A local Boy Scouts organizer on Tuesday asked the Hollister council to reimburse the group $906 for 35 American flags stolen during the city’s motorcycle rally.
Those flags were taken during the event that took place July 5 and July 6 in downtown Hollister.
For nearly two decades, local Boy Scouts troops have routinely placed American flags throughout downtown on several holidays each year. They kept them out after July 4 to commemorate the return of the city’s signature biker rally the following weekend, when the flags went missing.
The theft incited an investigation by the Hollister Police Department in July and led to the arrest of four suspects in the case.
On Tuesday, a local Boy Scouts leader was accompanied by four fully dressed Boy Scouts and requested, during the open public comment period, that the city pay $906 for the missing flags. That public speaker made the request for money and referenced, during his comments, handing council members a bill Tuesday for the stolen flags.
Though council members could not make a decision because it was not on the meeting agenda – the city routinely rejects residents’ claims for reimbursement – Mayor Ignacio Velazquez indicated his personal support for the payment.
“We will be taking care of you, I believe,” Velazquez said.
Councilwoman Pauline Valdivia had another suggestion – that the Scouts request help from the Community Foundation for San Benito County.
“That’s another entity you can look at,” Valdivia said.
Councilman Ray Friend asked that staff officials bring the item back on an agenda “so we can take some action on it.”
Look back for more.
