Opinion

Monday started with a roar and ended with a whimper.

Oklahoma! came roaring in with an effervescence that shows running almost 75 years usually run out of after a decade or so.

I’ve adopted several phrases that I use when life gets rough: “Someone out there has it way worse than me,” and “I’m doing this for something bigger than myself.” I used to tell myself these things when things were particularly bad in Afghanistan. I have continually referred to these lines in my time out of the service, however I never thought I’d need to use them while having mascara put on my eyes.At the Gavilan College Veterans Club, we’ve been looking for ways to help out in our community. We want to change the conversation that has become the norm when discussing veterans, especially combat veterans. A couple of months ago at a party, when one of the revelers learned that a friend of mine had done several tours to Iraq he asked him, “Are you alright? Up here?” pointing to his head. He managed to brush it off but, it’s not an isolated incident.Most of us have had someone just assume that we aren’t alright after doing a tour. One of the goals that we at the club wanted to do was put ourselves out there so that we could show combat veterans in a new light. If we could find an opportunity to help our community and simultaneously display that we don’t need to be taken seriously all the time, we win on all fronts.So when our club advisor Jillian Wilson came up with the idea of supporting Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, we all agreed it was a great idea. However, I wasn’t that excited when the suggestion came about for a tiered system of donations. With every monetary goal reached we’d make ourselves a little more feminine, and at $2,500 we’d go full drag.Some of the club members were thrilled (it raised eyebrows, but we don’t judge). I really enjoy being a guy. I grew a beard as soon as I got out of the Army. So the whole process wasn’t thrilling me. The money we would raise would go to Monarch Services (formerly Women's Crisis Support - Defensa de Mujeres), an organization that helps over 1,500 victims of sexual assault and domestic violence a year. So indeed this was “something bigger than myself,” thus it would be worth it.A couple of days away from the event it was clear that we’d make the goal for full drag. To add to the uncomfortability, I recruited my mom to help buy me a dress. It was definitely fun for her.On April 28 about 10 combat hardened veterans showed up at the Cosmetology Department at Gavilan, ready to get dolled up. We were greeted by a very eager team of women who couldn’t wait to get started on us. I was uncomfortable and they couldn’t help but laugh. I think every one of them really enjoyed doing this to us, so I’m not sure if I really need to thank them too much. A special thanks does need to go to Gilbert Ramirez and Michelle Terrano. (I know you did it just to get back at your brother.) By the time we got to Santa Cruz I think it’s safe to say we were all a bit nervous and we were right to be. All 10 of us were gawked at and even cat-called. So ladies, job well done.Our number one earner, Johnny Sandavol, who personally brought in over a grand in donations was probably the best looking out of all of us, if not the most revealing. Hopefully his lovely girlfriend Erika Linn Chesnutis will choose to dress him a little more conservatively next time. Ray Lopez, our team Captain, brought in over $700 just behind myself, although in my opinion he should redo the mile since he looked more like an 80s glam metal star.The biggest guy we got, Jake Hester, pulled in about a couple hundred. He ended up looking like a cross dressing Fred Flintstone. Jorge Gonzales was dubbed a cholo drag queen before we even left the campus. Thanks for giving me something to laugh at. Josh Santorro, with his waxed mustache and betty boop outfit, will forever haunt my dreams. Ben Sandavol went for a Marilyn Monroe look.Somebody described me as drag queen hippie Jesus; I’ll take it. In total we all raised $4,757, nearly doubling our original goal to walk a mile dressed in drag.It also wouldn’t be fair not to mention the women who joined us on this walk: Mayra Rios, Ray’s wife Elaine Estrada, Melissa Santorro, and of course my mother.The true title of queen of our group goes to Jillian Wilson as she’s the one who encouraged us to do this. A very special thanks goes out to Leeann Luna the Monarch Services Administrative Manager who was responsible for putting on this year's Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event.This was an eye opening experience. I’m happy that I did it. Even if I did exaggerate how uncomfortable I was, I’d still not like to do it again. Next year I think I’ll just stick to the shoes.Gilroy resident and Live Oak High alumnus Connor Quinn is Region IX State Membership Coordinator for Team Rubicon, a disaster relief organization that employs military veterans. He is also a VA work study at the Gavilan College Veterans Resource Center.

Vote for experienceThe Voters within the Morgan Hill Unified School District will have a clear-cut choice to make in the election on June 7. Candidate Pamela Torrisi is a former paraeducator who worked for the district for over 30 years. She has proven leadership skills from several years as head of the classified employees union.Pam has been a member of our community for many years and is accepting campaign donations only from the local community. Her opponent Thomas Arnett has received $7,000 in campaign contributions from a group in Washington, D.C., called Leadership for Educational Equity. This is a pro-charter political action committee. He works as a researcher at an educational think tank that promotes disruptive innovation, yet he has limited experience as an educator in Teach for America and holds an MBA, but not a regular teaching credential.Voters must ask themselves what future they wish to see for our school district. Will it be a locally controlled free public education for all of our students, or a collection of for-profit corporate charter schools which could be controlled from anywhere in the country and selectively admit students to make their test scores look better and turn public tax dollars into profits for investors?Steven SpencerMorgan HillEditor’s note: See related news story on this website, in which Arnett says he is “not in favor of charter schools that are just trying to enroll students to make money.”Election should be about the issuesThe June 7 election is fast approaching, and as the national election gets more and more contentious, I’ve noticed that certain negative campaigning tactics have encroached upon the school board election here in Morgan Hill. I personally don’t feel that these methods have any place in a local election that involves two local Morgan Hill residents who both obviously have a deep dedication to education and to our school district.With that in mind, I’m writing to explain why, without cutting down the merits and reputation of Pam Torrisi, as a longtime Morgan Hill resident and alum of Live Oak High School, my family and I are supporting Tom Arnett in his run for MHUSD School Board. I’ve known Tom for over 15 years, my husband even longer, and graduated with him from Live Oak. At Live Oak, Tom was well known by other students, particularly in the music program in which we participated, for being a truly honest, caring person. It was no surprise to any of us when he was chosen to be the drum major of the Emerald Regime our senior year, and I wasn’t surprised either to see him pursue a career in education as his leadership skills were obvious even as teenagers.It seems like in the discussions I’ve seen on social media and in various local media outlets, there have been questions about Tom’s trustworthiness, even suggestions that he’s somehow shady or accepting money from nefarious sources who are seeking to, in the six-month time frame that Tom would be on the board, drastically change our school district in some way. Anyone who personally knows or has had a conversation with Tom would find these assertions almost comical, but I think it speaks to a bigger question of distrust in anyone running for political office. I often have those same misgivings where politics are concerned, but, fortunately, the decision to elect Tom or Pam does not need to be one based on who is corrupt or not.My family and I support Tom because we know he is dedicated to our district, we are interested in having someone with young children like we have with a voice on the board, and we are excited by Tom’s research and knowledge about innovative education methods.This election should be about the issues and policies that the candidates will be facing in the next six months. I urge you to make your decision in this election based upon which candidate best represents your interests and addresses your concerns.Sincerely,Hylary LocsinGilroy

On June 7, 2016 voters will once again have an opportunity to demonstrate their support for the acquisition, development, and operation of regional parks for everyone in Santa Clara County. With approval, Measure A will continue the Park Charter Fund, ensuring a critical local, stable funding source for Santa Clara County Parks until 2032.Measure A is NOT a new or additional tax— it simply dedicates a small portion of existing property tax revenue for County Parks. The Park Charter Fund equates to about 1 percent of the county’s total budget, and includes a mandate to acquire more parkland and develop new park facilities. The measure has been endorsed by scores of regional leaders, including all five county supervisors.Since 1972, Santa Clara County’s Park Charter Fund has acquired over 50,000 acres, including 29 parks, which provide a diverse range of recreational opportunities to residents and visitors alike. From kayaking on the bay to camping in the redwoods to learning about the history of agriculture in Silicon Valley, our regional parks provide enjoyment and inspiration for residents and visitors throughout the county.Santa Clara County is one of the fastest growing and most diverse regions in the country. Regional parks offer a multitude of ways for communities to connect and refresh.Upon the passage of Measure A this June, the county can use Park Charter Fund to ensure safe and well-maintained parks, open more lands to public use, enhance visitor experience, fund the regional trails network and complete the connected system of regional parks. In addition, Measure A will allow the parks department to continue to protect and preserve the natural beauty and biodiversity of our parks so current and future generations can enjoy all that nature has to offer.Larry Ames, former Santa Clara County Parks & Recreation Commissioner, said, “The county has done a remarkable job of acquiring and preserving land both for environmental protection and for future public enjoyment. But the county currently can’t open nearly a quarter of the land to the public yet; the lands need to be made safe and accessible. For example, old mine shafts need to be fenced off and old wells capped, and then amenities such as parking lots and sensitively sited hiking trails are needed so that the public can safely enjoy the lands they have helped preserve.”Yes on Parks! is leading the campaign to secure the next 15 years of park funding in Santa Clara County. For more information, visit YesOnParks.com.We are proud that our endorsers include: Honorable Zoe Lofgren, US Congress; Honorable Evan Low, CA State Assembly; Gustav Larson, Vice Mayor, Sunnyvale; Don Rocha, Councilmember, San Jose; Carl Guardino, President & CEO Silicon Valley Leadership Group; Peninsula Open Space Trust; Sempervirens Fund; SPUR San Jose; Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition San Jose? Parks Foundation.Garnetta AnnableChair, Yes On Parks

When Cindy Lauper, (music and lyrics) and Harvey Fierstein (book) started to create Kinky Boots they never imagined that they would walk away with six Tony Awards, making Lauper the first woman to win a solo Tony for best score.Kinky Boots is one of those feel-good shows that keeps you smiling throughout the performance. It sends a well-worn preachy message “to accept everyone for what they are,” and the show makes it a fun lesson because of the music, vigorous cast and wild choreography.The play is based on a true story and movie about a failing men’s shoe factory in a town near London. Charlie (a charming Adam Kaplan) leaves his father’s business to work in London, only to return to sell the business when his father passes away. He finds, of course, that the workers depend on their jobs. He accidently meets Lola (an amazing J. Harrison Ghee), a bright, wild in-control drag queen who needs boots with heels that will support him/her and his cast in his show. The story goes on to acceptance and unacceptance of the situation, of the workers and people in the business.The show moves at a break-neck pace with chorography by director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell and wild, eye-catching costumes by Gregg Barnes. The dexterous number that has everyone leaping from one moving assembly line machine to another was a unique, clever piece of business.Lola’s act at her club consists of six dancing drag queens that make the best looking women on the planet look drab.For an evening of just plain well-done fun, laughs and a life lesson Kinky Boots is   extraordinary.Kinky Boots  Where: Golden Gate Theatre, 1 Taylor Street, San FranciscoRunning Time:  2 hours, 20 minutes with one 15-minute intermissionPerformances Through May 22For tickets and information call 888-746-1799 or visit www.shnsf.com.

Hello, my name is John McKay and I am a bicyclist. I can’t ride 100 mile days in ease or climb the road to Henry Coe Park for lunch but I can wheel out my “Designed in Morgan Hill” bike (it says so right on the frame), and pedal between morning coffee and lunch in the same day.I don’t wear spandex tights and can’t keep pace with a group of riders who actually understand and use the aerodynamic advantage of the person in front of them. I can judge my health condition by how easy it is to get over any U.S. 101 overpass, proving I’m no elite athlete.I know that there is a health benefit from bicycling, but it has to be done with a regularity that I cannot commit to; so I treat my rides like little vacations and take anything else I get out of it as a bonus. I ride for the sheer pleasure of rolling around on two wheels in a community that has so much to see and do in such a small area.There is a social aspect to cycling for me. During most of the Monday Lunch rides, there is a mother with her toddler in a hitched-on half-a-bike, making it a family affair. Bicycling is one of those pursuits that appeals to a broad age group.I try to be careful and respectful of others I share the road with, and for the most part those others are very respectful and considerate right back. Few seem to respond negatively to my sometimes slightly wobbling vector down the side of the road.Our community is proving to be so many different things. One of these things is a great place to ride bicycles.There are plans afoot to work on defining the safest bikeways to get from one part of town to another, creating safe places for bike parking if you venture downtown, and generally to foster the safest and friendliest place to ride bicycles possible in our community. There are many partners working toward making Morgan Hill the most bike friendly town it can be. But here again, it is the community members themselves who are leading the charge.I believe the most successful efforts are led by those that care and embrace an effort with passion. Based upon this, I think we will have a very bright future as a bicycling community.Summer is coming, so it will soon be prime time to get out and ride. I look forward to the potential of some organized evening rides for all ages (hint, hint…) and other fun organized opportunities; but I’m personally going to get out and ride as much as I can right now.I was recently challenged when I said that there are a lot of bicyclists in Morgan Hill. I stand by that assertion and I think that most bicyclists in Morgan Hill are just as I described myself above—enthusiastic about bicycling but not shopping for a team jersey just yet…John McKay is a Morgan Hill resident, board member of the Morgan Hill Downtown Association, city planning commissioner and co-founder of the Morgan Hill Tourism Alliance.

I am a Morgan Hill resident and have a question about the warning signs posted at Paradise park regarding Glyphosate (trade name: Roundup) spraying.Many people, including myself, walk this path everyday. There are kids being walked through the park to Paradise Valley Elementary School, people walking their dogs, squirrels, cats and other wildlife. Lots of ball games on the grounds, too. All that chemical poison and pollutant is going right into the groundwater and creek.Why is the city spraying with something so unhealthy when there are better alternatives? Not to mention the fact that we're enjoying seeing green after four years of drought!There’s an abundance of research on the dangers of Glyphosate.Experts at National Institutes of Health, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, World Health Organization and many countries are banning this based on medical evidence. WHO calls it "likely carcinogenic.”  There are a number of cities in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond this state that are going green. Integrated Pest Management, which substantially reduces the use of pesticides, has been implemented in San Jose, San Francisco, Boulder, Davis, Santa Monica, Isla Vista and other cities. Some of the so-called “inert” ingredients in Roundup appear not to be so in Argentina, where the miscarriage rate is 100 times the norm. Thirty thousand physicians there have asked to ban it.Given all the foot traffic in the park, especially the little ones, I would respectfully request that the city investigate healthier “green” alternatives, especially with the drought situation.Sincerely,Marilyn HawkeMorgan Hill

I recommend and endorse Pam Torrisi for election to the Morgan Hill Unified School District Board of Education on June 7, 2016. Pam is the one candidate to bring back civility, honest and open dialogue and good governance principles to our school board.Pam's service to our community and school district has been long and commendable. She came to Morgan Hill as a young girl, attended middle school and graduated from Live Oak High School in 1969. She took a position with our district as a Teacher's Aide working with Special Needs students, retiring 30-plus years later with the highest of accolades. During her long tenure she was recognized by her peers and elected President of the Classified Employees bargaining unit, serving more than 10 years in that position.I am a founding member of Community for Positive Governance (CFPG), a grassroots organization formed a few months ago in response to the resignation of Amy Porter Jensen from our Board of Education. Ms. Porter Jensen resigned because she was bullied and harassed by some members of the community and at least one board member. It was apparent to CFPG that there was a high degree of dysfunction on the BOE. We adopted a goal of reestablishing Positive Governance in the BOE through the election of candidates that adhere to the principles and philosophy of Positive Governance. The June 7 election (to fill the Porter Jensen vacancy) will be our first chance to make that happen.Pam also lives in the new district that the board voted to adopt and will run again for the full term in November. We request your support in that endeavor.Please consider Pam Torrisi for MHUSD BOE.Respectfully,Roger C. KnopfMorgan Hill