The Hollister City Council has a new option to hold an
Independence Rally this year. Biker Design, a Florida company which
the owners say makes $10 million per year, desperately wants to
organize the event in 2006.
The Hollister City Council has a new option to hold an Independence Rally this year. Biker Design, a Florida company which the owners say makes $10 million per year, desperately wants to organize the event in 2006.
The owners will give the city money for expenses upfront, they anticipate the city could actually make some profit and they will donate money to local charities.
The Free Lance has long advocated turning the event over to a professional organization with business savvy so the troubles that have plagued past rallies – namely staggering bills for police protection – can be resolved and commerce can flourish. Here is an opportunity to do just that.
Though it is late in the game, the City Council should consider kickstarting the rally back to life and discuss Biker Design’s proposal. A draft was presented to the council before last week’s vote to kill the rally, but now the company has a more-detailed plan that includes:
n Paying the city $300,000
n Holding the rally downtown
n Paying for garbage and clean-up
n Donating money to local charity
n Carrying a $2 million insurance policy
With the $300,000 and money from business licenses, tent permits, sanitation fees and tax revenue, Biker Design’s owners say the city will bring in $420,000. That’s a deal worth listening to.
The problem is that since the council voted the rally down, it will take one of the three people who voted against it to reopen the discussion. Councilmembers Doug Emerson and Pauline Valdivia don’t seem inclined to do that because they feel it’s too late to organize an event this year. But lots of bikers have come to expect an event on the Fourth of July in Hollister, and they will show up. If nothing’s going on, the potential for trouble is greatly increased. It is better to harness that energy and turn it into profit than to have thousands of bikers roaming the streets looking for something to do.
Only Councilwoman Monica Johnson said she might reopen the matter if there is enough of a public outcry. She should do so.
Biker Design is presenting the city with a viable option to run a professionally-organized rally that won’t cost it any money. In fact, it could put some money into government coffers – a sweet idea for a city struggling with debt. Council members should consider Biker Design’s plan. Let the council know that you want the city to at least hear them out.
