Velazquez is a Los Valientes
I read with great interest the article regarding the
”
Los Valientes
”
in the Sunday Pinnacle.
The allegations that Mr. Velazquez is a member of
”
Los Valientes
”
comes as no surprise to me. Having dealt with Mr. Velazquez, his
negativity, and having read some of what at he has written, it is
clear to me he is involved with the shenanigans and lawsuits that
have come of this.
What every resident of this county, and those beyond need to
know, is that Mr.
”
Los Valientes
”
Velazquez is running for state office. They need to think very
seriously about what he has done here in San Benito County. To
apparently falsely complain about corruption of local elected
officials while being involved in alleged corruption himself is
hypocritical.
Velazquez outright lied at city council meetings while I was
mayor of Hollister concerning a redevelopment loan for a prominent
historical building in downtown Hollister. The loan was paid out
over four years, based on annual reviews or performance of the
applicant for a total of $1 million. The city could take the
building purchased free and clear by the applicant at any time if
it was not happy. Yet Velazquez complained about a secured loan and
went on to be a part of a total waste of taxpayer money in wasteful
lawsuits. It was absurd.
I ask that all taxpayers in this community ask Mr. Velazquez to
come clean with the taxpayers and name all of those involved in the
waste that was the
”
Los Valientes
”
lawsuit.
Brian Conroy
Hollister
Editor’s note: Ignacio Velazquez is a Republican candidate for
the state Assembly. He said this week he is not a member of Los
Valientes.
Velazquez is a Los Valientes
I read with great interest the article regarding the “Los Valientes” in the Sunday Pinnacle.
The allegations that Mr. Velazquez is a member of “Los Valientes” comes as no surprise to me. Having dealt with Mr. Velazquez, his negativity, and having read some of what at he has written, it is clear to me he is involved with the shenanigans and lawsuits that have come of this.
What every resident of this county, and those beyond need to know, is that Mr. “Los Valientes” Velazquez is running for state office. They need to think very seriously about what he has done here in San Benito County. To apparently falsely complain about corruption of local elected officials while being involved in alleged corruption himself is hypocritical.
Velazquez outright lied at city council meetings while I was mayor of Hollister concerning a redevelopment loan for a prominent historical building in downtown Hollister. The loan was paid out over four years, based on annual reviews or performance of the applicant for a total of $1 million. The city could take the building purchased free and clear by the applicant at any time if it was not happy. Yet Velazquez complained about a secured loan and went on to be a part of a total waste of taxpayer money in wasteful lawsuits. It was absurd.
I ask that all taxpayers in this community ask Mr. Velazquez to come clean with the taxpayers and name all of those involved in the waste that was the “Los Valientes” lawsuit.
Brian Conroy
Hollister
Editor’s note: Ignacio Velazquez is a Republican candidate for the state Assembly. He said this week he is not a member of Los Valientes.
Slow down near schools
To the woman driving a large black SUV that almost ran my daughter over in front of the high school on the morning of Thursday, Jan. 5, how dare you!
She was in the crosswalk you idiot! How did you get your license? Not only did you drive through a crosswalk when someone was crossing you had the nerve to cross over into the oncoming traffic lane and go around me. I would have turned your license plate in to the sheriff’s office but your vehicle is new and only had he Courtesy Chevrolet plate in the back. I couldn’t believe that you actually had a child with you. You were lucky I didn’t catch you.
Kam Tanimasa
Hollister
A week without Bush-bashing
What a breath of fresh air reading the Sunday Pinnacle this last weekend. No Bush-bashing dribble from Kate Woods!
Mary Beth Meyers
Hollister
Grateful for reporting people’s business
As an official elected by the people of San Juan Bautista, I have tried to bring transparency to the actions of the City Council. With the election of 2004, George Dias became the swing vote that removed Larry Cain from city manager’s position. The entire council recognized that many duties of the city were not being properly handled. With the hiring of Jennifer Coile as City Manager, there was great optimism that SJB was moving in the right direction.
Ms. Coile’s resume was exceptional on paper. However, in a matter of few weeks, council members received numerous complains on Ms. Coile’s interactions with the press. Ms. Coile felt the press should be kept at a distance and decided to memo the local news media stating, ” all information concerning city business must be disseminated from her office.”
It is my belief she attempted to include city council members in that blackout. Ms. Coile demanded to meet with Mayor Medina and my wife. She insisted on this mandate and threatened to resign if it was not granted. I made it very clear to the city manager that I would continue speaking to the press on city issues, acknowledging the need to be careful not to put the city into legal liabilities. Possibly with the exception of George Dias, other council members went along with Coile’s request.
As a matter of fact, on several of occasions Priscilla Hill encouraged me never to talk to the press, as is her practice. I strongly disagreed with her and felt officials should be keeping the public informed on city councils’ actions. I believe the local news media is the watchdog for our citizens.
If the local news media did not get involved, Hill and company’s secret trip to Seattle, at a cost of more than $1,000 dollars in public funds, would have been hidden in one of those city budget accounts. I wish to thank The Sunday Pinnacle staff for reporting the secretive actions of the San Juan Bautista council. I wish to thank the district attorney’s office for their investigation into secretive trip to Seattle. I welcome all investigations by San Benito Grand Jury.
Chuck Geiger
San Juan Bautista City Councilman
Grateful for shelter
I am so happy that the homeless shelter has finally opened so the less fortunate can have a place to eat, sleep and shower in a safe environment.
I just want to thank everyone who donated, volunteered or who are planning to volunteer. I want to give a special thanks to the Homeless Task Force of San Benito County. Thank you so much for your participation and God bless everyone in our new year of 32006 and many years ahead. Thank you for making my dreams come true.
Theresa Copeland
Hollister
A party without morality
The Religious Right in this country has for the past several years conjoined itself with the Republican Party. But for all of the shenanigans that have been going on in Washington for the last five or six years, there may be some doubt about which political party actually maintains the moral high ground. This whole ordeal leaves us with some big questions. But one thing for sure is that there can’t be very many Republicans in Heaven.
Jack Dwan
Gilroy
