February 8, 2008

NEWS BRIEFS

Volunteers critically needed at the polls for Feb. 5 election

The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters still needs over 1,000 citizens to volunteer to serve as Election Officers in the February 5th Presidential Primary Election. This is the first time that the Presidential Primary Election has been held this early and that has made recruiting Election Officers more challenging.

Election Officers are needed throughout the county, especially the areas of Cupertino, Saratoga, Mountain View and Gilroy. There is also a critical need for over 100 Spanish bilingual Election Officers.

Anyone who is registered to vote in the state of California can become an Election Officer. Election Officers are paid a stipend of $95.00 or more. They can also earn an extra stipend for bilingual skills. Bilingual Election Officers must be fluent in English and one of the following federally mandated languages: Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese and Tagalog.

Experience is not necessary as training is provided.

High school students who would like to be involved in the election process can participate in the Student Election Officer Program. Students must be at least 16 years old with a minimum 2.5 grade point average, receive permission from their school and parents or guardians. Student Election Officers have the same responsibilities and receive the same stipends as other Election Officers.

For more information, call:

English: 299-POLL [7655]
Spanish: (408) 282-3095
Vietnamese: (408) 282-3097
Chinese: (408) 282-3086
Tagalog: (408) 535-3916
Students: (408) 282-3091

PFC Solia completes basic training

Army Pfc. Timena A. Solia has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises.

She is the daughter of Kuka and Bernadette Solia of Flintmore Court, San Jose, CA.

Solia is a 2005 graduate of Mount Pleasant High School, San Jose.

Gilroy Gardens to hire 500 seasonal associates

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park will be accepting ap-plications and conducting on-site interviews for the 2008 season during the park’s annual job fair Feb. 9 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The job fair is open to both re-hires and new applicants at least 15 years of age and older looking for seasonal employment at Gilroy Gardens.

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park will be hiring nearly 500 seasonal associates in a variety of departments including Rides, Food Service, Admissions, Janitorial and Merchandise. Interviews will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Gilroy Gardens is located off Hwy. 152 in Gilroy, CA., just west of Hwy 101. Interested applicants should enter through the Gardens’ front entrance and follow the signs to the Events Plaza.

Call (408) 840-7110 or visit http://www.gilroygardens.org for more information.

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the No.1 employer of youths in the South Bay. Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

New fire station to be discussed at upcoming D8CRT meeting

Come and share your views about the design for Fire Station 36 at the next District 8 Community Round Table meeting. Public Works official David Printy will discuss the design for the new fire station at the D8CRT's Feb. 12 meeting. Other topics for the upcoming meeting will include an update on the new Neighborhoods Commission and the Envision 2040 General Plan process.

Everyone who lives or works in District 8 is invited to join the D8CRT, which focuses on issues of interest to the District 8 community. The next District 8 Community Round Table meeting will be held on Feb. 12 at the Evergreen Branch Library from 7-9 p.m. For more details on the D8CRT, visit the Yahoo User Group site at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/D8C_RoundTable/.

Republican Club reviews initiatives and propositions

By Gary Hill
Special to the Times

Dr. Gloria Hom explained the issues on the election ballot to the Republican Club at its Jan. 29 meeting. Dr. Hom is an excellent speaker and her analysis made the 120 attendees feel well-informed about how to vote.

Dr. Hom, now retired, was a professor at Mission College and was named “Outstanding Educator of America.”

The next meeting of the Republican Club will be Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. in the Foothill Center.