The desire to serve the public by running for office is noble.
But it takes much more than the simple will to serve to make a
difference especially in a city challenged with budget problems
that are limiting crucial services like police, fire and recreation
programs and facing a sewer moratorium that has a stranglehold on
the local economy. The following three candidates for the Hollister
City Council will give the city the best chance at a brighter
future.
The desire to serve the public by running for office is noble. But it takes much more than the simple will to serve to make a difference especially in a city challenged with budget problems that are limiting crucial services like police, fire and recreation programs and facing a sewer moratorium that has a stranglehold on the local economy. The following three candidates for the Hollister City Council will give the city the best chance at a brighter future.
Pike
Brad Pike first made a name for himself with his “Stay Alive on 25” campaign that resulted in safety improvements along the notorious highway. He is a proven leader who gets results and the type of councilman Hollister needs now. Pike not only has the citizens of Hollister in mind, he has the time to dedicate to them. As a Saratoga fire captain, he only works 10 days a month and has promised to spend his time off working to solve the many problems of the city. With strong ideas for attracting businesses to the city and the Hollister airport, a fierce commitment to well-planned residential development and the drive to end the sewer moratorium, Pike provides a breath of fresh air to the city council.
Vote Brad Pike District 1.
Bruscia
Current Hollister Mayor Tony Bruscia said it all when he stated he wants to leave the council when the city is doing well, not while it is struggling. With looming budget problems and the sewer moratorium still in effect, the city has numerous challenges ahead. Bruscia is familiar with the issues of the area. Although the council needs change, it also needs continuity to avoid repeating mistakes. Bruscia has learned a lot during his time on the board and that experience makes him a good choice for District 5. He brings a strong understanding of how the different departments within the city work. Additionally, he advances a good plan for bringing businesses to Hollister, making residential developers pay their fair share to support city services, and an understanding of how to manage department heads and make difficult decisions. Bruscia is a creative thinker – he’s sure a water slide park would draw people to the area and boost tourism – and has proven to be a politician who will take the unpopular vote when he thinks it’s the right thing for the people.
One of Bruscia’s challengers, Monica Johnson, also is very impressive. She is competent and has a grasp of the issues. But she lacks concrete plans on how to boost our economy, which we think is essential. Still, she would be a valuable asset to the city and should apply to be a planning commissioner when a seat’s available.
Vote Tony Bruscia for District 5.
Emerson
It’s no secret finances are the city’s biggest concern right now with a large deficit haunting the city coffers and cutting into services that are essential to our quality of life. Doug Emerson’s 38 years of experience as a school district administrator in San Jose brings needed budget experience to the council. Emerson has seen the best and worst of times financially, and he knows when to spend and when to tighten the belt. He has endured employee layoffs, cutting programs and shrinking school budgets. He’s committed to preserving the small town nature of Hollister while understanding changes must be made to solve the city’s current crises. Also, Emerson promises strong communication with the public and has expressed the desire to create an e-mail list to keep citizens informed. He has significant experience managing staff from an administrator role and a wealth of fiscal experience balancing budgets during hard times.
Incumbent Tony LoBue has endured some tough times and is an experienced voice who would do good work. But the city has suffered greatly from financial mismanagement by its staff.
We think Emerson’s financial expertise is too important to pass up at this critical juncture.
Vote Doug Emerson for District 4.
