchase of the old Granada Theater site. Little did we know that someone could save that old building (it was structurally unsafe), let alone make it a thriving business and contemporary landmark.It took a lot of resources to save that sentimental old building, but the Leal organization made it happen. Now we don’t have to rely on just memories of the building; we can be entertained and dine in an updated version that can now make new memories.For me, most of those memories are associated with the philanthropic work in the way of charitable fundraisers in that building.Think about the Edward Boss Prado Foundation’s annual Gala Event which found a new home there. Community Solutions’ “Black, White & Bling” Gala was the first event in the newly renovated Granada (this year’s gala is Nov. 4). Those events were generously supported by donation of the venue by the Leal organization.New this year will be Rebekah Children’s Services’ “Festival of Trees” fundraiser which just moved to Morgan Hill from the swanky Corinthian in San Jose. The Live Oak High Booster Club will be the recipient of 25 percent of the receipts from the “Pasta for a Purpose” dinner. This is a takeoff of the “Pizza for a Purpose” event the Leal organization held in Hollister for their local needs.The Leal organization is a business and will conduct itself as one, as it has to. The organization is also very active philanthropically—it doesn’t have to be but it is.This organization is another example of how so many of our local businesses become partners in the community. I welcome them to the community.John McKay is 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].

If there’s any silver lining to the North Bay fires, it’s the overwhelming outpouring of compassion and volunteerism in support of victims and first responders. In our darkest days, the very best in us came pouring out.As was made painfully clear, fire does not discriminate. We are all equal before the flames. Given the toxicity of national politics, it was refreshing and deeply moving to see how the North Bay responded to the catastrophe. It felt good to do something, anything, to help.Food and clothing drives popped up overnight. Restaurants offered free meals to first responders. People opened their homes to displaced strangers. Local kennels took in homeless animals free of charge. Banners thanking fire fighters went up on freeway overpasses.The question “How are you?” has become much more than a throwaway pleasantry, because, one way or another, we’ve all been affected by the fires, whether or not we lost our homes or loved ones. It could have been any one of us trapped in a burning home with no way out.The horror of the fire revealed our common humanity. America prides itself on its rugged individualism, but in times of crisis like this, it’s clear we are not strong because we stand alone; we are strongest when we depend on each other. The fire revealed that we are rugged dependents who support each other through the worst of times.Eventually, the smoke will clear and fire victims will go about the hard work of rebuilding their lives. There will be talk of a return to normalcy, and that’s good. But let’s hold on to the part of our common humanity awakened by the fires.Stett Holbrook is editor of the North Bay Bohemian, based in Santa Rosa.