Around Town … with Robert Airoldi: Water district receives permit to begin project that will eliminate flooding

Click here to find more stories published in the April 3 – 16, 2019 issue of Gilroy Life

Little Llagas Creek in Morgan Hill

The long-awaited Upper Llagas Flood Protection Project has passed a major hurdle. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) a permit which clears the way to start construction by this summer

Ultimately, the project will provide flood protection to about 1,100 homes, 500 businesses and more than 1,300 acres of ag lands.

Valley Water Board Member John Varela is elated about starting construction. “At 13.9-miles, this is one of the largest flood protection projects we’ve ever tackled. Gone will be the days of frequent flooding in Gilroy, Morgan Hill, and San Martin,” he told us.

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Are you a young person — or do you know a young person — interested in a possible career in public service? The office of Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman offers full-time and part-time unpaid internships to see first-hand how local government works.

“High school, college, and graduate students as well as non-students are encouraged to apply,” said Wasserman who represents District 1, which includes South Valley. “Interns can expect to learn how a county supervisor’s office operates. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills and an interest in local government.”

To apply, visit www.sccgov.org/sites/d1/Pages/Supervisor-Mike-Wasserman.aspx and send your cover letter, completed internship application and resume to: [email protected]. For more information, call (408) 299-5010.

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There’s some good news coming from the library. If you can’t get there during the week, the Gilroy library is now open from 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays.

“I am proud of our most recent accomplishment offering seven-days-a-week service for all of our libraries,” said Santa Clara County Supervisor and Library Joint Powers Authority Board Chairman Mike Wasserman. “Learning does not stop during weekends, so why should libraries?” Good point, Mike.

And if you have overdue fines, the library system is holding a second round of its Food for Fines program in which patrons can waive up to $100 in fines and fees in exchange for a non-perishable food donation of any amount. In its initial month-long offering in 2018, the equivalent of nearly 30,000 meals were collected for the food insecure in partnership with Second Harvest of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.

Last year’s program saw thousands of library patrons take part, with nearly $150,000 in fines and fees waived. More than 5,300 individuals were able to zero out their account balances thanks to Food for Fines.

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Stuart Hults

Congratulations to Stuart Hults, California School Employees Association; Vania Alvarez, Gilroy Federation of Paraeducators; Connie Mendoza, Gilroy Teachers Association  and Patricia Pelino, Management, who are the award recipients of the Employee Recognition Program.

The vision and goal of the program, developed by Superintendent Debbie Flores and the Board of Trustees, is to recognize the valuable contributions to the district’s students, schools and community by staff members. Unlike traditional programs, GUSD’s program allows any staff member, regardless of position and bargaining unit, to nominate another staff person for their contributions and hard work.

Hults (CSEA), Mechanic for the GUSD Transportation Department, nominated by Supervisor Trish Tice and colleagues Cory Samuelson and Fabiola Mateos Rivera, for 31 years of service and his support for school bus drivers and the students of Gilroy Unified School District.

Vania Alvarez

Alvarez (GFP), Special Education Paraeducator at Ascension Solorsano Middle School, nominated by Special Education teacher, Jenna Gutierrez, because she is the epitome of someone who goes above and beyond to help foresee the needs of the students and staff.

Connie Mendoza

Mendoza (GTA), dual immersion third grade teacher at Rod Kelley Elementary School nominated by third grade teacher, Jennifer Roderick, for her patience and sense of humor that helps her team get through the tough days, as well as her willingness to listen to new ideas and ability to share inspiring ideas.

Patricia Pelino

Pelino (Management), Principal of Eliot Elementary School, nominated by Eliot Lit Facilitator, Reilly McBride for her drive to find ways to improve as a leader or improve her school site. She is always striving for success and high achievement for all and models that attitude when speaking with colleagues and students.

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Do you love to cook with garlic? Then enter the 41st Annual Great Garlic Cook-Off Recipe Contest in which amateur chefs from around the country are invited to submit their best original garlic recipes. Eight finalists will be selected to compete on stage at the Gilroy Garlic Festival Saturday, July 27, for the coveted garlic crown and a cash prize. Applications must be submitted online by May 1, 2019.

The winner receives $3,000, with second place receiving $1,500.

Complete contest rules and the application are available at gilroygarlicfestival.com/festival/cooking-events/great-garlic-cook-off/. Applications must be received no later than 4 p.m. May 1. Submissions should be provided in recipe form and accompanied by a photograph of the final dish. Entries are limited to two recipes per person. Complete contest rules are at gilroygarlicfestival.com.