Wrestling with the good, the bad and the silly street tree ‘crisis’

Gladdens my heart to read Sports Editor Erin Redmond’s story about the new wrestling room under construction at Gilroy High. The storied Mustang program is steeped in life lessons. The wrestlers learn about discipline, respect, commitment, competition, camaraderie and the resilient human spirit. The cache may not be the same as football, basketball or baseball, but it deserves full respect from school trustees and community, much like the GHS field hockey program. Those two programs change young lives forever for the better and are in the same category as Phil Robb’s (now retired) glorious music program.
Music to my ears is the giggle of youngest daughter Mariah who’s home for the summer from college. We had a great Father’s Day. Oldest daughter Shannon was on morning patrol, so we took the grandkids to Miss Jenny’s parents. Grandson Jackson (3) played on Bedstefar (that’s Danish for grandfather) makeshift teeter-totter, Granddaughter Tyler (18 months) independently goofed around inside and out and we all sat down outside California style for a family breakfast. Meanwhile, my low-and-slow brisket was done and waiting. Watched the U.S. Open Golf Tourney, rooted for Phil to win, then played the bean bag toss game called “corn hole” on the back lawn. Shannon and the grandkids came over with one of those sentimental finger paintings as a gift. Ended the night opening a couple of touching cards and making myself a nightcap while watching BBQ Pitmasters on TV. And it’s funny that on the day everyone doesn’t want me to do the dishes or would happily relieve me of BBQ duties, that’s really what I want to do. It’s part of being a Dad, part of me. It makes me happy and it’s the most satisfying aspect of my life.
I’m sure that Rachael Boxwell’s Dad and Mom feel lucky as well. She wrote me one of the most thoughtful thank you notes after an interview session that St. Mary School holds every year where community members come in and interview graduating 8th grade students. It’s a great idea – community members get to meet and talk to young people about their lives and dreams and the students are pushed beyond their comfort zones and learn to work on their interview skills. So, thanks for the thank you Rachael and enjoy the summer before high school. Here’s a dopey secret from my past. Being somewhat of a renegade, I wore a Neru jacket to my 8th grade graduation from St. Joseph’s. Some decisions you just can’t escape.
Now, I’m not sure Gilroy has to escape from the winner of the $50,000 Shark Tank competition. Yet, while I know that it’s all the rage, I’m just not quite sure that a blow dry bar hair salon is what’s going to fluff up downtown Gilroy. On the other hand, the judges – Katherine Filice, Amber Madrone and Jose Montes – are sharp and successful business people. Plus, Heather Pacheco and her husband Mark presented a thorough plan, so maybe it’s just the ticket to diversify downtown and help steer our downtown in the right direction with a more upscale offering.
On that downtown note, I have to wholeheartedly agree with Gary Walton on his point regarding trees and the downtown. He writes: “With all the benefits of trees, why would the city replace the two decent-sized magnolia trees on Martin Street that were recently cut down as part of the new sidewalk work with puny 2-inch crepe myrtles? In no sense of the word should a crepe myrtle be considered a street tree! I vote to make downtown a crepe myrtle (as a street tree) free zone.” Second that. Drive on Monterey north into downtown Morgan Hill and you can see and “feel” the difference. The larger and still growing trees have a calming influence and contribute to a real sense of place. Often, Gilroy whines about “Well, we never had a Redevelopment Agency like Morgan Hill …” Time to get over it. Morgan Hill never had an outlet mall spewing tax dollars into City Hall, either, and, until recently, didn’t have the auto dealers and the accompanying sales tax. Gilroy has to get smarter about aesthetics. How about a new slogan? Aesthetics matter. Besides local jobs, making our city more attractive and keeping it that way should top the list.
Garlic Festival good guys are contributing to that – again. More trees (and thus shade) on the ranch side of Christmas Hill Park have been planted and the picnic area near the children’s playground on the main is getting a total makeover just in time for the July 26, 27 and 28 event thanks to the G-Fest Board under the direction of this year’s Volunteer President Dennis Harrigan. Honestly, sometimes I wonder if the City of Gilroy shouldn’t adopt the brilliant organizational model conceived by the late Rudy Melone, former president of Gavilan College and co-founder of our fest, now in it’s 35th year and going strong. The volunteer board turns over every two years, there’s a group of past presidents called on to provide perspective and wisdom and a new leader every year who works with the small but mighty staff. Could we, should we, rewrite the city charter?
Reach Editor Mark Derry at

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