Dragon Smirk

To the Editor,
I just got home from the San Benito City Commission meeting that went on tonight (2-1-11), and let me tell you I was very upset as to the way our mayor responded in regards to the logos on the water tower on Williams Road.

Right away his comments and smirking laughter on even thinking of putting a Dragons logo on the tower was a big “no.”

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with putting it along with the San Benito Greyhound on the opposite side. IDEA does pay taxes to the city; if I’m not mistaken they are planning on building a high school in the future.

There needs to be growth in this city and no need for one-sided minds. Congratulations to Mr. Gonzales for speaking up and trying to do what’s right for the city, and it’s unfortunate that some members are trying to keep things from him and only do what they want to do.

Citizens, get involved, attend the meetings and have a voice other than Mr. Gonzales.

P.S. Good job on deciding to try to find a place for the food pantry, they deserve a much better and safer building. Mrs. Garcia and her volunteers do so much for this city, in helping our hungry and needy. Keep fighting Commissioners Gonzales and Sanchez.
Reneé Cavazos
San Benito

Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2011/01/26/doggone-problems/

30 comments

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    • Descendant of First SB Citizens on June 4, 2014 at 8:45 pm
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    I am saddened to see how San Benito has evolved. Everyone has an agenda, and that puts a damper on everything. We should be proud of San Benito, one of the first towns to be developed here. My great grandparents were among the first citizens who pitched tents in the midst of undeveloped land. They helped clear the land and make way for the town that is here today. We should be proud that we people like Freddy Fender and Bobby Morrow lived in our town. Why not honor them both on the Water Tower. We live in a city that is rich in culture, with foods, music, and people unique to only our area. Focus people, from the outside, San Benito does not look good.

      • Mr. and Mrs. Taxpayer on June 5, 2014 at 2:35 pm
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      @Descendant of First SB Citizens……..Unfortunately, you make make a very valid point.

      From any angle you look at it, the politics within the city of San Benito and the image of the city itself do not impress anybody outside the city limits. San Benito voters just recycle the same people with no business education, training, etc. Common sense just does not cut it.

      Running for political office is like applying for a job (in this case without pay). However, in San Benito a resume is not required or demanded by the voters.

      Would you hire an individual to a position to approve million dollar taxpayer expenditures who has never been in a professional position to address such a decision? Would you hire an individual whose only qualification is “having common sense”.? Would you hire an individual who has been terminated, fired, or left under suspicious circumstances? As has been blogged here by other individuals, voters in San Benito elect candidates solely based on “who they are” or what they promise to do but not on what real world business experience they have.

      A 4 x 6 political sign or newspaper ad does not tell me anything important about a candidate except his or her name and the position they are running for. I am not really concerned about how long they have been married or how large the family is, or if they were born here or not.

      Leadership is what this city needs and “up to now” it was not visible in the city commission or the school board.

      The Dragon with the smirk has been replaced with a new mayor in Mayor Celeste Sanchez who appears to have a better vision for San Benito.

      Her resume of accomplishments and real world business experience is the reason she was overwhelmingly elected by the voters. She not only “talked the talk”, she “walked the talk”. A strong resume with a solid education is what gets you a good job NOT just “common sense”.

      However, as depressing as it sounds repeating it, as long as “the good-old-boy” network remains in power at the city commission, the city is doomed to remain stagnant.

      However, the good news is I believe there will be another election next year.

  1. For those of you that do not know the definition of community…
    Definition of COMMUNITY

    1
    : a unified body of individuals: as
    a : state, commonwealth
    b : the people with common interests living in a particular area; broadly : the area itself
    c : an interacting population of various kinds of individuals (as species) in a common location
    d : a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society
    e : a group linked by a common policy
    f : a body of persons or nations having a common history or common social, economic, and political interests
    g : a body of persons of common and especially professional interests scattered through a larger society
    2
    : society at large
    3
    a : joint ownership or participation
    b : common character : likeness
    c : social activity : fellowship
    d : a social state or condition
    See community defined for English-language learners »
    See community defined for kids »

  2. Definition of Community:

    com·mu·ni·ty
    /kəˈmyo͞onitē/
    Noun
    A group of people living together in one place, esp. one practicing common ownership: “a community of nuns”.
    All the people living in a particular area or place: “local communities”.
    Synonyms
    society – commune – public
    A community usually shares common beliefs and a common mission. We are all human and reside in the same community.
    The need for all of this animosity is unnecessary and if you chose to send your child to IDEA, SBCISD, private school, etc. that is the option of the parent. If the school district does not want to continue to “LOOSE” students then perhaps they need to re-evaluate the leaders they have in place and their successes as well as their failures as any other successful business or organizations.
    The students that are served at IDEA, private schools, etc. are still “CHILDREN” of the community. It is amazing how educated individuals can discriminate, name call, or distinguish children from one another depending on where they attend school.
    SHAME ON ALL OF YOU THAT DO THIS!!!!!!!

    • Out with the Old on October 21, 2012 at 3:11 pm
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    I love your comments people! I totally agree about San Benito POliticians being quack! San Benito will never turn into a productive city because these “politicians” care only about themselves, raspas, hiring, refiring, and prestige…that’s sad for us citizens.Theres more to san benito than just being a greyhound…ok? get over it!
    Let’s revitalize Sam HOuston shops. Bring restraunts, stores to San Benito. Turn Stonewall into a school or a community gathering center. Bring jobs to our community. Bring a Ross store to SB. Panda express, Chick fil A, Bring money into SB.
    But no, the San Benito Chisme (no disrespect to our newspaper staff), needs to stop giving these chismes importance…I seriously don’t give a hoot about Raspas Scandals, makes me want to tear the paper into pieces and request my 50 cents back.
    But I honestly believe that we citizens who posted on here, need to make a stand. Run for city election and get all these selfish and corrupt individuals out of office, so that San Benito can grow. and stop with all the chisme.

    1. As I stated on your Facebook comment, if you consider the indictment of a sitting mayor to be “chisme,” then we have very different views as to what should be reported in the paper. So if we had it your way, this information wouldn’t have been reported? It’s a good thing informing the public is entrusted to us, not you. And I’m sorry, but all sales of the paper are final.

    • Ready for Two on October 10, 2012 at 12:16 pm
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    Let’s let go of this “Greyhound Pride” attitude. Those who are keeping other institutions, or a second San Benito high school even, from happening are keeping this town a town. If San Benito wants to be a city, then it needs to be allowed to grow. San Benito High School is busting out at the seams, yet no one will even consider breaking out to two high schools…. Goodness forbid that the “greyhounds” will be split! Until San Benito consistently produces professional football players, or college football players for that matter, this “Greyhound Pride” matter needs to end. By the way, why does a WATER TOWER belong to a school mascot? Freddy Fender would be offended.

    • Ready for Two on October 10, 2012 at 12:12 pm
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    This “Greyhound Pride” and “solidarity” attitude is what causes the high school campus to be busting at the seams! San Benito is growing. Institutions are expanding. Why does the WATER TOWER belong to the school mascot anyway???? This is what is keeping this city from expanding to two high schools? If the city is adament about reserving the water tower for school mascots, then let’s go ahead and leave the other side for our second high school and give this “Greyhound Pride” a break already! Until we consistently produce NFL football players (or college players, for that matter), football cannot be a reason for one huge high school and one mascot!

    • Lisa on May 30, 2012 at 1:13 pm
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    Its about being open minded to other possibilities not being stuck in one era. Idea may or may not be a good school everyone has their own opinion the meaning of this article I think is to show people that there other faces to san benito. Some of u should be ashamed of yourselfs for insulting our students they are our future and some of you are bringing them down. I guess you feel more like an adult bullying someone younger than u! But I guess it doesn’t. Really matter anymore because garcia is out! Lol

    • Proud Idea Parent on March 29, 2012 at 1:01 pm
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    I find some of your comments pretty offensive. My son goes to Ideas and I find it to be a vary good school. He was not screened before enrollment and he does bring homework home. He is in 2nd grade and learning at a 4th grade level. @ David.. who wants their child pombarded with homework on a daily basis? Im a mother, and I know how hard it is to get home, get cleaned up, put dinner on the table, and then try to finish hours of homwork with your child… it must be your wife sitting at that table with your son!

    I think the Dragon logo would be a great idea but I can see where the problem is, the city didn’t even want to let us enter the Homecoming parade. I graduated from San Benito and a proud Greyhound but it is beyond me how some people can be so closed minded. The real problem is Ideas is taking SBISD students away and that only means less money for the school district. I only want to best education for my son and so far Ideas is proving that.

      • proud sb parent on May 21, 2012 at 10:47 am
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      so much for once a grey hound always a grey hound.
      and as for putting the dragon logo on the water tower i think not. why do the many always have to conform to the little and as far as taxes being paid you can not compare the taxes that the people of San Benito pay to that of what IDEA pays. as long as i have been here they have always had a grey hound on the water tower in question and it should stay like that.

      as far as entering the homecoming parade the only reason they did not let you in is because you did not fill in the registration in time.

      IDEA is a magnet school like the science academy, Med Tech, Med High, Beta and so on they only want the best students, and if a student causes minor trouble that student is sent back to the district that they are from where SBCISD has to teach all students where they are good, or bad. Maybe if they changed there name to San Benitos Idea academy you could win more people to your plee. just sayin

    • Ray on February 12, 2012 at 2:47 pm
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    I personally dont think the Dragon/Grehound mascot or anybody likeness should be up there .But that being said,let the City of San Benito save money on the expense or just paint the official “City Logo .” It is The City of San Benito ,,i would of laughed too. Arent there bigger issues in the city/world people ?

    • Jeronimo on February 8, 2012 at 3:04 pm
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    First off, IDEA shouldn’t put their logo on a Greyhound water tower! And no it is not the school district’s fault for students failing the state exams and what not. It is the parents’ fault for not overseeing that the students actually pay attention and do their work! Do you really think it is the teachers’ faults? The same teachers that are there now were there when the school was recognized. Also, if IDEA is so much better than the public school systems, then why do parents complain that something bad happened to their students and yet the IDEA police never made an official report? It is because they are covering up the fact that it is no better than San Benito High School. Especially since students at the high school are able to get just as many, if not more college credit hours than any other campus in the Valley. Furthermore, San Benito is known for purple and gold, and Greyhound pride… I am more than sure Freddy Fender wouldn’t like his picture up next to a dragon!

    • Two Cents Worth on February 8, 2012 at 5:41 am
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    Sit back and think about this . . . Yes, in theory, IDEA should be producing the better students academic-wise, and maybe it is. The educated parents who are fluent in English see the positive side of IDEA vs. our local schools, and thus, take advantage of enrolling their children at IDEA. But what about the parent who does not speak and/or read English, who do not “rub shoulders” with well-educated, informed parents. They are, basically, left out of the “loop” as to the advantages of attending IDEA. IDEA’s enrollment is simply a reflection (percentage-wise) of the educated vs. the non-educated population. This is not to disparage IDEA schools, but rather to encourage discussion as to what we need to do to encourage dialogue with the non-informed parents.

    • J Kohn on February 7, 2012 at 10:27 pm
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    IDEA does NOT “screen” students… its open enrollment just like SBCISD. They allow more students to enroll than they really have to because the demand is so high. Average class size at SBCISD? 12 – 20 kids per class in the middle schools. At IDEA? 30-32 per class. Why so full? Because it’s hard to tell a parent that their kid can’t come to IDEA because they are full….

    • Luna Moon on January 29, 2012 at 1:51 pm
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    Maybe we could put a BIG SNOCONE !

      • Ray on February 12, 2012 at 2:51 pm
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      Or a big Eight-liner and dollar signs with name, Little Vegas !

    • TwoCentsWorth on September 21, 2011 at 9:45 pm
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    IDEA–Please don’t tout your excellent students’ achievements when you screen your students . . . “toot’ your horn when you have open enrollment. I know, you have limited space. Well, that’s your problem . . .

    • JR Rodriguez on August 22, 2011 at 4:15 pm
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    Mr. Strutz….I suggest you make an appointment with Mr. Moon the new principal at Ed Downs. As long as you are willing to drive your child to school, I don’t think it would be a problem for SBCISD to take your child back. I believe San Benito CISD has an open enrollment policy for all students. IDEA is a different story. I just wish the media would uncover the truth about IDEA Schools and how they are taking our kids away from our local school districts. Good luck Mr. Stutz!

      • A Concerned Citizen too on April 16, 2012 at 8:46 pm
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      Can you explain HOW IDEA is taking kids away from local school districts? Are they kidnapping them in the middle of the night? Hijacking their bus on the way to greyhound territory? Or did you decide to enroll your child in their school? It’s a CHOICE a parent should make after researching and taking into consideration the different teaching styles and whether they are right for their child. If you don’t do YOUR homework it’s not anyone else’s fault but your own.

    • David Stutz on August 18, 2011 at 10:53 am
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    Valley politics sucks that’s for sure and I’m beginning to see IDEA as an extension of those politics. I understand your concern for equal access to the water tower but my concern is for a quality education for my child at IDEA . My sons last semester at IDEA was one of hardly any homework in contrast to that never being an issue for my daughter for her 5 years at Ed Downs Elementary . If IDEA San Benito won’t give my 3rd grader sufficient homework and with Ed Downs out of our neighborhood what do I do ? I asked his new homeroom teacher her homework policy and she says ” it will be less with most of the work being done in class ” Wish I knew how to post stuff on the web that might embarrass the IDEA administration into enforcing their ” excellence ” policy. Can anyone advise me?

    • JR Rodriguez on August 16, 2011 at 12:23 pm
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    Idea Public Schools is a sham!! I made the mistake of transfering my special ed child from Ed Downs Elem to Idea only to have my child sent back to San Benito CISD. No wonder IDEA is Exemplary! Unlike San Benito CISD who has to deal with Special Ed., Migrant, students, and students of all walks of life, IDEA only caters to the cream of the crop! Thanks to my experience I have much more respect for the work being done by all San Benito CISD Employees especially in Special Ed. As for the tower, no way Jose! In San Benito we are Greyhounds not Dragons! IDEA should build their own tower that reads “IDEA…Where Special Ed Students Are Not Allowed”

      • J Kohn on February 7, 2012 at 10:30 pm
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      To JR Rodriguez: No one sent your child back to SB. YOU chose to put them back there. Trust me, IDEA does NOT have the “cream of the crop”. Having taught in SB schools for 11 years, I know what its like to teach “the cream”. Its pretty well evenly spread out among all the schools, not just IDEA.

    • FBMI on August 13, 2011 at 9:23 pm
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    Gee I wonder what the ‘New Sheriff in Town” thought about it??

    • Lori Cavazos on August 10, 2011 at 11:29 am
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    For your information they are planning to build a high school. To “A concernec citizen” I found it offense to what you said about the children, sbcisd has been dropping the ball big time when it comes to student education as far as i am concerned idea has more credability than sbcisd in providing a quality education. In miller jordan alone 13 students dropped out. They are not even meeting national scores! I went to school here and i was so proud to have graduated a greyhound but now i see the mighty sbcisd has fallen, when it comes to quality education, and i just thank schools like idea who can provide us with choice between crapy education and quality education. Final note, i don’t hear anyone complaining when idea pays their taxes to the city.

    • Proud Parents on June 26, 2011 at 12:45 pm
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    These are very sad comments to read in response to the Dragon logo. San Benito should feel privileged to have an IDEA School in San Benito. Not every school district has one and those that do are given great opportunities for their children to attend such a wonderful school.
    Yes San Benito should share the water tower with the Dragon logo, it is a school in their district that does may not share the SBISD name but does offer the cities children outstanding opportunities! Shame on those Citizens for not thinking other wise. Is this how you raise your children to think there is only one school in their community that can offer only one type of education?

    1. “proud parent” idea is an independent school therefore unless it makes a public high school too it shouldn’t be allowed to push its logo onto the water tower. On top of that Idea school is known to propagate socially backward and “not all there” children. Its fine that idea is there but if you feel like they should automatically share a spot on the water tower then its like saying we should go ahead and put all the elementary school’s logos too.

    • A Concerned Citizen on May 16, 2011 at 10:59 pm
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    I don’t think the Idea School should get to put their logo on OUR San Bentio water tower. Idea’s is not part of the school district so why should they be able to put up their dragon logo up. San Benito is know for GREYHOUND PRIDE let’s keep it that way.

      • A Concerned Citizen too on April 16, 2012 at 8:27 pm
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      So you’re saying that the water tower is owned by the school district? Well that’s news to me. Oh and it’s San B-E-N-I-T-O not Bentio, YOUR school district should have taught you that much.

    • A Concerned Citizen on May 8, 2011 at 11:28 am
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    What a stupid letter. The fact is that there is a very small percentage of the City population of students going to this ONE school. That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard of. It shows how in touch Tony Gonzales is with REALITY.

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