The following people, events and organizations deserve a Thumbs
Up or Thumbs Down this week:
THUMBS UP: The local YMCA has hired Rochelle Callis as its new executive director, succeeding Lou Bettencourt who left in April. The YMCA is in the midst of a crucial transition as it prepares to construct a new building on Union Road, and the organization picked a leader with the appropriate experience level and enthusiasm for a big job. Callis came from the YMCA in Orange County, where she served most recently as associate executive director. She told reporter Alice Joy she’s excited about the community. We’re excited to have her, too. And we’re confident she’ll be even more excited when she gets to know the people here, how tight the community is, and how thrilled people here are for the “next chapter” of our YMCA.
THUMBS DOWN: One of the most recognizable businesses in town – most recently called GAF Leatherback Corp. – will be closing down in late August after decades of employing countless people here. It’s sad, yet not surprising, to see it go. It’s also unfortunate more than 40 employees’ lives will be altered by the move. Still, officials weren’t raising a smoke screen when they expressed optimism about the available land – nearly seven acres – right in the heart of town. It’s a real opportunity as the city grows and moves past the building moratorium. The city and other organizations must take an aggressive approach in marketing the two plots to potential developers and find the right projects to not only fill the soon-to-be-vacant land, but also help rejuvenate other businesses that could benefit from more foot traffic.
THUMBS UP: The Hollister School District teachers’ union this week expressed concerns about children’s safety near construction for the Highway 25 bypass, with so much heavy equipment close by and a lack of sidewalks for kids to walk on as they head to school. The union, represented by Jan Grist, its vice president of grievance and a past president, deserves credit for raising awareness about the danger zone. The bypass, a crucial project that will reroute traffic from San Benito Street to a new road east of McCray Street, won’t be done until late 2008. That leaves a fairly lengthy window for potential disaster. Parents and educators should continually emphasize safety to kids walking nearby. And additional web fencing protecting kids from the construction wouldn’t hurt, either.
THUMBS UP: Hollister Police Chief Jeff Miller this week released statistics showing crime at this year’s Hollister Motorcycle Rally dropped by 40 percent when compared with the 2005 rally – last year, of course, there was no official motorcycle rally. It’s encouraging that the new event layout contributed to declining police activity. But it shouldn’t discourage the rally committee and promoter Seth Doulton to pursue changes to appease many bikers and local who complained about a lack of identity for the rally without the stream of bikes lined on San Benito Street. We must aim high and find a formula that keeps citizens safe and maintains the event’s allure.
