We moved to
”
Our Town
”
in 1959 when it was small and a McDonalds restaurant wasn’t here
because we didn’t have the 10,000 people to support it. We did have
beautiful weather, friendly citizens, the best apricots and walnut
orchards, good schools and neighbors who so enjoyed their backyard
barbecues
– especially on the Fourth of July.
Editor,
We moved to “Our Town” in 1959 when it was small and a McDonalds restaurant wasn’t here because we didn’t have the 10,000 people to support it. We did have beautiful weather, friendly citizens, the best apricots and walnut orchards, good schools and neighbors who so enjoyed their backyard barbecues – especially on the Fourth of July.
One thing we did not have was the biker rally! We had some of the same problems then as now, but I remember block parties including everyone, and everyone had a good time with fireworks, some drinks and especially the good food and friendship. It was safe – and we had no biker rally!
We used to brag about Hollister because much before the rush for real estate, it was the best place to live, and all, or most of us, agreed. And there was no biker rally! Now, this past weekend, my husband and I felt like prisoners in our home, invaded by noise at all hours of the day and night – sirens, police cars, fire trucks and an estimated 120,000 people packing our streets and roads making it almost impossible to go anywhere, anytime. We agree with Sheriff Curtis Hill who says the criminal element of the Rally outweighs whatever benefit the city believes it had. He believes this is a dirty, stinking and rotten event for this community and the main thing that bothers him is that in Hollister we have an anti-gang task force and many gang concerns. Then for three days every year we seem to glorify riots. Doesn’t make much sense does it?
We will have to agree in part with another statement in the same paper that “you will find us riders the finest people on earth.” Indeed, there are many good people on bikes. We call some friends too, but they do not outweigh the rowdy, parole violators and gangs among us this weekend who do more than their share of damage while here. Does no one pay attention to the statistics printed in Tuesdays paper listing the outlaw motorcycle club member arrests? We really do deserve better than this.
I remember well also the Bass Lake episodes some years ago and the “best” of the these riders were certainly not in that group were they? It was so bad that the Hells Angels were refused permission to return – ever. Our suggestion is that it might be a good idea to change locations next year for the 10th year reunion of this event and give some other small, nice town the glory. After all, we should share shouldn’t we?
Walt and Rina Sims, Hollister
