I am not someone who speaks out in a public way about political
matters. While I approach with caution, I cannot help but express
my feelings and concerns as a member of this community for over
five years.
I have been watching the updates of the city layoff proposal on
Channel 17. I am surprised at the City Council’s failure to see
other possibilities to remedy the financial woes other than
layoffs. I have heard the word
”
revenue
”
mentioned a few times in the past couple of City Hall meetings
and have not heard anyone on the City Council acknowledge that
bringing in revenue could be a viable solution to our financial
problem.
I am not someone who speaks out in a public way about political matters. While I approach with caution, I cannot help but express my feelings and concerns as a member of this community for over five years.
I have been watching the updates of the city layoff proposal on Channel 17. I am surprised at the City Council’s failure to see other possibilities to remedy the financial woes other than layoffs. I have heard the word “revenue” mentioned a few times in the past couple of City Hall meetings and have not heard anyone on the City Council acknowledge that bringing in revenue could be a viable solution to our financial problem.
For example: The 4th of July Independence Rally brings in over 100,000 people to our very small town once a year. I am interested to know what kind of fees the vendors pay and if the fees could be raised.
This is not too much to ask when you consider that for 24 hours a day, for four straight days the citizens of Hollister are forced to listen to a constant rumbling.
I am not for or against the Independence Rally; I am merely pointing out that we are sitting on a small gold mine once a year and maybe it would behoove us to use it while we’ve got it.
Also, Hollister Hills has been bringing people into our town to ride their off road vehicles and accommodate families here for a day or weekend of enjoyment. Where do these people eat and stay? We are overlooking ways of bringing in more money to our town, yet we expect the town to keep functioning as we slowly pick off its workforce.
I understand that many people are afraid of growth. Get over it! There must be some growth or we will all go stagnant. My family and I moved here from Santa Rosa five years ago and the first thing my kids asked me was “where’s the mall?” At their tender ages of 9 and 12 they understood the importance of economic substance. How could a community survive without a mall? They have slowly and painfully figured it out.
As I do shop local most of the time, quite a bit of our shopping is done out of town. Let’s face it, variety is a good thing. Again we ask “where’s the mall?”
There was a gentleman by the name of Steve Perreira who spoke at a City Council meeting a few weeks back. While his views were not popular, he did say something that did make sense. The city could run more efficiently.
Most of you would not know this, but Steve was a small business owner in Hollister and employed my son for many months. Their political discussions were lively. He paid more than a fair wage and was a terrific boss and role model.
I have been noticing green and yellow “Yes on Measure G” signs on some lawns in my neighborhood. The slogan says “Keep our County Livable.”
Livable would be more for our families to do locally. Livable would be a place where families could go on a hot summer day and swim. Livable would be better roads. Livable would be more places to shop. Livable would be a high school large enough to accommodate its students comfortably. Livable is knowing our water is clean and our sewer is not in danger of backing up into our homes. Livable would be enough housing to accommodate families that want to move here and bring their tax dollars.
In closing, all of the Council members have been in the political arena in some form or another since our move here five years ago. With all of their combined experience they couldn’t see that the train was running out of track? BUILD MORE TRACK!
Kam Tanimasa,
Hollister
