Organizers and city officials are now confident
– as opposed to optimistic – that the city’s signature event,
the Hollister Independence Rally, will happen this year.
Organizers and city officials are now confident – as opposed to optimistic – that the city’s signature event, the Hollister Independence Rally, will happen this year.
That’s because the Attorney General’s Office recently committed to send 24 much-needed Department of Justice agents, a helicopter and a mobile command unit.
“Oh yeah,” said Hollister Independence Rally Committee (HIRC) Executive Director Bob Beals, the rally is on. “We’ve just got to work out some finite details.”
Now, with the rally on track for 2004, after several weeks of uncertainty, organizers are working out those details for the eighth annual event.
One of the particulars includes figuring out who’s going to pay for the state’s DOJ officers.
The state has already agreed to pay for the helicopter and its crew, along with the mobile unit – a recreational vehicle that acts as a communication center, according to Halye Jordan, a spokesperson for the state.
She said a letter of confirmation is being drafted this week, after which Attorney General Bill Lockyer will have the choice of whether to sign it.
Although HIRC has previously committed to paying for rally security, Beals believes the state should pick up their officers’ tab, he said. He pointed out that their pay would be covered by a federal grant.
“There shouldn’t be any fees at all as far as I’m concerned,” Beals said.
In 2003, the DOJ covered all its costs. But so did other law enforcement agencies, including the Hollister Police Department and the Sheriff’s Department, both of which are requiring compensation in 2004.
With the 24 officers coming from the state, the city would need to find another 15-20 outside officers to obtain an ideal security force, according to city officials.
Fifteen other outside officers’ departments have tentatively confirmed their presence, and the Hollister P.D. is waiting for possible confirmations from others.
Moreover, five or more county Marshal’s officers, including Marshal and City Councilman Robert Scattini, have verbally committed to working the rally.
His office’s involvement for the first time, he said, is “for a good cause.”
“This year it’s really necessary because of the shortage of peace officers,” Scattini said. “It’s more meaningful this year.”
