The Things Morgan Hill Does Right

Let’s hear it for Morgan Hill Councilwoman Marby Lee.
 Last month, the Morgan Hill City Council agenda included a move
to authorize an increase in local taxes to cover the cost of
expanding the Morgan Hill Police Department.
Let’s hear it for Morgan Hill Councilwoman Marby Lee. Last month, the Morgan Hill City Council agenda included a move to authorize an increase in local taxes to cover the cost of expanding the Morgan Hill Police Department.

No one denies there is a need for increasing our police force. That created a heated debate.

“Why debate a point on which everyone agrees?” I’m happy you asked!

One of the issues on which Lee won her council seat was expanding the MHPD. Yet, she was strongly opposed to raising taxes to pay for it. She put out a call for support, pointing out that, “The reason is because of the deficit in all the different recreation facilities we have here in Morgan Hill … In my mind, the priority of our local government (and any local government) is the safety of the residents. For many years now, we have put public safety behind recreation when it comes to priorities. We have as many sworn officers today as we did in 1990, when our population was about 25,000 – our population today is close to 40,000.”

All across our state and nation, it appears to me, liberal office holders have enjoyed spending tax funds on expensive public-sector toys. There was a proposal a while back, for a private-sector water park. The council said no, then built the one we have using tax money. There are several great fitness centers in Morgan Hill, but the council used tax money to build a fitness palace. Kids used to enjoy playing ball in empty lots. Now we have professional quality fields that require tax funds to maintain.

Lee points out that these budgets are draining resources from those things for which civil governments were created in the first place! Let’s get away from the idea that “nanny” government is supposed to provide all of our toys, and return to the concept of a government limited to providing the necessities of its citizens. That should include protection of the property of its citizens, NOT recreation!

Thanks largely to Lee’s efforts, the tax increase issue was put off while other sources of economy are considered.

Some other things Morgan Hill does right – I attended the annual National Day of Prayer breakfast held in the gym of Crossroads Christian Center.  Organized by local folks from several churches in Gilroy and Morgan Hill, this event has become as much as an annual reunion as a part of a much larger national celebration.

The agenda included pastors and staff from more than a dozen churches.  They lead us in prayer for national repentance, family, government, church, schools/colleges, military, our community, renewal/revival.

At our table were our old friend, Pastor Carlos Sanchez of Mision Maranata and his guest, Pastor Samuel Solis of Mexicali, Mexico. Jim Shaler, of United Presbyterian, surprised us by greeting Samuel in flawless Spanish! We held hands and prayed together.

When so much of our present environment is screaming about conflict and differences, it was wonderful to join in prayerful agreement and consider the good things taking place in America! 

Another thing Morgan Hill does right is coming up on Independence day. The Independence Day, Inc. group works hard each year to make our parade and fireworks display outstanding. An example of “Small-town Americana!”

Back in 1975, then Mayor Virginia Days, referred to the “King’s Victory Celebration” as among the most significant events in Morgan Hill history. Eighteen of the then 19 churches in Morgan Hill joined as a “covering” for more than 200 young people from across the west with Youth With A Mission (YWAM). They stayed in 81 homes for Easter week. Each morning they would gather in a different sanctuary for worship. Women from the churches, too small to host so large a group, brought sack lunches. Each afternoon, the YWAMers, two by two, participated in a religious survey of every home in Morgan Hill. 

Each evening they hosted a large public gathering. The Granada Theater was a single auditorium then. Steve Fry brought 80 voices to present a worship musical to a packed house. The marquee read, “Jesus is Lord. Adore Him with us. 7:30 Wednesday.”

Another packed house was “Spanish Emphasis Night” held in St. Catherine’s sanctuary. The event began with the First Baptist youth choir singing in Spanish! The whole evening was in Spanish with an English translator. The speaker was Dan Sechrist, leader of the largest evangelical movement ever in Spain, challenging Hispanics to help evangelize Spain.

Morgan Hill has many things of which to be proud. Let us all focus on the things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely. If there be any virtue, if there be any praise, let us think on these things as we work to correct things that are wrong.