Addressing boisterous, long PVUSD meetings
What occurred at the PVUSD board meeting last month should never have happened. Trustee Joy Flynn’s response to a shout from the crowd about “blood on your hands” posed no threat, and was likely a reference to a belief that cutting mental health positions may result in violence or suicide.
Clearing the room because of this comment was unnecessary, but it also came after numerous interruptions by people in the crowd and obscene gestures by a union official. I recommend that in the future that attendees sign a document acknowledging that they will be given an opportunity to speak, but that any disruptions could result in them being removed and possibly arrested. Legal counsel can draft such a document.
These meetings are too long with many speakers repeating what has already been said. When meetings go beyond a reasonable time three things happen: Productivity declines with each passing hour and patience decreases. Long meetings also discourage people’s participation, as not everyone is able to attend meetings that go six to eight hours. The board should look at ways to shorten the meetings without violating state laws. Our trustees are essentially volunteers with jobs and families that also need their attention. Meetings that go beyond midnight are a burden on them as well as to the community.
With new leadership on the board, it is time to make those changes.
Gil Stein
Aptos
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Praise for Venezuela strike
President Trump’s heroic military strike on Jan. 3, which captured Nicolás Maduro, was a resounding victory for justice, freedom and American security.
Maduro’s brutal narco-terrorist regime devastated Venezuela, flooding U.S. streets with deadly drugs and forcing over 7 million to flee starvation and tyranny. Indicted by the DOJ in 2020—a pursuit upheld under Biden—this despot’s removal crushes transnational crime and halts authoritarian rot in our backyard.
Venezuelans everywhere are erupting in ecstatic celebrations, proving the righteousness of this liberation. In Caracas, crowds dance with tears of joy, setting off fireworks and chanting thanks to Trump. Miami’s streets pulse with honks, flags, and “Somos libres” cries; Buenos Aires, Madrid, Santiago, and Ecuador overflow with jubilant rallies. Even exiles do the “Trump dance,” hailing America’s bold stand.
This decisive action restores hope and Venezuelan sovereignty. Ignore the critics—the oppressed’s thunderous cheers echo: history salutes this as freedom’s triumph.
Michael Lelieur
Santa Cruz
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