THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF MORGAN HILL, GILROY & SAN MARTIN
NOVEMBER 2, 2018
Wall of Wine
South Valley unveils tribute to local wine makers
SOUTH VALLEY MAGAZINE INSIDE THIS ISSUE
A supplement to the Gilroy Dispatch & Morgan Hill Times
Mural honors Wineries Santa Clara Valley
BEST BIKING P8 | BRAIN CHANGES P12 | CALERRAIN P17
POLITICAL LITTER P2 | COPS SEIZE POT P4 | $221K FOR SUPT. P9
THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF SAN BENITO COUNTY
NOVEMBER 2, 2018
ESTABLISHED 1868
Dog Park breaks ground in Aromas
BEST BIKING P8 BRAIN CHANGES P12 CALERRAIN P17
A New SV Media publication Wet Nose Wonder
SAN BENITO MAGAZINE INSIDE THIS ISSUE gilroydispatch.com • Vol. 151, No. 44 • $1
Friday, November 2, 2018
Park for pooches breaks ground in Aromas
District floats a possible school closure A supplement to the Hollister Free Lance
GUSD SAYS $4 MILLION IN BUDGET CUTS IS NEEDED By Scott Forstner Reporter
➝ GUSD, 11
Scott Forstner
Declining enrollments and increased wages and benefits could force the Gilroy Unified School District to close an elementary school by the 2020-21 school year, according to a recent staff report. “It’s very scary, frankly,” said Gilroy School Board President Linda Piceno of the possibility of closing an elementary school in Gilroy. “Declining enrollment is new to Gilroy Unified. It’s happening to more than half the districts in the county, but it is unsettling after decades of increasing enrollment in Gilroy to have declining enrollment.” About 30 miles to the north, Oak Grove School District closed three of its elementary schools before the start of this school year, citing a 15 percent drop in student enrollment. One of the main
AIRBORNE LESSON Gavilan College instructor Mike Bonillas pilots a drone Oct. 19 as three of his students observe at the Coyote Valley campus on Bailey Road. Gavilan is now offering a six-class drone certification program to students.
Gavilan drones fly COLLEGE IS ONE OF FEW TO OFFER DRONE CERTIFICATE Scott Forstner Reporter
When 21-year-old Gavilan College student Brandon Puthoff learned about the new drone program being offered at the Coyote Valley campus north of Morgan Hill, he jumped on the opportunity right
away and signed up for several classes in the six-course certificate program. “I’m hoping to make a career out of it,” said Puthoff, of Morgan Hill, who is currently enrolled in the advanced aerial photography class after completing the introductory course last semester. “The most important thing is the classes are being taught by people who are professionals in the field.”
In the same Oct. 19 class held at Gavilan’s Bailey Avenue site, 55-year-old San Jose resident Larry Gonzales was looking to parlay his previous career in software development into a new venture in the drone industry by completing the certificate program. “I’m in the process of switching careers and wanted to learn more about this industry,” said Gonzales, who holds a bachelor’s degree
in biology from San Jose State University. He started with two introductory classes and is now taking advanced aerial photography and a second in drone maintenance. Next semester, Gonzales— who had been flying drones recreationally for about five years prior—plans to take two more drone classes: Federal Aviation Administration rules and regulations as well as Sensors and Payloads. “It’s been well
worthwhile,” he said. “I’ve been refocusing what I wanted to do career-wise, and this was a natural segue into the industry.” Instructor Mike Bonillas teaches the Gavilan drone program classes and runs his own “drone solutions” business called Brilliant Perspective with longtime friend, fellow instructor and business partner Anthony Olson. ➝ Drones, 14
Poll workers train for a one-day job COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICIALS STILL IN NEED OF WORKERS FOR NOV. 6 VOTING Jaqueline McCool Reporter
6
58015 02001
0
It’s a perfect fall afternoon on the Saturday before Halloween, and the Morgan Hill Presbyterian Church is full of folding chairs and people of all ages. In just a few days, these people will be the first faces you see greeting you at the polls, as they will spend a
nearly 15-hour day as election officers in Santa Clara County. The Oct. 26 training was just one of several three-hour sessions offered to seasonal election officers by the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters in the weeks leading up to the Nov. 6 balloting. A 90-minute training is offered for more seasoned election officers who have volunteered for previous elections. While the election officers receive a stipend of up to $200, and $15 more if they are able to offer bilingual services, their
work goes beyond an average 9-to-5 day. When the first ballot is cast at 7am Nov. 6 at Santa Clara County polling places, the dedicated election officers have already been there for an hour. Election officers in Santa Clara County come from all walks of life: retirees, full-time professionals, stay-at-home mothers, enthusiastic immigrants and more. They must be 18 or older, or 16 with a parent and principal’s consent. They don’t even need to be registered voters to participate, although it is recommended.
voteblankley@gmail.com www.MarieBlankley.com 408.842.4544 Paid for by Marie Blankley for City Council FPPC # 1400066
Wendy Hudson, county election division coordinator of public and legislative affairs, said she thinks the allure of giving back to their communities inspires people to volunteer as election officers. “I don’t think it’s about money,” said Hudson. “I think it’s about civic duty.” Elenita Rudholm, who works for the election office in the precinct operation training department, agrees with Hudson. ➝ Poll workers, 2