With all the recent news in the paper regarding layoffs of city
workers, I wanted to let the citizens of Hollister know how this
could directly affect them
– it is not simply just more people being laid off due to the
economy.
The very same people who we call when we have a water leak, a
sewer backup, a cracked sidewalk in front of our house, a tree
fallen in our yard or when we need a building permit, an abandoned
vehicle towed or any other multitude of public services, are the
very same ones who will no longer be able to come to our aid.
With all the recent news in the paper regarding layoffs of city workers, I wanted to let the citizens of Hollister know how this could directly affect them – it is not simply just more people being laid off due to the economy.
The very same people who we call when we have a water leak, a sewer backup, a cracked sidewalk in front of our house, a tree fallen in our yard or when we need a building permit, an abandoned vehicle towed or any other multitude of public services, are the very same ones who will no longer be able to come to our aid.
Instead of being able to send someone out the day we call, we may be required to wait or make an appointment. Hours at the city offices will have to most likely be cut back. No longer will there always be someone available to take our phone calls from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Instead, we will face answering machines and locked office doors. The city has a savings account, so to speak, for rainy days. The city has a General Fund Reserve of $9 million. This is way more than the county or even other local nearby cities. Save our employees!
What good is a revitalized downtown with no locals to shop there? What good is a new fire station with no firefighters to staff it? What good is a new animal shelter with no workers to care for the animals?
Wake up city manager and city council – it is pouring outside!
E.D. Mitchell,
Hollister
