Former two
–term Hollister City Councilman and mayor Richard Boomer has
announced plans to run for the District 5 City Council seat during
the November 2004 election.
The spot on the five
–member governing board is currently occupied by Councilman Tony
Bruscia.
Former two–term Hollister City Councilman and mayor Richard Boomer has announced plans to run for the District 5 City Council seat during the November 2004 election.
The spot on the five–member governing board is currently occupied by Councilman Tony Bruscia.
“I enjoyed my time on the Council. The only reason I decided not to re-run (in 2000) was because of a health issue. Since then, it has corrected itself,” said Boomer, who did not elaborate on the health problem. “And I’m disappointed in the way the city’s going.”
Boomer, 57, was on the Council from 1992–2000. In April, he retired from a full-time career in law enforcement after 30 years. He spent 22 years with the county sheriff’s department and eight years as an investigator with the District Attorney’s Office. Since his retirement, Boomer has worked part-time for a local private investigation firm while also running a hunting guide business.
Bruscia, 34, has been out of town for a week on business and did not return phone calls.
Boomer pointed out several issues he believes the Council has mismanaged since 2000. He said decisions regarding personnel, wastewater and the West of Fairview project have been floundered by the city.
“It (his consideration to run) started with the city’s selection of the city manager,” he said.
He said officials, at the time of the city manager recruitment in early 2003, should have considered potential candidates who are currently within the Hollister ranks. He mentioned Director of Management Services Clay Lee and Public Works Director Clint Quilter as two qualified leaders.
Dale Shaddox, formerly the city manager of Cotati in Sonoma County, was hired after an extensive search and started in early May.
Boomer also said the city should have considered current Hollister employees for the recently-filled police chief position. Current Sonoma Police Department Sgt. Jeff Miller was hired as police chief and will start in September.
“I’ve been contacted by a lot of people to step forward again,” Boomer said. “My really close friends, they say, ‘Don’t do it.’ Because it really does take a toll on you.”
When current Councilman Robert Scattini was county sheriff in the mid-1980s, Boomer was an assistant sheriff. The two remain close friends.
“I thought he did a good job (as a Council member),” Scattini said. “He’s reasonable. He works methodically and figures things out. He listens to all sides before making decisions.”
Councilwoman Pauline Valdivia was on the Council with Boomer from 1998-2000. She said he helped her get acclimated with city government.
“I can truthfully say I had the pleasure of working with Richard,” she said. “I was the new kid on the block and he provided a lot of guidance.”
Regarding Bruscia, she said, “He has come up to the plate (on issues), and he’s up to be mayor next year.
“I can say this, it’s going to be interesting.”
