SCHOOLS, BUDGETS, POLITICS, ELECTIONS. This is a busy time around the West Side as many of us juggle the beginning of school, how we will be affected by our federal, state and local governmental budgets, who we will elect in November and much more. Okay, so I’m optimistic thinking that you are paying attention to the upcoming November election. I’m hopeful that most of us are concerned about the direction of our country, but I’m not naive enough to think it takes top priority with all of us. In fact, if you are still raising children, attending their summer recreational and educational activities and trying to make a living to boot, then I’m certain the election isn’t top of mind. You have lots of challenges and plenty of opportunities and your children should come first. My children are raised, working and settling in on their own careers and opportunities. I don’t have to worry about driving them to practice, attending every high school and college activity and worrying about their future education. That, for the most part is behind me, and just beginning for them. So I can concentrate on who is running for our city council, school boards, state assembly and senate, congress and certainly president of the United States. I’m engaged on these issues daily, both personally and as part of my business; so if you want an opinion on politics, I probably have one.

CITY, SCHOOLS BUDGETS BETTER THAN MOST.     Our city and school leaders, for the most part, have kept our budgets in line, meaning revenues and expenses have been in check. Over the years, we’ve been pretty frugal in most areas, and we are benefiting from that today. Our schools, however, have their challenges and classes are packed, resources are short and needs are great. School board members must adapt to this changing environment and hope that our state and federal leaders start working again for us, instead of working solely for their own election or political parties. Locally, we are certainly hurting from home foreclosures, but we benefit from a rare kind of community support that rallies in times of hardship. It’s time we pay attention to our neighbors and how we can help, both personally and in business circles. Shopping locally first helps, but so does giving to the local charitable organizations that provide food, shelter and companionship to so many. Contact this newspaper or your chamber of commerce for a list of ways to help.

CAN MARTY’S INN COME BACK? I love the advertisement placed by the owners of Marty’s Inn south of Newman. It says the restaurant will be “returning to our roots.” Wow, if that happens, and the Spencer steaks arrive with garlic butter and waitresses who know you, this could be a local miracle. My advice to the new owners: TAKE A DRIVE TO NIPOMO south of Pismo Beach and visit the restaurant, JOCKOS. It’s now run by a third generation of family members, and the steaks have the same names as Marty’s used to have, and the place is packed every single night. Two weeks ago, I joined a party of 14, and we had the works, My Spencer steak was juicy, full of flavor and delicious. The bill was a mere $490. If I had taken that same group with me to Washington, DC, I’d have paid $3,000. JOCKOS is what Marty’s used to be, and if these new owners here can turn our place into that, we’ll all be smiling…..and hanging out at Marty’s once again!