By JACOB LOPEZ
Jacob Lopez
Editor
Editor@sbnewspaper.com
We’re always learning. That’s something that stuck with me this week after I spoke with new superintendent of schools Dr. Puig.
Every day, I’m learning something new about San Benito, or the many challenges of running a newspaper that prints twice a week. It can be difficult. It can definitely be stressful, but it’s great to know that one day, these newspapers will be a part of recorded history. Our job is to do our best to keep tabs on all those happenings. Again, it all comes with a learning curve.
Puig is also in a position where he will have to learn things about his new city every day. On Thursday, he spoke with Heather (my reporter) and me about the challenges ahead – the challenges that drew him to San Benito in the first place.
He was very welcoming of the San Benito News, greeted us with a smile and was open to questions we had about his new job, even when it came to those that aren’t fun to answer such as underperforming campuses in SBCISD.
“I knew what I was getting into,” he said when I asked him why he’d leave his old home and take on the challenges he faces at a new school district in a new place.
It was our first official meeting, but I truly hope this is the kind of relationship the News can maintain with Dr. Puig and the District as a whole. He was open and he was willing to answer our questions. Again, he knew what he was signing up for.
We do our best to play fair. When we call someone we hope they will do the same. If there’s no answer, we’ll call again. If that doesn’t work, we will visit in person. Those are all things we do in hopes of providing the coverage the people of San Benito deserve.
Are there times that people don’t like the news that’s being reported? Of course, but that’s still not a valid reason for any public official to avoid us. As our reporter mentioned in her column, Heather Hopes, the city manager has been difficult to get ahold of in recent weeks. It’s not that we haven’t tried; he just hasn’t been interested in talking lately.
I get it. There are certain things regarding the City that are hard to talk about, but these are things every municipality, elected official and public figure has to deal with. Again, you know what you’re getting into.
It’s time to acknowledge any problems and face them head-on. It’s better to stand in front of controversy and own up to problems than it is to hide behind them. Sure, it stings a bit at first, but it helps you in the long run.
If I was a resident of San Benito, is this the way I would be treated as well? Would I be given the runaround? I hope that San Benito taxpayers ask themselves these same questions.
It’s time to step up, folks. Be heard. For everyone’s sake.
I’m sure I will catch some flak from someone at the City for this column. Then again, I knew what I was signing up for.
So please, give us a call and tell us the City’s side of the story. We’re still open to hearing it. Saying “no comment” is a lame answer, but it’s much better than no answer at all.
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1 comments
Yes, that’s how you would be treated — and worse. You will realize this the more you speak out against them.
There is a divide in SB between the city admin/commission and the people of this community that just doesn’t have to exist. A sense of entitlement and superiority by the former with a complete lack of respect for the latter. I suspect it will get better under Mayor Sanchez, but only after the voters purge the remaining holdovers from Mayor Hernandez’ commission and they restructure the administration. And replace the city attorney.
A governing body is only as good as its legal advisor, however, and with the arrogance of the city attorney described by Heather Cox in her editorial, it is easy to see where the administration and commission get it. Because the law allows it has very little to do with what the people want. The law also allows for and encourages open government with the inclusion of the governed, not the exclusion. We don’t have that in this community and it’s only gotten worse under this attorney.
Please continue to hold them accountable. Praise the city when it deserves it but call out those who do not. The greatest service you can provide this community is keeping all of us honest and accountable.