A little bit about a lot of things:

• We have a deep appreciation for elected officials who speak their mind openly, although sometimes comments during public meetings leave people looking at each other with a “did I really hear what I thought I heard?” look.

Gustine Mayor Rich Ford has been known to draw a few such reactions during his time on the council....and his closing remarks at last week’s council meeting did not go unnoticed.

In a meeting during which the recent arrest of Police Chief Kris Anderson was foremost on the minds of many, Ford closed the meeting with the suggestion that, “if any other employees are thinking about doing something stupid, don’t.”

On one hand, it’s pretty good advice.

But maybe not the best timing or choice of words given the situation.

In the meantime, the verdict is still out on whether Anderson will remain on as chief of police in Gustine following his DUI arrest. As of press time, no decision had been reached - although in the community there are plenty of folks who would argue both ways on the question of whether Anderson should keep his job.

No matter which decision is made, as council member Frank Amaral correctly pointed out last week, a large number of people are not going to be happy.

Ultimately, that decision rests with City Manager Margaret Silveira.

Even though the buck stops at her desk, it should be remembered that it was nothing of Silveira’s doing which left her in the position of having to make that decision.

• Golf is back at Diablo Grande, where the resort’s two signature courses, the Legends and the Ranch, reopened last week.

The situation at the upscale community has certainly been uncertain, between the temporary closure of the golf courses, Diablo’s financial difficulties, issues with the water system and a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing earlier this week.

We would love to see Diablo Grande become a resurgent success story, not only for those who live there and those who have invested in golf memberships, but for the West Side and Stanislaus County as a whole.

The more positive things we can bring to the West Side, the better for an area that in the minds of many who don’t live here is best known for such things as its landfill, a proposed mega-industrial park and the now-defunct Tartaric plant.

• So.....we were surprised to say the least by the decision of the Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District to reassign Yolo Middle School Principal Kathy McWilliams to the classroom next year.

It spoke volumes that many Yolo staff members were willing to stand behind their principal of five years (and long-time Yolo staff member), although I’m not sure anybody was truly surprised that the administrative recommendation to reassign McWilliams was upheld by the board Monday. That’s just kind of how those things usually work.

Among those speaking out on McWilliams’ behalf Monday evening was former principal Kathie Salter-Miranda, another highly-respected administrator who shared with the board how her retirement from Yolo was made easier by the comfort of knowing that she was leaving the school in very capable hands.

The confidentiality surrounding personnel decisions means that we don’t know the “why” behind the reassignment.

On the surface, though, McWilliams’ reassignment certainly strikes many as quite curious.

• Does anybody not enjoy spring?

Okay.....maybe those with allergies, one of the facts of life for many people in this valley, but for the most part spring is everybody’s favorite season.

We spent the better part of Saturday doing yard work, and by the end of the day had a lot to show for our efforts.

As much as we enjoy taking in a movie, visiting the coast or just plain getting out, sometimes just playing in the dirt is the most therapeutic way to forget a long week.

Must be those Midwestern farming roots.....

• Play ball! Spring sports are under way, and youth baseball and softball teams from Newman and Crows Landing will kick off their season with a parade and opening ceremonies Saturday.

A number of changes have been made in the program this year, and we applaud organizers for their steps to address concerns which came up last year.

This program serves more than 400 boys and girls from Newman and Crows Landing.

Baseball has always been important to me.....growing up, I couldn’t wait for the arrival of baseball season each year (although playing in March would have been out of the question, with all the snowdrifts on the field).

I played just because I loved the game. From the time I was old enough to hold a bat through my senior year of high school, I played organized baseball and was part of neighborhood pickup games at every opportunity.

Above all, youth baseball is about learning and enjoying a great game.

With that focus, everybody can enjoy the season....most of all the kids who are out playing ball.

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