Dear Editor,
Just imagine what Hollister would look like today if everyone
could decide how their taxes were spent.
HDA official touts PBID
Dear Editor,
Just imagine what Hollister would look like today if everyone could decide how their taxes were spent. Downtown property owners have that opportunity right now. After meeting with downtown property owners and listening to their feedback, a group of property owners, policy-makers and local citizens worked for nine months to come up with a plan for a business improvement district in the downtown area. Using a small assessment added to regular property taxes, the appearance of downtown Hollister would be enhanced, maintenance increased and the area would get the promotional tools that are essential to its revitalization.
This month, downtown property owners are being asked to support the Property-based Improvement District (PBID). Should a majority support the plan, funds accrued within the district can only be used for the betterment of the district, and management of the PBID will be governed by a board of property owners. PBID funds can only be used to enhance, not replace existing public services in the downtown area. These PBID funds can be used to leverage additional funds through grants and create public – private partnerships for specific projects. And in just five years, property owners can elect either to continue with the district or to abandon the supplemental assessment.
Eighty districts like the one proposed are already in place throughout California and the results are clear: higher sales, lower vacancies and higher property values. An even clearer testament to their effectiveness is that 79 of the 80 were renewed after the first five years. Indeed, times are tough, but this type of investment in downtown will help quicken the recovery. The choice rests now with downtown property owners: to continue with the status quo or to take control of downtown Hollister’s future through a PBID. Ballots must be returned to the Hollister Downtown Association no later than April 30. If you would like further information, please give the HDA office a call at 636-8406. If you are a property owner in the downtown area and you would like us to collect your PBID petition, or if you need a new petition, please let us know. Downtown’s future is in your hands.
Brenda Weatherly, executive director, HDA
Resident against solar farm
Dear Editor,
Please don’t let county leaders decimate Panoche Valley.
Kudos to Kim Williams for providing us with the REAL facts (April 13th Free Lance), about the farce that is Solargen and it’s equally laughable plan to lay millions of solar panels in our beloved Panoche Valley.
San Benito County has seen numerous outlandish developmental changes imposed by its Board of Supervisors in recent years, but perhaps non so baffling as this proposed solar project. We as residents owe it ourselves and to the land of San Benito County to preserve and protect what we have and all that it offers. The mere thought of installing such a mass of solar panels in one of the most pristine areas of our county is an absolute disgrace and injustice to San Benito County and beyond.
Anyone who has leisurely traveled to the heart of Panoche Valley can relate to this sentiment. The land boasts true, virtually undisturbed beauty. To keep it that way, it is crucial that we as county residents take a stand against the county’s budding relationship with Solargen and it’s aggressive proposal.
With the upcoming elections there is no better time than now to take that stand. We have seen the facts, and they speak for themselves; moving forward with the solar project would be an absolute atrocity to our county. Minimal revenue if any, no jobs, broken promises. So before you go to the polls, make sure you know who has a hand in Solargen’s pocket and who doesn’t. Please don’t let county leaders decimate OUR Panoche Valley. For more information, go to www.savepanochevalley.com
Ella Henson, Hollister
