No crying over water
The county Board of Supervisors will consider a water emergency
for the Stonegate subdivision at its next meeting. The San Benito
County Water District will not tell me how much water they are
allocated.
However, other five-acre parcels in the area are allocated an
acre-foot of water or more. An acre foot is 325,000 gallons of
water. If Stonegate is allocated an acre foot of water per parcel
and they have already used that much water with the summer only
half over, it is hard to feel much sympathy for them.
Robert Gilchrist Huenemann
Hollister
Bring back 152 northern route
This is regarding an article in the July 25 San Jose Mercury toll road funding considered for the final phase of Hwy. 152 to Hwy. 101. While I am not questioning the toll road concept, I do have concerns regarding the plan line on the map that accompanied the article. This plan line is currently missing from the only official map of alternatives being discussed today, the State Route 152 Corridor Alignment Alternatives, that was established by the Mobility Partnership. Given its omission from this list of alternatives, is it still being considered in the list of possibilities?
This alterative plan line in the July 25 article is the same plan line established in late 2006 by the subcommittee consisting of high-ranking officials from both Santa Clara and San Benito counties. This alternative turned out to be the most politically acceptable, but most importantly, met the transportation needs of both counties (a future EIR will hopefully consider this alternative in the study). It was this same plan line that was debuted to the public in the Jan. 20, 2007 San Jose Mercury as a solution after “decades of regional politicking that led nowhere.”
The same plan line was presented to San Benito County residents in the Feb. 1, 2007, Hollister Free Lance. However, in the fall of 2007 the map of State Route 152 Corridor Alignment Alternatives was established that provided all the current potential plan lines under consideration but omitted this northern alternative as one of the possibilities for consideration! Yet in early 2008, the San Benito County Board of Supervisors went on record supporting this plan line as a preferred northern alternative for future consideration.
My main concern is that the only official map to date has omitted this northern alternative and there are currently planning decisions being made and documents being formulated without this established plan line as part of the picture. Additionally, the subcommittee has not met this year to ensure the original map is amended to include this northern alternative. Where is the interregional communication that is imperative for a project of this magnitude? I realize the planning process may be in its infancy at this point, but a major hurdle was conquered with the establishment of the northern alignment that helped put this project back on track. Instead of capitalizing on this forward motion, one is forced to question whether newspapers are being provided maps that could be incorrect or misleading.
We need to get this final phase of Hwy. 152 moving in a sustaining and productive direction. We all know that actions behind the scenes need to be sincere and consistent if timely progress is to be achieved. Honoring words like “we will work with San Benito County” throughout the whole, long-term process would be a great goal for Santa Clara County leaders and agency representatives to uphold (after all, this project will affect San Benito County much more than the Hwy. 152/156 Flyover). Putting the northern alignment back on the official map of alternatives and providing this amended map to all stakeholders is necessary as soon as possible in order to get the needs of this traffic corridor met. A response in this forum from the Santa Clara County VTA or their representatives addressing these concerns and their future intentions would be greatly appreciated.
Stephen Rosati
Hollister
No crying over water
The county Board of Supervisors will consider a water emergency for the Stonegate subdivision at its next meeting. The San Benito County Water District will not tell me how much water they are allocated.
However, other five-acre parcels in the area are allocated an acre-foot of water or more. An acre foot is 325,000 gallons of water. If Stonegate is allocated an acre foot of water per parcel and they have already used that much water with the summer only half over, it is hard to feel much sympathy for them.
Robert Gilchrist Huenemann
Hollister
Don’t overlook opportunity
Attending our Board of Supervisors meeting I walked out very disappointed. I call this meeting a Measure G meeting. When people in favor of Measure G took this to the voters the people of this county stuck together and defeated it by 69 percent. This majority voted for a change. Even though we voted for a change we are still fighting the nonsense people over the vote.
They have no respect for the majority. When the election was over I wrote a letter warning the ones who worked so hard. I said, “now that you have the bird in your hands don’t let it go. These fanatics are not going to stop. They are like a pile of worms; always digging. When you think they are dead they continue to stick in their noses interfering with any change.” I feel most of these people are around my age. We don’t have any more years. Why interfere with the future of our children’s and grandchildren’s lives?
We just recently took a 10-day vacation to Vinita, Okla., where we admired a different world. So many jobs available. Many commercial buildings in progress. When I got back and compared San Benito County with what I saw it made me very disappointed. I ask you, if you don’t want to see this county in their hands come to the meetings, write letters, let them know that we still stand and believe in the 69 percent results in our favor.
What I observed in this meeting is obvious that they are ready to strike this county again. I would like to give credit to those who stand up against the gang. I have advice for them. If you have nothing to do, sit back and think about your kids’ or grandkids’ future or if you have the time get involved with non-profit organizations. There you can benefit yourself and others.
I blame our leaders. When the election was over they left with all the power to have things straightened out. You dragged your feet and gave them the chance to get back at you again. I would like to advise the people in this county to wake up and not let this spread anymore. San Benito County is America too and the ones who grew up here should have the opportunity to get a job. It is time to stop being selfish.
Amadeu M. Lima
Hollister
Infill yes, sprawl no
Thanks to your front-page story I now know just what those mounds of dirt piled in the former sports area at Fremont School represented. Those earth piles signal possible hope for downtown Hollister. I certainly hope this seismic survey group does not find a fault that might prevent a new courthouse from being located in a prime infill area. These infills transfuse health back into our community and represent just what the doctor orders: health in the form of growth, jobs and development.
Now compare this to another story in the same Pinnacle, “The well runs dry.” Blue valve water at Stonegate homes rations the insufficient supply. Stonegate residents presently eye Tres Pinos Water District for help. It seems like developments like this outside city boundaries pose problems for cities.
We hope to further our knowledge by showing the docudrama, “Save Our Town, Save Our Land,” spotlighting how other towns deal with these issues for positive outcomes. Presently our target date is the middle of September with officials locating a venue. You will be the first to know date, time and place.
Mary Zanger
Hollister
Thanks to a caring community
Words cannot express our thanks and gratitude in your participation of our third annual Jazz under the Stars fundraiser. We realize it took an extra effort and additional cost on your part, and wanted you to know how much it was appreciated. When the community and businesses came together to help in this worthy cause, the result was overwhelming.
Even though our economy is currently suffering and everyone is pinching pennies, we were very pleased with the results of our event. Not only did we receive a great response from the guests attending, stating what an exceptional fun evening it was, but after expenditures we raised over $21,000 which will be split between the Homeless Task Force and Emmaus House.
However inadequate words may sometimes sound, we thank you again for your support and hope you will join us again next year at the fourthh annual Jazz under the Stars.
(Date to be determined.)
Linda Lusenskas
board member and chairperson for Jazz under the Stars
On behalf of the Homeless Task Force and Emmaus House Board of Directors
Thanks for supporting SBBR
The San Benito Babe Ruth Board of Directors would like to thank you and your staff for the continued newspaper coverage of our local youth baseball league. Established in April 1957, this marks SBBR’s 52nd year of providing youth between the ages of 13-18 the opportunity to play baseball. Special thanks to sports editor Andrew Matheson and photographer Nick Lovejoy for their efforts in reporting on the many accomplishments of our league’s participants.
Recent coverage of the unprecedented feat of having all four of SBBR’s all-star teams qualifying to move on and play in their respective state tournaments was greatly appreciated. For many of these young men, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and an opportunity to proudly represent the city of Hollister and the county of San Benito. SBBR looks forward to continuing our long relationship
Thanks again for your newspaper coverage and please do not hesitate to call 637-5108 if you have any questions or comments in regards to San Benito Babe Ruth.
Stephen Ferranti, president
Jerry Sepulveda, vice president
San Benito Babe Ruth
Bring back the old rally
I was there for this year’s rally, the first time since 2004. I was really disappointed when they cancelled it for that year. When they brought it back I was excited. I’ve been to Sturgis, but Hollister is much better to me because the weather could be hot but a 30-minute ride is a lot cooler on the coast.
My son and I with six other bikers left Tacoma, Wash., headed to Hollister. I had been telling these guys how great it was. After saving and planning for a year, we were off on a 900-mile ride. We went down 101 through the redwoods, what a ride. My son is a fairly new biker. After hearing my stories about Hollister and all the rides once we get there, all of us were stoked. I always stay in San Juan Bautista, a very cool town. It was just like I had been telling these guys about.
We got up Friday morning and had breakfast at the Mission Cafe, which was excellent. I was still up on my game; everything was great! We rode to Hollister, a very mellow ride through the fields. Once we got to Hollister to my surprise Hollister went from a bike rally to a giant vendor show. That’s OK, but what Hollister forgot was the meaning of bike rally. What’s up with that? San Benito Street didn’t have any bikes. It had vendors. What the heck?
Well, to me and all the bikers I talked to it was “what the heck?” Well, maybe not those words. It used to be bikes on San Benito Street. It was for everyone to show off their bikes, not buy a bunch of T-shorts and other things. Yes, have the vendors but have them on the side streets. I understand Hollister needs to make money but let the bikers show their bikes.
There were no burnout contests, no wet T-shirts. It seems it was all about money, not the rally. So I ask what was up with that?
I guess they are trying to make it a kid-friendly rally. We didn’t bring any kids. I’m retired and on a fixed income. I had to save all year to go. If I wanted to take the kids I’d go to Disneyland. I hope this letter will help. I know there’s probably more coming in. There were a lot of disappointed bikers out there.
Please bring Hollister back!
Cliff Adamson
Tacoma, Wash.
Emergency air services a boon
