 On The Line -- Issue 585 -- June 2, 2006  Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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On The Line -- Issue 585 -- June 2, 2006 Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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Among the varied pleasures of living in a small community is a more personal involvement, a deeper relish, of many institutions and customs that are also a part of larger American places.
For one thing, the other participants are usually well known to us, and there is the over-riding sense of doing what our forefathers and their contemporaries did before us, and passing in on to our progeny. Two events within one week point that out and also demonstrate our link to communities of any size throughout America in their pursuit of practices that are dear to -- some would say crucial -- to the national character. The first of those two was a candidates' forum for all aspirants to county offices, co-sponsored by the San Benito County Farm Bureau and the county Chamber of Commerce at Hollister City Hall on May 24. It was well attended with standing room only to those who did not come early enough to get a seat. Most of the candidates were on hand and although they all put on a show of confidence, the majority did not take their election or re-election for granted. In even seasoned veterans of the campaign trail there is still a little voice that whispers to them, "What if?" It is a natural feeling for anyone inviting the public's confidence and is probably a good one because the voting public is one that likes to be courted. Tales are legion of the office-holder who feels that his past record is indicative of what he would do if elected and, therefore, does not campaign for the post and finds the day after election that his bright dreams are in shreds around him. Paul Hain of the Farm Bureau and Frankie Valent-Arballo of the Chamber, each with other representatives of those organizations helping, were in charge of the meeting and set the rules by which participants would abide. One somber note that everyone -- spectators as well as candidates -- acknowledged was the empty chair in the Board of Supervisors Third District race. Ron Stubblefield had died a few days earlier. It had been his entry into politics against the incumbent and another challenger, who also had experience on the board. Both incumbent Pat Loe and Richard Place spoke feelingly of him as did candidates for several other posts. Another Board race, with incumbent Reb Monaco and challengers Tracie Cone and John Hodges, also received much attention. District Attorney John Sarsfield defended his four-year record while attorneys Art Cantu and Candice Hooper offered reasons why they should be elected. That race is an unusual one in that the three were the same candidates for the post four years ago when Harry Damkar declined to seek re-election. The posts of county Treasurer and Superintendent of Schools were represented by incumbents Mary Lou Andrade and Tim Foley against their respective opponents, Jane Dabo Cruz and Dee Brown. The only non-county contest at the forum was for the 28th District seat in the state Assembly, for which incumbent Simon Salinas declined to run. Seeking the Democrat nomination is Anna Caballero, mayor of Salinas, while Ignacio Velasquez, Hollister businessman, is the sole Republican candidate. Ana Ventura Phares, Watsonville Council member, is vying with Mrs. Caballero for the Democrat nomination, but was not at the forum. Some candidates were masterful in their presentations while others were not up to their best for one reason or another. But all spoke feelingly of why they offered the top choice to the voter. It may have been that few people attending were persuaded to change their minds but forums and campaigning from door-to-door demonstrate that most candidates for public office find it necessary to woo the voter. Office-holders, no matter that some may be complacent once elected, readily acknowledge that election is still the province of the voters. On Monday, May 29, another ritual -- one underlining that the privilege of voting is hard won -- was held in front of the Veterans' Memorial Building at noon. County participants turned out again for the Memorial Day tribute to members of American military forces who died in the service of their country. Some participants had spent part of the morning to visit graves of loved ones and friends who had fallen in wars abroad. There were tears, private in some instances, and frankly flowing in others. The tombstones that seem so final to many casual observers bore names that still lived in the hearts of their families and will continue to live until everyone who remembered them as vital, living men will live. The traditional ceremony followed at Veterans' Memorial Building, with military honors and speakers. The ranks of the World War II veterans have thinned over recent years and will continue to do so but they are still remembered. The speeches and patriotic airs that are played on Memorial Day and Veterans' Day are important because they are generated by a desire to honor the dead and to keep alive the memories of the living men they once were. Any speaker will acknowledge the difficulty of putting into words the feeling that sparks them but still they try because it is the most they can do out of respect. The music played there briefly recaptures the ardor that accompanied young men off to war. The constancy of "Taps," played poignantly on a bugle, gives temporary closure to the feelings underlined on these occasions but it does not mean forgetting. The word "Memorial" on Veterans' Memorial Building says it all. As long as family and friends remember their deeds they are never wholly forgotten. And so, the flags are unfurled again and the music played for men who died too young because they chose to fight for their country and paid the ultimate cost. For those who remember them it is a necessary observance. |
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