July 30, 1999
(Letters to El Foro/The Public Forum are welcome. We ask that you utilize the "kings English" and not the gutter talk that is utilized by some. The Publisher refuses to publish letters with offensive language. Lo mismo en español, les rogamos que manden sus cartas a la Prensa en español o inglés. Recuerde que el Director no publica cartas que sean ofensivas.)
An Open Letter to Hillary Rodham Clinton
Dear Hillary Rodham Clinton;
Please listen to your fellow citizens before running for Senator in New York. We need your strength, communication skills, and qualifies to lead us into the new millennium. We need you now!·
There is no viable candidate for President except you.
A Senate seat is a dead-end with no future possibilities.
We need communication, clear, concise that will explain the issues.
The world needs non-violence and peace.
You will feed the hungry and heal the sick.
Do not be afraid. We, the people, are behind you. You will not be alone. We want you. Listen to us.
Ibar Pereira
Volunteer to elect Hillary Clinton for U.S. President 2000.
Hollywood, Ca.
(Mr. Pereira is the Latino Community outreach for Max Rhodes, Chief Organizer in the Hillary for President 2000 movement. For further info call 1-800-563-1006)
Sweetwater Superintendent Receives a 12 Percent Pay Raise
Superintendent Ed Brand has received a raise in base pay from $125,000 to $140,000 from the sitting Board members. His contract has been extended to 2003. He asked and receive a new auto to replace his 2 year old Board provided automobile. Of course the taxpayers also get to pay for his gas, insurance, and maintenance.
Not only did they give him a credit card for entertainment, his wife gets a part time job at the district and they both get full benefits. Of course he gets the added perk of a $20,000 per year paid out on his million dollar life insurance policy courtesy of the Taxpayers. To sweeten the pay he will receive a longer paid vacation, a shorter work week, and all expenses paid for traveling.
Is it any wonder that they want to try and pass another School Bond for millions and millions of more dollars?
Ruth Chapman
Former Member Board of Trustees
(Comment: My, my, it never ends, does it? I wonder if the fact that Dr. Brand lives in the North County (Escondido) the reason for his pressing need for more money??? And isn't it a Board policy that all employees must live in the area where the School District is located at??? Perhaps the Brands like their children being educated in their schools instead of his??? Quien sabe.
Former Grand Jury Forman to Speak Out
Peter DiRenza, former Grand Jury Foreman, will speak at a meeting of the San Diego Action Network, Saturday July 31, 1999, at 11:00a.m. at the Joyce Beers Center, Vermont St. in Hillcrest.
Melvin Shapiro
San Diego
(Comment: Folks interested in hearing the issues from other than the Golding, Wertz, Pfingst version of reality... should attend.)
Clarification on SDSU Story On TAG
In the July 23 La Prensa you printed in the "SDSU Brokers Means to Provide Community College Students Improved Access" story on "Editors Note" that the July 9 story gave the impression that the guarantee admission policy was limited to the three community colleges listed in that story. It was not my intent to give that impression. I did stated in the article that the "TAG is available only to community college students in the San Diego and Imperial Counties. My intent was to let students in the SDCCD know the deadline for filing the paper work is Sept. 30 (which might be different in other districts), and the classes start the week of August 23 (the start date often varies from district to district) so the 50,000 SDCCD college students should act fast.
Thank you for printing the story on July 9 and the follow-up on a July 23, 1999. I hope the original story did not create any problems for you.
Barry Garron
Public Affairs Manager
San Diego Community College District
(Comments: no problems for us... Don't know if students got confused though)
G.W. Bush Works Different Than His Words
I am writing on a very important issue that faces the Hispanic community today. George W. Bush, Jr. has continuously tried to get the Hispanic community to be involved in his Presidential campaign. Living in Texas I feel that it is important for the community to know that George W. Bush's works have differed from his words.
As some of you may know hate crimes have increased against the Hispanic community in recent years. In "The Mainstreaming of Hate; A Report on Latinos and Harassment, Hate Violence, and Law Enforcement Abuse in the 90's," it notes that hate crimes against Hispanics increased from 516 in 1995 to 564 in 1996. There are also 24 Hispanic churches nationwide that are being investigated for vandalism.
However, Bush failed to support a new law in Texas that would have made such hate crimes illegal in the state of Texas. In fact he used his power to prevent the bill from passing the Texas House of Representatives so that he would not have to veto the bill himself.
So remember when George Bush, Jr. tells you that he makes a stand for the rights and advancement of the Hispanic community that we have to ask him if he does not expect to help the Hispanics in his own state, then how does he expect to do it nationally?
Craig Howard
Dallas,TX
(Comment: Good question we shall ask him if he ever agrees to speak to our editors.)
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