Boo. You may think it odd to start a column with a single word, but my curiosity led to research that informs us “boo” is one of the most uttered words in the American lexicon, used both to scare others and show displeasure. The word has been in use for some 500 years and is, according to some, Scottish in origin, while others say it is a Greek word meaning “to cry aloud, roar, or shout.” Whatever the origin, it seems the Italian opera attendees used the word quite vociferously starting in the 18th century, and it caught on around the globe.
There is more linguistic explanation from experts dealing with a hard “b” sound followed by a “roaring oo sound.” They point out such a combination can startle or scare while also mimicking the sound of an unhappy calf. However, we can forego all that and just agree that when we dislike something, we boo it.
Now, what, you ask, does that have to do with elections? Well, here is the segue: I listened (not live, no TV service) to Barack Obama speak at last week’s Democratic National Convention. When he said something about the Republican opposition candidate, the audience immediately joined together with loud booing. Mr. Obama quickly intoned, “Don’t boo, vote; don’t boo, vote!”
That was a watershed moment for me, as it seems that for the most part, both parties spend way too much time badmouthing their opponent instead of laying out concise political actions to be taken on some very serious matters now facing our country. Therefore, it would behoove the citizenry to concentrate more on what a candidate will do if elected, not what they did prior to this election year. We, the people, the voters, would do well to educate ourselves and then vote our conscience rather than harangue those of opposite opinion and then stay home on election day. Our one vote is the single greatest franchise we have with our government, and we all need to exercise that right. Though that may sound like preaching to the choir, it is evident that some of the choir isn’t listening, as statistics show many voters do not make it to the polls.
Let us look, very briefly, at what local elections concern Greenfield and King City (I’ll let my columnist colleagues deal with Gonzales and Soledad). There are six entities seeking to fill 14 seats come November, all of which have a direct impact on county and city residents. Without mentioning those individuals currently in those seats or those seeking to fill the seats, here is a rundown: Monterey County Office of Education Governing Board Area 5, which includes Greenfield and King City; Greenfield Union School District and King City Union School District, and San Ardo Union School District all have one seat open, while San Lucas Union School District has one 4-year seat and one 2-year seat.
In city government, Greenfield City Council has three seats to be filled, as does the city council here in King City. The Greenfield Fire Protection District will elect a director, as will the Monterey Peninsula Water Management in District 3, which covers South County.
There are six measures to appear on the ballot, and with these, I will offer a quick look at what each entails. Five of these measures deal specifically with King City and Greenfield residents, and the sixth with county residents of unincorporated areas. The Southern Monterey County Joint Union High School District (which includes Greenfield High School and King City Joint Union High School and is the longest district name in California, but I digress) is asking voters in Measures H and I for authorization of $35 million in bonds to generate $26 million in funds for needed and required upgrades to virtually all buildings and infrastructures.
King City Union School District (Del Rey Elementary, Santa Lucia Elementary, Chalone Peaks Middle School, Arts Magnet School, and Early Education Center) has Measures K and L. The former asks for authorization of $19.8 million in bonds to generate $1,400,000 annually for building repairs and upgrades, and the latter measure will provide increased school safety and accessibility for disabled students and update technology if voters approve $21.6 million in bonds to generate $1,500,000 annually.
There is also Measure T on the ballot here in King City, which I will address in a later column after some vocal locals supply me with their arguments in favor. Lastly, the County of Monterey has Measure AA, which seeks a 1% increase in transition and use taxes from unincorporated area voters to provide $29 million annually for myriad upgrades and maintenance issues.
All the above comes from the Monterey County Elections Department’s website and includes fiscal impact information as well as pro and con arguments. I encourage all voters to research candidates and measures and then exercise your franchise and vote. Please vote.
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In the past few days, many of us with more than six decades behind us have gathered for either funerals or celebrations of life to say goodbye to family or friends. And, true to old people form, we engage in talk about our various physical and medical problems. In our youth, most of us heard our grandparents and other elders talk about their aged infirmities and told ourselves we would never go that route. But decades later, our complaints of failing knees and hips and backs and who-knows-what-all are accepted as part of life. However, when I hear of a young person afflicted, it really upsets me.
I know a young lady, have known her since she was a kid, whose boyfriend, a big, strong young man, is facing months or years of rehabilitation after being afflicted with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. To Jackson, I say “Be tough, stay the course,” and to Kelly, “Stay strong, and this too shall pass.” Take care. Peace.
