Arturo Medina, whose District 2 board race was at the forefront of allegations over political threats relating to a proposed county-city fire contract, called a Hollister councilman’s claims about his campaign adviser a “distraction.”
Councilman Doug Emerson last week accused Medina adviser Rick Rivas of leveraging his brother and county supervisor Robert’s vote on the proposed contract. Emerson alleged to SanBenitoCountyToday.com that Rivas on two occasions told the Hollister councilman he would need to get a fire-related San Juan Bautista town hall meeting held in April canceled or that his brother would change his vote and opt against a county-city deal.
District 3 Supervisor Robert Rivas in April indicated support for talks with Hollister on a consolidation contract worth $3.4 million over three years – which would result in departing a nearly 60-year relationship with Calfire – but last week voted with the 3-2 majority against the city proposal. Now it appears supervisors are headed toward extending the county’s contract with Calfire for another year.
Emerson alleged Rick Rivas told him the April town hall was a campaign event for Supervisor Anthony Botelho, the incumbent facing Medina. It was agendized as a City of San Juan town hall with Botelho speaking, along with Hollister City Manager Clint Quilter and Fire Chief Fred Cheshire.
“Well, I think it’s just a distraction from the issues, and that’s all I feel about it,” Medina said of Emerson’s claim.
Asked whether he had known of Rivas and Emerson’s talks about the town hall or had involvement, and Medina responded, “I know they had a conversation, and that’s about it.”
Medina said he did attend the town hall meeting held April 24. As for whether he perceived it as a campaign event, he said: “Well, I know it was supposed to be a San Juan Bautista town hall, but the council did not get up front and speak,” Medina said. “The whole program was led by Botelho.”
He declined to directly clarify if he saw it as a campaign gathering.
“I’ll just leave it as what I said,” he responded.
Medina said Rick Rivas, who could not be reached immediately, has not been a paid consultant to this point. Candidates do not have to disclose the likely brunt of their campaign spending until form 460s are due May 24 for the period of March 18 to May 19.
“He hasn’t been up (paid) to this point, but I think the guy has been working pretty hard,” Medina said. “We might try to work something out.”
Botelho has denied the town hall was for his campaign.
