BenitoLink is meant to be inviting. As a nonprofit news site created to serve the community, we want to hear what you have to say.
Like many San Benito County residents, Susan Napier-Jones took the time to write her own story on BenitoLink. She shared something near and dear to her, the end of the Hollister Free Wheelers, a powered wheelchair soccer program for individuals with physical and/or mental challenges.
“I’ve already gotten a couple of very nice and supportive comments from this. Thanks again,” she wrote after the story had been published. Because of Napier-Jones’ efforts, the loss of a program that gave more than 30 disabled individuals the opportunity to play a competitive sport and make friends doing it did not go by unnoticed.
BenitoLink is the town square, a place for open, yet civil conversation and it deserves your support. It is localized, online news designed to take in the community’s imaginative ideas and welcome differing opinions. Sometimes it is just nice to be heard.
Hollister resident, Luis Burguillo, wrote his first opinion article in 2015, questioning the need for a surveillance system purchased for San Benito Street. Following the article, seven people wrote widely varying comments, pro and con. In the end, it was a worthy discussion about a downtown that belongs to all residents.
Hearing from everyone in the room gives us a broad perspective and helps communities find solutions. Burguillo said, “BenitoLink is the avenue for local people like me to raise the questions that normally wouldn’t be asked.”
Another citizen and regular commentary writer, Marty Richman, told BenitoLink that of all the rights to protect he most valued, “…freedom of speech (or expression) and the closely related freedom of the press were the most precious for without them all the other freedoms can be abridged without protest.”
Listening to someone else is a show of respect. BenitoLink doesn’t pretend to have all the answers. But together we can face big questions and make progress toward finding solutions. BenitoLink is your news.
Next Tuesday is San Benito Gives, a countywide fundraising event for local nonprofits. Support the nonprofit news designed just for you.