Most Tracy citizens want and encourage their children and friends to be members of a gang. A gang? Now wait a minute before you draw the wrong conclusion.
Let me ask an important question: What kind of gang?
• A gang at school — one of the sports teams.
• A gang of Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts.
• A gang of youth groups at any of the churches.
• A gang at the Boys and Girls Clubs for sports, arts, crafts.
• A gang that is a choir at school or church.
• A gang at the library, participating in a book club or helping with homework.
• A gang that works with service and fraternal organizations to help the needy and less-fortunate in our community.
The list of gangs can be endless, and there’s something for everyone.
Why a gang? Youths want to be accepted and loved in a brotherly way and experience companionship. Feeling inside a group is addictive, and they want to act however the gang directs.
There are ample opportunities available to youths in all of these groups, and others as well.
The one gang that is not wanted or accepted in any way is the gang whose purpose is to steal, rob, beat, shoot and kill. The future of a young person in this type of gang is a dead-end: jail or death. In recent weeks, these outcomes have become tragically clear in our town.
The choice is up to the youth of Tracy. They need to think long and hard about what kind of gang they want to join — and what kind of life they want to lead.
(San Joaquin County Superior Court Case No. 39-2008-00201854-CU-WM-STK
I hear this lawsuit is being billed as an "environmental" issue that focuses around the number of cars out there on Linne and Corral Hollow Rd.
I saw the traffic (and cars) out there yesterday...
Both of those cars were really causing an "environmental" issue, I guess.
;)
(San Joaquin County Superior Court Case No. 39-2008-00201854-CU-WM-STK
And as far as the Aquatic Swim Center that is being held up in litigation - I also know parents who would love to get their children involved in swimming.
But these good parents are being held up. Can I use the metaphor? We are being held up by "gangs"? Special interest group gangs? Heck, maybe even thugs, if you will?
I only fear that if these so called "thugs" succeed in shutting down parks as they have tried, our youth have nothing left to turn to but gangs?
You make a good point in parallel with the letter writer. Your suggestin that parents get involved.
Using the above metaphor. The best gang is your family. Amd uou got that right. I suspect the author would have intended to write it there too?
Thanks for including that point. Maybe someone else will read it and it will help make a difference in other family(ies)?
;)
great letter Mr. Hastie
Your Voice: Join the right kind of gang
by Richard Hastie, former Tracy mayorJan 01,
Tracy Press,
What about the gang that is sueing to shut down the Aquatic Park on Corral Hollow Rd and the BMX Park on Corral Hollow Road?