THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF MORGAN HILL, GILROY & SAN MARTIN
AUGUST 31, 2018
A supplement to the Gilroy Dispatch & Morgan Hill Times
Local company has edge on winery circuit P2
California Passport Tours drives the wine trail
SOUTH VALLEY MAGAZINE INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Winning Wine Tours LIMELIGHT THEATER P6 | SEPTEMBER CYCLING P13
WATER DISTRICT FACES CAMPSITES P2 | CITY HAS PLANS TO ‘CALM’ TRAFFIC P4 | SCHOOL TRUSTEE PULLS OUT OF RACE P13
THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF SAN BENITO COUNTY
ESTABLISHED 1868
Terra Cultura builds community Family says officers beat man who died A supplement to the Hollister Free Lance | August 31, 2018
A New SV Media publication
SAN BENITO MAGAZINE INSIDE THIS151, ISSUE gilroydispatch.com • Vol. No. 35 • $1
Friday, August 31, 2018
Abundant Acreage
Aromas-based Terra Cultura grows community P2
LIMELIGHT THEATER P6 | SEPTEMBER CYCLING P13
CITY IS CALLED RESPONSIBLE FOR DEATH OF STEVIE JUAREZ, SAYS CLAIM FOR DAMAGES Michael Moore Reporter
➝ Juarez Claim, 9
Barry Holtzclaw
The family of Steven Juarez, who died Feb. 25 during a struggle with Gilroy police officers, has filed a claim for damages with City Hall. The claim was filed on behalf of Juarez’ five sons—three of whom are minors—as well as his wife and mother, by San Jose attorney Alfredo Morales. The claim is likely the first step toward further litigation in Superior Court, as the family is requesting damages in “an amount that would place it within the general jurisdiction of the Superior Court” of California, the claim states. Juarez, known to his family and friends as “Stevie,” died Feb. 25 after Gilroy Police officers attempted to arrest him on the 7400 block of Chestnut Street in Old Gilroy. Police department spokesmen have said up to seven officers attempted
ON THE LOOKOUT Gilroy officers look for ‘active shooter’ in training exercise at Gilroy Gardens.
Training stirs Gardens GILROY PD STAGES ‘ACTIVE SHOOTER’ EXERCISES AT EMPTY GILROY GARDENS Michael Moore Reporter
On receiving reports of shots fired and several people injured at Gilroy Gardens on Highway 152, every available Gilroy police officer starts to arrive at the scene,
followed by firefighters and paramedics. As the watch commanders and battalion chiefs set up their central command post in Parking Lot A, the first wave of officers tactically yet briskly runs into the family amusement park, guns drawn, with “a mission to eliminate the threat.” This was the scenario at an Aug. 23 “active shooter” training exercise organized by Gilroy police at the west Gilroy theme park. The police radio chatter sounded real: “One suspect
down, detaining now…multiple injuries…reports of possible second shooter.” Officers, using paint pellets as ammo, “shot” a suspect armed with a gun—a stuffed, dressed mannequin—that had been standing over the bodies of “victims” (also stuffed mannequins). Unsure if there were additional shooters in the park, another wave of armed officers entered the “warm zone” to secure the area surrounding the wounded, so helmeted paramedics could
follow and safely treat anyone still alive. Gilroy Police Sgt. Geoff Guerin said that after the victims are stabilized or carried away from immediate danger, police can begin to blanket the park and its surroundings, searching the grid to locate the other suspect or confirm there was only one shooter. “The majority of these cases are single-shooter,” said Gilroy Police Sgt. Lamonte Toney, ➝ Active Shooter, 11
Union boss: ‘Strike is not inevitable’ By Scott Forstner Reporter
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Gilroy teachers are holding out hope that they won’t strike, that a deal can get done by Sept. 14, when union and district negotiators are scheduled to hear the results of a fact-finding report. “A strike is not inevitable,” Gilroy Teachers Association
President Jonathan Bass said this week. “Whether a strike occurs depends on whether an agreement can be reached prior to or during the fact-finding hearing.” However, with a possible teacher strike looming, Gilroy Unified School District leadership is taking precautions, beginning the recruitment process for 250 substitute teachers to fill in for GTA teachers; and financing the production of an informational video on what to expect during a teacher strike.
“GUSD’s preparations simply mean GUSD is taking GTA’s strike threat seriously,” said Bass, whose members voted in June to authorize a strike if their demands are not met. “GTA is disappointed at the energy and financial resources that GUSD is pouring into hitting back against a possible strike. GTA would prefer that GUSD’s effort focus on making a fair contract offer.” GTA members, among the lowest paid in Santa Clara County school districts, have
been working without a contract since the previous three-year deal expired in June 2017. The two sides remain far apart, with the union requesting a 6 percent pay hike and 5 percent boost in the district’s health care contribution, and the district standing pat at a 2 percent pay raise and no additional healthcare contribution. In the interim, the district has posted a need for “special ➝ Strike, 4
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GILROY TEACHERS ARE STILL WITHOUT A NEW CONTRACT