CChhhuuuccckkk SSmmmiiittthh - The Spectrum Magazine ...

The Spectrum . Redwood City's Monthly Magazine
As I Was Saying ...
As I Was Saying ...
By
Steve Penna
Publisher
After all the speculation on what his next
political move would be, San Mateo County
Sheriff Don Horsley will officially be taking
on Art Faro, Jack Hickey and John Oblak for one
of three seats available in this November’s Sequoia
Healthcare District Board election. One might
wonder why, after retiring from his office, he would
choose to seek such a low-profile seat? Well, let’s
try and figure this out. First, there is no question
that Horsley will seek a higher office someday, most
likely on the Board of Supervisors, so keeping his
name out there is a must. Second, handing out millions
of dollars each year to deserving groups and individuals
is not such a bad gig. Third, he is interested in the
welfare of those who need medical services and cannot
afford them and advocates in favor of automated defibrillators
for use by emergency personnel, so he might
be able to garner the much-needed funds to support
those issues.
Election prediction — Unquestionably the most powerful
politician in San Mateo County, Horsley will be
elected to the seat as the top vote-getter and will
unseat Oblak.
* * * *
Council watchers are already talking about next year’s
City Council election. Up for re-election in the
November 2007 race will be Rosanne Foust, Barbara
Pierce and Ian Bain. Janet Borgans has been mentioned
as a possible candidate, but given the fact that
all three incumbents will be seeking another term, that
talk might be fruitless.
* * * *
After a 3-2 vote, the Sequoia Union High School
District Board of Trustees has granted almost 200
Sequoia Union high school seniors the opportunity to
participate in this year’s graduation ceremonies even
though they did not pass the required California High
School Exit Exam, which is a graduation requirement.
During the vote discussion, the trustees differed on
holding those student accountable. As Sally Stewart
stated, “This is a clear sign that the system isn’t functioning.
Why punish the kids for a system failure?”
Olivia Martinez countered, “We’ve made it so easy
for people to not need to learn English in our culture.
... Is it our job to give diplomas to people who don’t
even speak English? I don’t think so. Our mission is to
teach English.” I could not agree more! If the “system”
is failing, what is this board doing to fix it? If students
are graduating without the ability to speak English,
isn’t this board enabling their failure in the real word?
These youths need to be held accountable and so does
the “system.” Isn’t that what elections are for?
(continued on page 36)
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